Mahoning Township Montour County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Sign Regulations
§ 250-63 Purpose.
In order that the legitimate demands for signage can be met without the unsightly intrusion of an unlimited number of signs of inappropriate size, dimension and location, any sign erected or altered in Mahoning Township after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the following regulations.
§ 250-64 Types of signs.
Signage can include a variety of different types of signs, each with unique functions. The following list itemizes and describes the types of signs considered under the provisions of this article.
A.
Advertising signboards (billboards). A sign or board which attracts the attention of motorists or pedestrians to a product, place or activity that exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which the sign is situated, i.e., an off-premises sign. For the purposes of this chapter, advertising signboards may only be freestanding signs.
B.
Business identification sign. A sign or board which attracts motorists or pedestrians to a business, product, service or activity that is sold, produced or conducted on the same premises upon which the sign is located, i.e., an on-premises sign. For the purposes of this chapter, business identification signs may be either freestanding or parallel or projecting wall signs.
C.
Directional sign. A sign erected and maintained for the purpose of directing traffic to a particular destination, which does not contain any advertisement or promotional information. Such signs may be either on-premises or off-premises signs.
D.
Freestanding sign. A self-supported sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards placed in or on the ground. Such signs may advertise products or items offered for sale or that are directly related to the premises on which they are located, i.e., a business identification sign, or may advertise a business, product or event located elsewhere, i.e., an advertising signboard.
E.
Institutional or civic sign. A sign erected and maintained for the purpose of identifying a school, church or place of worship, park or playground, government or municipal building, library or museum, nursing or convalescent home, hospital or other institutional building or use located on the same premises as the sign. Such signs may be either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
F.
Parallel wall sign. A type of wall sign which is attached parallel to the face of its supporting wall and which does not protrude more than 12 inches from such wall.
G.
Permanent sign. A sign which is used or intended to be used for more than 15 days in any thirty-day period, excluding standard real estate or similar signs.
H.
Projecting wall sign. A type of wall sign with its horizontal plane attached at right angles to its supporting wall and which protrudes more than 12 inches from such wall.
I.
Temporary sign. A sign which is used no more than 15 days in any thirty-day period.
§ 250-65 General sign regulations.
The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses.
A.
Construction and maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable materials, be maintained in good condition, and shall not be allowed to become dilapidated or endanger public health, safety or welfare. All signs shall be securely fastened in order to prevent their displacement by the elements.
B.
Sign area.
(1)
For the purposes of this chapter, sign area shall include the entire face of a single side of a sign, including all trim and border area, but excluding any supporting framework or bracing.
(2)
A double-faced sign shall be considered a single sign, unless the interior angle formed by the two sides of the sign is greater than 45°, then each side of the sign shall be considered to be a separate sign.
(3)
Where a sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to a building, the area of the sign shall be considered to be the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and/or symbols.
C.
Placement.
(1)
No sign (whether temporary or permanent) shall be placed within the clear sight triangle of any intersection as per the requirements of § 250-50D of this chapter, nor at any other location that could obstruct or impair a motorist's clear vision. In addition, no sign shall be located where it could be an impediment to pedestrian traffic.
(2)
No sign, other than an official traffic sign, shall be erected within the right-of-way of any public street or roadway, unless authorized by the Township Supervisors for a special purpose.
(3)
The main supporting structure(s) of all permanent freestanding signs shall be located no closer to a street right-of-way or front property line, whichever is greater, than a distance equalling the height of the sign, except for official traffic signs. Temporary freestanding signs may be placed to within 15 feet of the edge of a street right-of-way or front property line, but must still meet the clear sight triangle requirements of Subsection C above. All freestanding signs shall be set back to meet the side and rear yard requirements for the district in which they are to be located.
(4)
No sign shall be erected or maintained which could prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall any sign be attached to a vent pipe, fire escape or the eaves of any building. Further, no signs shall be affixed to the roof of any building.
(5)
Signs placed in a General Floodplain District shall be subject to the regulations of the underlying district, except that no sign in any floodplain area may substantially impede natural drainage or the flow of water.
D.
Height.
(1)
Sign height shall be measured from the average finished grade of the site beneath the sign to the height point of the sign. No person(s) shall artificially increase the highest maximum height of a sign by altering the grade at the base of the sign.
(2)
No freestanding sign located in an RR, MR or HR District shall exceed 12 feet in height. In the C-O, A/F and R/OS Districts, the height of freestanding signs shall not exceed 20 feet. In all other zones, freestanding signs (including billboards or advertising signboards) shall not exceed the height limit permitted for principal structures in the district where they are to be located. (See also § 250-68D regarding the height of billboards or advertising signboards.)
(3)
No portion of a wall sign, whether parallel or projecting, shall extend above the top of the wall to which it is attached.
E.
Projection.
(1)
Parallel wall signs may not extend more than 12 inches from the surface to which they are mounted or attached, nor in any way interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(2)
Projecting wall signs shall not extend or project more than five feet from their supporting structure or wall, nor shall any such sign extend over a public street or walkway.
(3)
Projecting wall signs shall have a clearance of no less than 10 feet, measured from the ground or pavement immediately beneath the sign to the bottom or lowest part of the sign.
F.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall cause no glare or other disturbance which would be incompatible with the nature of the neighborhood where the sign is located or which would in any way impair the vision of passing motorists. Illumination shall be steady in nature, not flashing, moving or changing in brilliance, color or intensity, except for approved time and temperature signs.
G.
State regulations. All applicable state regulations shall be met where signs are proposed in areas adjacent to highways included in PennDOT's Primary and Interstate Highway Systems. Any person desiring to erect a sign in these areas shall contact PennDOT to determine if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A written copy of PennDOT's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas.
§ 250-66 Signs in the (RR) Rural Residential, (MR) Moderate Density Residential and (HR) High Density Residential Districts.
Signs may be placed or located in the RR, MR, and HR Districts, subject to the specified requirements:
A.
General signs. The following types of nonilluminated, nonadvertising general signs may be permitted in the RR, MR and HR Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
(2)
Nameplates or personal identification signs. Signs which display the name of the property owner and/or address of the property on which they are located may be permitted as follows:
(3)
Home occupation signs. Signs which identify the name of a specific home occupation to be conducted on the site where they are located may be permitted as follows:
(4)
Property sale and/or rental signs. Signs which advertise the sale, rental or lease of property on which they are located may be permitted as follows:
(7)
Artisans' signs. Signs of mechanics, painters or other artisans performing work on the premises may be permitted temporarily while such work is ongoing as follows:
(8)
Residential development identification signs. Signs which identify the name of the residential development upon which they are located may be permitted as follows:
(9)
Institutional or civic signs. Nonilluminated, nonadvertising institutional or civic signs may be permitted in the RR, MR and HR Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs. Signs which display the name of a school, church, group home, park or playground, nursing or convalescent home, or any other institutional building or use may be permitted as follows:
(10)
Maximum size: 20 square feet.
(11)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property, unless the property is situated on a corner, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
(12)
Business identification signs. The following types of externally illuminated, business identification signs may be permitted in the RR, MR, and HR Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
(13)
Existing nonconforming uses. Signs which identify the name of an existing nonconforming use (whether a new sign or a replacement for an existing sign) may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: 20 square feet for new signs; 20 square feet or the size of the existing sign, whichever is greater, for replacement signs.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property, unless the property is situated on a corner, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
(14)
New commercial uses. Signs which identify the name of an approved commercial use or activity, including day-care facilities, rooming houses or boardinghouses, and personal service businesses, or other uses set forth in the district regulations, §§ 250-14, 250-15 and 250-16, may be permitted as follows:
§ 250-67 Signs in the (C-O) Commercial-Office District.
Signs may be placed or located in the Commercial-Office District subject to the specified requirements.
A.
General signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-66A, general signs in the RR, MR and HR Districts, may also be permitted in the C-O District at the same size, in the same quantity and in the same style.
B.
Institutional and civic signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-66B, institutional and civic signs in the RR, MR and HR Districts, may also be permitted in the C-O District at the same size, in the same quantity and in the same style. Such signs in these zones may also be externally or internally illuminated.
C.
Business identification signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial use or activity, externally or internally illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the C-O District as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel or projecting wall signs.
(1)
Business identification signs in the C-O District may identify the name and/or logo or trademark of the business, service or activity which is situated or is occurring on the premises where the sign is located. There shall be no specific product pricing or advertising associated with such sign, except gas prices.
(2)
There shall be no more than one freestanding business identification sign and one parallel or projecting business identification wall sign per property in these zones.
(3)
Total sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet per business, regardless of the type of signs utilized. Where, however, a business is situated on a corner or has frontage on two streets, one business identification sign may be erected on each frontage, in which case the total sign area for all signs on the site shall not exceed 125 square feet.
§ 250-68 Signs in the (C-H) Commercial-Highway, (ID) Industrial Development and (IN) Institutional Districts.
Signs may be placed or located in the C-H, ID and IN Districts subject to the specified requirements.
A.
General signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-66A, general signs in the RR, MR and HR Districts, may also be permitted in the C-H, ID and IN Districts at the same size, in the same quantity and in the same style.
B.
Institutional and civic signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-66B, institutional and civic signs in the RR, MR and HR Districts, may also be permitted in the C-H, ID and IN Districts, in the same size, same quantity and in the same style, except that in the IN Zone, the following standards shall apply. All such signs in these zones may also be externally or internally illuminated.
(1)
Individual freestanding signs in the IN Zone may be up to 100 square feet in size per building, and there may be as many such signs as necessary to adequately identify individual institutional facilities.
(2)
Individual wall signs in the IN Zone shall not exceed 100 square feet in size per building, except where a building is situated on a corner or has exposure on more than one street, in which case, one wall sign not exceeding 100 square feet may be placed on each exposure.
(3)
There shall be no limit on the size or number of traffic or directional signs in the IN Zone.
C.
Business identification signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial use or activity, externally or internally illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the C-H, ID and IN Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as freestanding signs or parallel or projecting wall signs.
(1)
Business identification signs in the C-H, ID and IN Districts may identify the name and/or logo or trademark of the business, service, activity or industry which is situated or is occurring on the premises where the sign is located, and may also identify the pricing or availability of specific products.
(2)
There shall be no more than one freestanding business identification sign and one parallel or projecting business identification wall sign per property in these zones.
(3)
No one business identification sign, whether a freestanding or wall sign, shall exceed 100 square feet in size, nor shall any wall sign occupy more than 20% of the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
Total sign area shall not exceed 200 square feet per business, regardless of the type of signs utilized or the number of frontages available. Where, however, a business is situated on a corner or has frontage on two streets, one business identification sign may be erected on each frontage.
D.
Advertising signboards (billboards). Nonilluminated advertising signboards or billboards may be permitted in the C-H District as indicated below. Such signs may only be designed as freestanding signs.
(1)
Advertising signboards located in the C-H District may identify the name and/or logo or trademark of a business, service or activity which is located or occurs on a premises other than the location upon which the sign is situated and may advertise the pricing or availability of specific products.
(2)
There shall be no more than one advertising signboard per property in this zone.
(3)
Maximum sign area shall not exceed 600 square feet per face. Advertising signboards may have two parallel faces but may not be vertically or horizontally doubled nor multiplied further in any fashion. (See also § 250-65B for further sign area details.)
(4)
Advertising signboards shall be located no closer than 400 feet (measured on the same side of the street) to any other advertising signboard and no closer than 150 feet to any residence.
(5)
No advertising signboard shall exceed the height limit permitted for principal structures in the district where it is to be located nor be situated closer to the ground than 15 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign) when located in a parking, vehicular or pedestrian circulation area.
§ 250-69 Signs in the (A/F) Agricultural/Forest and (R/OS) Recreation/Open Space Districts.
Signs may be placed or located in the A/F and R/OS Districts subject to the specified requirements.
A.
General signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-66A, general signs in the RR, MR and HR Districts, may also be permitted in the A/F and R/OS Districts at the same size, in the same quantity and in the same style.
B.
Institutional and civic signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-66B, institutional and civic signs in the RR, MR and HR Districts, may also be permitted in the A/F and R/OS Districts at the same size, in the same quantity and in the same style.
C.
Business identification signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial use or activity, the following types of nonilluminated business identification signs may be permitted in the A/F and R/OS Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
(1)
Business identification signs in the A/F and R/OS Districts may identify the name and/or logo or trademark of the business, service or activity which is situated or is occurring on the premises where the sign is located. There shall be no specific product pricing or advertising associated with such sign.
(2)
There shall be no more than one freestanding business identification sign or one parallel business identification wall sign per property in these zones.
(3)
Maximum sign area shall not exceed 24 square feet per business, regardless of the type of sign utilized. Where, however, a business is situated on a corner or has frontage on two streets, one business identification sign may be erected on each frontage, in which case the total sign area for all signs on the site shall not exceed 48 square feet.
§ 250-70 Permit requirements.
The following requirements shall apply to all permanent signs.
A.
A zoning permit shall be required for the placement, erection or alteration of all permanent signs, except as may exempted in § 250-70C below. All applications for signs being erected on property other than that owned by the applicant shall also include notarized permission from the property owner.
B.
Fees for the issuance of zoning permits for signs shall be paid to the Township upon filing of an application for such use. All such fees shall be in accordance with the schedule of fees established by resolution of the Township Supervisors. There shall be no fee for the erection of any sign necessary to the public welfare.
C.
No zoning permits shall be required for the following types of signs, although the requirements of §§ 250-65 and 250-66A shall remain applicable.
(1)
Property posting signs;
(2)
Nameplates or personal identification signs;
(3)
Property sale or rental signs;
(4)
Temporary signs; and
(5)
Directional or public service signs, including those advertising the availability of rest rooms, public telephones or other public conveniences, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, product or goods.