Middletown Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXV
Signs
§ 275-176 Scope and applicability.
A.
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform with the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or regulations of the Township relating thereto. Any sign not specifically authorized by the provisions of this chapter shall not be erected or maintained in the Township.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or individual to erect and maintain signs, ground signboards, roof signboards, wall bulletins, projecting signs, marquees and marquee signs without first obtaining a permit from the Township, except those listed specifically in § 275-179.
C.
No display sign shall hereafter be erected or attached to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure, and no display sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated until a permit for the same has been obtained, except those listed specifically hereafter in § 275-179.
D.
Application for such permits shall be made in writing to the Township in accordance with § 275-180 and shall present full particulars as to size, shape, material, supports, location and height above the sidewalk or ground, together with the written consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located. All applications shall be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale, showing the sign, its size and its location with respect to the building and to the boundaries of the lot upon which it is situated.
E.
Nonconforming signs. Signs and their respective illumination existing at the time of the passage of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs, and once destroyed or removed for any reason, shall be replaced only with conforming signs and lighting. Nonconforming signs may be painted, repaired (including lighting) and altered in their wording, provided such modifications do not exceed the dimensions of the existing signs.
F.
Abandoned signs. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him a sign which has been abandoned. An "abandoned sign," for the purpose of this chapter, is a sign erected on and/or related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of six months or more; or any sign which was erected for a prior occupant or business; or any sign which relates to a time, event or purpose which is past. Any such abandoned sign shall be removed by the landowner or person controlling the property within 10 days of the abandonment as described above.
G.
The Zoning Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by the Township, upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with any provision of this article.
H.
The provisions of this article shall not apply where signage is erected and maintained by Township Council for Township purposes, provided that all other required governmental permits are obtained by Township Council prior to such Township use.
§ 275-177 Determination of size of signs.
A.
The size of any sign shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this article and the following:
(1)
Calculation of sign area. For the purposes of this section, "surface display area" shall mean the entire area within a continuous perimeter formed by straight lines joined at right angles which enclose the extreme limits of the writing, background, representation or display of the sign face. The supports, uprights or structure on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the surface display area unless such supports, uprights or structure is designed in such a manner as to form an integral background of the display or to convey meaning.
(2)
When a sign consists of a letterhead board and such sign is erected on or attached to a building wall or other similar surface, the size of such sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered board.
(3)
When a sign is a freestanding sign, the size of such freestanding sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered board or the area of the combination of letters, numbers and/or logos without a lettered board, as the case may be, excluding the area of the largest single surface of each support upon which such sign is erected.
§ 275-178 Sign restrictions and standards.
A.
Prohibited signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following signs:
(1)
Spinning, animated, twirling or any other moving objects used for advertising purposes, whether containing a message or not.
(2)
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated or lighted moving signs of any type, including automatic color-changing and rotating lamps of other displays that call attention to a sign.
(3)
Advertising cloth or paper banner or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary banners which may be permitted through special permission of the Township.
(4)
Wall bulletins or any other signs painted directly on the facade of a building or other structure.
(5)
Signs on mobile stands that can be moved from place to place and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground and other portable signs, be they freestanding, on the ground or temporarily attached to a building or other support.
(6)
Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached or suspended from any outdoor bench, chair or other structure.
(7)
Swinging and hanging signs.
(8)
Any signs which are not internally illuminated (example: direct flood lighting onto a wood pole sign).
(9)
Signs, letters and advertisements which are tacked, pasted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, trees, buildings, fences or other structures located on public property in the Township of Middletown.
(10)
No sign shall be temporarily or permanently placed, erected, attached or painted on any vehicle if such sign identifies, advertises or gives information with respect to a premises or a part thereof, or any sale or special event or other circumstance. A sign is permitted on a vehicle when:
(a)
Such sign is required by law;
(b)
Such sign is in transit from one location to another, for permanent installation, for a time not to exceed three days;
(c)
The sign which is permanently painted or affixed to a vehicle and is incidental to the use of a currently licensed vehicle when that use is a means of transportation;
(d)
The vehicle, capable of sheltering a use or occupancy, is used as a construction shed or is located as prescribed for buildings in the zoning regulation regulating the premises and is used and occupied for a purpose permitted by the zoning regulation. In such a case, the sign shall otherwise comply with this chapter.
(11)
Neon, LED or any internally lit signs placed in windows of premises which can be seen from the outside are specifically prohibited.
(12)
Unsafe and lawful signs. If the Zoning Officer shall find that sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in the violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall give written notice thereof to the permittee. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards set forth herein within 10 days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Zoning Officer at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Zoning Officer shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
(13)
Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the roofline or any structure which extends above the roofline of any building.
(14)
Hot- or cold-air balloons or other floating devices, with or without a message, placed or tethered on any property or structure, except for balloons used for human conveyance, which may be permitted upon approval of the Township Council.
B.
General restrictions and standards. The following restrictions shall apply to all permitted signs:
(1)
No sign shall be located, arranged or placed in a position that it will cause danger to traffic or will interfere with traffic through glare; blocking of required sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways; confusion with a traffic-control device by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristic; or through any other means.
(2)
All signs constructed or erected under the provisions of this chapter shall comply with the standards set forth in both Article XXIII of the BOCA National Building Code, as amended, and the National Electric Code, as amended.
(3)
No sign shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any public street, nor shall any such sign be closer than 15 feet to the curbline of a public street, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances and regulations of Middletown Township or other governmental bodies or agencies having jurisdiction or regulatory authority in the matter.
(4)
No sign shall be designed or lighted in such a manner or placed in such a position or location that it will present an unreasonable risk of injury to persons or property, or that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obstructing or hindering the view.
(5)
All external illuminated signs shall be turned off 1/2 hour after closing of the business or entity which they identify or advertise.
(6)
No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or permitted use is not open for business.
(7)
Every sign must be constructed of durable materials and shall be solidly and firmly attached, supported and/or anchored to the supports or framework.
(8)
Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by and at the expense of the landowner or lessee of the property on which is located.
(9)
All permanent signs affixed to any permitted building shall be integrated into the architectural design of the building on which they are placed.
C.
Double-faced signs.
(1)
A sign may be double-faced provided it has two parallel surfaces that are directly opposite, matching in size and shape and are not over 18 inches apart.
(2)
The sign shall be considered as one sign and only one face shall be used to calculate the total size of the sign.
(3)
Should the two surfaces deviate from being parallel, exceed the maximum distance between the parallel surfaces, or differ in size or shape, the sign shall be considered as two signs.
D.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
Pole signs shall be made of metal or steel, except for those used in residential districts, which may be made of pressure-treated timbers. All such posts shall be embedded in the ground at least three feet six inches. The bottom edge of the sign area shall be a minimum of eight feet from the ground, and the top edge shall be no more than 15 feet maximum above the ground.
(2)
Ground signs shall be made of brick, stone, metal, steel, or pressure-treated timbers and shall be embedded in the ground at least three feet six inches. Unless specifically authorized elsewhere in this chapter, ground signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
E.
Projecting signs. Such signs may be erected and maintained, provided that:
(1)
No such sign shall project more than 12 inches beyond the building line if internally illuminated and not more than four inches if it is not internally illuminated, except that no sign shall project over a public sidewalk area.
(2)
All projecting signs shall be rigidly affixed to the building and to all supporting and framing structures, attachments and hardware.
(3)
No part of the projecting sign shall be less than eight feet or more than 14 feet above the ground on walkway level.
(4)
No projecting sign shall be permitted within 25 feet of any other projecting sign.
F.
Billboards and signs. Unless regulated elsewhere in this chapter or in another of the Township's ordinances, the following regulation shall apply to the lighting of new or relighting of existing billboards and signs, whether from an internal or external lighting source, shall require a building permit, which shall be granted only when Township is satisfied that excessive illumination, light pollution, glare and light trespass have been adequately mitigated, and shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1)
Externally illuminated billboards and signs shall have luminaires mounted at the top of the billboard or sign and aimed downward. The luminaires shall be designed, fitted and aimed to shield the light sources/lamps and their reflective surfaces from direct off-site view, and to place the light output onto and not beyond the sign or billboard face.
(2)
Internally illuminated billboards and signs shall have a dark field/background and light message. The maximum luminance at any point on the sign face shall not exceed 150 cd/m2 during hours of darkness.
(3)
Channel letter signs shall have dimming capability to allow adjustment of sign brightness when required by the Township to accommodate local ambient conditions and complaints of excessive glare.
(4)
Illumination of billboards shall be limited to commercial and industrial zoning districts and the illumination of billboards located within 400 feet of a residential use from which the billboard's illuminated surface is visible shall not be permitted.
(5)
Signs and billboards shall not resemble or simulate any warning or danger signal or any official traffic control device, sign or light.
(6)
Billboards shall be extinguished automatically by a programmable controller with astronomical and semiannual time-change control and spring or battery power-outage reset, by no later than 11:00 p.m. each evening until dawn, except that signs for establishments (not companies) that operate or remain open past 11:00 p.m., may remain lighted no later than 1/2 hour past the time of the close of the establishment.
(7)
Rotating, traveling, pulsing, flashing or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, searchlights or strobe lighting shall not be permitted.
(8)
The use of highly reflective signage that creates nuisance glare or a safety hazard shall not be permitted.
(9)
LED. electronic/digital billboard and sign lighting shall only be permitted in and the SU-2 and C-3 Industrial Districts, shall not be allowed to operate between 11:00 p.m. and dawn when located where the sign face or its light output is visible from a residential district or use. On limited-access highways, signs and billboards shall not be located within 1,000 feet of an approaching interchange or traffic-merging lanes. Except for time and weather signs, digital message shall not be permitted to change more than once every 60 seconds. From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, the LED output shall be automatically reduced to a level that does not exceed 150 nits. Where located in an area with existing high-ambient light levels but not visible from a residential use, a sign-face brightness not exceeding 200 nits/cd/m may be permitted. The sign or billboard nighttime light output shall be capable of being further dimmed if Township so requires, when the lighting is judged to create a nuisance or hazard. LED light sources correlated color temperature shall not exceed 3000K.
G.
Each sign shall be removed within 10 days of the time when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply, or as provided for otherwise herein.
H.
All sign provisions of this article shall apply to smokestacks, water towers, silos and other similar structures.
§ 275-179 Permitted signs for which a permit is not required.
A.
The following signs, whether located on public or private property and exactly as described below, are exempt from the need to secure a permit, but are subject to the provisions of §§ 275-176 to 275-178.
(1)
Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday, provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
(2)
Official and governmental signs which shall include safety signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest and traffic signs.
(5)
Temporary signs announcing a political, public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar campaign or event, provided:
(a)
Such sign may be erected for a period not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year.
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed in size the area permitted for permanent signs as provided for each zoning district.
(c)
Such sign shall not be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
(d)
Such sign shall be no closer than 10 feet to the curbline of a public street, unless specifically approved by the Township Council.
(6)
Window signs. Such signs, excluding neon signs, shall be used to serve as an accessory sign to the sign associated with the principal use.
(7)
Official traffic signs.
(8)
Trespassing signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(9)
Real estate signs which do not exceed six square feet.
(a)
Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises or lot upon which they are erected, provided that:
(10)
Signs of contractors, mechanics and artisans, provided that:
(a)
Such signs shall be erected only on the premises or lot where such work is being performed.
(b)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(c)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(d)
Such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work by the contractor, mechanic or artisan.
(e)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises or lot held in single and separate ownership.
(11)
Signs advertising sale of farm products grown on the premises, provided that:
(a)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises, unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case, one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(c)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(d)
Such signs shall be displayed only when farm products are on sale.
(12)
Informational signs such as: "entrance," "exit," "no parking," "visitor's parking," "no hunting," "no trespassing," "keep off the grass" and the like, on the same lot as the use to which the sign relates or the prohibition of the use to which the sign relates, provided that:
(13)
Signs installed at an athletic field or other exterior athletic facility owned, operated or utilized by a governmental or not-for-profit entity, advertising a product, business or activity not provided or conducted on the premises where such signs are installed, provided:
(a)
A plan depicting the location, number and size of all signs proposed to be installed pursuant to this section shall be submitted to the Township of Middletown for review and approval by the Zoning Officer prior to the installation of such signs.
(b)
Such signs shall be installed so that the message face side of each sign is directed toward the playing surface or spectator seating area, or both;
(c)
Such signs shall be attached to a fence, wall or other surface within the athletic facility so that the message face of the sign is not visible from the nearest public street or residential property;
(d)
The side of a sign opposite the message face when installed on a fence or other structure which is open to view from outside the athletic field or facility shall be painted or otherwise colored the same as the color of the fence or other structure on which the sign is installed;
(e)
No individual sign shall exceed 15 square feet;
(f)
No such sign shall be illuminated or animated;
(g)
All such signs shall advertise legal products, businesses or activities.
§ 275-180 Permits.
A.
Except as otherwise provided in § 275-179, no sign shall be erected in the Township until a permit therefor has been obtained in the following manner:
(1)
An application in writing shall be made to the Township's Zoning Officer by the person desiring the permit.
(2)
The application submitted to the Township's Zoning Officer shall give full particulars regarding the size, shape, material and supports of the sign as well as a sketch or sketches showing the location of the sign on the building or lot, the distance from the curbline and the height of the sign. The application shall be sufficiently specific to enable the Township's Zoning Officer to determine if the sign complies with this chapter as well as any other ordinance or regulation of the Township relating thereto.
(3)
If the person submitting the application is not the owner of the property upon which the sign is to be erected, the written consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected shall accompany the application.
B.
Except as otherwise provided in § 275-179, whenever any sign is replaced by another sign, enlarged in any manner or altered, dismantled, damaged or otherwise destroyed to the extent of more than 75% of its value, a permit shall be required as provided in Subsection A(1) above before the sign is replaced, enlarged, altered or repaired.
§ 275-181 Permitted signs by zoning district.
The following signs, exactly as described under each specific district, are permitted, provided a sign permit has been obtained for such sign.
A.
Signs in residential districts. The following types of signs and no other shall be permitted in R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and Planned Residential Development Districts.
(1)
(2)
Signs of a temporary nature.
(a)
Real estate signs from six feet to 20 square feet.
[1]
Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises or lot upon which they are erected, provided that:
[a]
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises or lot held single and separate ownership.
[b]
No such sign shall be illuminated.
[c]
All such signs shall be removed on the date of settlement or lease, or within one year from the date the application for such signs was approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for additional periods of six months upon application to the Township Zoning Officer.
[2]
Signs advertising the development of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:
[a]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
[b]
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises or lot unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case, one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated.
[d]
All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots on the premises in all approved phases of the development.
[3]
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises in the process of development, provided that:
B.
Signs in the I-1 and I-2 Institutional Districts.
(1)
Signs identifying such uses as general medical or surgical hospitals, mental health care agencies or facilities, public or private educational or human services organization campus-type institutions, governmental uses and community centers.
(a)
One sign shall be permitted at the main entrance to the property, provided that it meets the following:
(c)
In addition to § 275-181B(1)(a) above, one changeable message board sign shall be permitted along the principal street frontage of the property, provided that it meets the following:
(d)
Wall signs shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
[1]
For a building with one internal street or parking lot frontage, one wall sign shall be permitted.
[2]
For a building with more than one internal street or parking lot frontage, one wall sign per frontage shall be permitted.
[3]
Wall signs shall be attached to the wall of the building on the side of the frontage.
[4]
Maximum area: 50 square feet.
(e)
Directional signs shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
[1]
Directional signs for the purpose of directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the complex shall be permitted.
[2]
The directional signs shall be for the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
[3]
Maximum area: 50 square feet.
[4]
The height of any freestanding or ground sign shall not exceed 10 feet above ground level.
[5]
No such sign shall be illuminated, except by lighting concealed or indirectly attached to the sign itself.
[6]
Not such sign shall advertise any particular item, program or product.
[7]
The location and placement of directional signs as permitted by this subsection shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs within the complex.
[8]
Signs depicting "entrance," "exit," "pick-up," "loading area," and similar signs of a directional nature shall be permitted to be installed on a building wall, provided that no such sign shall exceed 40 square feet and shall contain letters and numbers only.
(2)
Signs identifying continuing-care retirement communities.
(a)
One sign shall be permitted at the main entrance to the property, provided that it meets the following:
(b)
Wall signs shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
[1]
For a building with one internal street or parking lot frontage, one wall sign shall be permitted.
[2]
For a building with more than one internal street or parking lot frontage, one wall sign per frontage shall be permitted.
[3]
Wall signs shall be attached to the wall of the building on the side of the frontage.
[4]
Maximum area: 36 square feet.
(c)
Directional signs shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
[1]
Directional signs for the purpose of directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the complex shall be permitted.
[2]
The directional signs shall be for the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
[3]
Maximum area: 35 square feet.
[4]
The height of any ground sign shall not exceed eight feet above ground level.
[5]
No such sign shall be illuminated, except by lighting concealed or indirectly attached to the sign itself.
[6]
No such sign shall advertise any particular item, program or product.
[7]
The location and placement of directional signs as permitted by this subsection shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs within the complex.
[8]
Signs depicting "entrance," "exit,", "pick-up," "loading area," and similar signs of a directional nature shall be permitted to be installed on a building wall, provided that no such sign shall exceed 40 square feet and shall contain letters and numbers only.
(3)
Signs identifying elementary and secondary schools.
(b)
One manual changeable copy sign not to exceed 25 square feet installed along the principal road frontage of the facility shall be permitted, or, in the alternative, one sign consisting of an identification portion not to exceed 20 square feet and the changeable copy portion not to exceed 25 square feet within a single structure.
(c)
Wall signs shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
[1]
For a building with one internal street or parking lot frontage, one wall sign shall be permitted.
[2]
For a building with more than one internal street or parking lot frontage, one wall sign per frontage shall be permitted.
[3]
Wall signs shall be attached to the wall of the building on the side of the frontage.
[4]
Maximum area: 36 square feet.
(d)
Directional signs shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
[1]
Directional signs for the purpose of directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the complex shall be permitted.
[2]
The directional signs shall be for the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
[3]
Maximum area: 20 square feet.
[4]
The height of any ground sign shall not exceed eight feet above ground level.
[5]
No such sign shall be illuminated, except by lighting concealed or indirectly attached to the sign itself.
[6]
Not such sign shall advertise any particular item, program or product.
[7]
The location and placement of directional signs as permitted by this subsection shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs within the complex.
[8]
Signs depicting "entrance," "exit," "pick-up," "loading area," and similar signs of a directional nature shall be permitted to be installed on a building wall, provided that no such sign shall exceed 40 square feet and shall contain letters and numbers only.
C.
Signs in the Commercial and Special Use Districts. The following types of signs shall be permitted in C-1, C-2, C-3, SU-1, SU-1-A, and SU-2.
(1)
General sign types.
(a)
Any sign permitted in Residence Districts which relates to a use permitted in such districts.
(b)
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:
[1]
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case, one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
[2]
The size of any such signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
[3]
No such sign shall be illuminated.
[4]
All such signs shall be removed on the date of settlement or lease, or within one year from the date the application for such signs was approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for additional periods of six months upon application to the Township Code Enforcement Officer.
(c)
Real estate development signs advertising the development of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:
[1]
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case, one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
[2]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet. No such sign shall be illuminated. All such signs shall be removed when all the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold, or within one year from the date the application for such signs was approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for additional periods of six months upon application to the Township Code Enforcement Officer, provided that at the time said application is filed, not more than 90% of the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold.
(2)
Signs advertising and identifying businesses or permitted commercial uses in the C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts.
(a)
General commercial uses.
[1]
Freestanding signs. Except as provided in Subsection C(2)(b) below, not more than one freestanding sign for each building or combination of buildings on the premises held in single and separate ownership shall be erected regardless of the number of uses or businesses in each building or combination of buildings, provided that:
[a]
The height of any ground sign shall not exceed eight feet above ground level. In the interest of public safety, a sign of greater height may be permitted by unanimous vote of Township Council.
[b]
The size of any sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
[2]
Direct public entrance wall signs. Each occupant in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with a direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:
[3]
No direct public entrance wall signs. All occupants in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with no direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants, provided that:
[a]
Such sign shall be attached to the wall of the building or combination of buildings on the premises and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the building or combination of buildings.
[b]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(b)
Drive-through restaurants. In addition to signage provided per § 275-181C(2)(a)[1], [2] and [3], a restaurant with drive-through service may erect no more than two freestanding menu board signs, of a maximum size of 25 square feet per sign, and no more than two preview board signs, of a maximum size of eight square feet per sign.
(c)
Shopping centers.
[1]
Freestanding signs. Not more than one freestanding sign advertising and identifying each shopping center held in single and separate ownership shall be erected for each arterial road, as designated in the Comprehensive Plan, upon which the shopping center has frontage, provided that:
[a]
The height of any ground sign shall not exceed 15 feet above ground level In the interest of public safety, a sign of greater height may be permitted by unanimous vote of the Township Council.
[b]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
[2]
Direct public entrance wall signs. Each occupant in the shopping center with a direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:
[3]
No direct public entrance wall signs. All occupants in the shopping center with no direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants, provided that:
[a]
Such sign shall be attached to the wall of the building or combination of buildings on the premises and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the shopping center.
[b]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(d)
A motel or hotel that regularly provides as part of its operation banquet facilities and/or conference and meeting rooms for group social functions shall be permitted, in addition to other permitted signage, a fifty-square-foot reader board sign to advertise special functions on such hotel or motel premises.
(3)
C-3 Major Shopping Center District. Signs advertising and identifying a major shopping center and occupants of a major shopping center in the C-3 District.
(a)
Design guidelines. The signage referenced in the concept signage program set forth in the Promenade at Granite Run Design Guidelines in Appendix C,[1] approved by Township Council, shall be permitted.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix C is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(b)
Pylon center advertising signs. Not more than two freestanding signs identifying or advertising the shopping center shall be erected, one for each arterial road upon which the shopping center has frontage, provided that:
[1]
The height of the freestanding signs shall not exceed 70 feet above the grade of the center line of the nearest public roadway.
[2]
The size of any one of such signs on any given street frontage shall not exceed 600 square feet.
[3]
The freestanding signs may contain an electrical changeable copy display sign or manual changeable copy display sign as part of the overall pylon sign display, provided that the changeable copy portion of the sign is of a maximum size of 75 square feet.
[4]
No such sign shall have a distance between the faces thereon in excess of six feet.
[5]
All such signs shall be set back at least 15 feet from any street or highway right-of-way line.
[6]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting concealed or indirectly attached to the sign itself, and may remain continuously illuminated.
(c)
In addition to the freestanding signs provided for in the subsection above, one freestanding sign shall be permitted at each access drive into the shopping center, provided that:
(d)
Multi-purpose visual display sign. A property in the C-3 District containing 25 acres or more shall be permitted to install one multi-purpose visual display exterior wall-mounted sign of a maximum size of 200 square feet, provided that any such display sign may not be affixed to a building wall which faces a public street.
(e)
Commercial tenant signage. Each occupant of a commercial building with a direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted signage on the exterior of the building occupied by such occupant, provided that the total square footage of such occupant's signage shall not exceed the lesser of 2,000 square feet or 3% of the gross floor area of the space occupied by such occupant, or 100 square feet in the case of an occupied space which is less than 3,333 square feet.
[1]
Occupied spaces having multiple building facades shall be permitted one or more signs on each exterior wall of the building, subject to the following limitations:
[2]
Not more than two signs shall be permitted on the wall of any one side of the building.
[3]
All tenant advertising signage shall be turned off within 1/2 hour after the close of business.
(f)
A restaurant with drive-through service may erect no more than two freestanding menu board signs, of a maximum size of 25 square feet per sign, and no more than two preview board signs, of a maximum size of eight square feet per sign.
(g)
Signage in C-3 District pertaining to a multifamily residential building shall be subject to the following:
[1]
Each multifamily residential building may have up to four building identification signs affixed to the facade of the building, provided that the aggregate area of such signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.
[2]
One ground-mounted monument sign shall be permitted which shall not exceed a height of 10 feet above the grade at the base of such monument sign, and each face of such monument sign shall not exceed a total area of 50 square feet.
(h)
Directional signage. Directional signs for the purpose of directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the shopping center shall be permitted in proximity to the entrances to the shopping center and at selected locations within the shopping center. The directional signs shall be for the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, giving direction to specific stores and buildings within the shopping center.
[1]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
[2]
The height of any such sign above grade immediately surrounding same shall not exceed six feet.
[3]
No such sign shall advertise any particular item, program or product but rather shall be limited to the giving of directions to particular stores or buildings within the shopping center.
[4]
The location and placement of directional signs as permitted by this subsection shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs filed with the Township.
[5]
"Entrance," "exit," "pick-up," "loading area" and similar directional signs shall be permitted by the Township Code Enforcement Officer if necessary for the safety and protection of the public, provided no such sign shall exceed six square feet in area and no such sign shall contain any advertising.
(4)
Special use districts. Signs advertising and identifying businesses and permitted uses in Special Use Districts SU-1 and SU-2.
(a)
The following types of signs advertising conforming special uses on conforming lots shall be permitted:
[1]
When the use of business is other than an office building or office complex, not more than one sign for the building or combination of buildings on the premises held in single and separate ownership shall be erected for each street upon which the special use has frontage, regardless of the number of uses or businesses in the building or combination of buildings, provided that:
[a]
Where the sign is a freestanding sign:
[i]
The height of any ground sign shall not exceed 15 feet above ground level.
[ii]
The size of any such sign shall be determined as follows:
[A]
One square foot of sign shall be permitted for every four linear feet of street frontage on the street where the sign is erected up to a maximum size of 125 square feet.
[B]
Where a special use has street frontage on more than one street, the linear feet along all streets where the special use has frontage may be used to calculate the size of such sign up to a maximum size of 125 square feet, provided that the Township Council unanimously agrees to permit the use of this type of calculation, and further provided that if this method of calculating the size of a sign is used, only one freestanding sign shall be permitted.
[b]
Where the sign is attached to the wall of the building on the premises, the size of such sign shall be determined as follows:
[i]
One square foot of sign shall be permitted for every four linear feet of building on the side facing the street where the sign is erected, up to a maximum size of 125 square feet.
[ii]
Where the special use has street frontage on more than one street, the linear feet of building on all sides with street frontage may be used to calculate the size of such sign, up to a maximum size of 125 square feet, provided that Township Council unanimously agrees to permit the use of this type of calculation, and further provided that if this method of calculating the size of a sign is used, only one wall sign shall be permitted.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
[2]
When the use of a business is an office building or office complex, the following types of signs are permitted:
[a]
One freestanding sign designating the name and address of the building or combination of buildings, and identifying the occupants of said building or buildings, provided that:
[b]
One sign for each occupant on the exterior of the office building identifying the occupant and his business or occupation, provided that:
[c]
Such directional signs as are necessary to promote the safe and convenient movement of traffic within the driveways and parking areas, provided that:
[i]
The size of such sign shall not exceed the product of the number of occupants listed on such directory multiplied by 250 square inches.
[ii]
Such sign shall be erected perpendicular to the driveway nearest their location.
[iii]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(b)
The following types of signs advertising nonconforming uses on conforming lots, or conforming uses on nonconforming lots or nonconforming uses on nonconforming lots, shall be permitted:
[1]
Not more than one freestanding sign designating the name and address of the building or combination of buildings on the premises held in single and separate ownership and identifying the occupants of said building or combination of buildings shall be erected, provided that:
[a]
The height, setbacks and construction of the sign must comply with § 275-178D, Freestanding signs. In the interest of public safety, a sign of greater height may be permitted by unanimous vote of Township Council.
[b]
The size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
[2]
Each occupant in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with a direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:
[3]
All occupants in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with no direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants and tenants, provided that:
[a]
Such sign shall be attached to the wall of the building or combination of buildings and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the building or combination of buildings.
[b]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(c)
Signs identifying conditional uses in SU Special Use Districts.
(5)
Signs advertising and identifying businesses and permitted uses in Special Use Districts SU-1A.
(a)
The following types of signs advertising conforming special uses on conforming lots shall be permitted:
[1]
One freestanding sign advertising and identifying a mixed-use development, or a major tenant within a mixed-use development, shall be permitted to be erected at each driveway intersection with an existing street, provided that:
[a]
If mounted on a background, freestanding signs shall not be less than seven feet nor more than 13 feet in height above the grade of the center line of the nearest public roadway. In cases where individual letters are separately braced to the ground, each letter shall be no more than 10 feet high measured from grade.
[b]
If mounted on a background, freestanding signs shall not exceed 96 square feet in sign area. In cases where individual letters are separately braced to the ground, the maximum total sign area shall be no more than 1,000 square feet.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting which is concealed, internally illuminated, or indirect.
[d]
All such signs shall be set back at least 15 feet from any street or highway right-of-way line.
[2]
Directional signs for the purpose of directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the tract shall be permitted in proximity to the entrances to buildings. The directional signs shall be for the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, giving direction to specific buildings and uses within the development.
[a]
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.
[b]
The height of any such sign above grade immediately surrounding same shall not exceed four feet six inches.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated, except by lighting which is concealed, internally illuminated, or indirect.
[d]
No such sign shall advertise any particular item, program or product but rather shall be limited to the giving of directions to particular buildings or uses within the development.
[e]
"Entrance," "exit," "pick-up," "loading area" and similar directional signs shall be permitted by the Township Code Enforcement Officer if necessary for the safety and protection of the public, provided no such sign shall exceed six square feet in area and no such sign shall contain any advertising.
(b)
Signs advertising and identifying single-occupancy nonresidential buildings in the SU-1-A Mixed-Use District.
[1]
The occupant of a single-occupancy nonresidential building shall be permitted the exterior wall signs, provided that:
[a]
Not more than two signs shall be permitted on the wall of any one side of the building.
[b]
No one wall sign shall exceed 240 square feet or have a length of more than 50 feet, and no sign shall be closer than 10 feet to another wall sign unless it is deemed part of the same sign.
[c]
The total square footage of wall signage on each building face shall not exceed 3% of the gross floor area of the space occupied by such occupant, or 100 square feet in the case of an occupied space which is less than 3,333 square feet.
[d]
No wall sign shall be illuminated except by lighting which is concealed or indirect.
(c)
Signs advertising and identifying multi-tenant office buildings in the SU-1-A Mixed Use District.
[1]
Multi-tenant office buildings are permitted to have one freestanding sign designating the name and address of the building, and identifying the occupants of said building or buildings, provided that:
[2]
Multi-tenant office buildings are permitted to have one wall sign designating the name and address of the building, provided that:
[3]
In addition to wall signs designating the name and address of the building, multitenant office buildings are permitted to have additional wall signs on the exterior wall of an office building, as follows:
[a]
Multitenant office buildings having at least 200,000 square feet of gross leasable area are permitted to have three additional wall signs of a maximum of 200 square feet per sign on the exterior wall of the building.
[b]
Multitenant office buildings having 100,000 square feet of gross leasable area up to 200,000 square feet of gross leasable area are permitted to have two additional wall signs of a maximum of 200 square feet per sign on the exterior wall of the building.
[c]
Multitenant office buildings having 50,000 square feet of gross leasable area up to 100,000 square feet of gross leasable area are permitted to have two additional wall signs of a maximum of 100 square feet per sign on the exterior wall of the building.
[d]
Multitenant office buildings having less than 50,000 square feet of gross leasable area are permitted to have two additional wall signs of a maximum of 50 square feet per sign on the exterior wall of the building.
[e]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting which is concealed, internally illuminated or indirect.
[4]
Multi-tenant office buildings are permitted to have such directory signs as are necessary to promote the safe and convenient movement of traffic within the driveways and parking areas, provided that:
[a]
The size of such sign shall not exceed the product of the number of occupants listed on such directory multiplied by 250 square inches.
[b]
Such sign shall be erected perpendicular to the driveway nearest their location.
[c]
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting which is concealed, internally illuminated or indirect.
[5]
A master signage plan depicting the type, approximate location and approximate size of each proposed sign shall be submitted at the time of both preliminary and final plan submission.
D.
O-R Outdoor Recreation Districts.
(1)
One identification sign shall be permitted on a property or properties under single ownership and management. The sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area.
E.
Manufacturing and Industrial Districts. In M Manufacturing and Industrial Districts, the regulations provided for in § 275-181C(2)(a) related to C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts shall apply.
F.
Signs which are nonconforming and signs which identify and advertise nonconforming uses shall be permitted in accordance with the following regulations, except as otherwise provided in this chapter:
(1)
A sign which is nonconforming at the effective date of this chapter may be continued although such sign does not conform with the provisions of this chapter, but the size of any such nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged.
(2)
A nonconforming sign may be changed to or replaced by another nonconforming sign, when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board. Whenever a nonconforming sign has been changed to a more restricted nonconforming sign, such sign shall not thereafter be changed to a less restricted nonconforming sign.
(3)
No nonconforming sign which has been dismantled, damaged or otherwise destroyed to the extent of more than 75% of its value shall be repaired or rebuilt, except as a conforming sign, except when authorized to be repaired or rebuilt as a nonconforming sign as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.
(4)
If a nonconforming use of a building ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of one year or more and such nonconforming use is deemed to be abandoned by virtue of the applicable provisions of other ordinances and regulations of the Township of Middletown, any nonconforming sign or any subsequent signs erected or maintained on the premises shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(5)
Signs which are conforming at the effective date of this chapter and which identify and advertise nonconforming uses shall be maintained as conforming signs in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
G.
Off-premises signs. Signs may be erected and maintained that advertise a product, activity or business not conducted on the premises where the business is located, provided that:
(1)
No such sign shall be permitted in the R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-4, or PRD District.
(2)
Each off-premises sign shall be subject to the number, size, setback, height and lighting of the signage provisions of the zoning district in which it is located and shall be included in the total signage permitted on the premises where the sign is located.
H.
Changeable signs. Changeable signs shall be permitted subject to the following restrictions and limitations:
(1)
The maximum square footage of the portion of a changeable sign dedicated to electrical changeable copy display or manual changeable copy display for any property is limited to a maximum of 50% of the freestanding signage permitted for the property in the zoning district in which the property is located; provided, however, that the electrical changeable copy display or manual changeable copy display shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(2)
Each property permitted to install a changeable sign shall be limited to one on-premises changeable sign, subject to the limitations herein, which may only be installed along the principal road frontage of the property.
(3)
The following restrictions and limitations shall apply to all permitted changeable signs with an electrical changeable copy display:
(a)
All signs constructed or erected hereunder shall comply with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations related to outdoor advertising. See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.; 67 Pa. Code, Chapter 445.
(b)
All signs constructed or erected hereunder shall be subject to the prohibitions and restrictions set forth in § 275-178A(1) and (2).
(c)
All signs constructed or erected hereunder shall maintain a minimum static display time of 30 seconds.
(d)
No sign shall display a message which changes in intensity or color during the fixed display period.
(e)
The display message shall contain only words, numbers, pictures and/or symbols, none of which may be animated.
(f)
Message change sequence. The time interval used to change from one complete message display to the next complete message display shall be a maximum of one second.
(g)
All signs constructed or erected hereunder shall utilize automatic dimming controls in response to changing ambient light conditions and be equipped with light intensity limit via manual controls.
(h)
All signs constructed or erected hereunder shall have a maximum luminance level of 4,000 nits during daylight hours, and, if illuminated at night, must have a maximum luminance level at 750 nits, regardless of the method of illumination, at least 1/2 hour before apparent sunset, as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and throughout the night, if the sign is energized, until apparent sunrise, as determined by the NOAA.