Mount Holly Springs
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Sign Regulations
§ 500-1300 Intent.
The sign regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this article are established in accordance with an overall plan and program for the provision of public safety, land development, preservation of property values and the general welfare of the Borough of Mount Holly Springs and are intended to: aid in traffic control and safety, protect property values, lessen congestion of land and air space, avoid concentrations of signs that distract and endanger traffic safety and establish reasonable standards for commercial and business advertising signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity and development.
§ 500-1301 Permitted permanent signs.
Subject to all other provisions of this article, only the following types of permanent signs are permitted (see Table A[1]):
A.
P-1: All signs and signals owned or operated by the Borough, the Authority or other governmental agencies.
B.
P-2: Identification signs for public and for semipublic facilities such as schools, churches, hospitals, libraries, clubs and public utilities.
C.
P-3: Nameplate identifying the owner or resident of a private property. Such sign may be in addition to normal name and address on or attached to a mailbox, which signs are not subject to the regulations of this article.
D.
P-4: Memorial or historical markers or tablets.
E.
P-5: Signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or other premises, and signs controlling the use of private property, such as the prohibition of hunting, fishing or trespassing.
F.
P-6: On-site directional signs.
G.
P-7: Freestanding business signs, excluding shopping center, shopping plaza, or mall.
H.
P-8: Freestanding signs for residential subdivision and outdoor recreation areas.
I.
P-9: Freestanding commercial sign for shopping center, shopping plaza or mall, or commercial center. Note: Individual stores are prohibited from individual freestanding signs.
(1)
P-9A: Attached.
J.
P-10: Off-premises advertising signs as provided in Table A.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The table of permanent and temporary sign requirements is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: The table of permanent and temporary sign requirements is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 500-1302 Permitted temporary signs.
Subject to all other provisions of this article, only the following types of temporary signs are permitted (See Table B[1]):
A.
T-1: Signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, tradesmen or others engaged in construction work on premises wherein their work is proceeding. Such signs shall be removed as soon as the work ceases or is completed.
B.
T-2: Real estate signs on individual properties of less than three acres that are for sale, rent or lease or which have been sold, rented or leased. Signed to be removed within one week of sale, rent or lease completion/settlement.
C.
T-3: Real estate signs on properties of three acres or more, offering for sale, rent, lease or subdivision for commercial, residential or industrial use. Signs to be removed within one week of date of sale, rent or lease completion/settlement.
D.
T-4: Signs announcing proposed housing development, apartments or office complexes. Signs to be removed upon 90% completion of development.
E.
T-5: Signs announcing proposed commercial, industrial or other nonresidential development. Signs to be removed by project completion.
F.
T-6: Signs announcing grand openings, new ownership or change of use on the site of the permitted use. Signs shall be removed 30 days after erection.
G.
T-7: Signs advertising the temporary sale of agricultural products. Signs to be displayed only when products are on sale.
H.
T-8: Temporary signs announcing a special event. (Does not include yard/garage sales and temporary reduction in prices). Sign shall not exceed 30 consecutive days at any site within the Borough nor exceed two special events per year. Special event signs for charitable or nonprofit organizations shall be exempt from requirements limiting signs to two special events per year but shall be subject to all other requirements for T-8 signs.
I.
T-9: Yard sale and garage sale signs. Signs shall be erected only during the days of the sale.
J.
T-10: Political posters, banners, signs, etc., about candidates, political parties and ballot issues.
[1]
Editor's Note: The table of permanent and temporary sign requirements is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 500-1303 General regulations for all signs.
A.
The following regulations shall apply to all sign uses:
(1)
Signs must be constructed of durable material and maintained in good condition.
(2)
Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of any structure, premises or the public, the Code Enforcement Officer shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which the sign is located that such sign must be made safe or removed within five days.
(3)
Advertising painted upon or displayed upon a barn, building or structure shall be regarded as a wall sign and all regulations shall apply thereto.
(4)
Each sign shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.
(5)
An obsolete sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, product sold or service provided is prohibited.
(6)
No sign may be placed on public property or in public street rights-of-way except official street or traffic signs or other signs required to be located by order of a governmental body.
(7)
Signs which make use of the words "Stop," "Look," "One-Way," "Danger," "Yield" or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic, are prohibited.
(8)
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health is prohibited.
(9)
No sign may obstruct free ingress to or egress from any building entrance or exit, fire escape, door or window.
(10)
No vulgar, indecent or obscene advertising, messages or items shall be displayed.
(11)
Signs shall not be affixed to trees or utility poles using any form of metallic fastener. Signs may only be attached to a tree or utility pole using tape or string.
(12)
Animated, blinking or flashing lights, lights that change in intensity or color, rotating or oscillating signs or signs with moving parts are not permitted.
(13)
No sign may be placed on a roof or be higher than the vertical walls of any structure.
(14)
Lighted signs shall be either interior lighted with non-glaring lights or be illuminated by shielded flood lights or spotlights shielded so that no direct light is transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way.
(15)
A sign mounted parallel to a wall shall not project more than eight inches from the wall.
(16)
A projecting sign shall have a minimum clearance over the sidewalk of eight feet. A projecting sign shall be setback a minimum of five feet from the street cartway.
B.
Portable freestanding signs.
(1)
Portable freestanding signs or any sign located on the public sidewalk in front of or beside the business premises to which the sign pertains are permitted only by special exception granted by the Borough of Mount Holly Springs Zoning Hearing Board, subject to the following conditions and criteria:
(a)
Limit of only one such sign per business establishment.
(b)
Contain a total area not exceeding three feet by five feet per sign face with only two attached sign faces permitted.
(c)
Sign is displayed only during business hours.
(d)
The sign is clearly accessory to and placed on a permitted business premises.
(e)
The specific location of the sign shall be approved by the Zoning Hearing Board taking into consideration the following:
[1]
The placement of the sign shall not completely obstruct pedestrian use of the sidewalk and be placed so as to allow free and uninterrupted passage by at least two pedestrians traversing the sidewalk from opposite directions where the sign is located.
[2]
The sign does not obstruct the view of motorists and is not placed within a sight distance triangle or interfere with sight distance in accordance with the requirements of PennDOT regulations and Chapter 450, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Borough of Mount Holly Springs.
[3]
The feasibility of the sign to be located in a manner compatible with existing architectural features of the property, such as beside existing steps or sidewalk areas, in close proximity to the structure where the business is conducted, where pedestrian traffic does not normally traverse the sidewalk or adjacent to existing or proposed shade trees or landscaping.
(f)
In granting a special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board may attach such conditions necessary to protect the public welfare.
(h)
All applicants must submit to the Zoning Hearing Board photographs depicting the sidewalk area of the business premises and a sketch accurately noting the dimensions of the sidewalk area of the subject property where the business is conducted.
C.
Sign measurements.
(1)
The area of the sign composed of letters only, attached to a building facade without any background material other than the building components, shall be the area within the perimeter of the entire lettered words.
(2)
The area of a sign composed of letters only attached to a building facade on background material to set off the letters shall be the area within the perimeter of the background material, including any molding.
(3)
The area of all other signs shall be the area within the perimeter of the sign structure including any molding.
D.
Permits.
(2)
Permits are not required with respect to the following activities:
(a)
Replacing copy. The changing of the advertising copy or message on an approved painted or printed sign or on approved signs that are specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
(b)
Maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or a sign structure, unless structural change is made.