Mount Joy City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Signs
§ 270-91 Purpose; permit requirements; changes on signs.
A.
Purposes. The purposes of this article are to:
(1)
Promote and maintain overall community aesthetic quality;
(2)
Establish reasonable time, place and manner of regulations for the exercise of free speech, without regulating content;
(3)
Promote pedestrian and traffic safety by avoiding distractions and sight distance obstructions; and
(4)
Protect property values and ensure compatibility with the character of neighboring uses.
B.
C.
Changes on signs. Any lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in logo or message without a new permit under this chapter, provided that the changes do not increase the sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or an increased nonconformity with this chapter.
§ 270-92 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Signs legally existing at the time of enactment of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs.
B.
An existing nonconforming sign may only be replaced with a conforming sign, except a lawful nonconforming sign serving a lawful nonconforming principal use on the same lot may be replaced with a new sign advertising the nonconforming use if the new sign is not more nonconforming in any manner than the previous sign.
§ 270-93 Miscellaneous signs not requiring permits.
B.
In addition, the following types of signs are not regulated by this chapter:
(1)
Historic signs: memorializes an important historic place, event or person and is specifically authorized by the Borough or a county, state or federal agency.
(2)
Holiday decorations: commemorates a holiday recognized by the Borough, county, state or federal government and does not include advertising.
(3)
Not readable sign: not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line.
(4)
Official sign: erected by the state, county, Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough ordinance or resolution, and which exists for public purposes.
(5)
Required sign: only includes information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Borough.
(6)
Right-of-way sign: posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough or PennDOT.
§ 270-94 Freestanding, wall and window signs; portable and sidewalk signs.
A.
The following are the signs permitted on a lot within the specified districts and within the following regulations, in addition to exempt signs and temporary signs permitted in all districts by other provisions of this article. See definitions of the types of signs in § 270-101.
Zoning District or Type of Use | Maximum Total Height of Freestanding Signs | Maximum Area of Wall Signs | Maximum Area of Window Signs | Maximum Area and Number of Freestanding Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CBD or NC Districts (No new freestanding sign in the CBD District shall be internally illuminated)3 | 8 feet | 10% of the total area of the building side on which the signs are attached1 | Temporary nonilluminated window signs are not regulated; other window signs are regulated under "wall signs" | 1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area of 32 square feet2 |
All districts not listed above | 20 feet in GC District; 12 feet in other districts | 15% of the area of the building side on which the signs are attached | Temporary nonilluminated window signs are not regulated; other window signs are regulated under "wall signs" | 1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area of 40 square feet2.3 |
NOTES: | ||
|---|---|---|
1 | = | In the CBD and NC Districts, see Subsection E below for projecting signs. |
2 | = | If the permitted freestanding sign area is not used, such sign area may be added to the permitted wall sign area. |
3 | = | If a lot includes five or more principal uses or more than 300 feet of frontage along one street, then along one street, one or two freestanding signs shall be permitted with a maximum total freestanding sign area of 80 square feet. A sign at an entrance to an industrial subdivision that lists the name of the subdivision and the uses within the subdivision may have a maximum total freestanding sign area of 80 square feet, in addition to a freestanding sign for each lot. |
B.
A freestanding sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the street right-of-way line.
C.
Portable and sidewalk signs (including signs on mobile stands) and other temporary signs.
(1)
Purpose. These standards recognize portable signs and sidewalk signs as particular types of signs that have the characteristics of a temporary sign but that have been inappropriately used as a permanent sign.
(2) PORTABLE SIGN SIDEWALK SIGN
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A freestanding sign that is attached to a chassis or legs that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another and that is not permanently attached to the ground.
A freestanding sign which is attached to a chassis or legs that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another and is located between the front wall of a building and the street cartway. The term shall also include umbrellas which carry advertising messages.
(3)
Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event or temporary special sale sign as permitted by § 270-93.
(4)
Sidewalk signs are permitted in the CBD and NC Districts subject to the following requirements:
(a)
Sidewalk signs shall be removed at the end of each business day.
(b)
Sidewalk signs shall be used for restaurant specials, business sales or other similar functions which are of a limited duration.
(c)
Sidewalk signs may consist of changeable message panels, flags, balloons or other objects used for advertising.
(d)
Sidewalk signs may not obstruct the minimum accessible route required for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
D.
Wall signs.
(1)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which it is placed.
(2)
If external lighting is used, reflectors must be at least 10 feet above the surface of the ground level, equipped with wire mesh guards and no part of the lighting device may project more than two feet from the wall of the building.
(3)
No wall sign shall extend beyond the left and right extremities of the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
There shall be no more than two signs per wall on any building or structure.
(5)
A freestanding sign may be attached to a decorative masonry or stone wall with a maximum height of six feet and a maximum length of 12 feet without being regulated by the wall setback regulations of this chapter and with the wall itself not counting towards the maximum sign area.
E.
Projecting signs. In the CBD and NC Districts, projecting signs are permitted subject to the following requirements:
(1)
No projecting sign shall project more than five feet beyond the building line in the direction of the street, nor shall any portion of any projecting sign be closer than five feet to the face of the street curb or curb line, or the edge of an alley.
(2)
No portion of any projecting sign shall be located less than eight feet above the normal grade of the ground or sidewalk.
(3)
No single face or a projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in sign area.
(4)
No projecting sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than six feet.
(5)
There shall be no more than one projecting sign for any business unless the business has public entrances on two or more public ways, in which case one projecting sign may be erected for and toward each public way.
(6)
Projecting signs shall be constructed entirely from wood or materials with an appearance closely similar to wood, in addition to any metal fasteners, and shall be securely attached to the building.
F. INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS AWNING SIGN
Individual business awning signs.
A sign painted on or attached to the cover of a metal, wooden, or canvas frame of a structural overhang, whether movable, hinged, rolling, folding, stationary or permanent.
(1)
Number. There shall not be more than one awning, canopy or marquee sign exceeding an aggregated gross surface area 24 square feet for each principal building. Awning, canopy, and marquee signs which are four square feet or less are exempt from the provisions of this section.
(2)
Location. Signs may be painted or attached flat against the surface of an awning, canopy, or marquee and cannot extend beyond the ends of the awning, canopy or marquee or be attached to its underside. The height of the sign shall be no higher than the height of the awning.
(3)
Awning signs shall be at least seven feet above the curb or sidewalk.
(4)
Awning signs may include the name, number and/or logo of the business only. Advertising material of any kind is strictly prohibited on signs affixed to awnings, canopies and marquees.
§ 270-95 Abandoned or outdated signs.
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than a sign relating to a building that is clearly temporarily vacant and being offered to new tenants or for purchase) shall be removed within 180 days of the cessation of such use.
§ 270-96 Location of signs.
The following shall regulate the location of signs:
A.
Setbacks.
(1)
A sign shall not project over any existing street right-of-way, except for permitted projecting signs within the CBD and NC Districts.
(2)
A freestanding illuminated sign for a commercial or industrial business (except in the CBD or NC District) shall not be located within 10 feet of an abutting lot line of a lot that only includes one dwelling unit.
(3)
These setbacks shall not apply to official signs, nameplate signs, public service signs and directional signs.
B.
Sight clearance. No sign shall be so located that it interferes with the sight clearance requirements of § 270-113.
C.
Off-premises. No sign except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate or in the public right-of-way unless specifically authorized by this chapter.
D.
Permission of owner. No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner.
E.
Utility poles. No sign shall be attached to a utility pole using metal fasteners, except by a utility or government agency.
§ 270-97 Illumination of signs.
§ 270-98 Vehicles functioning as signs.
A sign affixed to any vehicle or structure in such a manner that it is the primary purpose of the vehicle or structure shall be considered a freestanding sign and shall be subject to requirements for freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle or structure is located.
§ 270-99 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use; flags and banners, except as is permitted by § 270-93 and except for flags or banners meeting the requirements for a particular type of sign.
B.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except time and temperature signs may flash. In addition, flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays within § 270-93.
C.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
D.
Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions of this chapter.
E.
Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent use of the words "danger," "stop," "look," "one-way," and "yield").
F.
Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic.
G.
Balloons of greater than 25 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure for periods of over a day and that are primarily intended for advertising purposes.
H.
Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes.
I.
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.
§ 270-100 Construction of signs.
Every permanent sign permitted in this section shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair. The Zoning Officer shall, by written notice, require a property owner or lessee to repair or remove a dilapidated or unsafe sign within a specified period of time. If such order is not complied with, the Borough may repair or remove such sign at the expense of such owner or lessee.
§ 270-101 Definitions; measurement and type requirements.
A. BUILDING FACE FREESTANDING SIGN HEIGHT OF SIGN ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLY OFF-PREMISES SIGN SIGN WALL SIGN WINDOW SIGN
Sign definitions. The following definitions shall be used in determining whether signs meet the measurement and type requirements of this article:
The vertical area of a particular side of a building, but not including the area of any slanted roof.
A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily supported by a building.
The vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting structure. Religious symbols, when not accompanied by lettering, shall not be restricted by the sign heights of this article when attached to a tower or spire of a place of worship.
A sign illuminated by light from within the sign rather than a source adjacent to or outside of the sign. A sign within a display case with lights only shining onto the front of the sign shall be considered to be externally illuminated.
See Article II.
See Article II.
A sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building and which does not project more than 12 inches from such wall.
A sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent door. Window signs include messages painted on the glass or mounted or hung inside the building in a manner which is readily visible from the exterior.
B.
Measurement of sign area.
(1)
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed. One freestanding sign may include several signs that are all attached to one structure, with the total sign area being the area of a common geometric form that could encompass all signs.
(2)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting framework, bracing, or clearly defined wooden framing if such area does not include any display, lettering or sign and if such area is clearly incidental to the sign area itself.
(3)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape that includes all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
The maximum sign area of sign shall be for each of two sides of a sign, provided that only one side of a sign is readable from any location.
(5)
Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs are maximum sizes.
§ 270-102 Off-premises signs; billboards.
A.
Purposes. Off-premises signs are controlled by this article for the following purposes:
(1)
To ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is attractive to desirable types of development, especially light industrial and office parks.
(2)
To prevent visual pollution in the Borough and protect property values, especially in consideration of the fact that most commercial areas of the Borough are within close proximity to existing residences.
(3)
To prevent glare on adjacent property and streets.
(4)
To avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists, especially along busy arterial streets that involve complex turning movements and numerous traffic hazards.
B.
Nonconforming off-premises signs. This section is not intended to require the removal of an existing lawfully placed off-premises sign that is in structurally sound condition.
C.
Permitted off-premises signs. An off-premises sign is only permitted if it meets the following requirements:
(1)
District. An off-premises sign is only permitted in the GI District.
(2)
Location. An off-premises sign shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from all lot lines and street rights-of-way.
(3)
Maximum sign area: 300 square feet.
(4)
Spacing. Any off-premises sign shall be separated by a minimum of 1,000 feet from any other off-premises sign, including signs on either side of a street and including existing signs in other municipalities. No lot shall include more than one off-premises sign.
(5)
Maximum height: 25 feet above the elevation of the adjacent street, measured at the street center line.
(6)
Attached. No off-premises sign or sign face shall be attached in any way to any other off-premises sign, except that a sign may have two sign faces of 300 square feet each if they are placed approximately back-to-back.
(8)
Residences. No off-premises sign greater than 10 square feet in sign area shall be located within 200 feet of an existing dwelling.
(9)
Condition. The sign shall be maintained in a good and safe condition. The area around the sign shall be kept free of debris.
§ 270-103 Personal expression signs.
[Added 9-13-2021 by Ord. No. 8-21]
A. SIGN, PERSONAL EXPRESSION
As used in this section, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
A sign expressing or communicating a noncommercial message, opinion, feeling, interest, or point of view, including, but not limited to, ideological, religious, political, or social messages. A personal expression sign may convey such message through text, symbols and/or logos (such as for a sporting team or club). A flag governed by the American, Commonwealth, and Military Flag Act, Act of July 7, 2006, P.L. 609, No. 93, 44 P.S. § 50.1 et seq., or Section 1202(3) of the Borough Code shall not be considered a personal expression sign and shall not be subject to limitations concerning personal expression signs. Holiday or seasonal decorations shall not be considered personal expression signs.
B.
Within all zoning districts the occupant of any lot containing a dwelling unit shall be permitted to erect personal expression signs in accordance with the following requirements:
(2)
The total square footage of personal expression signs on the lot shall not exceed 36 square feet.
(3)
No personal expression sign other than a personal expression sign made of fabric (i.e. flag) displayed on a flag pole may exceed five feet in height.
(4)
No single personal expression sign may exceed 12 square feet.
(5)
No personal expression sign may be located within a required side yard or rear yard setback.
(6)
No permanent structure may be installed to serve as a base or mount for a personal expression sign other than a flagpole meeting all setback requirements.
(7)
All personal expression signs shall be set back at least five feet from the public street right-of-way.
(8)
No personal expression sign may be located within the clear sight triangle for any driveway serving an adjoining lot.