Newtown Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXII
Signs
[Amended 4-9-1984 by Ord. No. 1984-1]
§ 172-120 Compliance required.
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained in the Township shall conform with the provisions of this article and the provisions of the Township Building Code[1] and all other applicable ordinances or regulations of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 69, Art. I, Building Code, and Ch. 79, Construction Code, Uniform.
§ 172-121 Single-family residence districts.
In R-1, R-1A, R-2 and R-3 Residence Districts, the following types of signs and no other shall be permitted:
A.
Official traffic signs, signs of government agencies and any other signs required by law.
B.
Signs indicating the name and profession of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:
(1)
The area on one side of any such sign shall not exceed 200 square inches.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for each dwelling unit.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(4)
The profession is actually practiced on the premises.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(5), which prohibited signs on no-impact home-based businesses and immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-05.
C.
Identification signs, including directory signs and changeable copy signs for farms, estates, schools, churches, hospitals and buildings and uses other than dwellings, provided that the same are located on the premises of such institutions, and provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any property.
D.
Integral signs not to exceed two square feet per building.
E.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises on which such signs are located, provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises or lot held in single and separate ownership.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(4)
All such signs shall be removed on the day of settlement.
F.
Signs advertising the development of a premises upon which they are erected, provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises or lot.
(3)
No such signs shall be illuminated.
(4)
All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots on the premises in all the phases of the development.
(5)
No such signs shall be located off the premises of the development.
G.
Trespassing, entrance, exit and parking signs or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property, provided that the area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet. All such signs must comply with Pennsylvania state statutes for directional or traffic signage and signs for trespass. Signs not in accordance with the relevant statute must be removed.
H.
Construction signs, provided that:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected only on the property where such work is being performed.
(2)
The area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(3)
Such signs shall be displayed visibly where a building is being erected or altered and shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work.
I.
Public utility signs required in connection with the identification, operation or protection of a public utility, provided that the area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed nine square feet.
J.
Up to two off-site directional signs indicating the location of real estate advertised for sale may be permitted when all of the following conditions are met:
(1)
They are located near a street intersection.
(2)
They are located on private property beyond the street right-of-way and have the affirmative permission of the owner of that property. Only one sign shall be located on such a property.
(3)
Each sign should not exceed six square feet.
(4)
Each natural person, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association or other organization or entity which erects such signs shall be annually registered with the Township and shall pay a registration fee as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Registration shall be withheld or suspended for up to 90 days by the Township where the registrant has violated this section.
§ 172-122 Other residence districts.
A.
In R-4, R-4A, and R-5 Residence Districts, A-O Apartment Office Districts, and A Apartment Districts, the following types of signs and no other shall be permitted:
(1)
Any signs permitted in a residence district as provided in § 172-121, except § 172-121J.
(2)
Signs, including directory and changeable copy relating to any profession, permitted use or accessory use, conducted in apartment buildings on the same lot and indicating only the name, profession or use, provided that:
(a)
The area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet, except that, in the case of a sign announcing two or more professions or uses conducted on a single lot, the size of each such sign may be increased one square foot for each additional profession or use, not to exceed a maximum of six square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected per lot.
(3)
Permanent directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, nor with a total height extending more than two feet above grade, shall be permitted for the informational needs of the users of the property.
B.
The form of ownership of a given premises shall not alter the number of permitted signs under this article.
§ 172-123 Commercial, industrial and special use districts.
[Amended 11-14-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-4]
In C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts, I Light Industrial Districts and SU-1 and SU-2 Special Use Districts, the following types of signs and no other shall be permitted:
A.
Any sign except those under §§ 172-121J and 172-124, provided that the total sign area of all signs placed on any one premises shall not exceed any of the following requirements:
(1)
Two square feet per linear foot of frontage of all buildings, up to a maximum of 25 linear feet. ("Frontage," for the purpose of signage, shall be the side of the building on which the main entrance to the premises is located.)
(2)
The maximum area of all signs of a single premises in this district shall not exceed 50 square feet, notwithstanding any other provision of the regulations pertaining to signs in this zoning district. In addition to the measurement of signage set forth in § 172-2, Definitions, the total square footage is determined from all items meeting the definition of a sign visible from the exterior of the building and intended for such visual purposes, not to include normal window displays of goods and services.
(3)
All occupants in a building with no direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall collectively be permitted one sign which shall identify all such occupants, said sign not to exceed three square feet, which shall be placed on the front of the building only.
(4)
All occupants in a building with direct access from a parking lot or street shall be permitted separate signage not to exceed 25 square feet. Where an individual building exceeds 5,000 square feet, any lessee with an interest exceeding 2,500 square feet is entitled to an additional sign.
(5)
With the exception of directional signage, all signage is to be placed in or on the front of the building.
(6)
Where no building exists, sign area may not exceed one square foot per linear foot of property frontage measured at the building setback line or 50 square feet, whichever is less. Such signage may not be for off-premises advertising use.
(7)
Permanent directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, nor with a total height extending more than two feet above grade, shall be permitted for the informational needs of the users of the property.
(8)
Billboard (off-premises advertising sign). Billboards may be erected in the Light Industrial District of the Township as a principal use on the property only. Such signs may be no greater than 300 square feet in size and must be square or rectangular in shape. Such signs may be no closer than 3,000 feet apart on both sides of the traveled way. Such signs must be no less than 15 feet to the underside of the sign and no higher than 35 feet to the top of the signs. No such sign shall be closer than 3,000 feet from any structure with an historical designation or any school or public park. A billboard is a principal use and not an accessory use.
B.
In the case of a "shopping center," defined for the purpose of this subsection as a group of three or more stores, with direct access to a parking area or street, all contained on a single premises with a total building frontage of not less than 150 linear feet or on separate adjoining premises with a common street frontage which is served by common street entrances and parking facilities used in common, the following provisions shall apply:
(1)
Not more than one ground sign advertising and identifying each shopping center shall be erected for each street upon which the shopping center has frontage, provided that:
(a)
No such ground sign shall be less than nine feet nor more than 20 feet in height above the grade. The lowest point of any sign must be at least 8 1/2 feet above grade at the location of the sign.
(b)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(c)
The location and orientation of such sign shall be designated on a required land development plan.
(2)
Each occupant that has direct public entrance to a parking lot in a shopping center or street shall be permitted signs as follows:
(a)
The signs shall be attached to the wall of the building or combination of buildings on the premises.
(b)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed the area specified in § 172-123A.
(3)
All occupants with no direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants collectively, 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.
(4)
Loading entrances, employee entrances and other accessory entrances may be marked with one wall sign not exceeding 200 square inches. This area shall not be included in the total area for permissible signs.
C.
Except for those uses included under Subsections A(6) and B(3) hereof, banners shall be permitted, provided that all of the following provisions are complied with:
(1)
Each banner shall be secured at all corners and/or in such manner as it does not freely wave.
(2)
The cumulative area of all banners shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(3)
No banner shall overhang any parking lot, sidewalk or cartway.
(4)
A separate permit shall be secured from the Township for each occasion that banners are displayed. The permit fee shall be established from time to time by resolution. Banner permits for a premises may be issued no more than four times within a calendar year. The number of days for which the banners will be erected shall be stated in the permit application. The sum of days of all permits issued for any premises during a calendar year shall not exceed 92.
(a)
No permit shall be issued to any applicant who has violated Subsection C hereof within the preceding 12 months.
§ 172-124 Prohibited signs.
The following signs shall be prohibited:
A.
No sign, other than an official traffic sign or similar sign, shall be erected within any street right-of-way unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations of the Township.
B.
No sign shall extend beyond any property or right-of-way line, except for official signs.
C.
No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision on any street, nor shall it interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any traffic signal, sign or device.
D.
No sign shall exceed more than 20 feet in height above the ground.
E.
No wall or projecting sign shall extend more than 15 inches beyond the wall on which it is attached. Any such projection shall be not less than nine feet above grade level.
F.
No roof sign shall be permitted, except on the roof of a one-story building.
G.
The following types of signs are prohibited:
[Amended 12-27-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-4]
(1)
Signs on curbs or sidewalks; signs painted on exterior walls; signs painted on, attached to or suspended from any outdoor bench or chair.
(2)
Sign posters, signs or other advertising materials affixed by tacking, pasting or otherwise upon utility poles, trees, buildings (except transit shelters) or fences. However, signs prohibiting hunting, fishing or trespassing shall be permitted.
(3)
Signs which project or hang over any sidewalk, except marquee signs and signs under overhanging roofs, provided that no portion is less than 8 1/2 feet above grade.
(4)
Banners, except as provided elsewhere in this article, spinners, unshielded light strips, valances or the like.
(5)
Animated signs; signs that revolve, swing or have movable parts or have or appear to have flashing lights and reflectors; or signs which are mobile (mounted on or which can be attached to motor vehicles); and trailer signs.
(6)
Billboard signs, except as provided elsewhere in this article.
§ 172-125 General restrictions.
A.
All lighting shall be arranged, designed and shielded or directed so as to protect the adjoining properties and streets from glare. Reflectors and lights permitted in conjunction with signs shall be equipped with restraining hoods or shields to concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign.
B.
Any sign which violates this article shall be removed within 10 days after written notification from the Zoning Officer to the property owner. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized, in addition to any other legal remedy, to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located, and the Zoning Officer may proceed as authorized by law to collect any such expense, plus interest and penalties, on behalf of the Township.
[Amended 12-27-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-4]
C.
Where an occupant in a building with approved signs under § 172-123, other than § 172-123A(6) or B(2), relocates to another location and secures appropriate sign permits for the new location, the occupant may obtain a separate sign permit for 30 days, placed at his old location, announcing the location of the new location, provided that it is a sign of 20 square feet or less complying in all other respects with this article. Where the new location is within the Township and a sign permit is required for the new location, the permit for the old location may be incorporated with the permit for the new location so that only a single permit is required.
D.
Mandatory signs installed pursuant to government regulations shall not be included in the calculations of allowable sign area under § 172-123A and B unless the sign exceeds the minimum size required to meet the regulations.
E.
Markings on equipment such as vending machines or gasoline pumps shall not be included in the calculation of allowable sign area under § 172-123A and B. However, markings attached thereto which are not an essential part of the equipment shall be included.
F.
Notwithstanding other provisions of this article, freestanding or ground signs of nonprofit charitable or civic organizations may be placed in a public right-of-way or on public lands when approved by the governmental agency having control of the property or right-of-way and after registration with and approval by the Zoning Officer of the Township.
§ 172-126 Permit required; application; fee.
A.
Except for signs of the type described in §§ 172-121A, B, D, E, G, H and I and 172-122A(3), no sign may be erected, structurally altered, relocated or enlarged until a permit for the same has been granted by the Zoning Officer to the owner or tenant of the property on which the sign is proposed to be erected, and the permit number shall be recorded by the Zoning Officer in an appropriate register.
B.
Application.
(1)
Application for sign permits shall be on an authorized Township form and shall contain:
(a)
A detailed scale drawing showing the sign and its size and intended location.
(b)
A description of its type, construction, manner and method of installation, illumination, if any, and materials to be used. Where a sign is to be attached to or mounted on a building, the size and area of the wall to be used shall be stated in the application.
(2)
Accompanying each application shall be a permit fee.
§ 172-127 Nonconforming signs.
Every sign existing on the date of enactment of this section which does not comply with this article, nor is included under Subsection C hereof, shall be removed or altered in order to comply with this article. Unless otherwise specified, such removal or alteration shall be completed by June 1, 1989.
A.
Signs, other than those set forth in § 172-124 and Subsection C hereof, which do not comply with the requirements of this article but which were in existence on the date of enactment of this section shall be removed or altered in order to comply with this article by June 1, 1989.
B.
If, on June 1, 1989, only one sign on a premises exceeds the permitted area requirements of this article but complies in all other respects, it may be continued after June 1, 1989, by a special exception, provided that all other signs on the premises are removed and all of the other general standards pertaining to a special exception are met according to the discretion of the Zoning Hearing Board.
C.
All signs which do not comply with this article but which were authorized by special exception prior to the date of this section shall continue as special exceptions.
