Nockamixon Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Signs
§ 234-65 Purposes.
The purposes of the sign regulations are:
A.
To provided uniform standards for all signs within the Township and specific standards for signs in each zoning district.
B.
To regulate the location, size, appearance, construction, erection, alteration, use and maintenance of signs.
C.
To promote the use of well-crafted signs in harmony with the architectural and rural residential character of the Township.
§ 234-66 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
An off-premises sign is a sign which directs attention to a person, business or profession or home occupation not conducted on the same lot.
An on-premises sign is a sign which directs attention to a person, business, profession or home occupation conducted on the same lot with the sign. A "For Sale" sign or "For Rent" sign relating to the lot on which it is displayed shall be deemed an on-premises sign.
Includes any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof or any device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly on a structure or other surface that shall display or include any letter, word, insignia, flag or representation used as or which is in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual communication, direction or is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to the attention of the public.
§ 234-67 Area of a sign.
A.
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself.
B.
For a sign painted upon or applied to a building, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording, accompanying designs or symbols together with any backing associated with the sign.
C.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other shape which encompasses all the letters and symbols.
D.
In computing the size of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of a double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
§ 234-68 Exempt signs.
A sign permit shall not be required prior to the erection, structural repair, alteration, moving, removal or demolition of any of the following signs in any zoning district in the municipality. Exempt signs shall conform to the regulations of § 234-74. No exempt sign shall be illuminated, either from an interior light source or by an exterior source focused on the sign, except for official governmental building signs and police station signs.
A.
Official highway route number signs, street name signs and other official traffic signs which are in the interest of public safety or the regulation of traffic.
C.
Directional, informational or public service signs, such as those advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephone or similar public conveniences, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services, except those of public utilities. Any sign covered by this subsection shall not exceed two square feet.
D.
Governmental flag or insignia.
E.
Legal notice.
F.
Window sign: a sign applied to a window pane giving store hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions.
G.
Cornerstone, historical plaque or sign affixed to the surface of a building wall and not exceeding 200 square inches.
H.
Barber pole: revolving barber pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 36 inches in height and that it is erected only in a commercial district in conjunction with a barbershop.
I.
Flags, pennants and similar materials to announce the opening of a new business or industry, provided that they are removed after 14 days of the opening day or the first day of business.
J.
Official and governmental signs including safety signs, signs indicating points of interest, signs identifying official Township buildings or facilities. Signs identifying Township buildings, police stations or other Township facilities may be illuminated by exterior lights focused on the sign.
K.
Temporary signs advertising a garage or yard sale conducted in accordance with this chapter, provided that signs may be posted only where such sale is taking place and only for the duration of the sale itself.
L.
Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for public office may be erected or displayed and maintained, provided that:
(1)
The signs are erected or displayed by the owner or lessee of the parcel of real property on said parcel or by the candidate, political party or other authorized agent of either of them, with the express permission of the owner or lessee of the parcel of real property;
(2)
The size of any such sign is not in excess of 12 square feet; and
(3)
The signs shall not be erected or displayed earlier that 60 days prior to the election to which they pertain;
(4)
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit the placing or erecting of any such signs within a street right-of-way or within or on any public alley, sidewalk, parking lot or other public place, which said placement is hereby prohibited; and
(5)
The erection of temporary political signs permitted by this section by the owner or lessee of the parcel of real property, candidate, political party or other authorized agent shall not require a permit or other approval; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful for any such owner or lessee of the lot, candidate, political party or other authorized agent to permit such signs to remain erected more than 10 days after the date of the election to which they relate and failure to remove such signs as required hereby shall subject such offenders to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
M.
Temporary farm stand signs: signs advertising the sale of seasonal produce may be erected during the local growing season only and for the purpose of advertising products of Nockamixon Township farms. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be removed when such produce is not being grown and sold locally.
§ 234-69 On-premises signs permitted in OSM, RP, R and RA Districts.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
Signs displaying the street number or name of the occupant of the premises, or both, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet. Such sign may include identification of permitted accessory uses, including permitted home occupations or a roadside stand.
B.
One identification sign for a permitted nonresidential building or use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
C.
One sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
D.
Temporary "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs not exceeding six square feet in area.
E.
Temporary contractors, developers, architects or builders sign, provided that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. Such signs shall be maintained on the premises to which they relate and shall be removed upon completion of the work.
F.
Signs announcing no trespassing, signs indicating the private nature of the road, driveway or premises; signs controlling fishing or hunting on the premises; signs necessary for the regulation and control of traffic; street name signs; legal notices; and other signs authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body; such signs shall not exceed two square feet.
G.
Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area and shall be removed immediately upon completion of the campaign, drive or event.
H.
Permanent signs advertising the sale of agricultural products, other than temporary farm stand signs as provided for in § 234-68. Such signs shall be permitted as an accessory to a permitted Agricultural and Horticultural Use (Use A-1) or as part of a permitted Agricultural Sales Facility (Use A-4). Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.
I.
No sign in these districts shall be illuminated.
§ 234-70 Signs in the VC District and VC-1 District.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
All signs permitted in the Residential Districts at the standards prescribed for in these districts.
B.
Signs advertising permitted nonresidential uses, provided that for all signs to be viewed from outside any building, the following requirements shall apply. For any single use, only two of the three sign types listed below may be used.
(1)
Mounted sign. The total height of signs attached to or mounted onto the face of a building shall not exceed 20% of the building height. The total area of all signs attached to a building or to building windows shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building face to which said signs are attached.
(2)
Projecting signs. The permitted sign area may also include a projecting sign, provided that such sign does not project more than three feet from such wall or surface and any one side of such sign does not exceed six square feet and the bottom edge of such sign is at least eight feet above grade level.
(3)
Freestanding sign. Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed on any premises held in single and separate ownership. The area of any one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. Height of a freestanding sign, measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure, shall not exceed 15 feet.
C.
Signs for buildings with multiple tenants. Uses which are comprised of multiple tenants within one building, other than a shopping center, may have no more than one freestanding directory sign for the building not exceeding 50 square feet in area and 15 feet in height. In addition, each individual establishment may have a mounted sign in accordance with § 234-70B(1).
D.
Illumination of signs. Signs in the Village Center District may be illuminated with external lights directed toward the sign. In order to maintain the village architectural character of the VC Districts, no internally illuminated signs shall be permitted.
§ 234-71 Signs in the I, LI and Q Districts.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
All signs permitted in the Residential Districts at the standards prescribed for in these districts.
B.
Signs advertising permitted uses, provided that for all signs to be viewed from outside any building, the following requirements shall apply:
(1)
Mounted sign. The total height of signs attached to or mounted on the face of a building shall not exceed 20% of the building height. The total area of all signs attached to or mounted on the face of a building shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building face to which said signs are attached.
(2)
Freestanding sign. Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed on any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such premise fronts upon more than one street, in which event one such sign may be erected on each street frontage. The area of any one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 50 square feet. Height of a freestanding sign, measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure, shall not exceed 15 feet.
C.
Signs for industrial or office parks (multiple tenants). Uses which are comprised of multiple tenants within one building, such as an office building or multiple buildings within an office or industrial park, may have no more than one freestanding directory sign for the building or park. In addition, each individual establishment may have a mounted sign in accordance with the regulations of § 234-71B(1).
(1)
Signs permitted for buildings or for industrial or office parks with 10 or more tenants:
(a)
One freestanding sign shall be permitted, which sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(b)
Such sign shall be erected only within the limits of the front yard of the property to which it pertains.
(c)
In no case shall signs be erected less than 100 feet apart.
(d)
Overall height of a freestanding sign and its supporting structure shall not exceed 15 feet.
§ 234-72 Signs permitted in C Districts.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
Mounted sign: one mounted sign or sign attached to the face of a building not exceeding 12% of the total wall surface or other vertical building surface including windows and doors of the building. Signs (except for exempt signs) painted on or affixed to the inside of the windows and doors shall be included in the computation of permitted sign area and shall not exceed 25% of the total window area.
B.
Freestanding sign. Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed on any premises held in single and separate ownership. The area of any one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 60 square feet. Height of a freestanding sign, measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure, shall not exceed 15 feet.
C.
Freestanding sign for shopping centers. A freestanding sign shall be permitted for shopping centers, in accordance with the following regulations:
(1)
One freestanding sign shall be permitted for shopping centers with 10 or more stores which sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.
(2)
Such sign shall be erected only within the limits of the front yard of the property to which it pertains.
(3)
In no case shall signs be erected less than 100 feet apart.
(4)
Overall height of a freestanding sign and its supporting structure shall not exceed 15 feet.
D.
A row or series of adjoining signs to be placed upon a wall surface having a common roofline shall be of the same size, shape, general design and material so as to create uniformity among the series of signs.
E.
The sign or signs shall be consistent with the overall design of the commercial area and otherwise compatible with the rural residential nature of the Township.
F.
Multiple tenants. Uses within the C Commercial District which are comprised of multiple tenants within one building, such as an office building or building containing retail and office uses, may have no more than one freestanding sign for the building. In addition, each individual establishment may have a mounted sign.
(1)
One freestanding sign shall be permitted for buildings which sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(2)
Such sign shall be erected only within the limits of the front yard of the property to which it pertains.
(3)
In no case shall signs be erected less than 100 feet apart.
(4)
Overall height of a freestanding sign and its supporting structure shall not exceed 14 feet.
G.
Temporary for sale or for rent signs and temporary signs of contractors, developers, architects or builders, provided that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. Said signs shall be maintained on the premises to which they relate and shall be removed upon the sale or occupancy of the property or the completion of the work.
[Added 5-11-1999 by Ord. No. 97]
§ 234-73 Directional signs permitted in all districts.
Off-premises signs which are used for directing persons to principal uses in the Township may be erected subject to the following additional requirements:
A.
A sign shall indicate only the name and direction of the principal use.
B.
Only one such sign shall be erected prior to each intersection turning movement necessary to reach such principal use.
C.
Such signs shall be located not more than 100 feet from intersecting street right-of-way lines.
D.
No more than two directional signs shall be erected in the Township for any one principal use.
E.
Signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.
F.
Signs shall be no closer than 20 feet to a side lot line and shall not be located within the street right-of-way line.
G.
Height of signs, measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure, shall not exceed 10 feet.
H.
The applicant for the sign permit shall have the written permission of the property owner on whose property the proposed sign is to be located.
§ 234-74 Sign regulations applicable in all districts.
The following requirements shall apply to all signs and other advertising devices:
A.
No sign or other advertising device with visible moving or movable parts or with flashing, animated or intermittent illumination shall be erected or maintained.
B.
No signs above the roofline shall be permitted.
D.
No sign or other advertising device shall be located within any street right-of-way line except for official traffic signs and signals.
E.
Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway shall comply with any more restrictive requirements of the state and federal government relating thereto.
F.
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic by obscuring view or by creating confusion with official street signs or signals because of position, color or reflective surface.
G.
Except in the case where a local right-of-way abuts a structure, no sign other than those of governmental authority shall be erected or maintained nearer to a street line or lot line than a distance equaling the height of the top of the sign.
H.
No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer to any front lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the district in which it is located.
I.
Only one sign of a permitted type for which a permit is required shall be erected on any one 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 or in the case of a shopping center or other group development where one mounted or attached sign per business or office establishment shall be permitted.
J.
Every permitted sign must be constructed with durable materials, must conform with the requirements of the BOCA Building Code and must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
K.
Illuminated signs shall be so arranged so that the source of light is not visible from any point off the lot and that only the sign is directly illuminated.
L.
No sign shall contain information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter in the zoning district on which the property to which the sign relates is located.
M.
No signs shall emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
N.
No portable signs shall be permitted unless the Zoning Officer has been notified that such a sign will be used for a special sale or events and the dates of such events. Such signs may be used for periods not exceeding 14 days. The use of portable signs shall be limited to six times per calendar year for any one business establishment.
O.
Novelty signs, including but not limited to objects (such as tires, automobiles, food products, etc.), pennants, banners, flags, balloons and animated signs, shall be prohibited, except in conjunction with the opening of a new business, as permitted under § 234-681 as a temporary sign.
P.
Any sign which interferes with or imitates an official traffic sign, signal or device shall be prohibited.
Q.
No sign or any guy wire, stay or attachment thereto shall be erected, placed or maintained by any person on rocks, fences or trees, nor in such a manner as to interfere with any electric light, power, telephone or telegraph wires or supports thereof.
R.
No signs requiring permits may be painted, placed or in any way attached to any tree, telegraph, electrical, light or other utility pole on any street in the Township.