Patterson Township City Zoning Code

Signs may be hung only on the fences encompassing the field being used for the recreational activity and shall not exceed a total gross sign area of more than 16 square feet.

Signs hung from fences shall not interfere with the line of sight for motor vehicle traffic along the public roads and streets.

The sign may only be displayed during the playing season of the recreational activity and must be removed at the end of the playing season.

One permanent identification sign for each dwelling unit, which may cite the name of the occupant, address and other distinguishing features of the structure or property. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area.

One temporary nonlighted real estate sign pertaining to the sale, lease, hire or rental of property on which the sign is displayed, not to exceed six square feet in area.

One small announcement sign designating home occupations, provided that all such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area.

One permanent announcement sign erected by churches, schools, municipal facilities, or similar permitted uses, which may include any appropriate message, and may be an electronic message sign as defined under § 190-61F, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

A temporary sign advertising a garage sale, street fair or other temporary activity or a temporary sign directing persons to the location of such activity. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area and must be removed within 24 hours of the termination of the activity.

Political signs shall not exceed four square feet in area. Political signs may not be erected more than 30 days prior to an election and shall be removed within five days after the election for which they were erected. Each sign which is erected that is not in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not greater than $100.

Small signs with a surface area not exceeding three square feet, displayed for the direction or convenience of the public, that identify other properties (e.g., a sign providing directions to another property). A request for a sign permit under this subsection shall be made by the property owner.

Business signs not to exceed one square foot of sign area for each one linear foot of lot frontage. No individual sign shall exceed 200 square feet in area.

Freestanding signs or projecting signs extending outward from a building shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.

Temporary signs which may be in addition to the limitations cited in Subsection A(1) above, which are placed in windows or affixed to the exterior wall areas of buildings and which advertise special promotional business sales or services available on the premises. Such signs shall be removed within 24 hours when the special circumstances which led to their placement no longer apply. Such signs shall not cover in excess of 25% of involved wall areas of any single side, front or rear of the structure.

Temporary signs advertising the sale, rental or development of property, buildings or portions thereof, not to exceed 32 square feet.

Temporary signs or banners announcing sales or special events on the immediate site may be used in C-1 and C-2 Districts for a period not to exceed 15 days, provided that they shall only be displayed if hung or installed flush with the wall of the principal structure on the lot or on poles or support cables which project no more than two feet from the face of the principal structure.

Portable or mobile signs and other similar advertising displays in excess of six square feet may be used for special sales, announcements and related purposes in the C-1 and C-2 Districts subject to the following provisions:

Political signs are permitted as described in § 190-58A(6).

Small signs with a surface area not exceeding three square feet, displayed for the direction or convenience of the public, that identify other properties (e.g., a sign providing directions to another property). A request for a sign permit under this subsection shall be made by the property owner.

The creation of a safety hazard.

Dilapidation.

Vacancy or termination of the subject business for more than 90 days.

Legal transfer of ownership of a business which involves a change of name or business activity.

The completion of an event, business transaction or other activity for which the sign was originally installed.

Any illegality under the provisions of this chapter or regulation of a duly constituted governmental authority.

All lighting and illumination of signs shall conform to regulations regarding traffic hazards as specified in local and state regulations.

Signs may be illuminated, where permitted by this chapter, provided that the use of such illumination does not confuse, blind or distract vehicle operators on adjacent or nearby streets.

Electronic message signs shall be permitted in Zoning Districts C-2 and C-3, shall be a conditional use in Zoning District P, and shall be permitted in the four residential districts as set forth in § 190-58A(4), all subject to the requirements of § 190-61F.

Definitions. As used in this Subsection F, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:

Operational limitations. Such displays shall be limited to static displays; messages that appear or disappear from the display through fade, travel or scroll modes, or similar transitions; and frame effects that have text, animated graphics or images that appear to move or change in size or are revealed sequentially rather than all at once. Such displays shall not include the flashing, scintillating or varying of light intensity, except for varying of light intensity for fade.

Prohibited signs. All signs not expressly permitted under Subsection F are prohibited in the Township. Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to:

Illumination. Brightness of electronic message signs shall be no greater than 7,000 nits during daylight hours and no greater than 500 nits during nighttime hours. However, regardless of luminance, no electronic message signs shall be illuminated in such a manner that creates glare conditions on adjacent properties or adjacent streets, impairs the vision of a motor vehicle driver, interferes with a motor vehicle drive's operation of a vehicle, or interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device, or signal. All electronic message signs shall be equipped with a dimmer control and a photo cell, which constantly keeps track of ambient light conditions and adjusts the sign brightness accordingly. A written certification is required from the sign manufacturer, stating that the light intensity has been preset not to exceed the illumination levels established by this Subsection F, and that the preset intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software.

Minimum display time. Each message on the sign must be displayed for a minimum of five seconds.

Message change sequence. A minimum of 0.5 second of time with no messages displayed shall be provided between each message, animated graphic or image displayed on the sign.

All other provisions of Article XVI, Sign Requirements, of Chapter 190, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Patterson remain in force and apply to electronic message displays.

Signs specified under § 190-57 of this chapter.

Signs specified under § 190-58A(1), (2), (5) and(6) of this chapter.

Signs specified under § 190-59A(3), (4), (5) and (7) of this chapter.

Signs painted directly on the wall surface of a building which do not exceed 20 square feet in area.