[Ord. 3-2004, 12/11/2004, § I]
Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance
with the provisions of this Part and any and all ordinances and regulations
of the Township of Covington relating to the erection, alteration
or maintenance of signs.
[Ord. 3-2004, 12/11/2004, § II]
1.
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all areas of the
Township.
A.
Interpretation of Sign Area.
(1)
The area of a sign is hereby deemed to include all lettering,
wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background
upon which they are displayed but excluding any framework, posts,
or bracing which is incidental to the display itself.
(2)
Where a sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted upon a structure surface ("structure surface" meaning
"building"), the area of the sign shall be the area of the smallest
rectangle which can be drawn to encompass all of the letters and symbols.
(3)
Where there are multiple signs upon a single property, the sum
area of all sign surfaces on all signs shall not exceed the permitted
maximum stated in this section.
(4)
Where there are single sign structures with more than one sign
surface, the sum area of all sign surfaces shall not exceed the permitted
maximum stated in this section.
B.
No sign shall be placed within a street right-of-way except traffic
signs and similar regulatory notices erected by the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, the Township of Covington, or another public agency
having jurisdiction.
C.
Flashing or moving signs are prohibited. Signs which emit smoke,
visible vapors or particles, sound, or smoke are also prohibited.
D.
No artificial light or reflecting device shall be used as a part
of a sign where such light or device interferes with, competes for
attention with, or may be mistaken for a traffic signal.
E.
Signs shall be constructed of durable materials and kept in good
condition and safe from collapse. Any sign which is allowed to fall
into disrepair shall be removed by the Township at the expense of
the owner of the sign. The Township shall provide thirty-day notice
to the sign owner of its intent to remove such a sign.
F.
No sign that is a part of or is supported by a building shall be
erected upon the roof of such building, nor shall such sign extend
higher than the building. Freestanding signs shall not be taller than
35 feet.
G.
No sign shall project beyond any lot line. No portion of any free-standing
sign shall be located within five feet of any lot line. No sign attached
to a building facade shall extend more than 12 inches from the facade
to which it is attached.
H.
No sign shall physically obstruct vehicular ingress or egress from
a property or human ingress or egress from a structure.
I.
No sign shall be permitted which is posted, stapled, or otherwise
permanently or temporarily attached to public utility poles or trees
within a street right-of-way.
J.
A sign permit issued by the Permit Officer shall be required prior
to the erection of any sign, whether temporary or permanent. Where
the sign is to be erected by the lessor or tenant of a property, such
lessor or tenant shall have written permission from the owner of the
property in question to erect such sign. Where the terms of the lease
specifically empower the lessor or tenant to erect a sign or signs
upon the property in question, such terms shall be acceptable in lieu
of the written permission otherwise required.
K.
Any vehicle used to display signs/billboards must be licensed and
inspected and be permitted to comply with the general regulations
of this Part.
L.
The following signs are permitted throughout Covington Township,
subject to the conditions and restrictions noted.
(1)
Official, functional, directional, and warning signs properly
erected by the federal, state, county, or local government; by any
agency of such governments; by any railroad company; by any public
utility; or by any similar agency concerned with the protection of
the public health, safety, or welfare.
(2)
Temporary signs announcing a campaign drive, or event for the
benefit of an entity supported by charity, provided that such temporary
sign shall be removed within one week of the conclusion of such campaign,
drive, or event. The area of such signs shall not exceed 32 square
feet.
(3)
Business signs offering the sale and rental of the premises
upon which the sign is erected, provided that the area of any such
sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. No more than one such sign is
permitted along each street frontage of the property in question.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1-2019, 11/13/2019]
(4)
Temporary signs of contractors, developers, architects, engineers,
builders, and artisans upon a property where such persons are conducting
work. No such sign shall have a face exceeding 32 square feet in area.
No such sign shall have more than two faces. Such signs shall be removed
within one week of the completion of the work.
(5)
Trespassing signs; signs indicating the private nature of a
road, driveway, or premises; and signs controlling fishing or hunting
on the premises. No such sign shall be more than four square feet
in area.
(6)
Signs indicating the existence of and direction to attractions
of a natural, scenic, or outdoor recreational nature. No such sign
shall be more than 20 square feet in area.
(7)
Any signs permitted pursuant to this section shall not be installed
or constructed in a manner that obstructs site lines for traffic within
the area.
[Added by Ord. No. 1-2019, 11/13/2019]
M.
The following signs are permitted as an accessory to agricultural
and residential uses (including home occupations), subject to the
conditions and restrictions noted:
(1)
Name plates displaying the name and/or address of the occupants.
The area of such signs shall not exceed three square feet.
(2)
Signs announcing home occupations or office activities carried
on upon the premises.
(3)
Signs offering the sale of farm products, nursery products,
or livestock produced or raised on the premises, including signs for
roadside farm stands. The area of such signs shall not exceed 12 square
feet. No more than one such sign shall be permitted along each street
frontage of the property.
(4)
Signs denoting membership in agricultural associations, cooperative
organizations, or indicating specialization in a particular breed
of livestock or type of crop. The area of each such sign shall not
exceed six square feet. No more than one such sign per association
shall be permitted along each street frontage of the property.
(5)
Signs for multi-unit structures and developments.
(a)
Free-standing real estate signs for advertising the sale or
rental of the premises upon which the sign is erected. The area of
use signs shall not exceed 50 square feet. No more than one such sign
shall be permitted along each street frontage of the property. No
such sign may stand taller than the building(s) advertised for sale
or rent. Such real estate signs may not stand for more than 12 months
after completion of construction.
(b)
Directional signs, not to exceed two square feet in area, shall
be permitted to direct persons to the rental or sales office, model
units, or facilities within the development.
(c)
One temporary sign in residential subdivisions for the sale
of lots, provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square
feet and shall be removed when 50% of the lots are sold or within
three years of final plan approval, whichever comes first. Where such
developments are built in phases, signs of this type may remain on
display as long as the number of lots available for purchase exceeds
the number of lots sold.
(d)
Permanent identifying signs displaying the name of the project
or development as well as signs indicating the names of building within
such developments. Not more than one sign identifying the name of
the project or development shall be permitted for each entrance to
the subdivision or development. The area of such signs shall not exceed
10 square feet. Signs to identify individual buildings within the
project shall not exceed six square feet in size.
N.
The following signs are permitted as an accessory to institutional
uses, defined as an entity created by law or public authority for
benefit of the public in general, such as hospitals, charities, schools,
colleges, etc., subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
(1)
Signboard, bulletin board, announcement board, or identification
sign for the use for the purpose of displaying the name of the institution
and its activities or services. The area of such signs shall not exceed
12 square feet. No more than one such sign shall be permitted along
each street frontage of the property.
O.
The following signs are permitted as an accessory to commercial and
industrial uses, subject to the conditions and restrictions noted.
(1)
Business or commercial signs on the same lot as the use to which
it relates. The area of such signs shall be limited to two square
feet for every one lineal foot of the facade length of the largest
building on the premises. Up to an absolute maximum of 160 square
feet.
(2)
Signs directing customers or visitors to parking areas. The
area of each such sign shall not exceed three square feet. No more
than one such sign shall be permitted per access drive.
(3)
Signs directing patrons, members or audience to temporary exhibits,
shows, or events. The area of such signs shall not exceed 65 square
feet. Such signs shall not be posted more than two weeks prior to
the event so advertised and shall be removed within two weeks of the
conclusion of the event so advertised.
(4)
Special temporary promotional devices, signs, and displays (including
banners and pennants hung on the exterior of buildings) shall not
be permitted for more than 30 consecutive days.
P.
Off-Premises Signs and Non-Commercial Signs.
(1)
An off-premises sign is hereby defined as any sign announcing
or advertising an activity or service on premises other than upon
which the sign is located. A non-commercial sign is hereby defined
as a sign which advertises neither a product nor a service and is
unrelated to any commercial, industrial, institutional, or residential
use. Off-premises signs shall include signs referred to generally
as billboards. Such signs are permitted in commercial and industrial
areas.
(2)
The erection of an off-premises or non-commercial sign shall
require a sign permit to be issued by the Permit Officer. The Permit
Officer shall not issue such a permit until the applicant therefore
provides written permission from the owner of the property upon which
the sign is to be placed.
(3)
Sign structures shall be designed and located to comply with
all setback and building separation requirements. No part of any sign
structure may extend more than 35 feet above the ground.
(4)
The display area of the sign structure shall not exceed 160
square feet.
(5)
Sources of illumination shall be shielded so as to be not visible
from any point off the lot on which the sign is placed, shall not
create glare, shall not shine directly upon traffic lanes, and shall
not interfere with traffic in any other way.
Q.
Nonconforming Signs.
(1)
Nonconforming signs, once removed or destroyed, shall be replaced
only with conforming signs. If damaged, nonconforming signs may be
repaired to their preexisting condition; however, such repairs may
not include additions to the sign which increase the degree of nonconformity.
[Ord. 3-2004, 12/11/2004, § II]
Any person, partnership or corporation who violates any provision
of this Part shall, upon conviction, be subject to a judgment of not
more than $500 together with all the court costs, said judgment to
accrue to the benefit of the Township of Covington. Each day that
the violation exists shall constitute a separate violation. Notwithstanding
same, the Township reserves the right to avail itself of any civil
remedy available either in law or in equity.
[Ord. 3-2004, 12/11/2004, § IV]
Any existing sign which was in compliance prior to this Sign
Ordinance, but now is out of compliance, shall be grandfathered and
nonconforming. All nonconforming signs shall be registered with the
Permit Officer within 60 days of passage of this Part to establish
the sign as nonconforming. If the nonconforming sign holder does not
register a nonconforming use, the grandfathering of such sign is forever
vacated.
