Board adopts ordinance banning temporary signs in right‑of‑way; enforcement process explained

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Sept. 14 unanimously adopted Ordinance 26‑07 to amend the township zoning ordinance’s temporary‑sign regulations. Solicitor Esposito told the board the change responds to recent case law that prohibits different rules for similar temporary signs; the ordinance now defines a single category for temporary signs and disallows placement of temporary signs in the right‑of‑way, including political signs.

Esposito described enforcement as a notice regime: the township will send a zoning‑violation letter that gives property owners 30 days to come into compliance, after which fines permitted by the ordinance could be pursued through the district judge. "If they're not within compliance within that 30 days, then we can fine them pursuant to the ordinance," Esposito said. Staff also said they will provide an informational handout and website guidance to help residents understand whether a particular location is township right‑of‑way or PennDOT right‑of‑way, and asked residents to report violations to the manager’s office.