[Amended 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
This article regulates signs that are visible
from the right-of-way and from beyond the property where erected.
These regulations balance the need to protect the public safety and
welfare, the need for a well-maintained and attractive community and
the need for adequate identification, communication and advertising
for all land uses. In addition, these regulations for signs are intended
to:
A.
Ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed
and maintained so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised.
B.
Allow and promote positive conditions for meeting
sign users' needs while, at the same time, avoiding nuisances to nearby
properties and promoting an attractive environment.
C.
Reflect and support the desired character and development
patterns of the various districts.
D.
Allow for adequate and effective signs in commercial
and industrial districts while preventing signs from dominating the
visual appearance of the area.
E.
Allow for adequate and multiple types of signs for
a site, although the provisions do not necessarily assure or provide
for a property owner's desired level of visibility for the signs.
This article regulates the number, size, placement
and physical characteristics of signs. The regulations are not intended
to and do not restrict, limit or control the content or message of
signs. The regulations of this article apply to all districts in the
Township.
[Added 1-5-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-1; amended 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-6]
As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
Any sign that does not display a well-maintained message for
a consecutive one-hundred-twenty-day period;
Any sign the owner of which cannot be located at the owner's
last address as reflected on the records of the department; or
Any sign no longer fully supported by the structure designed
to support the sign for a consecutive one-hundred-twenty-day period.
The area of one side of a sign is calculated from the smallest
rectangle that encompasses all the exposed face that could be filled
with a message or graphics.
Sign placed without a permanent structure containing a time
bound message and used in aggregate no more than seven days in any
calendar on any private parcel.
Sign with a message on both sides of a support structure,
thus counting as two sign faces.
A sign authorized by this municipality, another governmental
agency, the State or Pennsylvania, or the federal government.
Any sign advertising activities, services, products or uses
not located, made, sold, used or served on the premises displaying
such sign.
A structure maintained by the Township or other authorized
governmental entity which provides a service to the public such as
public bus shelters, public trash receptacles, and other similar structures.
An object, including a structure, wall, image, or movable
device, displaying any message visible to the public.
No sign may be erected unless it conforms with
the regulations of this article. Sign permits must be approved prior
to erection of the sign.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions
of this article, but may be subject to other Township ordinances:
A.
Signs inside a building, not visible from a right-of-way,
private or public road or other private property.
B.
Building street address numbers.
C.
Signs carved into or part of materials that are on
an integral and permanent part of the building, noting the name of
the building and its date of erection.
D.
Garage or yard sale signs no larger than six square
feet, displayed for a maximum duration of 48 hours per year.
E.
Public and/or government signs, including traffic
or similar regulatory devices.
F.
Flags and insignia of any government, except when
displayed in connection with a commercial promotion.
G.
Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or no
trespassing signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.
H.
Temporary, nonilluminated "For Sale," "For Rent," real estate signs concerning the premises upon which the sign is located, subject to the provisions of § 300-100D(2).
I.
Nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding
10% of the window surface.
J.
One temporary sign for a seasonal roadside stand selling
agricultural produce grown on the premises, provided that such sign
shall not exceed six square feet in area, shall be set back a minimum
of 10 feet from any property line and shall remain on the site only
for that portion of the year that the stand is in active use.
K.
Nonilluminated, on-premises directional signs for
the convenience of the general public, such as those identifying public
parking areas, fire zones and entrances and exits, not exceeding four
square feet per face and no more than six feet above the ground.
The following signs are prohibited and shall
be removed:
A.
Signs placed or painted on a vehicle or vehicle trailer
and parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign for a business,
use, event or similar function.
B.
A sign that copies or imitates or in any way approximates
an official highway sign or carries the words "STOP," "DANGER," "GO
SLOW," "CAUTION," "WARNING" or similar terms.
C.
Any sign in or projecting into a public right-of-way.
D.
A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare
into or upon any building or street, other than the building to which
the sign may be accessory.
E.
Abandoned signs, defined as those on-premises signs
that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer
conducted or available on the premises.
F.
Any off-premises sign advertising activities, services, products or uses not located, made, sold, used or served on the premises displaying such sign unless permitted under § 300-95.1 of this chapter.
[Amended 1-5-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-1; 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-6]
G.
Roof signs or signs on dormers or balconies.
H.
Inflatable signs.
I.
Strobe lights and signs containing strobe lights.
J.
Animated signs, defined as having moving parts or
lighting that creates the illusion of moving parts, except those portions
of a sign indicating time and/or temperature.
K.
Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particles,
sound or odors.
L.
Signs consisting of pennants, spinners or streamers,
except as short-term temporary on-site commercial event signs as permitted
in this article.
M.
Any sign that impairs or causes confusion to vehicular
or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement, as determined
by the Police Department of Marple Township.
N.
Any sign mounted or attached to a tree or utility
pole in the public right-of-way.
O.
Any sign within 500 feet of an interstate highway.
P.
Any sign located in a rear yard.
Q.
Any sign that is not included under the types of signs
permitted in specific district regulations or in this article.
A.
Sign face area.
(1)
The area of sign faces enclosed in frames or cabinets
shall be determined based on the outer dimensions of the frame or
cabinet surrounding the sign face. Sign area shall not include foundations,
supports and other essential structures that do not serve as a backdrop
or border to the sign. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall
be counted in the calculation of sign face area.
(2)
When a sign shall be on a base material and attached
without a frame, such as a wood or plastic panel, the dimensions of
the base material shall be used unless it is clear that part of the
base contains no sign, related display or decoration.
(3)
When signs shall be constructed of individual pieces
or letters attached to a building wall, sign area shall be determined
by a perimeter drawn around all the pieces or letters.
(4)
For sign structures containing multiple modules oriented
in the same direction, the modules taken together shall be counted
as one sign face.
(5)
The maximum surface area visible at one time of a
round or three-dimensional sign shall be calculated to determine total
sign area.
B.
Height of signs. The overall height of a sign or sign
structure shall be measured from the grade directly below the sign
to the highest point of the sign or sign structure.
A.
The lawful use of a sign or signs existing at the
time of adoption of this article may be continued, even though the
sign does not conform to the regulations and limitations of this article,
until one or more of the following occurs:
(1)
The structure, size, location, advertising display
matter or accessories of any or all signs previously granted approval
and permits are altered, modified, changed, reconstructed or moved;
(2)
The structure, size, location, advertising display
matter, lettering, color scheme or accessories of any or all signs
on the property for which approval and/or permits have not been granted
are altered, modified, changed, reconstructed or moved;
(3)
Buildings, structures or site improvements on the
property upon which the sign is placed are altered in such a way as
to require subdivision or land development plan approval;
(4)
Any or all signs on the property are damaged or destroyed
by fire, explosion or act of God to the extent of more than 60% of
the actual value thereof;
(5)
Any or all signs on the property are abandoned; or
(6)
Any or all signs on the property fall into a state
of disrepair and/or become unsafe.
B.
Ordinary maintenance and repairs may be made to any
nonconforming sign, provided that the structure, advertising display
matter, lettering, color scheme or accessories are not altered, modified,
changed, reconstructed or moved and provided that such ordinary maintenance
and repairs do not exceed 20% of the value of the sign in any one
year period.
C.
Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed
to require any change in the plans or construction of any sign upon
which actual construction was lawfully initiated prior to the effective
date of this article. Actual construction is hereby defined as the
actual placing of the sign and/or structure materials in their permanent
position in compliance with the previously obtained approval and permits.
A.
Where more than one sign is permitted for the same
activity, all signs should be coordinated with respect to color, letter
style, illumination and other graphic features.
B.
In multiple owner/tenant occupancies, the various
signs required for identification of different activities should be
coordinated with respect to placement on the building facade, legibility
and illumination and should express integration of design and a harmonious
appearance.
C.
All signs should be legible and visible for the purpose
and circumstances in which they are used.
D.
Sign(s) shall be considered a site plan and architectural
feature of the proposed development and as such, should be coordinated
in size, height, color, illumination, location, graphic design and
finish detailing with the building(s), landscaping, area lighting
and vehicular and pedestrian circulation and shall be shown on drawings
with and considered in conjunction with uses where land development
approval is required.
E.
Where different uses are permitted side-by-side or
on adjoining properties, signs permitted for one property or tenancy
should not adversely affect the identification and reasonable use
of the neighboring property or tenancy.
F.
Where signs are to be placed near residential uses,
sign height, size, location and illumination shall be adjusted to
ensure minimum impact on the residential uses.
G.
Illumination. Where illumination of signs is permitted, such illumination shall only be between sundown and 11:00 p.m. (or later as permitted under § 300-10B of Article I). Illumination shall be of an even intensity at all times. Illumination may be direct (giving forth light from the interior of the sign through translucent material) or it may be indirect (when the light source is not visible form any adjoining property or street and is directed upon the sign). Direct lighting shall illuminate the letters, characters or graphics on the sign but not its background. In addition:
[Added 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
(1)
Illumination should be appropriate to the character
of the sign and its surroundings and shall not adversely illuminate
or shadow surrounding properties, uses or streets and roads.
(2)
No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner so as
to diminish or detract in any way from the effectiveness of any traffic
signal or similar safety or warning device.
A.
All nontemporary signs installed after the effective
date of this article shall have attached to the sign a durable metal
nameplate giving the sign permit number and the name and address of
the owner, person or corporation responsible for the general requirements
and maintenance as outlined herein.
B.
All internally illuminated signs shall be constructed
in conformance with the Standards for Electric Signs (U.L. 48) of
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., and bear the seal of Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc. If such a sign does not bear the Underwriters'
Laboratories label, the sign shall be inspected and certified by a
fire underwriting agency.
C.
All transformers, wires and similar items shall be
concealed. All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
D.
All signs, including attached wall, projecting and
suspended wall signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing
or move in any manner.
E.
All signs, sign finishes, supports and electric work
shall be kept clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards such
as, but not limited to, faulty wiring and loose supports, braces,
guys and anchors.
F.
All signs shall be painted and/or fabricated in accordance
with generally accepted sign industry standards.
G.
All signs and sign structures shall be erected and
attached totally within the site.
H.
Sight triangle area. No sign may be located within
a sight triangle area, as described below. No support structure(s)
for a sign may be located in sight triangle area unless the combined
cross-sectional area is 36 square inches or less.
(1)
Sight triangle areas are triangular shaped areas located
at the intersection of any combination of streets, roads, rights-of-way,
private roads, alleys or driveways. The sides of the triangle shall
be considered to extend 15 feet from the intersection of the vehicle
traveled areas, unless otherwise specified. The height of the sight
triangle area shall be considered to be from 36 inches above grade
to 10 feet above grade.
I.
Vehicle area clearances. When a sign shall extend
over an area where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the
sign shall be at least 14 feet above grade. Vehicle areas shall include,
but are not limited to, driveways, alleys, parking lots and loading
and maneuvering areas.
J.
Pedestrian area clearances. When a sign shall extend
over sidewalks, walkways or other spaces accessible to pedestrians,
the bottom of the sign shall be at least 8 1/2 feet above grade.
[Added 1-5-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-1; amended 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-6]
A.
Off-premises signs shall be permitted as of right in the Industrial
(I) District, provided that such signs meet the following criteria:
(1)
Each sign allowed under this section of the article shall be
located not less than 500 feet (measured by radial spacing) from any
other sign allowed pursuant to this section of the article and not
less than 500 feet from a residential zoning district. Distance measurement
shall be made horizontally in all directions from the nearest edge
of the sign face.
(2)
Only one sign may be permitted on any one lot.
(3)
No sign's gross surface area shall exceed 160 square feet in
face size.
(4)
The sign structure shall have a maximum height above the grade
at the sign base of 35 feet.
(5)
The sign shall conform with all other sections of this article,
including but not limited to limitations on illumination and construction
of signs.
(6)
Applicants shall prohibit the display of obscene materials on
sign faces.
(7)
Subject to the landowner's consent, a noncommercial message
of any type may be substituted for any duly permitted or allowed commercial
message, provided that the sign structure or mounting device is legal
without consideration of message content.
B.
Off-premises signs shall be permitted by special exception in the Business-1 (B-1) Zoning District in accordance with § 300-136 of this chapter, subject to the following additional standards and conditions:
(1)
The minimum required lot area shall be one acre.
(2)
The minimum required lot width at both the street line and the
front yard setback line shall be 100 feet.
(3)
A maximum of one sign shall be permitted on a lot.
(4)
Minimum spacing from other signs permitted under this subsection
shall be a linear distance of 1,000 feet measured between the two
closest points of the base of each sign.
(5)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(6)
The maximum height of the sign shall be 35 feet.
(7)
Signs must be constructed within 100 feet of the right-of-way.
(8)
Adequate screening must be provided to screen the view of the
sign from any and all adjacent residential districts.
(9)
Applicants shall prohibit the display of obscene materials on
sign faces.
C.
Off-premises signs shall be permitted as an accessory use to an approved
public convenience, such as a bus stop shelter or public trash receptacle,
where located within the public right-of-way, provided that such signs
meet the following criteria:
(1)
The maximum size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square
feet.
(2)
Such signs shall only be permitted in the public right-of-way
adjacent to Route 3 (West Chester Pike) and Route 320 (Sproul Road).
(3)
Minimum spacing from other signs permitted under this subsection
shall be a linear distance of 100 feet measured between the two closest
points of the base of each sign.
(4)
The applicant must be the owner of the public convenience or
have a contractual right to erect a conforming sign before making
application.
[Added 1-5-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-1; amended 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-6]
Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable
provisions of all Township codes. In addition:
A.
A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical
supports of metal which are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent
rust and corrosion. All billboards shall be painted in PMS Color 279.
B.
One vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire sign
face to be able to withstand a minimum one-hundred-mile-per-hour wind
load.
C.
The entire base of the billboard structure shall be permanently landscaped
with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of six feet
placed in such a manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.
A landscaping plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the
Code Enforcement Officer. Said landscaping shall be maintained by
the owner in an attractive and healthy manner in accordance with accepted
conservation practices. Landscaping shall form a base and backdrop
to the billboard sign when practical.
D.
No bare cuts are permitted on a hillside, and all cuts or fills are
to be permanently seeded or planted.
E.
No billboard structure, sign face or display shall emit noise, cause
distraction, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic safety, aircraft
or other properties.
F.
No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle
of the public street or road on which it is situated and shall not
in any manner obstruct or impede traffic safety, including ingress
or egress.
G.
Billboards may not be mounted on a roof, wall or face or other part
of a building or any other structure, including trees.
H.
Applicability of International Construction Code (ICC) standards.
All sign standards herein shall exist in full force and effect in
conjunction with all sign standards existing in the most recent edition
of the ICC, as amended. Whenever any conflict exists between this
chapter and the ICC Code, the more restrictive provisions shall have
precedence.
I.
Illumination of any and all sign faces shall be shielded to prevent
the light source from being seen from any direction.
J.
No illumination of any sign shall occur between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00
a.m.
K.
Multiple message signs are prohibited.
L.
Signs which contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing,
intermittent, scrolling or moving light or lights are prohibited.
M.
All freestanding off-premises signs (billboards) shall be approved
by the Township Engineer. Applicants must submit a plan, sealed by
a structural engineer, showing the proposed construction.
N.
All sign structures shall comply with all other applicable Township
codes and ordinances.
[Added 1-5-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-1; amended 8-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-6]
A.
The billboard structure shall be entirely repainted, at a minimum,
every five years.
B.
Every three years the owner of the billboard shall have a structural
inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania-registered
structural engineer and shall provide to the Township a certificate
from the engineer or architect certifying that the billboard is structurally
sound.
C.
Annual inspections of the billboard shall be conducted by the Township
Code Enforcement Officer to determine compliance, and billboards found
to be in violation of this section shall be brought into compliance
within 30 days of notice or ordered removed upon proper notification
by the Township.
D.
Any abandoned sign must be removed within 30 days after notice. If
the owner fails to remove an abandoned sign within 30 days the Township
may remove the sign at the owner's expense.
[Amended 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
No more than two wall, projecting and awning
signs advertising occupations, employment, enterprise or businesses
or products or uses made, sold, used or served on the premises displaying
such signs shall be permitted for every 30 feet of building frontage.
In addition, the following regulations shall apply for all sign types
other than freestanding signs:
A.
Attached wall sign. Any sign posted, painted or constructed,
attached and parallel to the plane of the building wall, facade, marquee
or porch of any structure shall:
B.
Suspended wall sign. Any sign that is suspended from
a building wall, facade, marquee or porch by means of brackets, hooks,
chains, etc., and whose face is parallel to the plane of said building
wall, facade, marquee or porch shall:
(1)
Not project more than 12 inches from the face of the
wall to which it is mounted.
(2)
Not extend beyond the ends or over the top of the
wall to which it is mounted.
(3)
In multistory buildings, be located no higher than
the first floor.
(4)
Not exceed 70% of the width of the tenancy or building
wall to which it is mounted.
(5)
Be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in
any manner.
C.
Projecting sign. A sign that is attached to a building
wall, facade, marquee or porch and that extends more than 12 inches
from the face of such building wall, facade, marquee or porch shall:
D.
Window sign. A nonpermanent sign applied or attached
to the interior of a window or located in such manner within a building
that it can be seen from the exterior of the structure through a window,
shall not exceed 50% of the area of the window.
[Added 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
The maximum sign area permitted for wall, projecting,
window and awning signs advertising occupations, employment, enterprise
or businesses or products or uses made, sold, used or served on the
premises displaying such signs shall be determined by the position
of the sign(s) relative to the building setback line, but in no case
shall exceed 7 1/2% of the wall area on which the signs are attached,
suspended or projected, including window and awning signs:
A.
Where the sign(s) are at the building setback line,
the maximum sign area shall be 30 square feet.
B.
For every additional three feet that the sign(s) are
set back beyond the building setback line, an additional one square
foot of area above the thirty-square-foot maximum shall be permitted,
to a maximum area of 7 1/2% of the wall area on which the sign(s)
are attached, suspended or projected, including window and awning
signs.
[Amended 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
One sign standing on the ground or supported
from the ground by one or more poles, posts or similar uprights with
or without brackets and advertising occupations, employment, enterprise
or businesses or products or uses made, sold, used or served on the
premises displaying such sign shall be permitted per existing street
frontage and shall:
A.
Be located not less than 15 feet from any street ultimate
right-of-way, front or side property line or equal to the height of
said sign, whichever is greater.
B.
Be located not more than 200 feet from any street
ultimate right-of-way.
C.
Be located not less than 10 feet and not less than
50 feet from the intersection of a signalized access driveway and
external roadway.
(1)
When located not less than 10 feet and not more than
25 feet from any building shall not be more than 15 feet in height
above finished grade.
D.
Be located no closer than 1,000 feet from any other
such freestanding sign on the tract.
E.
Not be placed so as to impair the vision of motorists.
F.
Where practicable, be located within a landscaped
area or be located within an area of pavers in a sand setting bed
with permeable joints or a similar partly pervious surface treatment.
[Added 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
A.
Total tract freestanding signage area shall not exceed
the lowest of the following basic measures:
B.
The maximum area of any individual freestanding sign
shall be determined by its setback from the street ultimate right-of-way:
(1)
Where the sign is 15 feet away from the ultimate right-of-way
line, the maximum area shall be 12 square feet.
(2)
For every additional foot that the sign is set back
beyond 15 feet from the street ultimate right-of-way line, an additional
one square foot of area above the 12 square foot maximum shall be
permitted, to a maximum area of 50 square feet.
C.
The maximum height of any freestanding sign shall
be determined by its setback from the street ultimate right-of-way:
(1)
Where the sign is 15 feet away from the ultimate right-of-way
line, the maximum height shall be 15 feet.
(2)
For every two feet that the sign is set back beyond
15 feet from the street ultimate right-of-way line, an additional
one foot of height above the fifteen-foot maximum shall be permitted,
to a maximum height of 25 feet.
The following signs shall be permitted within
any district in the Township:
A.
Development/neighborhood identification sign. In conjunction
with an existing development or neighborhood, on-site development
or neighborhood identification signs may be placed subject to the
following conditions:
(1)
A maximum of two single-faced freestanding signs
shall be permitted per development or neighborhood.
(2)
The maximum area per sign shall be 16 square
feet.
(3)
Such signs shall only be indirectly illuminated.
and
(4)
If such signs are freestanding, the maximum
height shall be 48 inches above the finished grade.
B.
Multiple-family development identification signs.
In conjunction with an existing multiple-family development having
20 units or more, on-site multiple-family identification signs may
be placed subject to the following conditions:
(1)
One freestanding, attached wall or suspended
wall sign, single or double-faced, shall be allowed per street frontage
from which vehicles gain access to the development.
(2)
The maximum area per sign shall be 16 square
feet.
(3)
If such signs are freestanding, the maximum
height shall be 48 inches above the finished grade.
(4)
If freestanding, such signs shall only be indirectly
illuminated.
(5)
A maximum of 30% of the area of the sign may
include information pertaining to the availability or size of the
dwelling units.
C.
Religious and quasi-public institutions. In conjunction
with religious institutions, libraries, colleges, other educational
institutions and hospitals, signs may be placed subject to the following
regulations:
(1)
One on-site, freestanding, attached wall or
suspended wall sign bulletin board may be placed that shall not exceed
20 square feet in area and eight feet in height.
(2)
One on-site attached wall, suspended wall or
projecting sign identifying the name of the institution may be placed
that shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3)
On-site attached wall, suspended wall or projecting
signs identifying permitted accessory uses may be placed whose aggregate
areas shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
D.
Long-term temporary signs.
(1)
Off-site directional signs. In conjunction with
an approved subdivision or use off-site directional signs may be placed
subject to the following regulations:
(a)
Maximum duration of such signs shall be 48 hours
in any calendar week.
(b)
One such sign may be placed per intersection.
(c)
Such signs shall be located within 50 feet of
the intersection, no further than two vehicular miles from the advertised
site and not less than five feet from a property line.
(d)
Such signs shall be freestanding, with a maximum
height of five feet.
(e)
The maximum sign area per directional sign shall
be three square feet.
(f)
Directional signs shall have no commercial messages
or copy and shall not be illuminated.
(2)
On-site real estate signs. Signs advertising
the sale, lease or rent of the premises upon which such sign is located
may be placed subject to the following regulations:
[Amended 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
(a)
One attached wall or freestanding sign per street
frontage is permitted.
(b)
For residential properties, the maximum area
per sign shall be six square feet with a maximum height of five feet.
For nonresidential properties, the maximum area per sign shall be
20 square feet and the maximum height of the sign shall be eight feet.
(c)
Signage shall not be illuminated.
(d)
All such signs shall be removed within three
days following the sale of the premises.
(e)
No sign shall be permitted within the right-of-way
adjacent to any property.
(f)
Open house and associated directional language
shall be permitted, provided that such signs comply with the following:
[1]
Open house signs shall be permitted on the subject
property and shall not exceed the sign area permitted for primary
real estate signs. Directional signs shall not exceed three square
feet in area.
[2]
Such signs shall not be erected more than 48
hours prior to the open house and must be removed no later than one
hour following the open house.
[3]
No sign is permitted within the right-of-way
of any public street, alley or way. Signage erected on private property
must have the permission of the property owner.
(3)
On-site construction signs. In conjunction with
an approved subdivision or land development, construction signs may
be placed subject to the following regulations:
(a)
There shall not be more than one such freestanding
sign for each project or development.
(b)
Such sign may only identify persons or companies
involved with the construction, architecture, engineering and development
of the premises.
(c)
Such sign shall be no larger than 20 square
feet in total area and no more than eight feet in height.
(d)
Construction signs shall not be illuminated.
(e)
Construction signs may be erected and maintained
for a period not to exceed 14 days prior to the commencement of construction
and shall be removed within 14 days of the termination of construction
of the project or development.
E.
Short-term temporary signs.
(1)
Political signs. Signs announcing political
candidates seeking public office, political parties and/or political
and public issues contained on a ballot may be placed subject to the
following regulations:
(a)
There shall be no limit on the number of permitted
political signs displayed, however, the number of permitted freestanding
signs shall not exceed one sign per 500 lineal feet of individual
property frontage. Such signs shall not be placed on public property
except at polling places on election day.
(b)
Such signs may be freestanding or attached wall
signs.
(c)
Such signs shall not be illuminated, shall not
exceed eight square feet in total area per property and, if freestanding,
each sign shall be no more than six feet in height and no more than
six square feet in area.
(d)
All political signs shall be erected no earlier
than 30 days prior to the election in question and shall be removed
within two days after election day.
(e)
Any political sign erected in violation of these
regulations shall be removed and impounded by the Township if such
violation(s) is not corrected within 48 hours after issuing a notice
to correct such signs. A reasonable service charge, as established
by the Township, shall be levied to cover the cost of removing and
impounding such signs.
(2)
Civic event signs. Signs announcing a campaign,
drive, activity or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or
religious organization for noncommercial purposes may be placed subject
to the following regulations:
(a)
There shall not be more than one such sign for
each lot. If the sign is not to be placed on property owned by the
organization requesting the permit, then the permittee shall present
written consents from all the property owners on whose property the
sign is to be located.
(b)
Such signs may be freestanding or attached wall
signs.
(c)
Such signs shall not be illuminated, shall not
exceed 16 square feet in total area and, if freestanding, shall be
no more than six feet in height.
(d)
Civic event signs may be erected and maintained
for a period not to exceed 30 days prior to the date of which the
campaign, drive, activity or event advertised is scheduled to occur
and shall be removed within five days of the termination of such campaign,
drive, activity or event.
(3)
On-site commercial event signs. Signs, banners,
posters and other similar promotional devices announcing a special,
unique or limited activity, service, product or sale of limited duration
may be placed subject to the following regulations:
[Amended 5-11-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11]
(a)
One temporary event sign shall be permitted
for every 200 linear feet of street frontage for the subject property.
The primary event sign shall not exceed 40 square feet in sign area.
Secondary signs shall not exceed 50% of the primary sign area. There
shall be no more than three signs for any event or events on the subject
property.
(b)
If freestanding, no sign shall exceed six feet
in height.
(c)
Approval must be obtained from the Code Enforcement
Officer prior to the erection of any commercial event sign(s). In
addition to legal United States holidays, commercial event signs shall
be limited to no more than four additional times on the parcel in
any calendar year.
(d)
All such signs shall be erected and maintained
for a period not to exceed 21 days and shall be removed within three
days of the termination of the activity, service, project or sale.
The following signs shall be permitted within
any residential district in the Township:
A.
One nonilluminated attached wall, suspended or freestanding
sign identifying a professional office may be placed on the premises
subject to the following conditions:
A.
Permit required. Except for the following, no person
may erect, alter or relocate within the Township any sign without
first obtaining a sign permit:
B.
Permit applications. Each sign being applied for shall
require the filing of a separate permit application. Applications
for sign permits shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer
on forms prescribed and provided by the Township and shall contain
or have attached thereto the following information:
(1)
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of
the applicant, the owner of the property on which the sign is to be
erected or affixed and the person or company to be erecting or affixing
the sign.
(2)
The location of the building, structure or lot
on which the sign is to be erected or affixed.
(3)
A site plan of the parcel involved, showing
all structures and the exact location of the proposed sign.
(4)
Two sets of plans and specifications of the
sign to be erected or affixed and its method of construction and attachment
to the building or in the ground. Such plans and specifications shall
include details of dimensions, materials, color and weight.
(5)
If necessary, a certification from a professional
engineer or architect, indicating the sign is designed to withstand
winds of at least 100 miles per hour.
(6)
The written consent of the owner of the building,
structure or property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed.
(7)
The method of illumination, if any and the position
of lighting or other extraneous devices and a copy of the electrical
permit related to the electrical connection.
(8)
Such other information as the Code Enforcement
Officer may require to determine full compliance with this and other
applicable ordinances and regulations of the Township.
C.
Issuance of permits. Upon the filing of an application
for a sign permit, the Code Enforcement Officer shall examine the
plans, specifications and other submitted data and the premises upon
which the sign is proposed to be erected or affixed. If it appears
that the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements
of this article and other applicable ordinances of the Township and
if the appropriate permit fee has been paid, the Township shall, within
30 days, issue a permit for the proposed sign. The issuance of a permit
shall not excuse the applicant from conforming to the other laws,
ordinances or regulations of the Township. If the work authorized
under a sign permit has not been completed within 90 days after the
date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void, but may be
renewed within 15 days prior to the expiration, for good cause shown,
for an additional 90 days, upon payment of 1/2 of the original permit
fee.
D.
Permit fees. At the time of filing a sign permit application,
it shall be accompanied by an appropriate application fee. Application
fees shall be in accordance with the Fee Schedule established by the
Board of Commissioners.
A.
Nonrequested inspections. The Code Enforcement Officer
or his authorized representative shall have the authority, without
a formal request, to inspect any sign for the purpose of identifying
those signs that are not in compliance with the provisions of this
article.
B.
Requests for inspections. Any person may file a written
request with the Code Enforcement Officer requesting an inspection
of one or more existing signs as identified in the request. In each
such instance, the Code Enforcement Officer shall promptly inspect
such sign(s) to determine compliance with the provisions of this article.
Following the inspection, the Code Enforcement Officer shall make
a written report indicating the findings of the inspections to both
the owner of the inspected sign and to the person filing the request
for inspection.
C.
Notice of violation. The Code Enforcement Officer shall notify in writing each owner of an existing sign found to be in violation of any provision of this article pursuant to inspections made under Subsections A and B above. The notice shall specifically refer to each section of this article under which a violation has been found to exist and thereupon describe the features of the inspected sign found to be deficient.
D.
Effect of notice. Upon receipt of a notice of violation
for an existing sign, the owner of said sign shall have 15 days to
correct the violation(s). If the violation(s) is not corrected after
the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer
is hereby authorized to cause the sign to be removed or repaired forthwith
at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on which such
sign is located.
A.
Nonconforming signs. If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that any nonconforming sign, except for those legal nonconforming signs as specified in § 300-93, is displayed, he shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which such sign is located. Removal of the sign shall be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such sign is not removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to cause the sign to be removed forthwith at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located.
B.
Obsolete signs. A sign, whether existing on or erected
after the effective date of this article, that advertises a business
no longer being conducted or a product no longer being offered for
sale in or from the premises on which the sign is located shall be
removed within 120 days upon cessation of such business or sale of
such product by the owner of the building or premises on which such
sign is located. The sign in this case shall include the sign face
or message area but may exclude the standard, frame or cabinet, which
may remain provided that they are in good repair. Any electrical components,
including but not limited to ballasts, sockets and lamps that may
become exposed as a result of removal of the message area, shall be
concealed by means of an opaque insert installed in the frame or cabinet.
(1)
If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that
any such obsolete sign has not been removed within 120 days upon cessation
of such business or sale of such product, he shall give written notice
to the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located.
Removal of the sign shall be effected within 15 days after receipt
of the notice. If such sign is not removed after the conclusion of
such fifteen-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized
to cause the sign to be removed forthwith at the expense of owner
of the building or premises on which such sign is located.
C.
Unsafe signs. If the Code Enforcement Officer shall
find that any sign is unsafe, insecure or is a menace to the public,
he shall give written notice to the owner of the building or premises
on which such sign is located. Correction of the condition that caused
the Code Enforcement Officer to give such notice shall be effected
within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such condition is not
corrected after the conclusion of such 15 day period, the Code Enforcement
Officer is hereby authorized to cause the sign to be removed forthwith
at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on which such
sign is located.
(1)
Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the
Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to cause any sign to be removed
summarily and without notice, at the expense of the owner of the building
or premises on which such sign is located, whenever he determines
that such sign is an immediate peril to persons or property.
Any person who violates a provision of this
article is guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion of
a day that the violation is committed, continued or permitted and
each offense is punishable by a fine in accordance with the schedule
of fines established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
