Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall
conform with the provisions of this article and any other ordinance
or regulations of Willistown Township relating to the erection, alteration
or maintenance of signs and similar devices.
The following types of signs and no other shall
be permitted:
A.
Official traffic signs. (No permit required. Township
and state only are authorized to erect such signs. NOTE: See resolution
adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
B.
Professional, accessory use or name signs, indicating
the name, profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, and
trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway
or premises, provided that the area on one side of any such sign shall
not exceed two square feet. (No permit required. NOTE: See resolution
adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
C.
Signs advertising the sale or rental of a premises upon which they
are erected, when erected by the owner or a broker or other person
interested in the sale or rental of such premises, may be erected
and maintained, provided that the size of any sign is not in excess
of six square feet and not more than one sign is placed upon any property
in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon
more than one street, in which event one such sign may be erected
on each frontage. (No permit required. NOTE: See resolution adopted
by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
[Amended 9-8-2014 by Ord. No. 4-2014]
D.
Signs advertising the sale or development of the premises upon which
they are erected, when erected in connection with the development
of the premises by a builder, contractor, developer or other person
interested in such sale or development, may be erected and maintained,
provided that the size of any such sign is not in excess of 20 square
feet and not more than one sign is placed upon any property in single
and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than
one street, in which event one such sign may be erected on each frontage.
(Permit required. NOTE: See resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors
on January 9, 1962.)
[Amended 9-8-2014 by Ord. No. 4-2014]
E.
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises
available for or in the process of development, but not erected upon
such premises, and having inscribed thereon the name of the owner,
developer, builder or agent may be erected and maintained, provided
that the size of any such sign is not in excess of six square feet
and not in excess of four feet in length, and not more than one such
sign shall be erected on each 500 feet of street frontage. Signs permitted
under this subsection may not be affixed to utility poles, traffic
signs or traffic signals. (Permit required. NOTE: See resolution adopted
by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
[Amended 9-10-1991 by Ord. No. 5-1991]
F.
Signs bearing the word "sold" or the word "rented," with the name of the person effecting the sale or rental, may be erected and maintained, provided that the conditions specified in Subsection C hereof are complied with. (No permit required. NOTE: See resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
G.
Temporary signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans may be erected and maintained during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided that the size thereof is not in excess of 12 square feet, such signs are removed promptly upon completion of the work, and the conditions specified in Subsection C hereof are complied with. (Permit required if in excess of six square feet).
[Amended 9-8-2014 by Ord. No. 4-2014]
H.
Identification signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, sanitariums
or other institutions of a similar nature, provided that the size
of any sign is not in excess of 20 square feet and not more than one
sign is placed on a property in a single and separate ownership, unless
such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event one
such sign may be erected on each frontage. (Permit required if in
excess of six square feet. NOTE: See resolution adopted by the Board
of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
[Amended 9-8-2014 by Ord. No. 4-2014]
I.
Signs advertising the sale of farm products when permitted
by this chapter, provided that the size of any such sign is not in
excess of six square feet, not more than two signs are used and the
signs shall only be displayed when such products are on sale.
J.
Business, commercial, or industrial signs, as follows:
[Amended 6-4-2004 by Ord.
No. 5-2004; 9-8-2014 by Ord. No. 4-2014; 8-14-2017 by Ord. No. 6-2017]
(1)
General standards relating to all business, commercial, or industrial
districts:
(a)
Signs shall be erected on the same premises as the use to which they relate. Directional signs relating to the same use shall be permitted on-site or off-site subject to the provisions contained in this subsection and Subsection E. (Permit required. NOTE: See resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962.)
(c)
Ground signs shall not exceed an overall height of 15 feet or
be located within or project into a public right-of-way.
[Amended 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
(d)
No sign shall project above or be placed upon the roof of any
building.
(e)
Other than directional signs, there shall be no more than two
signs for a single business erected on the same premises as the use
to which they relate.
(g)
No more than one wall sign and one ground sign for a single
business shall be erected on the same premises as the use to which
they relate, except for a business that has frontage on two streets,
in which case one additional wall sign may be placed on each building
facade with street frontage.
[Amended 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019; 3-13-2023 by Ord. No. 2-2023]
(h)
Off-premises signs shall be permitted, provided that:
[Amended 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
[1]
The premises where the sign is placed is within the Restricted
Industrial District (I).
[2]
No more than one such sign shall be erected per lot.
[3]
Such signs shall be limited to one sign face only.
[4]
Height of such signs shall not exceed 20 feet. The total area
of such signs shall not exceed 40 square feet.
(2)
Wall signs, as provided below, shall be permitted in the following
districts: Office District (O), Highway Business District (HB), Office-Professional
District (O-P), Restricted Industrial District (I), Planned Highway
Corridor District, Paoli Pike Corridor District, Unified Development
Area District (UDA), Transportation District (TD), Town Center District
(TCD), and the Commercial-Industrial Overlay District (C-I). Where
conflicts exist between this article and the standards contained in
the individual district, the district standards shall apply.
(a)
The total area of a wall sign placed on or facing any one street
frontage, including permanent window signs, shall not exceed 10% of
the area of the building face, including window and door area and
cornices. In no case shall the total area of the wall sign exceed
32 square feet.
(b)
Each sign shall be attached or placed flat upon the wall of
the building to which it relates or shall constitute part of the architectural
design of such building.
(3)
Projecting signs shall be permitted in the following districts:
Office District (O), Highway Business District (HB), Office-Professional
District (O-P), Restricted Industrial District (I), Planned Highway
Corridor District, Paoli Pike Corridor District, Unified Development
Area District (UDA), Transportation District (TD), Town Center District
(TCD), and the Commercial-Industrial Overlay District (C-I). Where
conflicts exist between this article and the standards contained in
the individual district, the district standards shall apply. The area
of such signs shall not exceed 18 square feet.
(4)
Ground signs shall be permitted in the following districts:
Office District (O), Highway Business District (HB), Office-Professional
District (O-P), Restricted Industrial District (I), Planned Highway
Corridor District, Paoli Pike Corridor District, Unified Development
Area District (UDA), Transportation District (TD), Town Center District
(TCD), and the Commercial-Industrial Overlay District (C-I). Where
conflicts exist between this article and the standards contained in
the individual district, the district standards shall apply. The area
of such signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
[Amended 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
(5)
Window signs shall be permitted as temporary signs in the following
districts: Office District (O), Highway Business District (HB), Office-Professional
District (O-P), Restricted Industrial District (I), Planned Highway
Corridor District, Paoli Pike Corridor District, Unified Development
Area District (UDA), Transportation District (TD), Town Center District
(TCD), and the Commercial-Industrial Overlay District (C-I). Where
conflicts exist between this article and the standards contained in
the individual district, the district standards shall apply.
K.
Signs supporting a candidate for public office may
be erected and maintained, provided that the size of any such sign
is not in excess of 12 square feet, and provided that such signs may
not be erected more than 30 days prior to the election, and provided
that such signs must be removed within five days after the election.
In the event of a violation of this provision, any or all enforcement
remedies under the Municipalities Planning Code[1] may be brought against the owner of the property on which
the signs were placed and/or the candidate supported by the signs.
[Added 9-10-1991 by Ocd. No. 5-1991]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq.
L.
Temporary event signs intended for short-term use
and pertaining to business events or community events may be erected
and maintained, provided that the size of any such sign is not excess
of 12 square feet, and provided that such signs may not be erected
more than 30 days prior to the event, and provided that such signs
must be removed within five days after the event. In no case shall
such signs be displayed for more than 60 days. In the event of a violation
of this provision, any or all enforcement remedies under the Municipalities
Planning Code may be brought against the owner of the property on
which the signs were placed and/or the organization sponsoring the
event.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001; amended 8-14-2017 by Ord. No.
6-2017]
M.
Permanent development entrance signs intended to discretely
identify the name of a residential development. Such signs shall be
ground signs, as defined herein, and shall not exceed six square feet
in size, including surface area of lettering and framing but excluding
posts and/or main supports. The maximum height of such signs shall
not exceed four feet above grade, including posts and/or main supports.
Signs may be placed on both sides of the development entrance and
at multiple entrances, if such exist; location of signs may not obstruct
sight distance for proper ingress and egress. Signs must be constructed
of natural materials, including wood, stone or brick, and must be
designed to be compatible with the local community character.
[Added 9-22-2003 by Ord. No. 4-2003]
N.
Vertical flag pole signs shall be permitted as a temporary sign provided
that under no circumstances shall such signs exceed 12 square feet
or be placed closer than 20 linear feet from each other. In no case
shall such signs be displayed for more than 60 days. (Permit required).
[Added 8-14-2017 by Ord.
No. 6-2017]
O.
Signs in residential districts. Signs identified in § 139-110 under Subsections A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L and M shall be permitted in residential districts, unless otherwise specifically prohibited, subject to the conditions specified in § 139-110.1. In no case shall signs in residential districts exceed the square footage provisions contained in § 139-110.
[Added 8-14-2017 by Ord.
No. 6-2017]
P.
Overlay districts. The Township has several overlay zoning districts,
among them the Planned Highway Corridor, the Paoli Pike Corridor,
the Multifamily District, the Open Space Conservation District, the
Historic Preservation Resource Inventory, the Unified Development
Area District, and the Commercial-Industrial Overlay. Unless specifically
authorized herein or in the overlay district itself, signage shall
conform to that permitted for the underlying zoning district.
[Added 8-14-2017 by Ord.
No. 6-2017]
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
A.
Classifications of signs.
(1)
Ground sign. Any sign erected upon an independent
structure which serves as the main support for the sign, and/or any
sign that is not supported by any part of a building.
[Amended 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
(2)
Wall sign. A sign erected or displayed on or
parallel to the surface of a building. Wall signs shall not extend
beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted
and shall project no more then six inches from its surface.
(3)
Projecting sign. Any sign affixed to a wall
or other vertical building surface in such a manner that its leading
edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of such wall
or building.
(4)
Window sign. A temporary sign entirely contained
inside a building that is visible from the public right-of-way.
B.
Regulations.
(1)
Ground sign.
[Amended 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
(a)
Ground signs shall be supported and permanently
placed by embedding, anchoring, or connecting the sign in such a manner
as to incorporate it into the landscape or architectural design of
the principal use.
(b)
Ground signs shall be limited to one such sign
per structure: If more than one use is carried on in a single structure,
the one permitted ground sign may indicate the presence of all uses
in the structure. Individual signs for each use shall not be permitted.
(c)
No ground sign shall project to a point nearer
then five feet to the public right-of-way; where compliance with this
standard nevertheless creates an obstruction of view, further setback
may be required.
(2)
Wall sign.
(a)
No portion of a wall sign shall be less than
eight feet above the proposed finished grade not extended more than
six inches from the building wall. if the wall sign projects less
than three inches from the building wall, the height requirement need
not be met.
(b)
One wall sign shall be permitted on the front
facade of the building and one additional wall sign on the rear facade
of a building with double frontage.
[Amended 3-13-2023 by Ord. No. 2-2023]
(c)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the
wall upon which it is mounted or beyond the edges of same.
(3)
Projecting sign.
(a)
No portion of a projecting sign shall be less
than eight feet nor more than 20 feet above the proposed finished
grade, and no such sign shall project more than four feet from the
face of the building.
(b)
No projecting sign shall extend above the top
of the wall upon which it is mounted.
(c)
One projecting sign shall be permitted per premises.
The following restrictions shall apply to all
permitted sign uses:
A.
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it
will cause danger to traffic on a street or at an intersection by
obscuring the view.
B.
No sign other than an official traffic sign shall
be erected within or shall project over the lines of any highway or
street unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations
of Willistown Township.
C.
All electronic signs [including but not limited to the lighting or illuminating of signs, or light-emitting-diode (LED) signs, high-intensity displays (HID), electronic variable-messaging signs (EVMS), changeable-display signs (CDS), digital signs, fluorescent lighting signs, or incandescent lighting signs], shall conform to the provisions of §139-106 and § 123-39. All electronic signs shall require a building permit and shall be permitted only when authorized by the Board of Supervisors as a conditional use. Such signs shall comply with the procedures governing conditional use applications outlined under § 139-118.1 of this chapter, including the criteria governing review of conditional use applications included in § 139-118.1D. Conditional use approval shall only be granted when the Township is satisfied that excessive illumination, light pollution, glare and light trespass have been adequately mitigated. A building permit shall be granted when the following requirements have been satisfactorily addressed:
[Amended 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001; 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011; 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
(1)
Externally
illuminated signs shall have lighting fixtures mounted at the top
of the sign and aimed downward. The lighting fixtures shall be designed,
fitted and aimed to shield the source from off-site view and to place
the light output onto and not beyond the sign. Shielding technology
may include, but is not limited to, louvers or shades adjacent to
the individual lighting elements. In no case shall the light source
be visible from any point beyond the lot line or from any public road.
Only the sign surface shall be illuminated. Lighting shall be by light-emitting
diodes (LED) or linear fluorescent unless it can be demonstrated to
the satisfaction of the Township that such a mounting arrangement
is not possible. At no point on the face of the sign or off-premises
sign shall the illumination exceed 30 vertical footcandles during
hours of darkness.
(2)
Internally
illuminated signs shall have a dark field and light message. The aggregate
output of the light sources shall not exceed 500 initial lumens per
square foot of sign face per side. Signs that are composed of lighting
elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or are themselves a
source of light, including but not limited to electronic variable-messaging
signs (EVMS) or changeable-display signs ( CDS), shall not be lit
between the hours of 11:00 p. m. prevailing time and dawn within 400
feet of a residential district or use.
(3)
All
electronic signs shall conform to the following:
(a)
Such signs shall change not more than once every 20 seconds and shall
not display any moving, flashing, scrolling or animated text or video,
nor shall they give the appearance or illusion of movement or include
any flashing, scintillating or varying of light intensity; all changes
shall be instantaneous and shall not fade in or out of the digital
active area. There shall be no special effects during the transition:
the screen shall transition from one message to the next with no perceptible
dimming, swiping, or blanking of the display, and with no visible
effects, such as fade, dissolve, or other animated transition methods.
The change in message shall consist of a seamless, imperceptible transition
from one image to the next. Sign messages shall be limited to static
images.
(b)
The LED output shall utilize ambient light sensors or photometric
cells to automatically reduce the intensity of illumination during
daytime dark periods (e.g., cloudy or rainy days) and during the dawn
or twilight hours of permitted use. Such signs shall include technology
that will automatically adjust the light emitted to not more than
0.3 footcandle above the ambient light level as measured at a perpendicular
distance of 250 feet from the surface of the sign when displaying
a completely white color. Such signs shall also include an automatic
default function that, in the event of a malfunction, will either
freeze the image in one position or shut down the image entirely.
(c)
Upon request by the Township Manager or the Zoning Officer, the sign
operator shall provide to the Township a data log or other information
sufficient to document the performance of the automatic dimming function.
(d)
Upon notice from the Township Manager or the Zoning Officer, the
sign operator shall at an agreed-upon time, not less than 48 hours
nor more than 96 hours from the time of notice, cause the electronic
element to display a completely white color to allow the Township
to measure the light emitted for the purpose of determining compliance.
(e)
In the event of a public emergency, including but not limited to
extreme weather, hazardous road conditions, natural disasters, terrorist
attack, amber alerts, emergency evacuations, public infrastructure
failures, massive traffic accidents, or blockage of traffic, the electronic
sign shall, when directed by the Township, continuously display a
public emergency message to be provided by public officials. The duration
of the public emergency message display shall be until such time as
the message is no longer deemed necessary by the Township. Such messages
shall preempt all other messages, including those of paying advertisers.
As part of the conditional use application for the electronic sign,
the applicant shall provide to the Township in writing a suggested
protocol concerning the display of such public emergency messages
to assure timely communication and message display. Such protocol
shall be subject to Township review and may be revised at the mutual
agreement of the applicant and the Township. Agreement on the protocol
shall be a condition of approval.
(4)
The
illumination of signs shall be limited to the following commercial
and industrial zoning districts: HB, O-P, I, Planned Highway Corridor
District, TD, and TCD. The illumination of signs within 400 feet of
a residential use shall not be permitted.
(5)
Off
-premises electronic signs shall be extinguished automatically by
a programmable controller, with astronomical and daylight saving time
control and spring or battery power-outage reset, by no later than
11:00 p.m. prevailing time each evening until dawn.
(6)
Rotating,
traveling, pulsing, flashing or oscillating light sources, lasers,
beacons, searchlights or strobe lighting shall not be permitted.
(7)
The
use of highly reflective signage that creates nuisance glare or a
safety hazard shall not be permitted.
D.
In addition to the other requirements of this article,
every sign referred to in this article must be constructed of durable
materials, must be kept in good condition and repair and shall not
be allowed to become dilapidated. Each such sign shall be removed
when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.
E.
No provision of this article shall be construed to
authorize the erection of a sign on any premises without the approval
of the property owner.
F.
No sign shall be erected upon or project above the roof of any building.
[Amended 9-8-2014 by Ord. No. 4-2014; 8-14-2017 by Ord. No. 6-2017; 10-28-2019 by Ord. No. 4-2019]
G.
A permit shall be required for the erection of any sign. (See § 139-113.) NOTE: See resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 9, 1962. All applications for a permit shall be accompanied by plans or diagrams in duplicate and to scale, showing the following:
(1)
Exact dimensions of the lot, including any right-of-way
lines or building upon which the sign is proposed to be erected.
(2)
Exact size, dimensions, and location of said
sign on the lot or building, together with its type, construction,
materials to be used, and manner of installation.
(3)
Any other lawful information that may be required
of the applicant by the Township.
H.
No sign shall be of the flashing or rotating type.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
I.
No sign located within 300 feet of any traffic light
shall be illuminated with red, green, or yellow lighting.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
J.
The area of any sign shall be the product computed
by multiplying the greatest height by the greatest width of the sign's
major face, including trim or frame.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
K.
No sign shall be erected which shall obscure or interfere
with the line of sight at any street intersection or traffic signal.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
L.
No sign shall be erected or located as to prevent
free ingress or egress from any window, door, or fire escape.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
M.
No signs shall be permitted which are permanently
attached to public utility poles or trees within the right-of-way
of any street.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
N.
Unsafe or unlawful signs.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
(1)
Upon written notice by the Township, the owner,
person, or firm maintaining a sign must remove said sign when it becomes
unsafe, is in danger of falling, or becomes so deteriorated that it
no longer serves a useful purpose of communication; is determined
by the Township to be a nuisance; is deemed unsafe by the Township;
is unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions of the
article.
(2)
The Township may remove or cause to be removed
said sign at the expense of the owner or lessee in the event the owner
or the person or firm maintaining said sign has not complied with
the terms of said notice within 14 days of the date of the notice.
In the event of immediate danger, however, the Township may remove
said sign immediately upon the issuance of said notice.
O.
Abandoned signs. Any sign that was erected for an
occupant or business unrelated to the present occupant, or any sign
that relates to a time, event, or purpose inconsistent with the time
limits established by this article, shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
An abandoned sign shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the
owner of the property within 30 days of written notice by the Township.
[Added 12-17-2001 by Ord. No. 6-2001]
P.
Nonconforming signs.
[Added 10-28-2019 by Ord.
No. 4-2019]
(1)
A
legal nonconforming sign is any permanent sign established and maintained
in conformance with the provisions of the Code in place at the time
of construction; however, because of size, height, location, design,
construction, or other circumstance is no longer in conformance with
the requirements of this article. All legal nonconforming signs shall
be permitted to remain in use, provided such signs are not:
(a)
Changed to another nonconforming sign due to a change in messaging
or other cosmetic or structural enhancement;
(b)
Structurally or electrically expanded, altered, or modernized unless
such alteration brings the sign into conformance with all current
provisions of this article;
(c)
Relocated to another site on the same property;
(d)
Reestablished after discontinuance for 90 days or more;
(e)
Reestablished after damage or destruction of more than 50% of its
original valuation.
(2)
All
signs shall function properly and be maintained in good repair. Signs
shall be free from all defects, including but not limited to cracking,
peeling and rusting. Legal nonconforming signs may be removed for
the purpose of repairing or repainting and may be replaced if the
identical sign and messaging is replaced within 60 days of its removal.
Signs that are not properly maintained or do not meet the requirements
for legal nonconforming signs enclosed herein shall be removed by
the owner of the sign or the owner of the property within 30 days
of written notice by the Township.
