For the purpose of this chapter the following terms are defined:
CLEARLY VISIBLE
Displayed in a manner which allows the sign to be clearly seen, day
or night, from the street in front of the building, unobstructed by trees,
shrubs, vegetation or structure upon the property.
HOUSE NUMBER
The number which has been legally assigned to a residence, apartment
building or business for the purpose of identification and for use by the
United States Postal Service for the delivery of mail.
PROPERTY OWNER
The person(s), corporation(s) or other legal entity(s) who own or
lease any residence, apartment building or business located within the Township
of Bern.
STREET SIGN
The sign which displays the name of the street as approved by the
Bern Township Planning Commission and the Bern Township Board of Supervisors
in any area under development and which street has not yet been formally accepted
by the Township of Bern.
The property owner of each residence, apartment building or business
shall provide and display the legally assigned house number and/or other required
identification as follows:
A. House number. The owner of any residence, apartment building
or business shall display the house number in such a fashion that is clearly
visible from the street, day or night. The house number shall be made up of
numbers and/or letters which are not less than three inches in height, contrasting
in color with the background on which they are affixed and as near to the
front entrance as possible and practical.
B. Private lane. The owner of any residence, apartment building
or business which is located on a private lane which intersects with a public
street shall display the legally assigned house number at the intersection
of the private lane and the public street and shall also display the house
number at the intersection of the private lane and the driveway, and shall
furthermore display the house number on the residence, apartment building
or business nearest the point where a vehicle would stop at the building.
Each display of house numbers shall be made up of numbers which are not less
than three inches in height and contrasting in color with the background on
which they are affixed. At the intersection of the private lane and the public
street and each intersection of the private lane and driveway, the numbers
shall be placed upon a post or other structure which displays the numbers
48 inches above the ground.
C. Malls and shopping centers. The property owner of any
business which is located within a mall or shopping center shall display the
legally assigned number at the main entrance to the business. The numbers
shall not be less than three inches in height and contrasting in color with
the background on which they are affixed. Additionally, the property owner
of each business located within a mall or shopping center shall display the
name of the business on the rear door to the building in letters which are
not less than three inches in height and contrasting in color with the background
on which they are affixed.
D. Additional numbers. If any residence, apartment building
or business (except malls and shopping centers) is located so that the house
number is not clearly visible from the street, an additional house number
shall be posted at the intersection of the driveway with the public street.
The additional house number shall be made up of numbers which are not less
than three inches in height, contrasting in color with the background on which
they are affixed and placed upon a post or other structure which displays
the number 48 inches above the ground.
E. Street signs. The developer of any subdivision or development
which is under construction shall post stop signs and approved signs with
the approved name of the street and the intersecting street prior to the occupancy
of any home on said street.
The property owner of any residence, apartment building or business
shall maintain the clearly visible display of house numbers as required under
this chapter at all times. Developers shall maintain street signs that are
clearly visible until such time as the street has been formally accepted by
the township.
The Board of Supervisors of the township or any officer/employee designated
thereby for the purpose are hereby authorized to enter upon private property
for the purposes of inspection and to give notice by personal service or by
certified mail to persons in violation of this chapter directing them to abate
the situation within 10 days after issuance of such notice. Each day that
a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation, if a separate
proceeding is instituted therefor and the violator shall be convicted thereof.
Any property owner or lessee who violates or permits a violation of
this chapter, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding,
shall pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable
attorney's fees, incurred by the township in the enforcement of this
chapter. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination
of the violation by the District Justice and/or Court. If the defendant neither
pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the township may enforce the judgment
pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure. Each day a violation
exists shall constitute a separate offense.