[Adopted 12-4-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-6]
This article shall be known as, and may be cited as, the "East Caln
Township Temporary Sign Ordinance."
The following terms shall have the following meanings in this article:
CONTRACTOR(S) SIGN
A sign which provides the name of the contractor(s) engaged in a
construction project occurring on the premises on which the sign is located.
The sign may contain additional information about the contractor(s), which
term shall also include the architect(s) and engineer(s) responsible for the
project.
ELECTION SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a candidate or candidates for public
office, a political party or a ballot issue.
GARAGE/YARD SALE SIGN
A sign which directs attention to the sale of personal goods on the premises on which the sign is located in accordance with §
225-31D of the East Caln Township Zoning Ordinance of 1992 [Chapter
225], as amended.
REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign which provides information about a contemporaneous real estate
activity involving a property other than the one upon which the sign is located,
such as a sign directing the public to a property for sale, lease, or in the
process of development.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign which provides information about contemporaneous real estate
activity involving the property on which it is located, such as sign advertising
the sale, lease or development of the property.
SIGN
A device for visual communication that is used to bring a subject
to the attention of the public.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN
A sign which provides information about a special event such as an
auction, flea market, festival, carnival, meal or fund raising event, but
no including any sign advertising the commercial use of property such as a
"sale" sign at a place of business.
TOWNSHIP
East Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The erection or installation of all signs authorized by this article
shall comply with the following:
A. General.
(1) Every sign shall be constructed of durable material and
kept in good condition and repair.
(2) Sign placement shall not interfere with the clear sight
triangle of any intersection or driveway or obstruct any traffic control device
or permitted within any street right-of-way.
(3) Signs shall be removed immediately upon termination of
their authorized duration and the site shall be restored to its original condition.
(4) Signs shall not be illuminated, either internally or
externally.
(5) Flashing, animated or moving signs shall not be permitted.
B. Specific.
(1) Contractor(s) sign.
(a) On a nonresidential property one sign is permitted during
a construction project. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and
the height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed eight feet.
(b) On a residential property one sign is permitted during
a construction project. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in area
and the height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed three
feet.
(2) Election sign. Election signs shall be permitted provided:
(a) Signs do not exceed two square feet in area and the height
of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed eight feet.
(b) Signs shall not be erected or installed more than 30
days prior to election day and shall be removed within seven days following
election day.
(c) Only one sign for each 100 linear feet of roadway shall
be permitted.
(d) Written consent of the owner of the property upon which
the sign will be located shall be obtained prior to erection or installation
of the sign.
(3) Garage/yard sale sign. Garage/yard sale signs shall be
permitted provided:
(a) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and the
height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed three feet.
(b) Only one sign shall be permitted on a property.
(c) Signs shall not be erected or installed more than one
day prior to the garage/yard sale and shall be removed immediately upon the
conclusion of such sale.
(4) Real estate directional sign. Real estate directional
signs shall be permitted provided:
(a) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and the
height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed 2 1/2 feet.
(b) Only one sign related to each real estate activity shall
be permitted on a property.
(c) Written consent of the owner of the property upon which
the sign will be located shall accompany the sign permit application.
(d) Real estate sign. Real estate signs shall be permitted
provided:
[1] Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and the
height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed three feet.
[2] Only one sign shall be permitted on a property.
(e) Special event sign. Special event signs shall be permitted
provided:
[1] The maximum area of a sign mounted on the building shall
be 32 square feet or two square feet for each linear foot of building wall
upon which the sign is mounted, whichever is smaller. No sign shall extend
above the building wall.
[2] Freestanding signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in
area and the height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed
eight feet.
[3] Only one sign shall be permitted on a property.
[4] Signs shall not be erected or installed more than 30
days prior to the date of the event and shall be removed within seven days
following the event.
[5] Written consent of the owner of the property upon which
the sign will be located shall accompany the sign permit application.
Any person, partnership or corporation who or which has violated or
permitted the violation of the provisions of this article shall, upon being
found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township,
pay a judgment of not more than $600 plus all court costs, including reasonable
attorney fees incurred by the Township as a result thereof. No judgment shall
commence or be imposed, levied or payable until the date of the determination
of the violation by the Magisterial District Judge. 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 that a violation
continues or each section of this article which shall be found to have been
violated shall constitute a separate violation.