A.
Purpose. The purpose of these regulations shall be
as follows:
(1)
To control the quantity, size, location and illumination
of signs in the Township in order to permit only those signs that
will not, by reason of their size, location, construction or manner
of display, endanger the safety of, confuse or mislead pedestrian
and vehicular traffic.
(2)
To permit and regulate signs in such a way so as to
support and complement land use objectives set forth in the statement
of community objectives in this chapter.
(3)
To alleviate the growth of sign usage that is detrimental
to the Township, which is to recognize that economic factors, such
as the right to advertise, must be balanced with the public interest
to maintain the quality of the appearance of the Township, which is
to enhance the economic value as well.
(4)
To prevent an overabundance of signs causing clutter
and to prevent lack of quality in design and construction and to provide
for the removal of signs which constitute a hazardous or blighting
influence.
B.
SIGN
SIGN, LED
SIGN, OFFICIAL TRAFFIC AND HIGHWAY
SIGN, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
Definitions. As used in this article, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any letter, number, symbol, figure, character, mark, plane,
design, picture, stroke, stripe, trademark or combination of these
which is constructed, placed, attached, painted, erected, fastened
or manufactured in any manner whatsoever; which is used for the attraction
of the public to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public
performance, article or merchandise; and which is displayed in any
manner whatsoever so that it can be seen from the exterior of a building,
the property line of a lot or the right-of-way of a public street
or highway, including permanent window signs placed inside windows
to attract attention of those outside in the public right-of-way.
Light-emitting diode (LED) sign utilizing technology of diodes
arranged in pixels to create messages changeable by electronic means.
Said signs are sometimes referred to as "electronic message centers"
and shall include other similar signs such as liquid crystal display
signs, fiber-optic signs, plasma display screen signs, incandescent
signs, time-temperature-date signs or any other such sign using similar
technologies.
[Added 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-10]
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional
signs and other traffic signs erected and maintained on public highways
and roads in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of
traffic.
A type of freestanding sign which directs attention to a
business, industry, profession, commodity, service or entertainment
not necessarily sold or offered on the premises where the sign is
located.
C.
Area of signs.
(1)
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all
lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together
with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed,
including any frame but not including any supports and bracing incidental
to the display itself. If the sign consists of more than one section,
all areas will be totaled.
(2)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols
attached to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered
to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape
which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
(3)
In computing square-foot area of a double-face sign,
only one side shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical.
If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced
sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be
considered in calculating the sign area.
D.
Illumination of signs. Designation of signs based
on illumination shall be as follows:
(1)
Internally illuminated sign: a sign designed to give
forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent
material) from a source of light within such sign, including, but
not limited to, neon and exposed lamp signs. Illumination shall only
be of an even intensity.
(2)
Externally illuminated sign: a sign illuminated with
a light source of an even intensity and so shielded that no direct
rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination
occurs.
(3)
Flashing sign: an illuminated sign on which the artificial
light is not maintained in a satisfactory position and constant in
intensity and color at all times when in use.
(4)
Nonilluminated sign: a sign which is not illuminated,
either directly or indirectly, by an internal or external light source.
E.
Placement of signs. Designation of signs based on
placement shall be as follows:
(1)
On-premises sign: a sign which directs attention to
an activity conducted on the same lot.
(2)
Off-premises sign: a sign which directs attention
to an activity not conducted on the same lot.
(3)
Advertising sign: an off-premises sign which advertises
or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry,
home occupation or other similar activity which is sold, offered or
conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which a sign is located.
(4)
Business sign: an on-premises sign which directs attention
to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which
is sold, offered or conducted other than incidentally on the premises
upon which such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
F.
Types of signs. Types of signs shall be as follows:
(1)
Ground sign: a self-supporting freestanding sign resting
on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards in the ground.
The height of freestanding signs shall be measured from the official
street grade at a point nearest to the position of the sign.
(2)
Facade sign: a sign attached, painted or otherwise
mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface. Facade
signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface
on which it is mounted and shall not project more than 12 inches from
its surface.
(3)
Projecting sign: any sign mounted to a wall or other
vertical building surface other than a parallel sign. Projecting signs
shall not project more than three feet from the wall or surface to
which they are mounted nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian
or vehicular traffic.
(4)
Roof sign: a sign erected on or above the roof or
parapet of a building.
(5)
Portable sign: any sign used for a short duration
of time, including sandwich boards, posters, bunting and signs on
wheels, and not permanently attached to the ground or to a building.
G.
Sign height.
(1)
The maximum height of a permitted sign shall be as
specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is attached to this chapter.
(2)
A ground sign shall be measured from an elevation
equal to the official street grade at a point nearest to the position
of the base of the sign in vertical height to the top of the sign
or structural support, whichever is higher.
(3)
A facade sign, projecting sign or roof sign shall
be measured vertically from the outside ground elevation at the base
of the building to the highest point of a letter or symbol or the
top of the frame or structural support, whichever is higher.
(4)
A portable sign, when permitted, shall be measured
and conform to the specifications and standards established for ground
signs.
H.
Exempted signs. The following signs are exempt from
the provisions of this chapter:
(1)
An official governmental agency: highway route number,
street name, directional or other traffic signs, including those on
private or public property.
(2)
A sign indicating the prohibition or control of fishing,
hunting, trespassing or signs indicating the private nature of a road,
provided that the area of any such sign does not exceed one square
foot and they are spaced no less than 100 feet apart along a street
frontage and 50 feet apart along other boundaries.
(3)
A sign with an area not exceeding one square foot,
bearing only property number, street address, post box numbers or
the names of the occupants in residential districts.
(4)
A governmental flag or insignia, public monument,
historic identification signs or plaques, and municipal identification
signs erected by or with the permission of a government agency.
(5)
A legal notice.
(6)
One or more signs applied to a windowpane giving store
hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions, when
the total area of all such signs does not exceed two square feet.
(7)
A sign which is a permanent architectural feature
of a building or structure on the State or National Register of Historic
Buildings or Places, such as a cornerstone or identifying letters
carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are
not made of a reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.
(8)
An emblem, logo, insignia or badge only when displayed
on a building to signify membership of or affiliation with any trade
association, craftsman group, labor union, civic or fraternal group
or similar organizations and not to exceed a total of one square foot
on each facade of a building.
I.
Prohibited signs. The following signs, because of
their inherent characteristics, could threaten the health, safety
or welfare of persons in the Township and are prohibited:
(1)
A sign that uses any method of illumination that can
cause glare.
(2)
Any sign erected within 75 feet of a public right-of-way
or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, which:
(3)
Any banner or sign hung across a public street or
private property, except for such signs which are deemed to be of
general benefit to the municipality or for public convenience, necessity
or welfare.
(4)
A pennant which blows in the wind or a spinner which
spins in the wind, except when located inside a temporary fairground
or when used in conjunction with a special event.
(5)
Any sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, hung, glued
or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, light stand, fence or
other object.
(6)
Any sign or object with flashing or intermittent lighting, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, with the exception of signs that display time and/or temperature exclusively, barber poles, and LED signs in accordance with the regulations of § 195-35J(2)(l).
[Amended 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-10]
(8)
Advertising vehicles. This section shall not prohibit
any form of vehicle signage, such as a sign attached to a bus or a
lettered motor vehicle where the vehicle is not used for the basic
purpose of providing advertisement or direction as set forth above.
(9)
Roof signs.
J.
Permitted signs.
(1)
Permitted signs may only identify the person, establishment,
the principal product and/or price thereof and/or service available
on the premises which contains the sign.
(2)
The following on-premises signs are permitted in the
zoning districts subject to and as specified in the Schedule of Sign
Regulations [2] and in conformance with all other provisions of this article.
(a)
Address: a sign identifying the house number
and/or name of the occupant of a property.
(b)
Public interest: a sign containing a cautionary
message, such as "Beware of Dog" or "No Trespassing," or an informational
message, such as "Exit" or "Parking."
(c)
Home occupation: a sign which identifies only
the name and/or occupation of a practitioner or one conducting a permitted
home occupation/professional office in a dwelling, and provided that
not more than one such sign shall be erected for each dwelling.
(d)
Place: a sign identifying a public facility
or a historic facility.
(e)
Institutional: a sign identifying a club, association,
school, hospital, church, synagogue or other house of worship and
their adjunct facilities, firehouse, nursing home, care facility,
boardinghouse, institution or cemetery.
(f)
Real estate: a sign indicating exclusively the
sale, rental, lease or development of the premises upon which it stands.
Such signs shall be removed from property upon the sale, rental or
lease of the property and shall not be permitted in addition to a
contractor sign in the case of development.
(g)
Contractor: a sign identifying the contractor
or contractors doing work on the premises or building which contains
the sign. Such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of
the work.
(h)
Industrial, office and business: signs identifying
establishments for offices, retail sales, service centers, production
or warehouse facilities and other uses as permitted in this chapter.
(i)
Multiple directory: a sign identifying five
or more persons, agencies or establishments located in a place or
location common to all and erected primarily as a service to the motoring
or pedestrian traffic.
(j)
Special event: a sign identifying a grand opening,
parade, festival, fund drive or similar occasion.
(k)
Billboards, when authorized by special exception,
are permitted in the I Industrial Zone.
(l)
Light-emitting diode signs, or LED signs, are
permitted under the following conditions:
[Added 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-10]
[1]
LED signs are permitted in the B, BP, C, SC and IN Zoning Districts and in the R-2 Residential Zoning District for the uses permitted by special exception per § 195-12A(3)(a).
[Amended 6-25-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-002]
[2]
LED signs are only permitted as part of a ground
sign that complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter
and the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
The copy area of any LED message screen shall be no greater
than 50% of the allowable sign area per sign face. Said LED copy area
applies toward the maximum amount of signage copy area permitted per
each site regardless of whether the LED portion of the sign is illuminated
or utilized.
[Amended 6-25-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-002]
[4]
LED lines for messages shall not exceed three
lines of LED text per each sign face.
[5]
LED signs are restricted to one color of LED
for the entire message screen.
[6]
Messages displayed through an LED message screen
shall not blink, flicker, flash, scroll, scintillate or be otherwise
animated.
[7]
Message changes shall be accomplished immediately.
Each message shall be displayed for a minimum period of four hours.
[8]
The intensity of the LED display shall not exceed
the levels specified in the chart below:
|
Intensity Level
(NITS)
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Color
|
Daytime
|
Nighttime
| |
|
Red
|
3,150
|
1,125
| |
|
Green
|
6,300
|
2,250
| |
|
Amber
|
4,690
|
1,675
| |
[9]
For LED signs in the R-2 Residential District, the following
additional conditions apply:
[Added 6-25-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-002]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is attached to this chapter.
K.
General sign regulations for all districts. In all
districts the following general sign regulations shall apply:
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger
traffic on a street by obscuring view or by confusion with official
street signs or traffic signals by virtue of position, color, shape,
glare or other characteristics.
(2)
No sign, other than official traffic and highway signs,
shall be erected or maintained within the legal street right-of-way.
(3)
No sign shall project more than 24 inches over a public
walkway, and the lower edge of a projecting sign shall be not less
than 10 feet above the walkway level.
(4)
No sign shall project above the building height restriction
of the area.
(5)
Blinking or flashing signs or lights shall not be
permitted within any lot in any district.
(6)
Only on-premises signs which promote, identify or
draw attention to a product, article of business, name of business
or operation, or service offered, sold or rendered at or in the place
or premises where such sign is located shall be permitted within the
Township. The address of the property, when identified, shall be included
within the area assigned for each use on each property in all districts.
(7)
Zoning information. No sign shall be erected containing
information which states or implies that a property may be used for
any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter in
the zoning district in which the property to which the sign relates
is located.
(8)
Moving signs. Any sign or object intended to attract
attention, which is capable of free movement or oscillation or which
is designed to rotate or otherwise move, is not permitted.
(9)
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal
or state holidays shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter
except as they may interfere with glare, traffic safety or in any
other way become a public safety hazard.
(10)
Temporary signs.
(a)
Special sales, reconstruction, etc. Not more
than one temporary sign, in addition to the number specified for each
lot on a permanent basis, may be erected at two interspersed times
during the calendar year, provided that such sign shall be displayed
not more than a total of 15 consecutive days each time. Such signs
may be used for special sales, openings, product introductions, anniversaries
and similar occasions. Signs may also be used during the construction,
reconstruction or remodeling of an existing or new building. Such
signs shall comply with all zoning regulations for the zoning district
in which they are located.
(11)
A projecting sign may be erected in lieu of a permitted ground
sign and shall be subject to all other regulations applicable to facade
signs as provided in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[4]
[Amended 12-19-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-19]
[4]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(12)
Billboards and off-premises signs shall be prohibited
from all zoning districts within the Township except for the I Industrial
District, and in such district only when authorized as a special exception.
Any such billboards or off-premises signs shall not exceed 672 square
feet in size and 20 feet in height as measured from the center line
of the adjoining highway. No two billboards may be located less than
200 feet between each other. Billboards may be illuminated, and interchangeable
copy may be allowed thereon, but a copy may be changed no more frequently
than once every 10 seconds and must be changed instantly so as to
prohibit flashing or scrolling.
[Amended 7-23-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04]
(13)
Maintenance. Every sign shall be constructed
of durable materials using noncorrosive fasteners, shall be structurally
safe and erected or installed in strict accordance with the Township
Building Code, and maintained in a safe condition and good repair
at all times.
L.
Removal of signs.
(1)
Abandoned signs. Any sign that is located on and/or
related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied
for a period of six months or more, or any sign which was erected
for an occupant or business unrelated to the present business, or
any sign which relates to a time, event or purpose which is past shall
be deemed to have been abandoned. An abandoned sign is prohibited
and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the property.
(2)
Once an existing sign is removed for any reason other
than maintenance or repair, including repair as a result of an act
of God or an accident beyond control of the owner, the replacement
sign must comply with all the provisions of these regulations. Modernization
and/or changes in graphics, format or copy in the signs shall constitute
a replacement of the sign.
(3)
Immediate removal. A sign and/or its supports shall
be immediately removed from a premises upon notification and as directed
by the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer for the following reasons:
(4)
Nonconforming signs. Certain existing signs which
do not conform to the requirements of this article, but which have
valid permits issued by the Township, shall be nonconforming and shall
be made to conform as follows:
(a)
Signs which are nonconforming by reason of their prohibition under § 195-35I shall be removed within two years following enactment of this chapter or from any other date of the establishment of their nonconformity.
(b)
Signs which are nonconforming by reason of dimensions alone or for any reasons other than nonconformity with § 195-35I may continue in their present location until replacement or rebuilding becomes necessary, at which time a zoning permit will be required and the sign brought into conformity with this chapter.
M.
Permits and fees for signs.
(1)
Permits are required for all signs except as otherwise
indicated in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. No signs shall hereafter
be erected or altered or the content changed (except directory and
bulletin boards at churches, synagogues, schools and government buildings)
until a permit authorizing the same is issued by the Building Code
Official/Zoning Officer. Such permit shall be valid for the length
of time set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. [5]
[5]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(2)
Applications for sign permits shall be filed on forms
furnished by the Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied by detailed
plans and specifications necessary to determine the location and details
of construction of such sign.
(3)
No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until the
required fee has been paid to the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer,
which fee shall be established from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Commissioners.
(4)
After installation, the Zoning Officer shall inspect
the sign to ensure that the installation has conformed to the regulations
set forth in this article.
(5)
A permit may be revoked by the Building Code Official/Zoning
Officer for any of the following violations, if the owner of the sign
neglects to comply with the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer's
directives to correct the violations:
(a)
If the sign constitutes a hazard to the public
health or safety.
(b)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which
requires a new permit.
(c)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which
would render the sign prohibited.
(d)
If a sign has been erected in a manner which
violates the regulations set forth in this article.
N.
Special regulations for illuminated signs.
(1)
Illumination is to be controlled by a timer which
shall turn off sign light not later than 10:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour following
closing of the premises, whichever is later, every night. Directional
signs and physicians providing emergency care upon the premises, as
well as governmental signs, shall be exempted.
(2)
The light source shall be shaded, hooded or otherwise
screened to prevent the direct rays of the light from shining on adjacent
property or causing glare to traveling motorists on a public street
or access drive used by the public.
(3)
Brilliance of internally illuminated signs shall be
controlled as follows:
(a)
When illuminated, the sign background shall
be muted with a colored filter or be of an opaque material such that
the color emitted shall be ivory, cream or a dark color; bright white
is not permitted.
(b)
When illuminated, light or pale colors and the
color white shall not exceed 50% of the sign area.
(4)
Internally illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc., label of approval.
