This article shall be known as the "Concord
Township Sign Ordinance"; defining and regulating identification signs,
illuminated signs, window signs, temporary real estate signs, contractor
signs, incidental signs, temporary or seasonal signs, off-site signs,
on-premises directional signs, off-premises directional signs, billboards,
and political signs; requiring permits and charging permit and license
fees and providing for nonconforming signs, exemptions and notice
of violations and penalties for violations.
The purposes of this article shall be to prohibit
all signs except signs permitted by the provisions of this article;
to coordinate the type, placement and physical dimensions of signs
within the land use zoning districts of Concord Township; to recognize
the commercial communication requirements of all sectors of the business
community; to encourage the innovative use of design; to promote both
renovation and proper maintenance; to allow for special circumstances;
and to guarantee equal treatment under the law through accurate recordkeeping
and consistent enforcement. These purposes shall be accomplished by
regulation of the display, erection, use and maintenance of signs.
The use of signs is regulated according to zoning district. The placement
and physical dimensions of signs are regulated primarily by type and
length of street frontage.
This article shall not relate to building design
and shall not regulate government signs, the copy and message of signs,
window displays, product dispensers and point of purchase displays,
scoreboards on athletic fields, gravestones, barber poles, religious
symbols, the display of street numbers, commemorative plagues or any
display or construction not defined herein as a sign.
[Amended 8-25-2015 by Ord. No. 367]
Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
the Township of Concord, foreign nations having diplomatic relations
with the United States, or any other flag adopted or sanctioned by
the Board of Supervisors, provided that such flag does not exceed
30 square feet in area and shall be flown from a pole not more than
25 feet in height, shall be permitted. All such applications, including
the proposed number of flags, shall require the approval of the Board
of Supervisors and are to be accompanied by a site plan and sealed
foundation plans.
Permitted signs in all zoning districts:
A. Signs enumerated in the general requirements (§
210-206B).
B. Real estate signs. The following signs may be erected
and maintained in all zoning districts upon issuance of a permit,
provided that such permitted signs are located on the subject lot:
(1)
Signs advertising the sale or construction of
a subdivision or development, provided:
(a)
Not more than one sign is permitted per street
entrance to the subdivision or land development.
(b)
The size of such signs shall not exceed 32 square
feet in area. Such signs may not be located higher than six feet above
ground level.
(c)
Such signs shall not be erected until the subdivision
or land development plan has been approved by the Township and recorded.
(2)
Signs naming a subdivision or land development,
provided:
(a)
Not more than one sign is permitted at each
street entrance to the subdivision or land development and must be
located on the property to be subdivided or developed.
(b)
The size of such signs shall not exceed 24 square
feet in area. Such signs may not be located higher than six feet above
ground level.
(c)
Such signs are restricted to the development
name.
(3)
Signs advertising a commercial lot, building,
or group of buildings for sale or rent, provided:
(a)
Not more than one sign is permitted, located
so as to face each street on which the property has frontage.
(b)
The size of such signs shall not exceed 24 square
feet in area. Such signs may not be located higher than six feet above
ground level.
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[Note: All signs permitted by Subsection B(1) and (3) above shall be removed when all buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold, or within one year of the date the applications for such signs were approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for an additional period of six months upon application to the Township Zoning Officer, provided that, at the time, less than 90% of the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold.]
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(4)
A land development sign is permitted for future
development prior to construction, subject to a permit and final approval.
Such erected signage shall be valid for a one-year period and must
be removed once the construction is started.
(5)
One nonilluminated construction sign, not exceeding
20 square feet in area, placed upon the property where the work is
under construction, provided that the sign is removed immediately
upon completion of the work.
Permitted signs in single-family residence zoning
districts:
A. Signs enumerated in the general requirements (§
210-206B).
Permitted signs in multifamily residence zoning
districts:
A. Signs enumerated in the general requirements (§
210-206B).
B. One identification sign, not to exceed 24 square feet
in sign area, per road frontage per apartment or condominium complex.
Permitted signs in commercial zoning districts:
A. Signs enumerated in the general requirements (§
210-206B).
B. One freestanding sign not to exceed 50 square feet
in size for each 200 linear feet of individual property frontage on
a public road right-of-way. A maximum of three such signs is permitted.
(1)
A freestanding sign shall not be closer than
75 feet to another freestanding sign along the same side of any street
or highway.
C. One freestanding sign not to exceed 50 square feet
in sign area per public road frontage. Properties/buildings having
more than three separate tenants are permitted an additional 15 square
feet in sign area, not to exceed 80 square feet in sign area.
D. A property consisting of 20 acres or more having a
minimum of 500 linear feet of public road frontage shall be permitted
one freestanding sign per road frontage to a maximum of 80 square
feet in sign area.
E. One wall sign not to exceed one square foot of sign
area for each one linear foot of building frontage on that portion
of a building facing the right-of-way and each side visible from the
roadway; one additional wall sign not to exceed 0.5 square foot of
sign area for each linear foot of the same building's sidewall perpendicular
to and visible from the same roadway.
F. Incidental sign(s) not to exceed six square feet in
aggregate sign area.
G. Under-canopy sign(s) not to exceed 10 square feet
in aggregate sign area per tenancy or occupancy, not to exceed in
total 40 square feet.
H. One portable temporary sign advertising a special
event, not exceeding 32 square feet in total structure area, may be
erected, provided:
(1)
Such sign may be displayed two times a year
with a maximum of 14 days display period for a total of 28 days in
one year.
(2)
Such sign must be so located as not to cause
a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3)
Mobile or movable signs with removable-type
frontages shall have enclosed, locked covers to prevent unauthorized
access and must be well secured. Displays that are illuminated, flashing,
animated, etc., are not permitted.
I. Neon-type signs or treatments installed within the interior of an exposed window glazing shall be counted as part of the allowed wall signage regulations of §
210-210E, but shall not exceed 10 square feet maximum.
J. Canopy or awning signage. A canopy or awning may be
erected along the length of the building's or business' exposure.
(1)
Use of a canopy or awning sign shall be limited
to not more than one per establishment.
(2)
Where a wall sign already exists, the size of
the canopy or awning sign shall not exceed 14 square feet. Where no
wall sign exists, the size of the canopy or awning sign shall not
exceed one square foot of sign for each linear foot of building frontage.
The sum of the signage area in square feet shall not exceed the reciprocal
length of the respective frontage.
(3)
All canopy and awning signs shall have a setback
of not less than two feet from the curbline but may not extend more
than five feet from the building line.
K. Calculation of sign area. For the purposes of this
section, "surface display area" or "sign area" shall mean the entire
area within a continuous perimeter formed by straight lines joined
at right angles which enclose the extreme limits of the writing, background,
representation or display of the sign face. The supports, uprights
or structure on which any sign is supported shall not be included
in determining the surface display area unless such supports, uprights
or structure is designed in such a manner as to form an integral background
of the display or to convey meaning. For the purpose of computing
the allowable area of a double-faced sign, one sign face shall be
considered.
L. One digital sign, limited in size to the regulations of §
210-210E, but not exceeding 10 square feet maximum sign board and restricted to copy changes every 10 seconds. Digital signs may be installed as part of a permitted freestanding sign.
M. Externally illuminated building decoration, e.g., lighted building wrap. Such sign shall be considered in the sign area within §
210-210E as one square foot per linear foot of said decoration.
N. Overhang signs.
(1)
Overhang signs shall be allowed only in shopping
centers.
(2)
Such signs shall be suspended by the overhang
which covers the walkway in a shopping center.
(3)
The size of such sign shall not exceed four
square feet.
(4)
There shall not be more than one overhang sign
per establishment.
(5)
The bottom of overhang signs must be located
at least eight feet above the walkway surface.
Signs permitted in nonresidence and noncommercial
zoning districts:
A. Signs enumerated in the general requirements (§
210-206B).
B. One freestanding sign, not to exceed 50 square feet
in sign area, per road frontage. Properties/buildings having more
than three separate tenants are permitted an additional 15 square
feet in sign area per road frontage, not to exceed 80 square feet
in sign area.
C. A property consisting of 20 acres or more having a
minimum of 500 linear feet of public road frontage shall be permitted
one freestanding sign per road frontage to a maximum of 75 square
feet in sign area. A freestanding sign placed on a twenty-acre or
larger parcel of ground may be increased to 100 square feet in sign
area, provided that the sign is located no closer than 35 feet to
a public road right-of-way.
D. One wall sign not to exceed one square foot of sign
area for each one linear foot of building frontage on that portion
of a building facing or visible from the right-of-way.
E. Incidental sign(s) not to exceed six square feet in
aggregate sign area.
No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical
means. Electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance
with the requirements of the National Electrical Code. All electrical
sign components, connections and installations shall conform to specifications
of the National Electrical Code and/or Underwriters' Laboratories,
Inc. A sign permit applicant must present to the Zoning Officer an
affidavit from a qualified electrical inspection agency certifying
to the compliance with these standards for an illuminated sign. In
no case shall any open spark or flame be used for display purposes
in locations outside of the fire limits unless specifically approved
by the Zoning Officer and appropriate Code Officer.
In addition to complying with this article,
all signs must comply with all appropriate state and federal regulations.
Should this article be in conflict with any state and federal regulations,
the more stringent regulations shall apply.
Provisions of this article shall not be construed
to relieve or to limit in any way the responsibility or liability
of any person, firm or corporation who or which erects or owns a sign
for personal injury or property damage caused by the sign, and the
provisions of this article shall not be construed to impose upon the
Township, its officers or its employees any responsibility or liability
by reason of the approval of any sign under the provisions of this
article.