[Amended 4-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07]
It is the intent of East Hempfield Township to regulate permanent
or temporary signs and billboards. This article provides guidance
on sign type, location and placement, height, size, area and lighting
as well as signs that are prohibited or exempt from the regulations
stated herein.
[Amended 4-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07]
The following guidelines shall apply when interpreting area
and height regulations in this article:
A. Area: The area of a sign shall be the area of the smallest rectangle,
triangle, or circle that will encompass all elements of the sign,
such as letters, figures, symbols, designs, or other display.
(1)
When the sign is a separate unit, the area shall include any
borders, framing, trim, decorative attachments, background, and space
between elements; it shall not include any supporting structure unless
that structure is illuminated, is in the form of a symbol, or contains
advertising elements.
(2)
When the sign is applied to a wall or otherwise has no definable
edges, the area shall include all color, artwork, or other means used
to differentiate the sign from the surface upon which it is placed.
(3)
When a single sign structure has more than one face with the
same message, and no two sign faces are more than three feet apart
at any point, the area shall be computed by determining the greatest
total area of all sign faces visible from any single location.
(4)
Three-dimensional object signs will be measured for size by
using the smallest cube box that the sign would fit inside. All four
sides of the cube box (does not include top and bottom) will be added
together. The sum of the four sides must be equal to or less than
the maximum square footage allowed for a two-dimensional, two-sided
sign in the applicable zone.
B. Height: The height of a sign shall be measured from the average ground
level beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign. The ground
level shall be the lower of the ground level existing at the time
of construction or the ground level existing prior to construction
and prior to any earth disturbance at the site. This prior ground
level may be established by any reliable source, including, without
limitation, existing topographic maps, aerial photographs, photographs
of the site, or affidavits of people who are personally familiar with
the site. No person(s) shall artificially increase the maximum height
of a sign by altering the grade at the base of the sign by any means.
(1)
No sign shall be higher than the height limitation of the zone
in which it is located.
(2)
The height of freestanding signs shall be controlled by the regulations in §
270-7.4. In addition, where a freestanding sign or sign structure is mounted along a roadway that has a higher grade level as compared to the grade level directly below the freestanding sign or sign structure, then the freestanding sign or structure's height will be measured from the roadway grade level to the highest point of the freestanding sign or sign structure. Justification shall be provided as part of the permit application package.
(3)
Wall signs may be at any height on the wall to which they are
attached, except that they may not extend higher than five feet above
the top of the wall.
(4)
Roof signs may extend no more than five feet above the lowest
point where they are attached to the building and may not extend above
the highest point of the roof.
[Amended 4-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07]
The following regulations shall apply to all signs, in addition
to the specific regulations contained elsewhere in this article. Where
the general regulations are contradicted by a specific regulation,
the specific regulation shall control.
A. The following are exempt from the regulations herein:
(1)
Architectural features that may be identified with a particular
business.
(2)
Signs located on approved public or private bus shelters.
(3)
Backlit awnings that include no lettering, logos, or other symbols.
(4)
Signs within a building that are obviously intended to be seen
primarily from within the building.
(5)
Outdoor signs intended for use within a lot, such as menu signs
by fast food restaurant drive- through lanes, signs with regulations
within a park, internal development signs (in accordance with Table
270-7.4.1), and building identification signs within a campus.
(6)
Flags of governments or government agencies.
(7)
Decorative seasonal and holiday banners.
(8)
Displays of merchandise either behind store windows or outdoors.
(9)
Birthday and special event displays.
(10)
PennDOT signs, logo signs, street and traffic signs.
(11)
Signs advertising events sponsored by East Hempfield Township.
B. All signs shall be constructed of durable materials, maintained in
good condition, and secured in a safe manner.
C. All signs and their structural components shall meet the most current
version of Stormwater and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances,
as amended, and the Building Code adopted by East Hempfield Township.
D. When a sign becomes unsafe, the Zoning Officer shall give written
notice to the landowner of the lot on which the sign is located that
the sign must be made safe or removed immediately.
E. The areas surrounding all signs shall be maintained in a neat, clean,
and safe condition.
F. All signs shall be removed within three months if the purpose for
which they were erected no longer exists.
G. Each lot that displays one or more permanent freestanding signs must
prominently display the address on one permanent freestanding sign
visible from the street. The address must include the street number;
the street name is optional. The address must be of a size and design
that is easily identifiable and legible from moving traffic in the
street at a distance of 100 feet. The area taken up by the address
does not count as part of the sign area; center signs are exempt from
this requirement. The lettering on the sign shall meet the requirements
of the current building code requirements.
H. No sign shall include mirrors.
I. No sign shall be placed within the clear sight triangle or clear
sight stopping area of any motorized, nonmotorized, or pedestrian
traffic using streets, parking areas, sidewalks, or trails. No sign
within the clear sight triangle should obstruct vision between the
heights of 30 inches and eight feet above the elevation of the centerline
of the street.
J. No signs shall be painted, pasted, nailed, stapled, or otherwise
attached to utility poles, trees, fences, fire hydrants, or in an
unauthorized manner to walls or other signs, except insofar as such
signs comply with generally applicable rules, regulations, or policies
formally adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors.
K. No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct any door, stairway, window,
fire escape, or other means of egress or ingress.
M. No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct ventilation or light into
a building.
N. Overhead signs: No overhead sign shall have a clearance of:
(1)
Less than eight feet between any pedestrian walk and the lowest
part of the sign; and
(2)
Less than 17 feet six inches (or PennDOT required height) between
any street and the lowest part of the sign.
O. No sign shall have lights or other illuminating devices that constitute
a public safety or traffic hazard and shall not exceed 0.2 lumens
at the lot line.
P. No sign shall be permitted that imitates or that might be confused
with an official traffic sign or signal, such as containing the words
"Stop" or "Danger" or including red, green, or yellow lights.
Q. No sign or window display shall include a revolving beam or beacon
of light resembling an emergency vehicle or facility.
R. No sign shall advertise activities or products that are illegal under
federal, state or local laws or regulations; nor shall any sign include
statements, words or pictures that are considered to be vulgar, obscene
or pornographic.
S. No flashing, rotating or oscillating signs shall be permitted except
for time and temperature signs.
T. Electronically changing messages, including digital signs and digital
billboards, that do not flash are permitted and are subject to the
requirements of this article.
U. No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor.
V. No sign shall be placed on an automobile, truck or other vehicle
if that vehicle is being used primarily for displaying such sign.
W. Inflatable signs and person assisted signs shall be permitted, subject
to the requirements of this article (including but not limited to
temporary sign regulations); this does not include inflatable items
in residential areas that are used to celebrate sporting events, birthdays,
graduations, etc.
X. Mobile advertising signs or displays mounted on trucks or trailers
shall be permitted as a temporary sign and follow those regulations;
this does not include mobile message boards.
Y. No open flames shall be permitted as part of a sign, or in any other
way to attract attention.
Z. Advertising painted or displayed upon a barn or other structure shall
be considered a sign, and shall comply with the regulations of this
article.
AA. Any sign that has been authenticated as historically significant
and accurate for its specific location, whether original or a replica,
may be exempted from the regulations of this article by the East Hempfield
Township Zoning Officer.
BB. Lighted signs.
(1)
Signs may be interior-lighted with nonglaring lights;
(2)
Signs may be externally lighted by lights that are shielded
so there is no direct light transmitted to other lots or public rights-of-way;
(3)
The light from any illuminated sign shall not adversely affect:
(a)
The safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or
private streets or parking areas;
(c)
Any part of a building or lot used for residential purposes.
(4)
No lighting shall be permitted to outline buildings or structures,
or parts thereof, through the use of exposed neon tubing, strings
of lights or other means, with the exception of customary holiday
decorations, which may be installed 30 days prior to, and removed
no later than 21 days after, the holiday; and
(5)
All electrically illuminated signs shall be constructed to the
standards/listing of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and the latest
edition of the National Electrical Code.
CC. Digital signs.
(1)
These signs shall have lighting levels of no more than 0.2 footcandle
above the level of surrounding ambient light conditions measured at
the lot line;
(2)
The minimum message duration, or dwell time, shall be based
on sign visibility and the posted speed limit. The method for calculating
the minimum allowable dwell time is outlined below:
(a)
Determine the greatest distance (feet) from which the sign becomes
visible on the road that the sign is primarily intended to be seen.
If multiple roads are involved, the lower speed limited of the subject
roads shall be used.
(b)
Multiply the road's posted speed limit (MPH) by 5,280 (feet/mile),
and then divide the result by 3,600 (seconds/minute) to obtain the
speed limit in feet per second.
(c)
Divide the visibility distance (feet) by the speed limit (feet/second).
(d)
Add an additional 10% of the total found in Step 3 to the total
value from Step 3.
(e)
The resulting value is the minimum dwell time, except where
the value is less than 10 seconds, in which case the minimum dwell
time shall be no less than 10 seconds for any digital sign.
[1] Example: 35 mph posted speed limit.
[a] Step 1. Identify the greatest distance the sign
is fully visible: 500 feet (for example).
[b] Step 2. Multiply the appliable speed limit (MPH)
by 5,280 (feet/mile), then divide by 3,600 (feet/second):
35 MPH (posted speed limit) * 5,280
|
= 51.33 feet/second
|
3,600
|
|
[c] Step 3. Divide the visibility distance found in
Step 1 by the value found in Step 2: 500 feet/51.33 feet/second =
9.74 seconds.
[d] Step 4. Add a 10% factor of safety to the value
obtained in Step 3: 9.74 seconds * 0.10 = 0.974, 9.74+0.974 = 10.714
seconds.
[e] Step 5. The minimum message duration for this sign
is 10.7 seconds.
[2] Example: 55 mph posted speed limit.
[a] Step 1. Identify the greatest distance the sign
is fully visible: 500 feet (for example).
[b] Step 2. Multiply the appliable speed limit (MPH)
by 5,280 (feet/mile), then divide by 3,600 (feet/second):
55 MPH (posted speed limit) * 5,280
|
= 80.66 feet/second
|
3,600
|
|
[c] Step 3. Divide the visibility distance found in
Step 1 by the value found in Step 2: 500 feet/80.66 feet/second =
6.20 seconds.
[d] Step 4. Add a 10% factor of safety to the value
obtained in Step 3: 6.20 seconds * 0.10 = 0.62, 6.20+0.62 = 6.82 seconds.
[e] Step 5. The minimum message duration for this sign
is 6.82 seconds, however the minimum dwell time for a digital sign
is 10 seconds (as outlined above), therefore the minimum duration
for this sign is 10 seconds.
(3)
All digital signs shall be placed so that the viewable face(s)
of the sign are perpendicular (not parallel) to the street from which
they are visible;
(4)
No sign shall display animated messages, including flashing,
blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving, or any other effect
that gives the appearance of movement;
(5)
No sign shall include any audio message;
(6)
Each sign message shall be complete in itself and shall not
continue on a subsequent sign message and the content must transition
by changing instantly with no transition graphics;
(7)
All signs shall contain a default mechanism that will cause
the sign to revert immediately to a black screen if the sign malfunctions;
(8)
Digital signs shall not be permitted within the Low-Density
Residential Zone (RL) or the Medium-Density Residential Zone (RM);
(9)
All digital signs shall be freestanding signs and all digital
signs shall be on-premise signs, unless otherwise permitted by this
article;
(10)
The digital sign display shall not exceed 50% of the total sign
area permitted on the lot;
(11)
These signs shall be equipped with an "auto-dimming" capability,
which will automatically adjust the display brightness as the natural
ambient lighting conditions change, as well as a manual setting option.
The brightness limitations for digital signs shall be as follows:
(12)
Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the owner/applicant
of a digital sign shall provide a certification, by a qualified third
party, stating compliance with the technical requirements listed above;
(13)
The addition of a digital sign to an existing nonconforming
sign is prohibited.
DD. Integrated message boards. These are permitted when incorporated
into a freestanding or temporary sign and will count as part of the
sign face for size.
EE. Portable signs.
(1)
Portable signs that are used on one lot shall be allowed;
(2)
The most common signs are sandwich board signs and trailer/wheel-mounted,
changeable message boards: these signs will count against the square
footage of signage allowed for the use;
(3)
Only one portable sign shall be allowed per lot or, in the case
of a land development, one for the entire lot regardless of the number
of tenant spaces;
(4)
Portable signs cannot exceed more than 30% of the total square
footage of signs allowed for a lot or tenant space; in no case shall
these signs be placed in the right-of-way or block clear sight for
traffic.
FF. Architectural signs. Permits will not be required for signs which
are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure,
such as a cornerstone; or identifying letters carved into or embossed
on a building, provided the letters are not made of a reflective material
nor contrast in color with the building. Such features will not count
toward the allowed number and area of signs according to this section.
GG. Light trespass. The light for any signage shall not exceed 0.2 footcandle
measured at the lot line.
[Amended 6-7-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-04; 9-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05; 4-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07]
A. Table 270-7.4.1 and 270-7.4.2 provide regulations for specific kinds
of signs in each zone. Sign types not provided for in these tables, or anywhere
else in this article, shall not be allowed.
B. Projecting signs. Projecting signs are allowed in zones where business
and identification signs are permitted and are subject to the same
criteria. In addition, the following regulations shall apply:
(1)
No portion of a projecting sign shall project more than four
feet from the face of the building. No portion of a projecting sign
shall be closer than five feet from a curbline or cartway of a public
street.
(2)
No portion of a projecting sign shall be lower than eight feet
above finished grade.
C. Billboards. Within the Enterprise (E) Zone, the Agriculture (A) Zone,
and the Community Business Center (CBC) Zone billboards and digital
billboards are permitted along Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
limited access roadways by issuance of a sign permit, subject to the
following criteria:
(1)
No billboard or digital billboard sign shall be located within
1,200 feet of another billboard or digital billboard and only one
billboard or digital billboard is permitted per lot; the distance
between billboards or digital billboards shall be measured along the
nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the
billboards or digital billboards along the same side of the traveled
way. The distance between two billboards or digital billboards shall
be determined by establishing two lines perpendicular to the center
line of the controlled highway. Each respective line will touch the
sign structure point if its respective sign is closest to the second
sign structure. The distance between each perpendicular line, as measured
along the nearest edge of pavement, will determine the distance between
the two billboards or digital billboards. Any billboard or digital
billboard located within the Agriculture (A) Zone must be sited where
the property abuts a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation limited
access highway and located to be seen primarily from the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation limited access highway (not along any
other roadway frontages or locations within the subject property).
(2)
All billboards shall be a minimum of 50 feet from all side and
rear lot lines;
(3)
All billboards shall be set back at least 35 feet from any street
right-of-way lines;
(4)
All billboards shall be set back at least 1,000 feet from any
land within a residential zone;
(5)
No billboard shall obstruct the view of motorists on adjoining
streets, or the view of adjoining business uses, which depend upon
visibility for identification (see also digital signs);
(6)
No billboard shall exceed an overall size of 300 square feet,
nor exceed 25 feet in height; where a billboard or digital billboard
is mounted along a roadway that has a higher grade level as compared
to the grade level directly below the billboard or digital billboard,
then the height will be measured from the roadway grade level to the
highest point of the billboard or digital billboard. Justification
shall be provided as part of the permit application package.
(7)
All lots upon which a billboard is erected shall be regularly
maintained so as not to create a nuisance by means of weeds, litter
or vector habitation;
(8)
Conversion of a standard billboard into a digital billboard is only permitted in compliance with §
270-7.4C and requires that a sign permit be obtained; and
(9)
Sign maintenance. The maintenance, repair, cleaning and replacement
of parts of the digital component shall be expressly allowed regardless
of the conformity of the structure or site. This also applies should
the sign and/or digital components become damaged;
(10)
The static message duration, or dwell time, for a digital billboard
shall be no less than 10 seconds;
(11)
These signs shall be equipped with an "auto-dimming" capability,
which will automatically adjust the display brightness as the natural
ambient lighting conditions change, as well as a manual setting option.
The brightness limitations for digital billboards shall be as follows:
(12)
Each message shall be complete in itself and shall not continue
on a subsequent sign message and the content must transition by changing
instantly with no transition graphics;
(13)
All digital billboards shall contain a default mechanism that
will cause the sign to revert immediately to a black screen if the
sign malfunctions;
(14)
All billboards and digital billboards shall be placed so that
the viewable face(s) of the sign are perpendicular (not parallel)
to the street from which they are visible;
(15)
No billboard or digital billboard shall display animated messages,
including flashing, blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving,
or any other effect that gives the appearance of movement;
(16)
No billboard or digital billboard shall include any audio message;
(17)
The owner of every digital billboard shall coordinate with the
local authorities to display emergency information (including Amber
Alerts, Silver Alerts, etc.). The emergency messages shall remain
in the signage rotation for the appropriate time period according
to the responsible agency;
(18)
Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the owner/applicant
of a digital billboard shall provide a certification, by a qualified
third party, stating compliance with the technical requirements listed
above. Where required, approval from the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation shall be obtained prior to construction.
D. Signs within a mixed-use development. Within the Enterprise (E) Zone,
the Campus (C) Zone, and Regional Commerce Center (RCC) Zone, mixed-use
development center signs are permitted by right, subject to the following
criteria:
(1)
Eligibility criteria. In order for a development to constitute a "mixed-use development" for the purposes of being entitled to certain signs under this §
270-7.4D, the development must comply with all of the following requirements:
(a)
Be planned and developed pursuant to a comprehensive land development
plan, whether in a single phase or multiple phases, proposed to include
a mix of all of the following uses: commercial, office (including,
but not limited to, medical offices) and industrial;
(b)
Include a minimum of 80 contiguous acres, whether comprised
of one or multiple tracts;
(c)
Be located in two or more zoning districts;
(d)
Have frontage on, and direct access to two or more public streets,
one of which must be an arterial street;
(e)
Shall not have constructed, within the development, previously
approved center signs as separately regulated by this article.
(2)
Mixed-use development center signs. Where a mixed-use development,
which meets the criteria defined above, desires to utilize mixed-use
development center signs, the following criteria shall apply:
(a)
Maximum permitted number: one per lot within the mixed-use development,
provided that each mixed-use development center sign complies with
the required minimum separation. If a single lot contains five or
more buildings and fronts on and has direct access to two public streets,
at least one of which is an arterial road, two mixed-use development
center signs shall be permitted on that lot, provided both signs comply
with the required minimum separation.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: one square foot per one lineal foot
of street frontage of the lot on which the mixed-use development center
sign is located, up to a maximum of 350 square feet per sign located
along an arterial road, or a maximum of 100 square feet if located
along a collector or local road.
[1]
For purposes of determining the area of a mixed-use development center sign, the area shall not include any border, framing, trim, decorative attachments, background or space between elements, but shall be calculated solely as the sum of the smallest rectangles, triangles or circles that will encompass each individual display element of the mixed-use development center sign, notwithstanding the provisions of §
270-7.2A(1).
(c)
Maximum permitted height: 30 feet.
(d)
Minimum required setback from street right-of-way: 12 feet.
(e)
Minimum separation:
[1]
Three hundred fifty feet between any mixed-use development center
sign located on a collector/local road and any other mixed-use development
center sign.
[2]
One thousand feet between any two mixed-use development center
signs located along an arterial road.
(3)
Business and identification building signs. Where a development
contains mixed-use development center signs as permitted above, individual
tenants/uses shall be permitted to have business and identification
building signs in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)
Maximum permitted number: no maximum, provided that the total
area of all building signs on any single tenant building complies
with the maximum permitted area as calculated below.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: two square feet per one lineal foot
along each tenant's exterior building wall space, up to a maximum
total sign area of 100 square feet per each exterior building wall
space. See Illustration X for example calculation.
(c)
Allocation of building signs: Provided that the total area of
all building signs complies with the maximum permitted area as calculated
above, individual building signs may be allocated amongst the tenant's
exterior building walls without regard to the individual exterior
wall lengths. See Illustration X for example allocation.
(e)
Window displays shall be permitted as regulated by this article.
(4)
Business and identification freestanding signs. Where a development
contains mixed-use development center signs as permitted above, individual
tenants/uses shall be permitted to have business and identification
freestanding signs in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)
Any tenant located on a single-building lot, which does not
contain a mixed-use development center sign, shall be permitted to
have individual freestanding business and identification signs (except
center signs) in accordance with this article. For purposes of this
section, a "single building lot" shall include a unit created as part
of a site condominium which includes a single building but is not
separately subdivided from the parent tract.
(b)
Tenants located on multibuilding lots, or lots containing a
mixed-use development center sign, shall not be permitted any individual
freestanding business and identification signs, except as set forth
below.
(c)
Convenience stores and motor vehicle fueling station uses. Convenience
stores and motor vehicle fueling station uses shall be permitted business
and identification freestanding signs in accordance with the following
criteria:
[1]
Maximum permitted number: one per tenant.
[2]
Maximum permitted area: one square foot per one lineal foot
of street frontage, up to a maximum of 260 square feet per sign.
[3]
Maximum permitted height: 30 feet.
[4]
Minimum required setback from street right-of-way: 12 feet.
[5]
Fueling island canopy sign shall be permitted, subject to the
following criteria:
[a] Maximum permitted number: no maximum, provided
that the total area of all fuel island canopy signs on any single
canopy complies with the maximum permitted area as calculated below.
[b] Maximum permitted area: 50% of the area of the
vertical face of the canopy to which it is attached.
[c] Maximum height: The height of the canopy to which
it is attached.
(5)
Other requirements.
(a)
All signs in §
270-7.4D shall be permitted to include digital signs, subject to the requirements of this article.
(c)
Mixed-use developments using the mixed-use development center
signs option shall not be permitted to qualify for, or use, additional
center signs or business and identification signs regulated elsewhere
in this article, including Table 7.4.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
all other signs regulated elsewhere in this article shall be permitted,
as applicable.
E. Signs within a commercial development. Within the Regional Commerce
Center (RCC) Zone, building and freestanding signs are permitted by
right, subject to the following criteria:
(1)
Eligibility criteria. In order for a development to constitute a "commercial development" for purposes of being entitled to certain signs under this §
270-7.4E, the development must comply with all of the following requirements:
(a)
Maintain a commercial principal use; and
(b)
Include a minimum of one acre (net).
(2)
Business and identification building signs. Within a commercial
development, business and identification building signs shall be permitted
in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)
Maximum permitted number: no maximum, provided that the total
area of all building signs on any single building complies with the
maximum permitted area as calculated below.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: two square feet per one linear foot
of exterior wall space, up to a maximum total sign area of 100 square
feet per each exterior building wall space.
(c)
Allocation of building signs: Provided that the total area of
all building signs complies with the maximum permitted area as calculated
above, individual building signs may be allocated amongst the building's
exterior building walls without regard to the individual exterior
wall lengths.
(e)
Window displays shall be permitted as regulated by this article.
(3)
Business and identification freestanding signs. Within in a
commercial development, business and identification freestanding signs
shall be permitted in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)
Maximum permitted number: one per property, except in the case
of a property bordered by more than one arterial street and/or collector
street, in which case a maximum of two freestanding signs (one sign
per each arterial or collector street frontage) shall be permitted.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: 150 square feet per sign.
(4)
Other requirements.
(a)
All signs in §
270-7.4E shall be permitted to include digital signs subject to the regulations of this article.
(c)
Commercial developments with business or identification signs under §
270-7.4E shall not be permitted to qualify for, or use, additional business or identification signs regulated elsewhere in this article, including Table 7.4.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all other signs regulated elsewhere in this article shall be permitted, as applicable. (*Ordinance 2020-05)
F. Signs within a hospital campus. Within the Campus (C) Zone, building,
freestanding and directional signs within a hospital campus are permitted
by right, subject to the following criteria:
(1)
Business and identification building signs.
(a)
Maximum permitted number: no maximum, provided that the total
area of all building signs on a single building complies with the
maximum permitted area as calculated below.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: two square feet per one linear foot
of exterior wall space, up to a maximum total sign area of 175 square
feet per each exterior building wall space.
(c)
Allocation of building sings: Provided the total area of all
building signs complies with the maximum permitted area as calculated
above, individual building signs may be allocated amongst the building's
exterior building walls without regard to the individual exterior
wall lengths.
(e)
Window displays shall be permitted as regulated by this article.
(2)
Business and identification freestanding signs.
(a)
Maximum permitted number:
[1]
For lots with a total gross area of five to 10 acres: one per
street frontage.
[2]
For lots with a total gross area of 10 to 50 acres: one per
street frontage plus one additional freestanding sign.
[3]
For lots with a total gross area of 50 acres or more: one per
street frontage plus two additional freestanding signs.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: 150 square feet per sign.
(c)
Maximum permitted height: 20 feet, in compliance with §
270-7.2B.
(3)
Directional signs.
(a)
Maximum permitted: no maximum, provided the signs comply with
the criteria set forth below.
(b)
Maximum permitted area: 45 square feet per sign.
(c)
Maximum permitted height: 12 feet.
(d)
Minimum required setback from street right-of-way: 10 feet.
(e)
The primary purpose of the sign must be to direct the public
through the site.
(f)
The name and logo of the hospital may be included on the directional
sign provided it does not exceed 25% of the total sign area.
(4)
Other requirements.
(a)
All signs in §
270-7.4F shall be permitted to include digital signs subject to the regulations of this article.
(c)
Hospital campuses with business, identification, or directional signs under §
270-7.4F shall not be permitted to qualify for, or use, additional business or identification signs regulated elsewhere in this Article, including Table 7.4.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all other signs regulated elsewhere in this article shall be permitted, as applicable.
Permits for the placement of signs are required as indicated
by the last column in Tables 270-7.4.1 and 270-7.4.2. Sign permit application requirements, such as forms, plans,
and fees, shall be established by the Township Board of Supervisors
by resolution from time to time.
Nonconforming signs may continue to be displayed as long as
there is compliance with the following limitations and conditions:
A. There may be no expansion or increase in the nonconformity in any
way.
B. Maintenance and repair of the sign is permitted. If necessary, up
to 50% of the entire area of a sign and its supporting structure may
be replaced in the event of damage, and any such replacement must
be completed within six months of the damage occurring.
C. The sign must be brought into conformity if, for a period of at least
three months, the message has no longer applied to an activity on
the lot.
The East Hempfield Township Zoning Officer will notify any landowner
or business in writing of his intent to have a sign removed. He shall
have the authority to order any sign to be removed if a sign:
A. Is found to block traffic or cause significant driver distraction;
B. Encroaches upon rights-of-way or easements; or
C. Is shown to be a danger to people or vehicles.