In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent and community development objectives contained in Article
I of this chapter, the specific intent of this article is to:
A. Recognize that signs perform an important function in identifying
properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters
of interest to the public.
B. Set standards and provide controls that permit reasonable use of
signs while restricting the potential adverse visual effects of signs
on the character of the Township.
C. Control the size, number, height, location, and illumination of signs
to reduce potential hazards caused by glare or obstruction of visibility,
and to reduce visual clutter which results from competition among
signs.
D. Encourage signs which are attractively designed in order to enhance
the economic value as well as the visual character of the Township.
E. Establish criteria to encourage signs that are compatible with their
surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain,
complimentary to the architecture of the buildings involved, depicting
the identity of individual proprietors or of an integrated development's
identity, and easily readable in the circumstances in which they are
seen.
Signs shall be permitted in all districts in compliance with
the requirements of this article.
A. Permit required. An application for a sign permit must be submitted
to the Zoning Officer prior to erecting, affixing, attaching or installing
any sign larger than two square feet on or to any building, structure,
or property. The application shall include:
(1)
A site plan showing the location of the sign in relation to
buildings, structures, property lines, and public or private rights-of-way.
The width of street frontage(s) at the legal right(s)-of-way on the
subject property shall be shown.
(2)
A drawing of the proposed sign showing the specific dimensions
of all elements of the sign, the specific copy, lettering, words,
symbols, and designs to be displayed, along with a written explanation
of any illumination or unusual feature of the sign.
(3)
A fee, to be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(4)
Permission of the landowner, if other than the applicant.
B. Construction standards. Construction, choice of materials and installation
of signs shall be in accordance with the standards of the Township
Building Code, as amended.
C. Prohibited signs. The following types of signs or illumination of
signs are prohibited in the Township:
(1)
Flashing, revolving, nonstationary or animated signs. The only
animated signs permitted shall be revolving barber poles in conjunction
with a barbershop.
(2)
Festoon lighting or beacon lights.
(5)
Illuminated temporary signs.
(6)
Vehicular signs which do not meet the requirements for a freestanding
sign in the district where the vehicle is parked.
(7)
Signs affixed with adhesives.
(8)
Electronic signage is prohibited unless the electronic signage
complies with the following standards:
(a)
The electronic display of a sign may not change any more frequently
than one time every minute.
(b)
Scrolling script, either vertically, diagonally or horizontally,
is not permitted.
(c)
Signs that move, rotate, oscillate, vibrate or shimmer are not
permitted.
(d)
Signs that flash, scintillate or blink are not permitted.
(e)
Signs that change script electronically must have an instantaneous
change of script and not a gradual or scrolling change of script.
(f)
The entire electronic portion of the sign must change at the
same time, thereby preventing different portions of the sign changing
at different times.
(g)
The degree of brightness shall not be greater than necessary
for adequate visibility.
(h)
All signs containing electronic messaging must be a monument-type
sign only and no higher than six feet from the ground including the
base and structure of the sign and no wider than eight feet including
the base and structure of the sign. The height of the sign shall be
measured in the same manner as the height of the building.
(i)
The base of the monument sign must be at least one foot from
the ground and no higher than three feet from the ground.
(j)
The display area of the sign must have no more than 50% used
for electronic messaging with at least 50% of the display reserved
for nonelectronic signage.
(k)
The primary purpose of an electronic sign for a business must
be to advertise the on-premises business.
(l)
The above requirements are in addition to all other sign regulations
in the Zoning Code, and, if any other provision of the Zoning Code
conflicts with the above regulations, then the above regulations shall
apply.
D. Prohibition of hazards. Signs shall be so designed and located that
they shall not create a hazard to vehicular traffic by any of the
following:
(1)
Obscuring necessary visibility:
(a)
Sign locations, sizes, types, and colors shall comply with Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation standards and not conflict with street,
traffic, and/or directional signs.
(b)
Signs shall comply with the clear sight triangle regulations of Chapter
145, Subdivision and Land Development.
(2)
Confusion with official street and/or traffic signs.
(3)
Confusion with traffic control devices by reason of color, location,
shape, or other means.
(4)
Creation of motion, glare or excessive brightness which may
interfere with drivers' vision or be unnecessarily distracting.
E. Public right-of-way. No sign, other than official street signs, shall
be erected or maintained within the legal right-of-way of any public
road in the Township, unless there is a PennDOT-approved permit. No
sign projecting over a public walkway shall be less than eight feet
above the walk level at its lower edge.
F. Location of signs.
(1)
No sign may be located in the side or rear yard or in a required
buffer area adjacent to a zoning district with more restrictive sign
requirements.
(2)
No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking,
loading, walkways, cartways, driveways, or other areas required to
be unobstructed.
G. Removal of signs. A sign shall be found to be in violation of this
chapter, and may be ordered removed by the Zoning Officer, under any
of the following circumstances:
(1)
The sign has not been maintained in good condition and safe
repair, and has deteriorated to the point of becoming a potential
public safety hazard. The Zoning Officer shall specify a period of
time (but in no case longer than 10 days) in which the owner of the
sign may repair or rehabilitate the sign, thereby effecting correction
of the safety hazard.
(2)
A sign is erected without an approved sign permit and does not
comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(3)
A sign exists for a business that no longer occupies the premises.
H. Illumination.
(1)
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein,
only to the extent that is necessary to allow them to be seen and
read at night at a distance not to exceed 500 feet for signs of 20
square feet or more in area, and 150 feet for signs less than 20 square
feet in area.
(2)
Professional sign of a health care practitioner, dentist, clergyman,
justice of the peace, and such other person whose services are customarily
considered essential in an emergency may be illuminated, provided
that the illumination is white light not exceeding the equivalent
of an incandescent light source of 25 watts.
(3)
Floodlighting shall be so shielded that the source of the light
shall not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign
is located, and that only the sign is directly illuminated.
I. Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted except as
follows. All off-premises signs require the written permission of
the landowner.
(1)
Directional signs. Businesses not situated on Route 73, Route
29, or other heavily traveled roads in the Township may, as a special
exception granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, locate a directional
sign at the nearest intersection with a major Township road. Such
sign may not exceed six square feet in sign area, and may display
no more than the name of the subject business and its location, direction,
and distance.
(2)
Political signs. Temporary nonilluminated signs advertising
political parties or candidates for elections, provided that the sign
area does not exceed four square feet. Such signs shall not be displayed
more than 30 days prior to an election and must be removed no later
than seven days following the election.
(3)
Special event signs. Temporary nonilluminated signs directing
attention to temporary exhibits, shows, or sales, provided the sign
area does not exceed 15 square feet and the sign complies with all
other regulations of the district in which it is located. Such signs
shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to the advertised event
and must be removed no later than seven days following the event.
No property shall have a special event sign for more than 60 days
each year.
(4)
Service signs. Nonilluminated signs directing patrons, members,
or an audience to service clubs, churches, or other nonprofit organizations,
provided the area of such signs does not exceed six square feet. Such
signs shall indicate only the name or the organization, and the place,
date and time of meetings. Signs must have appropriate approval by
PennDOT or the Board of Supervisors.
(5)
Official signs. Memorial or historical markers, official signs
directing traffic, signs identifying communities and street names,
legal notices and warnings, and other official signs authorized or
erected by appropriate governmental authorities. Such signs must have
appropriate approval by PennDOT or the Board of Supervisors.
The following provisions shall apply to all uses in residential
districts and to residential uses in nonresidential districts:
A. On-premises signs.
(1)
Identification signs. One identification sign shall be permitted
for the purpose of identifying the occupant of a residence, the name
of a property, or the address of a property. Such signs shall not
exceed one square foot in area.
(2)
Real estate signs.
(a)
Individual properties. Nonilluminated on-premises real estate
signs, provided the sign area does not exceed six square feet, and
not more than two signs are placed upon any property in single and
separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one
street, in which event not more than two such signs may be erected
on each frontage.
(b)
Small developments. Nonilluminated on-premises sign advertising
sale or rental of dwelling units in a development or subdivision of
up to 10 dwelling units, provided that the sign area shall not exceed
20 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall
be erected within any such development. The sign shall be removed
when all rentals are full or at completion or sale of lots within
subdivision.
(c)
Large developments. Nonilluminated on-premises sign advertising
sale or rental of dwelling units in a development or subdivision of
more than 10 dwelling units, provided that the sign area shall not
exceed 20 square feet, and provided that not more than two such signs
shall be erected within any such subdivision. The sign(s) shall be
removed when all rentals are full or at completion or sale of lots
within subdivision.
(3)
Directional signs. On-premises directional signs, provided that
the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(4)
Private property signs. Nonilluminated, on-premises "No Trespassing"
signs, "No Hunting" signs, and other similar signs indicating private
ownership of roadways or other property, provided that the sign area
shall not exceed two square feet and shall be spaced at intervals
of not less than 100 feet.
(5)
Construction signs. Temporary, nonilluminated, on-premises construction
signs, provided that:
(a)
The sign area shall not exceed six square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign for each contractor performing work
on any one property shall be erected on that property.
(c)
All such signs shall be removed upon completion of the work.
(6)
Business signs.
(a)
Home occupations. Nonilluminated, on-premises signs identifying
and advertising bed-and-breakfasts, rooming houses, and home occupations,
provided that the sign area shall not exceed six square feet, and
provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any
one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
(b)
Businesses in residential districts. If a lot in a residential
district is conducting a legal commercial, industrial, professional,
or office use on the premises, it shall be allowed to have an on-premises
sign. The sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet and no more than
one such sign may be erected on any one property in single and separate
ownership. The signs shall not be illuminated unless they comply with
the provisions of Subsection H(2).
(c)
Roadside stand sign. Nonilluminated on-premises sign advertising
the sale of agricultural products at a roadside stand, provided that
the sign area shall not exceed 15 square feet, and provided that not
more than one such sign shall be placed on any one street frontage
of any property in single and separate ownership.
(7)
Signs for institutional uses. Institutional uses may have a
sign or signs of any permitted sign type within the following limits
on the sign area: the total permitted sign area upon a lot shall not
exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage along
each street frontage, up to a maximum of 250 square feet, and shall
be a minimum of 20 square feet.
[Amended 10-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-03]
(a)
Churches. Churches may have a sign or signs of any permitted
sign type within the following limits on the sign area: the total
permitted sign area per street frontage shall not exceed two square
feet per linear foot of building frontage, up to a maximum of 250
square feet, and shall be a minimum of 20 square feet.
(b)
Permanent signs which identify the name of a subdivision or
land development shall be permitted in compliance with the following:
[1]
One freestanding sign or monument sign may be located at each
intersection of the development's streets with primary or secondary
streets, the area of each sign not to exceed six square feet in area.
The maximum height for a monument sign shall not exceed six feet.
[2]
One freestanding sign or monument sign may be located at one
main entrance to the development, not to exceed 25 square feet in
area, or two signs not exceeding 15 square feet each. The maximum
height for a monument sign shall not exceed six feet.
(8)
Personal expression signs. One nonilluminated sign per lot is
permitted, up to four square feet in area.
B. Height. The maximum height limit for any sign permitted in residential
districts shall be four feet.
The following provisions shall apply to all nonresidential uses
in nonresidential districts:
A. Permitted on-premises signs.
(1)
Single-occupancy business and church signs. Properties in single
and separate ownership, with a single business premises or a church,
may have a sign or signs (of any permitted sign type) within the following
limits on sign area: Total permitted sign area per street frontage
shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage,
up to a maximum of 250 square feet, and shall be a minimum of 20 feet.
In a case where there are multiple buildings, the linear footage shall
include the total of the facades along the frontage. Sign area may
be divided as follows:
(a)
One wall sign up to 150 square feet.
(b)
A freestanding sign up to 50 square feet at the setback line,
and an additional 1.5 square feet for each linear foot moved back,
up to 100 square feet.
(c)
A freestanding sign shall include the numerical address number
at the top or bottom using a five-inch minimum, which shall not be
included in the sign area calculations.
(2)
For lots with more than one nonresidential tenant, with the
exception of shopping centers, planned commercial centers, and office
or industrial parks, total permitted sign area per street frontage
shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage,
up to a maximum of 300 square feet. Signs shall include the numerical
address number at the top or bottom using a five-inch minimum which
shall not be included in the sign area calculations. Sign area may
be divided as follows:
(a)
One freestanding sign is permitted at each vehicular entrance
to the property, except that signs along the same frontage must be
at least 500 feet apart.
[1]
The sign must be set back 10 feet and shall not exceed 50 square
feet, but may be enlarged by 1.5 square feet for each additional foot
the sign is set back beyond this point, up to a maximum of 100 feet.
[2]
The sign shall identify the name and numerical address of the
property, and not more than five tenants.
(b)
One wall sign shall be permitted on each building facade that
faces the street frontage in question.
(c)
All signs for multi-tenant properties shall be designed with
similar style and compatible materials, to project a unified appearance.
(d)
Developments with more than 400 linear feet between entrances
may have two freestanding signs, one at each entrance.
(3)
For shopping center, planned commercial centers, and other storefronts
arranged in strip fashion, total sign area per street frontage need
not be calculated. The following restrictions apply:
(a)
One freestanding sign shall be permitted at the primary entrance
to the development: the sign must be set back 10 feet and shall not
exceed 50 square feet, but may be enlarged by one square foot for
each additional foot the sign is set back beyond this point, up to
a maximum of 100 feet. Twenty-five percent of the sign may advertise
the center with the rest dedicated to tenants. A freestanding or directory
sign shall include the numerical address number at the top or bottom
using a five-inch minimum number, which does not count towards the
sign area.
(b)
Wall signs for multitenant buildings shall be permitted for
each tenant. The area may not exceed 20% of the building face on the
frontage, up to a maximum of 150 square feet. One sign shall be permitted
for each tenant.
(4)
Window signs shall not be regulated under the maximum sign area
provisions if they are not internally illuminated and they do not
exceed 25% of the total area of the windows along each external wall.
(5)
Directional signs. On-premises directional signs, provided that
the area of any such sign shall not exceed three square feet, and
be placed as approved by the plan.
(6)
Private property signs. Nonilluminated, on-premises "No Trespassing"
signs, "No Hunting" signs, and other similar signs indicating private
ownership of roadways or other property, provided that the sign area
shall not exceed two square feet and shall be spaced at intervals
of not less than 100 feet.
(7)
Real estate signs. Nonilluminated on-premises signs no larger
than 15 square feet in sign area. One such sign per road frontage
is permitted.
(8)
Construction signs. Temporary, nonilluminated construction signs
shall not exceed 15 square feet in sign area, and shall be removed
upon completion of the work. No more than one sign per contractor
performing work on a property shall be permitted.
(9)
Corporate or company flags. Flags bearing a corporate or company
name and/or insignia may be flown on the property where the company
is located, according to the following:
(a)
The flag shall be flown in conjunction with the United States
flag, and the size of the corporate flag shall not exceed 75% of the
size of the United States flag with which it is displayed. The United
States flag shall be higher than the corporate flag.
(b)
No other advertising shall be permitted on such flags.
(10)
Personal expression signs. One nonilluminated sign per lot is
permitted, up to four square feet in area and four feet in height.
(11)
One of the following types of temporary signs for a given thirty-day
period only:
B. Height. The maximum height of signs in nonresidential districts shall
be as follows:
(1)
Ten feet for freestanding signs for individual uses.
(2)
Seventy-five percent of the wall or awning height for wall or
awning signs, measured on the wall or awning upon which the sign is
placed, up to a maximum of 15 feet.
(3)
Fifteen feet for freestanding shopping center signs and multiple-directory
signs.
(4)
Six feet for all monument signs.
C. Additional sign regulations for gasoline service and/or filling stations. In recognition of the unique and particular significance to the driving public, gasoline service and/or filling stations may have one sign in addition to a single-occupancy business sign permitted under Subsection
A, according to the following regulations:
(1)
Such sign shall advertise the current fuel prices only, and
the actual pricing may be digital.
(2)
Such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet on each side.
(3)
When fuel prices are displayed by means of manual changeable
lettering, such lettering shall be between eight and 18 inches in
height.
(4)
Such sign shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the ultimate
right-of-way line, and shall not interfere with the safe and convenient
access and circulation of the property.
(5)
Canopy signs shall be allowed at 0.75 square foot per linear
foot.
D. Additional regulations for off-premises signs. Off-premises signs
(billboards) shall be permitted according to the following regulations:
(1)
An off-premises sign shall be permitted only in the LI Limited
Industrial District.
(2)
Each off-premises sign shall require a conditional use from the Board of Supervisors, according to the provisions of §
170-31 of this chapter.
(3)
Only one off-premises sign is permitted per lot.
(4)
An off-premises sign may be double-faced, with two advertising
surfaces. Both surfaces shall be the same size and shape. The maximum
sign area per side shall be 100 square feet.
(5)
The maximum height for an off-premises sign erected on the ground
shall be 20 feet. No off-premises sign shall be erected on the roof
of a building or structure.
(6)
Each off-premises sign shall comply with the following minimum
setbacks:
(a)
Fifty feet from the ultimate right-of-way of any public road.
(b)
Fifty feet from any property line.
(c)
One hundred feet from any property line abutting a residential
use or district, including when a zoning district line follows the
center line of a public road.
(d)
Five hundred feet from any other off-premises sign permitted
by this subsection.
(e)
Forty feet from any building on the same lot as the sign.
(f)
Two hundred feet from any public or private school, church,
park, library, day-care center, or other public facility.
(7)
No sign may be attached to a bridge.
(8)
Each sign shall be erected on permanent footings and support
structures that meet the standards of the Township Building Code,
as amended.
(9)
The off-premises sign shall be removed by the owner if the sign
remains without bona fide advertisement for a period of 90 days, or
if the right to use the property for a sign has expired for any reason.
Bona fide advertisement shall not include an advertisement for the
rental of the sign.
E. Additional regulations for permitted, on-premises special event signs,
banners, or portable signs for businesses announcing a grand opening,
going-out-of-business sale or other special promotional event:
(1)
The area of the special event sign, banner, or portable sign
shall not exceed 15 square feet.
(2)
The property or business shall display only one special event
sign, banner, or portable signs at any one time.
(3)
A special event sign or banner for a business shall be displayed
no more than two times during the calendar year for periods of time
not exceeding 30 calendar days. Portable signs may be displayed only
once during the calendar year for a period of time not exceeding 30
calendar days.
(4)
Special event signs or banners for public or quasi-public events
shall comply with the following standards:
(a)
Such banners shall be affixed to a building or some other appropriate
sturdy structure.
(b)
The permitted size of any street banner shall be determined
on a case-by-case basis by the Township.
(c)
Signs or banners shall not be posted earlier than one month
prior to the advertised event and must be removed within seven days
after the day of the event.