[Amended 6-13-1979 by Ord. No. 684; 5-9-1984 by Ord. No. 723]
The intent of this article is to provide for the regulation of signs in Springfield Township as a proper exercise of the police powers granted to the municipality by state law to protect the public health, safety and welfare in accordance with the following objectives:
A. 
To control the size, location and illumination of signs in the Township in order to reduce hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
B. 
To encourage signs which are well-designed and pleasing in appearance and to provide incentive and latitude for variety in order to enhance the economic value as well as the visual character of the Township.
C. 
To establish criteria designed to encourage signs which are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors and legible in the circumstances in which they are seen and to prohibit the erection of signs that do not meet these criteria.
D. 
To prohibit the construction of and provide for the removal of signs which constitute a hazardous or blighting influence.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this article:
A. 
An official highway route number, street name, directional or other traffic sign, including those on private or public property.
B. 
A sign indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting or trespassing or signs indicating the private nature of a road, provided that the area of any such sign does not exceed the provisions of § 114-145. (NOTE: Any particular classification.)
C. 
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.
D. 
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.
E. 
A legal notice.
F. 
A Christmas tree, other holiday display or window display of merchandise, except as specifically prohibited herein.
G. 
Public service signs, signs promoting public safety and information signs advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephones or similar public conveniences.
H. 
A sign on a vending machine advertising the sale of the contents contained therein.
I. 
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.
J. 
A sign which is a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, 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.
K. 
An emblem, logo, insignia or badge displayed to signify membership of or affiliation with any trade association, craftsman group, labor union, civic or fraternal group or similar organization, and not to exceed one square foot.
The following signs, because of their inherent characteristics, could threaten the health, safety or welfare of persons in the Township and are prohibited:
A. 
A sign that uses any method of illumination that can cause glare.
B. 
Any sign erected within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, which:
(1) 
Uses the word, "stop", "look" or "danger";
(2) 
Contains red or green lights; or
(3) 
Contains any word, place, symbol or character which interferes with, imitates or resembles an official traffic sign.
C. 
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.
D. 
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.
E. 
Any sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, hung, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, light stand, fence or other object.
F. 
Any sign with flashing, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, with the exception of signs that display time and/or temperature exclusively and barber poles.
G. 
Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign. (This does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis or vehicles operating during the normal course of business.)
H. 
Mobile or portable signs except as specifically provided for in § 114-144F.
A. 
Permitted signs may only identify the person, establishment, principal product and/or price thereof and/or service available on the premises which contain the sign.
B. 
The following signs are permitted in the zoning districts subject to and as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations[1] and in conformance with all other provisions of this Article:
(1) 
Address: a sign identifying the house number and/or name of the occupant of a property.
(2) 
Public interest: a sign containing a cautionary message, such as "Beware of Dog" or "No Trespassing," or an information message, such as "Exit" or "Parking."
(3) 
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.
(4) 
Place: a sign identifying a community, residential development, public facility or an historic facility.
(5) 
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.
(6) 
Real estate:
[Amended 7-13-1988 by Ord. No. 757]
(a) 
A sign indicating exclusively the sale, rental, lease or development of the premises upon which it stands, except that "sold" signs shall be permitted to stand for only five days after erection.
(b) 
A sign indicating the direction of properties that are for sale, provided that such signs shall be for open-house purposes only, subject to the erection of such sign one hour prior to and removed within one hour following the open house.
(7) 
Contractor: a sign identifying the contractor or contractors doing work on the premises or building which contains the sign.
(8) 
Industrial, office and business: signs identifying establishments for offices, retail sales, service centers, production or warehouse facilities and other uses as permitted in the commercial district and Industrial Zoning District.
(9) 
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.
(10) 
Special event: a sign identifying a grand opening, parade, festival, fund drive or similar occasion.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
Permitted signs may only be ground, projecting, facial or window-type and must conform to all provisions as specified herein as well as in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[1]
A. 
Ground signs.
(1) 
When permitted. A ground sign is permitted only if the building which it serves to identify is set back more than 15 feet from the street curb or edge of street.
(2) 
Quantity.
(a) 
Quantity shall be limited to only one per lot, including a lot containing frontage on two or more streets. For a property which contains more than 300 linear feet of front footage, one sign will be permitted for every 300 linear feet of front footage or portion thereof.
[Amended 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 788]
(b) 
Where two or more persons, agencies or establishments are located in a place or location common to all, such as a shopping center or an office complex, or where separate facilities share a common parking area, only one ground sign shall be permitted per street frontage or 300 linear feet or part thereof of street frontage.
(3) 
Sign area. The maximum area of a ground sign shall not exceed the maximum area listed in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
(4) 
Height. The maximum height of a ground sign shall be as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations and shall be measured vertically from the ground at the base of the sign to the top of the sign or its structural support, whichever is higher.
(5) 
Setback. The setback of a ground sign is the shortest horizontal measurement from the edge of the paved area of the road or side yard property line to the sign. The minimum setback distance shall be equal to the height of the sign, provided that the sign shall not encroach into the right-of-way nor obstruct sight distance for ingress or egress.
(6) 
Construction. All ground signs, located in a paved area, except in residential areas, must be protected from vehicular damage by a curb and planter.
(7) 
Illumination. Illumination of ground signs may be direct or indirect as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations and in accordance with § 114-146A.
B. 
Projecting signs.
(1) 
Where permitted. A projecting sign may be erected in lieu of a ground sign.
(2) 
Quantity.
(a) 
Quantity shall be limited to only one per lot, including a lot containing frontage on two or more streets. For a property which contains more than 300 linear feet of front footage, one sign will be permitted for every 300 linear feet of front footage or portion thereof.
[Amended 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 788]
(b) 
Where two or more persons, agencies or establishments are located in a place or location common to all, such as a shopping center or office complex, or where separate facilities share a common parking area, only one projecting sign shall be permitted per street or 300 linear feet or part thereof of street frontage.
(3) 
Sign area. The maximum area of a projecting sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(4) 
Minimum height. The lowest part of any projecting sign, or its supports, shall not be less than eight feet above the finished grade when encroaching over a sidewalk or public walkway. A projecting sign shall not extend beyond the building for a distance of more than four feet and in no event shall extend over more than 50% of the width of the sidewalk or public walkway.
(5) 
Illumination. Illumination of projecting signs may be direct or indirect as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations[3] and in accordance with § 114-146A.
[3]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
C. 
Facial signs.
(1) 
Quantity. Subject to the provisions of § 114-145, one facial sign (primary) may be affixed or otherwise represented upon the front face or canopy of a building fronting upon a public street, shopping center driveway, parking area or pedestrian mall or walkway. On corner buildings or lots, subject to the provisions of § 114-145, one additional sign (secondary) may be affixed or otherwise represented upon the additional frontage of the building on a public street, shopping center driveway, parking area or pedestrian mall or walkway.
(2) 
Area. The area of a primary facial sign may not exceed the amount set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. The area of a secondary facial sign shall not exceed 0.75 square foot for every linear foot of building frontage on the additional street side but shall not exceed 50% of the area permitted for the primary sign, except that the area of the secondary sign may be increased by the amount that the area of the primary sign is decreased but not in excess of the area permitted for the primary sign. The background area of a sign shall not be included in sign area limitation when such background is an intergral part of the design of the building.
(3) 
Height. The maximum height of a facial sign shall not be higher than any part of actual roof, except at the gable and up to the maximum listed in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[4] Height shall be measured vertically from the first-floor elevation of the building supporting the sign to the top of the sign.
[4]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
(4) 
Construction. A facial sign may not project more than 16 inches from the wall to which it is attached. Where one establishment shares a common wall with another, a facial sign may not be placed closer than one foot to the adjoining establishment. A minimum head clearance of eight feet is required where a facial sign is located along any pedestrianway.
(5) 
Illumination. Illumination of facial signs may be direct or indirect as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations and in accordance with § 114-146.
D. 
Window signs (a temporary sign entirely contained inside a building and which is comprehensible from the street or public way). Such signs are permitted to allow for the notification of products on the premises, merchandise sales, retail sales or sale of the premises or special events to be held within the building containing the window sign.
E. 
Multiple directory signs. A sign listing the names of five or more establishments or offices within a defined contiguous area may be erected primarily as a service to the motoring or the pedestrian public, subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
Such signs shall be located on the property serviced by the sign.
(2) 
Such signs shall be ground or facial signs only.
(3) 
Such signs shall be limited in number to one per vehicular entrance but not more than two per development.
(4) 
Multiple directory signs shall list only a name, address and primary product or service of each firm or business and may contain a graphic directory (street or building map) to assist in locating destinations.
(5) 
The respective permitted areas of information on multiple directory signs shall be limited to no more than three square feet per firm listed, and the balance of the sign may be used for graphic directory and general sign title, provided that the total sign area does not exceed 25 square feet.
(6) 
Multiple directory ground signs shall not exceed eight feet in height measured vertically from the ground at the base of the sign to the top of the sign or the structural support, whichever is higher.
(7) 
Multiple directory signs shall be set back from any street, right-of-way or property line a minimum horizontal distance of 25 feet.
(8) 
Where permitted, a multiple directory sign may be combined with the permitted ground sign. Such sign shall be limited in size to 40 square feet and shall be subject to all other provisions of § 114-144A(4) through (7).
F. 
Special events.
(1) 
Temporary signs, including mobile and portable signs, advertising a public or community event of general public interest may be erected upon approval of the Building/Zoning Officer for a period not to exceed 14 days, subject to the following:
(a) 
Such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
(b) 
Such signs are permitted on-site only and are limited to one for each event for each street on which the site fronts.
(2) 
Business or commercial properties may advertise such events considered to be beyond the day-to-day operations, such as "grand opening," "going out of business," "bankruptcy" and "fire sales," subject to these provisions, upon approval of the Building/Zoning Officer.
G. 
Schools, churches and government buildings may erect one additional bulletin-board-type sign along a street frontage for the purposes of announcing organization events. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.
H. 
Athletic sponsorship signboards. An athletic sponsorship signboard may be erected at municipal baseball fields so as not to distract or interfere with a visit by a general park user, participant, or spectator. Signboards must be confined and oriented to the area of use by the organization. The message and graphics must be done professionally and be maintained in a neat and clean manner during the baseball season. The signboards shall be removed at the conclusion of the baseball season and are further subject to the following regulations:
[Added 12-10-2003 by Ord. No. 859]
(1) 
When permitted. An athletic sponsorship signboard is permitted only on baseball fields used by community little league organizations. Signboards placed on municipal baseball fields are restricted to the outfield fence and must only face inside the ball field.
(2) 
Quantity. Signboards must be spaced evenly across the fence to create a uniform pattern.
(3) 
Sign area. All signboards must be of the same size and shape and are not permitted to exceed four feet tall by eight feet wide.
(4) 
Construction.
(a) 
No permanent structure shall be erected in a park for the sole purpose of supporting an advertising signboard or signboards.
(b) 
All fastening hardware must be installed so as to not protrude or create a physical hazard and must be covered with rubber or another equally soft material.
(c) 
The bottom of a signboard must be located a minimum of eight inches from ground level and must not extend over the top rail of the fence.
(d) 
The backs of signboards must be painted one color, and be consistent with other facilities at the park.
(5) 
Illumination. Illumination of athletic sponsorship signboards is not permitted.
(6) 
Damage. Damage to public property and fences which is caused by sign installation or removal, or flooding or other natural disaster, shall be the responsibility of the sponsoring little league organization and shall be repaired without cost to the Township.
I. 
Schools, places of worship, government buildings, volunteer fire houses and nonprofit clubs or organizations may erect one electronic message board sign, attached to a legal ground or facial sign, subject to the following provisions:
[Added 11-10-2010 by Ord. No. 906]
(1) 
The maximum area of an electronic message board sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2) 
The length and width of an electronic message board sign shall not exceed the length and width, respectively, of the ground or facial sign to which it is attached.
(3) 
The attachment of an electronic message board sign to a ground or facial sign shall not result in a sign that exceeds or violates any applicable dimensional criteria of the Zoning Ordinance governing signs.
(4) 
The words, symbols or images displayed on electronic message board signs must remain stationary for a minimum of 30 seconds before changing to any other words, symbols or images. No flashing, animation or fade-in/fade-out shall be permitted.
(5) 
In residential zoning districts, electronic message board signs may be operated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., prevailing time. In nonresidential zoning districts, electronic message board signs may be operated only between sunrise and 11:00 p.m., prevailing time.
(6) 
The light intensity of all electronic message board signs shall be so controlled as to not create glare, hazards or nuisances.
(7) 
The color of the words, symbols or images displayed on electronic message board signs shall be mono-chromatic (one color) only.
J. 
Purpose and intent. The purpose is to provide an area for the placement of off-premises advertising signs, aka billboards, in the Township; to provide regulations for such signs, to provide standards for construction of such signs, and to locate such signs so that they are not adverse to the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Springfield Township.
[Added 4-13-2011 by Ord. No. 908]
(1) 
An off-premises advertising sign, also known as a billboard, shall be permitted in the Industrial Zoning District subject to the following requirements:
(a) 
Sign dimensions and arrangement.
[Added 5-9-2018 by Ord. No. 953[5]]
[1] 
An off-premises advertising sign may not exceed 400 square feet per sign face in area, with a maximum length of 20 feet and a maximum width of 20 feet.
[2] 
A sign may have one or two sign faces. When two sign faces are used, the sign faces shall be situated in either: i) a back-to-back arrangement; or ii) a V-type arrangement. When a back-to-back arrangement is utilized on an off-premises sign, the sign faces shall be parallel, directly aligned with each other and not more than five feet apart. When a V-type sign arrangement is used for two sign faces of any off-premises advertising sign, the sign faces shall not be located more than 15 feet apart at the furthest point, nor shall the interior angle be greater than 45°. The rear side of any single-face off-premises advertising sign shall be of one neutral color, such as gray or black.
[5]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection J(1)(a), Size of sign.
(b) 
Height and location of sign. The maximum height of an off-premises advertising sign shall be the minimum necessary in order for the sign to be reasonably viewed by the intended motorists and in no event higher than 35 feet measured from ground level upon which the sign support is mounted to the top of the sign. Off-premises advertising signs shall be located no closer than 20 feet from any property line. Off-premises advertising signs may not be located closer than 25 feet from any street measured from the ultimate right-of-way of such street. Off-premises advertising signs may not be located closer than 1,000 feet from another off-premises advertising sign measured linearly.
(c) 
Number of signs per lot. There shall be no more than one off-premises advertising sign per lot.
(d) 
Content. No billboard shall display any content prohibited by 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 5903.
(e) 
Lighting. Lighting for off-premises advertising signs is permitted provided that the light is restricted from shining onto other properties located within Springfield Township, and that such lighting shall not take place between 12:00 midnight and sunrise. Lighting fixtures must be placed above the sign and aimed downward, rather than at the bottom of the sign aimed upward toward the sky. All lighting fixtures must be aimed and controlled so as to place their light output only on the face of the sign and not projected past the sign. Internal illumination and computer-controlled electronic displays are prohibited in the Industrial Zoning District.
(f) 
Lot size. The minimum lot size for a property on which an off-premises advertising sign may be located is 10,000 square feet.
(g) 
Maintenance of sign. All off-premises advertising signs shall be structurally sound and maintained in good condition. If the signs are not structurally sound or are in poor condition, the signs shall be immediately removed at the sole cost and expense of the owner of the sign. If an off-premises advertising sign is not structurally sound or remains in poor condition, Springfield Township shall notify the owner of the property on which the sign is located and provide the owner 60 days' written notice by certified mail, sent to the owner's last known address, to remove the sign. If the sign is not removed within 60 days of the date of the notice, the Township may remove the sign, and the cost thereof shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is erected. Springfield Township may file a lien against the property or take any action by law to collect the cost of removal if it is not paid by the owner of the property.
(h) 
Property boundaries. No part or foundation or support of any outdoor advertising sign shall be placed on, in or over any private property without the written agreement of the property owner. The agreement shall be presented as part of the application for said sign permit.
(i) 
Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all off-premises advertising signs in order to shield from view the base, structural elements and foundation of the sign. Trees and shrubbery including evergreen and flowering trees of sufficient size and quantity shall be used to achieve the purpose of this section. A landscaping plan which meets the following minimum requirements shall be submitted, reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer:
[1] 
Five evergreen trees with a height of five feet to six feet planted within a forty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign;
[2] 
Four flowering trees with a height of eight feet to 10 feet planted within a fifty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign;
[3] 
One shrub tree with a height of three feet to four feet for each three lineal feet of road frontage along the parcel or 40 shrubs, whichever is greater, to be placed in front of the sign.
(2) 
Additional regulations. All off-premises advertising signs shall comply with any and all applicable zoning regulations not specifically established herein and any and all Township, state and/or federal regulations, including, but not limited to, the Springfield Township Building Code and all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
A. 
Illumination. Where illumination of signs is permitted, such illumination may only be between sunrise and 11:00 p.m. or the hours of business operation. Illumination shall only be of an even intensity at all times. Illumination may be direct (giving forth light from the interior of the sign through translucent material), or it may be indirect (when the light source is not visible from any adjoining property or street and is directed upon the sign), as specified in the Schedule of Signs Regulations.[1] Signs of schools, churches and other uses permitted in residential districts, shall be illuminated by white light only.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
B. 
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[2] and shall be maintained in a safe condition and in good repair at all times.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 13, Building Construction.
A. 
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.
B. 
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.
C. 
Immediate removal. A sign and/or its supports shall be immediately removed from a premises upon notification and as directed by the Building/Zoning Officer for the following reasons:
(1) 
It becomes dangerous or hazardous to public health or safety.
(2) 
It no longer serves its intended purpose.
D. 
Nonconforming signs. Certain existing signs which do not conform to the requirements of this Article, but which have valid permits issued by the Township of Springfield, shall be nonconforming and shall be made to conform as follows:
(1) 
Any sign which is prohibited under § 114-142A, B, C, D, E and G shall be made to conform within six months of adoption of this Article.
(2) 
Any sign which is prohibited under § 114-142F and H and any sign painted on walls or roofs shall be made to conform within 12 months after adoption of this Article.
(3) 
Upon a change of use or occupancy of any property or premises, a sign must be removed within 60 days after the change in use or occupancy.
(4) 
Any existing sign which was lawful at the time of erection prior to the effective date of Ord. No. 723, but which fails to comply with the provisions of said ordinance, shall be deemed nonconforming and shall be removed or corrected within five years of the effective date of the immediate Ord. No. 750. The provisions of this section shall not apply to official federal, state or municipal signs erected within the Township of Springfield.
[Added 9-9-1987 by Ord. No. 750]
[Added 9-9-1987 by Ord. No. 750; amended 5-10-1995 by Ord. No. 807]
Signs erected for the purpose of expressing a political view may be erected on private property.
A. 
Permits are required for all signs except as otherwise indicated in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[1] 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/Zoning Officer. Such permit shall be valid for the length of time set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included at the end of this chapter.
B. 
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.
C. 
No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until the required fee has been paid to the Building/Zoning Officer, which fee shall be established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
D. 
After installation, the Zoning Officer shall inspect the sign to ensure that the installation has conformed to the regulations set forth in this Article.
E. 
A permit may be revoked by the Building/Zoning Officer for any of the following violations if the owner of the sign neglects to comply with the Building/Zoning Officer's directives to correct the violations:
(1) 
If the sign constitutes a hazard to the public health or safety.
(2) 
If a sign has been altered in a manner which requires a new permit.
(3) 
If a sign has been altered in a manner which would render the sign prohibited.