[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Pennsbury as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-1-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
This article shall be known as the "Routes 52 and 100 Scenic Byway Ordinance."
The purpose of this article is to accommodate the "scenic byway" designation along the Routes 52 and 100 corridor by prohibiting certain advertising devices along Routes 52 and 100 in accordance with the parameters set forth in state and federal law and to enable state and federal funding to be obtained to preserve the natural beauty of this highway and to promote the public welfare.
As used in this article, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed:
ERECT
To construct, build, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish, but it shall not include any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to the change of advertising message or customary maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure.
MUNICIPALITY or MUNICIPAL
Pennsbury Township and its Board of Supervisors or designated representatives.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DEVICE
Any outdoor sign, display, light, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard or other thing which is designed, intended or used to advertise or inform.
OWNER
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial, of any property located in the Township.
PERSON
Any individual, association, public or private corporation for profit or not for profit, partnership, firm, trust, estate, or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty or imposing a fine or imprisonment, the term "person" shall include the members of an association, partnership or firm and the officers of any local agency or public or private corporation.
RESPONSIBLE PERSONS
All persons in possession or control of real estate by reason of a lease, contract or other legal right or claim, and all persons performing work for the owner or person responsible.
No outdoor advertising device, as defined, may be erected by any owner, person responsible or other person:
A. 
Within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the rights-of-way of Routes 52 and 100; or
B. 
More than 660 feet from the nearest edge of the rights-of-way if the sign is visible from the main-traveled way of Routes 52 and 100 and the purpose of the sign is that its message be read from the main-traveled way of Routes 52 and 100, except as follows:
(1) 
The official signs and notices which are required or authorized by law and which conform to the national standards promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 131 (relating to control of outdoor advertising);
(2) 
Outdoor advertising devices advertising the sale or lease of the real property upon which they are located, provided they conform to the sign regulations set forth in the Pennsbury Township Code;
(3) 
Outdoor advertising devices advertising activities conducted on the property on which they are located, provided they conform to the sign regulations set forth in the Pennsbury Township Code; and
(4) 
Directional signs, including but not limited to, signs pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historical attractions and other points of interest to the traveling public which conform to the national standards promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 131.
All outdoor advertising devices constructed and existing on the effective date of this article which would be prohibited under this article shall be permitted; except that, if the device shall not be used for advertising for a period of one year or shall become dilapidated, the device shall be removed.
For purposes of this article, the person or persons holding legal title to property on which a person is maintaining a condition of premises in violation of this article shall be subject to the remedies, penalties and liability imposed by enforcement of the article.
Whenever a condition constituting a violation of this article is found to exist, the municipality or its designated representative shall cause written notice to be served upon the owner(s) of the subject premises, as well as other persons responsible for the outdoor advertising device. Service of this notice may be made by personal delivery to the owners and other persons responsible or by mailing the notice to their last known address by certified mail. The notice shall identify the subject property and owners(s) or other persons responsible, describe the conditions of the property which constitute the violation, set forth the applicable section(s) of the article, and set forth a reasonable time to correct or remedy the violation.
A. 
Violation of this article may result in any one or more of the following actions:
(1) 
The municipality may order the removal of outdoor advertising devices installed or constructed in violation of the provisions of this article.
(2) 
The municipality may institute proceedings before the District Justice or in a court of law to recover penalties and costs as provided in this article.
(3) 
The municipality may institute an action in equity or at law to abate the violation and obtain such other relief as is appropriate.
B. 
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this article, or any remedy provided by law, shall not be deemed mutually exclusive; rather they may be employed simultaneously or consecutively, at the option of the municipality.
Any person who violates or permits the violation of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding, pay a fine in an amount not to exceed $100 for each violation together with all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the municipality. Each day a violation shall continue shall constitute a separate violation except for periods of time allowed by the municipality for correction or elimination of the violation. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of a violation by the court.
If the roadway is designated a "byway" by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation, the municipality shall enforce the prohibitions set forth in this article and shall not revise this article without the prior written approval of the Department. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the "byway" designation.