[Amended 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
Chadds Ford Township is a community in historic
southeastern Pennsylvania within which lies the Brandywine Valley,
Brandywine Battlefield, and the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic
Landmark. The purpose of this article is to preserve the Township's
historic heritage, create a desirable environment in which to live,
visit, and conduct business, and to provide protection to motorists,
pedestrians and bicyclists from distractions which may result in property
damages as well as serious injury. It is the purpose of this article
to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the public
by providing a comprehensive system of reasonable, consistent and
nondiscriminatory standards and requirements which are intended to:
A.
Assist
in the identification of residences, businesses, churches and other
establishments.
B.
Reduce
hazardous situations, confusion, driver distraction, and visual clutter
which can be caused by signs employing movement, light, fluctuating
or moving lighting, flashing images, excessive size and/or messaging
which distracts motorists, pedestrians and/or bicyclists.
C.
Protect
and enhance the vistas and historical character of the Brandywine
Valley, Brandywine Battlefield, and the Battlefield National Historic
Landmark and preserve and enhance the natural and scenic characteristics
of this historic, suburban community.
D.
Enhance
the attractiveness and economic well-being of the Township as a place
to live, visit and conduct business, while supporting its rural character
and the tourism fostered by its natural and historic landmarks.
E.
Protect
the public from the dangers of unsafe signs and structures.
F.
Permit
signs that are compatible with their surroundings, aid orientation,
and preclude placement of signs which conceal, obstruct or intrude
upon adjacent land uses.
G.
Encourage
signs that are appropriate to the zoning district in which they are
located and consistent with the category of use to which they pertain.
H.
Limit
the size and number of signs and sign messages to the minimum reasonably
necessary to identify a residential or business location and the nature
of any such business.
I.
Establish
sign size in relationship to the scale of the lot and building on
which the sign is to be placed or to which it pertains.
J.
Preclude
signs from conflicting with the principal permitted use of the site
or adjoining sites.
K.
Regulate
signs in a manner so as to not unreasonably interfere, distract, obstruct,
and/or endanger motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
L.
Require
signs to be constructed, installed and maintained in a safe and satisfactory
manner; and prevent an attractive nuisance or abandoned signs.
A sign permit is required for all signs hereafter erected, except those listed specifically hereafter in § 135-151. A permit shall be obtained upon the filing of an application accompanied by a plan drawn to scale showing the sign, its size and its location with respect to the building and to the boundaries of the lot upon which it will be situated, together with the applicable permit fee, if such proposed sign complies with the provisions of this article and all other Township ordinances and regulations. Fees for sign permits shall be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors from time to time.
Signs and their respective illumination which
are lawfully existing at the time of the passage of this chapter and
which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be
considered nonconforming signs, and once destroyed or removed shall
be replaced only with conforming signs and lighting. A nonconforming
sign may be painted, repaired (including lighting) and altered in
its wording, provided that such modifications do not exceed the dimensions
of the existing sign. If a nonconforming sign is changed or altered
in any other manner, then the sign must be either brought into compliance
with all requirements of this chapter, including but not limited to
all dimensional, height, locational and design requirements, or permanently
removed. A sign which was not in conformance with the zoning ordinance
in effect on the date it was erected is an unlawful sign and is not
a nonconforming sign.
A.
No abandoned sign shall be maintained or permitted
to be maintained on any premises. An abandoned sign for the purpose
of this chapter is a sign erected on and/or related to:
B.
Any such abandoned sign shall be removed by the landowner
or person controlling the property within 10 days of the abandonment
as described above.
[Amended 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following
signs:
A.
Spinning,
animated or twirling signs, or any other moving objects used for commercial
advertising purposes whether containing a message or not.
B.
Flashing,
blinking, twinkling, oscillating, or lighted moving signs of any type,
except those portions of signs which indicate time and temperature.
C.
Signs
placed, inscribed or supported upon the highest roof line or upon
any structure which extends above the highest roof line of any building.
D.
Signs
painted on the facade or roof of any building or structure.
E.
Signs
on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and thereby
not permanently affixed to the ground, except when covered by a temporary
permit, such as for a promotional event.
F.
Signs
mounted on utility poles, trees, fence posts and/or any other existing
structure which is not a part of the sign.
G.
Signs
which emit smoke or vapors.
H.
Balloons
or other inflated structures, whether or not tethered close to the
ground.
J.
Signs
painted, applied or mounted on vehicles where the vehicles are not
operational and/or not currently registered and permitted by the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation.
The following regulations shall apply to all
sign uses, including those signs not requiring a permit:
A.
Materials/maintenance/removal. Every sign permitted
by this chapter must be constructed of durable materials, firmly supported,
and must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed
to become dilapidated shall be removed by, and at the expense of,
the landowner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
B.
Traffic interference. No sign shall be so located
or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through
blocking of required sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways,
through confusion with a traffic control device (by reason of color,
location, shape or other characteristic), or through any other means.
C.
Authorization. No signs except those of a duly constituted
governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory
notices, shall be allowed within street lines, unless specifically
authorized otherwise by the Township and in compliance with any prevailing
regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or other
applicable laws and regulations.
D.
Architectural design. All permanent signs affixed
to any permitted building shall be integrated into the architectural
design of the building on which they are placed.
E.
Double-faced signs.
(1)
Any sign may be double-faced, provided that
it has two parallel surfaces that are opposite and matching in size
and shape and are not over 16 inches apart for internally illuminated
signs and not over six inches apart for noninternally illuminated
signs.
(2)
The sign shall be considered as one sign and
only one face shall be used to calculate the total size of the sign.
(3)
Should the two surfaces deviate from being parallel,
or should they differ in size or shape, or if they are more than 16
inches apart for internally illuminated signs or six inches apart
for noninternally illuminated signs, the sign shall be considered
as two signs.
F.
Freestanding signs. Such signs shall be permitted
on the premises of the use for which they are intended and may be
erected, provided that:
(1)
No freestanding sign shall be erected closer
to the street right-of-way line than a distance which is the lesser
of: five feet; or 1/2 the distance between the street right-of-way
line and the building at its closest point. In no case shall the sign
intrude onto or above the street right-of-way.
(2)
All freestanding signs shall be designed with
a base of material inhibiting all plant growth at least six inches
from the supports or body of the sign. Mulch, stones and concrete
are all suitable examples of growth-inhibiting materials.
(3)
The face area of the sign support structure
(or diameter times height for round supports) shall not exceed 50%
of the total area of the allowed sign area.
(4)
No portion of said sign shall exceed 10 feet
above the average ground level.
(5)
Any vehicle to which a sign or display is affixed
or on which a sign is painted, which is used in such a manner that
the carrying or display of such sign or signs no longer is incidental
to the vehicle's primary purpose as a means of transportation, shall
be considered a freestanding sign and as such be subject to the provisions
regarding freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle
is located. If sufficient space is available, vehicles with signage
are to be parked as much out of sight of the public right-of-way as
possible.
G.
Projecting signs. Signs which project from a building
may be erected and maintained, provided that:
(1)
Any support for such sign shall project no more
than 15 inches from the facade of said building.
(2)
Such sign shall not project more than four feet
from the building facade.
(3)
No part of the sign shall be less than seven
feet nor more than 12 feet above the ground or walkway level.
(4)
No projecting sign shall be permitted within
15 feet of any other projecting sign.
H.
Illuminated signs including digital on-premises signs
shall be illuminated only when provided for hereafter in each specific
district. The following regulations shall apply to all permitted illuminated
signs:
[Amended 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(1)
Signs shall be illuminated so that such lighting
permits no direct light to shine on abutting properties or in the
normal line of vision of people when using the streets.
(2)
The source of said lighting shall be shielded
from vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(3)
All externally illuminated signs including digital signs shall be turned off 1/2 hour after the closing of the business or entity which they identify or advertise except those signs named in § 135-152A(3)(a) herein.
(4)
Signs may be internally illuminated or backlighted
through transparent or translucent materials. The area of the sign
will be considered to be the total area of the illuminated area or
structure.
(5)
No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or permitted use is not open for business except those signs named in § 135-152A(3)(a) herein.
(6)
The
source of said lighting shall be shielded from vehicular or pedestrian
traffic. Signs that are not effectively shielded to prevent glare,
that impair vision, or that otherwise interfere with any driver’s
operation of a motor vehicle are prohibited.
(7)
Illumination
shall only be of an even intensity at all times and shall not be more
than 0.5 footcandle per square foot of display area. When an illuminated
sign is located on a property that abuts a residential property, no
light shall be detectable along the property boundary.
(8)
No
sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness
of, or obscures, an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
(9)
Signs,
which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent,
or moving light or lights are prohibited, except those giving public
service information, such as time, date, temperature, weather, traffic
information, and/or public bulletins.
(10)
Where space must be provided between two parallel faces for the installation
of lighting fixtures, these faces shall not be further apart than
16 inches and such lighting fixtures and all light sources shall be
concealed from behind:
(11)
Illuminated signs shall be uniformly lit not to exceed 0.5 footcandles
per square foot of display area, and a uniformity ratio of 0.5.
(12)
No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or permitted use is not open for business except those signs named in § 135-152A(3)(a) herein.
I.
Removal. Each sign shall be removed within 10 days
of the time when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer
apply, or as provided for otherwise herein.
J.
Applicability. All sign provisions of this chapter
shall apply to smoke stacks, water towers, silos and other similar
structures.
K.
Dynamic
message display signs
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(1)
Signs
incorporating dynamic message displays, as defined herein, shall be
permitted except within any residential district where they are prohibited.
(2)
Size.
The dynamic message display may not exceed 70% of the total sign area.
(3)
Brightness.
All electronic message signs must be equipped with automatic day/night
dimming capabilities. At nighttime or during periods of ambient low
light, the sign must automatically dim the intensity of the light
emitted whereby its brightness shall not exceed 0.5 footcandle per
square foot of display area.
(4)
Lettering
shall be of sufficient size for immediate recognition.
(5)
Displayed
messages shall be simple and static for immediate recognition. Messages
shall be complete in each display cycle and shall not require viewers
to see multiple display cycles to derive its meaning.
(6)
Display
cycles shall change no sooner than every five minutes.
(7)
Transitions
from one message to the next shall be instantaneous with no scrolling,
fading, streaming, flashing or other animated effect.
(8)
Community
Service. All dynamic message display sign owners must notify AMBER
ALERT and Community Service and register its location for use as needed.
(9)
All
property owners utilizing a dynamic message display sign must remove
all exterior promotional banners and sandwich board signs.
The following signs, exactly as herein described, are exempt from the need to secure permits but shall still be subject to the general regulations of § 135-150 hereof:
A.
Holiday decorations. Decorations for a recognized,
officially designated holiday, provided that they do not create a
traffic or fire hazard. The period for such decorations shall not
exceed three months prior to and one month after such holidays.
B.
Official signs. Official and governmental signs, which shall include safety signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, and traffic signs. Such signs may be illuminated subject to § 135-150H hereof.
C.
Owner/address signs. Signs designating the name of
the owner or occupant of a property, the address of such property,
the private ownership of roadways or other property, provided that:
D.
Informational signs. Informational signs, such as
"entrance," "exit," "no parking," "visitor's parking," "no hunting,"
"no trespassing," "keep off the grass," and the like, on the same
lot as the use to which the sign relates, or the prohibition of the
use to which the sign relates, provided that:
E.
Incidental signs. No more than eight incidental signs
may be attached to a store front, window, door or other outside surface
of a given commercial use or business. The subject matter of such
signs shall be restricted to information concerning credit cards,
hours of operation, trading stamps, notices of services or restrictions
or shall pertain to a major service, commodity or facility offered
on the premises. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed
two square feet and is not to be considered in the total area of signs
requiring a permit.
G.
Temporary real estate signs. Temporary real estate
signs advertising the premises upon which they are erected as "for
sale," "sold," "for rent," or "rented," when erected by the landowner,
a broker or other person interested in the sale or rental of such
premises, provided that:
(1)
Such sign is located and maintained within the
property lines of the subject premises and is not greater than one
in number for each street on which the premises has frontage.
(2)
The size of any such sign is not in excess of
four square feet.
(3)
Signs indicating the completion of a transaction,
such as "sold," "rented" or "leased," shall be removed along with
the supporting sign within 10 days of the transaction.
H.
Temporary contractor signs. Temporary signs of contractors,
mechanics, architects, painters, paper hangers and other artisans
for a period not to exceed 30 days, and only when the work is being
performed, provided that the size thereof is not in excess of four
square feet. In the case where such persons work on the premises on
which such signs are erected for a period greater than 30 days, then
a sign permit must be obtained. The sign must be removed within 10
days after the work has been completed or a certificate of occupancy
has been issued.
I.
Temporary window signs. Temporary window signs used
to serve as an accessory sign to the sign associated with the principal
permitted use, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Temporary window signs shall be permitted only
in commercial or business districts or on properties where lawful
nonconforming commercial or business uses occur in other nonresidential
districts.
(2)
The total area of temporary window signs shall
not exceed the lesser of 25% of the total glass area of the window
in which it is or they are placed, or eight square feet.
(3)
A temporary window sign shall only be permitted
to be used for the advertisement of sales or special events and shall
be permitted to be displayed for a period of 30 days or less.
J.
Temporary
political signs. Temporary signs used to announce a political campaign,
ballot issue or question, or the candidacy of a person seeking elected
office provided:
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(1)
Signs
may not be installed sooner than 60 calendar days before the date
of the election (primary and/or general) in which a candidate is seeking
office or the issue is to appear on the ballot.
(2)
Signs
must be removed within 12 calendar days after the date of the election.
(3)
Express
permission of the property owner must be granted prior to the installation
of any temporary political sign.
(4)
Such
sign or display shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(5)
Signs
shall not be illuminated.
The following signs exactly as herein described
under each specific district are permitted provided a sign permit
has been obtained for said sign:
A.
Residential districts. The following signs may be
erected and maintained in the residential districts upon issuance
of a sign permit:
(1)
Business signs for lawful nonconforming uses
which are located in a building other than a residence and which indicate
the name or activity of the occupant of the building, provided that:
(a)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected
for each unit.
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed four square feet
in area.
(c)
A property with frontage on more than one street may erect one sign
along each street frontage, provided that a minimum street frontage
of 150 feet is maintained between signs.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(2)
Signs identifying a school, college, church,
hospital, municipal building, or other such institution or public
service facility, provided that:
(a)
Such sign does not exceed 20 square feet.
(b)
Only one such sign is erected.
(c)
The sign height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed four feet
measured from the finished grade to the highest point of the sign.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(d)
A property with frontage on more than one street may erect one sign
along each street frontage, provided that a minimum street frontage
of 150 feet is maintained between signs.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(3)
Only the following signs shall be illuminated
in the residential districts:
(a)
An identification sign of a physician, dentist,
Magisterial District Judge, hospital, and any such other person or
establishment whose services in an emergency are considered essential
to public health, safety and welfare.
(b)
An identification sign of a school, church,
or other similar permitted use, provided that said sign may be illuminated
only between the hours of dusk and 12:00 midnight, prevailing time.
(c)
Street address identification not to exceed
two square feet in area.
(d)
Signs shall not be internally illuminated or backlighted. Downlighting
shall be used to uniformly illuminate signs.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
B.
B Business Districts. The following signs may be erected
and maintained in business districts upon issuance of a sign permit:
(1)
Any sign permitted in a residential district
which relates to a use permitted in the business district.
(2)
In the case where three or fewer separate businesses
are located on a lot held in single and separate ownership:
(a)
The total area of any permitted sign shall not
exceed 20 square feet in area.
(b)
Not more than one ground or freestanding sign
shall be permitted along each street frontage of the lot, provided
that if the lot's frontage on a street is more than 600 feet and the
Board of Supervisors determines that an additional sign is needed
for safety reasons, the Board may authorize one additional such sign
to be located at least 300 feet from any other ground or freestanding
sign.
(c)
One parallel sign may be located on the building
of each separate business establishment.
(d)
A business established as a group of related
uses aimed at a single market segment shall be considered to be one
business.
(3)
In the case of a group of four or more separate
businesses on a lot held in single and separate ownership, one single
freestanding sign including individual signs identifying different
establishments may be erected on a common backing, provided that:
(4)
In the case of a group of four or more separate businesses on a lot held in single and separate ownership, in addition to the signage authorized by Subsection B(3), each individual business shall be permitted a parallel sign on its building, provided that:
(a)
Each individual parallel sign shall not exceed
20 square feet in area.
(b)
Buildings located on a freestanding pad site
within a development may elect to use multiple parallel signs, up
to four in number, with no more than one sign per facade and a total
area of all parallel signs not exceeding 20 square feet.
(5)
On a lot which contains a single standalone
business or commercial establishment or use (as opposed to multiple
establishments or uses), other than a use such as an automobile service
station, retail store, or the like, two accessory parallel signs may
be erected and maintained, provided that each such sign does not exceed
four square feet in area.
C.
Planned Office Center and Planned Business Center
districts. The following signs may be erected and maintained in the
Planned Office Center and Planned Business Center districts upon issuance
of a sign permit:
(1)
One freestanding sign for every four acres of
tract area designating the name and address of the building or combination
of buildings and identifying the occupants of said building(s), provided
that the area of such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(2)
One sign shall be permitted for each separate
storefront or other separate business located within a group of office,
commercial or other permitted uses on a lot held in single and separate
ownership, provided that:
(3)
All signs in the Planned Office Center and Planned Business Center districts may be illuminated subject to § 135-150H hereof.
(4)
Buildings located on a freestanding pad site
within a development may elect to use multiple parallel signs, up
to four in number, with no more than one sign per facade and a total
area of all parallel signs not exceeding 20 square feet.
D.
Light Industrial District. The following signs may
be erected and maintained in the Light Industrial District upon issuance
of a sign permit:
(1)
Any sign permitted in all other districts which
specifically relates to a permitted use in the Light Industrial District.
(2)
In the case where any other single business
or principal permitted use is operated on a lot held in single and
separate ownership, a sign to display the name of the owner of the
premises and the activity conducted thereon or product produced thereon,
provided that:
(3)
In the case where a group of businesses or principal
permitted uses lawfully exists on a lot held in single and separate
ownership, one single freestanding sign including individual signs
identifying different establishments may be erected on a common backing,
provided that:
(4)
In the case where a group of businesses or permitted
principal uses lawfully exists on a lot held in single and separate
ownership, each individual business or use shall be permitted a sign,
provided that:
(a)
Only parallel signs shall be permitted for each
individual establishment.
(b)
Each individual sign shall not exceed 20 square
feet in area.
(c)
Buildings located on a freestanding pad site
within a development may elect to use multiple parallel signs, up
to four in number, with no more than one sign per facade and a total
area of all parallel signs not exceeding 20 square feet.
E.
Special purpose signs.
(1)
Marquee signs. Marquee signs for theaters, cinemas,
exhibition centers and similar public assembly uses shall be permitted
only upon specific authorization of the Board of Supervisors. Such
signs shall not be legible from through traffic streets, shall not
have letters larger than six inches in height and shall not exceed
six square feet per theater screen or auditorium, up to a maximum
marquee sign of 100 square feet.
(2)
Drive-through service lanes.
(a)
Restaurants. One food menu sign may be placed
on each drive-through automobile access lane at the order-taking location.
Such signs may be illuminated from within during business hours and
are subject to all general regulations of this chapter. The area shall
not exceed 32 square feet.
(b)
Banks. For each service lane equipped with an
automatic teller machine, one identification sign for the name of
the banking service, not to exceed four square feet in area, and one
sign explaining the operation of the machine, not to exceed two square
feet in area, shall be allowed.
(c)
Others. Other business uses desiring signage
for an automobile service lane shall require a special sign permit
from the Board of Supervisors.
(3)
Gasoline service stations are subject to the
same regulations as other business uses, except as indicated below:
(a)
A directory of services offered is allowed,
not to exceed 10 square feet in area, and if placed on or within the
10 feet of the main service building.
(b)
One PA Authorized Inspection Station sign is
allowed, not to exceed one square foot in area.
(c)
Signage on pumps, dispensers, canopies, etc.,
is to be included in the normal signage area allowance. When hardware
or structures with such nonconforming signs are replaced or renewed,
any new hardware or structures shall be subject to this chapter.
F.
Temporary signs. The following temporary signs may
be erected and maintained on-site (i.e., on the premises where the
event or activity to which they relate is to occur), in the zoning
districts indicated:
(1)
Temporary signs announcing a political, public,
educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar event are permitted
in all zoning districts, provided that:
(2)
Temporary promotional signs or displays in Business,
Planned Business Center, Planned Office Center or Light Industrial
districts.
(a)
Temporary promotional signs or displays shall
be permitted for retail sales and service uses for a maximum of seven
consecutive calendar days on not more than four occasions during a
calendar year.
(b)
One such sign or display shall be permitted
for each business use held in separate ownership or tenancy.
(c)
Such sign or display shall not exceed 32 square
feet in area.
(d)
Temporary window signs or displays shall not
exceed a total of 32 square feet or 50% of the window area in any
contiguous group of windows, whichever is less.
(e)
Mobile or movable signs with movable type shall
have enclosed, locked covers to prevent unauthorized access and may
be illuminated only during business hours. Flashing, animated, etc.,
displays are not permitted.
G.
Real estate signs. The following signs may be erected
and maintained in all zoning districts upon issuance of a sign permit:
(1)
Signs advertising the sale or construction of
a subdivision or land development, provided that:
(a)
Not more than one sign is permitted per street
entrance to the subdivision or land development and must be located
on the property to be subdivided or developed.
(b)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 16
square feet in area.
(c)
Such signs shall not be erected until the subdivision
or land development plan has been approved by the Township and recorded.
(2)
Signs naming a subdivision or land development,
provided that:
(3)
Signs advertising a commercial lot, building,
or group of buildings for sale or rent, provided that:
(4)
All signs permitted by Subsection G(1) and (3) above shall be removed when all the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold, or within one year of the date the application for such sign was approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for an additional period of six months upon application to the Code Enforcement Officer, provided that at the time less than 90% of the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold.
(5)
A land development sign is permitted for future
developments prior to construction, subject to a permit and final
approval. The sign is good for a one-year period and must be removed
once the construction is started.
(6)
Temporary real estate directional signs indicating
the location and direction of premises available for, or in the process
of, development, but not erected upon such premises, and having inscribed
thereon the name of the owner, developer, builder or agent, provided
that:
(a)
The size of any such sign shall not be in excess
of two square feet.
(b)
Such signs shall be kept within a radius of
one mile of such development.
(c)
Such signs shall be spaced at locations only
where a change in direction is involved, but no closer than 500 feet
apart unless otherwise approved by the Township Code Enforcement Officer.
(d)
The maximum number of such signs shall be three.
All such signs shall be removed when all the buildings, stores or
lots on the premises have been rented or sold or within six months
from the date on which the sign was erected, whichever occurs first.
Such signs may be permitted for a maximum of two additional six-month
periods upon application to the Code Enforcement Officer, provided
that at the time less than 75% of the buildings, stores or lots on
the premises have been rented or sold.
H.
Flags or banners. Flags are allowed on freestanding
poles not higher than the maximum height for buildings in the Township
or on poles attached to buildings, not to project higher than the
highest part of the building or the maximum height allowed in the
district, whichever is lower. Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, Delaware County, and Chadds Ford Township may be
flown subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
Heights shall meet the requirements spelled
out above.
(2)
The sizes of the flags are not to exceed the
sizes flown at the county seat in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Larger-size flags shall be considered as advertising attractions and
shall not be permitted except as regulated by the temporary sign regulations
in this chapter.
(3)
A maximum of four flags may be flown at one
time.
(4)
Flags or banners, other than the flags of the
United States of America, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of
Delaware, or Chadds Ford Township, with text, emblems, mottos, logos
and the like shall be considered signs and shall be subject to this
chapter. Personal family coats of arms and religious or decorative
flags may be flown in residential districts, and are subject to the
height restrictions above.
(5)
The United States flag flown in the Township
shall be displayed in accordance with the rules of the Second National
Flag Conference adopted by Congress in 1942, as amended. Displays
with the features or likeness of the United States flag which are
not flown in conformance with the requirements of the above act are
regarded as banners and are not permitted.
I.
Canopy
and awning signs.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(1)
One
canopy or awning sign shall be permitted to advertise an individual
business use occupying an individual structure on a single lot. For
uses in combination, such as a shopping center, industrial park or
office park, each use will be permitted one canopy or awning sign
for identification and/or advertising purposes.
(2)
The
total display area of a canopy or awning sign shall not exceed one
square foot for each linear foot of a building or tenant space frontage.
(3)
Signs
shall display only the business name, logo, proprietor, property address,
business telephone number and/or other business contact information.
(4)
Letters,
logo and numerals, not exceeding a height of eight inches shall be
located on the vertical face within 14 inches from the base of the
awning.
(5)
The
minimum clearance between the awning and grade shall be not less than
seven feet.
(6)
All
canopy and awning signs shall have a setback of not less than two
feet from the curbline but may not extend more than five feet from
the building line.
(7)
Illumination of awning signs is subject to the requirements set forth in § 135-150H and approval of the Board of Supervisors.
(8)
A
canopy or awning without lettering or other advertising shall not
be regulated as a sign.
J.
Billboards
and off-premises signs.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 64-S]
(1)
Billboards and off-premises signs shall not be permitted except
within the B-1 and PBC-1 District as a special exception granted by
the Zoning Hearing Board. Any special exception granted shall meet
the following criteria in addition to those set forth in the MPC and
be required to adhere to the following regulations:
(a)
Only one billboard (off-premises sign) may be erected, constructed
or maintained on any property.
(b)
All billboards (off-premises signs) shall be demonstrated to
be oriented toward the road upon which the billboard (off-premises
signs) fronts or faces to cause the least impact upon the neighboring
properties.
(c)
No billboard (off-premises signs) shall obstruct the view of
motorists on adjoining roads, or the view of adjoining commercial
or industrial uses, which depend in any measure upon visibility for
identification.
(d)
Billboards (off-premises signs) shall be stationary. Billboards
(off-premises signs) using digital technology shall produce static
images, which may be changeable via a computer. Billboards (off-premises
signs) shall not scroll, flash, twinkle, feature motion pictures,
moving images, or have mechanical or animated movement.
(e)
Only one advertisement, display, or message may appear on a
billboard (off-premises signs) face at any one time.
(f)
Changes from one advertisement or display, or from one message
to another (cycle) must be an instantaneous transition and may occur
no more frequently than every five minutes.
(g)
An application for a billboard (off-premises sign) greater than
50 square feet shall be accompanied by a site plan and shall meet
all applicable requirements as set forth in the Chadds Ford Township
Zoning Ordinance, as amended.
(h)
An application for a billboard (off-premises sign) greater than
50 square feet shall be accompanied by certification, under seal and
signature by a professional engineer registered in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, that the existence of the billboard (off-premises
sign), as proposed, shall meet all construction standards as set forth
in the Township building codes and shall not present a safety hazard.
(i)
Prior to final approval by the Zoning Hearing Board of any application
for a billboard (off-premises sign) greater than 50 square feet, a
deposit of $25,000, to be put in escrow, is required in the event
that removal of the billboard (off-premises sign) is required. Interest
may be accumulated.
(2)
Billboards (off-premises signs) shall be constructed in accordance
with all applicable Township and state codes. In addition:
(a)
A minimum setback equal to 150% of the height of the billboard
(off-premises sign) shall be provided on all four sides (front, rear
and side yards). The setback area shall be free from all other buildings,
structures and improvements except those demonstrated to be necessary
for the operation, maintenance, or security of the billboard (off-premises
sign).
(b)
The maximum height of the highest point of the billboard (off-premises
sign), including its support structure, shall not exceed 15 feet,
as measured from the base of the sign or grade of the nearest adjacent
roadway, whichever is higher.
(c)
Billboards (off-premise signs) may have no more than one sign
face, which may not exceed 300 square feet. The back of every billboard
sign must be finished and painted a uniform color with the type and
nature of the finishing to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(d)
No billboard (off-premises sign) shall be located within 1,000
feet of any other billboard (off-premises sign) on either the same
or opposite side of the street, as measured between the closest points
of each sign, including the supporting structure. This includes billboards
(off-premises signs) located in other Townships and municipalities.
(e)
No billboard (off-premises sign) shall be located within 500
feet of any street intersection, as measured horizontally in all directions
from the nearest edge of the sign face.
(f)
No billboard (off-premises sign) shall be located within 500
feet of any residential district, as measured horizontally in all
directions from the nearest edge of the sign face.
(g)
No billboard (off-premises sign) shall be constructed within
the clear sight triangle of any public street or commercial driveway
and shall not in any manner obstruct or impede traffic safety, including
ingress and egress.
(h)
A billboard (off-premises sign) sign face shall be independently
supported and have vertical supports of metal which are galvanized
or otherwise treated to prevent rust and corrosion.
(i)
One vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire
sign face to be able to withstand a minimum wind load of 100 miles
per hour, or wind loading as required by the applicable building code,
whichever is more restrictive.
(j)
The entire base of the billboard (off-premises sign) structure
shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes
placed in such a manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.
A landscaping plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the
Code Enforcement Officer prior to the issuance of a building permit.
The owner shall maintain said landscaping in accordance with accepted
conservation practices and shall replace any dead or diseased plants
promptly. Landscaping shall form a base and backdrop to the billboard
(off-premises sign) whenever practical.
(k)
No bare cuts are permitted on a hillside, and all cuts or fills
are to be permanently seeded or planted.
(l)
Illumination of any and all sign faces shall be shielded to prevent the light source from being seen from any direction. Any lighting used for billboards shall be designed to only illuminate the face of the billboards (off-premises signs) and not cast glare onto adjacent properties or in an upward direction, and in accordance with § 135-150H. All illuminated and/or digital billboard (off-premises sign) shall be turned off between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
(3)
Maintenance of billboards (off-premises signs).
(a)
All properties upon which a billboard (off-premises sign) is
erected shall be regularly maintained so as not to create a nuisance
by means of weeds or litter.
(b)
The billboard (off-premises sign) structure shall be entirely
repainted at a minimum of every five years.
(c)
Every three years, the owner of the billboard (off-premises
sign) shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard (off-premises
sign) by a qualified Pennsylvania registered structural engineer and
shall provide to the Township a certificate from the engineer certifying
that the billboard (off-premises sign) is structurally sound.
(d)
Annual inspections for the billboard (off-premises sign) shall
be conducted by the Township Code Enforcement Officer to determine
compliance, and billboards (off-premises sign) found to be in violation
shall be brought into compliance within 30 days of notice or ordered
removed upon proper notification by the Township.
(e)
Any abandoned billboard (off-premises sign) must be removed
within 30 days after notice. If the owner fails to remove an abandoned
billboard (off-premises sign) within 30 days after receipt of notice,
the Township may remove the billboard (off-premises sign) at the owner's
expense.
(f)
The owner of the property on which the billboard (off-premises
sign) is located, as well as the owner of the billboard (off-premises
sign), must acknowledge and agree to abide by the aforementioned rules
and regulations as they pertain to billboards (off-premises signs).
(g)
Any property upon which a billboard (off-premises sign) of 100
square feet or greater shall be subject to reassessment.
(h)
The owner operator of any billboard (off-premises sign) greater
than 100 square feet agrees to occasionally disseminate emergency
alerts and/or public service information.
