The following regulations and restrictions shall
apply to all signs erected in all zoning districts of this Township.
A. Permits and exemption.
(1)
It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct,
enlarge, alter, move, or convert any sign in Darlington Township or
cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit, if
required, for each sign from the Township Zoning Officer.
(2)
Applications for a sign permit shall be made,
in writing, to the Township Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied
by such information as may be required to assure compliance with these
regulations and all other appropriate ordinances and regulations of
Darlington Township.
(3)
The following signs do not require a sign permit:
(a)
Any sign with a gross surface area of four square
feet or less;
(b)
Official traffic signs erected by the commonwealth,
Beaver County or Darlington Township;
(c)
Temporary signs, including but not limited to
real estate, no trespassing, artisan, seasonal or special activities
or contractors' signs which are six feet or less in gross surface
area.
B. Signs within public rights-of-ways.
(1)
No sign shall be constructed, erected, or so
located that any portion of the sign structure projects over or is
placed within the right-of-way lines of any public highway or street
except for official traffic signs or for street or road signs as required
and erected by local, state, and/or federal governmental agencies
or authorities.
(2)
Street or road signs as required and erected
by local, state, and/or federal governmental agencies or authorities
are permitted at a height of not less than seven feet above the top
level of established or proposed curb. Such signs may have a reflective
surface. Signs guiding or controlling traffic movement may be permitted
at a height to exceed seven feet above adjacent grade level and may
be illuminated if such is judged to be appropriate and necessary by
the governmental agency or authority responsible for the erection
and maintenance of said signs.
(3)
Any sign which does not comply with the provisions
of this article shall constitute a public nuisance in addition to
being in and of itself a violation of this chapter.
C. Sign location and construction.
(1)
All signs shall be a minimum of 10 feet from
the abutting public road or street right-of-way or four feet inside
public sidewalk and the clear sight triangle must be maintained.
(2)
No permanent sign shall be erected, placed,
or constructed in any zoning district on a movable base, sled, trailer,
vehicle, or any other portable device. Temporary signs shall be erected
and maintained in accordance with the appropriate provisions of this
article.
D. Sign lighting.
(1)
Signs that flash, rotate, oscillate or move
shall not be permitted. Digital signs are not included in this reference.
(2)
Any sign other than official governmental traffic
control signs using the words "stop," "look," "listen," "slow," "danger,"
or any other words, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner
as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic shall be prohibited.
(3)
A sign may be illuminated according to the provisions
of this article. The illumination is confined to or directed to the
surface of the sign.
(4)
All illumination shall be by diffuse or indirect
light.
(5)
All lighting shall be so arranged as to reflect
the light away from adjoining premises and public right-of-way.
(6)
No artificial light or reflecting device shall
be used where such will interfere with, compete for attention with,
or may be mistaken for a traffic signal.
(7)
No illumination utilizing red, green, or yellow
lights, or a combination thereof, shall be utilized if such sign interferes
with the effective visibility of any adjacent traffic signal or if
such sign is located adjacent to a roadway where such illumination
might give the appearance or impression of a traffic signal.
Billboards or advertising sign boards may be
erected and maintained in commercial, manufacturing, and industrial
districts. All such signs shall be controlled by the Outdoor Advertising
Actand Highway Beautification Act if erected contiguous to
a commonwealth or federal right-of-way.