[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Upper
Moreland Township as Title 3, Ch. 3, of the 1977 Code.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This chapter was adopted 9-8-1959 by Ord. No.
394 and amended 12-30-1977; reenacted 1-13-1992 by Ord. No. 1273;
and amended by Ord. No. 969; 1-5-1987 by Ord. No. 1122; 9-6-1988 by
Ord. No. 1165; and 6-3-1991 by Ord. No. 1253.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights,
or other objects, or placed on any public property or in the public
right-of-way or on any private property without the permission of
the property owner (also known as a "snipe sign").
[Added 4-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1729]
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix,
and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the
message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs
or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part
of the sign proper.
Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature
of 1200° F. and will not continue to burn or glow at the temperature,
except as approved by Underwriters' Laboratories.
As used in this chapter, shall mean any marquee, canopy,
awning or street clock as further defined herein.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
Includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof
sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, marquee,
and street clock, and shall include any announcement, declaration,
demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise
or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed out
of doors in view of the general public.
The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing
and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain within the Township of Upper Moreland any sign or other advertising structure, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining an erection permit from the Building Inspector and making payment of the fee required by § 263-7 hereof.
Application for erection permits shall be made upon blanks provided
by the Building Inspector and shall contain or have attached thereto
the following information:
A.
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
B.
Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the
sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected.
C.
Position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to
nearby buildings or structures.
D.
Two blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications and
method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground.
E.
Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing the structure is designed
for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required
by this and all other laws and ordinances of the Township of Upper
Moreland.
F.
Name of person, firm, corporation or association erecting structure.
G.
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land to
which or on which the structure is to be erected or his authorized
agent.
H.
Any electrical permit required and issued for said sign.
J.
Such other information as the Building Inspector shall require to
show full compliance with this and all other laws and ordinances of
the Township.
Any sign or other advertising structure which is internally
illuminated or in which electrical wiring and connections are to be
used shall conform to the provisions of the National Electrical Code
currently in effect in the Township.[1]
It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector, upon the filing
of an application for an erection permit, to examine such plans and
specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed
to erect the sign or other advertising structure, and if it shall
appear that the proposed structure is in compliance with all the requirements
of this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the Township
of Upper Moreland, he shall then issue the erection permit. If the
work authorized under an erection permit has not been completed within
six months after the date of issuance, the said permit shall become
null and void.
A.
Every applicant for a permit referred to herein shall, before a permit
is granted, present to the Building Inspector the following insurance
certificate in a form satisfactory to the Township: public liability
in the amount of $25,000, $50,000; property damage, $5,000.
B.
Every applicant for a permit referred to herein shall, before the
permit is granted, file with the Building Inspector a continuing bond
in the penal sum of $1,000, executed by the applicant and a surety
company to be approved by the Township Manager and conditioned for
the faithful observance of the provisions of this chapter and all
amendments thereto and of all laws and ordinances relating to signs
and other advertising structures, and which shall indemnify and save
harmless the Township of Upper Moreland from any and all damages,
judgments, costs or expenses which the said Township may incur or
suffer by reason of the granting of said permit.
C.
Any person lawfully maintaining a sign or other advertising structure
regulated by this chapter at the time of the enactment of this chapter
shall, within 30 days after said enactment, comply with all the provisions
set forth in this section. A liability insurance policy issued by
an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Pennsylvania,
conforming to this section, may be permitted in lieu of a bond.
Every applicant, before being granted a permit hereunder, shall pay to the Township a permit fee as set forth in Chapter 140, Fees, Rates and Permits, of the Upper Moreland Township Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Sec. 1.08, which immediately followed
this section, was deleted 6-3-1991 by Ord. No. 1253.
All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this
chapter, or any amendment thereto, are mere licenses revocable for
cause or violation of this chapter at any time by the Township of
Upper Moreland, and all such permits shall contain this provision.
Every permit issued hereunder shall be renewed on or before January
1 of each year.
If the Building Inspector shall find that any sign or other
advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or is
a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being
maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall
give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails
to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards
herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign or other
advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Building
Inspector at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property
upon which it is located. The Building Inspector shall refuse to issue
a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed.
The Building Inspector may cause any sign or other advertising structure
which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily
and without notice.
Every sign or other advertising structure hereafter erected
shall have painted in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not
less than one inch in height, the date of erection and the permit
number.
The owner of any sign, as defined and regulated by this chapter,
shall be required to have properly painted at least once every two
years all parts and supports of the said sign, unless the same are
galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
A.
For the purpose of determining wind pressures, all signs shall be
classified as either open or solid. Signs in which the projected area
exposed to wind consists of 70% or more of the gross area as determined
by the overall dimensions shall be classed as solid signs; those in
which the projected exposed area is derived from open letters, figures,
strips, and structural framing members, the aggregate total area of
which is less than 70% of the gross area so determined, shall be classed
as open signs.
B.
All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure
applied to the projected exposed area, allowing for wind in any direction,
in accordance with the following table:
|
Wind Pressure
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pounds
(per square foot)
| |||
|
Height from Ground to Top of Sign
(in feet)
|
Solid Signs
|
Open Signs
| |
|
Less than 50
|
25
|
35
| |
|
50 to 99
|
30
|
42
| |
|
100 to 199
|
35
|
49
| |
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises
a bona fide business conducted or a product sold shall be taken down
and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use
of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found within
10 days after written notification from the Building Inspector, and
upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified
in such order, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause
removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid
by the owner of the building or structure to which the sign is attached.
The provisions and regulations of this chapter shall not apply to the following signs; provided, however, said signs shall be subject to the provisions of § 263-9.
A.
Real estate signs not exceeding nine square feet in area, which advertise
the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are
located only.
B.
Professional nameplates not exceeding one square foot in area.
C.
Signs painted on the exterior surface of a building or structure
shall not be permitted.
D.
Bulletin boards not over 25 square feet in area for public, charitable
or religious institutions, when the same are located on the premises
of said institutions.
E.
Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor, when
placed upon work under construction, and not exceeding 16 square feet
in area.
F.
Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant
in a commercial building, public institutional building or dwelling
house, and not exceeding two square feet in area.
G.
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection
when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or
other incombustible materials.
H.
Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing
signs, danger, and such temporary, emergency or nonadvertising signs
as may be approved by the Board of Commissioners.
No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent
free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign
of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
No sign or other advertising structure, as regulated by this
chapter, shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such
a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where,
by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with,
obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign,
signal or device or which makes use of the words "stop," "look," "drive
in," "danger" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such
manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
All signs or other advertising structures which are constructed
on street lines, or within five feet thereof, shall have a smooth
surface and no nails, tacks or wires shall be permitted to protrude
therefrom, except electrical reflectors and devices which may extend
over the top and in front of the advertising structures.
Gooseneck reflectors and lights shall be permitted on ground
signs, roof signs, and wall signs; provided, however, the reflectors
shall be provided with proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination
upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or
adjacent property.
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain any sign which
extends over public property which is wholly or partially illuminated
by floodlights or spotlights.
It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign
or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
A.
Definition. Ground signs, as regulated by this chapter, shall include
any sign supported by uprights or braces placed upon the ground and
not attached to any building.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. All ground signs for which a permit is required
under this chapter shall have a surface or facing of incombustible
material; provided, however, that combustible structural trim may
be used thereon.
(2)
Letters, etc., to be secured. All letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign, shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure and shall comply with all requirements in § 263-18.
C.
Location.
(1)
Height limitation. Except by special exception of the Zoning Hearing
Board, it shall be unlawful to erect any ground sign whose total height
is greater than 20 feet above the level of the street upon which the
sign faces or above the adjoining ground level, if such ground level
is above the street level.
(2)
Space between sign and ground and other signs and structures. Ground
signs shall have an open space not less than two feet between the
base line of said sign and the ground level. This open space may be
filled in with a platform or decorative lattice work which does not
close off more than 1/2 of any square footage of such open space.
No ground sign shall be nearer than two feet to any other sign, building
or structure nor have a surface or facing exceeding 200 square feet.
(3)
Setback line. No ground sign shall be nearer the street than the
building line established by law.
D.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. All ground signs shall be securely
built, constructed and erected upon posts and standards sunk at least
three feet below the natural surface of the ground and shall be supported
and braced by timbers or metal rods in the rear thereof, extending
from the top thereof to a point in the ground at least a distance
equal to 1/2 the height of such sign, measured along the ground, from
the posts or standards upon which the same is erected.
(2)
Supports, etc., to be creosoted. All posts, anchors and bracing of
wood shall be treated to protect them from moisture by creosoting
or other approved methods when they rest upon or enter into the ground.
E.
Premises to be kept free of weeds, etc. All ground signs and the
premises surrounding the same shall be maintained by the owner thereof
in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, and free and clear
of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
A.
Definition. Wall signs, as regulated by this chapter, shall include
all flat signs of solid face construction which are placed against
a building or other structure and attached to the exterior front,
rear or side wall of any building or other structure.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. All wall signs for which a permit is required
under this chapter shall have a surface or facing of incombustible
material; provided, however, that combustible structural trim may
be used thereon.
C.
Location.
(1)
Limitation on placement and area. Except by special exception of
the Zoning Hearing Board, no wall sign shall cover, wholly or partially,
any wall opening, nor project beyond the ends or top of the wall to
which it is attached, and any one wall sign shall not exceed an area
of 25% of the frontal area on which the sign is affixed.
(2)
Projection above sidewalk and setback line. No wall sign shall be
permitted to extend more than six inches beyond the building line
and shall not be attached to a wall at a height of less than 10 feet
above the sidewalk or ground.
(3)
Obstructions to door, windows or fire escapes. No wall sign shall
be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress
to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
D.
Erection.
(1)
Supports and attachment. All wall signs shall be safely and securely
attached to the building wall by means of noncorrosive metal anchors,
bolts or expansion screws of not less than 3/8 inch in diameter embedded
in said wall at least five inches; provided, however, that such signs
may rest in or be bolted to strong, heavy metal brackets or saddles
set not over six feet apart, each of which shall be securely fixed
to the wall as hereinbefore provided. In no case shall any wall sign
be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails.
A.
Definition. Roof signs, as regulated by this chapter, shall mean
any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the
roof of any building with the principal support on the roof structure.
Roof signs shall be permitted only by a special exception of the Zoning
Hearing Board.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. Every roof sign, including the upright supports
and braces thereof, shall be constructed entirely of incombustible
materials; provided, however, that combustible structural trim may
be used thereon.
C.
Location.
(1)
Height and area limitations. No roof sign shall have a surface or
facing exceeding 25% of the frontal area, nor have its highest point
extended more than 20 feet above the roof level.
(2)
Setback from roof edge. No roof sign shall be erected or maintained
with the face thereof nearer than five feet to the outside wall toward
which the sign faces.
(3)
Space between sign and roof. All roof signs shall have a space at
least five feet in height between the base of the sign and the roof
level and have at least five feet of clearance between the vertical
supports thereof.
D.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Every roof sign shall be thoroughly
secured to the building by noncorrosive iron or other metal anchors,
bolts, supports, rods or braces. When erected upon buildings which
are not constructed entirely of fireproof material, the bearing plates
of said sign shall bear directly upon masonry walls and intermediate
steel columns in the building. No roof sign shall be supported or
anchored to the wooden framework of a building.
A.
Definitions.
(1)
Projecting signs, as regulated by this chapter, shall include any
sign which is attached to a building or other structure and extends
beyond the line of said building or structure or beyond the surface
of that portion of the building or structure to which it is attached.
All projecting signs shall be illuminated signs, as defined by this
chapter.
(2)
"Horizontal projecting sign" means any sign which is greater in width
than in height.
(3)
"Vertical projecting sign" means any sign which is greater in height
than in width.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Every projecting sign, including the frames, braces and supports
thereof, shall be designed by a structural engineer or manufacturer;
and shall be approved by the Building Inspector as in compliance with
the Building Code of the Township of Upper Moreland and by the Electrical
Inspector as in compliance with the Electrical Code of the Underwriters'
Laboratories; shall be constructed of incombustible materials; shall
be illuminated; and shall be two-faced.
(2)
Illumination. The reflectors shall be provided with the proper glass
lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign and
preventing glare upon the street or adjacent property, and no floodlight
or spotlight nor reflectors of the gooseneck-type shall be permitted
on projecting signs.
(3)
Limitation of glass. The lettering or advertising designs to be illuminated
may be composed of glass or other transparent or semitransparent incombustible
material. Any glass forming a part of any sign shall be safety glass
or plate glass at least one-fourth-inch thick, and in case any single
piece or pane of glass has an area exceeding three square feet, it
shall be wired glass. One section, not exceeding three square feet
in area, constructed of wire glass or safety glass, shall be permitted
on each side of a sign.
(4)
Movable parts to be secured. Any movable part of a projecting sign,
such as the cover of a service opening, shall be securely fastened
by chains or hinges.
(6)
Thickness limitation. The distance measured between the principal
faces of any projecting sign shall not exceed 18 inches.
C.
Location.
(1)
Projection over public property. Every projecting sign shall be placed
at least 10 feet above the public sidewalk over which it is erected
and a distance not greater than two feet from the face of the wall
to which it is attached, measuring from the point of sign nearest
thereto, nor shall any sign or part thereof extend nearer the curbline
than one foot. Every projecting sign erected over public driveways,
alleys and thoroughfares shall be placed not less than 15 feet above
the level of same.
D.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Projecting signs exceeding 10 square feet in area or 50 pounds in weight shall not be attached to nor supported by frame buildings nor the wooden framework of a building. Said signs shall be attached to masonry walls with galvanized expansion bolts at least 3/8 inch in diameter and shall be fixed in the wall by means of bolts extending through the wall, shall contain proper-size metal washer or plate on the inside of the wall, and shall comply with § 263-12 hereof.
(2)
Anchorage with wire, etc., prohibited. No projecting sign shall be
secured with wire, strips of wood or nails, nor shall any projecting
sign be hung or secured to any other sign.
E.
V-shaped signs prohibited. V-shaped signs, consisting of two single-faced
signs erected without a roof or ceiling, shall not be permitted.
F.
Illumination at night required. Every projecting sign shall be illuminated
between sunset and 12:00 midnight every night, Monday through Saturday,
on each side thereof, by at least five watts per square foot of sign
surface, but in no case less than 60 watts for each sign surface.
A.
Definitions. Temporary signs, as regulated by this chapter, shall
include any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display
constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or
other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed
for a short period of time only.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Materials and area limitations. No temporary sign of combustible
material shall exceed four feet in one of its dimensions or 100 square
feet in area, provided such signs in excess of 60 square feet shall
be made of rigid materials, that is, of wallboard or other light materials
with frames.
(2)
Weight limitation. Every temporary sign weighing in excess of 50
pounds must be approved by the Building Inspector of the Township
of Upper Moreland.
C.
Location.
(1)
Projection from wall and over public property. No temporary sign
shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or other public
thoroughfare a distance greater than four inches from the wall upon
which it is erected and shall not be placed or project over any wall
opening.
(2)
Obstruction to doors, windows and fire escapes. No temporary sign
shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any
door, window or fire escape, nor shall such sign be attached to any
standpipe or fire escape.
D.
Erection.
(1)
Anchorage and support. Every temporary sign shall be attached to
the wall with wire or steel cables, and no strings, ropes or wood
slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be permitted.
E.
Duration of permits. Except as provided in Chapter 350, Zoning, Article XXIV, § 350-179B(1)(e), permits for temporary signs shall authorize the erection of said signs and their maintenance for a period not exceeding 30 days. Applicants desiring to maintain a temporary sign for a longer period must make application before the initial thirty-day period has expired.
F.
Advertising permitted. Except as hereinafter provided, the advertisement
contained on any temporary sign shall pertain only to the business,
industry or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which such
sign is erected or maintained.
(1)
This subsection shall not apply to political or other temporary signs in § 350-179B(1)(e) of Chapter 350, Article XXIV.
(2)
This subsection shall not apply to temporary signs of a civic or
religious nature or to temporary signs to advertise yard and garage
sales, provided not more than four signs are erected.
G.
Bond or insurance requirements. Except as provided in Chapter 350, Article XXIV, § 350-179B(1)(e), bond or insurance requirements on temporary signs shall be as provided in § 263-6.
A.
Definition. Marquees, as regulated by this chapter, shall include
any hood or awning of permanent construction projecting from the wall
of a building above an entrance and extending over a thoroughfare.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. All marquees, including the anchors, bolts, supports,
rods and braces thereof, shall be constructed of incombustible materials,
shall be designed by a structural engineer and approved by the Building
Inspector as in compliance with the Building Code of the Township
of Upper Moreland and by the Underwriters' Laboratories as in compliance
with the Electrical Code, and shall be illuminated.
(2)
Drainage. The roofs of all marquees shall be properly guttered and
connected by downspouts to a sewer so that the water therefrom will
not drip or flow onto public property.
(3)
Roof use, glass or transparent substance. The roofs of all marquees
shall be used for no other purpose than to form and constitute a roof,
and at least 25% of the area of the roof of every marquee shall be
of glass or other incombustible transparent substance.
C.
Location.
(1)
Height above sidewalk. No portion of a marquee shall be less than
10 feet above the level of the sidewalk or other public thoroughfare.
(2)
Setback from curbline. No marquee shall be permitted to extend beyond
a point one foot inside the curbline.
(3)
Width. No marquee shall be wider than the entrance or entrances of
the building, plus five feet on each side thereof; provided, however,
that where the entrances to a building are not more than 20 feet apart
a marquee may be made a continuous single structure between said entrances.
D.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Marquees shall be supported solely
by the building to which they are attached, and no columns or posts
shall be permitted as support therefor.
(2)
Roof live load requirement. The roof of any marquee, except glass area required, shall be designed and constructed to support a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot. The wind pressure requirements shall be those stated in § 263-12.
(3)
Anchorage to wood structure prohibited. No marquee shall be erected
on any building of wood-frame construction unless attached to the
masonry, concrete or steel supports of the building.
E.
Signs attached to marquee. Signs attached to or hung from a marquee
shall be completely within the borderline of the marquee's outer edge
and shall in no instance be lower than 10 feet above the sidewalk
or public thoroughfare. No sign or advertising material shall exceed
five feet in height exclusive of the name of the establishment exhibiting
such marquee. No advertising material shall be placed upon the roof
of any marquee.
F.
Illumination required. Every marquee projecting over public property
shall be illuminated by at least 16 candlepower of illumination for
each 50 square feet or fraction thereof of area from sunset to 12:00
midnight every night, Monday through Saturday of each week.
A.
Definition. Street clock, as regulated by this chapter, shall mean
any timepiece erected upon a standard sidewalk or on the exterior
of any building or structure for the convenience of the public and
placed and maintained by some person for the purpose of advertising
his or her place of business.
B.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. All street clocks, as herein defined, shall be
constructed of incombustible material, including the frames, braces
and supports thereof.
(2)
Regulation of size of dial. The dial of such clocks shall be not
less than 30 inches nor more than 40 inches in diameter.
(3)
Requirements on glass. Any glass forming a part of a clock or the
sign thereon shall be safety glass or plate glass at least one-fourth-inch
thick, and in case any single piece or pane of glass has an area exceeding
three square feet, it shall be constructed of wired glass securely
held in place.
(4)
Movable parts to be secured. Any movable part of a street clock,
that is, a cover or service opening, shall be securely fastened by
metal hinges.
C.
Location.
(1)
Clocks erected on walls. Clocks supported on the corner of any building
or structure at the intersection of two streets shall not be less
than 15 feet or more than 20 feet above the sidewalk and shall not
project from the face or wall of the building or structure in any
direction more than five feet.
(2)
Clocks erected on sidewalk. Every clock erected on the sidewalk shall
be supported upon a post of ornamental design, the total height of
which shall be not less than 15 feet; shall be not more than 20 inches
from the outer edge of the curb; and shall be at least 20 feet from
the point of intersection of the lines of any street measured parallel
with the street.
E.
Limitation on permits, clocks on sidewalks. Any person erecting a
street clock on any public sidewalk shall obtain the special written
permission of the Zoning Hearing Board in addition to all other permits
required hereunder.
F.
Limitation on permits, general. No person shall be permitted to erect
more than one street clock, as herein defined, for any place of business
at any one location.
G.
Advertising permitted. Only the name of the owner, proprietor or
manager of the place of business at any one location, erecting and
maintaining such clock, shall be permitted as advertising matter on
said clock.
H.
Must keep accurate time. Such clock shall keep accurate time, and
if this condition is not complied with, the clock shall be promptly
repaired or removed.
A.
Construction methods required for plastic signs. Flat materials may
be used where the smallest dimension of a continuous plastic sign
face area is less than 30 inches and not greater.
B.
Where the smallest area is 18 inches or less, one-eighth-inch-thick
approved plastic material may be used.
C.
Where the area is greater than 18 inches but not greater than 30
inches, flat approved plastic material may be used if the thickness
is three-sixteenths-inch or greater.
D.
Where the plastic face area of a sign is greater than 30 inches at
the smallest dimension, formed or corrugated plastic must be used
for rigidity.
E.
In all area over 48 inches wide at the smallest dimension, the material
must be corrugated a minimum of three-sixteenths-inch thick.
F.
In areas where the continuous plastic sign face is over 60 inches,
only individual coffers, modular panes or Plexiglas® channels
may be used. These channels may not have a surface or face area in
width greater than 30 inches and must have returns a minimum of 1 1/2
inches.
G.
These channels must be supported and mounted on continuous metal
mounting studs, the entire length of the channel being an approved
method as outlined in manuals supplied by Plexiglas® manufacturer.
H.
All plastic signs must have air holes in the bottom of the sign body,
one square inch for every 15 cubic feet of area on the interior of
the sign body.
I.
These holes must be covered with a noncorrosive small mesh screen.
J.
All plastic signs employing a track-type construction must have a
track of a noncorrosive material of 24 gauge or heavier and not less
than 1 1/2 inch in depth around the entire perimeter of the plastic
face or sign display area. The plastic to be contained within the
track 1 1/4 inches. In the event individual letters are used,
they are not to be attached with adhesive materials but with noncorrosive
studs to a depth of 3/4 inch in masonry or one inch thick in wood
or combustible materials. A minimum of three such fasteners to be
used per piece or section.
K.
Signs constructed which do not coincide with these specifications
must be planned and approved by a registered engineer in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
Every sign or other advertising structure in lawful existence on adoption of this chapter which violates or does not conform to the provisions hereof shall be maintained but shall not be repaired, altered or replaced unless it is made to comply with the provisions of this chapter. The requirements of § 263-6 shall be complied with in all cases.
The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to
revoke any permit issued by him upon failure of the holder thereof
to comply with any provision of this chapter.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall
be deemed guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof,
shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or punished
by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding five days, or by
both such fine and imprisonment. Each day such violation is committed
or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall
be punishable as such hereunder.
