[Amended 4-9-1984 by Ord.
No. 1984-1]
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained in the Township shall
conform with the provisions of this article and the provisions of
the Township Building Code[1] and all other applicable ordinances or regulations of
the Township.
In R-1, R-1A, R-2 and R-3 Residence Districts, the following
types of signs and no other shall be permitted:
A.
Official traffic signs, signs of government agencies and any other
signs required by law.
B.
Signs indicating the name and profession of the occupant of a dwelling,
provided that:
(1)
The area on one side of any such sign shall not exceed 200 square
inches.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for each dwelling
unit.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed
or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(4)
The profession is actually practiced on the premises.
(5)
A no-impact home-based business shall not have a sign.
C.
Identification signs, including directory signs and changeable copy
signs for farms, estates, schools, churches, hospitals and buildings
and uses other than dwellings, provided that the same are located
on the premises of such institutions, and provided that:
D.
Integral signs not to exceed two square feet per building.
E.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises
on which such signs are located, provided that:
F.
Signs advertising the development of a premises upon which they are
erected, provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises
or lot.
(3)
No such signs shall be illuminated.
(4)
All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots
on the premises in all the phases of the development.
(5)
No such signs shall be located off the premises of the development.
G.
Trespassing, entrance, exit and parking signs or signs indicating
the private nature of a driveway or property, provided that the area
of one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet. All
such signs must comply with Pennsylvania state statutes for directional
or traffic signage and signs for trespass. Signs not in accordance
with the relevant statute must be removed.
H.
Construction signs, provided that:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected only on the property where such
work is being performed.
(2)
The area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet.
(3)
Such signs shall be displayed visibly where a building is being
erected or altered and shall be removed promptly upon completion of
the work.
I.
Public utility signs required in connection with the identification,
operation or protection of a public utility, provided that the area
of one side of any such sign shall not exceed nine square feet.
J.
Up to two off-site directional signs indicating the location of real
estate advertised for sale may be permitted when all of the following
conditions are met:
(1)
They are located near a street intersection.
(2)
They are located on private property beyond the street right-of-way
and have the affirmative permission of the owner of that property.
Only one sign shall be located on such a property.
(3)
Each sign should not exceed six square feet.
(4)
Each natural person, partnership, corporation, unincorporated
association or other organization or entity which erects such signs
shall be annually registered with the Township and shall pay a registration
fee as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
Registration shall be withheld or suspended for up to 90 days by the
Township where the registrant has violated this section.
A.
In R-4, R-4A, and R-5 Residence Districts, A-O Apartment Office Districts,
and A Apartment Districts, the following types of signs and no other
shall be permitted:
(2)
Signs, including directory and changeable copy relating to any
profession, permitted use or accessory use, conducted in apartment
buildings on the same lot and indicating only the name, profession
or use, provided that:
(a)
The area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square
feet, except that, in the case of a sign announcing two or more professions
or uses conducted on a single lot, the size of each such sign may
be increased one square foot for each additional profession or use,
not to exceed a maximum of six square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected per lot.
(3)
Permanent directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in
area, nor with a total height extending more than two feet above grade,
shall be permitted for the informational needs of the users of the
property.
B.
The form of ownership of a given premises shall not alter the number
of permitted signs under this article.
[Amended 11-14-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-4]
In C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts, I Light Industrial Districts
and SU-1 and SU-2 Special Use Districts, the following types of signs
and no other shall be permitted:
A.
Any sign except those under §§ 172-121J and 172-124, provided that the total sign area of all signs placed on any one premises shall not exceed any of the following requirements:
(1)
Two square feet per linear foot of frontage of all buildings,
up to a maximum of 25 linear feet. ("Frontage," for the purpose of
signage, shall be the side of the building on which the main entrance
to the premises is located.)
(2)
The maximum area of all signs of a single premises in this district shall not exceed 50 square feet, notwithstanding any other provision of the regulations pertaining to signs in this zoning district. In addition to the measurement of signage set forth in § 172-2, Definitions, the total square footage is determined from all items meeting the definition of a sign visible from the exterior of the building and intended for such visual purposes, not to include normal window displays of goods and services.
(3)
All occupants in a building with no direct public entrance from
a parking lot or street shall collectively be permitted one sign which
shall identify all such occupants, said sign not to exceed three square
feet, which shall be placed on the front of the building only.
(4)
All occupants in a building with direct access from a parking
lot or street shall be permitted separate signage not to exceed 25
square feet. Where an individual building exceeds 5,000 square feet,
any lessee with an interest exceeding 2,500 square feet is entitled
to an additional sign.
(5)
With the exception of directional signage, all signage is to
be placed in or on the front of the building.
(6)
Where no building exists, sign area may not exceed one square
foot per linear foot of property frontage measured at the building
setback line or 50 square feet, whichever is less. Such signage may
not be for off-premises advertising use.
(7)
Permanent directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in
area, nor with a total height extending more than two feet above grade,
shall be permitted for the informational needs of the users of the
property.
(8)
Billboard (off-premises advertising sign). Billboards may be
erected in the Light Industrial District of the Township as a principal
use on the property only. Such signs may be no greater than 300 square
feet in size and must be square or rectangular in shape. Such signs
may be no closer than 3,000 feet apart on both sides of the traveled
way. Such signs must be no less than 15 feet to the underside of the
sign and no higher than 35 feet to the top of the signs. No such sign
shall be closer than 3,000 feet from any structure with an historical
designation or any school or public park. A billboard is a principal
use and not an accessory use.
B.
In the case of a "shopping center," defined for the purpose of this
subsection as a group of three or more stores, with direct access
to a parking area or street, all contained on a single premises with
a total building frontage of not less than 150 linear feet or on separate
adjoining premises with a common street frontage which is served by
common street entrances and parking facilities used in common, the
following provisions shall apply:
(1)
Not more than one ground sign advertising and identifying each
shopping center shall be erected for each street upon which the shopping
center has frontage, provided that:
(a)
No such ground sign shall be less than nine feet nor more than
20 feet in height above the grade. The lowest point of any sign must
be at least 8 1/2 feet above grade at the location of the sign.
(b)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(c)
The location and orientation of such sign shall be designated
on a required land development plan.
(2)
Each occupant that has direct public entrance to a parking lot
in a shopping center or street shall be permitted signs as follows:
(3)
All occupants with no direct public entrance to a parking lot
or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all
such occupants collectively, provided that:
(4)
Loading entrances, employee entrances and other accessory entrances
may be marked with one wall sign not exceeding 200 square inches.
This area shall not be included in the total area for permissible
signs.
C.
Except for those uses included under Subsections A(6) and B(3) hereof, banners shall be permitted, provided that all of the following provisions are complied with:
(1)
Each banner shall be secured at all corners and/or in such manner
as it does not freely wave.
(2)
The cumulative area of all banners shall not exceed 25 square
feet.
(3)
No banner shall overhang any parking lot, sidewalk or cartway.
(4)
A separate permit shall be secured from the Township for each
occasion that banners are displayed. The permit fee shall be established
from time to time by resolution. Banner permits for a premises may
be issued no more than four times within a calendar year. The number
of days for which the banners will be erected shall be stated in the
permit application. The sum of days of all permits issued for any
premises during a calendar year shall not exceed 92.
The following signs shall be prohibited:
A.
No sign, other than an official traffic sign or similar sign, shall
be erected within any street right-of-way unless specifically authorized
by other ordinances or regulations of the Township.
B.
No sign shall extend beyond any property or right-of-way line, except
for official signs.
C.
No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and
clear vision on any street, nor shall it interfere with, obstruct
the view of or be confused with any traffic signal, sign or device.
D.
No sign shall exceed more than 20 feet in height above the ground.
E.
No wall or projecting sign shall extend more than 15 inches beyond
the wall on which it is attached. Any such projection shall be not
less than nine feet above grade level.
F.
No roof sign shall be permitted, except on the roof of a one-story
building.
G.
The following types of signs are prohibited:
[Amended 12-27-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-4]
(1)
Signs on curbs or sidewalks; signs painted on exterior walls;
signs painted on, attached to or suspended from any outdoor bench
or chair.
(2)
Sign posters, signs or other advertising materials affixed by
tacking, pasting or otherwise upon utility poles, trees, buildings
(except transit shelters) or fences. However, signs prohibiting hunting,
fishing or trespassing shall be permitted.
(3)
Signs which project or hang over any sidewalk, except marquee
signs and signs under overhanging roofs, provided that no portion
is less than 8 1/2 feet above grade.
(4)
Banners, except as provided elsewhere in this article, spinners,
unshielded light strips, valances or the like.
(5)
Animated signs; signs that revolve, swing or have movable parts
or have or appear to have flashing lights and reflectors; or signs
which are mobile (mounted on or which can be attached to motor vehicles);
and trailer signs.
(6)
Billboard signs, except as provided elsewhere in this article.
A.
All lighting shall be arranged, designed and shielded or directed
so as to protect the adjoining properties and streets from glare.
Reflectors and lights permitted in conjunction with signs shall be
equipped with restraining hoods or shields to concentrate the illumination
upon the area of the sign.
B.
Any sign which violates this article shall be removed within 10 days
after written notification from the Zoning Officer to the property
owner. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the Zoning Officer
is hereby authorized, in addition to any other legal remedy, to cause
removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid
by the owner of the property on which the sign is located, and the
Zoning Officer may proceed as authorized by law to collect any such
expense, plus interest and penalties, on behalf of the Township.
[Amended 12-27-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-4]
C.
Where an occupant in a building with approved signs under § 172-123, other than § 172-123A(6) or B(2), relocates to another location and secures appropriate sign permits for the new location, the occupant may obtain a separate sign permit for 30 days, placed at his old location, announcing the location of the new location, provided that it is a sign of 20 square feet or less complying in all other respects with this article. Where the new location is within the Township and a sign permit is required for the new location, the permit for the old location may be incorporated with the permit for the new location so that only a single permit is required.
F.
Notwithstanding other provisions of this article, freestanding or
ground signs of nonprofit charitable or civic organizations may be
placed in a public right-of-way or on public lands when approved by
the governmental agency having control of the property or right-of-way
and after registration with and approval by the Zoning Officer of
the Township.
A.
Except for signs of the type described in §§ 172-121A, B, D, E, G, H and I and 172-122A(3), no sign may be erected, structurally altered, relocated or enlarged until a permit for the same has been granted by the Zoning Officer to the owner or tenant of the property on which the sign is proposed to be erected, and the permit number shall be recorded by the Zoning Officer in an appropriate register.
B.
Application.
(1)
Application for sign permits shall be on an authorized Township
form and shall contain:
(a)
A detailed scale drawing showing the sign and its size and intended
location.
(b)
A description of its type, construction, manner and method of
installation, illumination, if any, and materials to be used. Where
a sign is to be attached to or mounted on a building, the size and
area of the wall to be used shall be stated in the application.
(2)
Accompanying each application shall be a permit fee.
Every sign existing on the date of enactment of this section
which does not comply with this article, nor is included under Subsection
C hereof, shall be removed or altered in order to comply with this
article. Unless otherwise specified, such removal or alteration shall
be completed by June 1, 1989.
B.
If, on June 1, 1989, only one sign on a premises exceeds the permitted
area requirements of this article but complies in all other respects,
it may be continued after June 1, 1989, by a special exception, provided
that all other signs on the premises are removed and all of the other
general standards pertaining to a special exception are met according
to the discretion of the Zoning Hearing Board.
C.
All signs which do not comply with this article but which were authorized
by special exception prior to the date of this section shall continue
as special exceptions.
