In expansion of, and in addition to, the declaration of legislative intent found in Article I, § 275-2 of this chapter, and the statement of community development objectives found in Article I, § 275-3 of this chapter, it is the intent of this article to:
A.
Recognize that signs perform an important function in identifying
properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters
of interest to the public.
B.
Set standards and provide controls that permit reasonable use of
signs while restricting the potential adverse visual effects of signs
on the character of the Township.
C.
Control the size, number, location, and illumination of signs to
reduce potential hazards caused by glare or obstruction of visibility,
and to reduce visual clutter which results from competition among
signs.
D.
Encourage signs which are attractively designed in order to enhance
the economic value as well as the visual character of the various
parts of the community.
E.
Establish criteria to encourage signs that are compatible with their
surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain,
complimentary to the architecture of the buildings involved, expressive
of the identity of individual proprietors or of an integrated development's
identity, and which are easily readable in the circumstances in which
they are seen.
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any light with one or more beams, capable of being focused
in several directions and rotated or revolved automatically.
A portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending
from grade to the top of the parapet wall, or eaves, and the entire
width of the building elevation.
The entire background area of a sign upon which copy could
be placed. In computing the area of a sign background, only that face,
or faces, which can be seen from any one direction at one time will
be counted.
A directly illuminated sign composed of either: a group of
incandescent bulbs hung or strung overhead or on building structures,
or light bulbs not shaded or hooded or otherwise screened to prevent
direct rays of light from shining on adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
A sign in which a source of light is used in order to make
the message readable. This definition shall include internally and
externally lighted signs.
DIRECT SIGN ILLUMINATIONA sign designed to give forth artificial light directly or through transparent or translucent material from a source of light within the sign, including, but not limited to, neon, and exposed lamp signs.
FLASHING SIGNAn illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and/or color at all times when in use.
INDIRECT SIGN ILLUMINATIONA sign illuminated with a light so shielded that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination occurs. If such shielding device is defective, such sign shall be deemed to be a "directly illuminated sign."
The juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.
The area of a sign shall mean the area of all lettering, wording,
and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background
on which they are displayed (whether such background is open or enclosed),
but excluding any supporting framework and bracing which are solely
incidental to the display itself provided the same do not contain
any lettering, wording, or symbols.
Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs, or symbols
attached to a building, awning, wall, or window, the area shall be
that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters,
designs, and symbols.
Where a sign consists of an identical double-face, only one
side shall be considered in the calculation of area, but if the interior
angle formed by the two faces is greater than 45°, then both sides
of the sign shall be considered in the calculation of area.
The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the
mean grade at the base of sign.
Any structure which supports or is capable of supporting
a sign, whether or not an integral part of a building.
ANIMATED SIGNA sign with action or motion, flashing, or color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners, or novelty items.
BUSINESS SIGNAn on-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry, or other activity which is sold, offered, or conducted, other than incidentally.
CONSTRUCTION SIGNAny sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, architects, and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNIncidental sign designed to guide or direct pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign on which the names and location of the occupants or the use of a building is given, including office building and church directories.
FREESTANDING SIGNA self-supporting sign resting on, or supported by means of poles of standards, either on the ground or on the roof of a building.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity on the same lot where the sign is located.
PARALLEL WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface, but does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roof line or other surface to which it is mounted, and does not project more than one foot from the surface to which it is mounted.
PROJECTING WALL SIGNAny sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface other than a parallel sign, but does not project more than four feet from the surface to which it is mounted, nor project above the wall, roof line, or surface to which it is mounted, nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
REAL ESTATE SIGNAny sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property on which the sign is placed.
REVOLVING SIGNSA sign which revolves 360°.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building, and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease, or other special events on a temporary basis.
TRAILER SIGNAny sign which is erected upon a structure having wheels or rollers facilitating movement from one location to another.
VEHICULAR SIGNAny vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself. An example is an empty tractor trailer with advertising painted on its side, left for an extended period of time in front of the business premises that is advertised on the trailer.
WINDOW SIGNAny sign affixed to or visible through a window.
A.
Permit required. Prior to erecting, affixing, attaching or installing
any sign on or to any building, structure, or property, an application
for use and occupancy permit application must be submitted to the
Building Code Official for review. The application shall include:
(1)
A site plan showing the location of the sign in relation to buildings,
structures, property lines, and public or private rights-of-way. The
width of street frontage(s) at the legal right(s)-of-way on the subject
property shall be shown.
(2)
A drawing of the proposed sign showing the specific dimensions of
all elements of the sign, the specific copy, lettering, words, symbols,
and designs to be displayed, along with a written explanation of any
illumination or unusual feature of the sign.
C.
Prohibited signs. The following types of signs or illumination of
signs is prohibited in the Township:
(1)
Flashing, revolving, non-stationary or animated signs, except time
and temperature signs.
(2)
Festoon lighting or beacon lights.
(3)
Roof signs.
(4)
Trailer signs.
(5)
Illuminated temporary signs.
(6)
Vehicular signs which do not meet the requirements for a freestanding
sign in the district where the vehicle is parked.
(7)
Signs affixed with adhesives.
D.
Prohibition of hazards. Signs shall be so designed and located that
they shall not create a hazard to vehicular traffic by any of the
following:
(1)
Obscuring necessary visibility.
(a)
Sign locations, sizes, types, and colors shall comply with PA
Department of Transportation standards and not conflict with street,
traffic, and/or directional signs.
(2)
Confusion with official street and/or traffic signs.
(3)
Confusion with traffic control devices by reason of color, location,
shape, or other means.
(4)
Creation of motion, glare or excessive brightness which may interfere
with drivers' vision or be unnecessarily distracting.
E.
Public right-of-way. No sign other than official street signs shall
be erected or maintained within the legal right-of-way of any public
road in the Township. No sign projecting over a public walkway shall
be less than eight feet above the walk level at its lower edge.
F.
Location of signs.
(1)
No sign may be located in the side or rear yard or in a required
buffer area adjacent to a zoning district with more restrictive sign
requirements.
(2)
No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking, loading,
walkways, cartways, driveways, or other areas required to be unobstructed.
G.
Removal of signs. A sign shall be found to be in violation of this
chapter, and may be ordered to be removed by the Building Code Official,
under any of the following circumstances:
(1)
The sign has not been maintained in good condition and safe repair,
and has deteriorated to the point of becoming a potential public safety
hazard. The Building Code Official shall specify a period of time
in which the owner of the sign may repair or rehabilitate the sign,
thereby effecting correction of the safety hazard.
(2)
A sign is erected without an approved use and occupancy permit and
does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
H.
Illumination.
(1)
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein, only
to the extent that is necessary to allow them to be seen and read
at night at a distance not to exceed 500 feet for signs of 20 square
feet or more in area, and 150 feet for signs less than 20 square feet
in area.
(2)
Professional sign of a health care practitioner, dentist, clergyman,
Magisterial District Judge, and such other person whose services are
customarily considered essential in an emergency may be illuminated,
provided that the illumination is white light not exceeding the equivalent
of a twenty-five-watt incandescent light source.
I.
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted except as
follows:
(1)
Directional signs. Businesses not situated on Route 63, Route 29,
Upper Ridge Road, or the Geryville Pike may, with the written consent
of the owner of the affected property and as a special exception granted
by the Zoning Hearing Board, locate a directional sign at the nearest
intersection of one of those four major Township roads. Such sign
may not exceed 10 square feet in sign area, and may display no more
than the name of the subject business and its location, direction,
and distance.
(2)
Political signs. Temporary nonilluminated signs advertising political
parties or candidates for elections, provided that the sign area does
not exceed four square feet. Such signs shall not be displayed more
than 30 days prior to an election and must be removed no later than
seven days following the election.
(3)
Special event signs. Temporary nonilluminated signs directing attention
to temporary exhibits, shows, or special events of a noncommercial
nature, provided the sign area does not exceed 15 square feet. Such
signs shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to the advertised
event and must be removed no later than seven days following the event.
(4)
Service signs. Nonilluminated signs directing patrons, members, or
an audience to service clubs, churches, or other nonprofit organizations,
provided the area of such signs does not exceed four square feet.
Such signs shall indicate only the name or the organization, and the
place, date and time of meetings.
(5)
Official signs. Memorial or historical markers, official signs directing
traffic, signs identifying communities and street names, legal notices
and warnings, and other official signs authorized or erected by appropriate
governmental authorities.
The following provisions shall apply to all uses in residential
districts and to residential uses in nonresidential districts:
A.
Permitted on-premises signs.
(1)
Real estate signs.
(a)
Individual properties. Nonilluminated on-premises real estate
signs, provided the sign area does not exceed six square feet, and
not more than two signs are placed upon any property in single and
separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one
street, in which event not more than two such signs may be erected
on each frontage.
(b)
Small developments. Nonilluminated on-premises sign advertising
sale or rental of dwelling units in a development or subdivision of
up to 10 dwelling units, provided that the sign area shall not exceed
15 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall
be erected within any such development.
(c)
Large developments. Nonilluminated on-premises sign advertising
sale or rental of dwelling units in a development or subdivision of
more than 10 dwelling units, provided that the sign area shall not
exceed 30 square feet, and provided that not more than two such signs
shall be erected within any such subdivision.
(2)
Directional signs. On-premises directional signs, provided that the
area of any such sign shall not exceed three square feet.
(3)
Private property signs. Nonilluminated, on-premises "No Trespassing"
signs, "No Hunting" signs, and other similar signs indicating private
ownership of roadways or other property, provided that the sign area
shall not exceed two square feet and shall be spaced at intervals
of not less than 100 feet.
(4)
Construction signs. Temporary, nonilluminated, on-premises construction
signs, provided:
(5)
Business signs.
(a)
Home occupations. Nonilluminated, on-premises signs identifying
and advertising bed-and-breakfasts, rooming houses, and home occupations,
provided that the sign area shall not exceed six square feet, and
provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any
one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
(b)
Businesses in residential districts. On-premises business signs
for commercial, industrial, professional, and office uses in residential
zoning districts, provided that the sign area shall not exceed 20
square feet and no more than one such sign is erected on any one property
in single and separate ownership.
(c)
Roadside stand sign. Nonilluminated on-premises sign advertising
the sale of agricultural products at a roadside stand, provided that
the sign area shall not exceed eight square feet, and provided that
not more than one such sign shall be placed on any one street frontage
of any property in single and separate ownership.
(6)
Signs for residential complexes and institutional uses.
(a)
On-premises sign for a school, camp, church, health care facility,
health care service, private club, or other institution of a similar
nature, displaying the name of the institution and its activities
or services, provided that the sign area shall not exceed 15 square
feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected
on any street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
Said sign shall be set back at least one-third the distance of any
required yard from any property line or street line.
(b)
Permanent signs which identify the name of a subdivision or
land development shall be permitted in compliance with the following:
[1]
One freestanding sign may be located at each intersection of
the development's streets with primary or secondary streets, the area
of each sign not to exceed six square feet in area.
[2]
One freestanding sign may be located at one main entrance to
the development, not to exceed 30 square feet in area, or two signs
not exceeding 15 square feet each.
B.
Height. The maximum height limit for any sign permitted in residential
districts shall be six feet.
The following provisions shall apply to all nonresidential uses
in nonresidential districts:
A.
Permitted on-premises signs.
(1)
Single-occupancy business signs. Properties in single and separate
ownership, with a single business premises, may have a sign or signs
within the following limits on sign area:
(a)
Twenty square feet of sign area for a business where the road
frontage of the property (in single and separate ownership) upon which
it is located is up to 40 feet.
(b)
The sign area may be increased by one square foot for every
three additional feet of building frontage in excess of 40 feet.
(c)
The total maximum sign area shall not exceed 40 square feet.
(d)
In order to encourage users to provide the community with an
attractive, unified outdoor advertising scheme, it is further provided
that if the user chooses to mount a parallel sign(s) or awning sign(s),
rather than freestanding or projecting sign, the maximum allowable
sign area (calculated above) may be increased by 20%.
(2)
Multiple-occupancy business signs. Properties in single and separate
ownership, with multiple businesses, tenants, or franchise premises,
may have a sign or signs in accordance with the following:
(a)
Each multiple-occupancy property may have a single freestanding
sign which identifies the business or commercial center as a whole,
and/or which is a directory sign for the establishments on the property,
with a maximum sign area of 40 square feet.
(b)
In addition, each individual business on the property may have
a parallel or awning sign of no more than 20 square feet in sign area.
(3)
Real estate signs. Nonilluminated on-premises sign no larger than
10 square feet in sign area. One such sign per road frontage is permitted.
(4)
Construction signs. Temporary, nonilluminated construction signs
shall not exceed 15 square feet in sign area, and shall be removed
upon completion of the work. No more than one sign per contractor
performing work on a property shall be permitted.
B.
Height. The maximum height of signs in nonresidential districts shall
be:
