[Ord. No. 840,
§ 1, 9-8-1980; Ord. No. 1048, § 5, 11-29-1990; Ord. No. 1293, § 8, 6-15-1999; Ord. No. 1382, §§ 3-4, 8-12-2002; Ord. No. 1568, § 2, 4-9-2012]
In all residential districts, the following signs shall be permitted,
and no other:
A.
Official street and traffic signs, and any signs required by law.
B.
Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs on the
same lot with and indicating the name, profession or activity of the
occupant of a dwelling; provided, that the area of any one side of
any such sign shall not exceed on hundred twenty-five (125) square
inches, and provided that not more than one (1) such sign shall be
erected for each dwelling.
C.
Sign for a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution
of a similar nature, on the same lot therewith, for the purpose of
displaying the name of the institution and its activities or services;
provided, that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed
fifteen (15) square feet; and provided, that not more than one (1)
such sign shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property
in single and separate ownership.
D.
Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways
or other property, on the same premises therewith; provided, that
the total area for every one hundred fifty (150) feet of any one street
frontage of any property in single and separate ownership shall not
exceed four (4) square feet.
E.
Temporary real estate signs as follows:
1.
For advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which the
sign is erected, provided that the total sign area on any one street
frontage of any property in single and separate ownership shall not
exceed five (5) square feet per side.
2.
For advertising the sale or development of homes on the premises
upon which the sign is erected within a subdivision the recorded plot
of which contains less than ten (10) lots; provided, that the area
of any one side of such sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square
feet; and provided, that not more than one such sign shall be erected
within any such subdivision.
3.
For advertising the sale or development of homes on the premises
upon which the sign is erected within a subdivision the recorded plot
of which contains ten (10) or more lots; provided, that the area of
any one side of any such sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) square
feet; and provided, that not more than two (2) such signs shall be
erected within any such subdivision.
4.
Directional signs to real estate developments within the township
being sold by a subdivider or developer in connection with a recorded
subdivision plan but not the resale of existing dwellings are permitted;
provided, that such signs are set back fifteen (15) feet behind a
curb; the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed four
(4) square feet; such signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less
than five hundred (500) feet of street frontage; such signs shall
be removed within thirty (30) days after the sale of all lots within
the subdivision; and, provided further, that the subdivider or developer
pay a fee for each direction sign established by resolution by council
from time to time.
F.
Signs in connection with the identification, operation or protection
of any public utility or municipal activity on the same lot therewith;
provided, that the total sign area on any one street frontage of any
property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed eight (8)
square feet.
G.
For any lawful nonconforming use of a commercial or industrial nature,
signs on the same lot therewith indicating the name of the owner or
occupant and the product sold or services or activities performed
on the promises; provided, that the requirements for the district
in which such use would be permitted are fully complied with.
H.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans
erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed
during the period in which such work is being performed, provided
that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed five
(5) square feet, that not more than one such sign shall be erected
on any property in single and separate ownership, and that such sign
shall be removed upon completion of the work.
I.
Not more than one entrance sign at the entrance to a subdivision
or townhouse development; provided, that the area on any one side
of such sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet.
1.
When there is more than one entrance to a subdivision or townhouse
development in a MUV Mixed-Use Village Residential development, additional
entrance signs identifying the community, not to exceed twelve (12)
square feet at each additional entrance, may be authorized as a conditional
use by Township Council.
[Ord. No. 601,
§ 2, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 735, § 1, 12-29-1975; Ord. No. 793, § 1, 8-13-1978; Ord. No. 840, § 1, 9-8-1980; Ord. No. 1355, § 6, 9-10-2001; Ord.
No. 1497, § 1, 4-14-2008; Ord. No. 1527, § 1, 9-14-2009; Ord.
No. 1552, §§ 1, 2, 3-14-2011; Ord. No. 1574, § 1, 10-8-2012]
A.
In Residential Special, Office-Laboratory, Commercial, Limited Commercial,
Shopping Center, High Rise and Open Space Recreation districts the
following signs shall be permitted, and no others:
(1)
Any sign permitted in any residential district, provided the use
to which it refers is permitted in residential special, office-laboratory,
commercial, limited commercial, shopping center, high rise or open
space recreation district.
(2)
Signs in connection with tourist homes, apartment houses or roominghouses
on the same lot therewith, provided that the area of any one side
of such sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet, except by special
exception, 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.
(3)
Signs within a display window shall not be considered a part of the
permitted sign area unless such signs area self-illuminating, in which
case the area thereof shall be considered a part of the permitted
sign area.
(4)
Roof signs shall not be permitted.
(5)
Sign area shall be defined, in all instances, as the total area of
all permitted signs and in the case of double-faced signs, sign area
shall be the combined area of both sides of such signs.
B.
Signs in connection with apartment houses or rooming houses, on the
same lot therewith, provided that the area of any one side of such
sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet, except by special exception,
and provided that not more than one (1) such sign shall be erected
on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate
ownership.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1665, 12-14-2020]
C.
In commercial districts, the following signs shall be permitted and
no others on the lot as the use which it refers:
(1)
The total sign area on any one street frontage of a property in single
and separate ownership involving a single business use shall not exceed
sixty-five (65) square feet.
(2)
The total sign area on any one street frontage on any property in
single and separate ownership involving two (2) or more business uses
on the property shall be permitted one sign not exceeding forty (40)
square feet for each store or business on the property, but in no
event shall the total sign area on any lot exceed one hundred twenty
(120) square feet of sign area.
(3)
A sign of larger size may be authorized as a special exception by
the zoning hearing board on lots with a street frontage in excess
of one hundred ten (110) feet as follows:
(a)
When there is a single business use, by allowing one square
foot of sign area for every two (2) feet of street frontage in excess
of one hundred (100) feet, but in no event shall the total sign area
on any lot exceed one hundred thirty-five (135) square feet.
(b)
When there are two (2) or more business uses on the property,
by allowing one square foot of sign area for each foot of street frontage
in excess of one hundred (100) feet, but in no event shall the sign
area for any one business use exceed sixty-five (65) square feet nor
shall the total sign area on any lot exceed one hundred ninety-five
(195) square feet.
(4)
When not attached to a building, a sign shall not exceed twenty (20)
feet in height in Commercial Districts or fifteen (15) feet in height
in Limited Commercial Districts. When attached to a building, no sign
may exceed the height of the building to which it is attached.
[Ord. No. 1600, § 2, 5-11-2015]
D.
Shopping
center districts.
1.
Shopping centers containing fewer than five (5) contiguous acres.
There shall be permitted one sign indicating the name of the shopping
center on any one street frontage, provided that the location and
orientation of such sign shall be designated upon the required development
plan; and, provided further, that the total sign area shall not exceed
one hundred fifty (150) square feet on each of not more than two faces.
Additionally, signs will be permitted for individual establishments
located within the shopping center, with each individual establishment
permitted one sign not exceeding forty (40) square feet for each store
frontage of twenty (20) feet, to a maximum of one hundred twenty (120)
square feet per separate business. When not attached to a building,
a sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.
2.
Shopping centers containing between five and 50 acres.
(a)
Street entrance signs.
(1)
One (1) entrance sign per street frontage but in no event more
than two (2) per center displaying the name of the shopping center,
developer, owner or operator, and building tenants shall be permitted;
provided that the following regulations are met:
[a]
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed
three hundred fifty (350) square feet on any one face.
[b]
The maximum height shall not exceed forty (40) feet.
[c]
The sign shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the
existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public
roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established
by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang
any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five
(5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight
triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(b)
For anchor tenants. Wall signs equal to the maximum of ten percent
(10%) of each customer entrance wall but not greater than two hundred
(200) square feet of total signage per wall, whichever is smaller.
For purposes of this section, an anchor tenant shall be a tenant having
at least twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet gross floor area
and having direct outdoor entrances.
(c)
For other tenants having fewer than twenty-five thousand (25,000)
square feet and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer use,
and for individual freestanding uses and buildings: two square feet
of sign area for each linear foot of front building wall to a maximum
of 120 square feet per individual tenant.
(d)
Directory signs. Signs for the direction of traffic to or identification
of individual buildings or tenants having at least fifteen thousand
(15,000) square feet of gross floor area and paving direct outdoor
entrance(s) for customer use within the development shall be permitted,
provided that the following regulations are met.
(1)
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed
twenty-five (25) square feet on any one face.
(2)
The maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet, except that
the height may be increased to twelve (12) feet, provided that the
lowest edge of the sign is a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade.
(3)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the
curbline or edge of paving of any public or private drive or collector
drive, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading
edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking
area, public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway or be installed in
sight triangle necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(4)
Any directory sign may identify only the development's sub-area
name, building number, building name and/or manor tenant, along with
a directional arrow and/or turning message such as "left turn ahead."
(5)
The total number of directory signs shall be subject to the
review and approval of Township Council.
(e)
Traffic-control and directional signs. Signs for the control
of vehicular traffic shall be permitted, provided that the area of
the sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet on any one face. Excerpt
for street signs approved for use on public roads by the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation, no sign shall exceed three (3) feet
in height.
(f)
Calculation of sign size. For signs permitted under this subsection,
sign area shall be calculated in accordance with Section 1602.2G of
this ordinance.
(g)
Changeable-copy signs;
(1)
Changeable-copy signs shall be allowed only when part of the
street entrance signs permitted by Section 1601.D.2(a). A maximum
of two changeable-copy signs shall be permitted per center.
(2)
Total sign area shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square
feet on any one face.
(3)
The sign area for the changeable-copy signs shall be included
in the calculation of the maximum surface display area as set forth
in Subsection 2(a)(1)[a] above.
(4)
The maximum height shall not exceed ten (10) feet.
(5)
Illumination shall be internal LED (light-emitting diodes) or
plasma style or similar illuminance and subject to the following:
[a]
Static images only.
[b]
Frequency of image change- no greater frequency than one (1)
time per sixty (60) seconds.
[c]
Time taken to change image- instantly.
[d]
White or light background at one time-fifty percent (50%) maximum.
[e]
Municipal and community service messages shall be permitted
as may be directed by Plymouth Township council, up to fifteen percent
(15%) of the time period that the sign is illuminated.
3.
Shopping centers containing fifty (50) or more contiguous acres.
(a)
Street entrance signs.
(1)
One (1) entrance sign at each driveway displaying the name of
the shopping center, developer, owner or operator, but not building
tenants, shall be permitted, provided, that the following regulations
are met:
[a]
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed
one hundred twenty (120) square feet on any one face.
[b]
The maximum height shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet.
[c]
The sign shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from
the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public
roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established
by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang
any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five
(5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight
triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(2)
In addition to the above, one (1) street sign displaying the
name of the shopping center, developer, owner or operator, but not
building tenants, shall be permitted at not more than one (1) location,
provided, that the following regulations are met:
[a]
The maximum sign area shall not exceed four hundred eighty (480)
square feet on any one face and may be internally illuminated.
[b]
The maximum height shall not exceed fifty (50) feet. For signs
having a height of greater than thirty-five (35) feet, then no more
than one-third (33 1/3%) of the area of the sign shall extend
above an elevation of thirty-five (35) feet above ground level.
[c]
The sign shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from
the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public
roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established
by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang
any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five
(5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight
triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(b)
Building entrance signs: which shall be limited to only the
name of the shopping center shall be permitted within one hundred
fifty (150) feet of a main building entrance, provided that the following
regulations are met:
(1)
There shall be no more than two (2) signs at any one building
entrance with a combined total maximum surface display area for such
signs not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
(2)
The maximum height of the sign above ground elevation shall
be six (6) feet if ground mounted or twenty (20) feet if placed on
a building wall.
(3)
Signs shall be either attached to an ornamental base, such as
a stone wall or a fence, or attached to the building wall of the shopping
center.
(4)
Signs which are not attached to the building wall of a shopping
center shall be located not more than seventy-five (75) feet from
a building wall of the shopping center.
(c)
For anchor tenants: Wall signs equal to the maximum of ten percent
(10%) of each building wall but not greater than four hundred (400)
square feet of total signage per wall, whichever is smaller. For purposes
of this section, an anchor tenant shall be a tenant having at least
sixty thousand (60,000) square feet gross floor area and having direct
outdoor entrance(s) for customer use.
(d)
For other tenants having less than sixty thousand (60,000) square
feet gross floor area and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer
use, and individual freestanding uses and buildings: wall signs equal
to the maximum of fifteen percent (15%) of the wall area of tenant's
longest building wall but not greater than three hundred (300) square
feet of total signage per tenant, whichever is smaller, provided that
no individual sign shall exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
(e)
Directory signs: Signs for the direction of traffic to or identification
of individual buildings or tenants having at least 20,000 square feet
gross floor area and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer
use within the development shall be permitted, provided that the following
regulations are met:
(1)
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed
twenty-five (25) square feet on any one face.
(2)
The maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet, except that
the height may be increased to twelve (12) feet, provided that the
lowest edge of the sign is a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade.
(3)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the
curbline or edge of paving of any public or private drive or collector
drive, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading
edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking
area, public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway or be installed in
sight triangle necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(4)
Any directory sign may identify only the development's sub-area
name, building number, building name and/or major tenant, along with
a directional arrow and/or turning message such as "left turn ahead."
(5)
The total number of directory signs shall be subject to the
review and approval of the Township Council.
(f)
Traffic-control and directional signs: Signs for the control
of vehicular traffic shall be permitted, provided that the area of
the sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet on any one face. Except
for street signs approved for use on public roads by the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation, no sign shall exceed three (3) feet
in height.
(g)
Calculation of sign size: For signs permitted under this subsection,
sign area shall be calculated in accordance with Section 1602.2.G
of this Ordinance.
(h)
Changeable-copy signs:
(1)
One (1) per street frontage but in no event more than two (2)
per center.
(2)
Total sign area shall not exceed two hundred eighty (280) square
feet on any one face. The portion of the sign which consists of changeable-copy
including changeable background shall not exceed one hundred seventy
(170) square feet on any one face. The balance of the sign area not
used for changeable copy shall be limited to permanent images only.
(3)
The maximum height shall not exceed twenty-one (21) feet.
(4)
Illumination shall be internal LED, light emitting diodes, or
plasma style or similar illuminance and subject to the following:
[a]
Static images only.
[b]
Frequency of image change. No greater frequency than one (1)
time per sixty (60) seconds.
[c]
Time taken to change image: instantly.
[d]
White or light background at one time: fifty percent (50%) maximum.
[e]
Municipal and community service messages shall be permitted
as may be directed by Plymouth Township Council, up to fifteen percent
(15%) of the time period that the sign is illuminated.
[f]
There shall be no audio messaging or noise permitted.
(5)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from
the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public
roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established
by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang
any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five
(5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight
triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
E.
Signs within a display window shall not be considered a part of the
permitted sign area, provided that such signs shall be limited to
twenty-five (25) percent of the total glazed area visible from the
street or forty (40) square feet, whichever is less.
F.
In Shopping Center, Commercial, Limited Commercial, and Office Laboratory
Districts, roof signs shall not be permitted.
G.
Sign area shall be defined, in all instances, as the total area of
all permitted signs and in the case of double-faced signs, sign area
shall be the combined area of both sides of such signs.
[Ord. No. 379,
§ 9, 11-13-1961; Ord. No. 601, § 3, 11-9-1970; Ord.
No. 793, § 1, 3-13-1978; Ord. No. 1133, §§ 12,
13, 9-27-1993; Ord. No. 1382, § 5, 8-12-2002; Ord. No. 1493, § 2, 3-10-2008]
In the Campus Industrial, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial
and Heavy Industrial Districts, the following signs shall be permitted,
and no other:
A.
Any sign permitted in any other district, provided that the use to
which it refers is permitted in the Campus Industrial, Industrial
Park, Limited Industrial or Heavy Industrial Districts.
B.
In Campus Industrial and Industrial Park Districts there shall be
permitted a sign to display the name of the owner or the occupant
of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot
therewith. The total sign area of all signs located on the lot shall
be as follows:
1.
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is one
thousand (1,000) feet or less, the total sign area shall not exceed
one square foot for each one lineal foot of street frontage, or one
hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less, provided that
such a sign shall not be larger than ten (10) feet in height and shall
not be larger than thirty (30) feet in length unless a sign of a larger
size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board
after a public hearing.
2.
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is in excess
of one thousand (1,000) feet, the sign area may be increased by one
square foot for each one lineal foot of street frontage owned or occupied
or an additional one hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is
less, for each one thousand (1,000) lineal feet in excess of one thousand
(1,000) feet, provided that such sign shall not be larger than ten
(10) feet in height and shall not be larger than thirty (30) feet
in length unless a sign of a larger size is authorized as a special
exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing.
C.
In Industrial Park Districts, in addition to signs permitted for
individual establishments, there shall be permitted one sign indicating
the name of the Industrial Park, which will be the only sign permitted
within the Industrial Park, provided that such sign shall not be larger
than ten (10) feet in height, thirty (30) feet in length and fifteen
(15) square feet in area unless a sign of a larger size is authorized
as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public
hearing. The location and orientation of such sign shall be approved
by the Zoning Officer of Plymouth Township.
D.
In Limited Industrial and Heavy Industrial Districts there shall
be permitted a sign to display the name of the owner or the occupant
of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot
therewith. The maximum height of any permitted sign when not attached
to a building shall be thirty-five (35) feet and when mounted on a
building roof, the maximum height of any permitted sign shall be twelve
(12) feet above the main roof level of the building on which the sign
is erected. The total sign area of all signs located on the lot shall
be as follows:
1.
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is one
thousand (1,000) feet or less, the total sign area shall not exceed
two (2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage, or
three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, unless a sign
of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning
Hearing Board after a public hearing.
2.
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is in excess
of one thousand (1,000) feet, the sign area may be increased by two
(2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage or an
additional three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, for
each one thousand (1,000) lineal feet in excess of one thousand (1,000)
feet unless a sign of larger size is authorized as a special exception
by the Zoning Hearing Board after public hearing.
E.
In Campus Industrial and Industrial Park Districts the maximum height
of any permitted sign when not attached to a building shall be twenty-five
(25) feet and roof signs shall not be permitted in such districts.
F.
A business or commercial use permitted in Campus Industrial, Industrial
Park, Limited Industrial, Heavy Industrial, or Resource Recovery Districts
shall be regulated by the sign regulations of Section 1601C.
[Ord. No. 892,
§ 1, 2-14-1983; Ord. No. 1493, § 2, 3-10-2008]
In the Planned Office Park District, signs shall be permitted
subject to the following regulations:
A.
Office park identification signs displaying only the names of the
office park, developer, owner or operator, but not building tenants,
shall be permitted on any street frontage in excess of 500 feet subject
to the following regulations:
1.
Along any road except limited access highways, the total sign area
shall not exceed 100 square feet on each face, provided that such
sign shall not be greater than 35 feet in height and shall not be
greater than 20 feet in length. Where the office park is located at
the corner of two roads (not including limited access roads), the
sign area permitted along both roads may be combined and the sign
may be placed at the corner, provided it shall not exceed 35 feet
in height and shall not be more than 35 feet in length.
2.
When the office park abuts a limited access highway, an office park
identification sign shall be permitted along street frontage, provided
that such sign is primarily oriented toward that road and visible
only incidentally from other roads, and further provided the sign
may be double-faced and does not exceed 200 square feet on either
face.
B.
Entry signs displaying the name of the office park and tenants shall
be permitted subject to the following regulations:
C.
Wall-mounted signs shall be permitted on any wall of a building subject
to the following regulations:
1.
Wall-mounted signs shall be installed parallel to the supporting
wall and project no more than 18 inches from the face of such wall
and shall not extend above the roof line of such building.
2.
The maximum display area shall not exceed two square feet per lineal
foot of length of wall on which it is mounted or a maximum of 200
square feet, whichever is less, and to a maximum of 400 square feet
per building.
3.
One sign per building wall identifying the name of the building or
a principal user of the building shall be permitted above the first
floor level. Signs identifying other users within the building are
permitted only at the first floor level.
E.
Directional signs identifying the location of buildings or individual
uses within the office park shall be permitted subject to the following
regulations:
F.
Flags of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Plymouth Township and corporate flags of the office park or its tenants
shall be permitted.
[Ord. No. 1019, § 6(A), 11-13-1989; Ord. No. 1268, § 1, 8-17-1998; Ord.
No. 1320, §§ 8 and 9, 4-10-2000; Ord. No. 1353, §§ 1 and 2, 6-11-2001; Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 9-14-2009; Ord.
No. 1534, §§ 1 and 2, 11-9-2009]
In any Mixed Use Planned Development or Business Park District,
signs shall be permitted to display the name of the owner or the occupant
of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot
therewith, subject to the following regulations:
A.
Entrance Signs: Entrance signs displaying the name of the mixed use
development, developer, owner or operator, and building tenants, shall
be permitted at the intersection of an entrance drive and a public
right-of-way or two (2) public rights-of-way, provided that the following
regulations are met:
1.
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed one
hundred fifty (150) square feet on any one (1) face.
2.
The maximum height shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet.
3.
The sign shall be setback a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from
the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public
roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established
by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang
any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five
(5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight
triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
4.
In no event shall more than four (4) entrance signs per mixed use
planned development be permitted.
B.
Wall Signs: Signs mounted on the walls or facades of a building shall
be permitted, provided that the follow regulations are met:
1.
Wall signs for enclosed shopping centers. Enclosed shopping centers
shall be permitted only the following wall signs:
a.
Signs identifying entrances to the shopping center shall be
permitted; provided, that each sign shall not exceed 50 square feet
in surface display area, except that one such sign not exceeding 100
square feet shall be permitted at the main entrance to the shopping
center. Entrance signs shall be excluded from the calculation of the
total sign square footage permitted per building wall.
b.
Signs identifying anchor tenants shall be permitted provided
that the measurement of building wall area shall only include the
space occupied by the anchor tenant; provided, that the total surface
display area of signs on any one building wall shall not exceed 300
square feet.
c.
Signs identifying service entrance doors for individual tenants
shall have a surface display area no greater than one square foot.
2.
Wall signs for all other uses. In a one-story building, the total
surface display area of all wall signs on any one building facade
shall not exceed 10% of the total facade area of the wall to which
it (they) is (are) attached or 400 square feet, whichever is smaller.
In a building having more than one story, only one sign per building
wall with a surface display area not to exceed 10% of the total facade
area of the wall, or 300 square feet, whichever is smaller, identifying
the name of the building, the name of the development, owner, operator
or principal user of the building shall be permitted above the first
floor level. Such identification signage may be located either above
or below the first floor level, but not in both locations. Signs identifying
other users within the building are permitted only below the first
floor level, but in no event shall the total square footage of all
signs on any one building wall exceed 10% of the total facade area
of the wall or 400 square feet, whichever is smaller. For purpose
of this subsection, the first floor level shall mean the horizontal
plane or line between the first and second floor or story of a building
or structure. In a building having 300,000 square feet or more of
floor area, the total surface display area of all wall signs on any
one building facade shall not exceed six (6) percent of the total
facade area of the wall to which it (they) is (are) attached.
3.
Additional permitted wall signs for hotels. Uses located in and an
integral part of any hotel shall be permitted one wall sign not to
exceed 20 square feet of surface display area; provided, that the
use has a separate and distinct entrance from the main entrance to
the hotel, provided that the total surface display area shall not
exceed that permitted in Section 1602.2.B.2. above.
4.
Wall sign installation. Wall signs shall be installed parallel to
the supporting wall and project no more than 18 inches from the face
of such wall and shall not extend above the roof line of such building.
Chimneys, spires, towers, elevator penthouses and similar projections
shall be considered above the roof line of buildings.
C.
Parking Structure Signs: No exterior signs identifying or advertising
the name of the building, the name of the development, owner, operator
or principal user of the building shall be permitted on any parking
structure, excepting directional signs for traffic control.
D.
Directory Signs: Signs for the direction of traffic to or identification
of individual buildings within the development shall be permitted,
provided that the following regulations are met:
1.
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed twenty
(20) square feet on any one (1) face.
2.
The maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet, except that the
height may be increased to twelve (12) feet, provided that the lowest
edge of the sign is a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade.
3.
The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the curbline
or edge of paving of any public or private drive or collector drive,
measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of
the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, public
right-of-way or pedestrian walkway or be installed in sight triangles
necessary for the clear view of traffic.
4.
Any directory sign may identify only the development's sub-area name,
building number, building name and/or building tenants.
5.
Directory signs shall not be visible from a public street.
6.
The total number of directory signs shall be subject to the review
and approval of the Township Council.
E.
Traffic-Control and Directional Signs: Signs for the control of vehicular
traffic shall be permitted; provided, that the area of the sign shall
not exceed four square feet in size. Except for street signs approved
for use on public roads by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,
no sign shall exceed three feet in height.
F.
Flags: Flags of the United States of America, other sovereign nations,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Plymouth Township
and the corporate flags of the owner or its tenants shall be permitted;
provided that the total number and location of such flags shall be
subject to the review and approval of the Township Council.
G.
Calculation of Sign Size: For the purposes of this section, "surface
display area" of a sign shall mean the area expressed in square feet,
within a maximum of three contiguous rectangles enclosing the extreme
limits of writing, representations, emblems or figures of a similar
character, together with all material or color forming an integral
part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background
against which it is placed, provided that:
1.
The supports, uprights, or structure on which any sign is supported
shall not be included in determining the surface display area unless
such supports, upright or structure is designed in such a manner as
to form an integral background of the display or conveys meaning;
and
2.
The areas of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination
on walls of any structure shall be counted as part of the total allowable
sign area (see illustration).
 |
H.
Illumination of Signs: The illumination of signs shall be subject
to the provisions of Section 1604 of this article, provided during
the time when at least one (1) use in a building to which said sign
or signs are attached or associated is open to the public, such sign
or signs permitted under this subsection may be illuminated.
I.
Changeable-copy signs.
1.
One (1) per street frontage but in no event more than two (2) per
center.
2.
Sign area shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.
3.
The maximum height shall not exceed twelve (12) feet.
4.
Illumination shall be internal LED, light emitting diodes, or plasma
style or similar illuminance and subject to the following:
a.
Static images only.
b.
Frequency of image change: two (2) times/hour.
c.
Time taken to change image: instantly.
d.
White or light background at one time: fifty percent (50%) maximum.
e.
Municipal and community service messages shall be permitted
as may be directed by Plymouth Township Council, up to fifteen percent
(15%) of the time period that the sign is illuminated.
[Ord. No. 1382, § 6, 8-12-2002; Ord. No. 1493, § 2, 3-10-2008]
In the Resource Recovery District, there shall be permitted
a sign to display the name of the owner or the occupant of the premises
and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot therewith. The
maximum height of any permitted sign when not attached to a building
shall be thirty-five (35) feet and when mounted on a building roof,
the maximum height of any permitted sign shall be twelve (12) feet
above the main roof level of the building on which the sign is erected.
The total sign area of all signs located on the lot shall be as follows:
A.
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is one
thousand (1,000) feet or less, the total sign area shall not exceed
two (2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage, or
three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, unless a sign
of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning
Hearing Board after a public hearing.
B.
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is in excess
of one thousand (1,000) feet, the sign area may be increased by two
(2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage or an
additional three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, for
each one thousand (1,000) lineal feet in excess of one thousand (1,000)
feet unless a sign of larger size is authorized as a special exception
by the Zoning Hearing Board after public hearing.
[Ord. 1558, § 4, 8-8-2011]
A.
Any sign permitted in any residential district, provided the use
to which it refers is permitted by the regulations for mid-rise apartment
developments.
B.
Signs advertising the initial development of the apartment project
and/or the sale or rental of units within the apartment project, provided
that the sign shall not exceed 35 square feet in area on any one face
or 8 feet in overall height, and provided that not more than one such
sign shall be permitted per street frontage.
C.
Two identification signs shall be permitted at each entrance to the
development.
(1)
The area of any one side of any entrance sign shall not exceed
25 square feet for the main entrance to the development.
(2)
The area of any one side of any entrance sign shall not exceed
15 square feet for any secondary entrances to the development.
(3)
The overall height of any permitted entrance sign shall not
exceed 10 feet.
(4)
Entrance signs shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the
existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public
roadway, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading
edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking
area, driveway, or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than 5 feet to
a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary
for the clear view of traffic.
D.
Building entrance signs limited to the name and/or number of the
building shall be permitted within the general area of the building
entrance; such signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in area, and
when not attached to the building may not exceed 6 feet in height.
E.
Directory signs for the direction of traffic to or identification
of individual buildings within the development shall be permitted,
providing the maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed
12 square feet on any one face, and the maximum height shall not exceed
5 feet. Such signs shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from the
curbline or edge of paving.
F.
Roof signs shall not be permitted.
[Ord. No. 601,
§ 4, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 793, § 1, 3-13-1978; Ord.
No. 1019, § 6(B), 11-13-1989; Ord. No. 1320, §§ 10 and 11, 4-10-2000; Ord. No. 1355, § 7, 9-10-2001; Ord.
No. 1382, §§ 7-9, 8-12-2002]
In all districts, the following general sign regulations shall
apply:
A.
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic
on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official
street signs or signals, by virtue of position or color.
B.
No sign other than official street signs, shall be erected or maintained
within the street right-of-way line and in no case closer than 15
feet to the curbline.
C.
No sign shall project over a public walkway or public right-of-way
nor shall any sign extend beyond any property line.
D.
All signs exposed to public view, together with all of their supports,
braces, guys, and anchors, shall be constructed or durable materials
and shall be kept in repair.
E.
A lawful nonconforming sign shall not be changed, modified, reconstructed
or changed in overall dimensions except so as to make such sign conform
to the provisions of this ordinance. However, a nonconforming sign
may be repaired or repainted if the same wording, design and format
is used.
F.
When computing a sign area, both faces of a double-faced sign shall
be counted and a total thereof shall not exceed the maximum permissible
under this ordinance, except as otherwise permitted by this article.
G.
All signs or devices must be stationary and may not move, rotate,
oscillate, vibrate, shimmer, wave, flap, animate or have flashing
lights or reflectors. The functioning parts of clocks, barber poles,
thermometers or barometers are not prohibited hereby and are permissible.
H.
The stringing of light bulbs, advertising signs, banners, pennants
or spinners is prohibited except that the Zoning Hearing Board may
permit as a special exception the use of such items for a period of
not more than 30 days in any one calendar year.
I.
The erection, maintenance or use of curb, sidewalk and balloon signs
is prohibited.
J.
Temporary signs advertising an event of public interest such as fairs,
social events, nonpartisan election notices, and the like may be erected
on a thirty-day nonrenewable permit in any zone upon approval of the
Zoning Officer. Approval of the Zoning Officer shall be given after
determining that such sign shall be placed in such a position that
it will not cause danger to traffic on a street by obstructing the
view.
K.
No sign or other device shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire
escape or any window, door or opening used as a means of egress or
for fighting purposes or so as to prevent free passage from one part
of a roof to any other part thereof. No sign shall be attached in
any form, shape or manner to a fire escape or be so placed as to interfere
with an opening used or intended to be used for ventilation.
L.
When this ordinance provides that a use of a more restrictive classification
is also a permitted use in a less restrictive classification, the
sign regulations governing the more restrictive classification shall
be complied with by such restrictive classification.
M.
Unless otherwise provided in this ordinance, the sign area shall
mean the area expressed in square feet within one (1) rectangle enclosing
the extreme limits of writing, representations, emblems or figures
of a similar character, together with all material or color forming
an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign
from the background against which it is placed; provided that:
1.
The supports, uprights or structure on which any sign is supported
shall not be included in determining the surface display area unless
such supports, uprights or structure is designed in such a manner
as to form an integral background of the display or contains meaning.
2.
The areas of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination
on walls of any structure shall be counted as part of the total allowable
sign area.
N.
The areas of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination
on walls of any structure shall be counted as part of the total allowable
sign area.
O.
Signs within a display window shall not be considered a part of the
permitted sign area, provided that such signs shall be limited to
twenty-five (25) percent of the total glazed area visible from the
street or forty (40) square feet, whichever is less.
P.
Except in a residential zoning district, a temporary real estate
sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which the
sign is erected shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet per side
on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate
ownership.
Q.
In all nonresidential districts, temporary signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans erected and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed during the period in which such
work is being performed, provided that the area of any one side of
any such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet, that not more
than one such sign shall be erected on any property in single and
separate ownership, and that such sign shall be removed upon completion
of the work.
R.
There shall not be more than two (2) directional signs per street
frontage and directional signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet
per side. A directional sign shall not contain the name of the business
or describe any products of the business conducted on the premises.
S.
For properties subject to review and approval of the Historic Architectural
Review Board (HARB), all freestanding signs shall be constructed as
monument signs and may not exceed ten (10) feet in height.
[Ord. No. 1600, § 3, 5-11-2015]
[Ord. No. 601,
§ 5, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 793, §§ 1,
2, 3-13-1978]
A.
In all Residential Districts, the following permitted signs may be
illuminated and no other:
1.
Professional sign of a physician, dentist, justice of the peace,
and such other person whose services in emergency are customarily
considered essential to the public health, safety and welfare, provided
that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that
the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent
of that given by a twenty-five-watt incandescent light source.
2.
Sign of a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution
of similar nature, or municipal building, provided that the illumination
is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination
for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by
a sixty-watt incandescent light source.
B.
In High Rise Districts, Commercial Districts, Shopping Center Districts,
Office Laboratory Districts, Campus Industrial Districts, Industrial
Park Districts, Limited Industrial and Heavy Industrial Districts
any permitted sign, building, structure or use may be illuminated.
C.
Any permitted illumination of signs, buildings or structures in any
district shall be subject to the following locations:
1.
All outside lighting, including sign lighting, shall be arranged,
designed, shielded, directed and maintained so as to protect an adjoining
property or street from direct glare so that the light does not constitute
a nuisance to an adjoining property or a hazardous condition on a
street.
2.
No outside illumination by bare bulb shall be permitted and floodlighting
shall be so shielded that the source of the light shall not be visible
from any point off the lot on which the sign, building, structure
or area being illuminated is erected. Lights permitted in conjunction
with signs shall be equipped with restraining hoods to concentrate
the illumination upon the area of the sign and to prevent glare upon
a street or adjoining property.
3.
Illuminated signs or devices must be stationary and constant in intensity
and color at all times when such sign is in use. No open spark or
flame may be used for sign or display purposes.
4.
No sign shall be illuminated by any type of illumination, whether
internal or external, before 7:00 a.m. local time not later than 11:00
p.m. local time or one-half hour after the time at which the premises
is closed to the public, whichever is later, except when authorized
as a special exception by the zoning hearing board in any case where,
in its judgment, such illumination is necessary for public safety
and the protection of property.
5.
No electrical equipment or apparatus of any kind which causes interference
with radio or television reception shall be used in the operation
of illuminated signs or for any other purpose and whenever the said
interference is caused by any unfiltered, improperly filtered or otherwise
defective equipment, upon notice from the zoning officer, the owner
or operator shall have the interference eliminated immediately.
6.
Illuminated signs must bear the Underwriter Laboratory's seal of
approval and this seal shall be placed on the sign in such a location
as to be readily visible to the zoning officer.
D.
Such other signs as may be authorized by special exception.
[Ord. No. 793,
§ 1 3-13-1978; Ord. No. 1171, § 3, 4-24-1995]
A permit shall be obtained from the office of the zoning officer for each of the following type signs and a fee paid in accordance with Article XXIII, section 2303 herein.
