A. 
Administration. The purpose of this article is to establish standards for the regulation of signs in order to safeguard the public interest and:
(1) 
To preserve the beauty and the unique character of the Township;
(2) 
To promote and aid in the tourist industry of the Township;
(3) 
To protect the general public from damage and injury which may be caused by the faulty construction of signs;
(4) 
To protect pedestrians and motorists from damage of injury caused, or partially attributable to the distractions and obstructions caused by improperly situated signs;
(5) 
To promote the public safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of travel and the free flow of traffic;
(6) 
To assure that signs are clear and provide the essential identity or direction to facilities in the community; and
(7) 
To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of the sign restrictions throughout the Township.
B. 
Applicability and effect. A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained in the Township only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exceptions, and other requirements of this chapter. The effect of this chapter as more specifically set forth herein is:
(1) 
To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in the various zones, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this chapter;
(2) 
To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this chapter, but without a requirement for permits;
(3) 
To provide for temporary signs without commercial messages in limited circumstances in the public right-of-way; and
(4) 
To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.
C. 
Requirement of conformity. No sign, for which a permit is issued after the effective date of this chapter, may be placed or maintained in the Township except as provided herein. All signs maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter are declared to be nuisances, and as such may be abated as provided by law.
D. 
Recommended types of signs. It is recommended that signs be:
(1) 
Wood or simulated wood relief. (See § 400-111M.)
(2) 
Designed as an integral architectural element of the building and component of the site.
(3) 
Comprised of restrained colors, materials, and lighting and compatible with the building and site, and rural character of the Township.
Words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in Article III shall be given the meanings set forth in said article. Principles for computing sign area and sign height are contained in this section. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this chapter.
A-FRAME OR SANDWICH BOARD SIGN
A movable sign consisting of two faces, connected and hinged at the top.
400 A Frame Sandwich Board Sign.tif
A-Frame/Sandwich Board
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign located on a property or premises which is vacant and/or unoccupied for a period of six months, or a sign which is damaged, in disrepair, or vandalized and not repaired within 60 days of the date of the damaging event and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
ADVERTISING SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign which conveys a commercial or noncommercial message unrelated to the activity conducted on the lot where the sign is located or a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than on the same lot where the sign is located. A structure intended to support or contain such a sign shall also be considered an off-premises advertising sign.
ANIMATION
The movement or the optical illusion of movement of any part of the sign structure, design or pictorial segment, including the movement of any illumination or the flashing or varying of light intensity; the automatic changing of all or any part of the facing of a sign; the movement of a sign set in motion by the atmosphere. Time-and-temperature devices shall be considered animated signs.
APPLICANT
A person or entity who applies for a sign permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
AREA OF SIGN
See computation of area in individual signs and computation of area of multifaced signs.
ATTRACTION BOARD
See "changeable panel sign."
AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A traffic directional sign which is used to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a parcel to the location of an automated teller machine.
AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE SIGN
Any sign located on or architecturally associated with the exterior face of an automated teller machine.
AWNING SIGN
Signs which are placed on or integrated into fabric or other material canopies which are mounted on the exterior wall of a building.
400 Awning Sign.tif
Awning Sign
BANNER SIGN
A sign intended to be hung either with or without a frame with characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic, fabric or similar material excluding flags, emblems, and insignia or political, professional, religious, education, or corporate organizations providing that such flags, emblems, and insignia are displayed for noncommercial purposes.
400 Civic Event Banner.tif
Civic Event Banner
400 Banner Sign.tif
Banner Sign
BILLBOARD
A type of off-premises advertising sign and which conveys a commercial or noncommercial message unrelated to the activity conducted on the lot where the sign is located, or a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than on the same lot where the sign is located. A structure intended to support or contain such a sign shall also be considered a billboard.
BUSINESS
Any approved nonresidential use including commercial, manufacturing, and industrial enterprises; public buildings and uses such as public schools, parks, civic centers, municipal buildings; and semipublic buildings and uses such as churches, fire houses, ambulance buildings, private schools, and libraries.
BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign that directs attention to a business (see definition) conducted, or to a commodity or service sold, offered, or produced, or to an entertainment offered on the premises where the sign is located.
[Added 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
BUSINESS NAME
The name by which a business is commonly recognized and used by the applicant. The applicant shall provide stationary or other supporting documents illustrating the use of the business name or verification of the official business license or tax name. Slogans or product information shall not be considered as the business name.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
400 Canopy Sign Freest.tif
Canopy Sign on Freestanding Canopy
CHANGEABLE PANEL SIGN
A sign designed to allow it's informational content to be changed or altered.
400 Chg Panel Sign.tif
Changeable Panel Sign
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
Any sign wording, logo, or other representations that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
COMPUTATION OF AREA IN INDIVIDUAL SIGNS
The area of sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
COMPUTATION OF AREA OF MULTIFACED SIGNS
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
COMPUTATION OF HEIGHT
The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of: (1) existing grade prior to construction; or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zone lot, whichever is lower.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor, and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property on which the sign is located.
CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR SIGNS
The temporary signs which identify the contractor or subcontractor engaged in the construction, reconstruction or repair of a building or buildings on a lot or parcel or property.
DEVELOPMENT SIGN
A temporary sign used to identify an approved future development.
400 Development Sign.tif
Development Sign
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign that provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, including, but not specifically limited to, those signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas, and other similar facilities.
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
400 Directional Sign.tif
Directional Sign
DIRECTORY SIGN
A sign which provides a listing of the names of businesses, activities, addresses, locations, uses or places within a building or complex of buildings for the purposes of giving directions, instruction, or facility information and which may contain the name and logo of an establishment but no advertising copy.
400 Directory Sign.tif
Directory Sign
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign with two faces, essentially back to back.
EASEL SIGN
A self-supporting, movable sign consisting of one face with supporting legs or a supporting frame, or a sign displayed on an easel.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN
Any sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image or video, which may or may not include text, where the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes. This definition includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, LED screens, video boards, holographic displays, and other similar media.
EMERGENCY SIGNS
Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.
FACADE
Any exterior wall of a building exposed to public view; and any structure or part of a structure attached to, or otherwise mounted parallel to, an exterior wall or other vertical part of the structure.
FLAG
Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity which is mounted on a pole, cable, or rope at one end.
400 Common Freestg Signs.tif
Common Freestanding Sign Types
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported permanently upon the ground by poles or braces and that is not attached to any building.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the Township, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or any school, hospital, historical site, or public service, property, or facility.
GRAND OPENING
The introduction, promotion or announcement of a new business, store, shopping center or office, or the announcement, introduction or promotion of an established business changing ownership. A business qualifies for a grand opening sign when it has been closed to the public for a period of 30 days.
GROUND LEVEL
The finished grade of the adjacent street curb or where there is no street curb, six inches above street grade. Ground level shall be the existing natural grade.
GROUND SIGN
A freestanding sign that is architecturally integrated with the building with individually mounted letters and/or logos only. This sign shall be built with continuous background surface built from the ground up.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less.
ILLEGAL SIGN
Any sign erected without first obtaining an approved sign permit, other than nonconforming signs, and which does not meet the requirement of this chapter.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
400 Int and Ext Illunination.tif
Internal and External Illumination
INCIDENTAL OR INSTRUCTIONAL SIGN
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as "no parking, entrance, loading only, telephone" and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
400 Incidental or Inst Sign.tif
Incidental Sign or Instructional Sign
INDIRECT ILLUMINATION
A source of external illumination located away from the sign, but which is itself not visible to persons viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk or adjacent property.
INDIVIDUAL LETTERS
A cut-out or etched letter or logo which is individually placed on a landscape, screen wall, building wall or ground sign.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATION
A source of illumination entirely within the sign which makes the contents of the sign visible at night by means of the light being transmitted through a translucent material but wherein the source of illumination is not visible.
LOGO
A graphic symbol representing an activity, use or business. Permitted logos shall be registered trademarks or symbols commonly used by the applicant, and may include graphic designs in addition to lettering. The applicant shall provide stationary or other supporting documents illustrating the use of the logo.
MAINTENANCE
The replacing or repairing of a part or portion of a sign necessitated by ordinary wear, tear or damage beyond the control of the owner or the reprinting of existing copy without changing the wording, composition or color of said copy.
MARQUEE
Any permanent rooflike structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.
400 Marquee Sign.tif
Marquee Sign
MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding cabinet or panel sign mounted on, or within a base (above grade), which is detached from any building.
MULTIPLE OCCUPANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING
A commercial development in which there exists two or more separate commercial activities, in which there are appurtenant shared facilities (such as parking or pedestrian mall), and which is designed to provide a single area in which the public can obtain varied products and services. Distinguishing characteristics of a multiple-tenant commercial building may, but need not, include common ownership of the real property upon which the center is located, common-wall construction, and multiple occupant commercial use of a single structure.
NAMEPLATE
A small sign which identifies a resident's or home's name and address or the name of a farm, ranch or commercial stable. Such signs may be shingle, building wall or archway-mounted signs.
NONCOMMERCIAL FREE SPEECH SIGN
A sign with no commercial content which expresses personal ideas and values, advocates a position on an issue, or seeks converts and supporters and which does not meet the definition of a political sign.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which is not allowed under this chapter, but which, when first constructed before this chapter was in effect and for which a sign permit was issued, was legally allowed.
OCCUPANCY
A purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.
OWNER
A person recorded as such on official records. For the purpose of this chapter, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the Zoning Officer.
PANEL
A two-dimensional visual background behind the sign letters and logos which is visually separated from the mounting upon which the sign letters and logos are placed by the presence of a border, different colors, different materials, or other technique of visual framing around the letters or logos.
PARAPET
That portion of a building exterior wall projecting above the plate line of the building.
PENNANT
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
PERMANENT SIGN
Any sign which is intended to be and is constructed as to be in lasting and enduring condition remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear) and position, and in a permanent manner affixed to the ground, wall or building, provided the sign is listed as a permanent sign in the article.
PLATE LINE
The point at which any part of the main roof structure first touches or bears upon an external wall.
POLITICAL SIGN
A temporary sign which supports candidates for office or urges action on any other matter on the ballot of primary, general and special elections.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels, signs converted to A- or T-frames, menu and sandwich-board signs, balloons used as signs, umbrellas used for advertising and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
400 Portable Sign.tif
Portable Sign
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign affixed to a building wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.
400 Projecting Sign.tif
Projecting Sign
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Unless otherwise expressly provided, "public property" means any and all real or personal property over which the Township or other governmental entity has or may exercise control, whether or not the government owns the property in fee, including, sidewalks, rights-of-way and improved or unimproved land of any kind and all property appurtenant to it.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
No commercial sign shall be erected so as to project beyond a property line, over a public sidewalk or over or within a public right-of-way.
ROOF LINE
The uppermost line of the roof of a building or, in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the topmost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves, and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be roof signs. See the following illustration for example of roof signs, and comparison of differences between roof and fascia signs. (See below.)
SHINGLE SIGN
A sign suspended from a roof overhang of a covered porch, walkway or horizontal plane surface which identifies the tenant of the adjoining space.
400 Comparison Roof Sign.tif
Comparison — Roof and Fascia Signs
SIGN
Any device for visual communication which is used or is intended to attract the attention of the public with a purpose of identifying, when the display of the device is visible beyond the boundaries of the public or private property upon which the display is made. The term "sign" shall not include any flag or badge or insignia of the United States, State of Pennsylvania, Monroe County, the Township, or official historic plaques of any governmental jurisdiction or agency.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences or to other objects, the advertising matter appearing on which is not applicable to the present use of the premises upon which such sign is located. (Does not include the exempt signs listing in § 400-111B.)
SPECIAL EVENT
A promotional event such as, but not limited to, grand openings, bazaars, street fairs, shows, exhibitions, sporting events, runs, bicycling events, and block parties. This does not include sidewalk sales occurring on private property where merchandise normally sold indoors is transferred from indoors to outdoors for sale.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign, banner, pennant, or valance of advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, plastic, wallboard or other like materials, with or without frames, attached to the ground, wall or building.
TRAFFIC DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs used at driveways to improve public safety and to enhance public access to the site from public streets, which provides information to assist the operators of vehicles in the flow of traffic. Such signs may use names, logos, or symbols of buildings, businesses, activities, uses or places as a means of direction.
WALL SIGN
Any sign attached parallel to, but within six inches of, a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.
400 Wall Signs.tif
Wall Signs
WINDOW SIGN
Any poster, cut-out letters, painted text or graphics, or other text or visual presentation affixed to or placed behind a window pane which is intended to be read from the exterior of the building.
400 Sign Comparison.tif
Sign Comparison
The procedures included in this section shall apply to all signs requiring permits.
A. 
Requirement of permit. A sign permit shall be required before the erection, re-erection, construction, alteration, placing, or installation of all signs regulated by this chapter. However, a permit shall not be required for the following signs and actions; provided, however, that such signs shall be subject to any and all applicable provisions of this chapter.
(1) 
Exempt signs as specified in § 400-111B.
(2) 
Routine maintenance or changing of the parts or copy of a sign, provided that the maintenance or change of parts or copy does not alter the surface area, height, or otherwise render the sign nonconforming.
B. 
Permit application. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer and shall, at a minimum, contain or have attached thereto the information listed in this section. The applicant shall pay the required application fee at the time when the sign application is filed. Two copies of plans and specifications shall be submitted with each application. One copy shall be returned to the applicant at the time the permit is granted. The plans shall include complete details about the size of the sign, the method of attachment or support, locations and materials to be used, and the name, address and profession of the person designing the plans and specifications. If the Zoning Officer determines that the sign will be subject to excessive stresses, additional data shall be required, showing that supporting surfaces and other members of an existing building to which the sign is to be attached are in good condition and are adequately strong to support the load, including the proposed sign.
(1) 
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant, the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed, the owner of the sign, and the person to be erecting or affixing the sign.
(2) 
The location of the building, structure, or zoning lot on which the sign is to be erected or affixed.
(3) 
A sketch plan of the property involved, showing accurate placement thereon of the proposed sign.
(4) 
Two drawings of the plans and specifications of the sign to be erected or affixed and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground. Such plans and specifications shall include details of dimensions, color, materials, and weight.
(5) 
If required by the Zoning Officer, a copy of stress sheets and calculations prepared by or approved by a registered structural engineer, licensed by the State of Pennsylvania, showing that the sign is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this and all other applicable ordinances.
(6) 
The written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed.
(7) 
Such other information as the Zoning Officer may require to determine full compliance with this and other applicable ordinances.
C. 
Issuance of permits. Upon the filing of an application for a sign permit, the Zoning Officer shall examine the plans, specifications, and other submitted data, and the premises upon which the sign is proposed to be erected or affixed. If it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and other applicable ordinances and if the appropriate permit fee has been paid, the Zoning Officer shall issue a permit for the proposed sign.
D. 
Expiration. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within 90 days after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void, unless otherwise extended by the Zoning Officer for a single additional ninety-day period.
E. 
Validity; renewal. Permits issued for permanent signs shall be valid for a period of one year. If the sign is maintained in compliance with this chapter the permit shall be automatically renewed for subsequent one-year terms. If the sign is not maintained in compliance, upon Zoning Officer notification to the permittee in accord with § 400-118C of the specifics of the noncompliance, the permit shall immediately lapse.
F. 
Permit fees. Each sign required by this chapter requiring a sign permit shall pay a fee as established pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Township.
A. 
Prohibited signs. All signs not expressly permitted or exempted under this chapter from regulation are prohibited. Such prohibited signs include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) 
"A" frame or sandwich-board signs. "A" frame or sandwich-board and sidewalk or curb signs except as a temporary sign permitted by § 400-112.
(2) 
Light strings, banners, pennants, and balloons. Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempt under Subsection B, banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, and other inflatable figures, except as a temporary sign permitted by § 400-112.
(3) 
Animated, moving and flashing signs. Signs which are animated, flash, blink, revolve, rotate, swing, undulate, or move by any means, or otherwise attract attention through the movement or flashing of parts, including, but not limited to, automatic, electronically controlled copy changes (except as permitted in § 400-116), search lights, strobe lights and disco balls; or through the impression of movement or flashing except for time and temperature indicators whose movement is either digital or analog, and flags as permitted by this chapter.
(4) 
Mirrors. Signs which use a mirror or similar device to attract attention by reflecting images or otherwise reflecting light.
(5) 
Portable and wheeled signs. Portable and wheeled signs except as a temporary sign permitted by § 400-112.
(6) 
Projecting signs. Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to a building and project more than 15 inches beyond the wall surface of such building to which the sign is attached or otherwise affixed thereto.
(7) 
Signs on parked vehicles. Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles, trailers and/or containers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business, organization or activity.
(8) 
Signs on utility poles or trees. Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to utility poles, or trees or other vegetation.
(9) 
Signs which imitate or obstruct traffic control devices. Signs which imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with or obstruct any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or other device.
(10) 
Emissions. No sign shall be permitted to emit any sound, odor or visible matter such as smoke.
(11) 
Obscene or pornographic. Obscene or pornographic signs or signs advertising obscene or pornographic information or materials. Any sign which exhibits statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic material or information, or contains advertising material or information for obscene or pornographic material or information.
(12) 
Snipe signs.
B. 
Exempt signs. The following signs are hereby exempt from the provisions of this chapter, excepting for such instances where any sign listed herein is found to be unsafe or unlawful as provided for in other sections of this chapter.
(1) 
Awning, canopy, and marquee signs. (See Subsection G.) Signs, not exceeding an area of four square feet, indicating only the name of the activity conducted on the premises on which the sign is to be located and/or a brief generic description of the business being conducted by the activity. Advertising material of any kind is strictly prohibited on signs affixed to awnings, canopies, and marquees.
(2) 
Civic and religious. Civic and religious organization signs indicating only the organization insignia, name, meeting place, and time. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(3) 
Directional or instructional signs.
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
(a) 
On-site signs, not exceeding eight square feet in area, which provide direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public. Such signs include those identifying rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, affiliation with motor clubs, acceptance of designated credit cards, and other similar signs providing direction or instruction to persons using a facility, but not including those signs accessory to parking areas.
(b) 
Any such sign exceeding eight square feet in area shall be considered a temporary sign subject to § 400-112.
(4) 
Noncommercial signs. Flags, emblems, and insignia of political, professional, religious, educational, or fraternal organizations providing that such flags, emblems, and insignia are displayed for noncommercial purpose.
(5) 
Governmental signs. Governmental signs for control of traffic, emergency response, and other public or regulatory purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to services or safety which are erected by, or at the order of a public officer or employee in the performance of the officer's or employee's duties. Such signs may be of any type, number, area, height, location, or illumination as required by law, statute, or ordinance.
(6) 
Holiday decorations. Signs or other materials temporarily displayed on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic, or religious holidays related to observance of the civic, patriotic, or religious holiday.
(7) 
Interior signs. Signs not affixed to a window and visible from outside and which are fully located within the interior of any building or stadium, or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building, and signs located within the inner or outer lobby court or entrance of any theater and which are not displayed to be visible from outside.
(8) 
Memorial signs. Memorial plaques or tablets, grave markers, statutory, or other remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
(9) 
Name and address plates. Wall signs, one per street frontage and not exceeding 1.5 square feet in area, indicating the name of the occupant, the address of the premises, and identification of any legal business or operation which may exist at the premises.
(10) 
No trespassing, no hunting, no fishing, no dumping, no parking, no towing, and other similar signs. No trespassing, no hunting, no fishing, no dumping, no parking, towing and other similar signs (as set forth in Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and its regulations and as set forth in Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and its regulations) not exceeding two square feet in area.
(11) 
Parking lot directional and instructional signs.
(a) 
Directional signs. Signs designating parking area entrances and exits limited to one sign for each entrance and/or exit and not exceeding four square feet in area. Parking lot directional signs shall exceed a height of five feet in height as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(b) 
Instructional signs. Signs designating the conditions of use or identity of parking areas and not exceeding eight square feet in area for each exposed face nor exceeding an aggregate area of 16 square feet. Parking lot instructional signs shall not project higher than 10 feet on the wall for wall signs and shall not exceed a height of seven feet for ground signs as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(12) 
Patron advertising signs. Signs erected on the perimeter of an organizational-sponsored youth athletic field for the sole purpose of sponsoring or contributing to the organized youth athletic sport. Signs erected for this purpose shall be one-sided with a maximum of 32 square feet in area. Sponsors advertising on scoreboards may not exceed 25% of the surface area of the scoreboard.
(13) 
Plaques. Plaques, nameplates, or memorial signs, directly attached or affixed to the exterior walls of a building, not exceeding four square feet in aggregate area.
(14) 
Public notices. Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of the officer's or employee's duties.
(15) 
Signs on vehicles. Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer. However, this is not in any way intended to permit signs placed on or affixed to vehicles, trailers and/or containers, which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or other property.
(16) 
Symbols or insignia. Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies not exceeding two square feet in area for and not exceeding four square feet in aggregate area.
(17) 
Vending machine signs. Permanent, nonflashing signs on vending machines, gasoline pumps, ice or milk containers, or other similar machines indicating only the contents of such devices, the pricing of the contents contained within, directional or instructional information as to use, and other similar information as to the use, and other similar information not exceeding four square feet in area and not exceeding an aggregate area of eight square feet on each machine.
(18) 
Warning signs. Signs warning the public of the existence of danger, but containing no advertising material; to be removed within three days upon the subsidence of danger. Such warning signs may be of any type, number, area, height, location, or illumination as deemed necessary to warn the public of the existence of danger.
(19) 
Tourist signs. Tourist orientation directional signs when erected in accord with a permit issued by PennDOT.
C. 
Construction requirements. All signs permitted by this chapter shall be constructed in accord with all construction code requirements and the provisions of this Subsection C.
(1) 
Obstruction to exit. No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape required exit, window, door opening, or wall opening intended as a means of ingress or egress.
(2) 
Obstruction to ventilation. No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
(3) 
Clearance from electrical power lines and communication lines. All signs shall be located in such a way that they maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all electrical power lines and communication lines in accordance with the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code. However, in no instance shall a sign be erected or constructed within eight feet of any electrical power line, conductor, or service drop, or any communication line, conductor, or service drop.
(4) 
Clearance from surface and underground facilities. All signs and supporting structures shall maintain clearance and non-interference with all surface and underground facilities and conduits for water, sewage, gas, electricity, or communications equipment or lines. In addition, the placement of all signs and their supporting structures shall not interfere with natural or artificial drainage or surface or underground water.
(5) 
No obstruction to any existing warning or instructional sign. No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to interfere with any existing warning or instructional sign.
(6) 
Traffic hazards. No sign shall be erected in such a way as to interfere with or to confuse traffic, to present any traffic hazard, or to obstruct the vision of motorists, and all signs shall comply with the clear sight triangle requirements of this chapter.
(7) 
Public right-of-way; setback. No sign may be erected or maintained in the public right-of-way unless an encroachment permit has first been obtained for the sign. No signs other than official traffic signs shall be erected or maintained nearer to a curb or shoulder than a distance equaling the height of the sign, unless attached flatly to a building.
(8) 
Clearance. Clearance beneath overhead signs shall be at least nine feet, measured from the ground or pavement to the bottommost part of the sign.
(9) 
Height. No portion of a sign shall be positioned in a manner that exceeds the height of the primary structure on the property on which it is located.
D. 
Maintenance. Each sign shall be maintained in good order and repair at all times so that it does not constitute any danger or hazard to public safety, or a visual blight, and is free of peeling paint, major cracks, or loose and dangling materials.
E. 
Illumination. All signs permitted by this chapter may be illuminated in accord with the provisions of this Subsection E.
(1) 
Type of illumination. Illumination may be by internal, internal/indirect or by indirect means.
(2) 
Flashing. Flashing signs are prohibited in accord with Subsection A(3). (See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.)
(3) 
Glare. All signs shall be so designed located, shielded, and directed so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon adjacent publicly dedicated roadways and surrounding property.
(4) 
Floodlighting. Floodlighting of signs shall be arranged so that the source of light is not visible from any point of the lot and so that only the sign is directly illuminated.
F. 
Signs on roof. No sign placed on a roof shall extend above the highest part of the roof. In the case of a flat roof, the sign shall not extend more than six feet above the roof.
G. 
Awning, canopy, and marquee signs.
(1) 
Number. There shall not be more than one awning, canopy, or marquee sign exceeding an area of four square feet for each principal building. Awning, canopy, and marquee signs which are four square feet or less in area are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, as specified in Subsection B(1).
(2) 
Area. The area of an awning, canopy, or marquee sign shall not exceed 16 square feet, but shall be limited to not more than 50% of the area of the face of the awning, canopy, or marquee to which such sign is affixed.
(3) 
Height. Any awning, canopy, or marquee sign shall not project higher than the top of the awning, canopy, or marquee to which such sign is to be affixed.
(4) 
Illumination. Only the face area of the letters or logos may be illuminated and all illumination must be internal behind the surface of the awning, canopy or marquee.
(5) 
Awning valance. If sign letters or logos are place on the awning valance, no letters or logos may be placed elsewhere on the awning.
H. 
Sign faces. All signs may be multifaced.
I. 
Window signs. Window signs for commercial, manufacturing, industrial, public and semipublic uses, referred to as "business" in this section, shall be permitted, subject to the following:
(1) 
Location. Signs on or inside the windows of a business are permitted, but no signs are permitted in unglazed openings, and any interior sign placed within three feet of the window pane shall be considered a window sign.
(2) 
Area. No more than 25% of any window pane that is more than three feet in any dimension may be used for such signs. The area of any business identification sign shall be deducted from the total sign area allowed for the use on the property and the total of all window signs shall not exceed 50% of the total sign area allowed for the entire business use.
(3) 
Sign copy. Sign copy shall be limited to business identification and a graphic symbol or any combination thereof, or signs advertising products or services available on the premises.
(4) 
Illumination. Window signs may be internally illuminated.
J. 
Freestanding sign landscaping. All freestanding business and residential identification signs shall be placed in a landscaped area of not less than four square feet of landscaping for one square foot of sign area, but in no case less than 120 square feet. Sign landscaping shall be part of the required project landscaping plan and shall be maintained in accord with § 400-49C.
K. 
Flags. Flags displayed by commercial, manufacturing, industrial, public and semipublic uses, referred to as "business" in this section, shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Business identification. The flag shall identify the business.
(2) 
Flag pole. The flag shall be suspended from a pole and the maximum height shall be 36 feet.
(3) 
Area. The maximum area of the flag shall be 24 square feet; however, this shall not apply to the United States flag or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania flag.
(4) 
Government flags. Governmental flags provided for elsewhere in the article are not restricted by the provisions of this Subsection K.
L. 
Wall signs. Wall signs as permitted by this chapter shall be securely attached to the wall; and each sign shall be parallel to and in the same plane as the wall to which the sign is attached and shall not extend more than 15 inches from the wall, nor above or beyond the top and ends of the wall.
M. 
Wood relief sign area bonus.
(1) 
The following signs shall be eligible for an increase in size of 50%, provided the sign complies with the requirements of this Subsection M in addition to all other applicable requirements:
(a) 
Residential development road entrance signs (§ 400-113B).
(b) 
Individual business identification signs (§ 400-114A).
(c) 
Shopping center and multiple occupant business identification signs (§ 400-114B).
(d) 
Business subdivision road entrance signs (§ 400-114C).
(2) 
The sign shall be wood or simulated wood relief only. The carved pattern is raised and seems to rise out of the underlying material.
(3) 
The sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and component of the site.
(4) 
Sign colors, materials, and lighting shall be restrained and compatible with the building and site.
(5) 
The signs shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.
N. 
Noncommercial free speech signs. Noncommercial free speech signs shall comply with the following:
(1) 
Permit. A permit shall not be required.
(2) 
Clear sight; hazards. No sign shall violate the clear sight requirements of § 400-16E or otherwise be erected in such manner as would constitute a public hazard.
(3) 
Size; height. No sign shall exceed 16 square feet for each exposed face nor eight feet in height as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
Temporary signs may be erected and maintained in accordance with the provisions contained in this section.
A. 
General conditions.
(1) 
Permit required. No person shall erect, construct, repair, alter, or relocate any temporary sign without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer, unless such sign is specifically exempted from permit requirements.
(2) 
Materials and methods. The Zoning Officer shall impose as a condition of the issuance of a permit for temporary signs such requirements as to the material, manner of construction, and method of erection of a sign as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.
(3) 
Illumination. Temporary signs may be illuminated in accord with this chapter.
(4) 
Sign types. Temporary signs shall be limited to nonprojecting wall signs, attached ground signs, or portable and wheeled signs.
B. 
Temporary business signs. Temporary business signs in association with an approved use identifying a special, unique, or limited activity, service, product, or sale of limited duration shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Number. There shall not be more than two permits for temporary business signs issued for the same premises within one calendar year. Each temporary business sign permit may be erected and maintained for a period not to exceed 21 days prior to the activity, service, project, or sale, and shall be removed within seven days of the termination of the activity, service, project, or sale. Or, alternatively, a temporary business sign permit may be applied for a maximum of five times during one calendar year for the same premises; each permit shall be issued for a maximum of seven days. It is expressly stated that temporary business sign permits shall be issued under one method or the alternative and that the methods may not be used jointly or in combination during any one calendar year.
(2) 
Area. Temporary business signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
(3) 
Location. Temporary business signs shall be located only upon the premises upon which the special, unique, or limited activity, service product, or sale is to occur. Such signs may be located in any required setback, but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway.
(4) 
Height. Temporary business signs shall not exceed a height of 15 feet as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
C. 
Temporary development signs. Temporary development signs in association with an approved use identifying the parties involved in the development to occur or occurring on the premises on which the sign is placed shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Number. There shall not be more than one temporary, development sign for each project or development, except that where a project or development abuts two or more streets, additional such signs, one oriented to each abutting street shall be permitted.
(2) 
Area. Temporary development signs shall not exceed 16 exceed square feet in area.
(3) 
Location. Temporary development signs shall be located only upon the premises upon which development either is about to occur, or is occurring. Such signs may be located in any required setback, but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access from a public roadway.
(4) 
Height. Temporary development signs shall not exceed a height of 15 feet as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(5) 
Special conditions. Temporary development signs shall be permitted only as accessory to an approved building permit for a project or development. Temporary development signs may be erected and maintained for a period not earlier than 60 days prior to the commencement of development of the project or development and must be removed prior to an occupancy permit being issued or if no occupancy permit is required, the sign shall be removed upon project completion.
D. 
Temporary event signs (including banners). Temporary event signs announcing a campaign, drive, activity, or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization for noncommercial purposes shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Number, area, height, and location. The permitted number, area, height, location, and construction of temporary event signs shall be determined by the Zoning Officer with consideration given to the public intended purpose. In any event, no sign shall exceed 16 square feet in area.
(2) 
Timing. Temporary event signs may be erected and maintained for a period not to exceed 30 days prior to the date of which the campaign, drive, activity, or event advertised is scheduled to occur and shall be removed within seven days of the termination of such campaign, drive, activity, or event.
(3) 
Limit on number of permits. No more than two permits for temporary event signs shall be issued for the same premises within one calendar year.
E. 
Temporary political signs. Temporary political signs announcing political candidates seeking office, political parties, and/or political and public issues contained on a ballot shall be subject to the following:
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
(1) 
Clear sight; hazards. No sign shall violate the clear sight requirements of § 400-16E or otherwise be erected in such a manner that would constitute a public hazard.
(2) 
Private property outside right-of-way. The provisions of § 400-111N shall apply to political signs erected on private property outside a public right-of-way.
(3) 
Public rights-of-way. Political signs erected within a public right-of-way shall comply with the following:
(a) 
Timing. The signs shall not be posted more than 30 days in advance of the election to which the signs pertain and shall be removed within seven days following the election for which the signs were posted.
(b) 
Road setback. No sign shall be located less than five feet from the edge of the shoulder or curb line of any public road.
(c) 
Size; height. No sign shall exceed 16 square feet for each exposed face nor eight feet in height as determined in accordance with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(d) 
Support. Each sign shall be erected on its own support and shall not be attached to any of the following: trees, vegetation, utility poles, fences, guiderails, other signs or sign posts, or other structures.
(e) 
Township removal. Each sign that is erected or displayed in violation of this Subsection E(3) shall be subject to removal by the Township Zoning Officer.
F. 
Temporary real estate signs. Temporary real estate signs advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the premises upon which such sign is located shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Number. There shall be not more than one temporary real estate sign for each 1,000 feet of lot road frontage for each road on which the lot fronts.
(2) 
Area. Temporary real estate signs in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts shall not exceed 16 square feet in area for each exposed face and 32 for each exposed face in all other districts.
(3) 
Location. Temporary real estate signs shall be located only upon the premises for sale, lease, or rent. Such signs may be located in any required setback, but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway.
(4) 
Height. Temporary real estate signs shall not exceed a height of 15 feet as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(5) 
Special conditions. Temporary real estate signs shall be removed within seven days of the sale or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located.
(6) 
Property not fronting on public road. One sign advertising the sale or rental of property not fronting on a Township or state road may be erected at the intersection of a public road and a private road to direct interested parties to the property. The following standards shall apply:
(a) 
Not more than one sign may be erected at each intersection which shall serve to advertise any and all property that is for sale on the private road.
(b) 
Such signs shall not be permitted at the intersection of two public roads.
(c) 
The area of each sign shall not exceed two square feet in area, not more than two colors, including background, shall be used, and the sign shall be square or rectangular in shape.
(d) 
The sign text shall be limited to house for sale, property for sale, business for sale, house for rent, property for rent, or business for rent; and no business name or logo, nor any real estate agent name, shall be displayed on the sign.
(e) 
Such sign shall not be illuminated.
(f) 
Permission must be obtained from the owner of the property upon which the sign is erected.
(g) 
Such signs shall be removed within 14 days after the sale, rental, or lease.
G. 
Temporary contractor or subcontractor signs. Temporary contractor or subcontractor signs for the sole purpose of designating the contractor(s) and subcontractor(s) engaged in the development of a property shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Number. There shall be not more than one temporary contractor or subcontractor sign for each contractor or subcontractor working on the premises.
(2) 
Area. Temporary contractor or subcontractor signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(3) 
Location. Temporary contractor or subcontractor signs shall be located only upon the premises where the contractor or subcontractor is working. Such signs may be located in any required setback, but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway.
(4) 
Height. Temporary contractor or subcontractor signs shall not exceed four feet in height as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(5) 
Special conditions. Temporary contractor or subcontractor signs shall be removed immediately upon completion of the contractor's or subcontractor's work.
H. 
Temporary yard or garage sale, open house, or auction signs. Temporary yard sale or garage sale signs advertising the sale of items and the sale's location shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Number. There shall not be more than 10 temporary yard or garage sale signs for each location of a sale.
(2) 
Area. In all zoning districts no temporary yard or garage sale signs shall exceed four square feet in size.
(3) 
Location. Temporary yard and garage sale signs may not be located within the street or road right-of-way. No sign may be placed on a utility or Township-owned pole or structure. Any temporary yard or garage sale signs shall be self-supported and shall not create a public hazard.
(4) 
Height. Temporary yard or garage sale signs shall not exceed 30 inches in height.
(5) 
Timing. Temporary yard or garage sale signs may be erected no sooner than three days before the sale and must be removed no later than three days after the sale. No temporary yard or garage sale signs shall remain erected for a period longer than six days.
For all residential uses, only the following signs are permitted and then only if accessory and incidental to a permitted residential use.
A. 
Building name and address signs. Name and address signs of buildings containing six or more residential units indicating only the name of the building, the name of the development in which it is located, the management thereof, and/or address of the premises, shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Type. Building name and address signs may be either wall signs or ground signs.
(2) 
Number. There shall not be more than one name and address sign for each building, except that where a building abuts two or more streets, one additional sign oriented to each abutting street shall be permitted.
(3) 
Area. Building name and address signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area for exposed face.
(4) 
Location. Building name and address signs shall not be located closer than 1/2 the minimum setback required for the zoning district in which the sign is to be erected or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway. The location and arrangement of all building name and address signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the Zoning Officer.
(5) 
Height. Building name and address signs shall not project higher than 15 feet above the adjoining grade for wall signs and shall not exceed a height of five feet for ground signs as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
B. 
Residential development road entrance signs. Residential development road entrance signs for developments with two or more buildings with a total of five or more dwelling units indicating only the name of the development, including single-family, two-family, and multifamily developments and mobile home parks, the management or developer thereof, and/or the address or location of the development shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Type. The residential development road entrance signs shall be ground signs.
(2) 
Number. There shall not be more than two residential development road entrance signs for each point of vehicular access to a development.
(3) 
Area. Residential development road entrance signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(4) 
Location. Residential development road entrance signs may be located in any required setback, but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access from a public roadway. The location and arrangement of all residential development signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the Zoning Officer.
(5) 
Height. Residential development road entrance signs shall not exceed a height of seven feet for ground signs as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(6) 
Sign faces. Residential development road entrance signs may be double-faced only when one such sign is used at a road entrance.
C. 
Exempt signs. Exempt signs as specified in § 400-111B of this chapter.
D. 
Temporary signs. Temporary signs as specified in § 400-112 of this chapter.
For all commercial, manufacturing, industrial, public and semipublic uses, referred to as "business" in this section, only the following signs are permitted, and then only if accessory and incidental to a permitted use, and such signs shall be subject to the requirements of this section and any other special provisions contained in this chapter:
A. 
Individual business identification signs. The provisions of this Subsection A shall apply to parcels upon which an individual business is located.
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
(1) 
Building wall signs.
(a) 
Number and location. One wall sign may be installed on the facade containing the main entrance to the business, one wall sign on a building facade visible from a public street, and one wall sign on a building facade facing an interior driveway of a nonresidential development, lot, or site. [See § 400-111B(3) for direction and instructional signs not exceeding eight square feet.]
(b) 
Sign area. The surface area of a wall sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade, including doors and windows, to which the sign is to be affixed or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(c) 
Sign length. The length of a wall sign shall not exceed the lesser of 50 feet or 60% of the width of the facade to which the wall sign is affixed.
(d) 
Height. A wall sign shall not project higher than the facade of the wall to which the sign is to be affixed or 40 feet above ground level as determined in accordance with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109, whichever is lower.
(2) 
Freestanding business identification signs. (See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.) Freestanding business identification signs shall be subject to the following:
(a) 
Number. There shall not be more than one freestanding business identification sign for each public street frontage with an approved vehicle access to the lot.
(b) 
Area. The surface area of one freestanding business identification sign per lot shall not exceed 80 square feet. All other permitted freestanding business identification signs on a lot shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.
(c) 
Location. A freestanding business identification sign shall maintain the requisite side and rear setbacks and shall not extend within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway.
(d) 
Height. A freestanding business identification sign shall not exceed a height of 25 feet as determined in accordance with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
B. 
Shopping center and multiple occupant business identification signs. The provisions of this Subsection B shall apply to developments in which two or more businesses are housed in one or more principal structures.
(1) 
Building wall signs for buildings with separate exterior entrances. The standards in this Subsection B(1) shall apply to buildings with multiple separate and divided areas between tenants with each having a separate exterior entrance.
(a) 
Number and location. A wall sign for each divided area shall be permitted. Each such sign shall be affixed to the portion of the facade occupied by the applicable tenant.
(b) 
Individual sign area. The surface area of a wall sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade, including doors and windows, to which the sign is to be affixed or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(c) 
Sign length. The length of a wall sign shall not exceed the lesser of 50 feet or 60% of the width of the facade to which the wall sign is affixed. The width of the facade shall be the portion of the facade used by each divided area determined by the intersection of exterior or interior walls, as applicable, of each divided area with the facade used by each divided area.
(d) 
Height. A wall sign shall not project higher than the facade of the wall to which the sign is to be affixed or 40 feet above ground level as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109, whichever is lower.
(2) 
Building wall signs for buildings with a main entrance. The standards in this Subsection B(2) shall apply to buildings containing multiple tenants with a main entrance to the building designed for entry and exit of the majority of tenants and visitors (that is, where separate exterior entrances for each divided area are not provided). Multiple wall signs may be installed as follows:
(a) 
Number and location.
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
[1] 
Wall signs may be erected on the facade containing the main entrance to the business, a building facade visible from a public street, and/or a building facade facing an interior driveway of a nonresidential development, lot, or site.
[2] 
The number of wall signs on an eligible facade shall be limited to one for each tenant.
(b) 
Individual sign area. The surface area of a wall sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade, including doors and windows, to which the sign is to be affixed or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(c) 
Aggregate sign area. The maximum aggregate sign area for all wall signs on each facade of a business building shall be determined as follows:
Facade Area
Maximum Aggregate Wall Sign Area
0 to 5,000 square feet
The lesser of 5% of the facade area (including window and door areas) or 250 square feet
5,001 square feet or greater
The lesser of 3% of the facade area (including window and door areas) or 500 square feet
(d) 
Sign length. The length of a wall sign shall not exceed the lesser of 50 feet or 60% of the width of the facade to which the wall sign is affixed.
(e) 
Height. A wall sign shall not project higher than the facade of the wall to which the sign is to be affixed or 40 feet above ground level as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109, whichever is lower.
(3) 
Freestanding business identification signs. (See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.) Freestanding business identifications signs may be ground signs or monument signs used solely for the identification of the development and shall be subject to the following:
(a) 
Number. There shall not be more than one freestanding business identification sign for each development.
(b) 
Area. The surface area of a freestanding business identification sign shall not exceed a maximum area of one square foot for each 1.5 feet of front frontage of the lot, or 200 square feet, whichever is less.
(c) 
Location. A freestanding business identification sign shall maintain side and rear setbacks, and shall not extend within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway.
(d) 
Height. A freestanding business identification sign shall not exceed a height of 25 feet as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(e) 
Individual occupant identification. The freestanding business identification sign shall not contain the name of any individual business occupant of the premises unless such tenant or occupant occupies 30% or more of the total development. Each freestanding business identification sign may include affixed directly to it a directory indicating only the names of the business occupants of the development in which the sign is to be located. The directory shall include the names of all business tenants/occupants on one sign and shall not be comprised of individual signs. The area of a directory sign shall not exceed 10 square feet in area for each occupant in the development.
C. 
Business subdivision road entrance signs. Business subdivision road entrance signs for developments with two or more commercial, manufacturing, industrial, public and semipublic buildings, referred to as "business" in this section, indicating only the name of the development, shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Type. The business subdivision road entrance signs shall be ground signs.
(2) 
Number. There shall not be more than two business subdivision road entrance signs for each point of vehicular access to a development.
(3) 
Area. The surface area of business subdivision road entrance signs shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.
(4) 
Location. Business subdivision road entrance signs may be located in any required setback, but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access from a public roadway. The location and arrangement of all residential development signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the Zoning Officer.
(5) 
Height. Business subdivision road entrance signs shall not exceed a height of five feet as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(6) 
Sign faces. Business subdivision road entrance signs may be double-faced only when one such sign is used at a road entrance.
D. 
Exterior automatic teller machine (ATM) signs. Exterior ATM signs shall be permitted in association with an approved commercial use subject to the following:
(1) 
Location. Such sign shall be located on the face of the machine and may only identify the individual business name, logo, time, and principal services offered at the ATM.
(2) 
Area. The area of any such sign shall not exceed 10 square feet. The bezel and architectural border of an ATM sign shall not be included in the sign area unless they contain sign characters, logos, or other sign graphics. The area of any ATM signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the property shall not be deducted from the sum total area permitted for the use. Wording, symbols, and graphics which instruct persons on the use of the ATM shall not be considered part of the sign area unless they are visible beyond the boundaries of the property and attract the attention of the public.
E. 
Business directional signs. The intent of this section is to allow commercial, manufacturing, industrial, public and semipublic uses, referred to as business in this section, located in the Township and which do not front on State Route 196 or State Route 611, but are located along an intersecting public road, to erect signs in C-1, C-2, C-3, I and I-A Districts to direct the public to the business.
(1) 
Number.
(a) 
There shall not be more than one directional sign for each business parcel of land eligible for such sign at each intersection of direction change with not more than three signs in total.
(b) 
In the case of multi-businesses on the same parcel, each business shall not be eligible for signs; instead, the directional signs shall refer to the parcel as a whole.
(c) 
Not more than one sign support shall be permitted on any parcel at an intersection, and all directional signs on that parcel shall be attached to that support.
(2) 
Area. The surface area of each sign shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(3) 
Height. A directional sign shall not exceed a height of 10 feet, as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(4) 
Sign information. The information on the sign shall be limited to the business name, logo, telephone number and directional information.
(5) 
Property owner permission. The person making application for the erection of a business directional sign shall provide a written statement of permission signed by the owner of the property upon which the sign is proposed.
(6) 
Permit. A permit shall be required for the placement of the directional signs and shall establish the number and location of all the signs.
F. 
Retail fuel sales signs. (See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.) Fuel types and amounts advertised at retail fuel sales establishments shall be incorporated into the freestanding business identification sign(s) permitted by § 400-§ 1. 114A(2) and shall be counted as part of the total sign area.
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
Number of Products Advertised
1 or 2
3
4
Maximum letter height (inches)
24
15
12
G. 
Changeable panel signs. (See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.) One changeable panel sign board may be erected on the lot containing one or more commercial, manufacturing, industrial, public or semipublic use, referred to as business in this section, subject to the following:
(1) 
Type. The changeable panel sign shall be a ground sign or may be attached to the same support of the permitted business identification ground sign.
(2) 
Number. One changeable panel sign may be erected on the business parcel identifying special, unique, limited activities, services, products, or sale of limited duration occurring on the premises on which the changeable panel sign is located.
(3) 
Area. The area of a changeable panel sign shall not exceed 10 square feet in area.
(4) 
Location. A changeable panel sign shall maintain side and rear setbacks, and shall not extend within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access to a public roadway.
(5) 
Height. If the changeable panel sign is separate from the main freestanding sign, the changeable panel sign exceed a height of 10 feet as determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109. The changeable panel sign shall be separated by a minimum of 12 inches from the main ground pole sign.
H. 
Exempt signs. Exempt signs as specified in § 400-111B of this chapter.
I. 
Temporary signs. Temporary signs as specified in § 400-112 of this chapter.
(See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.) The intent of this section is to limit the number, size and location of off-premises advertising signs and billboards to reduce visual clutter, prevent the distraction of drivers, and maintain the character of the community. Off-premises advertising signs and billboards may be erected and maintained only in accord with the requirements of this section, and all other applicable requirements of this chapter, and applications for such signs shall be considered conditional uses.
A. 
Location; principal use.
(1) 
Location. Off-premises advertising signs and billboards shall be located only adjacent to Interstate 380, SR 611 or SR 940 in C-1, C-2, C-3 and I Districts.
(2) 
Principal use. Off-premises advertising signs and billboards shall be considered principal uses and shall not be permitted on a lot with any other principal use.
B. 
Illumination. Off-premises advertising sign or billboard may be illuminated, but flashing lights or devices and animation shall be prohibited.
C. 
Setbacks. The applicable zone district side and rear setbacks for principal structures shall be maintained for off-premises advertising signs and billboards and the front setback shall be 15 feet.
D. 
Height of signs. The height of the sign shall be determined in accord with the definition of computation of height in § 400-109.
(1) 
Interstate 380. On properties along Interstate 380, off-premises advertising signs and billboards shall not project higher than 30 feet above ground level or the grade of the nearest adjacent roadway, whichever is higher.
(2) 
SR 611 or SR 940. On properties adjacent to SR 940 or SR 611, off-premises advertising signs and billboards shall not project higher than 20 feet above ground level or the grade of the nearest adjacent roadway, whichever is higher.
(3) 
Ground clearance. All such structures shall have an open space of not less than four feet between its lower edge and the ground.
E. 
Maximum area.
(1) 
Maximum area. The maximum area for any one off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall not exceed 500 square feet adjacent to Interstate 380 and 300 square feet adjacent to SR 611 and SR 940.
(2) 
Sign face. A sign structure shall contain only one exposed face and only one sign per face.
F. 
Spacing of off-premises advertising signs and billboards:
(1) 
Separation distance. No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be permitted within 500 feet of another off-premises advertising sign or billboard, measured in all directions. The separation distance shall be measured between the closest points of the two signs in question.
(2) 
Dwellings. No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be permitted within 100 feet of any dwelling and 50 feet from any residential property line in the Township or any adjoining municipality. The separation distance shall be measured between the closest points of the proposed sign and the dwelling or residential lot in question.
(3) 
Public facilities. No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be permitted within 500 feet of any park, recreational area, trail system, public or parochial school, municipal building, library, church, hospital, or similar institutional use. The separation distance shall be measured between the closest points of the proposed sign and the parcel of land on which the building or use in question is located.
(4) 
Public street intersection. No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be erected within 150 feet of the public street intersection. The separation distance shall be measured between the closest point of the proposed sign and the nearest intersection of the right-of-way lines of the streets in question.
(5) 
Street angle. No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be constructed at an angle of less than 45° to the right-of-way upon which it faces.
G. 
Engineering certification. Any applications for an off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be accompanied by certification under seal by a professional engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that the sign as proposed will not present a structural safety hazard.
[Amended 3-18-2014 by Ord. No. 119-2014]
Electronic message signs shall be permitted only in accord with this section.
A. 
Types of signs.
(1) 
In the C-1 Convenience Commercial, C-2 Office Park, I Industrial and I-A Industrial Airport Districts, the following types of signs, as otherwise permitted by this chapter, may be in the form of an electronic message sign:
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
(a) 
Changeable panel sign (§ 400-114G).
(b) 
Individual freestanding business identification sign [§ 400-114A(2)].
(c) 
Shopping center and multiple occupant business freestanding identification sign [§ 400-114B(3)].
(d) 
A retail fuel sales sign (§ 400-114F).
(2) 
An off-premises advertising sign or billboard (§ 400-115), as otherwise permitted by this chapter, may be an electronic message sign only adjacent to I-380 in accord with this section and PennDOT requirements.
B. 
Standards. In addition to the other applicable requirements of this chapter, electronic message signs shall comply with the following:
[Amended 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 150-2023]
(1) 
One sign. Only one electronic message sign shall be permitted per lot. If the sign structure has two sign faces, each sign face may be an electronic message sign.
(2) 
Size. The electronic message sign shall not exceed 80% of the maximum allowable size of a nonelectronic message sign of the same type.
(3) 
Message display.
(a) 
Motion. Electronic message sign motion shall be limited to the transition from one message to another. The image shall be static, with no animation, streaming video, flashing, scrolling, fading, or other illusions of motion.
(b) 
Transition. Transitions for electronic message signs shall change without any of the following: fading in or out; scrolling; blinking; sudden bursts of light or sound; and/or, the appearance of graphics or animation. The content shall not change more than once every 15 seconds.
(c) 
Continuation. The images and messages displayed shall be complete on display without continuation in content to the next image or message or to any other sign.
(d) 
Projection. Images or messages projected onto buildings or other objects shall be prohibited.
(e) 
No red, green or yellow lights shall be permitted such that the display looks like a traffic signal.
(4) 
Luminance. Electronic message signs shall not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare, hazard or impair the vision of the motorist, or interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal.
(a) 
Maximum. Electronic message signs shall have a maximum luminance of 5,000 nits when measured from the sign face at its maximum brightness during daylight hours. During the nighttime, such signs shall be limited to a maximum luminance of 150 nits when measured from the sign face at its maximum brightness.
[1] 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
LUMINANCE
A measure of the brightness of a surface which is emitting or reflecting light. The unit of measurement is candelas per square meter or nits (1 nit = 1 cd/m2).
NIT
A unit of measure of luminance, based on candelas per meter squared.
(b) 
Dimmer control. All electronic message signs shall be equipped with both a dimmer control and a photocell that automatically adjusts the display's luminance according to natural ambient light conditions.
(c) 
Light trespass. Electronic message signs shall comply with the light and glare requirements of § 27-49I. The maximum light trespass limit at the boundary line of R-1, R-2, R-3, SP and W-C Districts and permanent open space shall be 0.1 footcandle, and 1.0 footcandle at the boundary line of C-1, C-2, I and I-A Districts.
(d) 
Measurement. Surface luminance measurements shall be made directly with a calibrated luminance meter in accord with manufacturer's specifications. Readings shall be taken from the area from which the sign will be visible, usually the road, and which is closest to being directly in front of the sign where the luminosity output is most focused. This reading shall be the measurement of an all-white image display to evaluate the worst-case scenario. With an all-white display, a maximum of 200 nits shall be permitted during nighttime.
(e) 
Certification. Prior to issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the sign luminance has been factory preset to not exceed 5,000 nits and that the intensity has been protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software.
(5) 
Height. The electronic message sign shall not exceed the maximum allowable height of a nonelectronic message sign of the same type.
(6) 
Structural support. No more than one digital sign or billboard may be installed on a single structural support; that is, signs shall not be stacked vertically or horizontally.
(7) 
Automatic shutoff. The controls for the sign shall include fail-safe programming to freeze the static image or turn off the sign in the case of a malfunction to prevent a violation of ordinance provisions.
(8) 
Emergency messages. The applicant shall be required to coordinate and permit message access from local, regional, state and national emergency services during emergency situations and such messages shall not be required to conform to the message standards in this section.
(9) 
No messages shall be displayed that are intended to be and/or that result in a dangerous distraction to drivers.
(10) 
The sign shall utilize a non-glare face combined with flat-colored borders to minimize reflection of the sun or vehicle headlights. The sign shall have dark backgrounds and light letters, rather than light backgrounds and dark letters, to help reduce glare.
(11) 
No electronic message sign shall be located within 500 feet of any lot containing a residential use and/or any lot located within a residential zoning district.
(12) 
No two electronic message signs shall be spaced less than 300 feet apart.
[Amended 3-18-2014 by Ord. No. 119-2014]
A. 
Legal, nonconforming signs. Any sign lawfully existing or under construction on the effective date of this chapter which does not conform to one or more of the provisions of this chapter may be continued in operation and maintained as a legal nonconforming use.
B. 
Maintenance and repair of legal nonconforming signs.
(1) 
Area. The total area of any nonconforming sign shall not be increased.
(2) 
Removal and reconstruction. The removal and reconstruction of a nonconforming sign shall only be permitted in accord with the requirements of § 400-99E applicable to other nonconforming structures.
(3) 
Damage or destruction. A nonconforming sign which is damaged or destroyed may be rebuilt in a nonconforming fashion only in accord with § 400-99A applicable to other nonconforming structures.
(4) 
Improvements and maintenance. Nonconforming signs may be repainted, repaired or modernized, provided such improvements do not increase the dimensions, height or position of the existing nonconforming sign or change the sign, message or business being advertised.
(5) 
Conversion to electronic message sign.
(a) 
Any nonconforming sign which is converted to an electronic message sign shall be made conforming to the requirements of this article.
(b) 
A sign which is nonconforming as to zoning district location shall not be converted to an electronic message sign.
[Amended 3-18-2014 by Ord. No. 119-2014]
A. 
Abandoned signs.
(1) 
Removal. Any sign, whether existing on or erected after the effective date of this chapter, which advertises a business or use no longer being conducted or a product or service no longer being offered for sale in or from the premises on which the sign is located, shall be presumed to be abandoned and shall be removed within 18 months upon the cessation of such business or use or sale of such product or service by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial interest in the building or premises on which such sign is located.
(2) 
Enforcement. Enforcement of a violation of Subsection A(1) shall be in accord with § 400-134.
B. 
Nuisance signs.
(1) 
Violation. The maintenance of any sign which is unsafe or insecure or is a nuisance shall be considered a violation of this chapter.
(2) 
Enforcement. Enforcement of a violation of Subsection B(1) shall be in accord with § 400-134.
(3) 
Immediate peril. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Zoning Officer is authorized to cause any sign to be removed summarily and without notice, at the expense of the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial interest in the building or premises on which such sign is located, whenever the Zoning Officer determines that such sign is an immediate peril to persons or property.
C. 
Illegal signs. If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign is displayed in violation of this chapter, he shall proceed with an enforcement action in accord with § 400-134.