[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
The provisions of this part shall apply to all signs maintained
or hereinafter erected or altered in the Township of Lower Southampton.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
1.
ANCHOR
APPROVED
BEAM
CONDITIONAL SIGN
REPAIR
SIGN
A.
B.
SIGN SIZE
Unless otherwise herein expressly
stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this part, have
the following meanings:
A mechanical nonplastic means by which various materials
and the structural members in the construction or erection of a sign
is used.
As applied to any material, device or mode of construction,
means approved by the Zoning Officer under this part or by any other
standard authority designated by law to give approval of the matter
in question, such as the Underwriters' Laboratory or the American
Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).
A horizontal or inclined structural member that carries loads
principally by its flexible strength and transmits such loads to other
supporting structural members.
A sign which is approved by the Board of Supervisors in accordance
with this part. Conditional signs shall only be permitted in areas
specifically designated in this part.
The replacement of any part of a sign with equivalent material
for the purpose of maintenance that does not affect its plan, size,
structural framework or its structural members.
Any structure, device, light or natural object, including the
ground itself, or any part thereof, or any device attached thereto
or painted or represented thereon, which shall be used to identify,
advertise or attract attention to any object, project, place, activity,
person, institution, organization, firm, group, commodity, profession,
enterprise, industry or business, or which shall display or include
any letter, word, model, number, banner, flag, pennant, insignia,
device or representation used as an announcement, direction or advertisement,
and which is intended to be seen from off the premises or from a parking
lot.
The word "sign" shall include signs which are affixed to the
inside of windows and glass doors and are intended to be seen from
roadways or parking lots. No other indoor sign shall be deemed a sign
within this part.
The extreme physical dimensions of a sign, excluding any
poles 14 inches or smaller in size. Supporting structures in excess
of 14 inches shall be considered in the overall size of the sign.
Where individual characters are used, whether individually mounted
or fastened or jointly mounted or fastened to convey a message, the
total dimension from the beginning of the first character to the end
of the last character in the longest line and the top of the uppermost
character and the bottom of the lowermost character shall be considered
in the calculating the overall sign area, including logos, pictures
or any other graphic or artwork.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
1.
New signs. No sign shall hereafter be erected, attached to, suspended
from or supported on any building or structure or site in the Township
of Lower Southampton except in accordance with this part or where
a variance has been authorized by the proper authority as hereinafter
set forth.
2.
Existing signs. Any registered, permitted and inspected sign existing
at the time this part becomes effective that is not in conformance
with this part shall be considered a nonconforming sign.
3.
Alterations. No sign shall hereafter be altered in any manner which
enlarges or extends it, nor shall it be relocated except in accordance
with this part, providing that the changing of movable parts designed
to be changed or the repainting of the display matter on the sign
shall not be deemed to be alteration or rebuilding as hereinafter
set forth.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
1.
It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly, indirectly
or by agent, to erect, alter or repair any sign or signs in the Township
of Lower Southampton unless application for a permit shall have been
made with the Zoning Officer and a permit shall have been issued therefor.
An application for a permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer
on the form supplied by it and shall be accompanied by the written
consent of the owner desiring any sign to be erected, plans and specifications
setting forth the character of the sign in all its structural parts,
and an accurate sketch of the property designating the location of
all existing and proposed signs. Compliance with the provisions of
this part shall not relieve any person from the necessity of compliance
with this chapter or any other Township ordinance, if applicable.
2.
The Board of Supervisors from time to time shall adopt by resolution
a fee schedule for the annual inspection of signs. The inspection
fee shall be paid to the Township by all sign permittees in the manner
and in the amount set forth in the resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
The Zoning Officer shall revoke any and all sign permits issued to
a permittee in the event that said permittee fails to pay the annual
inspection fee in the manner prescribed by the resolution of the Board
of Supervisors.
3.
Exemptions. No permit shall be required for the following types of
signs, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of
signs on a premises, provided such signs conform with the general
regulations for signs enumerated herein:
A.
Name and address of resident, but not to include any commercial advertising,
of not more than two square feet in sign area.
B.
No-trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of a
property, such as "No Hunting," "No Fishing," etc., of no more than
two square feet in area in residential zones and five square feet
in all commercial and industrial zones.
C.
Real estate signs. Provided that not more than one sign is placed
upon any property held in single or separate ownership unless such
property fronts upon more than one street, in which event not more
than one sign may be erected on each frontage. Said signs shall not
exceeding five square feet in area in residential zones and 25 square
feet in all commercial and industrial zones and shall advertise the
sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located.
Such real estate signs shall be removed within 10 days after the premises
advertised has been sold, rented or leased.
D.
Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions,
when located on the premises thereof and with a sign area of no more
than 25 square feet if single-faced, nor more than 50 square feet
if double-faced, each face of the sign being counted separately and
then totaled in calculating sign area, and if used exclusively for
noncommercial announcements.
E.
Signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking or other functional
subdivision, such as lavatory facilities, telephone; signs denoting
other sections of a building, such as lubrication, office, etc., when
less than five square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising,
as defined in this part.
F.
Signs erected by a governmental body or under the direction of such
a body and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs,
railroad crossing signs, safety signs, signs identifying public schools
and playgrounds, and the like.
G.
Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection
of buildings.
H.
Flag, pennant or insignia of any government or of any religious,
charitable or fraternal organization.
I.
Temporary signs no larger than five square feet in area, advertising
the sale of edible farm products produced on the premises or advertising
auctions and special events of charitable or public service groups.
J.
Permanent residential development signs not exceeding 25 square feet
in area at major entrances, designed to identify a residential subdivision
and containing no commercial advertising, when located within the
setbacks contained in this chapter.
K.
Signs identifying places of worship, when located on the premises
thereof, and with a sign area of no more than 25 square feet.
L.
Address of a nonresidential building or office, not including any
commercial advertising, of not more than two square feet in sign area,
provided there is no other sign on the property, and that should the
name of the business or building be the same as the address, such
sign will require a permit.
4.
Issuance of permits. The Zoning Officer shall act upon the application
for permit approval within 10 days after its receipt in proper form
and authorization. When the Zoning Officer has approved an application,
a permit shall be issued within 10 days.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
1.
The Zoning Officer shall have the following duties and powers:
A.
To examine all applications, plans and specifications submitted to
the Zoning Officer and to approve or reject them as required by the
provisions of this part.
B.
To inspect all signs during the course of erection and to see that
the provisions of this part and of the permit are complied with.
C.
To keep all applications, plans and specifications and a record of
all permits, refusals, inspections, which record shall be filed and
open to public inspection.
D.
To stop the erection, alteration or repair of any sign where the
same is being carried on contrary to the provisions of this part;
to order the removal of any materials that may be unsafe or unfit
for the purpose for which they were intended to be used in accordance
with the terms and definitions of this part; and to revoke the permit
for such cause.
E.
To direct that precautions shall be taken by the erection of suitable
scaffolding or other protection whenever the work of erecting, altering
or repairing of any sign may affect the public safety.
F.
To keep available to the public at the office of the Zoning Officer
copies of this part and application forms.
G.
To perform or have performed the annual inspection of all signs in
the Township as directed in this part.
H.
To direct that any sign found to be unsatisfactory due to nonconformance
to this part or because its condition is such that it is unsafe or
has become dilapidated be corrected or removed within a thirty-day
period after the filing of the inspection report; except for existing,
nonconforming signs, a ninety-day period before they must be brought
into conformance, providing they meet with other requirements for
inspection.
I.
To notify the person or persons responsible for any sign requiring
inspection at least 30 days prior to an annual inspection, noting
the approximate date that the inspection will be made.
J.
To notify the person or persons responsible for any nonconforming
or unsatisfactory sign of the points of nonconformance and indicate
the latest date at which it must be made conforming or satisfactory
and the penalties for noncompliance. If the owner or responsible person
is not found within the Township, such service will be completed if
such notice and order shall be sent by certified mail to the last
known address of such owner and a copy of such notice and order posted
on the premises where such sign is erected.
2.
Appeals. Whenever the applicant for a permit or the owner of the
premises upon which the sign is to be erected is aggrieved by any
decision of the Zoning Officer, such applicant or person may take
an appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, as provided under this chapter.
3.
Annual inspection. All signs in the Township of Lower Southampton
for which permits are required under this part shall be subject to
an annual inspection by the Zoning Officer. Such inspection shall
take place within 90 days after the adoption of this part and shall
be repeated annually, with each inspection being made within a thirty-day
period of the anniversary date of the initial inspection.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
In the event of actual or immediate danger from falling, electrical
shock, fire hazard or any like hazard from a sign, whether the procedures
prescribed in this part have been instituted or not, the Zoning Officer
shall cause the necessary work to be done to render the sign temporarily
safe and shall employ such materials as are found to be necessary
to do this. The Township Solicitor shall institute appropriate action
against the owner of the sign for the costs incurred in the performance
of the emergency work.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
1.
Advertising sign. An off-premises sign which advertises or otherwise
directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation
or other similar activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere
than on the lot upon which such sign is located.
A.
Temporary advertising signs. Permitted in C-1, C-2 and BT Districts
if requirements set forth in Subsection 9 hereinafter are met.
2.
Business sign. An on-premises sign which directs attention to a business,
commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered
or conducted, other than incidentally, on the premises upon which
such sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
3.
Official sign. Signs erected or installed by the state, county, Township
or other governmental unit, giving notice of a permitted or prohibited
activity under a statute, ordinance or resolution duly enacted pursuant
to law. No permit fee shall be required for the erection or installation
of official signs.
4.
Real estate sign. Sign advertising the sale or rental of premises
upon which it is erected, when erected by a broker or other person
interested in the sale or rental thereof.
A.
Provided that not more than one sign is placed upon any property
held in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts
upon more than one street; in which event not more than one sign may
be erected on each frontage.
B.
Provided, further, that such sign shall be removed promptly within
20 days after date of settlement or commencement of lease, whichever
is applicable.
5.
Temporary signs of mechanics, contractors or artisans. Temporary
signs of mechanics, contractors or artisans, provided that:
A.
Such signs shall be erected only on the premises where such work
is being performed and shall be limited to a size of four square feet.
B.
Not more than one such sign for each mechanic, contractor or artisan
working shall be erected on any premises unless such property fronts
on more than one street, in which case not more than one such sign
for each mechanic or artisan shall be erected on each frontage.
C.
Such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work.
6.
Developmental signs.
A.
Sign advertising the sale or development of the premises upon which
they are erected, provided that not more than one such sign is placed
on any property in single and separate ownership unless such property
fronts on more than one street; in which event not more than one such
sign shall be erected on each frontage.
B.
Sign indicating the location and direction of premises available
for or in the process of development, but not erected upon such premises,
provided that not more than one sign is erected on each 500 feet of
street frontage.
C.
Such signs must be maintained in good repair by the erector and must
in no way be contrary to the purpose of this part.
D.
Such signs shall be removed within 20 days after the last dwelling
has been sold if such sign is located within a residential district;
in all other districts, such signs shall be removed within 20 days
after the premises has been initially occupied.
7.
Identification signs. Institutional signs for schools, churches,
hospitals, public or private recreational areas, clubs, multifamily
dwellings such as apartments, apartment complexes, PURD developments,
mobile home parks, or other similar uses, provided that:
8.
Professional and home occupation sign. Professional and home occupations
of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:
9.
Temporary, special and promotional signs. Special events and promotional
signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows, contests or
other special events located in the Township may be erected, subject
to the following requirements:
A.
Signs shall not be posted earlier than one week before the occurrence
of the event to which they relate.
B.
The erector of such sign or signs shall first apply for and obtain
a permit from the Zoning Officer and shall deposit with the Township,
at the time of this application, the sum in an amount as established
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors as a guarantee
that such signs will be removed promptly within 48 hours after the
date of the event to which the signs or posters relate.
C.
If such signs or posters are not removed at the end of the forty-eight-hour
period, the Township shall have them removed and shall keep the full
sum deposited as reimbursement for the expenses incurred by it and
for general Township purposes.
D.
The aforesaid deposit shall be in addition to the fees charged for
the issuance of such permit under the provisions of this part.
10.
Service club signs. Service club signs advertising meeting times
and places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs and organizations.
11.
Public utility signs. Directional, informational or public service
signs such as signs advertising the availability of restrooms, telephone
or similar facilities of public convenience, provided they designate
the use of the property upon which such sign is erected.
12.
Trespassing signs. Trespassing signs or signs indicating private
driveway or premises, providing that not more than one such sign shall
be permitted on any property held in single and separate ownership
for every 100 feet of street frontage.
13.
Plaza sign. Ground sign designating only the name of the plaza, mall,
shopping center, professional office building or industrial park located
on the premises where such sign is erected.
A.
For the purposes of this part, a plaza, mall, shopping center,
professional office building or industrial park shall be defined as
a combination of three or more stores, offices, factories, warehouses,
buildings or other such business establishments which share common
areas for business and/or parking, whether or not such offices, stores,
warehouses, factories or other such business establishments are detached
or share common party walls, and whether or not such offices, stores,
warehouses, factories or other such business establishments are owned
separately or together or in part by one or more individuals.
B.
There shall be only one such sign placed upon the property of
such plaza, mall, shopping center, professional office building or
industrial park, unless such plaza, mall, shopping center, professional
office building or industrial park fronts upon more than one street;
in which event not more than one such sign may be erected on each
street frontage.
C.
No other ground signs shall be permitted upon said plaza, mall,
shopping center, professional office building or industrial park.
D.
Any such sign which designates the names of the businesses,
stores, offices, shops or activities located at said premises shall
be conditional signs, permitted only upon the expressed approval of
the Board of Supervisors.
E.
The maximum height to the top of such sign shall not exceed
35 feet from ground level.
F.
The total area of such signs shall not exceed the following:
(1)
Fifty square feet of sign area when signs are situated on premises
which have street frontage of 100 feet or less.
(2)
Seventy-two square inches of sign area per each foot of street
frontage, up to a maximum of 120 square feet of sign area, when signs
are situated on premises which have a street frontage of more than
100 feet.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012, as amended by Ord. 563, 8/14/2013]
1.
Sign structure.
A.
Ground sign. A self-supporting sign supported by a structure of any
type, other than a building or structure within which the main or
an accessory use are conducted on the premises, provided that:
(1)
Lattice work beneath the sign shall not be permitted.
(2)
Ground signs must be securely attached to posts or other supporting
structures, and posts or structures must be securely and permanently
embedded in a concrete base which shall be permanently embedded in
the ground.
(3)
Signs erected at right angles to the street frontage may not
project closer than five feet to any right-of-way or street line.
(4)
Signs erected parallel to any street frontage or at other than
a right angle to any street frontage shall be located entirely within
the property lines and shall not be erected closer to said property
line or street frontage than the distance of the height of the sign.
(5)
Only one ground sign per parcel of ground per street frontage
is permitted.
(6)
No such sign shall be permitted closer than five feet from the
side property line.
(7)
No such signs shall be located within 15 feet of the edge of
an improved cartway.
(8)
Any ground sign erected or maintained within a distance of 30
feet from a cartway shall have a maximum height of 12 feet.
(9)
Maximum height of ground signs in the C-1 and TC Districts shall
be 20 feet.
(10)
Maximum height of ground signs in the C-2, BT, I and M Zoning
Districts shall be 35 feet.
(11)
In all other zoned districts, the maximum height of a ground
sign shall be five feet.
(12)
The area of plaza or ground sign shall not exceed 72 square
inches of sign area per each foot of street frontage, up to a maximum
of 120 square feet of sign area, when signs are situated on premises
which have a street frontage of more than 100 feet.
(13)
No ground sign shall exceed 25 feet in length.
(14)
No ground sign shall be placed closer than 50 feet to another
ground sign or plaza sign.
(15)
If a sign is mounted or supported by any structure other than
a building, the dimensions of this structure may be considered in
the overall size of the sign if it should in any way add to the sign
dimensions in such way as to make it nonconforming or objectionable
to the purpose of this part. All signs exceeding 10 feet in height
shall be supported by a pole of not more than 14 inches in diameter,
including the support and any casing or enclosure, decorative or otherwise.
Supporting cement bases shall not exceed 30 inches in diameter and
12 inches in height.
B.
Wall sign. Wall sign placed against the exterior walls, awnings,
eaves or other protrusion or part of a building, including painted
images, shall be permitted, provided that:
(1)
Such sign does not extend more than 10 inches outside the wall
surface it is attached to.
(2)
Such sign shall not extend beyond the ends of the wall surface
on which it is placed.
(3)
Such signs shall not extend above the top of the wall upon which
they are erected.
(4)
There shall be permitted only one wall sign for each business
establishment, which shall be located on the front wall of said business
establishment.
(5)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the aggregate
total area to be occupied by wall signs on any building shall not
exceed 15% of the aggregate wall area, including windows, of the wall
on which such signs are attached.
C.
Nonstationary signs. A sign which, by means of some mechanical device,
changes its position constantly or at regular intervals by rotating
around an axis or shifting in horizontal or vertical alignment.
D.
Movable signs. Signs which are not fixed to a permanent supporting
structure or building and are displayed on a temporary or a long-term
basis.
E.
Vehicular signs. Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a
manner that carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental
to the vehicle's purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself,
shall be considered a ground sign and, as such, be subject to provisions
regarding ground signs in the district in which such vehicle is located.
F.
Window display viewed from any street. Lettering, plate cards, banners
or other similar display materials of a temporary nature and not illuminated,
attached to the inside of windows. Window displays shall be limited
to not more than 40% of the window area in which the display is situate,
measured in accordance with the definitions of sign size under this
part. Window displays shall not require a permit; however, any window
display which does not meet the provisions of this section shall be
considered a wall sign subject to the requirements, limitations and
penalty provisions of this part.
G.
Roof sign. A sign erected on the roof of any building, either constructed
directly upon said building or supported by other means, provided
that no roof sign shall protrude beyond the wall of the building on
which it is mounted, and provided that no roof sign shall exceed 50%
of the allowable sign area for wall signs located in said district,
nor shall the vertical to horizontal dimension exceed the ratio of
3:1, and shall not exceed 10 feet in height above the roofline; and
provided, further, that no more than one roof sign may be erected
or maintained on a single premises.
H.
Projecting sign. Any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical building
surface other than a wall sign.
(1)
No signs shall project past any property line, nor over a public
sidewalk, nor within three feet from a cartway, nor more than two
feet from the building or structure from which it is suspended, fastened
or by which it is supported.
(2)
Posts or supporting structures shall not be erected within the
street lines, nor within any space between the building and the street
line.
(3)
A clear space of not less than 10 feet shall be provided below
all parts of such signs which project in any direction a distance
of more than one foot from the supporting structure or building.
2.
Sign illumination.
A.
Internally illuminated sign. A sign designed to give forth artificial
light directly through translucent material from a source of light
within such sign, including, but not limited to, neon signs. A sign
designed to give forth artificial light directly through transparent
material shall be prohibited.
B.
Externally illuminated sign. A sign illuminated with a light so shielded
that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where
said illumination occurs. If such shielding device is defective, such
sign shall be deemed to be a directly illuminated sign.
C.
Flashing sign. An illuminated sign on which the artificial light
is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity or color at
all times when in use.
D.
Festoon sign. Festoon lighting is a directly illuminated sign comprised
of either:
E.
Nonilluminated signs. A sign which is not illuminated either directly
or indirectly.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
All signs maintained or hereafter erected in the Township of
Lower Southampton shall comply with the standards set forth in this
section. All signs now erected which do not comply with such standards
are hereby declared to be nonconforming signs and public nuisances.
A.
The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained
in any district, notwithstanding anything else contained in this part
or elsewhere.
(1)
Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving
illumination or illumination which varies in intensity or which varies
in color, and signs which have any visible moving part(s), visible
revolving part(s), or visible mechanical movement of any description,
or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical pulsations
or by actions of normal wind currents, except when not visible from
motor vehicles traveling on public roadways.
(2)
Hanging signs which simply swing in the wind, clocks, barber
poles, and time-and-temperature signs may be exempted, provided they
comply with all other provisions of this part.
B.
Sign illumination.
(1)
Top-mounted fixtures required. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate
any outdoor sign shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure.
All such fixtures shall comply with the shielding requirements of
the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.[1] Bottom-mounted outdoor sign lighting shall not be used.
(2)
Outdoor signs of the type constructed of translucent materials
and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. Dark
backgrounds with light lettering or symbols are preferred to minimize
detrimental effects. Unless conforming to the above dark background
preference, total lamp wattage per property shall be less than 41
watts.
(3)
Compliance limit. Existing outdoor signs shall be brought into
conformance with this chapter within 10 years from the date of adoption
of this provision.
C.
Prohibitions:
(1)
Electrical illumination of outdoor advertising off-site signs
between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
(2)
Any sign or sign structure or any device attached thereto which
constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.
(3)
Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring,
or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers, either when
driving on a roadway or when entering a roadway from another roadway
or driveway, or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness
of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
(4)
Signs on any nonresidential accessory structures.
(5)
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire
escape door window or other required exitway.
(6)
Signs which make use of the words such as STOP, LOOK, ONE WAY,
DANGER, YIELD, or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters,
in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(7)
Signs on public grounds or public rights-of-way, unless erected
by a governmental body, or unless required to be so located by ordinance
of a governmental body, or unless approved as a conditional sign by
the Board of Supervisors. No sign located on a public right-of-way
shall bear any commercial advertising or announcement.
(8)
Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone,
cliff or other natural object.
(9)
String lights, other than temporary holiday decorations, which
are unshielded from off the property on which they are located.
(10)
Searchlights, pennants, spinners, banners and streamers, except
for occasions such as grand openings and then only with special permission
of the Zoning Officer. Use shall be limited to a thirty-day period.
D.
Maximum height regulations of signs as set forth in this part shall
be measured to the uppermost portion of the sign.
E.
In computing square foot area of a double-face sign, only one side
shall be considered, provided both faces are identical. If the interior
angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater
than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in
calculating the maximum permitted sign area.
F.
Minimum height regulations of signs as set forth in this part shall
be measured to the bottommost portion of the sign, excluding supporting
structures.
G.
No signs, nor the supports, chains and/or braces supporting or staying
such signs, shall be so placed or constructed or enclosed so as to
obstruct or interfere with any door, window, fire escape or other
required means of light, ventilation or egress.
H.
No signs shall be so located as to cause danger to traffic by obscuring
the view.
I.
Stability. Signs shall be so constructed that they will withstand
wind pressure of at least 30 pounds per square foot of surface and
will otherwise be structurally safe. All signs must be securely anchored
or otherwise fastened, suspended or supported so that they will not
be a menace to persons or property.
J.
Electric signs made of metal, glass, plastic with lamps inside of
the sign or with letters composed of lamps on the outside of same,
or similar construction, may be erected, provided that:
(1)
They are securely attached to posts or other supporting structures
by metal supports or fasteners.
(2)
They are designed, constructed and installed in conformance
with all electrical codes for such electrical devices.
(3)
They in no way can be considered, in the opinion of the Zoning
Officer, as confusing or hazardous with regard to official traffic
signaling or other protective devices.
K.
Signs attached to a building shall be fastened directly to the walls
by well-secured metal anchors. Wood supports or braces shall not be
permitted. No electric lights or fixtures shall be attached in any
manner to a wooden sign which is attached to a building or positioned
on a property so that it is closer to a building than the total height
of the sign.
L.
Signs in commercial or industrial areas bordering a residential district
shall not be located less than 30 feet from the property line which
borders such residential districts.
M.
Signs which face any dwelling located within a residential district
may not be illuminated if the sign is located within 200 feet of such
residential dwelling.
N.
It shall be unlawful for any company or individual to erect, repair
or maintain electric signs, regardless of location in the Township,
or nonelectrical signs which are higher than 20 feet at the highest
point above grade, without submitting a certificate of insurance to
the Zoning Officer in the amount of $100,000 and $300,000 liability
and $25,000 property damage.
O.
There shall be required prior to the erection or repair of electrical
signs, regardless of the location in the Township, or nonelectrical
signs which are more than 20 feet above grade, that a one-thousand-dollar
performance bond be posted with the Zoning Officer, and in the event
that the contractor does not perform in accordance with this part
or the specifications which are approved by the Building Department
for a specific installation, his one-thousand-dollar bond will be
forfeited if corrections are not made after specific deficiencies
are received in a written form from the Zoning Officer within 15 days
after such written notice. Proceeds from such forfeited bonds are
to be used by the Building Department to have corrections made which
will bring such sign into conformity with all provisions of this part.
P.
It shall be a requirement, before a permit is issued, for the bonded
contractor to provide the Underwriters' Laboratory label number for
such sign and construct said sign in accordance with Underwriters'
Laboratory specifications.
Q.
Every sign permitted under this part must be constructed of durable
materials and must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign
which is allowed to become dilapidated or a menace to persons or property,
and which continues in such condition for more than 30 days after
receiving written notice from the Township Zoning Officer regarding
the condition of said sign and instruction to either remove or repair
said sign, shall be deemed a nuisance.
R.
Conditional signs. The Board of Supervisors shall approve or disapprove
such signs which in its discretion it deems appropriate, after consideration
of:
(1)
Factors such as traffic flow and congestion, highway visibility,
topography, size and character of the land, size of the proposed sign
in relationship to the size of the building and number of business
establishments located at said premises, character of the surrounding
neighborhood, and other factors relating to the health, safety and
welfare of the community.
(2)
The standards of review relating to conditional uses under this
chapter.
(3)
The burden of proof shall at all times be upon the applicant.
S.
No sign of an individual or private corporation shall be attached
or affixed to any public utility line pole, street sign pole, traffic
sign or signal pole, or light pole.
T.
No pole enclosure, support encasement or any other device not defined
as a sign, which does not support or brace the sign in any fashion,
shall exceed 75% of the sign area.
U.
Signs for commercial advertising on public grounds. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this part or elsewhere, and regardless of the zoning district in which the said public grounds are located, commercial advertising signs shall be permitted on public grounds when erected by the Board of Supervisors or approved as a conditional sign by the Board of Supervisors under Subsection R hereof.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
1.
Any sign existing at the time of the passage of this part that does
not conform with the requirements set forth in this part and which
was legal when erected shall be considered a nonconforming sign and
may continue in nonconformity in accordance with this section. However,
if a nonconforming sign ceases to be used for a continuous period
of one year or is voluntarily removed by the landowner, such nonconforming
sign will be deemed to have been abandoned, and any subsequent sign
can only be erected in conformity with the provisions of this part.
2.
A nonconforming sign of any type shall not be moved to another position
or location upon the building, structure or lot on which it is located,
nor shall the size or area of a nonconforming sign be altered or increased
or its structure or construction altered or changed. Nothing herein
shall prevent the repairing and restoring to a safe condition any
part of a nonconforming sign or the structural supports of any such
nonconforming sign.
3.
Any nonconforming sign partially or totally destroyed by fire, explosion,
flood or other phenomenon, or legally condemned, may be reconstructed
and used at the same location, provided that:
4.
Signs advertising a nonconforming use, when located on the site where
such use is conducted, may be maintained or modernized, without increasing
their size, provided that such nonconforming use shall have been in
existence prior to the adoption of this chapter.
5.
No sign shall be erected containing information on which it states
or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted
under the provisions of this chapter in the zoning district on which
the property to which this sign relates is located.
[Ord. 558, 9/4/2012]
In all zoning districts within the Township signs may be erected,
altered, maintained or used, only when in accordance with the provisions
of this part and the table of sign regulations which is attached hereto
as Schedule 27-A.[1]
A.
Types of signs, types of sign construction and types of sign illumination
listed in Schedule 27-A are permitted by right in any district under
which it is denoted by the letter "P," subject to all other applicable
requirements of this part.
B.
Types of signs, types of sign construction and types of sign illumination
listed in Schedule 27-A, denoted by the letter "C," are permitted,
provided the Township Board of Supervisors, pursuant to the recommendations
of the Zoning Officer and pursuant to all other applicable requirements
of this part, authorizes the issuance of a sign permit.
C.
Types of signs, types of sign construction and types of sign illumination
are not permitted in any district under which it is denoted by the
letter "N."
D.
The maximum size and area of permitted types of signs, sign construction
and sign illumination for particular zoned districts are set forth
in Schedule 27-A under the column designated "SZ."
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is attached to this chapter.
