[Added 4-8-1996 by Ord.
No. 174]
This article shall be known as the "Harris Township Sign Ordinance."
This article shall become effective this 8th day of April 1996.
[Amended 2-14-2005 by Ord. No. 250]
The definitions in Article XI, Definitions, of this chapter apply in the interpretation of this article. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings given in this section:
The land area of a single tax parcel owned, rented, or leased;
a lot of record.
A device fitted over a lamp for reflecting or partially cutting
off its light.
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, product, place, activity,
person, institution, organization, firm, group, commodity, profession,
enterprise, industry, or business, or which shall display or include
any letter, work, 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 of the premises or from
a parking lot.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign denoting a business name, direction; and distance information containing no commercial advertisement.
GROUND POLE SIGNA sign supported by one or more uprights; poles, or braces placed in or upon the ground.
HANGING SIGNA sign suspended from a portion of an existing structure.
ILLUMINATED SIGNA sign that provides artificial light directly, or through any transparent or translucent material, from a source of light connected with such sign, or a sign illuminated by a light focused upon or chiefly directed at the surface of the sign.
MONUMENT SIGNA sign placed on or in the ground, not supported by any building or other structure, with the bottom edge of the sign entirely at grade.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign which contains a message unrelated to a business or profession conducted upon the premises where such sign is located, or which is unrelated to a commodity, service, or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign located on the property or attached to the exterior of the building which houses the business or occupation.
ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERThe officially designated Ordinance Enforcement Officer of the Township of Harris, County of Centre, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PERMANENT SIGNAny sign intended for display for an unlimited period of time, or in excess of that associated with a temporary sign, as specifically described in this article.
POLITICAL SIGNA sign announcing or advocating a candidate or an issue to be considered during an election.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT SIGNA sign providing the name of a development, the developer, and/or the developer's telephone number.
TEMPORARY SIGNAny sign intended for display for a limited period of time, or for less than that established for a permanent sign, as specifically described in this article.
WALL SIGNA sign which is attached directly to or painted upon a building wall or window, which does not extend more than 12 inches therefrom nor above the roofline.
The area of the smallest triangle, rectangle, or circle which
can wholly enclose the surface area of the sign. All visible faces
of a multi-faced sign shall be counted separately and then totaled
in calculating sign area. Three-dimensional signs shall be counted
as dual-faced, such that the total area shall be twice the area of
the smallest triangle, rectangle, or circle which can wholly circumscribe
the sign in the plane of its largest dimension.
A.
Signs permitted in all zoning districts. Signs listed in this section
are permitted in all districts and shall not require licenses and
shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs on a premises.
However, such signs shall conform with the general regulations for
signs enumerated in the remainder of this article:
(1)
Name and address of resident, not to include any commercial
advertisement, of not more than two square feet in sign area.
(2)
Signs regulating the use of property, such as "no trespassing,"
"no hunting," "no fishing," etc., of no more than two square feet
of sign area in residential zones and five square feet of sign area
in commercial and industrial zones.
(3)
Real estate signs not exceeding five square feet in sign area
in residential zones and 25 square feet of sign area in Commercial,
Industrial, Natural Areas, Agricultural, Agricultural Residential
and Rural Centers Zones, which advertise the sale, rental, or lease
of the property 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.
[Amended 3-14-2022 by Ord. No. 348]
(4)
Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions,
when located on the premises thereof, with a sign area of no more
than 25 square feet if single-faced, nor more than 50 square feet
if double-faced, and if used exclusively for noncommercial announcement.
(5)
Signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking, or other functional
subdivision, such as lavatory facilities, telephone, and signs denoting
sections of a building such as an office, etc., when such signs are
less than five square feet in area and bear no commercial advertisement.
(6)
Signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction
of such a body, and bearing no commercial advertisement, such as traffic
signs, railroad crossing signs, signs identifying public schools and
playgrounds, etc.
(7)
Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection
of buildings, not exceeding two square feet of sign area on a single
face.
(8)
The flag, pennant, or insignia of any government, or of any
religious, charitable, or fraternal organization.
(9)
Signs no larger than five square feet of sign area advertising
the sale of edible farm products produced on the premises, or advertising
garage sales, auctions, or special events of charitable or public
service groups, which shall be removed at the conclusion of the event
or activity.
(10)
Political signs not exceeding five square feet in sign area
if single-faced or 10 square feet if double-faced, placed on private
property with the owner's permission. Signs shall be valid for a thirty-day
period prior to the voting date and must be removed within seven days
after the voting date.
(11)
Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed
to identify a residential subdivision and containing no commercial
advertising, which do not exceed 25 square feet of sign area on a
single face or 50 square feet of sign area on a double face.
(12)
Signs identifying places of worship when located on the premises
thereof not exceeding five square feet of sign area on a single face.
(13)
On-premises occupation signs containing only name and occupation
and of no more than two square feet of sign area.
(14)
Decals affixed to the windows or door glass panes which indicate
membership in a business group or which denote credit cards accepted
by an establishment.
(15)
Signs identifying a golf course or a country club or other recreational
facility when located on the premises thereof and containing no commercial
advertising. These signs shall be limited to 25 square feet of sign
area on a single face and 50 square feet of sign area on a double
face.
(16)
Signs not exceeding 25 square feet in area erected on the inside
of the perimeter fencing or on the scoreboard of an organizational
athletic field for the sole purpose of sponsoring or contributing
to the organized sport or organization.
[Added 4-9-2012 by Ord.
No. 301]
B.
Signs prohibited in all zoning districts.
(1)
Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring,
or manner of illumination obstruct or detract from 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 sign or control device on public streets and
roads.
(2)
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire
escape, door, window, or other required exitway.
(3)
Signs which make use of words such as "stop," "look," "one-way,"
"danger," "yield," or any similar words or phrases, symbols, lights,
or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse
traffic.
(4)
Any signs which approximate in shape, design, color, or wording
any traffic control sign or device installed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation or Harris Township.
(5)
Any obsolete sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business
conducted or a product sold. In any case, 90 days shall be allowed
for removal of an obsolete sign.
(6)
Signs on public property or public rights-of-way, unless erected
by a government body or required to be so located by order of a government
body. No sign located on public property or a public right-of-way
shall bear any commercial advertisement or announcement.
(7)
Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone,
cliff, or other natural object.
(8)
String lights, other than seasonal holiday decorations, which
are unshielded.
(9)
Search lights, pennants, banners, balloons, and streamers, except
for occasions such as grand openings and then only with special permission
of the Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Use shall be limited to a fifteen-day
period.
(10)
Flashing or oscillating sign lights.
A.
Permanent signs.
(1)
All permanent signs, except those enumerated in § 12-14.4A, Signs permitted in all zoning districts, must be licensed. A license shall be required prior to constructing or installing a new sign and prior to altering or moving an existing sign.
(2)
Application for a license for a permanent sign shall be made
on a form provided by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer. The Ordinance
Enforcement Officer shall issue a sign license only if the applicant
has provided sufficient information to assure that such sign will
comply with all applicable provisions of this article.
(a)
Any person desiring a sign license shall file application upon
a form which shall contain or have attached thereto the following
information:
[1]
Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.
[2]
A map showing the location of any building, structure, or lot
to which the sign is to be attached or erected, and showing the position
of the sign in relation to nearby buildings and thoroughfares; such
a map shall be drawn to scale.
[3]
A plan showing the design of the sign, materials to be used,
lighting plans, method of construction, and means of attachment to
a building, structure, or the ground; such plans must be to scale
and be drawn on eight-and-one-half-inch-by-eleven-inch paper.
[4]
Name of person, firm, corporation, or association erecting,
altering, or installing said sign.
[5]
Written consent of the owner of the land on which the sign is
to be erected, altered, or relocated.
[6]
Other information as the Ordinance Enforcement Officer shall
deem necessary in order to show full compliance with all applicable
provisions of this and other applicable ordinances of the Township.
(3)
Licenses for permanent signs are valid for three years and shall
be renewable at three-year intervals.
(4)
Licenses for permanent signs must be kept on the premises where
the sign is displayed and must be shown to the Ordinance Enforcement
Officer upon request.
(5)
A sign may be erected, installed, altered, or relocated after
a sign license has been issued by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer.
The owner of the sign shall notify the Ordinance Enforcement Officer;
who shall inspect the sign.
(a)
If the Ordinance Enforcement Officer finds that the sign has
been placed as specified in the license application and in compliance
with all applicable provisions of this and other ordinances of the
Township, he shall issue a certificate of conformance.
(b)
If the Ordinance Enforcement Officer finds that the sign has not been placed as specified in the license application and/or is not in compliance with all applicable provisions of this and other ordinances of the Township, the owner of the sign shall be notified in writing by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer to remove said sign or correct any violations of this article noted by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer within 30 days of the date of notification. Any sign owner who shall fail to correct noted violations within 30 days of notification shall be subject to fines and penalties as set forth in § 12-14.9, Enforcement and penalties, of this article.
B.
Temporary signs.
(1)
All temporary signs as they are defined in this article shall
be licensed and shall conform to the regulations established in this
article. Possession of a valid license for a temporary sign shall
entitle the licensee to display one temporary sign at any time for
the period stated.
(2)
Application for a license for a temporary sign shall be made
on a form provided by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Licenses
for temporary signs must be kept on the premises where signs are displayed
and must be shown to the Ordinance Enforcement Officer upon request.
(3)
Licenses for temporary signs are valid for 90 days and may be
renewed upon the filing of a new application and payment of the license
fee.
(4)
Not more than two temporary signs may be licensed for any property
at any one time.
[Amended 2-14-2005 by Ord. No. 250]
A.
Limit on signs per property. No more than five signs may be erected
or maintained on any property at any one time, except on a multi-tenant
property, as described in § 12-14.8.B(4).
(1)
In calculating the total number of signs on a property, only
permanent signs shall be used. A double-faced sign shall count as
a single sign.
B.
Limit on sign area. The total permanent sign area per property shall
not exceed two square feet per lineal front foot of the main building
on the property; however, no property shall be limited to less than
20 square feet of total sign area nor allowed to exceed 200 square
feet of total sign area.
C.
Limit on height of signs. No sign, nor any part thereof, including
braces, supports, or lights shall exceed a height of 25 feet. Height
shall be measured from the median grade level directly below the face
of the sign to the highest part of the sign.
D.
Limit on content of largest sign on property. The largest sign on
a property shall not advertise any particular article of merchandise
unless it is the principal product sold or manufactured on the property.
E.
Nonconforming signs. The owner of any licensed nonconforming sign
shall submit an application for a sign license at the time of renewal.
Additionally, an application for a certificate of nonconformity shall
be filed for signs not officially recognized as nonconforming at the
time of license renewal.
(1)
No nonconforming sign shall be enlarged or dimensionally altered
or moved from one location to another.
(2)
Nonconforming signs may be repaired and maintained, which shall
include, but not be limited to, the replacement of certain portions
of the sign, or the entire sign if necessary, to repair damage from
collision, natural causes such as windstorm or fire, or from intentional
damage such as vandalism.
(3)
If there is an abandonment or nonuse, of a nonconforming sign
or sign location for a period of at least one year, such nonconforming
sign shall be deemed to be abandoned and the right to maintain such
nonconforming sign shall terminate.
F.
Illumination of signs.
(1)
Light sources which cast light on signs shall be shielded by
opaque materials so that the bulbs, floodlights, or tubes are not
visible off the property on which the sign is located.
(2)
Any source of sign illumination shall be so located and arranged
that the direct rays of the light sources do not shine into a dwelling
unit, the eyes of a pedestrian, or a vehicle operator.
(3)
All reflectors shall be equipped with wire mesh guards and shall
be 10 feet or more above the surface of the ground.
(4)
Ground-anchored light sources may be used to illuminate wall
and ground pole signs only.
G.
Safety and maintenance.
(1)
Every sign and all parts thereof, including framework, supports,
background, anchors, and wiring systems shall be constructed and maintained
in compliance with the building, electrical, and fire prevention codes
as they now exist, or as they may hereafter exist in Harris Township.
(2)
All signs and parts thereof shall be kept in a good state of
repair and maintenance.
(3)
Any sign which has received damage or deterioration to 50% or
more of the sign area as estimated by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer
shall be considered a nuisance and must be repaired or removed within
30 days of notification by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer.
Signs in Single-Family, Two-Family, and Multifamily Residential
Districts (R-1, R-2, and R-3) are allowed only as follows:
A.
All signs are prohibited in R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential Districts except those identified in §§ 12-14.4A and 12-14.8B(2)(a).
B.
Illuminated signs are prohibited in R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential
Districts, except for street address signs, signs identifying doctors
of medicine, signs identifying churches and other places of worship,
and signs necessary for public safety.
C.
No sign may be erected or maintained in R-1, R-2 or R-3 Residential
Districts which exceeds 25 square feet in sign area on a single face,
or 50 square feet of sign area on a double-faced sign.
D.
Wall signs denoting the name of an apartment building, fraternity
or sorority house, boarding or rooming house, bed-and-breakfast, nonprofit
club, community or municipal center, funeral home, or any similar
enterprise as are now allowed or may hereafter be allowed in these
districts shall comply with all applicable provisions of this article.[1]
[Amended 2-14-2005 by Ord. No. 250]
A.
Basic sign types.
(1)
Ground pole signs. In addition to the general provisions of
this article, the following regulations shall apply to all ground
pole signs:
(a)
Every ground pole sign and all parts, braces, and supports thereof,
shall be located entirely behind the property line and shall not project
over public right-of-way or other adjoining lands. Ground pole signs
are permitted between the property line and the building setback lines.
(b)
No ground pole sign shall exceed 25 square feet of sign area
on a single sign face, nor 50 square feet of sign area if double-faced,
except in the Village Zoning District, where no ground pole sign shall
exceed 15 square feet of sign area on a single face or 30 square feet
of sign area if double-faced.
(c)
If external lighting is used, reflectors must be 10 feet or
more above the surface of the ground or sidewalk. Ground-anchored
light sources are permitted.
(d)
No more than one sign shall be mounted to the supporting structure
of any ground pole sign, except for directional signs permitted in
this article.
(e)
One ground pole sign may be installed for and toward each public
way on any public way on any property located on a corner lot of having
public entrance to two or more public ways.
(2)
Hanging signs. In addition to the general provisions of this
article, the following regulations shall apply to all hanging signs:
(a)
No portion of any hanging sign-shall be less than 10 feet above
grade level, except in the Village Zoning District, where clearance
over walkways shall not be less than eight feet.
(b)
No single face of a hanging sign shall exceed 15 square feet
of sign area, except in the Village Zoning District, where hanging
signs shall not exceed 10 square feet of sign area.
(c)
Hanging signs may be illuminated.
(3)
Projecting signs. In addition to the general provisions of this
article, the following regulations shall apply to all projecting signs:
(a)
No projecting sign shall project more than five feet beyond
the building line in the direction of the street, nor shall any portion
of any projecting sign be closer than two feet to the face of the
street curb or curbline.
(b)
No portion of any projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet
above grade level; except in the Village Zoning District, where projecting
signs shall maintain at least eight feet of clearance over walkways.
(c)
No single face of a projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet
of sign area, except in the Village Zoning District, where projecting
signs may not exceed 10 square feet of sign area per face.
(d)
There shall be no more than one projecting sign for any premises
unless the premises is located on a corner lot or has public entrances
on two or more public ways, in which case one projecting sign may
be erected for and toward each public way.
(4)
Wall signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article,
the following regulations shall apply to all wall signs:
(a)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which
it is placed, nor extend beyond the left and right extremities of
the wall to which it is attached.
(b)
No wall sign, nor any part thereof, shall project more than
12 inches from the wall upon which it is mounted. If external lighting
is used, reflectors must be 10 feet above the surface of the sidewalk,
be equipped with wire mesh guards, and may extend no more than two
feet from the wall of the building.
(c)
No wall sign shall exceed 25 square feet of sign area, except
in the Village Zoning District, where no wall sign shall exceed 15
square feet of sign area.
(5)
Monument signs. In addition to the general provisions of this
article, the following regulations shall apply to all monument signs:
B.
Special sign types.
(1)
Directional signs. In addition to the general provisions of
this article, the following regulations shall apply to all directional
signs:
(a)
Directional signs may be erected along arterial roadways, with
the property owner's permission, to direct vehicles or pedestrians
to locations not visible or easily accessed from major roadways.
(b)
Directional signs shall be ground pole signs with a maximum
sign area of 10 square feet if single-faced and 20 square feet if
double-faced.
(c)
The content of directional signs shall be limited to the name
of the establishment, direction, and distance information.
(d)
Directional signs shall not be located more than 500 feet from
an entrance or other roadway leading to the advertiser, shall be located
in advance of such roadway or entrance, and shall be located on that
side of the highway which is occupied by traffic to which direction
is being conveyed.
(e)
No more than two individual signs shall be erected within the
permitted area, and these shall be attached to a single ground support
structure. When more than two such signs are requested at a single
location, all information shall be combined in one sign which shall
not exceed either an area of 25 square feet for a single-faced sign
or 50 square feet for a double-faced sign.
(f)
Directional signs on collector or local streets may be erected
with the property owner's permission. Such signs may not exceed five
square feet of sign area and may contain only the name of the establishment,
direction, and distance information. Such signs are considered permanent.
(2)
On-premises occupation signs. In addition to the general provisions
of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all on-premises
occupation signs:
(a)
A professional occupation sign shall denote only the name, office
hours, symbol, and/or profession of an occupant. There shall be not
more than one sign per occupant, and total sign area shall not exceed
five square feet per occupant. The total area for all such signs shall
not exceed 25 square feet per building.
(3)
Real estate development signs. In addition to the general provisions
of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all real
estate development signs:
(a)
The use of real estate development signs shall be limited to
those developers or owners having for sale a minimum of six lots in
one subdivision.
(b)
Such signs must be located on the subdivision in which lots
are for sale.
(c)
Such signs may advertise only the subdivision in which the sign
is located and not the sale of lots elsewhere, or the realtor's, developer's,
or landowner's business in general. The content of such signs shall
be limited to the name of the development, the developer's name, and
the telephone number of the developer or his sales agent(s).
(d)
Such signs shall conform to relevant setback line requirements.
If any person shall use more than one sign for the same development
or area, no two signs shall be closer to each other than 1,000 feet
measured in a straight line.
(e)
The maximum sign area of any such single-faced sign shall be
25 square feet, and for any double-faced sign, 50 square feet. No
part of such sign shall be more than 10 feet above grade or in excess
of 10 feet in any dimension.
(f)
Such signs shall be removed when 75% of the lots in the subdivision
have been sold or leased.
(g)
Artificial illumination of such signs is prohibited.
(4)
Multi-tenant property signs. For those properties containing
more than one tenant, including but not limited to shopping centers,
office parks, and industrial parks, the following regulations shall
apply:
(a)
For every multi-tenant property, one ground pole or monument
sign not exceeding 25 square feet in area per face identifying the
property/development shall be permitted at the entrance. In the case
that a property has entrances from more than one public street, one
additional ground pole or monument sign shall be permitted at an additional
entrance.
(b)
For each tenant on the property, one wall sign of not more than
25 square feet in area shall be permitted.
(c)
Directional signs of not more than 10 square feet in area per
face and bearing no commercial advertisement other than the names
of tenants may be erected at street/driveway intersections within
the property. Such signs shall not be licensed and shall not be counted
toward the number of signs permitted on the property.
A.
Enforcement.
(1)
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Ordinance
Enforcement Officer of the Township of Harris.
(2)
The Ordinance Enforcement Officer shall examine all applications
for permits for erection of signs, issue licenses for new signs and
for continued use of signs which conform to the requirements of this
article, record and file all applications for permits with any accompanying
plans or documents, make an annual inspections of all signs in the
Township, and make such reports as the Township may require.
(3)
If the Ordinance Enforcement Officer shall find that any sign
has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation
of the provisions of this article, (s)he shall promptly notify the
owner or lessor thereof in writing. Failure to remove said sign within
the time given in the notice by the Ordinance Enforcement Officer
shall constitute a violation of this article. The Ordinance Enforcement
Officer is authorized to take all necessary steps as authorized by
the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.,
to enforce the provisions of this article and to abate violations
of this article.
(4)
Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate violation
of this article.
(5)
The cost of removal or abatement of any violation shall be borne
by the owner or lessor of such sign, and shall be a lien upon the
property of the owner or lessor.
(6)
The Ordinance Enforcement Officer shall cause any sign which
is in immediate peril to persons or property to be removed immediately.
The cost of such removal shall be borne by the owner or lessor of
such sign, and shall be a lien upon the property of the owner or lessor.
B.
Penalties. Penalties for violation of this article are set forth
in §§ 712.1 and 712.2 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended,
53 P.S. §§ 10712.1 and 10712.2, respectively.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall hear all cases involving variances,
special exceptions, appeals involving interpretations of this article,
unified appeals, and challenges to the validity of this article as
provided by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S.
§ 10101 et seq.
