[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, §§ 21,
22; and by Ord. 173, 8/5/2014, § 37]
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning
districts:
A. Restricted Signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any
zoning district:
(1)
Banners or pennants, other than temporary special event displays
authorized by this chapter.
(2)
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices
or signs.
(3)
Signs which imitate traffic control devices.
(4)
Signs painted on fences or retaining walls.
(5)
Strings of lights, flashers, flags, pennants or other display
paraphernalia, except those displays specifically authorized by this
Part.
(6)
Overhanging signs, as defined herein.
(7)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked
on a public right of way, public property or private property, other
than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or
for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service
at any location, which are visible from the public right of way and
where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people
to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
(8)
Signs located within public rights-of-way, unless otherwise
provided herein.
B. Exempt Signs. The following signs shall be exempt from these regulations:
(1)
Residential identification signs, as defined herein.
(2)
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized Federal or State
holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or do
not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard.
(3)
Memorial/historical plaques.
(4)
Window displays, as defined herein, provided they shall not
exceed 20% of the gross surface area of all windows in an establishment.
(5)
Signs erected by a governmental agency, including street signs
and official traffic signs.
C. Lots with Multiple Street Frontage. In all zoning districts, lots
fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one sign
which is permitted per lot, on each street frontage.
D. Temporary Signs.
(1)
In all zoning districts where authorized by §
27-1703, real estate, construction and development signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sale or construction.
(2)
Sandwich board signs shall be permitted for restaurants, subject
to the following requirements:
(a)
The sandwich board sign shall be placed immediately adjacent
to the entrance to the facility, provided that the sign does not impede
pedestrian traffic. A minimum three-foot clearance shall be maintained
for pedestrian access.
(b)
The sandwich board sign shall not be placed within a public
right-of-way.
(c)
The sandwich board sign shall be secured to the building or
other fixed object with a chain or similar device and shall be constructed
of such design and materials so as not to be easily displaced by normal
wind force.
(d)
Placement of the sandwich board sign shall be limited to the
hours which the restaurant is open to the public and the sign shall
be removed daily.
(e)
Only one sandwich board sign shall be permitted per restaurant.
(3)
Temporary signs advertising nonprofit community events taking
place in the Township are permitted to be located within public rights-of-way
in the CSO and CPO Districts subject to the following requirements,
regulations and restrictions:
(a)
The signs shall be constructed of weather-resistant material
such as cloth and plastic.
(b)
The signs shall not be digital, animated, flashing or illuminated.
(c)
No more than one such sign shall be located per, street frontage
of any lot. No such sign shall be located within 100 feet of any other
temporary sign.
(d)
No such sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle
or in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility
for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic
control device.
(e)
A sign shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area. The
maximum height of the sign and any supporting structure shall be four
feet.
(f)
A portable sign shall not be considered a temporary sign under
this subsection.
(g)
The applicant shall apply for and obtain a zoning permit for
any temporary sign permitted by this subsection. The period of the
permit shall not exceed 30 days and the signs shall be removed immediately
upon the expiration of the permit. An applicant shall not be permitted
more than four display periods in any single twelve-month period.
The duration and permit period restrictions within this subsection
shall not apply to signs installed by the Township.
E. Changeable, Moving and Flashing Signs. Changeable signs, moving signs
and flashing signs shall only be permitted in the I Industrial District
subject to the regulations contained in this chapter; provided, however,
the following portions of signs are exceptions to this requirement
provided that the following signs do not flash:
(1)
Portion of a permitted sign which indicates time and temperature.
(2)
Portion of a permitted sign which indicates fuel prices for
fuel sales located on subject property.
F. Portable, Painted, Sandwich Board and Inflatable Signs. Portable
signs, signs painted on wall, sandwich board signs (except as permitted
under § 27-1702.D(2)) and inflatable signs shall only be
permitted in the I Industrial District subject to the regulations
contained in this chapter.
G. Notification Signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location
and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall
be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth. Legal notification
signs posted on private property by property owners, such as "no trespassing,"
"no hunting," and the like shall be limited to a gross sign surface
area not exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum number
of signs permitted along street frontages shall be one sign for every
30 feet of street frontage.
H. Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will
cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or
obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign,
other than official traffic signs, shall hang over, or be erected
within, the right-of-way of any street. No sign shall be located within
the clear site triangle of any intersection.
I. Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall
be directed upon the sign face and not toward adjoining properties
or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall only be permitted
in the I District. Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity
and color at all times. The intensity of any source of illumination
of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so
as to not create glare and to be compatible with the intensity of
ambient light and illumination on surrounding properties.
J. Maintenance and Inspection. All signs must be constructed of a durable
material and maintained in good condition. Any sign found to be in
an unsafe condition upon inspection by the Zoning Officer, or his/her
designee, shall be declared to be a public nuisance and a notice shall
be given to the owner, in writing, to repair or remove the sign within
a reasonable time period. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the
Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
K. Removal of Signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated,
all signs relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be
removed within 30 days of the discontinuance or vacation of the business.
Whenever a zoning permit expires for a sign, the sign relating to
the expired zoning permit shall be removed immediately. Upon failure
of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the
owner's expense.
L. Permits Required. A zoning permit shall be required for the erection
or placement of all signs with the following exceptions:
(5)
Off-premises direction signs erected by a governmental agency.
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The Zoning Officer shall issue the required zoning permit upon
submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions
of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time
to time by resolution of the Township Supervisors.
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M. Expiration of Permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for
erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall
expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if
work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently
pursued.
N. Sign Location. Except for political signs and billboards, where authorized
by this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises which
they are intended to serve.
O. Gross Sign Surface Area. In computing the gross sign surface area
of a double-faced 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 gross sign
surface area.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, § 23]
The following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:
A. Bulletin Board Sign. One bulletin board sign which is nonilluminated
or indirectly or internally illuminated, and which does not exceed
24 square feet in gross sign surface area, shall be permitted in connection
with any place of worship, school, library or similar public or semi-public
building.
B. Real Estate Sign. One nonilluminated, temporary real estate sign
shall be permitted on each lot provided the gross sign surface area
shall not exceed 12 square feet in residential zoning districts and
shall not exceed 32 square feet in any other zoning district. The
sign shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be removed within
30 days of the sale or rental of the property on which it is located.
C. Development Sign. One nonilluminated, temporary development sign
shall be permitted on each lot provided the gross sign surface area
shall not exceed 32 square feet. The development sign shall not exceed
six feet in height when located in any residential zoning district
and shall not exceed 10 feet in height in any other zoning district.
Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of
the last lot or completion of the proposed construction in the development.
D. Construction Sign. One nonilluminated, temporary construction sign
announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged
in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot; provided,
the gross sign surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall
be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.
E. Temporary Special Event Sign. One nonilluminated temporary special
event sign shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public
building, place of worship or building housing a nonprofit organization,
provided that: (1) the gross sign surface area of the signs shall
not exceed 40 square feet; and (2) the sign is displayed for a period
no longer than 10 days and is removed within five days following the
event that it promotes.
F. Home Occupation Identification Sign. One nonilluminated home occupation
identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation,
provided that the surface area of the sign does not exceed two square
feet and the sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation
of the resident, and shall not contain any logo or any other advertising.
G. Political Sign. Nonilluminated, temporary political signs shall be
permitted, provided that they are not of a type restricted by § 27-1702.A
of this chapter. The signs shall not:
(1)
Exceed a height of four feet nor a gross sign surface area of
16 square feet.
(2)
Be placed or located in any public right-of-way, Township property
or obstruct traffic visibility.
H. On-premises Directional Sign. On any lot which contains two or more
multifamily or nonresidential buildings and/or on any lot which provides
more than 100 parking spaces, on-premises directional signs shall
be permitted, provided that the gross sign surface area of any one
sign shall not exceed four square feet. On lots with an area less
than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
on-premises directional signs shall be permitted. For each additional
acre, or fraction thereof above one acre, two additional on premises
directional signs shall be permitted.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, § 241;
and by Ord. 173, 8/5/2014, § 38]
The following signs shall be permitted in all residential zoning
districts and PRDs:
A. Residential Plan Identification Sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated permanent wall or free-standing ground residential plan
identification sign with a gross sign surface area not to exceed 24
square feet and containing only the street address and/or name of
a residential subdivision plan or multi-family building or development.
A sign identifying the name of a residential subdivision may be affixed
to a free-standing decorative wall, rather than to a building wall,
provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable requirements
of this chapter.
B. Business Identification Sign. One freestanding ground sign for any
business use (other than a home occupation) which is a legal nonconforming
use, or which constitutes a use authorized by this chapter in the
subject residential district, provided that:
(1)
No pole sign exists on the lot.
(2)
The gross sign surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(3)
The structure height of the ground sign shall not exceed six
feet.
(4)
The location of the ground sign shall be designed to not interfere
with vehicular traffic visibility entering or exiting the lot or traveling
on any street.
(5)
The foundation of the ground sign shall have a decorative finish
that compliments the principal building on the property and such foundation
shall have a minimum height of 18 inches above the adjacent ground
level.
(6)
The ground sign shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated.
(7)
The ground sign shall be located at least 10 feet from the street
right-of-way line, or 40 feet from the center line of the street,
whichever is greater. Where the lot abuts a residential property,
the setback from the lot line of that property shall be not less than
50 feet.
(8)
No portion of the ground sign shall project over any public
right-of-way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle
of any street intersection.
(9)
The ground sign shall contain no more than two sign faces, one
per side.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, § 26;
by Ord. 173, 8/5/2014, § 39; and by Ord. 174, 8/5/2014,
§ 1]
The following signs shall be permitted in all commercial, industrial
and overlay zoning districts:
A. Temporary Special Event Display. A temporary special event display
shall be permitted, provided that:
(1)
No more than one sign or banner shall be permitted on any establishment
at any one time.
(2)
The temporary special event display sign shall be securely attached
to the building or a temporary supporting structure.
(3)
The temporary special event display shall be displayed for a
period not exceeding 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively,
in any twelve-month period.
(4)
The gross sign surface area of the temporary special event display
sign shall not exceed 40 square feet per establishment. In the event
that there is more than one establishment on a site, the aggregate
gross sign surface area of all temporary special event display signs
on the site at any one time shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(5)
The maximum height of the sign and any temporary support structure
shall not exceed four feet.
(6)
Portable signs shall not be considered temporary special event
display signs.
(7)
The temporary special event display shall be nonilluminated.
B. Changeable Sign. Changeable signs (including animated, digital and
electronic message signs) shall only be permitted in the I Industrial
District. In addition to the authorized business identification sign,
one nonilluminated or internally illuminated changeable sign shall
be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the
lot, which shall not exceed 30 square feet in gross sign surface area
and which shall be permanently affixed to the wall of a building on
the subject property.
C. Business Identification Sign.
(1)
Wall Sign. Each business establishment shall be permitted to
have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. The aggregate
gross sign surface area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square
feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building
occupied by the business, or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever
is less. The wall sign shall not be located on the roof, nor extend
above the height of the building.
(2)
Ground Sign. In addition to the wall sign, one free-standing
ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot; provided, that:
(a)
No pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected on the lot.
(b)
The gross sign surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed
24 square feet in the GC General Commercial District and shall not
exceed 64 square feet in the I Industrial District and the Overlay
Districts.
(c)
The structure height of any ground sign shall not exceed six
feet and the location of the sign shall be designed to not interfere
with vehicular traffic visibility entering or exiting the lot or traveling
on any street.
(d)
Ground signs shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated
or internally illuminated.
(e)
All ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet from the
street right-of-way line or 40 feet from the center line of the street,
whichever is greater. Where the lot abuts a residential property,
the setback from the property line shall be not less than 50 feet.
(f)
No portion of any ground sign shall project over any public
right of way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle
of any street intersection.
(g)
A ground sign shall contain no more than two sign faces, one
per side.
(h)
The foundation of the ground sign shall have a decorative finish
that compliments the principal building on the property and such foundation
shall have a minimum height of 18 inches above the adjacent ground
level.
(3)
Pole Sign. In addition to the authorized wall signs, one free-standing
pole sign shall be permitted, per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot; provided, that:
(a)
Pole signs shall only be permitted in the I Industrial District,
unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b)
No ground sign exists or is proposed on the lot.
(c)
The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated
or internally illuminated.
(d)
The maximum structure height of the top of the pole sign shall
be 25 feet.
(e)
The minimum structure height of the bottom edge of the pole
sign shall be eight feet.
(f)
The gross sign surface area of the pole sign shall not exceed
40 square feet for one business, and 64 square feet if there is more
than one business on the lot.
(g)
No portion of any pole sign shall project over any public right
of way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of
any street intersection. The location of the sign shall be designed
to not interfere with vehicular traffic visibility entering or exiting
the lot or traveling on any street.
(h)
All pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right
of way line, or 35 feet from the center line of the street, whichever
is greater. Where the property abuts a residential parcel, the setback
from the property line shall not be less than 50 feet.
(i)
The pole sign shall contain no more than two sign faces, one
per side.
(4)
Roof Signs. A roof sign may be illuminated or nonilluminated.
Roof signs shall be permitted only in place of a wall sign in the
I Industrial District. The gross sign surface area of a roof sign
shall not exceed two square feet per each lineal foot of width of
the front wall of the building or 200 square feet, whichever is less.
A roof sign shall not project more than six feet above the highest
point on the roof on which it is placed.
(5)
Arcade Signs. In shopping centers or office complexes which
have pedestrian access ways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior
arcade, one arcade sign shall be permitted for each business in the
building, provided that:
(a)
The gross sign surface area of each sign shall not exceed two
square feet (i.e., six inches by four feet).
(b)
The bottom edge of the arcade sign is located at least 8.5 feet
above finished grade level.
(6)
Window Display Signs. Window display signs shall be permitted
under the following conditions:
(a)
Window display signs (which include posters, signs, symbols
and other identification of or information about, the occupant or
activity and/or use of the premises) shall be permitted within the
allowable total sign area applicable to the building; however, in
no case shall window display signs exceed 30% of the total window
area of the front of the building or, in the case of a multi-tenant
building, the total window area of the front of the tenant space for
which the window display sign relates.
(b)
Neon window display signs shall be permitted in cases where
they are custom designed to be compatible with the architectural character
and exterior color of the building.
(c)
Window display signs shall be nonilluminated or internally illuminated,
provided that internally illuminated window display signs:
1)
Are only illuminated during business operating hours; and
2)
Shall not exceed 10% of the total window area of the front of
the building, or, in the case of a multi-tenant building, the total
window area of the front of the tenant space for which the window
display sign relates.
(d)
Window display signs shall be limited to first floor windows
only.