Part 16 SIGN REGULATIONS

No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.

No sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision, and if located within the direct line of vision of any traffic sign or signal, such sign shall not have red, green, or amber illumination. In no case shall a sign be located within the clear sight triangle, as defined by the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].

No sign, other than signs authorized by this Part, shall be erected within the right-of-way of any public street public sidewalk, or shall be closer to a street line then 10 feet, except for single dwelling real estate signs, which may be set closer for proper view from the street line.

Sign Illumination. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any permitted sign, building, or structure in any district may be illuminated; provided, that there shall be no illumination of a flashing, intermittent, or moving type; and, further provided, that floodlighting shall be so shielded and aimed that the source of light shall not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign, building, or structure being illuminated is erected, and, so that only the sign, building, or structure is directly illuminated thereby.

Sign Area. For the purposes of this chapter, the area of a sign shall be calculated as follows:

The area of the sign shall include the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the outer limits of such sign. The sign area shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display.

In the case of an open sign made up of individual letters, attached to or painted on a building, wall, window, canopy, or awning, the sign area shall be that of the smallest rectangle or other geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.

In computing the area of a double-faced sign, only one face shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical in area. In "V" type structures, if the interior angle of the sign faces exceeds 45°, both faces shall be considered in computing the sign area.

Sign Height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the existing ground elevation at the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure. In the case where there is a sidewalk, the height shall be measured from the elevation of the sidewalk.

Vehicular Signs. A sign on a vehicle denoting a business-related activity shall be considered a business sign and shall be subject to the following regulations:

Vehicles containing a business sign and parked in a residential district shall be concealed (garaged) from public view or in a parking space screened from view from the street, or unless such vehicle is moved on a regular basis (i.e., at least three times per week) and except wherein the vehicle owner or repairman is actually engaged in authorized repairs or construction at that location.

Vehicles shall not be parked in public view in any district when their sole purpose is to serve as a sign or advertisement. (See also § 27-1604, Subsection 1K, "Prohibited Signs.")

No sign, except where exempted by these regulations, shall be erected without the issuance of a sign permit by the Zoning Officer.

§ 27-1603 Exempt Signs.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1603]

No permit need be obtained before erecting any of the following signs in any district. (See also § 27-1605, Subsection 1B, "Temporary Signs not Requiring a Permit.") Exempt signs shall, however, conform to all other applicable regulations of this chapter or other codes or ordinances:

Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional, or other official federal, state, county, or Township signs.

Directional information or public service signs, such as those advertising availability of restrooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs or organizations, may be erected and maintained, provided that such signs do not significantly advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods, or services, except those of public utilities. Directional and information signs provided for the safety and/or convenience of the public within commercial establishments may be erected. Signs erected under this provision shall not exceed four square feet in area.

Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling hunting or fishing upon particular premises, and signs indicating ownership of a property, provided sign area does not exceed three square feet.

Signs displaying name and address of the occupant of the premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot and not more than one such sign shall be erected for each property held in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage.

Governmental flags or insignias not exceeding 80 square feet.

Legal notices.

Window signs indicating the store hours or names of credit institutions, provided that the total area of such sign or signs does not exceed two square feet.

Signs or emblems of a religious, civic, philanthropic, historical, or educational organization not exceeding four square feet in area.

Vending machine signs bearing the brand name of the product being sold or price of such product.

Memorial signs or historical tablets, provided that such sign or tablet does not exceed four square feet.

Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone, or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are not made of a reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.

Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 36 inches in height, as measured from the ground.

Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field. Such signs shall be removed after the growing season.

§ 27-1604 Prohibited Signs.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1604]

The following signs are unlawful and prohibited:

A flashing, rotating, animated, or revolving sign, with the exception of barbershop poles, a searchlight or hot air or gas filled balloons used as a means of drawing attention to a business or other use.

A sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights.

A sign suspended between poles consisting of either pennants or spinners, except as permitted in § 27-1605, Subsection 1B(3).

Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree or rock or other natural feature.

Signs shall only be attached to utility poles in conformance with state and utility regulations and the requirements of this chapter.

No sign which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor shall be permitted.

Any banner sign or sign of any other type across a public street except as provided for in § 27-1605, Subsection 1C(1).

Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter.

Any sign which uses the words "stop," "look," "danger," or any other word or character which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interferes with or resembles any official traffic sign, signal, or device within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.

Except for traffic control signals, red or green lights which may be mistaken for official traffic lights are prohibited within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.

A truck or other vehicle not used for normal day-to-day operations of a business or not regularly moved for business related purposes shall be prohibited from use as a sign. [See also § 27-1602, Subsection 1E(1).]

Roof signs as defined by this chapter.

§ 27-1605 Temporary Sign Regulations.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1605]

In addition to other applicable regulations, the following regulations for temporary signs shall be observed in all districts:

General Provisions.

Temporary signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct access to or from any door, window, fire escape, or ventilating equipment, nor be attached to any stand-pipe or fire escape.

Such signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.

Unless specified otherwise, temporary signs shall be removed within three days after completion of the event, situation, or circumstance for which it is used.

Temporary Signs not Requiring a Permit. The following temporary signs shall not require a permit if erected in compliance with the following regulations:

Temporary signs of contractors and artisans, erected and maintained on the premises during the period of their work, one such sign per trade, each having an area of not more than six square feet.

Temporary year or garage sale signs, provided they do not exceed four square feet in area, are erected no more than two days before the first day of the sale, and are removed within two days after the sale. No more than three temporary off-premises signs shall be permitted and permission shall be obtained from the landowner or utility to post such signs.

A sign, bunting, or pennants announcing the opening of a new business or industry, provided they are removed within seven days of the opening day or first day of business.

Temporary window sign announcing a drive or event of civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization, less than four square feet, placed in a store or office window. Temporary signs for such events shall be removed within three days after the event. Permission shall be obtained from the landowner or utility to post said temporary signs.

Real estate signs shall be permitted, subject to the following standards:

Real estate signs shall not exceed six square feet in area in residential districts and 24 square feet in area in all other districts.

Corner lots may have one such sign for each street frontage.

Such signs shall be located on the property for which they are advertising.

Such signs shall be removed within five days after a final settlement or rental agreement has been reached.

Construction/development signs shall be permitted, subject to the following standards:

Construction/development signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area in residential districts and 24 square feet in area in all other districts.

Corner lots may have one such sign for each street frontage.

Such signs shall be located on the property to which they relate.

Such signs shall be removed when 90% of the properties have been developed or 18 months after the erection of the sign whichever comes first.

(7)

Political signs shall be permitted as temporary signs, provided that:

Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, except at a polling place, in which case no sign shall exceed 24 square feet in area.

Signs shall be removed within seven days after the election or referendum.

Any site or building on which the sign was erected shall be restored to its original or better condition upon removal of the sign.

Temporary Signs Requiring a Permit. The following temporary signs require a permit and shall be erected in compliance with the following regulations:

Temporary signs announcing special events or the temporary lawful sale of products, goods, and/or services, such as the sale of Christmas trees, shall be permitted, provided that:

Permits shall run for a thirty-day period or for the length of the permit issued for a temporary use. Temporary window signs, as described in § 27-1605, Subsection 1B(4), above, shall not require a permit.

Signs shall comply with all pertinent regulations applicable to permanent type signs. Sign permits shall be issued only when the use proposed is permitted by the underlying zoning district.

No such sign shall be posted earlier than three weeks before the occurrence of the event to which it relates.

Signs shall be removed upon expiration of the permit or within one week after the date of the special event or the last day of sales, whichever comes first.

(e)

Any site or building on which the sign was erected shall be restored to its original or better condition upon expiration of the permit.

(f)

Community Special Event Signs. Where such signs are in the form of banners proposed to be suspended across public roads, the following standards shall apply in addition to those noted above:

The sign shall not exceed three feet high by 30 feet wide and the bottom edge of the sign shall be at least 15 feet above the road surface.

The Township shall be notified prior to the erection of such signs.

Where the proposed banner spans a state road, the applicant shall also comply with PennDOT's procedural requirements for the placement of signs or banners across state highways. Evidence of such compliance shall be supplied to the Township.

Portable signs shall be allowed only for temporary display and shall be subject to the following provisions:

Portable signs shall only be permitted in districts where commercial uses are permitted as a principal use. Portable signs shall comply with all pertinent regulations, applicable to permanent type signs permitted in the underlying district, including maximum area and height requirements for ground signs.

Permits shall be issued for a one-month period for portable signs. Permits for portable signs shall be issued no more than twice in any one calendar year.

No more than one portable sign shall be allowed per premises.

§ 27-1606 Signs in Residential Districts: RA Rural Agricultural, R-2 Low Density Residential, R-2 Medium Density Residential, R-3 High Density Residential, MHP Mobile Home Park.

Application for a portable sign permit shall be made to the Township Zoning Officer accompanied by the required permit fee and an escrow deposit, as established by the Township fee schedule, as a guarantee that the portable signs shall be removed at the end of the authorized period. If not removed within 10 days of the permit expiration date, the Township shall remove the sign and keep the sum necessary from the escrow amount to cover the expense incurred in removal.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1606]

In addition to the exempt signs in § 27-1603 and the applicable temporary signs in § 27-1605, the following signs may be erected in the RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, and MHP Districts subject to the following standards:

Residential accessory, home occupation, or name plate signs, provided that:

No such sign shall exceed a surface area of two square feet.

No more than one such sign shall be allowed on premises for each permitted use or dwelling unit.

No such sign shall be closer to a street line or property line than 10 feet.

Real estate signs, provided that:

No such sign shall exceed a surface area of 9 square feet.

No more than one such sign shall be permitted on premises unless said premises fronts two or more streets, whereupon one sign may be placed on each street frontage.

No such sign shall be illuminated.

All signs shall be moved within seven days of transaction.

Signs intended for permitted nonresidential uses, provided that:

No such sign shall exceed a surface area of 20 square feet.

No more than one such sign shall be permitted on premises for each 200 feet of frontage, with a maximum of two signs, unless said premises fronts two or more streets, whereupon a maximum of two signs may be placed on the frontage of the street of primary access, as above; and one sign may be placed on each, other street frontage.

Such sign shall be illuminated by indirect lighting only.

Temporary professional signs, provided that:

Such signs are displayed only on the premises where services are being performed.

No such sign shall exceed a surface area of nine square feet.

Such sign shall be removed promptly upon completion of active work.

No such sign shall be illuminated.

Temporary nonprofessional signs, provided that:

No such sign shall exceed a surface area of 9 square feet.

Such signs shall be removed promptly after the event has taken place.

The permit for such sign shall expire within 30 days of issuance.

Portable signs, when in accordance with the following provisions:

The permit for such sign shall expire within 30 days of issuance.

Tags issued at the time of permit approval must be affixed to each sign in an easily identifiable location.

Portable signs shall comply with all pertinent regulations applicable to permanent type signs.

Banners.

The hanging of banners is the sole responsibility of the applicant.

A permit is required from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for banners over state roads.

No banner may hang lower than 15 feet over a street.

No more than two banners may be displayed over a particular street or way.

No banner shall restrict views or impede vehicular circulation.

Banners may not be hung more than 14 days prior to the date of the event being advertised, and must be removed no later than seven days after the conclusion of the event being advertised.

Identification of development signs, provided that:

No such sign shall exceed a surface area of 20 square feet.

The manner in which such sign is supported and displayed does not create a visual or safety hazard to vehicular traffic and is considered by the Zoning Officer at the time of application for sign permit to be compatible to the character of the community.

No more than one such sign shall be permitted on the premises of the development, unless said premises has two or more entrances, whereupon one sign may be placed at each entrance.

§ 27-1607 Signs in Commercial and Office/Industrial Districts: PF Public Facilities, MU Multi-use, O-I Office Industrial.

Such sign shall be illuminated by indirect lighting only, attached to the sign.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1607; as amended by Ord. 2003-01, 2/27/2003, § 5]

In addition to the exempt signs in § 27-1603 and the applicable temporary signs in § 27-1605, the following signs may be erected in the PF, MU, and O-I Districts, subject to the following conditions:

All signs, as permitted in § 27-1606, provided that such signs relate to a use permitted in the district in which the sign is located.

Business, commercial, or industrial signs, provided that:

The total surface area of all signs facing any one street frontage of any single premises shall not exceed 1/2 square foot per foot of lineal building frontage, and in no case may exceed 25 square feet.

No more than one sign will be permitted for each establishment, unless said establishment fronts two or more streets, whereupon one sign may be placed on each street frontage.

The total surface area of one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.

No more than one sign will be permitted for the purpose of announcing a commercial center, unless such center fronts two or more streets, whereupon one sign maybe placed on each street frontage.

Where three or more establishments are contiguous to one another, no sign shall exceed 15 square feet per establishment.

Freestanding business signs may be located no closer to a side or rear property boundary line or street right-of-way than whichever is greater.

Fifteen feet.

A distance equivalent to the height of the sign.

The minimum side or rear yard distance required for the permitted use being identified.

(7)

No freestanding sign shall exceed 12 feet in height when measured from the ground level to the top of the sign and have a minimum distance of six feet measured from ground level to the bottom of the sign, except that a portable sign shall not exceed four feet in height.

Directional signs, provided that:

No such sign shall have a surface greater than three square feet.

No establishment shall erect more than two directional signs within East Fallowfield Township.

No more than two such signs will be permitted at any intersection.

No such sign shall be erected without approval, in writing, of the owner of the property on which the sign is erected.

Wall-mounted business signs, provided that:

A wall-mounted shall be permitted on any wall of a building or structure incident to a permitted use.

Wall-mounted signs shall be installed parallel to the supporting wall and project no more than 10 inches overall from the face of such wall.

The maximum display area of a sign mounted on any wall of a building or structure shall not exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage on which the sign is mounted, provided that:

The total display area of such sign shall not exceed 20% of the total area of the wall on which the sign is mounted.

The total display area of all signs mounted on the sides and/or rear of a structure shall not exceed the area of the sign mounted on the front wall.

The total display area for all signs shall not exceed 50 square feet.

No wall-mounted signs shall extend above the roofline or cornice of tiny building.

For integrated multiple uses on a single lot or within a single building, each use will be permitted one wall-mounted sign for identification and/or merchandising purposes, provided such signs shall comply with the regulations stated herein.

Projecting business signs, provided that:

One projecting business identification sign shall be permitted for each building or structure incident to a permitted use, except wherein wall-mounted signs are used for identification and/or merchandising purposes.

For integrated, multiple uses on a single lot or within a single building, each use will be permitted one projecting sign; except wherein wall-mounted signs are used.

The display area of a projecting sign shall be a maximum of 6 square feet and extend more than two feet from the building surface.

No part of the projecting sign shall be less than eight feet, nor more than 12 feet above the ground or walking level.

The following signs may be erected in the VC Village Commercial District:

Residential Uses. Residential uses within the VC Village Commercial District shall comply with the Residential District sign requirements contained herein.

Commercial Uses. For all commercial uses, signs may be erected in accordance with either clause (a) or (b) as outlined below:

One freestanding sign up to 10 square feet, plus one of the following:

One wall sign mounted flush on the wall up to eight square feet.

One wall sign, when part of the architectural design of the building, consisting of individual letters or symbols, not to exceed 15% of wall area.

One window sign consisting of individual letters or symbols not to exceed 30% of total glass area of the building front.

One projecting sign projecting not more than five feet from the wall up to eight square feet in size, plus one of the following:

One wall sign mounted flush on the wall up to eight square feet.

One wall sign, when part of the architectural design of the building, consisting of individual letters or symbols, not to exceed 15% of wall area.

One window sign consisting of individual letters or symbols not to exceed 30% of total glass area of the building front.

If a building fronts upon more than one street, one additional sign in conformity with either clause (b)1), 2), or 3) above may be permitted on each street frontage.

No portion of projecting signs shall be less 10 feet above the finished grade nor more than 20 feet above finished grade.

(e)

The maximum height of freestanding signs shall be eight feet above the finished grade.

(f)

Where multiple uses are within a single structure, the size of the permitted freestanding sign may be increased by two square feet for each additional use, up to a maximum total sign area of 16 square feet. The height of such signs may be increased to a maximum of 12 feet.

(g)

Portable signs shall not be permitted in the VC Village Commercial District.

Sign Design Guidelines. The following sign design guidelines indicate the preferred sign characteristics for the VC Village Commercial District. The guidelines should be consulted for additional provisions relevant to the use of signs in this district.

Wood or metal is preferred sign material. The use of plastic signs is discouraged.

External lighting, or back lighting in the case of window signs, is the preferred method of illumination. Internally lit signs are discouraged.

The overuse of signs should be avoided; temporary advertising signs in windows should be kept to a minimum and remain in place no longer than necessary.

§ 27-1607.1 Billboards and Electronic Signs.

Simplicity of design and a limited color scheme of no more than two or three colors are encouraged. Signs should consist of natural materials and blend with the building or structure they represent. The sign message should be simple and readable.

(e)

Wall signs designed as an integral part of the facade of commercial buildings (generally located above the door in the lintel) are encouraged. Signs should be proportional in scale to the building and to the wall space on which they are mounted.

(f)

Wall or projecting signs are preferred where there is a small front yard setback. Freestanding signs are considered most appropriate for buildings originally designed as residential dwellings or where larger front yard setbacks are present.

[Added by Ord. No. 2019-02, 2/26/2019]

Intent. The intent of this section is to provide appropriate regulations for both billboards (containing off-site advertising) and electronic message signs (containing only on-site messages), and to:

Support the First Amendment rights of advertisers to promote legal products and services while retaining the sense of community and protecting the character of the Township;

Ensure that billboards and electronic advertising is provided for in the Township and located safely and appropriately where it can be viewed by the traveling public with the least distraction and degradation to the public safety;

Provide billboards and electronic advertising in a manner demonstrated to be compatible with the historic, natural and rural character of the Township in terms of size, location, visual prominence from areas other than the adjacent highway, and materials and finishes used in construction;

To prevent billboards and electronic advertising from having a negative impact on neighborhoods (particularly residentially zoned or used properties) in terms of visual blight, light pollution, or decreased property value;

To prevent billboards and electronic advertising from having a negative impact on designated historic sites or structures in terms of visual blight, light pollution, or decreased property value;

To advance the mission of the International Dark-Sky Association and maintain the Township's nighttime environment by reducing light pollution through lighting practices that provide:

Energy savings resulting in economic and environmental benefits;

Superb nighttime ambience and quality of life;

Conservation of nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems;

Safeguarding of scientific and educational opportunities such as astronomy;

Preservation of cultural heritage and inspiration for the arts;

§ 27-1608 Construction and Maintenance.

Increased visibility, safety, and security at night by reducing glare; and

(7)

Protection of human health.

Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BILLBOARD

A form of a ground sign or freestanding sign which advertises goods, materials or services not offered on the same premises as that upon which the sign is located.

BILLBOARD STRUCTURE

The framework, supports, display face(s) and electrical components of the billboard.

CHANGE INTERVAL

The "Change Interval" is defined as the time period in which the display of an electronic sign/billboard must remain static and during which the display may not transition to display another advertisement.

DISPLAY FACE

The face of a billboard, including copy, insignia, background, border and trim. The measurement shall be determined by the smallest rectangle inclusive of all letters and images. The structural support shall be excluded from the area calculations if it is not used to directly express or convey a commercial or noncommercial message.

ELECTRONIC BILLBOARD

A billboard capable of displaying text, graphics, symbols, or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means; or with content that may be changed by electronic process through the use of light or lights, including, but not limited to, light emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal display and plasma image display.

ELECTRONIC SIGN

An on-site sign capable of displaying text, graphics, symbols, or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means; or with content that may be changed by electronic process through the use of light or lights, including, but not limited to, light emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal display and plasma image display.

MESSAGE SEQUENCING

A single message or advertisement for a product, event, commodity, or service that is divided into segments and presented over two or more successive display phases of a sign, or across two or more individual signs.

ON-SITE SIGN

A sign that is not an off-site sign (i.e., which advertises goods, materials or services offered on the same premises as that upon which the sign is located).

TRANSITION INTERVAL

The "Transition Interval" is defined as the time period in which the display of an electronic sign/billboard transitions to another display.

Criteria for Billboards. Billboards shall be permitted by special exception only, subject to the applicant establishing compliance with the following criteria, together with all applicable criteria in Article XIX and the criteria set forth in Zoning Ordinance § 27-1607.1:

Billboards may only be erected and maintained in the MU Zoning District, limited to those properties with frontage on state roadways.

Size. The display face of a billboard shall not exceed 50 square feet in area, unless the applicant can establish before the Zoning Hearing Board during the special exception hearing that the content of the billboard could not be read from any point along the road frontage and that the permitted size is not adequate for the conveyance of any advertising messages to passing motorists. If the applicant is able to establish the above, then the billboard shall not be permitted to exceed 300 square feet in area, but in any event shall be no larger than is necessary to be read and conveyed to passing motorists. If present, nondisplay physical borders around the display image shall not exceed six inches on a side.

Billboard to billboard setback. Billboards shall be set back a minimum of 300 feet from any other billboard.

Setbacks; road right-of-way. Billboards shall be set back from the right-of-way a minimum of 20 feet; a distance equivalent to 1.1 times the height of the billboard; or the minimum front building setback set forth in the underlying Zoning District; whichever is greater. No part of a billboard shall be set back more than 60 feet from the nearest street right-of-way.

Setback from street intersections. All billboards must be set back at least 500 feet from all street intersections, measured from the point of intersection of the center lines of the intersecting streets.

Setback from residential dwelling unit. Except as governed by a greater setback required herein, all billboards must be set back a minimum of 150 feet from the boundary of the R1, R2, R3, R4 and AP Zoning Districts and from the boundary of any property on which a residential dwelling unit is situated. Moreover, the applicant must establish that the billboard will be screened such that the face of the billboard will not be visible from an existing residential dwelling unit. With respect to such setback as applied from any existing residential dwelling unit, the 150-foot setback may be reduced if the owner of such dwelling unit agrees in writing to the placement of such sign as memorialized by an easement filed with the Chester County Recorder of Deeds.

Public health, safety and welfare. The applicant shall bear the burden of establishing that the proposed billboard will not create a public health, welfare or safety concern.

Billboard design. The billboard structure shall be designed as an architecturally decorative feature or shall be screened with vegetation. In no case shall the supporting structure be designed to increase the apparent size of the billboard or to otherwise increase its visual prominence.

Structural engineer. The applicant shall be required to submit an attestation from a structural engineer, registered in Pennsylvania, to certify that the proposed billboard is properly constructed pursuant to all applicable codes, to certify the viability of the construction of the foundation and erection of the structure for the proposed billboard. The applicant shall further submit a report from an engineer to set forth the wind tolerances of the proposed billboard.

Landscape plan. The applicant shall submit a plan prepared by a landscape architect showing landscaping proposed to be installed to screen and buffer the billboard. Existing vegetation on and around the proposed Billboard shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible. All proposed landscaping shall comply with the requirements of the Township's Zoning Ordinance[1] and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[2] Applicants shall submit a visual survey from mutually agreed upon vantage points in order to support the proposed landscaping plan's mitigation of visual impacts.

[1]

Editor's Note: See Chapter 27, Zoning.

[2]

Editor's Note: See Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.

Electrical service. All billboards shall be serviced by underground electrical wiring.

Access. Billboards shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access, with such features as a locked ladder way.

Criteria for electronic signs/billboards. The following criteria shall apply to electronic signs, which shall only be permitted upon the applicant establishing the following criteria:

Electronic signs shall be permitted: 1) for any use authorized by the Zoning Ordinance in the PF Zoning District as an accessory to a use permitted under § 27-802; and 2) by special exception in the MU Zoning District. Within the MU Zoning District, electronic billboards may only be erected and maintained on those properties with frontage on state roadways and subject to the criteria set forth in Subsection 3 above.

Electronic signs and electronic billboards may not contain any: fading; flashing; modulating; scrolling; moving lights; text or graphics; any full-motion video; or any visible change during the change interval period.

Change interval: No more than three sign changes are permitted per day for electronic signs and electronic billboards.

Transition interval: Electronic signs and electronic billboards must provide a maximum transition interval of one second.

Electronic sign and electronic billboard lighting shall be automatically extinguished so as to not operate before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m.

Illumination shall be automatically controlled so that at no point on the electronic sign or electronic billboard shall the luminance exceed 100 cd/m² with a full-white board face after sunset.

The electronic sign or electronic billboard shall contain a default mechanism that will freeze the sign display in one position if a malfunction occurs, or shut down and show "full black" on the display.

Electronic signs shall not exceed 12 feet in height. Electronic billboards shall not exceed 20 feet in height.

Message sequencing shall be prohibited.

No electronic sign or electronic billboard shall shine or reflect light into adjacent residences.

Electronic signs and electronic billboards must be oriented so that they are perpendicular to the adjacent roadway.

Setbacks; road right-of-way. Electronic signs and electronic billboards shall be set back from the right-of-way a minimum of 15 feet or a distance equivalen to 1.1 times their height; whichever is greater. No part of an electronic sign or electronic billboard shall be set back more than 60 feet from the nearest street right-of-way.

Electronic signs and electronic billboards shall be subject to all applicable rear and side yard building setbacks. No portion of any sign shall project over a lot line and in no case shall be within a setback area from the rear or side yards equivalent to a distance of 1.1 times the height of the sign.

A sign permit applicant must obtain all necessary outside agency approvals prior to erection of a sign, including, but not limited to, approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, as may be required. The applicant is required to provide the Township with any such agency approvals prior to the issuance of a permit for a sign. PennDOT and any outside agency approval shall not constitute Township approval.

The owner and/or operator of any billboard, electronic sign or electronic billboard shall provide (and maintain with) the Township with their current address and contact information.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1608]

All signs permitted by this chapter shall be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair.

All signs requiring the use of electricity shall be manufactured in accordance with Underwriter Laboratories specifications.

Floodlighting used to illuminate signs shall be aimed as required to ensure light does not spill off the sign.

§ 27-1609 Removal of Unsafe, Unlawful, or Abandoned Signs.

[Ord. 2002-06, 11/11/2002, § 1609]

Unsafe or Unlawful Signs.

Upon written notice by the Township, the owner, person, or firm maintaining a sign must remove said sign when it:

Becomes unsafe, is in danger of falling or it becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication.

Is determined by the Township to be a nuisance.