[Ord. No. 2021-002, 2/16/2021]
1. The Township has a compelling interest in providing for the health
and safety of its residents and in protecting the environment and
the local economy. The careful regulation of signs furthers those
interests. In the case of providing for public health and safety,
this sign ordinance enables the Township to maintain safe conditions
on its roads for both motorists and pedestrians alike. With regard
to the protection of the local economy, the ordinance helps the Township
to maintain the aesthetic and natural beauty of its lands, thereby
protecting real estate values and promoting tourism in one of the
most scenic areas in Bucks County, our commonwealth, and nation. The
Township adopts this sign ordinance to further these interests while
respecting free speech rights.
2. Signs may be erected or maintained in the Township only in compliance
with the provisions of this Part and any other applicable law or regulation.
[Ord. No. 2021-002, 2/16/2021]
BANNER
A sign made of nylon, canvas or like material that is hung
for a limited period of time.
COMMERCIAL UNIT
One or more commercial uses, including without limitation,
grocery stores, banks, coffee shops, cafes and dining areas, located
within a single primary structure.
FLASHING/VIDEO SIGN
An illuminated sign, where the illumination is not kept at
a constant intensity/brightness or which exhibits sudden or marked
changes in lighting effects. Also includes any sign that exhibits
moving text/graphics or changes its message or background in a manner
or method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery,
which may or may not include text and depicts action or a special
effect to imitate movement, the presentation of pictorials or graphics
displayed in progression of frames which present the illusion of motion,
including, but not limited to, the illusion of moving objects, moving
patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting shapes. Flashing/video
signs shall include images or messages with these characteristics
that are projected onto buildings or other objects, and electronic
graphic signs.
GOVERNMENTAL SIGN
Any sign erected by a governmental authority or its duly
appointed agent, in accordance with the provisions of a statute, ordinance,
code, rule, or regulation, including safety signs, signs indicating
scenic or historical points of interest, conserved property signs,
and traffic signs.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance of a sign as measured from the lowest
ground elevation beneath the sign to the highest point on the sign
or its supports.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign that is lit either internally or externally with artificial
light.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
An informational/directional sign, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"entrance," "no trespassing," "no hunting," and other similar directives.
LONG-TERM TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign that is nonpermanent and can be display for 120 days,
but is not intended to be displayed for any indefinite period, and
which requires a permit that may be renewed annually.
MONUMENT SIGN
A sign directly anchored in the ground through a concrete,
solid wood, stone, or brick base, and is independent from any building
or other structure. Monument signs may have two display sides.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which directs attention to an object, product, service,
place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business that
is primarily offered at a location other than the lot upon which the
sign is located.
POLE SIGN
A sign supported by one or more uprights/poles, anchored
in the ground, and is independent from any building or other structure.
Pole signs may have two display sides.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign that is directly affixed to the wall of a building
and is not parallel to the face of such wall. It includes signs that
are a part of an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural
protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service
area as well as marquees.
SHORT-TERM TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign that is nonpermanent that can be displayed for 45
days, but is not intended to be displayed for any indefinite period.
SIGN
A permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, or any
device attached, painted, placed, reflected, or represented on a structure
or other surface that shall display or include any letter, word, message,
picture, design, symbol, logo, insignia, or representation used as
or which is in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual
communication, or direction; or is designed to attract the eye or
bring the subject to the attention of the public. Interior signs not
visible from a public right-of-way or adjoining property, and cornerstones
built into or attached to a wall of a building, shall not be construed
to be signs.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering,
wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background,
whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including
any supporting framework and bracing incidental to the display itself.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be
that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which
encompasses all of the letters and symbols. In computing square foot
area of a double-face sign, only one side shall be considered, provided
that 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 sign area.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign attached to a tree, utility pole, pole, stake, fence,
bench, traffic light, streetlight, street sign or other sign, or other
object, that is on public property, in the public right of way, or
on private property without the permission of the property owner.
Also called a bandit sign. This definition does not apply to the proper
posting of signs prohibiting trespassing or hunting, or to signs expressly
allowed by this Part.
TEMPORARY SIGN
An impermanent sign intended to be displayed for a limited
period of time in a twelve-month period. Temporary signs do not include
banners.
TOURIST-ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNING (TODS) SIGN
A sign meeting the requirements of § 1.7 of the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Traffic Engineering
and Operations Manual-Tourist Oriented Directional Signing (TODS)
Policy and approved there under by PennDOT. A TODS sign shall be located
within the right-of-way of a street and provide the name and directional
guidance to an attraction that the traveling public would have a reasonable
interest in.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is painted on, or attached and parallel to,
an outside wall of any building or structure, including windows and
doors. Such a sign must not project more than eight inches from the
wall and must be fully supported by such wall.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign that is placed within the interior of a building or
structure and is visible from the exterior of a window.