[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.01]
The purpose of these regulations is to permit signs or advertising
structures that will not, by reason of their size, location, construction,
or manner of display, endanger the public safety of individuals, confuse,
mislead, or obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety or otherwise
endanger public health, safety, and morals; and to permit and regulate
signs in such a way as to support and complement land use objectives
set forth in this chapter. Signs may be permitted only when in compliance
with the provisions of this Part and any and all ordinances and regulations
relating to the erection, construction, reconstruction, enlargement,
relocation, replacement, alteration or maintenance of signs and similar
devices.
[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.02]
The area of a sign shall be construed to include the entire
display surface and background, whether open or enclosed, which encompasses
lettering, wording, designs, and symbols, but not including any supporting
framework and bracing which is incidental to the display itself. The
area shall be determined using the largest visible sign or silhouette
area. When the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or printed on a surface, the area shall be considered to be the
smallest rectangular shape or shapes which can be drawn together to
encompass all of the letters and symbols. All double faced signs shall
be considered as having one sign area, except double-faced "V" signs
that have interior angles greater than 45°.
[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.03; as amended by Ord.
44, 6/11/1998]
1.
All signs and/or advertising structures, where permitted under the
terms of this chapter, are subject to the following:
A.
No sign shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, replaced, altered,
removed for repair, enlarged, or relocated until a permit is obtained
from the Zoning Officer, except that no permit shall be required by
this Part for the following signs:
(1)
Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only
the property numbers, postal box numbers or names of the occupants
of the premises.
(2)
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed
in connection with commercial promotion.
(3)
Legal notices, official traffic signs, community facilities
signs, municipality identification signs, noncommercial historical
or geographical identification information, or directional signs erected
by governmental bodies. Such signs may be placed within the street
right-of-way.
(4)
Geographical identification and greeting signs erected by civic
and service organizations provided that they do not exceed four square
feet in area and are comprised of the organization's standard emblem
or seal.
(5)
Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings,
except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
(6)
Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property,
but bearing no advertising matter.
(8)
Signs identifying farms, farm associations and agricultural
products, provided that no farm or association identification sign
exceeds 10 square feet in area and no more than one sign shall be
erected per street frontage. Signs identifying agricultural products
shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(9)
Hunting, fishing and trespassing signs and signs indicating
private ownership of streetways or property, provided that such signs
do not exceed two square feet in area and when erected along street
frontage the signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less then 100
feet.
(10)
Signs up to four square feet in area which are necessary for
the identification, protection, and operation of public utility facilities.
B.
Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. The Zoning Officer shall require such maintenance, and in the event the sign owner fails to comply with said requirements, the Zoning Officer shall proceed against him as provided in § 27-2001 of this Part. Any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies and has been abandoned, as specified in § 27-1803, Subsection 1A, of this chapter, shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on which the sign is located.
C.
All signs not owned by the person, firm or organization advertising
thereon shall carry a clearly legible imprint showing the owner's
name.
D.
No sign shall be so illuminated as to have a glaring effect upon
vehicular traffic. No sign shall be illuminated so as to constitute
a nuisance. Flashing, blinking, strobe, twinkling, animated, streaming
or moving signs of any type shall be prohibited. A sign may only change
from one message to another message provided the message does not
change more than once every 60 seconds, except that displays of time
and temperature may change more frequently.
[Amended by Ord. 2015-05, 8/13/2015]
E.
No sign shall be higher than 35 feet from the ground to the highest
part of the sign.
F.
No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct entrance to or exit from
a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.
G.
No sign shall be erected that screens traffic signals or signs or
utilizes red, green or amber lights or reflectorized material that
creates a flashing action and is so located as to render ineffective
any traffic sign or signal. Any sign which resemble an official traffic
sign or signal, by way of its appearance or content, shall be prohibited.
H.
Unless otherwise provided, no sign shall be painted, pasted or otherwise
affixed to any tree, rock, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, sidewalk,
curb or street.
I.
Unless otherwise provided, no portion of any sign shall be erected within or placed on an existing structure in the street right-of-way. Additionally, no portion of any sign shall be erected in the clear sight triangle as specified in § 27-1406.
J.
Unless otherwise specified, all signs shall be on-premises, and no
sign shall be erected until a permit has been secured from the Zoning
Officer and approval has been received from any other applicable state
or local agencies.
K.
No sign shall contain obscene material.
[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.04; as amended by Ord.
44, 6/11/1998; and by Ord. 2010-21, 8/12/2010, § 3]
1.
The following signs are permitted in any zoning district:
A.
Temporary signs which do not require a permit:
(1)
Temporary signs of painters, mechanics, contractors, realtors,
and the like not exceeding a total of 16 square feet in area, provided
that such signs are removed as soon as the work has been completed.
(2)
Temporary signs and banners of a noncommercial nature across
a public right-of-way are permitted, provided that:
(3)
Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive or event of civic,
philanthropic, educational or religious organization. Such signs shall
not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed within 48 hours
after completion of the campaign, drive or event.
(4)
Temporary signs directing patrons, members, audience or customers
to temporary exhibits, shows, events, or activities (e.g., yard sales,
fruit sales, conventions, etc.). Such signs shall not exceed 12 square
feet in area and shall be removed within 48 hours after completion
of the campaign, drive or event.
(5)
Signs erected in conjunction with a political election, provided
that all signs are removed within 48 hours after the date of the election.
B.
Off-premises directional signs which require issuance of a permit:
(1)
Off-premises directional signs which are used to direct patrons,
members, audience, customers, clients to service clubs, churches,
commercial, industrial, institutional or other organizations may be
erected, subject to the following requirements:
(a)
A sign shall indicate only the name of the organization and
the direction to the facility.
(b)
Except at intersections, no sign shall be placed within 200
feet of another sign associated with the same principal use.
(c)
All signs shall be placed within two miles of the use, and no
more than six signs for each principal use may be erected within the
border of the Township.
(d)
All signs shall consist of dark lettering on a light background,
excluding standard issued signs. The signs shall not exceed three
square feet in area, and no moving parts, flashing lights, or any
type of illumination shall be permitted.
(e)
At intersections of public streets, no more than one signpost accommodating all directional signs may be erected per corner. Said posts shall not exceed six inches in width and shall not be less than three feet nor greater than eight feet in height above ground. No more than one sign per principal use may be attached to any signpost, and no portion of any sign shall be erected within the clear sight triangle as specified in § 27-1406 of this chapter.
(f)
Application for off-premises directional sign permits shall
include a map indicating location of placement requests and the landowner's
written approval, name to be placed on sign, and distances from the
facility to each sign.
C.
One nameplate for a home occupation, provided that the sign does
not exceed four square feet in size and identifies only the name of
the occupant and title of the occupation. If lighted, the sign shall
be illuminated without objectionable glare. No displays or change
in facade shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being
used for any purpose other than that of a dwelling.
D.
One institutional sign and/or one bulletin board, for places of worship,
schools, hospitals, libraries, museums, social clubs, and similar
uses, provided that each sign or bulletin board does not exceed 16
square feet in area and is located no closer to a street right-of-way
than 1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or 25 feet, whichever
is less. If lighted, it shall be illuminated without objectionable
glare. Additionally, if such property fronts on more than one street,
each street frontage may contain the above-mentioned signs.
2.
Subdivision Signs. One sign per street frontage may be permitted, provided that the sign is placed at an entrance to the subdivision, is located on the property to be subdivided, and does not exceed 24 square feet in area. No portion of any sign shall be erected within the clear sight triangle as specified in § 27-1406.
[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.05; as amended by Ord.
44, 6/11/1998; and by Ord. 2010-21, 8/12/2010, § 3]
1.
The following types of on-premises signs may be permitted in residential
and agricultural districts unless otherwise prohibited:
A.
Signs for advertisement of agricultural businesses as follows:
(1)
For each property involved in agribusiness, one sign may be
erected, provided no sign or portion thereof shall be located closer
to the street right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the existing front
yard or 25 feet, whichever is less.
(a)
Projecting Sign. Maximum sign area shall not exceed 12 square
feet.
(b)
Freestanding Sign. Maximum sign area shall not exceed 32 square
feet.
(c)
Wall Sign. One wall sign for each street frontage, provided
that it is attached to the wall of the principal building and projects
horizontally not more than 12 inches therefrom and occupies not more
than 15% of the total area of the front of the principal building.
It shall not project more than three feet above the roofline or parapet
wall.
B.
Signs for nonconforming commercial or industrial uses as follows:
(1)
For each property involved in a commercial or industrial use,
a total sign area of 32 square feet shall be permitted. No sign or
portion thereof shall be located closer to the street right-of-way
than 1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or 15 feet, whichever
is less.
[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.06; as amended by Ord.
44, 6/11/1998]
1.
Unless otherwise specified, only on-premises signs may be permitted,
provided that the maximum sign area shall not exceed 250 square feet
per street frontage. All wall, projecting, roof or freestanding signs
must be erected in compliance with the following standards:
B.
Signs for commercial, office, institutional, and industrial uses
as follows:
(1)
One wall sign for each street frontage, provided that it is
attached to the wall of the principal building and projects horizontally
not more than 12 inches therefrom and occupies not more than 15% of
the total area of the front of the principal building. It shall not
project more than three feet above the roofline or parapet wall.
(2)
One projecting or roof sign for each street frontage, provided
that it shall not project beyond a vertical plane two feet inside
the street right-of-way and does not exceed 20 square feet in area.
Said signs shall not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(3)
One freestanding sign for each street frontage, provided that
it does not exceed 60 square feet in area. It shall not extend beyond
a vertical plane two feet inside the lot from the street right-of-way
line and shall not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(4)
General shopping district identification signs, provided that
they are separate and not attached to any building. Maximum of two
such signs for any one general shopping district. The height of signs
shall be a maximum of 35 feet measured from the ground, and the maximum
size of the sign portion itself shall not exceed 100 square feet.
C.
Off-premises billboards and advertising sign boards may be erected
and maintained, provided that the total display area of all such signs
shall not exceed 20 square feet for each 10 feet of street frontage
and the total display area of any sign shall not exceed 200 square
feet in area. Said signs shall not be placed less than 100 feet apart
nor within 100 feet to existing billboards or advertising sign boards.
No sign or portion thereof shall be located closer than 25 feet to
the street right-of-way and shall not exceed 35 feet in height.
[Ord. 21A, 9/2/1982, § 17.07; as amended by Ord.
44, 6/11/1998]
1.
Any sign erected, constructed, replaced, altered, enlarged or relocated
before the effective date of this chapter, that would not otherwise
be permitted under the terms of this chapter, may remain and continue
to be used, maintained and repaired, provided that:
A.
A nonconforming sign shall not be replaced, altered, relocated, or
reconstructed except to being the sign into total compliance with
the provisions of this chapter.
B.
A nonconforming sign may be used, maintained and repaired subject
to the following requirements:
(1)
Maintenance and repair of a nonconforming sign is permitted
when said activities are necessary to maintain the sign in a presentable,
functionable condition. Maintenance and repair activities shall not
include alteration, relocation or reconstruction but may include replacement
of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts
required for the maintenance of said sign. Prior to the removal of
a nonconforming sign for maintenance, repair or message change, a
permit shall be secured from the Zoning Officer. Said permit shall
allow the applicant to re-erect the repaired or re-messaged nonconforming
sign within 30 days of issuance. If the nonconforming sign is not
erected within the specified time, it shall lose its nonconforming
status, and any successive sign shall conform with all applicable
ordinance requirements.
(2)
Nothing in this Part shall prohibit the change in advertising,
identifying, or directional message of a nonconforming sign so long
as the change does not involve any alterations, relocation or reconstruction
of the nonconforming sign. Message changes of a nonconforming sign
that are a result of a transfer in ownership of the premises on which
the principal use is located, excluding contract advertising signs,
shall be prohibited and any successive signs shall conform to this
chapter's requirements. If the message change requires removal of
the sign, a permit shall be secured as in the above subsection.
(3)
A nonconforming sign which has been damaged or destroyed by
fire, explosion, accidents, or calamity, to an extent which is greater
than 50% of the sign or sign value, may not be repaired except in
compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A nonconforming sign
which has sustained less than 50% damage of the sign or sign value
may be repaired, provided that:
(a)
The repaired sign is virtually unchanged, except for building
materials and message, or is less nonconforming than the original
sign; and
(b)
Repair is completed within 60 days from the date of damage.
Failure to repair within 60 days shall result in the loss of nonconforming
sign rights and any successive sign shall conform with all applicable
ordinance requirements.
(4)
When a nonconforming sign has been demolished or destroyed by
deterioration or removal, or has been moved from its location for
reasons other than for an approved repair, maintenance or a change
in message, said sign shall not be reconstructed or replaced except
in complete conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
C.
A nonconforming sign which pertains to a time, event, purpose or
use which no longer applies, has been abandoned or changed, shall
be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on
which the sign is located.
D.
Proposed signs that are associated with a nonconforming use shall
conform to the regulations of the district in which the sign is located.
