Borough of Chalfont, PA Article XV Signs

§ 440-115 Purpose and intent.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

A. Regulation of the location, size, placement and certain features of signs is necessary to enable the public to locate goods, services and facilities in the Borough without difficulty and confusion and to encourage the general attractiveness of the community. Accordingly, it is the intent of this Article XV to establish regulations which govern the display of signs and which will:

(1) Promote and protect the public health, safety, comfort, morals and convenience.

(2) Enhance the economy, business and industry by promoting the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs, thereby encouraging communication with the public.

(3) Restrict signs and lights which overload the public's capacity to receive information or which increase the probability of traffic congestion and accidents by distracting attention or obscuring vision.

(4) Reduce conflict among signs and lights between public and private environmental systems.

(5) Promote signs which are compatible with their surroundings or appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain and are expressive of the identity of the proprietors and other persons displaying signs.

B. No sign of any kind shall be erected, altered or used in the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District except for advertising that informs the public of a service, business, occupation or profession carried on, in or about the property on which the sign appears.

C. All signs erected, altered or used within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District shall obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the Borough of Chalfont Council.

§ 440-116 Definitions.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

The following words and phrases, when used in this Article XV, shall have the meanings given in this article. (See Figure 12 for examples of sign types.)

ADVERTISING SIGN

Includes but is not necessarily limited to the type of business, products, brand names and items manufactured or sold.

FIGURE 12.

ATTRACTION BOARD

A fixed or portable sign with changeable lettering, limited to a maximum of 15 square feet.

BILLBOARD

A large panel in excess of 60 square feet, designed to display outdoor advertising; an off-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation, activity or event which is sold, offered or conducted. This includes the sign and any associated supporting structure, whether permanent, temporary or movable.

DIRECTORY SIGN

A sign that provides for the overall identification of a complex and that lists the formal business titles of the occupants.

GROUND SIGN

A sign, other than a pole sign, where the entire bottom is in contact with or is less than six feet from the ground and is independent of any other structure.

ILLUMINATED SIGN

A sign that provides artificial light directly 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.

INFORMATION MEDIA DISPLAY (IMD)

A. ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SCREEN (EDS) A sign or portion of a sign that displays an electronic image or video, which may or may not contain text. This definition includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat screens, LED screens, video boards, and holographic displays, or any display of similar nature which utilizes LCD or similar technology.

B. ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC) Any sign, or portion of a sign, that uses changing lights to form a message or messages in text or pictures, from wherein that sequence of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes or similar technology.

C. No information media display (IMD) shall be permitted within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District.

NOVELTY SIGN

Any sign, or portion of a sign, that is in the shape of an object (i.e., tire, automobile, food product, etc.).

OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN

A 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.

POLE SIGN

A sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole or other support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is six feet or more above grade.

PORTABLE SIGN

A sign that is not permanent, affixed to a building structure or to the ground.

PREMISES

The area occupied by a business or businesses or other public enterprise.

PROJECTING SIGN

A sign which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building.

READERBOARD SIGN

Any sign, or portion of a sign, that uses manually changed text to form a message or messages.

ROOF SIGN

A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building, that is wholly dependent upon a building for support and that projects above the top walk or edge of a building with a flat roof, the eave line of a building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.

SIGN

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, project, place, activity, person, institution, organization, firm, group, commodity, profession, enterprise, industry or business or which shall display or include any letter, word, 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 the premises or from a parking lot. The word "sign" shall include but not be limited to signs which are inside of buildings and are intended to be seen from roadways or parking lots through windows and/or glass doors. No other indoor sign shall be deemed a "sign" within this article.

TEMPORARY SIGN

A sign or advertising display constructed of fabric, plastic, plywood or other light material and designed or intended to be displayed for a short period of time.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIGN

A sign wherein the lettering, logos or design projects more than three inches from the face of the sign or a sign with a sign box of more than 12 inches.

WALL SIGN

A sign which is attached directly to or painted upon a building or wall or window, also known as a "facade sign."

WINDOW SIGN

A sign attached to, placed upon, or painted on the interior or exterior of a window or door of a building, which is intended for viewing from the exterior of such building.

§ 440-117 General regulations for all districts.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

The following regulations shall be observed in all districts within the Borough:

A. General.

(1) No sign may be erected in the Borough of Chalfont unless it is specifically permitted by this article.

(2) All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.

B. Sign area and height computation.

(1) Sign area. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure on which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence or wall which otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself. The sign area maximum standards in this article refer to total area of a sign, which includes all faces of a sign. (See Figure 13.)

FIGURE 13.

(2) Sign height.

(a) The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of:

[1] Existing grade prior to the construction; or

[2] The newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

(b) In the case where the normal grade cannot be reasonably determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the structure on the lot, whichever is lower.

(3) Placement of signs. In no case, except for official traffic and street signs, shall any sign be erected so that it:

(a) Lies within the clear sight triangle.

(b) Obscures a motorist's view of traffic signals, stop signs or other warning devices as viewed from any distance of 500 feet along established thoroughfares.

(c) Obscures a motorist's view of the roadway or intersections ahead as viewed from a distance of 500 feet along established thoroughfares.

(d) Limits a pedestrian's view of vehicle traffic to less than 500 feet while he stands inside the curbline at an intersection or other established crossing point.

(e) Lies within a distance of 10 feet from a property line, provided that "no trespassing" signs and "no hunting" signs shall be exempt from the ten-foot setback.

(f) Lies within a parking space, parking aisle or fire lane.

(g) Blocks the movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares.

(h) Blocks the entrance, exit, fire escape or fire lane to a building.

(i) Is affixed by any means to any electric or light pole, facility, or structure of the Borough.

(4) Signs permitted.

(a) Signs listed in this subsection are permitted in all zoning districts and shall not require a sign permit, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs on a premises. However, such signs shall conform to the general regulations for signs enumerated in the remainder of this section.

(b) The following signs are permitted in all districts:

[1] A sign showing the name and address of the resident, but not to include any commercial advertising or not more than two square feet in sign area.

[2] A "no trespassing" sign or other such signs regulating the use of a property, such as "no hunting," "no fishing," etc., of no more than two square feet in sign area in residential zoning districts and five square feet in all Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts BC, CC, VOC, R-2, R-3 and R-4.

[3] Real estate signs, not to exceed nine square feet in residential zoning districts and 32 square feet in commercial and industrial districts, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which they are located. Such signs shall be removed within 10 days after the premises advertised has been sold, rented or leased.

[4] Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions, when located on the premises thereof, and 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 announcements.

[5] Signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking or other functional subdivision, such as lavatory facilities, telephone, and signs denoting other sections of a building such as "lubrication," "office," etc., when less than three square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising.

[6] Signs erected by a governmental body or under the direction of such a body and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, signs identifying public schools and playgrounds and the like.

[7] Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of the erection of buildings or signs deemed to be historical in nature.

[8] The flag, pennant or insignia of any government or of any religious, charitable or fraternal organization, provided that the flag, pennant or insignia is posted to identify the organization and not to advertise an event or activity sponsored by the organization.

[9] Signs denoting auctions, garage or yard sales or special events of charitable or public service groups. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum size of five square feet in area in Residential Zoning Districts R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 and 25 square feet in Commercial Zoning Districts BC, CC and VOC and shall be removed as soon as the event or activity advertised thereon has taken place.

[10] Signs identifying places of worship, when located on the premises thereof. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum area of 25 square feet.

[11] Decals affixed to windows or door glass panes which indicate membership in a business group or which denote credit cards accepted by the establishment and which depict the hours of operation. Such decals shall not exceed 24 square inches and, when displayed, shall be affixed to the lower corners of such panes.

[12] Signs which are temporary in nature and which relate to specific community activities such as "Welcome 4H" or "Congratulations Seniors." A sign for each activity shall be permitted for each public entrance to the premises. Such signs shall be removed as soon as the event or activity thereon has taken place.

[13] Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for election may be erected and maintained, provided that:

[a] Such signs erected on private property shall be the responsibility of the property owner as to erection and removal. Signs must be removed within five days after the election, or the property owner shall be subject to applicable enforcement action.

[b] The size of any sign is not in excess of five square feet in residential districts and 25 square feet in commercial and industrial districts.

[14] Signs regulated by a governmental agency may not exceed the minimum requirements of that agency.

[15] Directional signage associated with an approved commercial parking area.

(5) Signs prohibited. Signs which are prohibited in Subsection B(5)(a) and (b), identified below, shall be removed or brought into conformity with the provisions of this article within 90 days after this article is adopted. The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained in any district, notwithstanding anything else contained in this article or elsewhere:

(a) Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving illumination or with illumination which varies in intensity or which varies in color, and signs which have any visible moving parts, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical pulsations or by actions of normal wind currents, except when not visible from motor vehicles traveling on public roadways. Hanging signs which simply swing in the wind, clocks, time-and-temperature signs and barber poles are permitted if they comply with all provisions of this article.

(b) Any sign which incorporates light sources which cast light on the sign, unless the light source is shielded by opaque material so that the lamps are not visible from off the property on which the sign is located.

(c) Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public property.

(d) Any sign which obstructs free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exitway.

(e) Signs which make use of words such as "stop," "look," "one-way," "yield" or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

(f) Any obsolete sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold at that location must be removed within 14 days of the date that the business or product advertised is no longer conducted or sold at the location.

(g) Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object, except signs permitted in Subsection B(4)(b)[6].

(h) String lights which convey a message, either through words or by depicting a logo, which are unshielded from the surrounding properties.

(i) Searchlights, pennants, spinners, banners and streamers, except for occasions such as grand openings and then only with the permission of the Zoning Officer. Use shall be limited to a twenty-day period.

(j) Signs attached to utility poles, light fixtures and all off-premises signs.

(k) Three-dimensional signs.

(l) All roof signs are prohibited.

(m) Exterior and/or freestanding neon signs or similar illuminated signs are prohibited.

(n) Any sign which depicts material relating to the term "specified anatomical areas" or "specified sexual activities," as defined in § 440-15E.

(o) Novelty signs.

(6) Limit on content of sign on premises. The largest sign on a premises shall not advertise any particular article of merchandise unless it is the principal product sold or manufactured on the premises.

(7) Safety and maintenance.

(a) Every sign and all parts thereof, including framework, supports, background, anchors and wiring systems, shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with all codes and ordinances of the Borough of Chalfont. In the absence of an electrical code, the National Electrical Code shall be used as the standard for wiring all sign systems.

(b) All signs and parts thereof shall be kept in a good state of repair and maintenance.

§ 440-118 Specific sign type regulations.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

A. Projecting signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all projecting signs:

(1) Number. A premises may erect and maintain only one projecting sign.

(2) Area.

(a) No single face of any projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in sign area.

(b) No projecting sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than six feet.

(3) Location. No projecting sign shall project more than five feet beyond the building line in the direction of the street.

(4) Height. No portion of any projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet above grade level.

(5) Miscellaneous.

(a) The Borough may impose, as a condition of the issuance of a permit for a projecting sign, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.

(b) No information media display sign (IMD) shall be permitted in association with a projecting sign.

(c) Lighting shall be effectively shielded to prevent light and/or glare from interfering with traffic or causing a nuisance to neighboring properties.

(d) Projecting signs shall only advertise goods and services provided by the property owner and/or tenant(s) of the property on which the sign is located.

(6) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District. No projecting sign shall be located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District without the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness from the Borough of Chalfont.

B. Wall signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all wall signs:

(1) Number. A premises may erect and maintain one wall sign.

(2) Area. No wall sign shall exceed 60 square feet in sign area.

(3) Location.

(a) No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which it is placed.

(b) No wall sign nor any part thereof shall project more than 12 inches from the wall upon which it is mounted.

(c) External lighting may be provided with reflectors, a minimum of 10 feet above the surface of the sidewalk, equipped with wire mesh guards; and no part may extend more than two feet from the wall of the building.

(d) No wall sign shall extend beyond the left and right extremities of the wall to which it is attached.

(e) Lighting shall be effectively shielded to prevent light and/or glare from interfering with traffic or causing a nuisance to neighboring properties.

(4) Miscellaneous.

(a) The Borough may impose, as a condition of the issuance of a permit for a projecting sign, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.

(b) No information media display sign (IMD) shall be permitted in association with a wall sign.

(c) Wall signs shall only advertise goods and services provided by the property owner and/or tenant(s) of the property on which the sign is located.

(5) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District. No wall sign shall be located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District without the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness from the Borough of Chalfont.

C. Ground signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all ground signs. Every ground sign and all parts, braces and supports thereof shall be located entirely within the property lines and shall not project over adjoining lands; however, ground signs may be permitted between the property line and the building setback lines, except where otherwise prohibited by this article.

(1) Number. A premises may erect and maintain only one ground sign.

(2) Area.

(a) No single face of any ground sign shall be larger than 60 square feet in sign area nor in excess of 10 feet in any dimension of the sign face.

(b) No individual business, tenant or other enterprise within a shopping center or property/facility that has a number of occupants and/or tenants may erect or maintain a ground sign.

(3) Location.

(a) Ground signs shall be located a minimum of five feet beyond the legal right-of-way of any street.

(b) A ground sign shall not be located within any clear sight area for any street and/or driveway.

(4) Height. No portion of any ground sign shall be in excess of eight feet above grade level.

(5) Miscellaneous.

(a) The Borough may impose, as a condition of the issuance of a permit for a ground sign, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.

(b) Illumination of ground signs shall be external and shall be shielded.

(c) Lighting shall be effectively shielded to prevent light and/or glare from interfering with traffic or causing a nuisance to neighboring properties.

(d) Ground signs shall only advertise goods and services provided by the property owner and/or tenant(s) of the property on which the sign is located.

(6) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District.

(a) No single face of any ground sign shall be larger than 32 square feet in sign area nor in excess of eight feet in any dimension of the sign face.

(b) No ground sign shall be located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District without the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness from the Borough of Chalfont.

(c) No portion of any ground sign shall be in excess of six feet above grade level.

(d) Information media display signs (IMD) shall not be permitted in association with a ground sign located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District.

(e) Readerboard signs shall not be permitted in association with a ground sign located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District.

(7) Ground signs utilizing an information media display (IMD) shall be permitted, subject to the following regulations, in addition to the above requirements:

(a) An electronic display screen (EDS) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

[1] The electronic display screen shall not be in excess of 75% of the sign face.

[2] In order to not distract traffic, the message timing shall not be less than one message per minute.

(b) An electronic message center (EMC) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

[1] The electronic message center shall not exceed 32 square feet.

[2] In order to not distract traffic, the message timing shall not be less than one message per minute.

(8) Ground signs utilizing a readerboard sign shall be permitted subject to the following regulations, in addition to the above requirements:

(a) The area shall not be in excess of 50% of the sign face.

D. Pole signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all pole signs. Every pole sign and all parts, braces and supports thereof shall be located entirely within the property lines and shall not project over adjoining lands; however, pole signs may be permitted between the property line and the building setback lines, except where otherwise prohibited by this article.

(1) Number. A premises may erect and maintain one pole sign.

(2) Area.

(a) No single face of any ground sign shall be larger than 60 square feet in sign area nor in excess of 10 feet in any dimension of the sign face.

(b) No individual business, tenant or other enterprise within a shopping center or property/facility that has a number of occupants and/or tenants may erect or maintain a pole sign.

(3) Location.

(a) Pole signs shall be located a minimum of five feet beyond the legal right-of-way of any street.

(b) A pole sign shall not be located within any clear sight area for any street and/or driveway.

(4) Height. No portion of any pole sign shall be in excess of 15 feet above grade level.

(5) Miscellaneous.

(a) The Borough may impose, as a condition of the issuance of a permit for a pole sign, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.

(b) Illumination of pole signs shall be internal or external.

(c) Lighting shall be effectively shielded to prevent light and/or glare from interfering with traffic or causing a nuisance to neighboring properties.

(d) Pole signs shall only advertise goods and services provided by the property owner and/or tenant(s) of the property on which the sign is located.

(6) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District. Pole signs shall not be permitted within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District.

(7) Pole signs utilizing an information media display (IMD) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations, in addition to the above requirements:

(a) An electronic display screen (EDS) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

[1] The electronic display screen shall not be in excess of 75% of the sign face.

[2] In order to not distract traffic, the message timing shall not be less than one message per minute.

(b) An electronic message center (EMC) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

[1] The electronic message center shall not exceed 32 square feet.

[2] In order to not distract traffic, the message timing shall not be less than one message per minute.

(8) Pole signs utilizing a readerboard sign shall be permitted subject to the following regulations, in addition to the above requirements: The readerboard sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.

E. Temporary signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all temporary signs:

(1) No person shall erect, construct, repair, alter or relocate within the Borough of Chalfont any temporary sign, except real estate and temporary construction signs, without first obtaining a permit from the Borough of Chalfont.

(2) Temporary signs shall be limited to nonprojecting wall signs, ground signs without permanent posts, or portable and wheeled signs. Any portable sign (i.e., roll-out signs, A-frame signs, portable readerboard signs with or without wheels, etc.) shall be classified as a temporary sign.

(3) Temporary business signs identifying a special, unique or limited activity, service, product or sale of limited duration shall be subject to the following:

(a) Number. There shall not be more than four sign permits for temporary business signs issued for the same premises within one calendar year. Each temporary business sign permitted may be erected and maintained for a period not to exceed 30 days and shall be removed within three days after termination of the activity, service, project, or sale.

(b) Area.

[1] Residential areas. In residential areas, temporary business signs shall not exceed two square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face, not to exceed an aggregate gross surface area of four square feet.

[2] Nonresidential areas. In nonresidential areas, temporary business signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in gross surface area for each exposed face, not to exceed an aggregate gross surface area of 64 square feet.

(c) Location.

[1] Temporary business signs shall be located only upon the lot on which the special, unique or limited activity, service, product, or sale is to occur. Such signs may be located within any required yard setback but shall not extend over any lot line or be located within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access from a lot to a public roadway, provided that the sign does not violate this chapter.

[2] Any portable sign shall be stored inside a structure when the business is closed.

(d) Height.

[1] Residential areas. In residential areas, temporary business signs shall not project higher than seven feet, as measured from the base of the sign.

[2] Nonresidential areas. In nonresidential areas, temporary business signs shall not project higher than 15 feet, as measured from the base of the sign.

(e) Miscellaneous. The Borough of Chalfont may impose, as a condition of the issuance of a permit for temporary signs, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection of a sign as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.

(f) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District. Temporary business signs within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District shall be sized in accordance with the residential requirements identified within this section.

F. Billboards. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all billboards. All billboards shall meet all state and federal regulations. Billboards shall be permitted as a conditional use within the LI Light Industrial Zoning District. The conditional use shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

(1) Number.

(a) No more than one billboard shall be permitted on any one property.

(b) A maximum of two sides are permitted per billboard.

(2) Area. The sign area shall not exceed 250 square feet per sign.

(3) Location.

(a) No billboard shall be located within 500 feet of any portion of the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District.

(b) Billboards located adjacent to a public and/or private roadway shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from the ultimate right-of-way for the roadway.

(c) No billboard shall interfere with a seventy-five-foot line of sight at any intersection.

(d) No billboard shall be located within 250 feet of any residential zoning district, including those of a neighboring municipality.

(e) Billboards shall be separated by a minimum of 1,500 feet.

(4) Height. The highest portion of the billboard shall not exceed 35 feet from the lowest grade elevation at the base of the supporting structure.

(5) Miscellaneous.

(a) The Borough of Chalfont may impose, as a condition of the issuance of a permit, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection of a sign as are reasonably necessary to assure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of the public.

(b) Billboard sign face material shall be vinyl wrap or a material of equivalent durability.

(c) Lighting shall be effectively shielded to prevent light and/or glare from interfering with traffic or causing a nuisance to neighboring properties.

(d) Flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights and electronic message centers (EMC) shall be prohibited.

(e) Billboards shall not be illuminated between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

(f) The base of each billboard shall be landscaped and maintained with a screening buffer as directed by the Borough.

(g) Billboards shall not utilize a readerboard sign.

(6) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District. No billboards shall be located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District.

(7) Billboards utilizing an information media display (IMD) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations, in addition to the above requirements:

(a) An electronic display screen (EDS) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

[1] The electronic display screen shall not be in excess of 75% of the sign face.

[2] In order to not distract traffic, the message timing shall not be less than one message per minute.

(b) An electronic message center (EMC) shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:

[1] The electronic message center shall not exceed 32 square feet.

[2] In order to not distract traffic, the message timing shall not be less than one message per minute.

G. Real estate development signs. In addition to general provisions of this article, the following regulations shall apply to all real estate development signs. 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.

(1) Number. There shall be only one such sign per subdivision/land development provided. In the event that the subdivision/land development shall have ingress/egress to more than one public street, the subdivision/land development may have one sign for each entrance onto a public street.

(2) Area. The maximum sign area of any real estate development sign shall be 32 square feet. No part of such sign shall be more than eight feet in any dimension.

(3) Location.

(a) Such signs must be located on the premises which are for sale.

(b) Such signs shall conform to relevant setback line requirements.

(4) Height. The maximum height of each sign shall be 15 feet.

(5) Miscellaneous.

(a) Real estate development signs may advertise only the subdivision in which the sign is located and not the sale of lots elsewhere nor 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 and his sales agents.

(b) Such signs shall be removed within seven days after 100% of the lots in the subdivision have been sold or leased.

(c) Artificial illumination of such signs is prohibited.

(d) Real estate development signs shall not utilize a readerboard sign and/or an information media display.

(6) Within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District. No real estate development sign or permanent residential development sign shall be located within the Borough of Chalfont Historic District without the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness from the Borough of Chalfont.

(7) Permanent residential development signs. Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential subdivision and containing no commercial advertising shall have a maximum area of 32 square feet. There shall be no more than one sign at each major entrance.

H. On-premises signs for professionals (when associated with an H1 accessory home occupation use). On-premises signs for a professional, such as a doctor of medicine, dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, lawyer, accountant, architect, engineer or minister, located in a residential zoning district, shall be limited to four square feet and shall contain no commercial advertising.

§ 440-119 Specific sign use regulations.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

The following regulations shall be applicable to the specific uses listed below. All other regulations of this article shall apply, provided that where a regulation in this section is inconsistent with a regulation found elsewhere in this article, the specific regulation of this section shall apply.

A. Agricultural, institutional and industrial uses A2, A3, B11, C1, C3, C5, C7, C8, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G9 (not gas stations and/or automobile service stations) and G10 shall be permitted the following signs:

(1) Single occupant.

(a) One ground sign or pole sign and one wall sign or projecting sign.

(2) Multiple occupancies.

(a) One ground sign or pole sign serving as a directory sign may be used with an individual listing for each occupant/tenant.

(b) One wall sign or projecting sign shall be permitted for each occupant/tenant with an individual entrance into the facility. Wall signs and projecting signs shall be coordinated so that the proposed signs shall be of the same size, shape, general design, color, and material so as to create uniformity among the series of signs.

B. Office uses D1, D2 and D3 shall be permitted the following signs:

(1) Single occupant.

(a) One ground sign or pole sign and one wall sign or projecting sign.

(2) Multiple occupancies.

(a) One ground sign or pole sign serving as a directory sign may be used with an individual listing for each occupant/tenant.

(b) One wall sign or projecting sign may be permitted for each occupant with an individual entrance into the facility. Wall signs and projecting signs shall be coordinated so that the proposed signs shall be of the same size, shape, general design, color, and material so as to create uniformity among the series of signs.

C. Retail and consumer service uses E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E12, E14, E15, E16, E17, E18, E19, E20, E21, E22, E23 and E24 shall be permitted the following signs:

(1) Single occupant.

(a) One ground sign or pole sign and one wall sign or projecting sign.

(b) Window signage not to exceed 15 square feet.

(2) Multiple occupancies.

(a) One ground sign or pole sign serving as a directory sign may be used with an individual listing for each occupant/tenant.

(b) One wall sign or projecting sign may be permitted for each occupant/tenant with an individual entrance into the facility. Wall signs and projecting signs shall be coordinated so that the proposed signs shall be of the same size, shape, general design, color and material so as to create uniformity among the series of signs.

(c) Window signage may be permitted for each occupant/tenant not to exceed 15 square feet.

D. Retail and consumer service use E13 shall be permitted the following signs:

(1) Identification sign.

(a) Each gasoline service station shall be entitled to one ground sign or pole sign. Such sign may be located in any required yard area but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access from a zoning lot to a public roadway. The sign must comply with all general location requirements of this section.

(b) Each sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height.

(2) Service bay identification signs. Service bay identification signs providing direction or instruction to persons using the facility and containing no advertising material of any kind shall be subject to the following:

(a) Type. All service bay identification signs shall be wall signs.

(b) Number. There shall not be more than one service bay identification sign per each service bay located on the premises.

(c) Area. The gross surface area of the service bay identification sign shall not exceed 10 square feet.

(d) Location. A service bay identification sign may be located on the outermost wall of any principal building adjacent to a service bay entrance but shall not project more than 16 inches from the wall to which the sign is to be affixed.

(e) Height. A service bay identification sign shall not project higher than the parapet line of the wall to which the sign is to be affixed or 20 feet, as measured from the base of the building to which the sign is to be affixed, whichever is lower.

(3) Service island identification signs. Service island identification signs indicating the type of service offered, the price of the gasoline and other relevant information or direction to persons using the facility but containing no advertising material (except the identification of the type of gasoline) of any kind shall be subject to the following:

(a) Type. All service island identification signs shall be placed or attached directly to the pump.

(b) Number. There shall not be more than one service island identification sign for each service pump island located on the premises.

(c) Area. The gross surface of a service island identification sign shall not exceed five square feet per pump island. This area of limitation does not include regulatory signs which must be posted on the pump pursuant to law.

E. Service uses F2 and F3 shall be permitted the following signs:

(1) One ground sign or pole sign.

F. Accessory uses H1, H1A, H1B, H1C, H1D, H1G and H10 shall be permitted the following signs:

(1) One on-premises sign for professionals.

§ 440-120 Nonconforming signs.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

A nonconforming sign shall be any sign legally in existence at the time of passage of this chapter that does not conform in use, location, height or size to the regulations of the zoning district in which the sign is located. All nonconforming signs shall be bound by the regulations of this section.

A. A nonconforming sign must be removed within 14 days, or made to conform to this article in every respect, whenever:

(1) It is not firmly attached to the ground or some other object and can be easily moved.

(2) It becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose for communications and is a nuisance, as determined by the Borough.

(3) It is removed or damaged due to deterioration of more than 60%, including structural framing and bracing. Repairs due to acts of God, arson, etc., which are made promptly shall be regulated by Subsection B hereunder.

B. In the event that a nonconforming sign is removed for repainting or repair, the owner shall notify the Borough, in writing, and post an escrow with the Borough in the amount indicated within the Fee Schedule for the Borough.[1] The escrow shall be returned to the owner if the sign, when erected again, is, in the opinion of the Zoning Officer, substantially the same as the nonconforming sign in size, location, design, and content.

[1] Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is on file in the Borough offices.

C. A building which has a nonconforming front yard may affix a sign to the front of the building even if the front of the building is closer than 10 feet to the roadway or sidewalk. The sign affixed to the front of the building shall not be a roof sign or a projecting sign.

§ 440-121 Appointment and duties of Zoning Officer regarding signs.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

A. The Zoning Officer of the Borough of Chalfont and/or any other officer so designated by the Borough Council to assist the Zoning Officer shall be given the powers to enforce the provisions of this article. The term "Zoning Officer," when used in this section, shall include any officer designated by the Borough Council to assist the Zoning Officer in the enforcement and administration of these regulations.

B. Duties of the Zoning Officer.

(1) The Zoning Officer shall examine all applications for permits to erect signs and shall issue permits for all signs which conform to the requirements of this article. The Zoning Officer shall record and file all applications, conduct an annual inspection of all signs and make such reports as the Borough may require.

(2) If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign has been constructed, structurally altered, or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this article, he/she shall promptly notify the owner or lessor thereof, in writing. If the owner or lessor fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the provisions of this article within 30 days of the mailing or delivery of written notice, the Zoning Officer shall cause a violation notice to be filed with the Magisterial District Judge.

C. If the Zoning Officer shall find any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property, he shall be empowered to order it to be removed immediately. If the Zoning Officer cannot locate the owner or lessor to have the sign removed immediately, he shall cause the sign to be removed, and the costs of such removal shall be borne by the owner or lessor and shall constitute a lien upon the premises.

§ 440-122 Permits.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

A. General provisions for all signs.

(1) No sign shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or moved until a permit has been obtained therefor from the Zoning Officer. Such permit shall be issued only when the Zoning Officer is satisfied that such sign will comply with all of the applicable provisions of this article.

(2) Any person desiring such a permit shall file an application on a form which shall contain the following:

(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.

(b) A plan showing the location of the 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 plan must be to scale.

(c) A plan showing the design of the sign, materials to be used, color, lighting, lettering, method of construction, and means of attachment to the building or the ground. Such plans must be to scale.

(d) The name of the person, firm, corporation, or association erecting, altering, or moving said sign.

(e) The written consent of the owner of the land on which the sign is to be erected, altered, or relocated.

(f) Any electrical or building permit required and issued for said sign under Borough ordinances.

(g) Any other information as the Zoning Officer shall require in order to show full compliance with this article and all other applicable laws of the Borough.

(3) After permission to erect, alter, or move a sign has been obtained and said sign has been constructed, painted, and replaced as specified in the permit application, the owner of the sign shall notify the Zoning Officer, who shall inspect the sign. If the sign is as specified in the permit application and does not violate any provisions of this article or other applicable ordinances, the permit shall be validated by the signature of the Zoning Officer.

B. Fee schedule. Every applicant, before being granted a permit hereunder, shall pay to the Borough of Chalfont a fee for each sign regulated by this article in accordance with the Borough Fee Schedule.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is on file in the Borough offices.

C. Exemption from fees.

(1) The following signs shall be exempt from fees:

(a) Any sign which existed at the time this article was adopted and on which a previous fee had been paid. Such signs must, however, be permitted.

§ 440-123 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 11-18-2008 by Ord. No. 377; 5-12-2009 by Ord. No. 377A]

Violations of this article shall be considered violations of this chapter, and penalties shall be the same.