The sign regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this
section are made in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of Upper
Allen Township and are intended to promote general welfare and public
safety by:
A.
Aiding in traffic-directional control and safety through the prohibition
of inappropriate signs, requirements for necessary signs and the appropriate
sizing of all signs.
B.
Preserving and protecting property values.
C.
Lessening the blight of congested land and air space which would
result from the uncontrolled proliferation of signs.
D.
Establishing reasonable standards for business, institutional and
organizational identification and advertising through the use of signs
as reasonably necessary to maintain and encourage business activity
and orderly area development.
E.
Establishing reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising
through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business
activity and area development.
F.
Asserting the reasonable public interest in matters of signage and
in the visual appearance of private property which is visible from
public streets.
The following signs are permitted:
A.
Freestanding ground pole sign. A sign supported by one or more uprights,
poles or braces placed onto/into the ground, where the sign is affixed
above ground level. Such sign shall be permitted in the Professional
Office, Highway Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Neighborhood
Commercial, and Village Zoning Districts.
B.
Projecting sign. A sign which projects from and is supported by the
wall of a building. Such sign shall be permitted in the Professional
Office, Highway Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Neighborhood
Commercial, and Village Zoning Districts.
C.
Roof sign. Any sign erected and maintained on or above the roof of
a building. A roof sign shall be permitted in the Professional Office,
Highway Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Neighborhood Commercial
Zoning Districts.
D.
Wall sign. A sign which is attached directly to or painted on a building
wall. Wall signs shall be permitted in the Professional Office, Highway
Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Neighborhood Commercial, and
Village Zoning Districts.
E.
Message board signs and banners shall be permitted in the Professional
Office, Highway Commercial Industrial, Institutional, Neighborhood
Commercial, and Village Zoning Districts. This shall include time-and-temperature
signs with the sole purpose to announce the current time and temperature
and any nonprofit public service messages.
F.
Monument signs. A freestanding sign composed of stone, brick or masonry,
with the entire base of the sign structure in contact with the ground
or supported by a base constructed of permanent material such as stone
or block, and landscaped to enhance the overall attractiveness of
the area. Monument signs shall be permitted in the Professional Office,
Highway Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Neighborhood Commercial
Zoning Districts.
A.
A property owner may erect and maintain only two signs (of any type)
per lot or parcel, except in cases of multiple street frontages on
two or more public ways, in which case, a total of three signs may
be provided, with the exception that in the VIL District the property
owner shall be allowed two signs per lot plus one attached sign for
each side or rear entryway in accordance with § 245-18.5.E.
(1)
Ground pole sign, roof sign or message board sign. A property
owner may erect and maintain only one of these types of signs per
parcel, although additional signs of other types are otherwise permitted
as provided herein.
(2)
No more than one sign shall be mounted to the supporting structure
of any ground pole sign.
(3)
A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign.
B.
For business or institutional complex in which separate lots have
not been created for each separate building: one wall sign shall be
allowed for each single-occupant building. The sign shall not be larger
than 40 square feet.
C.
Signs for multi-occupant nonresidential properties:
(1)
Buildings which are designed to accommodate two or more business
establishments, each of which has independent exterior access points,
may have one wall sign or one projecting sign for each designated
separate business entrance. In no event shall any individual occupant's
sign be larger than 40 square feet, nor may the total of all wall
and/or projecting signs for a multi-occupant residential property
be greater than 10% of the front wall of the building.
(2)
One wall-mounted, exterior building directory sign, with a maximum
size of eight square feet.
The sign area shall be the area of the smallest triangle, rectangle
or circle which can wholly enclose the surface area of the sign. All
visible faces of a multifaced sign shall be counted separately and
then totaled in calculating sign area. Three-dimensional signs shall
be treated as dual-faced signs, such that the total area shall be
twice the area of the smallest triangle, rectangle or circle which
can totally circumscribe the sign in the plane of its largest dimension.
Except for off-premises advertising signs, permitted in an industrial district only (see § 245-18.9), and signs in the VIL District (see Subsection E below), the following size limitations and restrictions shall apply:
A.
Ground pole signs, roof signs, and message boards. No ground pole
sign, roof sign or message board sign shall be larger than 30 square
feet in sign area on a single sign face nor larger than 60 square
feet in sign area for both faces combined, with the exception that
in the VIL, District § 245-18.5.E shall apply.
B.
Projecting signs.
(1)
No single face of a projecting sign shall exceed 25 square feet
in sign area.
(2)
No projecting sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than
six feet.
(3)
No portion of any projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet
above grade level.
(4)
No portion of a projecting sign shall project more than five
feet out from the face of the building.
C.
Wall signs.
(1)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall on which
it is located.
(2)
No wall sign or any part thereof shall project more than 18
inches from the wall on which it is mounted.
(3)
Reflectors on externally lit wall signs must be 10 feet above
ground level, equipped with mesh guards, and no part may extend more
than two feet from the wall of the building.
(4)
No wall sign shall extend beyond the left and right extremities
of the wall to which it is attached.
(5)
The total area of any wall sign may not exceed 10% of the area
of the building face to which it is attached, up to a maximum of 40
square feet.
D.
Monument signs.
(1)
Monument signs shall not exceed 25 square feet in sign area
on a single face nor larger than 50 square feet in sign area for both
faces combined. Monument signs shall not exceed 7 1/2 feet in
height.
(2)
Monument signs shall be landscaped with shrubbery and grasses
and other ornamental material. A landscape plan shall be submitted
to the Township with the application for review and approval by the
Zoning Officer.
E.
Village District signs.
(1)
The aggregate of all signs allowed in § 245-18.3.A
shall not exceed 20 square feet per property.
(2)
Multi-occupant nonresidential buildings shall be allowed one
wall-mounted building directory sign identifying the occupants, not
to exceed eight square feet, and individual business wall signs, no
more than 5% of the ground floor building facade and not to exceed
10 square feet.
A.
All signs covered by this chapter shall meet a setback requirement
from the edge of right-of-way of a street or roadway; such setback
requirement shall be half the required front yard distance for buildings
within the respective zoning district. However, no sign (in any zoning
district) shall be less than 10 feet from the street right-of-way
line.
B.
All signs erected within the right-of-way of a state highway shall
be in accordance with the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation.
No signs (including roof signs) or any part thereof, including
braces, supports or lights, shall exceed a height of 25 feet above
ground level, as measured from the finished floor elevation of the
structure at the main entrance or the street elevation of the street
fronting the structure (whichever is less) to the highest part of
the sign.
A.
Every sign and all parts thereof, including framework, supports,
background, and anchors and wiring systems, shall be constructed and
maintained in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction
Code.
B.
Any sign which creates a hazard to public health, safety or welfare,
as determined by the Township Zoning Officer, due to disrepair or
lack of maintenance shall be removed at the expense of the owner or
lessee.
C.
The area immediately surrounding each sign shall be kept neat and
litter-free.
D.
Any permanent sign may be illuminated, unless otherwise specifically
restricted herein and in accordance with § 245-16.10.G.
An off-premises advertising sign shall be a sign which contains
a message unrelated to a business or profession conducted on the premises
where such sign is located or which is unrelated to a commodity, service
or entertainment sold or offered on the premises where such sign is
located.
A.
Such signs are permitted only in the Industrial District.
B.
In addition to the provisions herein, such signs are subject to the
following standards:
(1)
The maximum area for any one sign shall be 725 square feet with
a maximum height of 25 feet and maximum length of 60 feet, inclusive
of any border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports and
other structural members.
(2)
The area shall be measured by the smallest square, rectangle,
triangle, circle or combination thereof which will encompass the entire
sign.
(3)
A sign structure may contain one or two signs per facing and
may be placed double-faced, back to back or V-type with an internal
angle of not greater than 30°.
(4)
Signs which exceed 600 square feet in area may not be double-faced
(abutting and facing the same direction).
(5)
Along the interstate system and limited access highways on the
primary system, no two sign structures shall be spaced less than 500
feet apart, and no such structures may be erected adjacent to or within
500 feet of any interchange or safety rest area, measured along the
interstate or limited access primary from the beginning or ending
of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled
way.
(6)
Along highways on the primary system, no two structures shall
be spaced less than 300 feet apart.
(7)
Official and on-premises signs shall not be counted, nor shall
measurements be made from them for purposes of determining space requirements.
(8)
The distance between sign structures shall be measured along
the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite
the signs along the same side of the right-of-way.
(9)
Digital billboards shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
Brightness (billboard luminance). The illumination and/or intensity
of the display shall be controlled so as to not create glare, hazards
or nuisances. The brightness of the digital billboard shall not exceed
0.3 foot-candle of light above the normal ambient light levels. Such
signs shall be equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically
adjusts the sign's brightness based on ambient light conditions. Such
signs shall be dimmed to 500 nits between sunset and sunrise.
[1]
The billboard luminance specification shall be
determined by a foot-candle metering device held at a height of five
feet and aimed towards the billboard, from a distance of 150 feet.
[2]
The metering device should be at a location perpendicular
to the billboard center (as seen in plain view) as this angle has
the highest luminance.
[3]
This check shall include the measurement of an
all-white image displayed by the billboard to evaluate the worst case
condition.
[4]
If the difference in illuminance between the billboard-on
and the billboard-off conditions is 0.3 foot-candle or less, then
the billboard luminance is in compliance.
(b)
Applicant shall permit message access for local, regional, state
and national emergency services during emergency situations. Emergency
messages are not required to conform to message standards listed herein.
(c)
An engineering certificate shall accompany any application for
a digital billboard. The certification shall indicate under seal of
a professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
that the sign has been designed in accordance with acceptable engineering
practices.
(d)
Digital billboards which display no advertising or otherwise
ceases to be used for a period of three consecutive months shall be
removed. The applicant shall further provide, in a form acceptable
to the Township, proof that the record owner and the licensee or other
person in control of the signage consents to the removal of the sign
for reasons as set forth in this subsection.
(e)
Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers and/or any form of pyrotechnics
are prohibited.
(f)
Message default mechanism. All signs must be equipped with a
properly functioning default mechanism that will stop the sign in
one position should a malfunction occur.
(g)
When applicable, such signs shall be located, constructed and
maintained in accordance with all applicable Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation regulations, in addition to all other regulations
of the Upper Allen Township Code. Where there is a conflict between
regulations, the more restrictive regulation shall apply.
(h)
Residences. No digital or electronic display billboard shall
be located within 200 feet from a lot line of an existing dwelling.
(i)
No digital or electronic billboard shall directly face a residential
neighborhood or residence.
(j)
Condition. The digital or electronic billboard shall be maintained
in a good and safe condition. The area around the sign shall be kept
free of debris, weeds and other noxious vegetation.
(10)
No off-premises advertising sign shall be located within 200
feet from a lot line of an existing residential dwelling.
In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following
regulations shall apply to all real estate development signs:
A.
The use of real estate development signs is limited to those developers
or owners having for sale a minimum of six lots in one subdivision.
B.
Such signs must be located on the premises which are for sale.
C.
Such signs may advertise only the real estate for sale in the subdivision
in which the sign is located. The content of such signs shall be limited
to the name of the development, the size of the property, zoning information,
utility information, the name of the developer and/or marketing agent
and their telephone number and web page address.
D.
Such signs shall conform to relevant setback line requirements. If
any person shall use more than one sign for the same development area,
no two signs may be visible from the same public street unless they
are located no closer from each other than 1,000 lineal feet along
the edge of the public street.
E.
The maximum sign area of any such single-faced sign shall be 30 square
feet and, for any such double-faced sign, 60 square feet. No part
of such sign shall be more than 10 feet above grade or in excess of
10 feet in any dimension.
F.
Such signs shall be removed when 75% of the lots in the subdivision
have been sold or leased.
G.
The main entrance of a residential real estate development may have
a permanent monument sign which shall be no larger than 30 square
feet per face or 60 square feet for both faces combined. For purposes
of a residential real estate development main entrance sign, the sign
faces may be back to back or may be separated symmetrically on opposite
sides of the street, if part of the same architectural element to
accent the development entrance. Permanent signs for a residential
real estate development may be located at other entrances to the development
if: they are located not closer than 1,000 lineal feet from another
permanent real estate development sign of the same development, and
any single sign face shall be no longer than 15 square feet per sign
face or 30 square feet for both sign faces combined.
H.
In addition to signs provided for in § 245-18.3, the main entrance of a real estate development for nonresidential use may have a permanent monument sign which shall be no larger than 30 square feet per face or 60 square feet for both faces combined. Permanent signs for a real estate development for business may be located at other entrances to the development if they are located not closer than 1,000 lineal feet from another permanent real estate development sign of the same development, and any single sign face shall be no longer than 15 square feet per sign face or 30 square feet for both sign faces combined.
A.
A temporary sign shall be a sign constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric,
wood or other similar material, with or without a structural frame,
and tended for a limited period of display. Permits for temporary
signs are valid for 60 days but may be renewed for one additional
period of 30 days within a twelve-month period.
B.
The size, content and location of a temporary sign may be varied
at any time so long as the variations remain within the overall restrictions
of this chapter.
C.
All temporary signs, except those signs enumerated in § 245-18.12, shall comply with this section.
D.
Temporary signs must not be placed within the public rights-of-way
or any easement, nor shall they create a hazard for pedestrian or
vehicular traffic.
E.
Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
F.
Temporary signs placed on private property are permitted in all zoning
districts in compliance with the following standards:
(1)
Yard sign. An unlimited number of yard signs are permitted on
each property provided that the maximum area (total square footage
of all the temporary yard signs) shall not exceed 12 square feet for
residential uses and 24 square feet for all other uses.
(2)
Wall sign. A maximum of four signs per property are permitted.
Temporary wall signs shall conform to the requirements in § 245-18.5.C
herein.
(3)
Banner sign. A maximum of four signs per property are permitted.
G.
Application for a permit for a temporary sign shall be made on a
form provided by the Zoning Officer. A permit for temporary signs
must be kept on the premises where signs are displayed and must be
shown to the Zoning Officer upon request.
Signs listed in this section are permitted in all zones and
shall not require licenses or stickers, 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 article.
A.
Signs displaying the name and address of a resident, but not including
any commercial advertising, of not more than two square feet in sign
area if single-faced nor more than four square feet if double-faced.
B.
"No trespassing" signs or other such sign 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 zones and five square
feet in all commercial, mixed use, institutional and industrial zones.
C.
Real estate signs which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the
premises on which said signs are located. In residential zones, such
signs shall not exceed five square feet in sign area if single-faced
nor more than 10 square feet if double-faced, and in all commercial
and industrial zones, such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet in
sign area if single-faced nor more than 60 square feet if double-faced.
Such real estate signs shall be removed within 10 days after the premises
advertised has been sold, rented or leased.
D.
Temporary signs 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 announcement.
E.
Directional signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking or other
functional subdivision when less than two square feet in area and
bearing no commercial advertising.
F.
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.
G.
Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection
of buildings.
H.
The flag, pennant or insignia of any government or of any religious,
charitable, educational or fraternal nonprofit organization.
I.
Temporary signs no larger than five square feet in sign area if single-faced
nor more than 10 square feet if double-faced, advertising the sale
of edible farm products produced on the premises or advertising auctions
and special events or charitable or public service groups. No more
than one temporary sign per parcel shall be permitted.
J.
On-premises wall or projecting sign announcing a home occupation
carried on upon the premises, which shall be limited to two square
feet if single-faced and four square feet if double-faced.
K.
One temporary nonilluminated sign erected in connection with the
development of the premises by a builder, developer or other person
interested in such sales or development, provided that the sign does
not exceed 25 square feet in area and shall be removed as of the day
the certificate of use and occupancy is issued.
L.
One temporary nonilluminated sign of mechanics, contractors, architects
and artisans, etc., which may be erected or maintained during the
period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such
sign is erected, provided that such sign shall be removed on completion
of work and the total area of the sign does not exceed 60 square feet.
M.
Political posters, banners, and signs about candidates, parties and
ballot issues to be removed within seven days following the election.
N.
Christmas tree signs that advertise the seasonal sale of Christmas
trees shall be permitted during seasons when such products are actively
offered for sale, provided there are not more than two signs per lot
and the maximum sign area does not exceed 20 square feet per sign
on nonresidential lots and eight square feet per sign on all other
types of lots.
O.
Time-and-temperature signs with the sole purpose to announce the
current time and temperature and any nonprofit public service messages,
provided there is not more than one sign per lot and the maximum sign
area does not exceed 30 square feet.
P.
Signs erected by or specifically authorized by the Township for uses
operated on Township-owned property.
The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained
in any district, notwithstanding anything else contained in this chapter
or elsewhere. Signs which are prohibited shall be removed or brought
into conformity with the provisions of this chapter within 90 days
after this chapter is passed. The following are prohibited in all
districts:
A.
Flashing, blinking, strobe, twinkling, animated, streaming, scrolling or moving signs of any type, with the exception of message board signs covered by § 245-18.2, Permitted signs, Subsection E. A sign may change from one message to another message, provided that the message does not change more than once every 10 seconds and the transition from one message to another does not exceed two seconds, except that time and temperature signs may change more frequently. In addition, flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs but does not prohibit seasonal holiday lighting or displays that otherwise comply with the Zoning Code.
B.
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety
or health, including a sign which fails in the determination of the
Zoning Officer to properly shield its light source from providing
unacceptable glare to a neighboring property or the public street.
C.
Signs which, by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner
of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers, either when leaving
or entering a roadway from another roadway or driveway, or obstruct
or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign
or control device on public streets and roads.
D.
Signs which make use of words such as "stop," "look," "one-way,"
"danger," "yield" or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or
characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse
traffic.
E.
Abandoned and outdated signs.
(1)
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence shall be removed
within 90 days of the cessation of such use. If the owner of a property
does not remove such sign within 30 days after receiving a written
notice from the Zoning Officer, the sign may be removed by the Township
at the expense of the property owner.
(2)
These time limits shall not apply to a sign intended to be reused
with a new sign face serving a building that is clearly temporarily
vacant and being actively marketed to new tenants for purchase.
(3)
A violation of this subsection shall be subject to enforcement
and remedies as prescribed in §§ 245-18.16.B and 245-19.25.
F.
Signs on public property or a public right-of-way, unless erected
by a governmental body or required to be so located by order of a
governmental body. No sign located on public property or a public
right-of-way shall bear any commercial advertising or announcement.
G.
Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff
or other natural object, except temporary signs.
H.
String lights, other than temporary holiday decorations, which are
unshielded from off the property on which they are located.
I.
Searchlights, pennants, spinners, banners and streamers, except for
occasions such as grand openings and then only with a temporary sign
permit.
J.
No sign shall be affixed to any motor vehicle or trailer in such
a manner that the carrying of such sign is no longer incidental to
the vehicle's primary purpose.
K.
Video billboards.
L.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
M.
Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot
may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions
of this chapter.
N.
Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images
that are obscene or pornographic.
O.
Balloons of greater than 30 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground
or a structure for periods of 12 hours or greater per week.
P.
Floodlights and outdoor lasers used for advertising purposes shall be prohibited, except as allowed under Subsection I above.
Q.
Vehicular signs. No sign shall be affixed to any motor vehicle or
trailer in such a manner that the carrying of such sign in no longer
incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose. This regulation does
not include the use of building logos, identification of advertising
on vehicles primarily and actively used for businesses purposes and/or
general transportation.
R.
Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors.
S.
Any banner or sign of any type suspended across a public street,
without the permission of the owner of the property and the road.
T.
Stuffed or inflated animals used as signs.
U.
Any sign that promotes illegal activity.
A.
No permanent sign shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered
or moved until the person proposing to erect, alter or move such sign
shall have obtained a permit therefor from the Zoning Officer. Such
permit shall be issued only when the Zoning Officer is satisfied that
such sign will, in every respect, comply with all the applicable provisions
of this chapter. Such permit shall be valid for 120 days. The fee
for granting such a permit shall be as per the schedule of officially
approved fees.
B.
Any person desiring such a permit shall file application therefor
on a form which shall contain or have attached thereto the following
information:
(1)
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2)
A map 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
a map must be to scale.
(3)
A plan showing the design of the sign, materials used, and method
of construction and means of attachment to the building or the ground;
such plan must be to scale.
(4)
The name of the person, firm, corporation or association erecting,
altering or moving said sign.
(5)
The written consent of the owner of the land on which the sign
is to be erected, altered or relocated.
(6)
Any electrical or building permit required and issued for said
sign under Township ordinance.
(7)
Any other information as the Zoning Officer shall require in
order to show full compliance with this chapter and all other applicable
laws of the Township.
C.
After permission to erect, alter or move a permanent sign has been
obtained and said sign has been constructed, painted and placed as
specified in the permit application, the owner of the sign shall notify
the Zoning Officer, who shall inspect the plan. If the sign is as
specified in the permit application and does not violate any provisions
of this chapter or other applicable ordinances, a permit shall be
issued to the owner.
A.
Signs legally in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter,
which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter, shall be
nonconforming signs.
B.
All permanent signs and sign structures shall be brought into conformance
with the sign regulations when and if the following occurs:
(1)
The sign is removed, relocated, or significantly altered. Significant
alterations include changes in the size or dimension of the sign.
Changes to the sign copy or the replacement of a sign face on a nonconforming
sign shall not be considered a significant alteration.
(2)
If more than 50% of the sign is damaged, it shall be repaired
to conform to this chapter.
(3)
An alteration in the structure of the sign support.
(4)
A change in the mechanical facilities or type of illumination.
(5)
A change in the material of the sign face.
(6)
The property on which the nonconforming sign is located submits
a subdivision or land development application requiring municipal
review and approval.
(7)
Nonconforming signs shall be exempt from these provisions, under
the following conditions:
(a)
The nonconforming sign possesses documented historic value.
(b)
The nonconforming sign is of a unique nature or type by virtue
of its architectural value or design, as determined by the National
Park Service, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, or local
historical commission.
(c)
When a nonconforming sign is required to be moved because of
public right-of-way improvements.
C.
To determine the legal status of existing signs in each case listed
above, the applicant shall submit the following information to the
Zoning Officer:
(1)
Type(s) of existing sign(s) located on the property.
(2)
The area and height of all signs.
(3)
For freestanding ground pole or monument signs, the distance
between the property line and the nearest portion of the sign.
(4)
The material of which the sign is constructed.
(5)
The building frontage.
(6)
The type of sign illumination.
A.
The Zoning Officer shall make an annual inspection of all signs in
the Township and make such reports as the Township may require.
B.
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign has been constructed
or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of
this chapter, 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 chapter within 30 days,
the Zoning Officer shall cause such sign to be removed or altered
in such way as to conform with the provisions of this chapter. The
cost of such removal or alteration shall be borne by the owner or
lessor of such signs and shall be a lien on the premises.
C.
Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, nonconforming
signs legally erected prior to the enactment of this chapter shall
be permitted.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property upon
which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within 90 days
of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this section. Removal
of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign,
including the sign face, supporting structure, and structural trim.
B.
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located
fails to remove such sign within 90 days, the Township may remove
such sign. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign
shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails
to pay, the Township may file a lien upon the property for the purpose
of recovering all reasonable costs associated with the removal of
the sign.
Violations of this article shall be considered violations of
this chapter, and penalties for violations shall be the same.
