[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 700]
In order that the legitimate demands for signage can be met
without the unsightly intrusion of an unlimited number of signs of
inappropriate size, dimension and location, any sign erected or altered
in Hemlock Township after the effective date of this chapter shall
conform to the following regulations.
[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 701; as amended by Ord. No. 11-11-2014, 11/11/2014]
1. Signage can include a variety of different types of signs, each with
unique functions. The following list itemizes and describes the types
of signs considered under the provisions of this Part:
A. Advertising Sign Boards (Billboards). A sign or board which attracts
the attention of motorists or pedestrians to a product, place or activity
that exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which
the sign is situated, excluding official notices or road signs of
a governmental body or other directional signs, i.e., an off-premises
sign. For the purposes of this chapter, advertising sign boards may
only be freestanding signs.
B. Business Identification Sign. A sign or, board which attracts motorists
or pedestrians to a business, product, service or activity that is
sold, produced, or conducted on the same premises upon which the sign
is located; i.e., an on-premises sign. For the purposes of this chapter,
business identification signs may be either freestanding, or parallel
or projecting wall signs.
C. Business or Industrial Complex Identification Sign. A sign which
identifies the name of a business or industrial complex, i.e., a shopping
center or shopping mall, office building complex, industrial park,
or similar multi-tenant commercial or industrial facility. The names
of individual businesses or operations located within such complex
may also be displayed on such signs.
D. Digital Message Board. A business identification sign or advertising
sign board, or part thereof, with a moving message.
E. Directional Sign. A sign erected and maintained for the purpose of
directing traffic to a particular destination including, but not limited
to, places of business, properties for sale, and the like. Such signs
may not contain any advertisement or promotional information.
F. Free-Standing Sign. A self-supported sign resting on the ground or
supported by means of poles or standards placed in or on the ground.
Such signs may advertise products or items offered for sale or that
are directly related to the premises on which they are located, i.e.,
a business identification sign, or may advertise a business, product
or event located elsewhere, i.e., an advertising sign board.
G. Image-Changing Advertising Sign Board. An advertising sign board
which is designed so that its advertising face changes mechanically
on a designated frequency.
H. Institutional Sign. A sign erected and maintained for the purpose
of identifying a school, church or place of worship, park or playground,
municipal or government building, art gallery, library or museum,
nursing or personal care home, medical center, or other institutional
building or use located on the same premises as the sign. Such signs
may be either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
I. Parallel Wall Sign. A type of wall sign which is attached parallel
to the face of its supporting wall, and which does not project more
than 12 inches from such wall.
J. Permanent Sign. A sign which is permanently affixed to the ground,
excluding standard real estate or similar signs.
K. Political Sign. A temporary sign erected to announce or support a
political candidate or issue in connection with any national, state
or local election.
L. Product or Service Advertising Sign. Devices, structures or objects
used to advertise a product, service, commodity, or activity available
or occurring on the same premises as the sign(s). Such signs shall
include, but need not be limited to, placards, boards, or other devices
which are mounted, hung or painted on the inside of windows and faced
outward, or are placed outside of a business, either on the building
itself or on the same lot as the building, which advertise or are
intended to advertise the variety, type, or pricing of available products
or services. Rags, pennants and banners which advertise specific products
or services shall also be considered product or service advertising
signs for the purposes of this chapter.
M. Projecting Wall Sign. A type of wall sign with its horizontal plane
attached at right angles to its supporting wall and which projects
more than 12 inches from such wall.
N. Rolling Billboard. A mobile digital or electronic changing advertisement
sign.
O. Temporary Sign. Any sign which is not permanently affixed to the
ground.
[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 702; as amended by Ord. No. 07-08-2008, 7/08/2008, § 34]
1. The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses:
A. Construction and Maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable
materials, be maintained in good condition, and shall not be allowed
to become dilapidated or endanger public health, safety or welfare.
All signs shall be securely fastened in order to prevent their displacement
by the elements.
B. Sign Area.
(1)
For the purposes of this chapter, sign area shall include the
entire display face of a single side of a sign, excluding all structural
supports and structural margins not exceeding 12 inches in width on
each border of the sign.
(2)
A double-faced sign shall be considered a single sign, unless
the interior angle formed by the two sides of the sign is greater
than 45°, then each side of the sign shall be considered to be
a separate sign.
(3)
Where a sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to a building, the area of the sign shall be considered to be the
smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses
all of the letters and/or symbols.
C. Placement.
(1)
No sign (whether temporary or permanent) shall be placed within the clear sight triangle of any intersection as per the requirements of §
27-505, Subsection
4, of this chapter, nor at any other location that could obstruct or impair a motorist's clear vision. In addition, no sign shall be located where it could be an impediment to pedestrian traffic.
(2)
No sign, other than an official traffic sign, shall be erected
within the right-of-way of any public street or roadway, unless authorized
by the Township Supervisors for a special purpose.
(3)
The main supporting structure(s) of all permanent freestanding
signs shall be set back from the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way
or front property line, whichever is greater, as follows:
(a)
General use signs, including directional signs: five feet.
(b)
Institutional signs: 15 feet for new construction; one-half
the depth of the existing front yard for existing structures.
(c)
Business identification signs-a distance equal to the height
of the sign, but no less than 20 feet.
(d)
Business or industrial complex identification signs: 50 feet.
(e)
Advertising sign boards or billboards: 50 feet.
(4)
Temporary freestanding signs may be placed to within five feet
of the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way or front property
line, but must still meet the clear sight triangle requirements of
subparagraph (1) above.
(5)
All freestanding signs shall be set back to meet the side and
rear yard requirements for the district in which they are to be located.
(6)
No sign shall be erected or maintained which could prevent free
ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, nor shall
any sign be attached to a vent pipe, fire escape, or the eave of any
building. Further, no signs shall be affixed to the roof of any building.
(7)
Signs placed in any Floodplain District shall be subject to
the regulations of the underlying district, except that no sign in
any floodplain area may substantially impede natural drainage or the
flow of water.
(8)
No sign shall be painted, erected, affixed or maintained on
a tree, stone (except for ornamental or architectural stones that
may be used to identify a business or personal property), or other
natural object, except for property posting signs, nor shall any sign
be painted, erected, affixed, supported, or maintained on an accessory
storage trailer.
D. Height.
(1)
Sign height shall be measured from the average finished grade
of the site beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign or sign
structure, whichever is greater. No person(s) shall artificially increase
the highest maximum height of a sign by altering the grade at the
base of the sign.
(2)
Maximum sign heights for freestanding signs shall be as follows:
(a)
General use signs, including directional signs: six feet.
(b)
Institutional signs: 20 feet.
(c)
Business identification signs: 20 feet in Residential and Agricultural
Districts; 30 feet in General Commercial or Industrial Zones; 50 feet
in Interchange Commercial Zone.
(d)
Business or industrial complex identification signs: 200 feet.
(e)
Advertising sign boards or billboards: 50 feet.
(3)
No portion of a wall sign, whether parallel or projecting, shall
extend above the top of the wall or roof line of the wall to which
it is attached.
E. Projection.
(1)
Parallel wall signs may not extend more than 12 inches from
the surface to which they are mounted or attached, nor in any way
interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(2)
Projecting wall signs shall not extend or project more than
five feet from their supporting structure or wall, nor shall any such
sign extend over a public street or walkway.
(3)
Parallel or projecting wall signs shall have a clearance of
no less than 10 feet, measured from the ground or pavement immediately
beneath the sign to the bottom or lowest part of the sign.
F. Illumination. Illuminated signs shall cause no glare or other disturbance
which would be incompatible with the nature of the neighborhood where
the sign is located or which would in any way impair the vision of
passing motorists. Illumination shall be steady in nature, not flashing,
moving or changing in brilliance, color or intensity, except for digital
message boards or image-changing advertising sign boards which may
be considered as special exceptions in the General Commercial, Interchange
Commercial and Industrial Districts.
G. State Regulations. All applicable state regulations shall be met
where signs are proposed in areas adjacent to highways included in
PennDOT's Primary and Interstate Highway Systems. Any person desiring
to erect a sign in these areas shall contact PennDOT to determine
if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A written copy
of PennDOT's determination shall accompany all applications for signs
in such areas.
H. Event Signs. Temporary signs, including those used to advertise garage,
porch, or yard sales or other periodic or legally permissible special
events in the Township, may be permitted in any zoning district provided
that the following criteria are met:
(1)
The size or area of each sign shall not exceed the size or area
set forth for permanent signs in the district where they are located.
(2)
Such signs shall not be located within any street right-of-way,
without prior approval of the Township Supervisors. The Township may
remove without notice any such sign placed within any street right-of-way
without the approval of the Township Supervisors.
(3)
Event signs shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to
the event.
(4)
The signs shall be removed by the property owner or promoter
within two days after the event or the Township may remove any such
sign without notice.
I. Political Signs. Temporary signs used to announce or support a political
candidate may be permitted in any zoning district provided that the
following criteria are met:
(1)
Such signs shall not be located within any street right-of-way,
nor shall they be located within the clear sight triangle of any intersection
or in any other way obstruct or impair a motorist's clear vision.
(2)
All such signs shall be removed by the property owner, the candidate
or the candidate's representative within 14 days after the election
or the Township may remove any such signs without notice.
[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 703]
1. Signs may be placed or located in the RR, SR, and UR Districts subject
to the specified requirements:
A. General Use Signs. The following types of nonilluminated, non-advertising general use signs may be permitted in the RR, SR, and UR Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1C and D, regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)
(1)
Property Posting Signs. Signs which indicate the private nature
of a property, a driveway, or restrict or prohibit hunting, fishing
or other activity may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: two square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: as needed.
(2)
Name Plates or Personal Identification Signs. Signs which display
the name of the property owner and/or address of the property on which
they are located may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: two square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property.
(3)
Home Occupation Signs. Signs which identify the name of a specific
home occupation to be conducted on the site where they are located
may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: four square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property.
(4)
Property Sale and/or Rental Signs. Signs which advertise the
sale, rental or lease of property on which they are located may be
permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: six square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property, unless
the property is situated on a corner, in which case one sign may be
erected on each frontage.
(5)
Directional Signs. Signs directing persons or motorists to the
location of churches, schools, nonprofit or civic organizations, places
of business, or residential developments may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: six square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: as needed; not exceeding four per facility in
the Township.
(6)
Artisan's Signs. Signs of mechanics, painters, or other artisans
performing work on the premises may be permitted temporarily while
such work is ongoing as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: 16 square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property.
(7)
Residential Development Identification Signs. Signs which identify
the name of the residential development upon which they are located
may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: 20 square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property, unless
the property is situated on a corner or has more than one entrance,
in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
B. Institutional Signs.
(1)
Externally or internally illuminated, nonadvertising institutional signs may be permitted in the RR, SR, and UR Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1C and D, regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)
(2)
Signs which display the name of a school, church, group home,
park or playground, nursing or personal care home, medical or dental
clinics, or any other institutional building or use may be permitted
as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: 16 square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property, unless
the property is situated on a corner, in which case one sign may be
erected on each frontage.
C. Business Identification Signs. The following types of externally or internally illuminated, business identification signs may be permitted in the RR, SR, and UR Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1C and D, regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)
(1)
Existing Nonconforming Uses. Signs which identify the name of
an existing nonconforming use (whether a new sign or a replacement
for an existing sign) may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: 20 square feet for new signs; 20 square feet or
the size of the existing sign, whichever is greater, for replacement
signs.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property.
(2)
New Commercial Uses. Signs which identify the name of an approved commercial use or activity, including day care facilities, rooming or boarding houses, and professional offices, neighborhood retail activities, or other uses set forth in the District Regulations, §§
27-303,
27-304 and
27-305, may be permitted as follows:
(a)
Maximum size: 20 square feet.
(b)
Maximum number: no more than one such sign per property.
[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 704; as amended by Ord. No. 11-11-2014, 11/11/2014]
1. Signs may be placed or located in the C, IC, and I Districts subject
to the specified requirements:
A. General Use Signs. Those signs permitted in §
27-704, Subsection 1A, General Use Signs, in the RR, SR, and UR Districts may also be permitted in the C, IC, and I Districts at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same style, with the exception that directional signs may be illuminated.
[Amended by Ord. No. 03-09-2021, 3/9/2021]
B. Institutional Signs. Those signs permitted in §
27-704, Subsection 1B, institutional signs in the RR, SR, and UR Districts, may also be permitted in the C, IC, and I Districts, in the same size, same quantity, and in the same style.
C. Business Identification Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial use or activity, externally or internally illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the C, IC, and I Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as freestanding signs, or parallel or projecting wall signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1C and D, regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)
[Amended by Ord. No. 12-12-2017, 12/12/2017]
(1)
There shall be no more than one freestanding sign per property
and one wall (parallel or projecting) sign per face of the building
in these zones.
(2)
No one business identification sign, whether a freestanding
or wall sign, shall exceed 200 square feet in size. No wall sign shall
occupy more than 20% of the wall to which it is attached, nor shall
any projecting wall sign exceed 20 feet in length measured vertically.
(3)
Total signage area shall not exceed 500 square feet per business.
(4)
Each anchor store located within a multi-tenant shopping mall or commercial complex may be permitted one business identification sign per side façade of the business. No external signs shall be permitted for individual internal stores in the complex, except as may be permitted in §
27-705, Subsection 1D, below. Where however, all stores within a multi-tenant shopping center or commercial complex have independent, outside patron access, each store may be permitted one business identification wall sign. No freestanding business identification signs shall be permitted in such complexes.
D. Business or Industrial Complex Identification Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial complex, shopping mall or shopping center, industrial park, or similar multi-tenant facility, externally or internally Illuminated identification signs may be permitted in the C, IC, and I Districts as indicated below. Such signs may only be designed as freestanding signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1C and D, regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)
(1)
There shall be no more than one commercial or industrial complex
identification sign for each such complex, except that where such
facilities have frontage on two streets or have more than one entrance,
one complex identification sign may be erected on each frontage or
at each entrance.
(2)
Business or industrial complex identification signs shall not
exceed 500 square feet in area per face, nor extend more than 200
feet in height above the average finished grade of the site within
a twenty-foot radius of the supporting pole.
(3)
Business or industrial complex identification signs may also
include or display the name of individual businesses or operations
located within the complex, but shall not exceed the size and height
set forth above.
E. Product or Service Advertising Signs. Where proposed in conjunction
with an approved commercial or industrial use, nonilluminated product
or service advertising signs may be permitted in the C, IC, and I
Districts as indicated below:
(1)
The total amount of permissible product or service advertising
signage per commercial or industrial establishment shall not exceed
50 square feet for establishments containing less than 10,000 square
feet of gross floor area; 75 square feet for establishments containing
between 10,000 and 25,000 square feet of gross floor area; and 100
square feet for establishments containing more than 25,000 square
feet of gross floor area.
(2)
All such signs shall be located on the same lot as the business
or product they are advertising.
F. Advertising Sign Boards (Billboards). Externally illuminated advertising sign boards or billboards may be permitted in the C, IC and I Districts as indicated below. Such signs may only be designed as freestanding signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1B, C and D, regarding area calculations, placement, and height requirements for such signs.)
(1)
Maximum sign area shall not exceed 300 square feet per face.
Advertising sign boards may have two parallel faces, but may not be
vertically or horizontally doubled, nor multiplied further in any
fashion.
(2)
Advertising sign boards shall be located no closer than 1,200
feet (measured on the same side of the street) to any other advertising
sign board, and no closer than 150 feet to any residence.
(3)
No advertising sign board shall exceed the maximum height limit
permitted for principal structures in the district where it is to
be located, nor shall it be situated closer to the ground than 15
feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign) when located in a
parking, vehicular or pedestrian circulation area.
G. Rolling Billboards. Rolling billboards may be permitted in the General Commercial, Interstate Commercial and Industrial Districts in the Township. Such signs may only be designed as freestanding or mobile signs (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1B, C, D and F, regarding calculations, placement, height and illumination requirements.
(1)
Maximum sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet per face.
(2)
Rolling billboards shall be located no closer than 1,200 feet
(measured on the same side of the street) to any other advertising
sign board, and no closer than 150 feet to any residence.
[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 705]
1. Signs may be placed or located in the A District subject to the specified
requirements:
A. General Use Signs. Those signs permitted in §
27-704, Subsection 1A, general use signs in the RR, SR, and UR Districts, may also be permitted in the A District at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same style.
B. Institutional Signs. Those signs permitted in §
27-704, Subsection 1B, institutional signs in the RR, SR, and UR Districts, may also be permitted in the A District at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same style.
C. Business Identification Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial use or activity, the following types of internally or externally illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the A District as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs. (See also §
27-703, Subsection 1C and D, regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)
(1)
There shall be no more than one freestanding business identification
sign or one parallel business identification wall sign per property
in this zone.
(2)
Maximum sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet per business,
regardless of the type of sign utilized. Where, however, a business
is situated on a corner, or has frontage on two streets, one business
identification sign may be erected on each frontage, in which case
the total sign area for all signs on the site shall not exceed 36
square feet.
[Ord. No. 8-9-2005, 8/9/2005,
§ 706]
1. The following requirements shall apply to all permanent signs:
A. A zoning permit shall be required for the placement, erection, or
alteration of all permanent signs, except as may exempted in paragraph
.C below. All applications for signs being erected on property other
than that owned by the applicant shall also include notarized permission
from the property owner.
B. Fees for the issuance of zoning permits for signs shall be paid to
the Township upon filing of an application for such use. All such
fees shall be in accordance with the schedule of fees established
by resolution of the Township Supervisors. There shall be no fee for
the erection of any sign necessary to the public welfare.
C. No zoning permits shall be required for the following types of signs, although the requirements of §§
27-703 and
27-704, Subsection 1A, shall remain applicable:
(2)
Name plates or personal identification signs.
(3)
Property sale or rental signs.
(4)
Event or political signs.
(5)
Artisan's signs or other temporary signs.
(6)
Public service signs, including those advertising the availability
of rest rooms, public telephones, or other public conveniences, provided
that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity,
product, or goods.