The purpose of this article is to regulate the types and dimensions
of signs in the various districts of the Township; to recognize the
commercial communication requirements of all sectors of the community;
to enhance the environment and the Township's ability to attract sources
of economic development and growth; and to enable the fair and consistent
enforcement of these regulations.
A.
Unless otherwise provided in this article, the standards for review of applications for variances or special exceptions from the requirements of this article shall be the same as those standards which are provided for by § 550-54J of this chapter.
B.
Unless otherwise provided in this article, the procedures for enforcement
and for the grant of relief from any of the provisions of this article
shall be the same as the procedures which are provided for by this
chapter.
C.
Any sign erected after the enactment of this chapter shall conform
to the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or regulation
of the Township relating thereto.
D.
This article shall not relate to building design and shall not regulate
government signs, the copy and message of signs, product dispensers
and point-of-purchase displays, scoreboards on athletic fields, gravestones,
religious symbols, the display of street numbers, or commemorative
plaques.
E.
Any outdoor advertising device, in addition to complying with the
requirements of this chapter, must, where applicable, also comply
with the provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971,
36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.
F.
Signs located within the right-of-way of Pennsylvania state roads
shall comply with the applicable regulations of the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation (PennDOT).
A.
Terms not defined in this article shall have the same meaning given to them in Article XIII of this chapter. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
B.
A-FRAME SIGN
ABANDONMENT
ACCESSORY USE SIGN
ANIMATED SIGN
AWNING SIGN
BANNER
BEACON
BILLBOARD
BUILDING MARKER
BUILDING WIDTH
BUS STOP SHELTER
BUS STOP SHELTER ADVERTISEMENT
CANOPY OR AWNING SIGN
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
CHANGEABLE ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN (CEVMS)
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
DIRECTOR
ESTABLISHMENT
GROUND SIGN
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
INCIDENTAL SIGN
INFLATABLE SIGN
LOT FRONTAGE
MARQUEE SIGN
NAMEPLATE SIGN
NONCONFORMING SIGN
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
OFFICE CENTER
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DEVICE
OVERHANG SIGN
PENNANT
PORTABLE SIGN
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
PROJECTING SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SALES OR PRICE CHANGE SIGN
SIGN STRUCTURE
SMOKE SHOP, CIGAR LOUNGE OR HOOKAH BAR SIGN
STREET LINE (STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE)
TEMPORARY SIGN
(1)
(2)
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall
have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
A portable sign having two separate surfaces meeting at the
top to form an "A" and supported on these surfaces without any support
by a pole.
The relinquishment of property or the cessation of the use
of property or of a sign for 180 days by the owner with the intention
neither of sale or resuming the use of the property or sign.
Any sign which identifies a home occupation.
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict
action or create a special effect or scene.
See "canopy sign."
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
permanently mounted to a pole or a building by a permanent frame at
one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the
official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered
banners.
Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere
or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light
source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
A permanent sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location
other than the premises on which the sign is located.
Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental
information about its construction, which is cut into a masonry surface
or made of bronze or other permanent material.
The horizontal distance of the building generally parallel
to the street right-of-way line at the front of such building.
Any structure used for the purpose of providing temporary
shelter for persons waiting for public transportation vehicles.
Any advertisement, placard, or sign placed on or within a
permitted bus stop shelter.
Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy,
or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door,
entrance, window, or outdoor service area.
A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations
that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or other
surface of the sign. A changeable copy sign may be incorporated as
part of another sign but shall not be used in addition thereto as
a separate sign. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an
electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be
considered a "time-and-temperature sign" and not a changeable copy
sign for purposes of this article.
Any sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently
or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently,
including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept
stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such
sign is in use, including an LED (light-emitting diode) or digital
sign, and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS sign does not
include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a
traffic control device.
Any sign, wording, logo, or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business,
product, service or other commercial activity.
The Director of the Department of Licenses and Inspections
of the Township or his or her designee.
An economic unit generally at a single physical location
where business is conducted, services provided, or industrial operations
are performed.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Any sign supported by structures or supports that is placed
on or anchored in the ground and that is independent from any building
or structure.
A sign, other than a freestanding sign, placed upon or supported
by the ground, independent from any building or structure.
A small sign containing name and address information only.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the property on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives.
No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the
lot on which a sign is located shall be considered incidental.
An inflated object tethered or otherwise attached to the
ground, structure or other object. This definition includes, but is
not limited to, inflated representations of blimps, products, cartoon
characters, animals and the like.
The length of the front lot line measured at the street right-of-way
line. The front of the building shall be the same side as that which
is designated the mailing address. In the case of a corner lot, the
side of the lot shall not be used to determine the size of the sign.
Any permanent structure projecting beyond a building or extending
along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed
and constructed to provide protection from the weather, including
any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a marquee.
Changeable copy is permitted for theaters and similar establishments
where it is required as a normal part of operating the establishment.
Marquee signs shall be permitted only for establishments whose operation
requires such signs.
A sign indicating only the name and/or profession and address
of the person(s) residing or legally occupying the premises.
Any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this
article.
Any commercial sign, including human signs, advertising a
product, service, business or activity sold, located or conducted
elsewhere than on the premises on which the sign is located.
A group of establishments used primarily for conducting the
affairs of a business, profession, service, government or like activity
and managed as a single unit.
Any outdoor sign, display, light, figure, painting, drawing,
message, poster, or billboard which is designed, intended, or used
to advertise or inform.
A sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal
surface and is supported by such surface.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire
or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other
permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including
but not limited to A-frame signs and signs designed to be transported
by means of wheels.
The building in which is conducted the principal use of the
lot. Lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal
buildings, but storage buildings, garages and other clearly accessory
uses shall not be considered principal buildings.
Any sign, except for canopy and awning signs, affixed to
a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends
more than 12 inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.
Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the eaves
of the roof of a building and supported by the roof structure.
A type of sign which has a high message turnover, such as
those advertising "sales" and frequent price changes. These signs
are most commonly found on the inside of windows/doors of supermarkets,
grocery stores, and beverage distributors. In most cases, these signs
are constructed of paper, cardboard, or other lightweight materials.
The supports, uprights, braces, and framework of the sign.
Any sign that advertises tobacco products as defined by § 550-56.
[Added 7-10-2024 by Ord. No. 3155]
The line dividing the street and the abutting property. The
street line shall be the same as the right-of-way line.
Any sign that:
Is used in connection with an event, situation or circumstance
that is designed or intended to take place or be completed within
45 days after the sign is first displayed; or
Is intended to remain on the location where it is placed or
erected for not more than 45 days, and which may be used only for
45 days before as well as for the duration of the event, situation,
or circumstance in connection with which it is to be used, and must
be removed within seven days after completion of the event, situation,
or circumstance in connection with which it is to be used.
Any sign, except for a bus stop shelter advertisement, attached
parallel to but within 12 inches of a wall, or erected and confined
within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure,
which is supported by such wall or building.
Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof, designed
to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale or service that is placed inside a window or upon the
window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
A.
Determination of size of signs. The following principles shall control
the computation of sign area and sign height:
(1)
Computation of area of individual signs. The size of any single-faced
sign shall be determined as follows:
(a)
When a sign consists of letters, numbers and/or logos and is
not a lettered board, the size of such sign shall be measured by the
geometric shape formed by the extreme outside edge of the largest
letters, numbers or logos contained in the sign.
(b)
When a sign consists of a lettered board, the size of such sign
shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered board.
(2)
Computation of area of multifaced signs. The sign area for a sign
with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area
of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign
faces are placed back to back so that both faces cannot be viewed
from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part
of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart,
the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of these
faces.
(3)
Computation of height. 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: a) existing grade prior to construction;
or b) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of
any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose
of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably
be 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 principal
structure on the lot, whichever is lower.
(4)
Computation of maximum total permitted sign area. Except where specifically
stated otherwise, lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed
the permitted sign area for each lot frontage. However, the total
sign area that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed
the portion of the lot's total sign area allocation that is derived
from the lot, building or wall area frontage on that street.
B.
Prohibited signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following
signs:
(1)
Animated, aerial, crane signs, or lighted moving signs, including
automatic color-changing and rotating lamps.
(2)
Bench or sidewalk sign(s) or signs painted, attached or suspended
from any outdoor bench, chair or similar structure except for bus
stop shelter advertisements as regulated by other ordinances.
(3)
Swinging signs.
(4)
Signs, letters, posters and advertisements which are tacked, pasted,
tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences or other
structures located on public property.
(5)
Portable signs, except as defined under § 550-37H(4) relating to temporary signs
(6)
Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background,
except those exhibited during the period between November 1 and January
15 of the following year.
(7)
Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.
(8)
Advertising cloth or paper banner or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary banners. Temporary banners shall be allowed only for the duration of the event, situation or circumstances in connection with which they are to be used and must otherwise comply with § 550-37H(4) relating to temporary signs.
(9)
Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located
for the primary purpose of displaying the signs. This does not apply
to lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating in the normal
course of business.
(10)
Smoke shop, cigar lounge, or hookah bar signs in a retail store that has not met the special exception requirements for a smoke shop contained within §§ 550-22C(3), 550-24C(3)(a), cigar lounge contained within §§ 550-23C(4)(b), 550-24C(3)(c), or hookah bar contained within §§ 550-23C(4)(c), 550-24C(3)(b), and has not been granted a special exception, pursuant to the applicable section.
[Added 7-10-2024 by Ord. No. 3155]
(a)
There shall be no moving and/or electronic signage or lighting
permitted for the advertisement of tobacco products, except for signs
that have met the special exception requirements for a smoke shop,
cigar lounge or hookah bar.
C.
General restrictions and standards. The following restrictions shall
apply to all permitted signs:
(1)
No sign shall be located, designed, lighted, arranged, or placed
in a position where it will cause danger to traffic or will interfere
with traffic through glare; blocking of required sight lines for streets,
sidewalks or driveways; confusion with a traffic control device by
reason of color, location, shape or other characteristics; or through
any other means.
(3)
Except for traffic signs, canopy signs, awning signs, projecting signs, and bus shelter signs, no sign shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of a public street, nor shall any sign be placed closer than five feet from such right-of-way lines, [except as modified by § 550-37E(1)(c), (2)(c) and (6)] unless specifically authorized as a variance by the Zoning Hearing Board or by other ordinances of Upper Darby Township or other governmental agencies having jurisdiction or regulatory authority in the matter.
(4)
The bottom or lowest edge for a freestanding sign, awning sign, projecting sign, canopy sign, marquee sign, or similar type of sign shall be not less than eight feet. Also see § 550-37A(3) relating to computation of height.
(5)
All external illuminated signs shall be turned off not later than
one hour after closing of the business or facility which they identify
or advertise but if closing time is 1:00 a.m. or later all illuminated
signs shall be turned off at closing time.
(6)
No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or
use is not open.
(7)
Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which
has been allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by and at
the expense of the landowner or lessee of the property on which it
is located.
(8)
Each sign shall be removed within 30 days of the time when the circumstances
leading to its erection no longer apply, unless specifically stated
otherwise in this chapter.
(9)
All provisions of this chapter shall apply to smokestacks, water
towers, and other similar structures.
(10)
With the exception of billboards, the content of permanent signs
shall refer to a use, business, service, or activity conducted on
the same lot or premises on which the sign is located.
(11)
In cases where a sign (including billboards) has been abandoned
for a period of six months, the Director shall order the removal of
such sign and sign support at the expense of the owner.
D.
Design, construction, and maintenance. All signs shall be designed,
constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following standards:
(1)
Every sign must be constructed of durable materials and shall be
solidly and firmly attached, supported, and/or anchored to the supports
or framework.
(2)
Except for banners, flags and temporary signs, all signs shall be
constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached
to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment
to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.
(3)
All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance
with all building and electrical codes, and in conformance with this
chapter.
E.
General regulations for specific types of signs.
(1)
Freestanding signs.
(a)
The bottom or lowest edge of any freestanding sign shall be
no closer to the ground than eight feet. No more than two feet above
the ground level can be devoted to and maintained for flowers, ground
covers, and low spreading shrubs.
(b)
All applications for freestanding signs must include an accurate,
scaled, current plot plan and site survey that shows legal rights-of-way,
building locations, and proposed location of the sign.
(c)
All freestanding signs shall have a setback of not less than
10 feet from the street right-of-way line measured from the edge of
the sign.
(d)
Landscaping shall be provided around the base of each freestanding
sign for not less than two feet in each direction beyond the face
or edge of the sign.
(2)
Ground signs.
(a)
The top edge of a ground sign shall be a maximum of six feet
above ground level.
(b)
Ground signs shall be supported and permanently placed by embedding,
anchoring, or connecting the sign in such a manner as to incorporate
it into the landscape or architectural design scheme.
(c)
All ground signs shall have a setback of not less than three
feet from the street right-of-way line.
(3)
Temporary signs.
(a)
Temporary signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct vehicular
or pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.
(b)
Such signs shall not obstruct access to or from any door, window,
fire escape, or ventilating equipment, nor be attached to any standpipe
or fire escape.
(c)
Temporary signs shall be removed within seven days after completion
of the event, situation or circumstance for which they are used.
(d)
The size of these signs shall not exceed 1/3 square foot of
sign area for each linear foot of building width.
(e)
Temporary signs shall not be attached to fences.
(4)
Sales or price change signs.
(a)
The size of sales or price change signs combined shall not exceed
50% of the area of the door or window to which they are affixed.
(b)
All sales or price change signs shall be affixed to the inside
of a window or door.
(c)
Sales or price change signs shall not be attached to fences
or exterior walls.
(5)
Bus stop shelter advertisements. These signs shall be regulated by
other ordinances.
(6)
Canopy and awning signs. All canopy and awning signs shall have a
setback of not less than two feet from the street curbline but cannot
extend more than five feet from the building line.
(7)
Overhang signs.
(a)
Overhang signs shall be allowed only in shopping centers.
(b)
Such signs shall be suspended from the soffit or overhang which
covers the walkway in a shopping center.
(c)
The size of such signs shall not exceed four square feet.
(d)
There shall be not more than one overhang sign per establishment.
(8)
Projecting signs. Projecting signs located in the public right-of-way
are permitted in the C-3 District only and shall meet the following
requirements:
F.
Signs for which a permit is not required (exempt signs). The following signs are exempt from the need to secure a permit but are subject to the provisions of § 550-35, Applicability and intent, and § 550-37A, Determination of size of signs:
(1)
Public notice, warning, or official traffic signs required by a federal,
state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
(2)
Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that
is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the
lot line of the property on which such sign is located.
(3)
Building markers that only include building name, date of construction,
or historical data on a historical site, provided there is only one
per building. Such sign shall have a maximum area of six square feet.
(4)
Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the
Township of Upper Darby, foreign nations, or any other flag adopted
or sanctioned by an elected legislative body of competent jurisdiction,
provided that such flag does not exceed 60 square feet in area and
shall be flown from a pole not more than 40 feet in height from grade.
(5)
Incidental signs containing no commercial message of any kind, provided
such signs do not exceed eight square feet.
(6)
Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises or lot upon
which they are erected, provided that there is not more than one such
sign per lot frontage. Such sign shall be neither illuminated nor
have a maximum area that exceeds six square feet in residential districts
and 20 square feet in nonresidential districts. All such signs shall
be removed on or before the date of settlement.
(7)
Any signs advertising a real estate open house or used as a directional
sign for a real estate open house. Such signs shall be permitted only
on private property and may not be erected without the permission
of the owner of the property on which the sign is located. Real estate
open house or directional signs shall not exceed four square feet
in size and may not be displayed more than two hours before the start
of the open house time period and must be removed within two hours
after the end of the open house time period.
(8)
Signs advertising the development of the premises where they are
erected. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in residential
districts and 20 square feet in nonresidential districts. All such
signs shall be removed on or before the date of settlement.
(9)
Nameplate signs on private residences, provided they do not exceed
144 square inches.
(10)
Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday,
provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
(11)
Yard sale or garage sale signs, provided that they do not exceed
two square feet and shall be removed within 24 hours after such sales.
(12)
Signs announcing a political, educational, charitable, civic,
religious, or similar campaign or event. Such signs shall be removed
immediately after the completion of such campaign or event.
(13)
Temporary signs. Not more than one sign per property shall be
permitted. However, in the case of a corner property with more than
100 feet of lot frontage on each of two major roads (collector or
arterial classification), an additional sign may be permitted at the
second frontage. The area of each such sign shall not exceed 16 square
feet.
(14)
Sales or price change signs.
G.
Signs for which a permit is required. The following signs, as described under each zoning district or group of districts, are allowed, provided they comply with the standards and conditions set out in § 550-37E and, in the case of a billboard, § 550-37H, and a sign permit has been obtained:
(1)
Signs in residential districts. The following types of signs and
no others shall be permitted in the R-C, R-C-1, R-1, R-2, R-3 and
R-4 districts:
(a)
Nameplate signs, not exceeding 288 square inches. Not more than
one such sign per dwelling shall be allowed.
(b)
Identification signs for apartment buildings or complexes, schools,
churches, hospitals, and similar allowed uses, including those uses
allowed in the RO and CRO overlay districts other than individual
dwellings, provided that:
(c)
Signs identifying nonresidential uses allowed as valid nonconforming uses, provided that they meet the same requirements as set out in § 550-37G(1)(b) above.
(d)
Except for signs for uses provided for in § 550-37G(1)(c), illumination, where provided, shall be by external white light only.
(2)
Signs in a Recreation District (REC). The following types of signs
and no others shall be allowed in a Recreation District:
(a)
Such signs shall be freestanding signs, ground signs, or wall
signs only.
(b)
Not more than one wall sign and one freestanding or ground sign
shall be allowed for each lot frontage.
(c)
The size of freestanding, ground, and wall signs shall not exceed
16 square feet.
(d)
Where provided, illumination shall be by external white light
only.
(3)
Signs in Commercial Districts. The following requirements apply to
all signs advertising a commercial use in the C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4
Districts.
(a)
Sign uses as allowed in a residential district.
(b)
A maximum of three attached signs are permitted for each establishment.
The total area of the signs cannot exceed two times the minimum width
of the building and must be attached to the establishment being advertised.
Window signs, including, but not limited to, cling film widow signage,
regardless of opacity, will count as attached signs on the building
and towards the total allowable square footage. Individual establishments
may also have one freestanding or ground sign for each street frontage.
The maximum size of such signs cannot exceed 1/2 square foot of sign
area for each linear foot of lot frontage.
[Amended 7-10-2024 by Ord. No. 3155]
(c)
For shopping or office centers, there shall be not more than
one freestanding or ground sign identifying the center at each lot
frontage. The size of the sign identifying the center shall not exceed
60 square feet. In addition, the size of the signs identifying individual
establishments in the center must be affixed to the same sign identifying
the center and shall not exceed eight square feet for each sign.
(d)
All types of signs are permitted unless specifically prohibited
in other sections of this chapter. All signs must comply with all
other provisions of this chapter.
(e)
All signs must comply with all requirements of the Pennsylvania
Uniform Construction Code.
(f)
Signage must be limited to less than 25% of the window or 75%
of the window space must remain clear and or unobstructed.
[Added 7-10-2024 by Ord. No. 3155]
(g)
For purposes of this section windows shall include all windows
of the commercial portion of a property and shall constitute commercial
frontage and/or display windows. Widows of a residential and/or industrial
portion of the a property shall not constitute commercial frontage
and/or display windows.
[Added 7-10-2024 by Ord. No. 3155]
H.
Billboards.
(1)
Billboards shall be permitted only in the C-2 and C-4 Districts.
(2)
No billboard shall be erected within 500 feet of another billboard.
(3)
The maximum size of billboards shall be 300 square feet.
(4)
The minimal distance from a street right-of-way shall be 35 feet.
(6)
The height of billboards shall not exceed the maximum building height
in a district by more than 20 feet.
I.
Changeable electronic variable message signs (CEVMS).
(2)
A maximum of one primary sign per premises may contain a changeable
electronic variable message sign.
(4)
The changeable electronic variable message sign shall be a conforming
sign located in a zoned or unzoned commercial or industrial area.
(5)
All messages/displays shall remain unchanged for a minimum of five
seconds.
(6)
The time interval used to change from one complete message/display
to the next complete message/display shall be a maximum of one second.
(7)
There shall be no appearance of a visual dissolve or fading, in which
any part of one electronic message/display appears simultaneously
with any part of a second electronic message/display.
(8)
There shall be no appearance of flashing or sudden bursts of light,
and no appearance of animation, movement, or flow of the message/display.
(9)
Any illumination intensity or contrast of light level shall remain
constant.
J.
Nonconforming signs. Signs which are nonconforming and signs which
identify nonconforming uses shall be permitted in accordance with
the following regulations:
(1)
A sign which is nonconforming as of the date of enactment of this
chapter may be continued although such sign does not conform with
the provisions of this chapter; however the size of any such nonconforming
sign shall not be enlarged.
(2)
All nonconforming signs may be changed to or replaced by another
nonconforming sign, provided the degree of nonconformity is not greater
than that of the original sign. Whenever a nonconforming sign has
been changed to a more restricted nonconforming sign, such sign shall
not thereafter be changed to a less restricted nonconforming sign.
(3)
No nonconforming sign which has been damaged to more than 50% of
its value or has been removed or discontinued for 90 days shall be
repaired, rebuilt or replaced, except as a conforming sign or when
authorized by a special exception.
(4)
If a nonconforming use of a building ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of one year or more and such nonconforming use is deemed to be abandoned as per § 550-48C(3) of this chapter, any nonconforming sign on the premises shall also be considered abandoned, and any subsequent signs erected or maintained on the premises shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
K.
Permits.
(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or individual to erect signs listed in § 550-37G without first obtaining a permit from the Township.
(2)
No sign shall hereafter be erected or attached to, suspended from, or supported on a building or structure, and no sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated until a permit for the same has been obtained, except those specifically listed in § 550-37F relating to exempt signs.
(3)
Applications for a sign permit for the erection, alteration or relocation
of a sign shall be made to the Director upon a form provided by the
Director and shall include the following information:
(a)
Name and address of the owner of the sign.
(b)
Street address or location of the property on which the sign
is to be located, along with the name and address and the written
consent of the property owner. Written consent may be shown by submission
of a copy of the rental agreement for the sign use.
(c)
The type of sign proposed, as defined in this chapter.
(d)
A site plan showing the proposed location of the sign along
with the location and square footage of all existing signs on the
premises. Such plan shall also show building and lot dimensions, right-of-way,
sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas.
(e)
Application must show compliance with all requirements of the
Township Building Code including instances when a structural engineer's
design is required.
(4)
The applicant shall pay a permit fee based on the type of sign to
be erected, in the amount provided by the Township Fee Ordinance as
amended, with payment due at the time the application is filed.
