A.
It is the intent of this article to regulate signs to ensure that
they are appropriate for their respective principal uses and in keeping
with the appearance of the affected property and surrounding environment.
Illustrations, which present typical examples of signs, are provided
for in this section to document the intent of the article.
B.
It is the intent of this section to:
(1)
Allow adequate signage for the economic vitality of businesses
and the appropriateness of use while minimizing clutter, confusion
and the unsightliness of excessive signage.
(2)
Establish criteria designed to encourage signs that are compatible
with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which
they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors
and legible in the environment in which they are seen.
(3)
Allow for the coordination of signs to reflect the character
of the architecture, landscape and visual themes that the Township
is supporting.
A.
SIGN
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A structure, building wall, indoor surface visible to the
outside or outdoor surface or any device used for visual communication
which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person,
organization or business.
B.
ANIMATED SIGN
AWNING
AWNING SIGN
BEACON LIGHTING
BILLBOARD
BUSINESS SIGN
CABINET SIGN
CANOPY
CANOPY SIGN
CHANNEL LETTERING
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
DIRECTORY SIGN
FESTOON LIGHTING
FREESTANDING SIGN
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
ILLUMINATED SIGN
INCIDENTAL SIGN
MARQUEE SIGN
MONUMENT SIGN
NONILLUMINATED SIGN
OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN OR BILLBOARD
ON-PREMISES SIGN
PARALLEL WALL SIGN
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN
PIN-MOUNTED LETTERING
PORTABLE SIGN
PROJECTING WALL SIGN
REVOLVING SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SNIPE SIGN
TEMPORARY SIGN
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
TRAILER SIGN
VEHICULAR SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Sign types and illuminations:
A sign with action or motion, flashing or color changes requiring
electrical energy, but not including window-displayed computer monitors
or wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners or novelty items,
e.g., reader board.
A building element consisting of soft or rigid material,
including canvas, fabric, metal or similar material, that is supported
by an underlying framework that is affixed to a building facade. An
awning may or may not be fixed or be equipped with a mechanism for
raising and holding the awning in a retracted position against the
building facade. An awning shall not project more than four feet from
the building facade and at no point shall it extend above the parapet
wall or eave line of the roof. The minimum vertical height clearance
from any part of an awning to a sidewalk directly below or adjacent
to the awning is seven feet.
A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the
surface of an awning. An awning sign shall only display the business
name, graphic logo and/or building number and shall be painted/printed/attached
only to an awning affixed to the ground floor building facade.
 Awning Sign
|
 Awning Sign
|
Any source of electric light, whether portable or fixed,
the primary purpose of which is to cast a concentrated beam of light
generally skyward as a means of attracting attention to its location
rather than illuminate any particular sign, structure, or other object.
See "Off-Premises Advertising Sign or Billboard."
An on-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs
attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity
which is sold, offered or conducted, other than incidentally, on the
premises upon which the sign is located or to which it is affixed.
A sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols within
an enclosed cabinet and may or may not be illuminated.
A building element consisting of soft material such as canvas,
fabric or similar material that is supported by an underlying framework
that is affixed to a building facade; a canopy may or may not have
vertical supports. A canopy shall be located only at the building
entrance that faces a street and at no point shall it extend above
the parapet wall or eave line of the roof. The maximum length of a
canopy shall be 15 feet with the minimum width being four feet and
the maximum width being eight feet. The minimum clearance from any
part of a canopy to a sidewalk directly below or adjacent to a canopy
is seven feet.
A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the
surface of a canopy. A canopy sign shall only display the business
name, graphic logo and/or building number.
 |
Three-dimensional individual letters or figures, illuminated
or nonilluminated, affixed to a structure.
A sign conveying instructions regarding pedestrian and/or
vehicular movement with respect to the premises on which it is located,
such as the entrance and exit of a parking area.
A sign on which the names and location of the occupants or
the use of a building is given, including office building and religious
directories.
An external means of illumination comprised of a group of
strung bulbs.
A self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of
poles, posts, or standards.
 Freestanding Sign
|
 Freestanding Sign
|
A sign whose copy is limited to the name of a building, institution
or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.
Any sign that is lighted by internal or external lighting.
A directional sign of a public service nature, such as signs
identifying a place of worship, parking areas, telephones, restrooms,
loading docks or similar services, which contains no advertising.
Any sign attached to a marquee for the purposes of identifying
a theater or movie house.
A sign attached to a brick, stone or masonry wall or structure
that forms a supporting base for the sign display.
 Monument Sign
|
Any sign that is not lighted.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or facility not located, conducted, sold or
offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
A sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to
an activity on the same lot where the sign is located.
A sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building
surface that does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roofline
or other surface to which it is mounted, and does not project more
than one foot from the surface to which it is mounted.
 Parallel Wall Sign
|
 Part of cornice.
|
A sign which displays an individual's political, religious
or personal belief.
Three-dimensional individual letters or figures, illuminated
or nonilluminated, that are affixed to a structure by pins.
Any sign, including vehicular signs, not permanently attached
to the ground or building.
Any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface, other
than a parallel sign, that does not project more than four feet from
the surface to which it is mounted nor project above the wall, roofline
or surface to which it is mounted, nor in any way interfere with normal
pedestrian or vehicular traffic. A minimum height clearance of seven
feet is required.
 Projecting Sign
|
Any sign that revolves.
A sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a
building and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
A permanent or temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree,
fence, utility pole or upon rocks or natural features.
A sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction
projects, real estate for sale or lease, a commercial grand opening,
or other special events on a temporary basis. The following types
of signs shall be considered temporary signs:
BANNER SIGNA temporary sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags of political subdivisions and symbolic or decorative flags of any institution, neighborhood, residential use or business shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this article.
PROJECT SIGNAny sign giving the name or names of owner, principal contractors, subcontractors, architects, and lending institutions responsible for construction, landscaping or other improvements on the site where the sign is placed.
DEVELOPMENT SIGNAn on-premises sign on a building or lot which announces the nature, purpose or name of the prospective building/enterprise.
POLITICAL SIGNA temporary sign used in connection with a local, county, commonwealth or national election or referendum.
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames; menu and sandwich-board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. Portable signs shall not be illuminated unless a special exception is granted by the Township Zoning Hearing Board.
 Sandwich Board
|
REAL ESTATE SIGNA temporary sign which advertises the sale, lease or rent of the property on which the sign is placed.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGNOn-premises window sign, banner or commemorative flag which advertise a grand opening or other special event.
STREET BANNER SIGNAny banner sign which is stretched across and hung over a public right-of-way.
SUBDIVISION SIGNAn on-premises or off-premises directional sign advertising to the public the name of the subdivision project and the type of project to be built.
NONRESIDENTIAL BUSINESS SIGNAn on-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted, other than incidentally, on the premises upon which the sign is located or to which it is affixed.
Any sign which is erected upon a structure having wheels
or rollers facilitating movement from one location to another.
Any vehicle and/or trailer to which a sign is affixed in
such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental
to the vehicle's purpose but becomes the primary purpose of the vehicle.
A sign mounted or painted on a window or inside a structure
such that it is intended to be seen through a window from the outside.
 Window Sign
|
A.
Sign area.
(1)
The "area of a sign" shall mean the area of all lettering, wording
and accompanying designs, logos and symbols, together with the background
on which they are displayed, whether open or enclosed. The area of
a sign shall not include any supporting framework, bracing or trim
which is incidental to the display, provided that it does not contain
any lettering, wording or symbols.
 Freestanding Sign
|
(2)
Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs or symbols
attached to a building, awning, wall or window, the area shall be
that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters,
designs and symbols.
(3)
Signs may be multisided. In determining the area of a double-sided
sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that both faces
are identical in size. When the interior angle formed by the faces
of a multisided sign is greater than 45°, then all sides of such
sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
B.
Height of a sign.
(1)
The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the mean
grade at the base of the sign. In the case of a sign located on an
isolated mound, height shall be measured to the original grade.
 Sign Height.
|
C.
Sign structure.
(1)
Sign structures shall be in keeping with the architectural style
of the building that it is related to. A sign structure is defined
as the supporting structure erected and used to support a sign, such
as brackets, posts, monument bases, etc.
D.
Location of signs.
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic
on a street by obscuring view or by interfering with official street
signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
(2)
No sign, except official traffic signs or those approved by
Cheltenham Township, is permitted within the cartway of the right-of-way.
(3)
No projecting sign shall extend into the cartway of the right-of-way,
or be less than seven feet above a pedestrianway.
(4)
No freestanding sign shall occupy an area designated for parking,
loading, walkways, driveways, fire lane, easement, cartway of the
right-of-way or other areas required to be unobstructed.
(5)
Signs, not including historical markers and banners approved
by the Township, shall not be affixed to a utility pole or structure,
lighting standard, parking meter, park bench, tree, shrub, rock or
natural object except plaques of a maximum of one square foot.
(6)
Awnings and/or canopies shall not extend into the street right-of-way.
E.
Materials.
(1)
Sign materials should be consistent with and complement the
original construction materials and architectural style of the building
facade on which they are to be displayed. All signs, excluding awning
and window signs, shall be constructed only of wood, metal, stone
or other appropriate material with painted, engraved or raised messages.
Plastic sign inserts shall be permitted for internally lit signs.
F.
Illumination of signs. Unless otherwise specified herein, if signs
are to be illuminated, they shall be consistent with the following
standards:
(1)
Where permitted, illumination may be:
(a)
External. Illumination of a sign with an external light, shielded
so that the point source of light is not visible elsewhere than on
the lot where said illumination occurs.
(b)
Internal. Illumination of a sign designed to give forth an artificial
light directly through transparent or translucent materials from a
source of light within such a sign. Sign lettering may be backlit
with an opaque background material, backlit pin-mounted or channel
lettering, or neon lighting. Only the text and graphic logo shall
be illuminated.
(2)
Illumination shall be permitted only to the extent necessary
to allow signs to be seen and read at night at a distance not to exceed
500 feet for signs of 20 square feet or more in area and 150 feet
for signs less than 20 square feet in area.
(3)
Neon lighting is not permitted in residential districts.
G.
English language.
(1)
Identification and directional signage containing non-English
language shall also include its equivalent in English in order to
address the health, safety, and welfare of vehicular and pedestrian
customers trying to find the location of said premises, as well as
all emergency services personnel responding to said premises.
H.
Construction of signs.
(1)
Every sign permitted in this article shall be kept in good condition
and repair as determined by the Township Zoning Officer.
I.
Removal of signs. A sign shall be found to be in violation of this
article and may be required to be removed by the Zoning Officer under
the following circumstances:
(1)
The sign has not been maintained in good condition and safe
repair and has deteriorated to the point that it cannot perform its
intended use or creates a safety hazard. The Zoning Officer shall
specify a period of time in which the owner of the sign may repair
or rehabilitate the sign, thereby restoring its intended use or correcting
the safety hazard.
(2)
The sign has been erected without an applicable permit or does
not comply with the other requirements of this article.
A.
Prohibited signs. It shall be unlawful, upon or after the effective
date of this article or any amendment thereto, for any person, firm
or corporation to erect any of the following signs within the Township
of Cheltenham:
(1)
Any sign which by color, shape or location conflicts with or
resembles a traffic signal device.
(2)
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or
authorized agent.
(3)
Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of
vehicles and pedestrian traffic.
(4)
Animated signs, except those portions of signs which indicate
time and temperature changes. Signs indicating time and/or temperature
by means of white intermittent lighting shall not change more frequently
than 15 seconds and whose letters are not more than eight inches high.
(5)
Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a door,
window, fire escape or other exitway.
(6)
Vehicular signs.
(7)
Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene
or pornographic subjects as determined by the Township.
(8)
Revolving signs, except barbershop poles.
(9)
Signs containing beacon lights.
(10)
Signs containing festoon lighting, except in commercial enhancement
districts.
(11)
Cabinet signs in commercial enhancement districts.
(12)
Roof signs.
(13)
Projecting signs over the legal cartway of the right-of-way,
except banners as provided herein.
(14)
Projecting V-shaped signs.
(15)
A-frame signs.
(16)
Snipe signs.
(17)
Home business signs in residential districts.
(18)
Any sign inconsistent with this article.
A.
The following shall not require sign permits:
(1)
Government flags, insignia or decorative banners.
(2)
Legal notices of a governmental agency.
(3)
Directional signs, provided they do not contain advertising
(including logos), do not exceed four square feet and do not obstruct
the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises.
(4)
Public monument, plaque or historic identification marker erected
by a government agency.
(5)
Residential identification sign not exceeding two square feet
bearing only property number and/or street address.
(6)
Professional nameplates displaying only the name and occupation
(words only) of the practitioner, not exceeding six inches high by
18 inches wide.
(7)
Home security signs, not exceeding one square foot.
(8)
Public service and information signs advertising the availability
of public restrooms, telephones or similar public conveniences, not
exceeding three square feet in area.
(9)
Personal expression signs, provided that they are not illuminated
and are either freestanding, wall or window signs. Such signs shall
not exceed four square feet and, in the case of freestanding signs,
four feet in height.
(10)
Barbershop poles.
(11)
Menus and signs indicating business hours not exceeding two
square feet.
(12)
The following temporary signs:
(a)
Civic event signs on public and private property, which shall
not exceed six square feet in area and shall be erected no more than
45 calendar days prior to the event and shall be removed within seven
days after the event.
(b)
Temporary and open house signs.
[1]
Temporary signs advertising the sale or rental
of the premises upon which they are erected by a broker or other person
interested in the sale or rental of such premises may be erected and
maintained, provided that the size of any such sign does not exceed
12 square feet in area on each of two sides or not more than two signs,
each of which does not exceed six square feet in area on each of two
sides, when placed upon any property unless such property fronts upon
more than one street, in which event either one 12 square foot sign
or two six-square-foot signs may be erected on each frontage. Signs
bearing the words "sale" or "for rent," with the name of the person
effecting the sale or rental, may be erected and shall be maintained.
Such signs shall be removed within five days after all contingencies
are met except the mortgage, at which time a "sold" sign or "rented"
sign may be erected and shall be maintained, provided that such sign
is removed within 14 days of its erection. This subsection shall not
apply to those properties or buildings whose intended land use is
for commercial or industrial uses. However, such signs erected on
said properties shall be maintained in good condition.
[2]
Open-house signs shall either be attached to and
made part of the one allowable twelve-square-foot for-sale sign per
street frontage or an additional sign per street frontage not exceeding
six square feet in size on each of two sides. Open house signs may
be placed on the property being offered for sale or within the public
right-of-way directly abutting the property being offered for sale
but shall not obstruct vehicular sight distance. The number of for-sale
and open-house signs shall not exceed three per street frontage. A
maximum of three directional open house signs, each not to exceed
six square feet in size on each of two sides, may be erected per house.
Directional signs may be placed within the public right-of-way with
the permission of the adjoining property owner but shall not obstruct
vehicular sight distance. Open-house signs shall be erected no earlier
than three days before the open house and shall be taken down no later
than one hour after the open house. Directional open-house signs shall
not be erected earlier than one hour before the open house and shall
be taken down no later than one hour after the open house.
(c)
Temporary signs advertising the sale or development of the premises
upon which they are erected, when erected in connection with the development
of the premises by a building contractor, developer or other person
interested therein, may be erected and maintained, provided that the
size of any such sign is not in excess of 12 square feet for each
dwelling under construction and having a maximum of 50 square feet
on each of two sides and not more than two signs are placed upon any
property unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in
which event not more than two such signs may be erected on each frontage.
(d)
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises available
for or in the process of development, but not erected upon such premises,
and having inscribed thereon the name of the owner, developer, builder
or agent may be erected and maintained on private property, provided
that the size of any such sign is not in excess of 12 square feet
on each of two sides nor more than four feet in length and that not
more than one such sign is erected on each 500 feet of street frontage.
Such signs may have arrows painted thereon, but no sign in the shape
of an arrow shall be erected. No such sign shall remain in place longer
than six months.
(e)
Signs of artisans may be erected and maintained during the period
such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs
are erected, provided that the size thereof is not in excess of 12
square feet and that such signs are removed promptly upon completion
of the work. No more than one such sign shall be erected on any one
premises upon which all artisans so desiring are to be listed.
(f)
Signs advertising garage or yard sales, provided that no sign
shall exceed six square feet in sign area. Signs shall be permitted
only on the premises where the sale is to be conducted and limited
to one per street frontage. Signs shall be removed at the close of
the garage or yard sale.
(g)
Sandwich boards. Portable sandwich boards shall be permitted
for restaurant and retail uses only in addition to the otherwise permitted
signs, according to the following regulations:
[1]
The maximum height of sandwich boards shall be
four feet and the width shall not exceed 2.5 feet.
[2]
Sandwich boards shall be located either adjacent
to the building or adjacent to the curb. In either location, at least
three feet of sidewalk shall be left unobstructed.
[3]
Only one sandwich board will be permitted in front
of the business it advertises.
[4]
Sandwich boards shall be weighted at the base so
that the sign cannot be moved by strong winds; however, no sign shall
be chained, tied or otherwise affixed to any structure or object.
[5]
Sandwich board frames shall be made of wood or
wood composite.
[6]
Sandwich boards shall be removed from the sidewalk
at the close of business hours.
(h)
Nonresidential business identification signs, limited to one
per street frontage, shall not exceed 20 square feet and shall be
erected for not more than 30 calendar days unless approval is granted
for an additional 30 days.
A.
The following types of permanent signs shall require permits:
(1)
Residential districts and multiple dwelling districts (R1 Residence
Districts, R2 Residence Districts, R3 Residence Districts, R4 Residence
Districts, M1 Multiple Dwelling Districts, and M2 Multiple Dwelling
Districts).
(a)
Institutional uses. Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals,
or other institutions of similar nature.
(b)
Subdivision or development identification. Permanent freestanding
or monument signs which identify the name of the subdivision or land
development shall be permitted in compliance with the following:
[1]
One sign may be located at the main entrance to
the development, which shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
[2]
Signs may also be permitted at secondary entrances
to the development following approval by the Zoning Officer.
[3]
These signs shall be landscaped in keeping with
the character of the Township.
(c)
Office use. Permanent freestanding or monument sign which identifies
the office building.
(d)
Sign types, area, height, illumination and the number of signs
shall conform to the following:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Sign Area
(square feet)
|
Maximum Sign Height
(feet)
|
Illumination
|
Number of Signs
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Institutional freestanding
|
20
|
4
|
External
|
1 per property or, if applicable, 1 per street frontage
|
|
Subdivision or development identification freestanding or monument
|
20
|
Freestanding: 4 feet; monument: 6 feet
|
External only
|
1 sign at the main entrance of the development (additional signs
at secondary entrances when permitted by the Zoning Hearing Board)
|
|
Office use
|
20
|
Freestanding: 4 feet; monument: 6 feet
|
Internal/external
|
1 per property
|
(2)
LI Light Industrial District. In addition to signs exempt from
permits and temporary signs, industrial uses shall be permitted any
two of the following types of signs, provided that:
(a)
Sign types, area, height, illumination and the number of signs
shall conform to the following:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Sign Area
|
Maximum Sign Height
|
Illumination
|
Number of Signs
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Monument
|
20 square feet
|
6 feet
|
Internal/external
|
1 per property
|
|
Off-premises advertising signs or billboards
|
200 square feet
|
25 feet
|
External illumination only
Animated, flashing, revolving, scrolling, rotating, oscillating,
and LED signs are prohibited
Any external illumination of an off-premises advertising sign
or billboard shall be shielded as necessary to direct light onto the
sign without spillover on any side of the sign
|
1 per property; no more than 2 sign faces per off-premises advertising
sign
|
|
Parallel wall
|
10% of square footage of facade; 100 square feet maximum
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall
|
Internal/external
|
1 per tenant space
|
[1]
The single sign permitted per tenant space may
be placed on the facade of the building facing the street or parking
lot or accessway.
(3)
Commercial districts (C1 Commercial District, C2 Commercial
District, MU1 Mixed Use District, MU2 Mixed Use District, and MU3
Mixed Use District).
(a)
Individual or single use of property. In addition to signs exempt
from permits and temporary signs, individual commercial uses located
on their own lot are permitted to have signs in accordance with the
following:
[1]
Each individual or single use of property is permitted
to have one on-site freestanding sign or monument sign only, and one
awning sign or canopy sign only, and one parallel wall sign or one
projecting wall sign only, with the following limits on area, height
and illumination:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Area
(square feet)
|
Maximum Height
(feet)
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Freestanding
|
50
|
15
|
Internal/external
|
|
Monument
|
20
|
6
|
Internal/external
|
|
Parallel wall
|
15% of facade; 100 square feet maximum
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal
whichever is lower
|
Internal/external; external only in the commercial enhancement
districts
|
|
Projecting wall
|
15 square feet
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal,
whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
|
|
Awning
|
20% of exterior awning surface per building facade
|
At awning height
|
Internal/external
|
|
Canopy
|
20% of exterior awning surface per building facade
|
Internal/external
|
[2]
In addition, each individual or single use of property
with multiple retail tenants may be permitted only two of the following
signs per retail tenant space. The two signs permitted per retail
tenant space shall be placed only on the building facade facing the
street, parking lot or accessway. Retail tenant signage shall be placed
only on the portion of the building facade that directly abuts that
retail tenant space. Retail tenant spaces that do not abut the building
facade shall not be permitted separate exterior signage. Sign types,
area, height and illumination shall conform to the following:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Area
|
Maximum Height
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Parallel wall
|
15% of facade; 100 square feet maximum
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal
building, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external; external only in the commercial enhancement
districts
|
|
Projecting wall
|
15 square feet
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal
building, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
|
|
Awning
|
20% of exterior awning surface per building facade
|
At awning height
|
Internal/external
|
[3]
Each individual tenant is permitted one window
sign. Sign types, area, height, and illumination shall conform to
the following:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Area
|
Maximum Height
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Window
|
Not to exceed 25% of the window area
|
N/A
|
Internal/external
|
(b)
Shopping center signs. In addition to signs exempt from permits
and temporary signs, shopping centers, lifestyle centers and properties
utilizing common parking facilities are permitted signs in accordance
with the following:
[1]
Each shopping center is permitted one on-site freestanding
sign or monument sign per street frontage which identifies the business
or commercial center as a whole and/or which is a directory sign for
the establishments on the property with the following limits on area,
height and illumination:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Sign Area
(square feet)
|
Maximum Sign Height
(feet)
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Freestanding
|
250
|
20
|
Internal/external
|
|
Monument
|
100
|
10
|
Internal/external
|
[2]
Each individual tenant is permitted the following
signs.
[a]
Each individual tenant is permitted two of the
following signs only. The two signs permitted per tenant shall be
placed on the facade of the building facing the street or parking
lot or accessway. Tenant signage shall be placed only on the portion
of the building facade that directly abuts that tenant space. Tenant
spaces that do not abut the building facade shall not be permitted
separate exterior signage. Sign types, area, height and illumination
shall conform to the following:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Area
|
Maximum Height
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Parallel wall
|
1 square foot per foot of facade length
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal
building, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
|
|
Projecting wall
|
15 square feet
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal
building, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
|
|
Awning
|
20% of exterior awning surface per building facade
|
At awning height
|
Internal/external
|
[b]
Each individual tenant is permitted one window
sign. Sign types, area, height and illumination shall conform to the
following:
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Area
|
Maximum Height
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Window
|
Not to exceed 25% of the window area
|
N/A
|
Internal/external
|
(c)
Convenience store signs. Each convenience store is permitted to have
one on-site freestanding sign or monument sign on the county road
frontage only, one canopy sign, two gas pump spanner signs, one parallel
wall sign per entrance and directional signs with the following limits
on area, height and illumination. Notwithstanding provisions to the
contrary in this chapter, cabinet signs are permitted.
[Added 8-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2388-19]
|
Sign Type
|
Maximum Area
(square feet)
|
Maximum Height
(feet)
|
Illumination
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Freestanding
|
50
|
15
|
Internal/external
|
|
Monument
|
50
|
12
|
Internal/external
|
|
Canopy
|
10
|
Internal/external
| |
|
Spanners
|
8
|
Internal/external
| |
|
Parallel wall sign
|
15% of the facade up to a maximum
of 70
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of
parapet wall of principal, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
|
|
Parallel wall sign (Second wall sign
if second entrance)
|
38
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of
parapet wall of principal, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
|
|
Projecting wall
|
Not to exceed eaves line or top of
parapet wall of principal, whichever is lower
|
Internal/external
| |
|
Directional signs
|
6
|
4
|
Internal/external
|
(4)
Marquee signs. Marquee signs shall be permitted in addition
to the otherwise permitted sign area exclusively for theaters and
movie houses, provided that the total sign area shall not exceed 150
square feet. Such signs shall be required at all times to maintain
a minimum vertical clearance of 10 feet above grade.
(5)
Signs in the commercial enhancement districts. Any signage within
the commercial enhancement districts, as defined in the Cheltenham
Township Commercial District Enhancement Plan, as approved and amended
by the Board of Commissioners, shall require a certificate of appropriateness
(COA) in addition to the above requirements. The COA is to be issued
by the Director of Planning and Zoning based on recommendations by
the Township's Economic Development Task Force (EDTF). Signs shall
comply with the design guidelines of the commercial enhancement districts.
No sign permit will be issued without first receiving the COA.
A.
Sign permits. It shall be unlawful to erect, construct or significantly
alter any sign which requires a sign permit without first filing with
Cheltenham Township an application, in writing, which application
shall contain the information required by the Township Zoning Officer.
(1)
Application for permit. The following shall be provided:
(a)
The name, address and telephone number of the property owner
and the signature of the owner or duly authorized agent for the owner.
(b)
Two copies of a plan drawn to scale depicting:
[1]
The design of each sign face and sign structure
with the dimensions, total area, sign height, depth, structural details,
materials, lighting scheme and proposed location.
[2]
The building elevations, existing and proposed
facades, parapet walls, cornices and the location and size of all
proposed and existing signage.
[3]
Such other information as required by the Township
Zoning Officer.
A.
Nonconforming signs. Any sign legally existing at the time of the
adoption of this article that does not conform to the requirements
of this article shall be considered a nonconforming sign and shall
be bound by the regulations of this article regarding nonconforming
signs.
(1)
Any change of the sign face of a nonconforming sign shall comply
with the requirements of this article.
(2)
A sign not conforming to this article shall be removed when
the sign requires any structural renovation or the background area
of the sign is to be altered.
(3)
All nonconforming signs, except those which are painted onto
building walls, may be repainted, resurfaced or repaired, provided
that they are not substantially destroyed or abandoned, and provided
such does not increase the dimension of the existing sign.
(4)
A nonconforming sign shall be removed within 14 days after notification
by the Zoning Officer or be made to conform to this article in every
respect whenever:
