The purposes of the sign regulations are:
A. To provided uniform standards for all signs within the Township and
specific standards for signs in each zoning district.
B. To regulate the location, size, appearance, construction, erection,
alteration, use and maintenance of signs.
C. To promote the use of well-crafted signs in harmony with the architectural
and rural residential character of the Township.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An off-premises sign is a sign which directs attention to
a person, business or profession or home occupation not conducted
on the same lot.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
An on-premises sign is a sign which directs attention to
a person, business, profession or home occupation conducted on the
same lot with the sign. A "For Sale" sign or "For Rent" sign relating
to the lot on which it is displayed shall be deemed an on-premises
sign.
SIGN
Includes any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof
or any device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly
on a structure or other surface that shall display or include any
letter, word, insignia, flag or representation used as or which is
in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual communication,
direction or is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to
the attention of the public.
A sign permit shall not be required prior to the erection, structural repair, alteration, moving, removal or demolition of any of the following signs in any zoning district in the municipality. Exempt signs shall conform to the regulations of §
234-74. No exempt sign shall be illuminated, either from an interior light source or by an exterior source focused on the sign, except for official governmental building signs and police station signs.
A. Official highway route number signs, street name signs and other
official traffic signs which are in the interest of public safety
or the regulation of traffic.
C. Directional, informational or public service signs, such as those
advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephone or similar public
conveniences, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial
establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services,
except those of public utilities. Any sign covered by this subsection
shall not exceed two square feet.
D. Governmental flag or insignia.
F. Window sign: a sign applied to a window pane giving store hours or
the name or names of credit or charge institutions.
G. Cornerstone, historical plaque or sign affixed to the surface of
a building wall and not exceeding 200 square inches.
H. Barber pole: revolving barber pole sign, provided that it does not
exceed 36 inches in height and that it is erected only in a commercial
district in conjunction with a barbershop.
I. Flags, pennants and similar materials to announce the opening of
a new business or industry, provided that they are removed after 14
days of the opening day or the first day of business.
J. Official and governmental signs including safety signs, signs indicating
points of interest, signs identifying official Township buildings
or facilities. Signs identifying Township buildings, police stations
or other Township facilities may be illuminated by exterior lights
focused on the sign.
K. Temporary signs advertising a garage or yard sale conducted in accordance
with this chapter, provided that signs may be posted only where such
sale is taking place and only for the duration of the sale itself.
L. Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for public
office may be erected or displayed and maintained, provided that:
(1) The signs are erected or displayed by the owner or lessee of the
parcel of real property on said parcel or by the candidate, political
party or other authorized agent of either of them, with the express
permission of the owner or lessee of the parcel of real property;
(2) The size of any such sign is not in excess of 12 square feet; and
(3) The signs shall not be erected or displayed earlier that 60 days
prior to the election to which they pertain;
(4) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit the placing
or erecting of any such signs within a street right-of-way or within
or on any public alley, sidewalk, parking lot or other public place,
which said placement is hereby prohibited; and
(5) The erection of temporary political signs permitted by this section
by the owner or lessee of the parcel of real property, candidate,
political party or other authorized agent shall not require a permit
or other approval; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful for
any such owner or lessee of the lot, candidate, political party or
other authorized agent to permit such signs to remain erected more
than 10 days after the date of the election to which they relate and
failure to remove such signs as required hereby shall subject such
offenders to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
M. Temporary farm stand signs: signs advertising the sale of seasonal
produce may be erected during the local growing season only and for
the purpose of advertising products of Nockamixon Township farms.
Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be removed when
such produce is not being grown and sold locally.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted
except as follows:
A. Signs displaying the street number or name of the occupant of the
premises, or both, provided that the area on any one side of any such
sign shall not exceed four square feet. Such sign may include identification
of permitted accessory uses, including permitted home occupations
or a roadside stand.
B. One identification sign for a permitted nonresidential building or
use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall
not exceed 12 square feet.
C. One sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use,
provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not
exceed six square feet.
D. Temporary "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs not exceeding six square
feet in area.
E. Temporary contractors, developers, architects or builders sign, provided
that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet. Such signs shall be maintained on the premises to which they
relate and shall be removed upon completion of the work.
F. Signs announcing no trespassing, signs indicating the private nature
of the road, driveway or premises; signs controlling fishing or hunting
on the premises; signs necessary for the regulation and control of
traffic; street name signs; legal notices; and other signs authorized
or erected by a duly constituted governmental body; such signs shall
not exceed two square feet.
G. Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic,
philanthropic, educational or religious organization. Such signs shall
not exceed eight square feet in area and shall be removed immediately
upon completion of the campaign, drive or event.
H. Permanent signs advertising the sale of agricultural products, other than temporary farm stand signs as provided for in §
234-68. Such signs shall be permitted as an accessory to a permitted Agricultural and Horticultural Use (Use A-1) or as part of a permitted Agricultural Sales Facility (Use A-4). Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.
I. No sign in these districts shall be illuminated.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted
except as follows:
A. All signs permitted in the Residential Districts at the standards
prescribed for in these districts.
B. Signs advertising permitted nonresidential uses, provided that for
all signs to be viewed from outside any building, the following requirements
shall apply. For any single use, only two of the three sign types
listed below may be used.
(1) Mounted sign. The total height of signs attached to or mounted onto
the face of a building shall not exceed 20% of the building height.
The total area of all signs attached to a building or to building
windows shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building face to which
said signs are attached.
(2) Projecting signs. The permitted sign area may also include a projecting
sign, provided that such sign does not project more than three feet
from such wall or surface and any one side of such sign does not exceed
six square feet and the bottom edge of such sign is at least eight
feet above grade level.
(3) Freestanding sign. Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed
on any premises held in single and separate ownership. The area of
any one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
Height of a freestanding sign, measured from the mean elevation of
the proposed finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest
point of the sign structure, shall not exceed 15 feet.
C. Signs for buildings with multiple tenants. Uses which are comprised of multiple tenants within one building, other than a shopping center, may have no more than one freestanding directory sign for the building not exceeding 50 square feet in area and 15 feet in height. In addition, each individual establishment may have a mounted sign in accordance with §
234-70B(1).
D. Illumination of signs. Signs in the Village Center District may be
illuminated with external lights directed toward the sign. In order
to maintain the village architectural character of the VC Districts,
no internally illuminated signs shall be permitted.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted
except as follows:
A. All signs permitted in the Residential Districts at the standards
prescribed for in these districts.
B. Signs advertising permitted uses, provided that for all signs to
be viewed from outside any building, the following requirements shall
apply:
(1) Mounted sign. The total height of signs attached to or mounted on
the face of a building shall not exceed 20% of the building height.
The total area of all signs attached to or mounted on the face of
a building shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building face to
which said signs are attached.
(2) Freestanding sign. Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed
on any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such
premise fronts upon more than one street, in which event one such
sign may be erected on each street frontage. The area of any one side
of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 50 square feet. Height of
a freestanding sign, measured from the mean elevation of the proposed
finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point of the
sign structure, shall not exceed 15 feet.
C. Signs for industrial or office parks (multiple tenants). Uses which are comprised of multiple tenants within one building, such as an office building or multiple buildings within an office or industrial park, may have no more than one freestanding directory sign for the building or park. In addition, each individual establishment may have a mounted sign in accordance with the regulations of §
234-71B(1).
(1) Signs permitted for buildings or for industrial or office parks with
10 or more tenants:
(a)
One freestanding sign shall be permitted, which sign shall not
exceed 75 square feet.
(b)
Such sign shall be erected only within the limits of the front
yard of the property to which it pertains.
(c)
In no case shall signs be erected less than 100 feet apart.
(d)
Overall height of a freestanding sign and its supporting structure
shall not exceed 15 feet.
(2) Signs permitted for buildings or for industrial or office parks with
fewer than 10 tenants:
(a)
One freestanding sign which shall not exceed 50 square feet
per side and shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
No sign or other on-premises advertising device shall be permitted
except as follows:
A. Mounted sign: one mounted sign or sign attached to the face of a
building not exceeding 12% of the total wall surface or other vertical
building surface including windows and doors of the building. Signs
(except for exempt signs) painted on or affixed to the inside of the
windows and doors shall be included in the computation of permitted
sign area and shall not exceed 25% of the total window area.
B. Freestanding sign. Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed
on any premises held in single and separate ownership. The area of
any one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.
Height of a freestanding sign, measured from the mean elevation of
the proposed finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest
point of the sign structure, shall not exceed 15 feet.
C. Freestanding sign for shopping centers. A freestanding sign shall
be permitted for shopping centers, in accordance with the following
regulations:
(1) One freestanding sign shall be permitted for shopping centers with
10 or more stores which sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.
(2) Such sign shall be erected only within the limits of the front yard
of the property to which it pertains.
(3) In no case shall signs be erected less than 100 feet apart.
(4) Overall height of a freestanding sign and its supporting structure
shall not exceed 15 feet.
D. A row or series of adjoining signs to be placed upon a wall surface
having a common roofline shall be of the same size, shape, general
design and material so as to create uniformity among the series of
signs.
E. The sign or signs shall be consistent with the overall design of
the commercial area and otherwise compatible with the rural residential
nature of the Township.
F. Multiple tenants. Uses within the C Commercial District which are
comprised of multiple tenants within one building, such as an office
building or building containing retail and office uses, may have no
more than one freestanding sign for the building. In addition, each
individual establishment may have a mounted sign.
(1) One freestanding sign shall be permitted for buildings which sign
shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(2) Such sign shall be erected only within the limits of the front yard
of the property to which it pertains.
(3) In no case shall signs be erected less than 100 feet apart.
(4) Overall height of a freestanding sign and its supporting structure
shall not exceed 14 feet.
G. Temporary for sale or for rent signs and temporary signs of contractors,
developers, architects or builders, provided that the area on any
one side of such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. Said signs
shall be maintained on the premises to which they relate and shall
be removed upon the sale or occupancy of the property or the completion
of the work.
[Added 5-11-1999 by Ord.
No. 97]
Off-premises signs which are used for directing persons to principal
uses in the Township may be erected subject to the following additional
requirements:
A. A sign shall indicate only the name and direction of the principal
use.
B. Only one such sign shall be erected prior to each intersection turning
movement necessary to reach such principal use.
C. Such signs shall be located not more than 100 feet from intersecting
street right-of-way lines.
D. No more than two directional signs shall be erected in the Township
for any one principal use.
E. Signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.
F. Signs shall be no closer than 20 feet to a side lot line and shall
not be located within the street right-of-way line.
G. Height of signs, measured from the mean elevation of the proposed
finished grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point of the
sign structure, shall not exceed 10 feet.
H. The applicant for the sign permit shall have the written permission
of the property owner on whose property the proposed sign is to be
located.
The following requirements shall apply to all signs and other
advertising devices:
A. No sign or other advertising device with visible moving or movable
parts or with flashing, animated or intermittent illumination shall
be erected or maintained.
B. No signs above the roofline shall be permitted.
C. No sign or other advertising device shall be located within 20 feet of any side property line except for signs permitted in §
234-69A and
F.
D. No sign or other advertising device shall be located within any street
right-of-way line except for official traffic signs and signals.
E. Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway
shall comply with any more restrictive requirements of the state and
federal government relating thereto.
F. No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic
by obscuring view or by creating confusion with official street signs
or signals because of position, color or reflective surface.
G. Except in the case where a local right-of-way abuts a structure,
no sign other than those of governmental authority shall be erected
or maintained nearer to a street line or lot line than a distance
equaling the height of the top of the sign.
H. No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer to any
front lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the district in which
it is located.
I. Only one sign of a permitted type for which a permit is required
shall be erected on any one premises held in single and separate ownership
unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case
one such sign may be erected on each street frontage or in the case
of a shopping center or other group development where one mounted
or attached sign per business or office establishment shall be permitted.
J. Every permitted sign must be constructed with durable materials,
must conform with the requirements of the BOCA Building Code and must
be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to
become dilapidated may be removed by the Township at the expense of
the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
K. Illuminated signs shall be so arranged so that the source of light
is not visible from any point off the lot and that only the sign is
directly illuminated.
L. No sign shall contain information which states or implies that a
property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions
of this chapter in the zoning district on which the property to which
the sign relates is located.
M. No signs shall emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or
odor.
N. No portable signs shall be permitted unless the Zoning Officer has
been notified that such a sign will be used for a special sale or
events and the dates of such events. Such signs may be used for periods
not exceeding 14 days. The use of portable signs shall be limited
to six times per calendar year for any one business establishment.
O. Novelty signs, including but not limited to objects (such as tires,
automobiles, food products, etc.), pennants, banners, flags, balloons
and animated signs, shall be prohibited, except in conjunction with
the opening of a new business, as permitted under § 234-681
as a temporary sign.
P. Any sign which interferes with or imitates an official traffic sign,
signal or device shall be prohibited.
Q. No sign or any guy wire, stay or attachment thereto shall be erected,
placed or maintained by any person on rocks, fences or trees, nor
in such a manner as to interfere with any electric light, power, telephone
or telegraph wires or supports thereof.
R. No signs requiring permits may be painted, placed or in any way attached
to any tree, telegraph, electrical, light or other utility pole on
any street in the Township.