Article 17 Signs

Animated, flashing and illusionary signs. Signs using mechanical and/or electrical devices to revolve, flash, change intensity of illumination or display movement or the illusion of movement. Prohibited signs shall include changeable-type signs and reader-board signs. An exception to this requirement is digital display signs as permitted by § 310-17-7.

Signs illuminated externally by bare bulbs.

Banner-type signs, except in celebration of public events and erected with the approval of the governing body.

Mobile signs, including signs that are not permanently attached to a building, or not placed in the ground in such a fashion as to be permanent in a manner conforming to the Uniform Construction Code, or signs mounted on wheels, trailers or unregistered motor vehicles. Delivery trucks should be stored out of sight of the front of the building. Any registered vehicle(s) that has as its principal purpose the advertising of a business from a site as opposed to serving as a delivery or service vehicle for other business purposes of this section is prohibited. If a vehicle with advertising on it is not parked on the property where the business is located, out of sight of the front of the building, and remains in a single location for more than two hours and is not actively engaged in making a delivery, it shall be presumed that it is in violation of this section.

(5)

Neon-lit signs, except for neon illumination covered by a colored, translucent lens to ensure that there are no exposed neon bulbs, channels or tubes visible from the street or adjacent properties.

(6)

No signs shall be placed within the right-of-way which is defined for purposes of this restriction as the area between the street paving and the furthest edge of the sidewalk, or, if there is no sidewalk, the area extending back 10 feet from the edge of the street paving. Any sign so placed shall be subject to removal and destruction by the Township.

(7)

Signs shall not be painted or otherwise applied directly to the surface of a building.

(8)

All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.

Attached signs. Signs parallel to walls shall project between six inches and 15 inches from the surface of the wall. Signs perpendicular to walls shall extend no more than five feet from the surface of the wall, shall not exceed four square feet in sign area, shall be supported in a structurally sound manner approved by the Township Engineer and/or Construction Official and shall have a clearance of at least nine feet between the bottom of the sign to the finished grade.

Sign height. Unless otherwise specified herein, the height of any attached sign shall not exceed 10% of the height of the wall to which it is attached, except that such sign can be at least two feet in height. No attached sign shall extend above a roofline.

Window signs and posters. Promotional signage and posters displayed in windows shall be fastened or hung on the interior side of the window and shall not exceed 10% of the total window area.

Illuminated signs. Indirect lighting shall be used for signs wherever feasible. All lighted signs shall have the light source shielded from adjoining or nearby lots, streets and interior drives. Illuminated signs shall have translucent fixtures.

Monument signs. All monument signs shall be mounted on masonry and have complementing landscaping along the base.

Exemptions from sign permits. Street number designations, highway signs, postal boxes, family names on residences, on-site traffic directional and parking signs not exceeding four square feet in area, signs posting property as "private property," "no hunting," "danger," "warning" or for similar purposes are permitted but are exempt from other sign area limits as set forth in this chapter. Such signs, unless otherwise indicated, shall not exceed two square feet each.

No person shall erect, alter or relocate any sign within the public right-of-way or sight triangle.

All signs, including LED/digital display signs, shall be maintained in good working condition. Any nonfunctioning or malfunctioning panels, modules and/or bulbs shall be promptly repaired or replaced. Faded signs shall be repainted or replaced. Inspections for compliance with this requirement shall be made at the discretion of the Zoning Officer and or Property Maintenance Inspector.

§ 310-17-3 Temporary signs.

Construction signs, nonresidential. No more than one sign naming the project under construction and the participating firms and individuals is permitted on the construction site, beginning with the issuance of a building permit and terminating with the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or the expiration of the building permit, whichever comes first. Such signs shall not exceed an area of 32 square feet.

Construction sign, residential. Not more than two temporary ground signs for an approved residential development shall be permitted, provided that each sign does not exceed 12 square feet, shall be no closer than 15 feet to any street or side lot line and shall be removed within 30 days after all lots or units have been sold or rented.

Real estate signs. Real estate signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the edge of the street paving and 10 feet from all property lines and shall not exceed four square feet on each side. Signs shall be removed at the expense of the advertiser within 15 days after the termination or completion of the matter being advertised. They do not require a permit. No more than one sign shall be permitted along each street. Real estate signs shall be permitted only on the lot that the sign is advertising.

Open house signs. Real estate open house signs shall be permitted the day of the event and two days prior to the event. Open house signs and directional signs shall be removed within one hour after the close of the event. No open house or open house directional sign shall be placed on any property without the consent of the property owner.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]

Election and charitable special event signs. Temporary signs advertising a special event by a charitable organization, or election signs shall be erected no more than one month prior to the event and shall be removed within five days after the event shall have taken place.

One-day event signs. Signs advertising a one-day yard sale or other one day event not including signs permitted under Subsections D and E shall not be displayed for more than two days preceding the event and shall be removed within one day after the event. One-day event signs shall not exceed three in number, two of which shall be no larger than four square feet and the third of which shall be no larger than nine square feet, and this third sign shall be located on the premises where the yard sale or other event is to take place. No permit shall be required for signs permitted under this section.

Mechanics and artisans. Each mechanic and artisan is permitted to erect one sign during the period when the mechanic or artisan is actively performing work on the lands or premises where the sign is placed. The sign shall have a maximum of six square feet, and it shall not be placed in such a way that it interferes with visibility for motorists exiting the premises.

§ 310-17-4 Signs for certain uses.

Public and quasi-public uses, places of worship and schools. One attached or monument sign not exceeding 12 square feet may be located on the premises of places of worship, schools, quasi-public and public buildings and grounds. The sign regulations shall not apply to signs or banners placed by the Township along streets, notwithstanding that such signs or banners may be sponsored and have a portion of the sign or banner acknowledging the sponsor. No fee shall be required in connection with the permit for such a sign.

Gasoline service stations. Gasoline service stations may display the following special signs:

One monument sign advertising the name of the station, including the company or brand name, insignia or emblem, provided that such sign area shall not exceed 50 square feet and shall be at least 15 feet from the property line. Said sign shall not exceed the applicable height requirements established in § 310-17-6 for monument signs. One monument sign per street frontage shall be permitted; however, an additional sign may be permitted for additional frontages if it is demonstrated to the Board's satisfaction that the signs are separate enough to not be seen simultaneously. The monument sign may have a supplementary price sign, provided that it is mounted on the same support structure as the monument sign, that the price sign does not exceed 25 square feet in sign area and that the lowest part of the price sign is at least four feet above the finished grade.

Incidental signs advertising services, trade information, credit cards, prices and information other than product advertising are permitted, provided that no one sign exceeds 10 square feet, there is no more than one such sign per street frontage and all are set back at least 20 feet from the curbline.

In addition to the monument sign permitted herein, gasoline service stations that have a canopy over the fuel-dispensing islands shall be permitted one sign on the canopy, with the sign area limited to no more than 10% of the area of the longest facade of the canopy.

§ 310-17-5 Signs within residential zoning districts.

In addition to the monument sign, the incidental sign and the sign on the canopy, the principal building shall be permitted to have one attached sign in accordance with the provisions of § 310-17-6.

Apartment complexes and townhouses. One monument sign shall be permitted indicating the name of the development and street address. Said sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and a maximum height of four feet, and shall be no closer than 10 feet to any right-of-way.

Home occupations. Where permitted, one attached sign providing only the name and occupation, not exceeding two square feet and attached flush with the facade of the dwelling. Such sign shall not be illuminated. A home occupation sign shall be provided in lieu of a separate residential sign that is exempted in the provisions set forth in § 310-17-2G.

§ 310-17-6 Signs within nonresidential zoning districts.

C-1 Neighborhood Commercial and C-2 Downtown Commercial Zoning Districts.

Freestanding businesses not part of a multitenant commercial facility. There shall be no more than two business signs per freestanding business. No more than one sign shall be permitted to be an attached sign, and no more than one sign shall be permitted to be a monument sign.

Parallel attached signs. Maximum sign area shall be the lesser of 30 square feet or 10% of the exterior facade elevation.

Perpendicularly attached signs. Maximum sign area shall conform to § 310-17-2B, and sign height shall conform to § 310-17-2B.

Monument sign. Maximum sign area shall be 30 square feet; maximum sign height shall be six feet and minimum setback from curbline shall be 15 feet.

(5)

Awning or canopy signs. Awning or canopy signs may be permitted in lieu of parallel or perpendicular attached signs and in addition to monument signs permitted in this subsection, provided said signage considered with attached signage does not exceed in aggregate the square footage limitation for attached signs; further providing adherence to the requirements set forth in this subsection. Multiple perpendicularly attached signs and awning or canopy signs shall not be permitted.

Signs may be permitted as part of an awning, provided that the sign does not exceed 20% of the surface area of the awning.

Signs may be permitted on each vertical face of a canopy, provided that the sign does not exceed 10% of the surface area of each vertical face of the canopy on which the sign is to be located.

(6)

Multitenant commercial facilities. Multitenant commercial facilities consisting of two or more businesses in a building or buildings shall be permitted to have one attached sign per business and no more than one monument sign on the premises.

Attached signs. Each tenant may have one attached sign equal to two square feet per linear foot of building facade dedicated to that tenant, not to exceed 20 square feet. Signs shall be located on the front facade, or in the alternative, may be located on the facade that contains that tenant's primary entrance. Signs shall be consistent in style and color and shall be consistently located in a band above the store entrances.

In the case where a building contains multiple stories, tenant signs shall be located along the same story, regardless of actual tenant locations within buildings.

(c)

Perpendicularly attached signs. As an alternative to parallel attached signs, multitenant commercial facilities may utilize perpendicularly attached signs.

(d)

Awning and canopy signs shall comply with the provisions set forth in § 310-17-6A(5).

(e)

No window signage is permitted on second, third or fourth floors.

(f)

Monument signs. Maximum sign area shall be 65 square feet, and maximum sign height shall be eight feet. Each tenant may be provided contiguous sign area roughly proportional to the percentage of space occupied by the tenant and shall contain the site's street address. Such signs shall be set back at least 15 feet from the curbline and shall be uniform to all other applicable provisions of § 310-17-2.

C-3 Highway Commercial and C-LI-1 and C-LI-5 Commercial Light Industrial Zoning Districts.

Parallel attached signs. Maximum sign area shall be the lesser of 40 square feet or 10% of the exterior facade elevation.

Perpendicularly attached signs. Maximum sign area shall conform to § 310-17-2B and sign height shall conform to § 310-17-2B.

(c)

Monument sign. Maximum sign area shall be 75 square feet; maximum sign height shall be eight feet and minimum setback from curbline shall be 15 feet.

(d)

[1]

Signs may be permitted as part of an awning, provided that the sign does not exceed 20% of the surface area of the awning.

[2]

Signs may be permitted on each vertical face of a canopy, provided that the sign does not exceed 10% of the surface area of each vertical face of the canopy on which the sign is to be located.

In the case where a building contains multiple stories, tenant signs shall be located along the same story, regardless of actual tenant locations within buildings.

(c)

Perpendicularly attached signs. As an alternative to parallel attached signs, multitenant commercial facilities may utilize perpendicularly attached signs.

(d)

Awning and canopy signs shall comply with the provisions set forth in § 310-17-6B(1)(d).

(e)

Monument signs. Maximum sign area shall be 100 square feet, and maximum sign height shall be eight feet. Each tenant may be provided contiguous sign area roughly proportional to the percentage of space occupied by the tenant and shall contain the site's street address. Such signs shall be set back at least 25 feet from the curbline and shall be uniform to all other applicable provisions of § 310-17-2.

(f)

No window signage is permitted on second, third or fourth floors.

I Industrial Zoning District.

No more than one attached wall sign or hanging wall sign shall be permitted and shall be located on one side of the main principal building or structure. Maximum sign area shall not exceed 40 square feet or 10% of the area of the wall to which it is attached or located, whichever is less.

Monument sign. Maximum sign area shall be 65 square feet and maximum sign height shall be six feet. Such signs shall conform to all applicable provisions in § 310-17-2 and shall be set back at least 15 feet from the curbline. All monuments signs must be mounted on masonry and have complementing landscaping along the base.

On buildings with multiple tenants, multitenant commercial facilities consisting of two or more businesses in a building shall be permitted to have one attached or wall sign per business; two square feet per linear feet of building facade dedicated to a particular tenant, not to exceed 20 square feet per tenant. No more than one monument sign shall be permitted on the premises, not to exceed 65 square feet set back 15 feet from the curbline.

§ 310-17-7 Digital display signs.

[Added 2-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-1]

LED/digital display signs shall be permitted along Route 130 only, except that all municipal facilities and schools shall be permitted to have one digital display sign per facility.

Sizes of LED/digital display signs shall be as required within Article 17, Signs.

LED/digital display signs shall contain static messages only. Flashing, video, scrolling, whirling, changing color, or fading in or out, or movement on any part of the sign or structure is prohibited.

A ten-second-minimum message display time is required.

A one-second-maximum message transition is permitted. A transition consisting of flashing, video or changing color is prohibited.

Green, yellow, or red backgrounds or any combinations thereof are prohibited.

LED/digital display signs at service stations.

Fuel prices are permitted to be displayed only with green or red illuminated numerals on a black background screen.

Any other signage shall conform to the requirements herein.

Digital display sign illumination.

The digital sign must have automatic dimming software or solar sensors that reduce luminance during nighttime hours to the level specified in this subsection.

A maximum of 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) at the sign face is permitted during daylight hours.

A maximum of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) at the sign face is permitted between dusk and dawn.

A maximum of 0.2 footcandle at 150 feet from the sign face is permitted.

(5)

The sign shall not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or otherwise impair the vision of drivers or results in a nuisance.

(6)

The requirements of this subsection shall be verified biennially, and a report (on company letterhead, signed by the person qualified to use the instrumentation) specifying the actual measurement values shall be delivered to the Zoning Officer.

§ 310-17-8 Illumination of signs.

[Added 2-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-1]

Where illumination of signs is permitted, the use of a shielded or indirect nonflashing light (preferably white), or an interior sign light with a translucent face shall be required to reduce undue glare, or offensive or annoying light to surrounding residents.

For signs other than LED/digital display signs, the use of red, green, or amber is not permitted when:

An illuminated sign is located in the same line of vision as a traffic control signal.