[Amended 6-18-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-1]
A.
In all zoning districts, signs shall be erected, altered, maintained,
used, removed or moved in compliance with the provisions of this chapter
and any other applicable ordinances and regulations.
B.
Signs existing at the time of the passage of this chapter, which
were legally erected, and which do not conform with the requirements
of the ordinance shall be considered nonconforming signs and, once
removed, shall be replaced only with conforming signs. Nonconforming
signs may be repainted or repaired (including lighting), providing
such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of
the existing sign; wording may also be changed.
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A temporary sign made of any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper,
or similar nonrigid material attached to any structure, staff, pole,
rope, wire, or framing which is anchored on two or more edges or at
all four corners.
An area of unobstructed vision at intersections, defined
by horizontal and vertical lines of sight between points at a given
distance from the intersection. Intersections may be comprised of
two streets, two driveways or a street and a driveway.
A sign, or portion thereof, that displays animated images,
moving video images, graphics, or scrolling messages electronic images,
static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without
textual information. EMCs are capable of change or alteration by electronic
means on a fixed display screen composed of a series of lights including
light emitting diodes (LED's), OLEDs LCDs, DLPs, plasma, fiber optics,
lights bulbs, or other illumination devices within the area where
the message is displayed. EMCs include computer programmable, microprocessor
controlled electronic or digital displays. EMCs include signs that
utilize technology not listed in this definition and shall include
similar technology which may be developed in the future, or the use
of which may become widespread in the future.
A sign permanently supported by an upright or uprights which
are permanently anchored into the ground. This may have two display
sides.
The VC Village Center District, the VC2 Village Center District,
C1 Local Commercial District, the C2 Highway Commercial District,
the C3 Commercial/Multifamily District, the O Office District, and
the L1 Limited Industrial District.
Also known as an outdoor advertising sign or billboard. A
type of sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
message commodity, service, or entertainment not sold or offered on
the premises where the sign is located.
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional
signs, and other traffic signs erected and maintained on public highways
and roads by the Commonwealth, the County, the Township or, in the
case of private streets, the owner of the road, in the interest of
public safety or for the regulations of traffic.
Any sign, including vehicular signs, not permanently attached
to the ground or a building.
A sign that is dependent on a building for support and which
projects more than 12 inches from the building, including an awning
sign. Whenever a canopy or awning is affixed with any lettering, design,
symbol, or made from any special material that is intended to be or
by its nature is an identification of a business, the applicable measurable
area of the awning or canopy is a projecting sign.
The RA Residential Agricultural, RG Residential Agricultural,
R1 Residential District, R1a Residential-Agricultural District; R-2
Residential District, RR Residential Agricultural District, MF-1 Multifamily
Residential District; and the MF-2 Multifamily Residential District.
A sign on or above the roof or the eaves of a building.
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem, or visual
that uses words, graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers,
or letters for the purpose of communicating a message which is displayed
in any manner whatsoever so that it can be seen from the right-of-way
of any public or private road or from a neighboring property. Sign
includes the sign faces as well as any sign supporting structure.
A sign mounted parallel to the face of a structure and not
projecting above the eaves of the structure nor more than 12 inches
from the plane or facade of the structure.
A sign mounted or painted on a window or inside a structure
such that it can be seen through the window.
A.
Sign area.
(1)
The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording, and accompanying
designs and symbols together with the background, whether open or
enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting
framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted on a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered
to be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the
letters, logos, and symbols. The computation of area of the sign shall
include decorative trim in addition to the portion devoted to the
message and lettering.
(2)
For a sign painted upon or applied to a building, structure, or natural
element, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, working,
accompanying designs, or symbols together with any backing associated
with the sign.
(3)
In computing the size of a double-faced sign where the sides are
parallel to each other, only one side shall be considered, provided
the size of both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed
by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°
then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the
sign area.
B.
Sign height.
(1)
The height of the sign shall be measured from the elevation of the
sidewalk or from grade to the highest point above grade to the top
of the sign.
(2)
For projecting and parallel signs, the maximum height shall be determined
by its placement on the building.
(3)
For all residential districts and all residential uses, projecting
and parallel signs, or portions of such signs, shall not be located
at a height greater than the ceiling/floor division of the first story
of the building.
(4)
For all residential districts and all residential uses, freestanding
signs shall not exceed six feet in height from grade to the highest
point above grade to the top of the sign.
(5)
For nonresidential zoning districts and all nonresidential uses freestanding
signs may not exceed 12 feet in height from grade to the highest point
above grade at the top of the sign.
The following regulations shall govern the placement, erection,
and maintenance of signs:
A.
Official traffic and highway signs. All official traffic and highway signs shall be of the size and construction specified in § 163-42 of Chapter 163, Subdivision and Land Development and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Regulations governing the design, location and operation of all official traffic signs, signals and markings on and along highways within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which regulations will control the erection and replacement of the same.
B.
Unless the regulations of this article specifically state that a
sign may be placed off the lot or premises to which it relates, signs
may be placed only on the same lot with the use or establishment to
which the sign relates.
C.
No sign shall be placed in such a position that will cause danger
to traffic on a street or entering a street by obscuring the view,
or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of an
official traffic control device. No sign shall be placed in a clear
sight triangle.
D.
No part of any sign shall be erected or maintained within the ultimate
right-of-way of any state or Township public road except for official
street signs.
E.
In no case, except for official traffic and highway signs shall any
sign be erected so that it:
(1)
Lies within 10 feet of or projects over a point within 10 feet of
the legal right-of-way of any street or is within 10 feet of the shoulder
or curb, whichever is greater;
(2)
Lies within the clear sight triangle;
(3)
Obscures a motorist's view of traffic signals, stop signs or other
warning devices as viewed from any distance of 500 feet along established
thoroughfares;
(4)
Obscures a motorist's view of roadway or intersections ahead as viewed
from a distance of 500 feet along established thoroughfares;
(5)
Limits a pedestrian's view of vehicular traffic to less than 500
feet while he stands inside the curbline at an intersection or other
established crossing point;
(6)
Lies within a distance of 10 feet from any property line;
(7)
Lies within a parking space or fire lane;
(8)
Blocks the movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares;
(9)
Blocks the entrance, exit, fire escape, or fire lane to a building;
(10)
Projects over a sidewalk, street, driveway or pedestrian path;
or contains flashing, rotating or revolving type lights with the exception
of barber poles which are used for a barber shop use;
(11)
Uses the words "stop," "look," "danger," or any other word or
character which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement
of traffic or which interferes with or resembles any official traffic
sign, signal or device;
(12)
Uses red, green or yellow lights within 75 feet of a public
right-of-way or within 300 feet of a traffic control device signal,
whichever is greater.
F.
All signs shall meet the design and construction requirements of
the Uniform Construction Code of Pennsylvania. All electrical signs
shall be manufactured in accordance with the underwriter's laboratories'
specifications and shall bear the laboratory label.
The following signs are unlawful and prohibited:
A.
Signs of a flashing, rotating, or revolving type, with the exception
of barber poles.
B.
Novelty signs, including but not limited to objects (i.e., tires,
automobiles, food products, etc.) pennants, balloons, bulletin boards,
animated signs, and inflatable signs.
C.
Roof signs: Any sign placed above or at the same level as the roofline
of a flat roof or the lowest point of eaves of a sloping or mansard
roof.
D.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor.
E.
No electronic message centers shall be permitted in the area of the Township identified in Subdivision and Land Development § 163-51.3 as the Corridor Overlay District.
F.
Electronic message centers with animated, scrolling, or moving video
or graphics, or flashing lights shall be prohibited in all zoning
districts within the Township.
G.
Any sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights.
H.
Any sign which imitates any official traffic sign, signal or device.
I.
Any vehicle or trailer, which is not regularly and customarily used
to transport persons and property for the business it advertises,
which is parked on a public right-of-way or on public or private property
so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has attached
thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the
primary purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing
people to a business or activity located on the same or on another
property.
J.
Any sign erected on a tree, streetlight, street sign, or utility
pole, or painted or drawn on a rock or other natural feature.
K.
Any sign suspended between poles which is either a pennant which
blows in the wind or a spinner which spins in the wind.
L.
A series of lights or lighting outlining the edges of commercial
buildings or commercial building elements shall be considered a sign
under the terms of this article and shall be prohibited.
M.
Any sign which does not conform to the requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance which were in effect when the sign was erected.
N.
Signs containing information on which it states or implies that a
property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions
of the Warwick Township Zoning Ordinance in the Zoning District on
which the property to which the sign relates is located.
Any illuminated sign, whether illuminated from within or by
exterior light, shall be subject to the following requirements:
A.
There shall be no illumination of any sign within 200 feet of an
occupied dwelling in a residential zoning district.
B.
Indirectly illuminated signs shall shine with white or clear light
only. Fully shielded fixtures shall be used, and the source of illumination
shall not be visible from any adjoining property or roadway. The planting
of vegetation, while a desirable additional means to reduce the impact
of the light source, shall not be considered as a replacement for
this requirement.
C.
The internal light source of directly illuminated signs shall be
a white or clear light only.
D.
Illuminated signs with any form of exposed neon or other tubes are
prohibited.
E.
No red, green or yellow illuminated sign shall be permitted within
300 feet of a traffic signal.
F.
Signs which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing,
intermittent, or moving light or lights are prohibited.
In addition to the regulations set forth in §§ 195-93, 195-94 and 195-96 the following regulations shall govern the erection and maintenance of temporary and permanent signs, depending on their classification:
A.
Temporary signs. All temporary signs, except those described in §§ 195-97.1B and § 195-97A(2)(i), may be erected only after receipt of a permit from the Township. Permit fees are established by the Township Board of Supervisors. The permit will be issued only after the regulations outlined in Article XXII are met to the satisfaction of the Zoning Officer.
(1)
Temporary signs in residential zoning districts or on properties
with residential uses in nonresidential zoning districts.
(a)
No temporary sign shall be displayed for a period exceeding
30 days or more than five days after the cessation of the event or
occurrence being advertised, whichever is less.
(b)
There shall be no more than two temporary signs in any calendar
year.
(c)
Except as otherwise provided in this § 195-97A(1), temporary signs in residential districts shall not exceed six square feet in size.
(d)
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises available
for or in process of development and having inscribed thereon the
name of the owner, developer, builder, or agent may be erected and
maintained, provided that:
[1]
The area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet for
more than 10 dwelling units, and six square feet for projects with
less than 10 dwelling units.
[2]
Not more than two such signs shall be erected on premises.
[3]
Such signs shall be removed within 20 days after the last structure
has been occupied.
(2)
Temporary signs in nonresidential zoning districts with nonresidential
uses.
(a)
No temporary sign may be displayed for a period exceeding 30
days.
(b)
No property shall have more than two temporary signs in any
calendar year. No temporary sign may use flashing or revolving lights.
(c)
Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(d)
Signs may not be displayed earlier than 30 days before the function
for which they are erected. The signs must be removed within five
days after the function for which they were displayed, but in no case
later than 30 days from the day they were displayed.
(e)
No more than one sign shall be displayed for each 1,000 feet
of road frontage.
(f)
Banners shall not exceed eight feet in length and three feet
in width.
(g)
Bunting and banner signs are permitted to announce the opening
of a new business or industry provided that such signs do not extend
into, or over, a public right-of-way. All such signs must be removed
after seven days of the opening day of the first day of business.
(h)
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any property
held in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts
upon more than one public street, in which event, one such sign may
be erected on each street frontage.
B.
Permanent signs.
(1)
In residential zoning districts, on properties with residential uses,
and on properties with agricultural uses, signs may be erected and
maintained provided that:
(a)
The area of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(b)
Except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, there shall only
be one sign per property.
(c)
Freestanding signs for residential developments or apartment
buildings containing more than 10 units shall be permitted subject
to the following regulations:
(2)
Signs for nonresidential uses on individual lots in nonresidential districts, signs for C — Institutional uses on individual lots in residential zoning districts, signs advertising nonresidential uses on individual lots in nonresidential districts and signs for C — Institutional uses on individual lots in residential zoning districts (except the VC and VC2 zoning districts), may be permitted in accordance with one of the options listed below in subsections B(2)(a) through (e). Signs for nonresidential uses on individual lots in VC and VC2 Zoning Districts are regulated in §§ 195-97B(2) and 195-97B(4), respectively.
[Amended 5-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-1]
(a)
One wall or window sign up to 24 square feet.
(b)
Two wall or window signs mounted on separate walls, one up to
20 square feet and one up to 16 square feet.
(c)
One freestanding sign up to 24 square feet, plus one of the
following:
(d)
If the building fronts upon more than one street, one additional sign in conformity with either Subsection B(2)(c)[1], [2] or [3] above may be permitted on each street frontage from which access is taken.
(e)
Two freestanding signs, one up to 12 square feet, and one up
to eight square feet on separate poles, plus one of the following:
(f)
If the building fronts on more than one street, one additional sign in conformity with either Subsection B(2)(e)[1], [2], or [3] above may be permitted on each street frontage from which access is taken.
(3)
Signs for multiple nonresidential uses as a single approved land
development in a nonresidential zoning district (other than the VC
or VC2 Zoning Districts), either on one lot or multiple lots making
the land development. Signs advertising multiple nonresidential uses
as a single approved land development, either on one lot or multiple
lots making one land development other than the VC or VC2 Zoning Districts,
including but not limited to those uses in shopping centers, industrial
parks and office parks, may be erected in accordance with the following:
(a)
One freestanding sign which identifies the multiple occupancy,
including but not limited to, shopping center, industrial park or
office park and may serve as a directory sign for uses in the development
in which it may be erected. No additional directory sign may be erected.
Such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet per side and shall only
identify the name of the center or park and/or the names of the various
businesses or firms located within such center or park. Not more than
one such sign shall be erected on any property held in single and
separate ownership, unless such premises fronts upon more than one
street, in which event one such sign may be erected on each street
frontage from which access is taken.
(b)
One sign which shall be limited to the name of the firm, building,
or business may be erected on each individual use in accordance with
one of the following:
[1]
Either one window sign consisting of individual letters or symbols
not to exceed 40% of the window area, for all such signs; or
[2]
One projecting sign extending not more than five feet from the
wall up to 10 square feet in size; or
[3]
One wall sign up to 12 square feet.
[4]
Individual uses in industrial parks (use H-13) may have signage
in accordance with § 195-97(B)(2).
(4)
Signs in VC or VC2 Zoning Districts.
(a)
For properties with one use on an individual property, signs
shall be permitted in accordance with § 195-97(B)(2).
(b)
For properties in the VC or VC2 Zoning Districts with more than
one principal use in separate structures on one property, the following
regulations shall apply:
[1]
One freestanding sign which identifies the development and may
serve as a directory sign for uses in the development. No additional
directory signs may be erected regardless of number of street frontages.
Such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet per side and shall only
identify the name of the center or development and/or names of the
various businesses or firms located within such center or development.
[2]
One freestanding sign up to 12 square feet may be erected for
each principal use which exceeds 20,000 square feet in leasable space.
[3]
One wall sign up to 16 square feet, or one projecting sign extending
not more than five feet from the wall up to 10 square feet, or one
window sign consisting of letters or symbols not to exceed 40% of
the window area for all such signs may be erected for each principal
use.
[4]
If the building fronts on two or more streets, a maximum of one additional sign in conformity with Subsection B(4)(b)[3] shall be permitted.
(5)
Off-premises advertising signs. Off-premises advertising signs shall
be erected in compliance with use G-20 [§ 195.16G(20)].
A.
Permit required. It shall be unlawful to erect, construct, or alter
any sign not included as an "exempt" sign under in this chapter without
first filing with the Zoning Officer an application in writing and
obtaining a formal permit. Normal sign maintenance, which only includes
cleaning and repairs, shall not require a permit.
(1)
Application form. An application for a permit for the erection,
construction, or alteration of a sign shall be submitted on a form
prescribed by the Township. The application shall contain the full
names and addresses of the applicant, the owner of the premises where
a sign is to be erected, constructed or altered, and the person or
firm engaged to erect, construct, or alter the sign. The application
shall contain the affidavits of the owner of the premises authorizing
the application and a description of the work to be completed.
(2)
Plans to accompany application. Applications for permits for
the erection, construction, or alteration of signs shall be accompanied
by drawings of the proposed work showing the structural details of
the sign, plot plans depicting the location of proposed signs, and
other details the Zoning Officer may require.
(3)
Fees. All applicants for permits for the erection, construction,
or alteration of signs shall, at the time of making such application,
pay a fee to the Township in accordance with the effective fee schedule
adopted by annual resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
B.
Exempted signs. The following signs do not require a permit, provided
the applicable requirements of this chapter have been met:
(1)
Governmental flags or insignias.
(2)
Legal notices.
(3)
TODS sign along a state highway. All TODS signs shall comply
with Section 1.7 of PennDOT's Traffic Engineering & Operations
Manual - Tourist Oriented Directional Signing (TODS) Policy. A TODS
sign installed along a state highway shall not require a sign permit.
The Township shall not be responsible for the cost, installation,
maintenance, repair, or replacement of any TODS sign. Any TODS sign
that becomes noncompliant with the PennDOT Manual shall be immediately
brought into compliance or removed.
(4)
Internal traffic directional signs. All internal traffic directional
signs must comply with all of the following regulations:
(5)
Official traffic signs installed or authorized by a government
unit.
(6)
Temporary signs not exceeding six square feet offering the sale
or lease of an individual lot.
All signs permitted in this article must be constructed of durable
materials and must be kept in good condition and repair. If any sign
is allowed to become dilapidated, then the owner of the property upon
which the sign is located shall be notified by the Zoning Officer
to restore said sign to good and proper condition within 30 days.
The Zoning Officer shall make the determination as to whether the
sign has become dilapidated and, also, whether said sign has been
restored to good and proper condition. Should the landowner object
to the Zoning Officer's determination, then said landowner shall appeal
the Zoning Officer's decision to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30
days after receiving notice from the Zoning Officer. Failure of a
landowner to either rectify the condition of the sign within 30 days
or to appeal the decision of the Zoning Officer to the Zoning Hearing
Board within 30 days shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
