The purpose and intent of these rules and regulations governing
signs is to apply reasonable controls over size, placement and general
appearance of signs in their use in each district that will ensure,
promote and safeguard standards for protecting the public health,
safety, welfare, and the environment.
The definitions in this section are unique to the provisions
of this article.
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide
business.
BANNER SIGN
A sign made of fabric or any nonrigid material with no enclosing
framework.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (AUTOMATIC)
A sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lamp
bank or through mechanical means, e.g., electrical or electronic time
and temperature units.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor,
and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property
on which the sign is located.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign which gives a name, place, location, and general nature
of a specific establishment or attraction and is intended to give
directions to that place.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing
light source used primarily to attract attention. Does not include
changeable copy signs, animated signs, or signs which, through reflection
or other means, create an illusion of flashing or intermittent light
(compare "animated sign," "changeable copy sign").
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported upon the ground by poles or braces and not
attached to any building.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by
the Township, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction
or for designation of or direction to any school, hospital, historical
site, or public service, property, or facility.
HEIGHT (OF A SIGN)
The vertical distance measured from the highest point of
the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the grade of the
adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is
less.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a
building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation
being identified.
ILLEGAL SIGN
A sign which does not meet requirements of this chapter and
which has not received legal nonconforming status.
MAINTENANCE
For the purposes of this chapter, the cleaning, painting,
repair, or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that
does not alter the basic copy, design, or structure of the sign.
MANSARD
A roof having two slopes on all four sides with the lower
slope almost vertical and the upper almost horizontal.
MARQUEE
A permanent rooflike structure or canopy of rigid materials
supported by and extending from the facade of a building (compare
"awning").
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to or supported by a marquee structure.
NAMEPLATE
A nonelectric on-premises identification sign giving only
the name, address, and/or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign which was erected legally but which does not comply
with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations or a sign
which does not conform to the sign code requirements but for which
a special permit has been issued.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise,
service MISE, or entertainment which is not sold, produced, manufactured,
or furnished at the property on which said sign is located, e.g.,
billboards or outdoor advertising.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which pertains to the use of the premises on which
it is located.
PAINTED WALL SIGN
A sign which is applied with paint or similar substance on
the face of a wall.
POLITICAL SIGN
For the purposes of this chapter, a temporary sign used in
connection with a local, state, or national election or referendum.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign designed to be moved easily and not permanently
affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the
sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected over or on the roof of a building (compare
"mansard," "wall signs").
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, or placard using graphics,
symbols, and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose
of advertising or identifying any establishment, product, goods, or
services.
[Amended 4-12-2018]
SIGN, AREA OF
A.
PROJECTING AND FREESTANDINGThe area of a freestanding or projecting sign shall have only one face (the largest one) of any double- or multi-faced sign counted in calculating its area. The area of the sign shall be measured as follows if the sign is composed of one or two individual cabinets:
(1)
The area around and enclosing the perimeter of each cabinet
or module shall be summed and then totaled to determine total area.
The perimeter of measurable area shall not include embellishments,
such as pole covers, framing, decorative roofing, etc., provided that
there is not written advertising copy on such embellishments.
(2)
If the sign is composed of more than two sign cabinets or modules,
the area enclosing the entire perimeter of all cabinets and/or modules
within a single, continuous geometric figure shall be the area of
the sign. Pole covers and other embellishments shall not be included
in the area of measurement if they do not bear advertising copy.
B.
WALL SIGNSThe area shall be within a single, continuous perimeter composed of any straight-line geometric figure which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message. If the sign is composed of individual letters or symbols using the wall as the background with no added decoration, the total sign area shall be calculated by measuring the area within the perimeter of each symbol or letter. The combined areas of the individual figures shall be considered the total sign area.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached parallel to and extending not more than four
inches from the wall of a building. This definition includes painted,
individual letter, and cabinet signs, and signs on a mansard.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed
from the outside.
No sign shall exceed a 200 square feet limit in the Township
of Lawrence. No sign up to 32 square feet shall require a permit.
If over 32 square feet, a permit is required, along with a site plan
review.
Permit fees will be established by resolution of the Township
Board of Trustees. A copy of current costs will be available from
the Building Official and Township Clerk.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 20, Code Adoption,
Art. II)]
For all signs hereafter erected without issuance of a required
sign permit, the Building Official shall inform the property owner
upon whose property the sign is situated of the alleged violation
of this chapter.