[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
The regulations contained in this Part shall apply to all signs
in all zoning districts.
[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
1. Signs in all zoning districts shall be categorized according to the
types and classes described below and shall comply with the requirements
for those types and classes described in this section.
A. Classes.
(1)
Freestanding: a sign supported on a foundation or by one or
more uprights, poles or braces permanently affixed to the ground and
not attached to any building or other structure, including:
(a)
Pole sign: a freestanding sign that is supported by one or more
poles, uprights, braces or pylons and that has a minimum clearance
between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level,
as specified by this chapter.
(b)
Ground sign: a freestanding sign that is affixed to the ground
by means of a permanent foundation and that provides a maximum clearance
of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent
ground level or, in the case of an elevated foundation, from the top
of the foundation.
(c)
Monument sign: a sign supported on two posts or uprights located
at the entrance to a shopping center that identifies the name of the
shopping center and that may include the names of one or more of the
businesses in the shopping center.
(2)
Wall: a sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel
to the face of an outside wall of a building, projecting outward from
the wall of the building no more than 18 inches.
(3)
Canopy or awning sign: a sign that also functions as a roof-like
shelter, either permanent, retractable or removable, made of canvas
or other durable material that is affixed to a building or is self-supporting
and provides protection from sun, rain, snow and other elements.
(4)
Arcade sign: a sign suspended beneath a ceiling of an exterior
covered walkway, roof or marquee, containing only the name of a business,
for the purpose of assisting pedestrian traffic traveling under the
arcade, roof or marquee to identify the location of establishments
within a shopping center or other multi-tenant building.
(5)
Bulletin: a type of manual changeable-copy sign constructed
to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically, such as those
used by place of worship and schools to announce events.
(6)
Roof sign: a sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof
of any building, which projects no more than six feet above the highest
point of the roof.
(7)
Overhanging: a sign, other than a wall sign or arcade sign,
affixed perpendicular to a building or wall, whose leading edge extends
beyond such building or wall, but not including awnings, canopies
or marquees otherwise authorized by this chapter.
(8)
Billboard: an off-premises sign that advertises an establishment,
activity, person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable
on the premises where the billboard is located. This sign may include
both commercial and noncommercial information, language, pictures,
and renderings. This is a content-neutral definition.
(9)
Changeable-copy: a commercial sign that is designed so that
characters, letters or illustrations can be manually or electronically
changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the
sign.
(10)
Portable sign: a sign that is not permanently affixed to a building,
a structure or the ground and which is designed to be moved from place
to place, including but not limited to signs attached to wood or metal
frames designed to be self-supporting and movable, sandwich-board
signs, and trailer-mounted signs.
(11)
Attention-getting device: a pennant, flag, valance, banner,
propeller, spinner, streamer, searchlight, balloon or other inflatable
device, or similar object or representation of a product, vehicle,
equipment or other advertising image or any ornamentation that is
designed or used for the purpose of promoting, advertising or attracting
attention.
(12)
Indirectly illuminated: a sign that is lighted by means of lamps
or lighting devices external to, and reflected on, the sign, which
lighting is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all
times and which is shielded so that the illumination is concentrated
on the face of the sign and there is no spillover of illumination
or glare beyond the face of the sign.
(13)
Internally illuminated: a sign that is lighted by means of lamps
or lighting devices internal to the sign, which lighting is either
behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign structure
and the advertising effect.
(14)
Festoon lighting: a group of two or more light bulbs of more
than 20 watts each, hung or strung overhead, not on a building or
structure, which are exposed to view by persons on a public right-of-way,
or which are not shaded or hooded to prevent the direct rays of light
from being visible from the property line, but not including the temporary
erection of lights as part of a holiday celebration or small lights
of less than 20 watts each.
B. Types. Signs are categorized by use, function or purpose into the
following types:
(1)
Agricultural sales sign: a temporary sign announcing the seasonal
sale of agricultural products raised and sold on a farm, as defined
herein.
(2)
Residential identification: a sign containing only the name
and address of the occupant of the premises.
(3)
Home occupation identification: a sign containing only the name
and address of the occupant of the premises and their occupation.
No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.
(4)
Residential plan identification sign: a permanent wall or freestanding
ground sign containing only the name and address of a plan of subdivision
or a multifamily building or development.
(5)
Real estate: a temporary sign advertising the sale or rental
of premises. The sign may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending"
or "rented."
(6)
Development: a temporary sign erected during the period of construction
and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or
their agent.
(7)
Contractor: a temporary sign announcing the name of contractors,
mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
(8)
Public sign: a sign of a noncommercial nature and in the public
interest, erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance
of any public duty, such as official signs and notices of any public
or governmental agency, or erected by or on the order of a court or
public officer, including official traffic signs, public notices,
government flags and other signs warning of hazardous or dangerous
conditions.
(9)
Notification: signs bearing legal and/or property notices, such
as: no trespassing, private property, no turnaround, safety zone,
no hunting and similar messages, and signs posted by a landowner or
governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general
public.
(10)
On-premises directional: a sign that directs and/or instructs
vehicular or pedestrian traffic relative to parking areas, proper
exits, loading areas, entrance points and similar information on the
premises on which it is located.
(11)
Business identification sign: a sign that contains the name,
address and goods, services, facilities or events available on the
premises.
(12)
Temporary special event sign: a banner, flag, pennant, portable
sign or similar display, constructed of durable material and affixed
to the wall of a building or the supporting structure of an approved
freestanding pole business identification sign or, if a portable sign,
adequately affixed to the ground or some permanent structure, erected
for a period not exceeding 30 days, whose sole purpose is to advertise
a special event or promotion.
(13)
Temporary off-premises directional sign: a temporary sign, located
on property other than where a business or event is located, to direct
traffic to the site of the business or event, including but not limited
to real estate open houses, garage sales, estate sales, weddings,
showers, picnics, concerts, special promotions and similar events.
(14)
Window signs: a sign or group of signs affixed to the inside
of a display window in a commercial establishment that advertises
a product or service available on the premises or that announces or
promotes a special sale or special event.
[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
1. The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning districts:
A. Restricted Signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any
zoning district:
(1)
Attention-getting devices.
(2)
Portable signs in all districts, except where authorized as
a temporary special event sign.
(4)
Moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of an authorized
sign that indicates time or temperature or an authorized electronic
changeable-copy sign.
(5)
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices
or signs within the public right- of-way.
(6)
Signs that imitate traffic control devices.
(7)
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences
or freestanding walls.
(8)
Overhanging signs, as defined herein.
(9)
Roof signs, as defined herein.
(10)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked
on a public right-of-way or on any public property or private property
other than the site of the business it advertises, except for maintenance,
repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location,
where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people
to a business or activity located on nearby property, but not including
temporary construction trailers authorized by this chapter.
B. Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from the requirement
to pay for a permit:
(1)
Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein.
(2)
Signs which are applied for and maintained by a federal, state
or local government entity and/or agency.
(3)
Political campaign signs.
C. Surface Area of Sign. The surface area of a sign shall be measured
as described below. For two- sided signs, only one sign face is counted
in computing the surface area.
(1)
In the case of an advertising panel, the surface area of the
sign shall be the total area enclosed by one continuous line connecting
three extreme points or edges of the advertising panel containing
letters.
(2)
In the case of freestanding letters mounted on a wall or other
surface, the surface area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas
of each individual letter, calculated by measuring the distance between
the highest and lowest points of each letter and multiplying that
distance by the distance between the extreme horizontal distance across
the letter.
(3)
In the case of freestanding ground or pole signs, the area shall
not include the main supporting structure; however, logos, ornamental
attachments and framework around or connections between advertising
panels shall be included.
(4)
In the case of letters that are painted on or affixed to an
awning, canopy or marquee, the surface area of the sign shall be the
area of the geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width
of all the letters, including free space between the letters.
D. Lots With Multiple Street Frontage.
(1)
In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street
shall be permitted to have one of each type of sign that is authorized
for the lot only on the street address frontage.
(2)
In commercial and industrial districts, lots fronting on more
than one street shall be permitted to have one of each type of sign
authorized for the lot at the entrance to the lot one each street
frontage, provided that the entrances are not visible from one another.
E. Temporary Signs. In all zoning districts where authorized by §
27-1603, real estate, temporary off- premises, contractor and development signs shall be considered temporary signs that shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.
F. Notification Signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location
and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall
be in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth. In all zoning
districts, legal notification signs posted outside the public street
right-of-way on private property by property owners, such as "no trespassing,"
"no hunting" and the like, shall be limited to a surface area not
exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum number of signs
permitted along road frontages shall be one sign for every 30 feet
of road frontage.
G. Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will
cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or
obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign,
other than official traffic signs and authorized off-premises directional
signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any
street. No sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle defined
by § 27-1403D of this chapter.
H. Illumination.
(1)
Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall be directed
upon the sign face and not towards adjoining lots or streets so that
the source of illumination is not visible. Internal illumination of
signs shall be permitted only with accordance of the lighting performance
standards established with this chapter. Lighting shall be stationary
and constant in intensity and color at all times. The intensity of
any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal,
shall be controlled so as to not create glare and to be compatible
with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding
lots. Signage illuminations shall not exceed a luminance of 1,500
nits during daylight hours between sunrise and sunset and shall not
exceed a luminance of 150 nits at all other times.
(2)
Changeable-Copy.
(a)
Changeable-copy signage may not change or move more often than
once every five minutes, except one for which changes are necessary
to correct hour-and-minute, date or temperature information. Time,
date, or temperature information is considered one dynamic display
and may not be included as a component of any other dynamic display.
A display of time, date, or temperature shall remain for at least
five minutes before changing to a different display, but the time,
date, or temperature information itself may change no more often than
once every five seconds;
(b)
All changeable-copy display backgrounds/faces shall be black
and copy shall be a single color.
(c)
Changeable-copy displays shall be designed and equipped to freeze
the device in one position if a malfunction occurs. The displays must
also be equipped with a means to immediately discontinue the display
if it malfunctions, and the sign owner must immediately stop the dynamic
display when notified by the Zoning Officer that it is not complying
with the standards of this chapter;
I. Design, Construction, Maintenance and Inspection. All signs shall be designed to be compatible with the architecture of the principal use to which they are accessory. Signs shall comply with Route 19 Corridor Design Guidelines, if applicable. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and shall be maintained in good condition. All freestanding signs shall be designed to withstand a sustained 100 mph wind load. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection shall be declared to be a public nuisance, and the Zoning Officer shall give notice to the owner, in writing, in accordance with §
27-1901, Subsection
2, of this chapter, to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Township may lien the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.
J. Removal of Signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated
with no intention to reopen under the same name, all sign advertising
panels containing the name of the discontinued or vacated business
shall be removed within 30 days of the vacation or discontinuance
of the business. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township
may remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Township may lien
the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees
and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.
K. Permits Required.
(1)
No permit shall be required for the following types of signs,
as described in § 27-1601B above: residential identification,
notification, real estate, contractor and window signs. Included are
temporary off-premises directional signs that are erected for no more
than a two-week period and removed within 24 hours after the conclusion
of the event for which the sign was erected.
(2)
Permits shall be required in accordance with §
27-1906 of this chapter for all other signs authorized by §§
27-1603 through
27-1606. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
L. Expiration of Permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for
erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall
expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if
work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently
pursued.
M. Sign Location. Except for billboards, as defined and authorized by
this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises which they
are intended to serve.
[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
1. In addition to the signs authorized by §§
27-1604 through
27-1606 in specific zoning districts, the following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:
A. Bulletin Sign. One bulletin sign that is nonilluminated or indirectly
or internally illuminated shall be permitted in connection with any
place of worship, school, library or similar public or semipublic
building. If the bulletin sign is a wall sign, the surface area shall
not exceed 12 square feet. If the bulletin sign is a freestanding
ground sign, the surface area shall not exceed 24 square feet.
B. Real Estate Sign. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall
be permitted on each lot, provided that the sign shall not exceed
six feet in height. The real estate sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet in surface area when located in any residential zoning district
and shall not exceed 32 square feet in any other zoning district.
Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of
the property on which it is located.
C. Development Sign. One nonilluminated temporary development sign shall
be permitted on each development site, provided that the surface area
of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. If the
development is phased, the development sign shall be located in the
phase that is currently under construction. A second nonilluminated
temporary development sign shall be permitted at the entrance to the
development, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not
exceed 16 square feet. The development sign shall not exceed eight
feet in height. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale
or rental of the last lot or completion of the proposed construction
in the development.
D. Contractor Sign. One nonilluminated temporary contractor sign announcing
the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing
work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided that the
sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area nor six feet in height
and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.
E. Temporary Special Event Signs for Public and Nonprofit Organizations.
One nonilluminated temporary special event sign, as defined by this
chapter, shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public
building, place of worship or building housing a nonprofit organization,
provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet
and provided that the sign is displayed for a period no longer than
30 days and is removed within five days following the event that it
is erected to promote. Each organization may display a temporary special
event sign a maximum of four times in any twelve-month period for
a maximum of 30 days each time.
F. Home Occupation Identification Sign. One nonilluminated home occupation
identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation,
provided that the surface area of the sign does not exceed one square
foot and the sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation
of the resident and shall not contain any logo or other advertising.
The sign shall be wall-mounted or affixed to the structure supporting
the mailbox.
G. On-Premises Directional Signs.
(1)
On any lot that contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential
buildings and/or on any lot that provides more than 100 parking spaces,
on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the
surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(2)
On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted
on the first acre. For each additional acre or fraction thereof over
one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
H. Temporary Off-Premises Directional Sign. Temporary off-premises directional
signs may be located in the street right-of-way with the permission
of the owner of the right-of-way or located on private property with
the permission of the landowner. The maximum surface area of such
sign shall be four square feet. Such sign shall not be illuminated
and shall be removed within 24 hours of the event for which it was
erected.
I. Agricultural Sales Sign. In those districts where agricultural sales
are authorized or may exist as a legal nonconforming use, one nonilluminated
freestanding agricultural sales sign shall be permitted to announce
the agricultural sales, provided that the maximum surface area of
the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet, the height of the sign shall
not exceed eight feet and the sign shall be located no closer than
10 feet to any property line or street right-of-way.
J. Residential Identification Sign. One nonilluminated residential identification
sign shall be permitted on each lot, provided that the sign shall
not exceed one square foot in surface area and the maximum height
of any freestanding sign shall be two feet. The residential identification
sign may be affixed to the mailbox or to the wall of the dwelling
or may be freestanding in the front yard.
[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
1. In addition to the signs authorized in all zoning districts in §
27-1603, the following signs shall be permitted in all residential districts:
A. Residential Plan Identification Sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated permanent wall or freestanding ground residential plan
identification sign containing only the street address and/or name
of a residential subdivision plan or multifamily building or development
shall be permitted, provided that the sign shall not exceed 24 square
feet in area. A sign identifying the name of a residential subdivision
or land development may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall,
rather than to a building wall, provided that the decorative wall
meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does not obstruct
visibility for traffic entering or leaving the plan in compliance
with the clear sight triangle required by § 27-1403D. Such
signs shall not be located in any public street right-of-way without
the permission of the owner of the right-of-way and an agreement for
maintenance of the sign by a homeowners' association or similar private
organization.
B. Business identification sign for authorized conditional uses, uses
by special exception or legal nonconforming uses. If a business identification
sign is not otherwise authorized and regulated by this chapter for
a legal nonconforming use or a conditional use or use by special exception
in an R Residential District, such business may have one nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated wall or freestanding ground identification
sign, provided that the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area
and the maximum height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed six
feet.
C. On-Premises Directional Signs.
(1)
On any lot that contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential
buildings and/or on any lot that provides more than 100 parking spaces,
on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the
surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(2)
One lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted
on the first acre. For each additional acre or fraction thereof over
one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
1. In addition to the signs authorized in §
27-1603 in all districts, only the following signs shall be permitted in all C-1, C-2 and I-1 Districts:
A. Temporary Special Event Signs for Businesses. Temporary special event
signs, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted, provided that:
(1)
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any
establishment at any one time.
(2)
The temporary special event signs shall be securely attached
to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding pole
business identification sign.
(3)
Temporary special event signs may be displayed a maximum of
three times in any twelve-month period, provided that each display
shall not exceed 30 days.
(4)
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs
shall not exceed 24 square feet per establishment. In the event that
there is more than one establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate
surface area of all temporary special event signs on the site at any
one time shall not exceed 70 square feet.
(5)
Portable signs may be used as temporary special event signs,
provided that they are securely anchored, are located outside any
public street right-of-way and do not constitute a hazard for pedestrian
or vehicular traffic.
(6)
Temporary special event signs may be illuminated, but the message
shall remain stationary at all times.
B. Changeable-Copy Sign.
(1)
One nonilluminated or internally illuminated manual or electronic
changeable-copy sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the
number of businesses on the lot. The changeable-copy sign shall be
permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to the supporting
structure of an authorized freestanding sign on the lot or, in the
case of an automobile service station, on the canopy over the gas
pumps. The surface area of the changeable-copy sign shall not exceed
24 square feet.
C. Business Identification Sign.
(1)
Wall Signs.
(a)
In the C-1, C-2 and I-1 Districts, each business establishment
shall be permitted to have wall signs that may be illuminated or nonilluminated.
The wall sign shall not be located on the roof nor extend above the
height of the building.
(b)
In the C-1 District, the aggregate surface area of all wall
signs shall not exceed one square foot for each two lineal feet of
width of the front wall of the building or portion of the building
occupied by the business or a maximum of 64 square feet, whichever
is less.
(c)
In the C-2 and I-1 Districts, the aggregate surface area of
all wall signs for each business shall not exceed one square foot
for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building, or
portion of the building, occupied by the business or a maximum of
100 square feet, whichever is less.
(d)
In the case of a shopping center where buildings are setback
from the public street a distance in excess of 500 feet, the aggregate
surface area of all wall signs for a business shall not exceed 200
square feet.
(2)
Ground Signs. In addition to the wall signs, one freestanding
ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot and the lot is not located in a planned shopping center
that has a monument sign.
(b)
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed
32 square feet in the C-1 District and shall not exceed 64 square
feet in the C-2 and I-1 Districts.
(c)
The height and location of the sign shall be designed so as
to not interfere with visibility for vehicular traffic entering or
leaving the lot or traveling on any street, and in no case shall the
total height exceed eight feet above the adjacent ground level on
which it is located. The sign shall comply with the visibility requirements
of § 27-1403D.
(d)
Ground signs may be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or
internally illuminated.
(e)
All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 15 feet
from any property line, except that, where property abuts on a public
right-of-way, the ground sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from
the right-of-way, or at least 20 feet from the edge of the cartway
if the right-of-way is not contiguous with the front lot line.
(3)
Pole Signs. In addition to the authorized wall signs, one freestanding
pole sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding ground sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot and the lot is not located in a planned shopping center
that has a monument sign.
(b)
The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated
or internally illuminated.
(c)
The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 25 feet
above the adjacent street level from which the sign is to be viewed.
(d)
The minimum height of the bottom edge of the sign shall be 14
feet if traffic circulates under the sign.
(e)
The maximum surface area of the freestanding pole sign shall
not exceed 40 square feet if there are fewer than three businesses
on the lot and shall not exceed 64 square feet if there are three
or more businesses on the lot. Neither dimension of such sign shall
be less than five feet.
(f)
No portion of any sign shall project over any public right-of-way,
nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street
intersection, as defined by § 27-1403D of this chapter.
(g)
All freestanding pole signs shall be setback a distance equivalent
to the height of the sign from every property line, except that, where
property abuts on a public right-of-way, the sign shall be setback
at least 15 feet from the right-of-way.
(4)
Monument Signs.
(a)
One illuminated or nonilluminated monument sign shall be permitted
at the main entrance to a planned shopping center or planned industrial
park, provided that a ground sign or pole sign does not exist and
is not proposed at that entrance. Outparcels in a planned shopping
center and lots fronting on a public street in a planned industrial
park owned in fee simple may have a ground sign or pole sign authorized
by § 27-1605C(2) and (3). No other businesses within a planned
shopping center or planned industrial park shall be permitted to have
a ground sign or pole sign; however, each business shall be permitted
to have the wall signs authorized by § 27-1605C(1).
(b)
The maximum surface area of a monument sign shall be 150 square
feet. The maximum height of the monument sign shall be 25 feet. The
monument sign shall be located at least 10 feet from any property
line or street right-of-way line. The monument sign shall comply with
the visibility requirements of § 27-1403D. The base of the
sign shall be landscaped with shrubs, perennials and annuals for a
minimum distance of three feet from the base of the sign.
(5)
Arcade Signs. In shopping center or office complex that have
pedestrian accessways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior arcade,
one arcade sign, as defined herein, shall be permitted for each business
in the building, provided that the maximum surface area of each sign
shall not exceed eight square feet.
(6)
Canopy Signs. Canopy signs may be erected at the street-level
entrance to a building. In the case of multitenant buildings, each
business with a street-level entrance may have a canopy sign. Canopy
signs shall not be illuminated. No more than one canopy sign shall
be permitted for each building. The maximum height of the letters
on a canopy sign shall be six inches.
(7)
Window Signs. The total area of all window signs on display
at any one time, including temporary window promotional signs, shall
not exceed 25% of the total area of the display window in which they
are located. A series of windows that are separated by frames less
than six inches in width shall be considered as a single window for
the purpose of this computation.
D. On-Premises Directional Signs.
(1)
On any lot that contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential
buildings and/or on any lot that provides more than 100 parking spaces,
on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the
surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(2)
On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted
on the first acre. For each additional acre or fraction thereof over
one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
[Ord. No. 376, 7/24/2018]
1. Location. Billboards shall be authorized only within 400 feet of
the center line of a limited-access federal highway as a conditional
use on property in any zoning district, provided that all of the following
requirements are met:
A. Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of the boundary line
of any R Residential District or within 500 feet of any public or
private school, place of worship or cemetery, said 500 feet being
measured along the radius of a circle from the centermost point of
the billboard structure extending in all directions.
B. Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of an interchange
or safety rest area, measured along the interstate or limited access
highway from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the
exit from or entrance to the main traveled way.
C. Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing
or proposed billboard structure of 1,000 feet. Required spacing shall
be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the
centermost point of the billboard structure along a line extending
from the centermost point of the billboard that is parallel to the
centerline of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.
D. No part of the billboard shall be located closer than 15 feet to
the limited access federal highway right-of-way.
E. Except along the limited access federal highway right-of-way, the
minimum front, side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal
structure as set forth within the zoning district in which the billboard
is to be located shall apply to all parts of each billboard structure.
F. No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view
from the road or street of any existing business identification sign
or residential or nonresidential structure or limit or reduce the
light and ventilation requirements.
G. No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle
of the public street or road on which it is situated, as defined by
§ 27-1403D of this chapter, and it shall not in any case
obstruct or impede traffic safety.
H. No billboard shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
I. Billboards shall not be part of a roof or wall, nor shall they be
mounted on the roof, wall or other part of a building or any other
structure.
2. Size and Height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross
surface area of 750 square feet per sign face. This gross surface
area shall be permitted, provided that all of the following additional
requirements are met:
A. A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard
structure, which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration
having an interior angle of 90° or less.
B. Neither dimension of the billboard's sign face shall exceed 24 feet
in total height or 48 feet in total length, provided that the total
allowable gross surface area for the sign face is not exceeded.
C. A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the curb
of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 40 feet.
3. Construction Methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance
with applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code, as now
or hereafter amended, and shall meet all of the following additional
requirements:
A. A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support
being a maximum of three feet in diameter or width and without additional
racing or vertical supports.
B. A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical
supports of metal which are galvanized or constructed of approved
corrosive-resistant, noncombustible materials. Structures constructed
with galvanized metal shall be painted.
C. The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire
sign face to be able to withstand a minimum 100 miles per hour wind
load. Structural design computations shall be made and certified by
a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the Township with
the application for conditional use.
D. The base shall be installed using a foundation and footings approved
by the Township Engineer for the type of construction proposed.
E. The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign face
shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes
of minimum height of three feet, placed in such manner as to screen
the foundation of the structure.
F. Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive
and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.
G. No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.
H. All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.
I. A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it
does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum
of 1.0 footcandle upon the adjoining property.
J. Display lighting shall not operate between 12:00 midnight and 5:00
a.m., prevailing local time.
K. No billboard structure, sign face or display lighting shall flash
or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions, confusion,
nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.
4. Maintenance.
A. A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every three years,
unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.
B. Every 10 years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural
inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered
engineer and shall provide to the Township a written report and certification
from that engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
C. Annual visual inspections of the billboard may be conducted by the
Township to determine continuing compliance with this chapter. Upon
such inspection, the owner shall pay an annual inspection fee, as
established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
D. Billboards found to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days upon proper notification by the Township issued in accordance with §
27-1901, Subsection
2, of this chapter.
E. Billboards using removable paper or other materials shall be maintained
in such condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material protruding
or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste materials
shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any
sign face is changed.
5. Liability Insurance. The applicant for a sign permit to erect a billboard
shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and
property damage, that holds the Township harmless, in an amount no
less than $500,000 or as may be adjusted from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Supervisors. The insurance certificate shall contain
a clause stating that the insurance shall not be canceled or reduced
without first giving 10 days' notice to the Township.
6. Permits.
A. Prior to submission of an application for a sign permit, the applicant
for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application approvals
from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when
applicable.
B. Approval of the conditional use shall be valid for six months from
the date of action by the Board of Supervisors granting the conditional
use. If the applicant fails to obtain a sign permit for the approved
billboard within the six-month period, approval of the conditional
use shall expire automatically, without written notice to the applicant.
C. The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard that has been granted
approval of a conditional use shall be conditioned upon the approval
of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for billboards
along state highways. If the applicant fails to submit evidence of
the required approval by PennDOT within 30 days of the issuance of
the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the
Township Zoning Officer, who shall provide written notice to the applicant.
D. The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit, upon submission
of evidence of PennDOT approval, without payment of any additional
sign permit fee, provided that the application is filed within the
six-month period during which the conditional use approval is valid.
7. Application Fees. Said application shall be accompanied by an application
fee in an amount equal to that set from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Supervisors.
8. Nonconforming Billboards.
A. Any billboard that does not conform to the requirements of this section
shall not be enlarged or moved unless the billboard complies with
all provisions of this section.
B. Any billboard that is damaged or destroyed by more than 51% of its replacement value at the time of damage or destruction shall be reconstructed only in compliance with all provisions of this §
27-1606.
9. Illumination. See § 27-1602H.