The purpose of these regulations is to permit signs or advertising
structures that will not, by reason of their size, location, construction,
or manner of display, endanger the public safety of individuals, confuse,
mislead, or obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety or otherwise
endanger public health, safety, and morals; and to permit and regulate
signs in such a way as to support and complement land use objectives
set forth in this chapter. Signs may be permitted only when in compliance
with the provisions of this chapter and any and all ordinances and
regulations relating to the erection, construction, reconstruction,
enlargement, relocation, replacement, alteration or maintenance of
signs and similar devices.
A.
The area of a sign shall be construed to include the entire display
surface and background, whether open or enclosed, which encompasses
lettering, wording, designs, and symbols, but not including any supporting
framework and bracing which is incidental to the display itself. The
area shall be determined using the largest visible sign or silhouette
area. When the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or printed on a surface, the area shall be considered to be the
smallest rectangular shape or shapes which can be drawn together to
encompass all of the letters and symbols.
B.
All double face signs shall be considered as having one sign area,
except double-faced "V" signs that have interior angles greater than
45°.
All signs and/or advertising structures, where permitted under
the terms of this chapter, are subject to the following:
A.
No sign shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, replaced, altered
removed for repair, enlarged, or relocated until a permit is obtained
from the Zoning Administrator, except that no permit shall be required
by this chapter for the following signs:
(1)
Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only
property numbers, postal box numbers or names of the occupants of
the premises.
(2)
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed
in connection with commercial promotion.
(3)
Legal notices, official traffic signs, community facilities
signs, municipality identification signs, non-commercial historical
or geographical identification information, or directional signs erected
by government bodies. Such signs may be placed within the road right-of-way.
(4)
Geographical identification and greeting signs erected by civic
and service organizations provided that they do not exceed four square
feet in area and are comprised of the organization's standard emblem
or seal.
(5)
Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings,
except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.
(6)
Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property,
provided that such signs shall not exceed three square feet and such
signs shall not contain advertising copy.
(8)
Signs identifying farms, farm associations, and agricultural
products, provided that no farm or association identification signs
exceeds 10 square feet in area and no more than one sign shall be
erected per road frontage. Signs identifying agricultural products
shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(9)
Hunting, fishing, and trespassing signs and signs indicating
private ownership of roadways or property, provided that such signs
do not exceed two square feet in area and when erected along street
frontage the signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 100
feet.
(10)
Signs up to four square feet in area which are necessary for
the identification, protection, and operation of public utility facilities.
B.
Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. The Zoning Administrator shall require such maintenance, and in the event the sign owner fails to comply with said requirements, the Zoning Administrator shall proceed against him as provided in § 250-254 of this chapter. Any sign which pertains to a time, event, or purpose which no longer applies and has been abandoned, as specified in § 250-229A of this chapter, shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on which the sign is located.
C.
All signs not owned by the person, firm or organization advertising
thereon shall carry a clearly legible imprint showing the owner's
name.
D.
No sign shall be so illuminated as to have a glaring effect upon
vehicular traffic or adjacent properties. No sign shall be illuminated
so as to constitute a nuisance. No sign shall contain moving parts
or use flashing or intermittent illumination. The source of the light
shall be continuous and stationary.
E.
No sign shall be higher than 35 feet from the ground to the highest
part of the sign.
F.
No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct entrance to or exit from
a required door, window, fire escape or other required exitway.
G.
No sign shall be erected that screens traffic signals or signs or
utilizes red, green or amber lights or reflectorized material that
creates a flashing action and is so located as to render ineffective
any traffic sign or signal. Any sign which resembles an official traffic
sign or signal, by way of its appearance or content, shall be prohibited.
H.
Unless otherwise provided, no sign shall be painted, pasted, or otherwise
affixed to any tree, rock, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, sidewalk,
curb, or street.
I.
Unless otherwise provided, no portion of any sign shall be erected within or placed on an existing structure in the road right-of-way. Additionally, no portion of any sign shall be erected in the "clear sight triangle" as specified in § 250-172.
J.
Unless otherwise specified, all signs shall be on on-premises, and
no sign shall be erected until a permit has been secured from the
Zoning Administrator and approval has been received from any other
applicable state or local agencies.
K.
No sign shall contain obscene material.
L.
Along the interstate system and limited access highways on the primary
system, no two off-premises sign structures may be spaced less than
500 feet apart; and no structure may be erected adjacent to or within
500 feet of an interchange or safety rest area, measured along the
interstate or limited access primary from the beginning or ending
of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled
way.
M.
For the purposes of this chapter, portable signs, if utilized, shall
comply with the requirements for freestanding signs and shall be included
in the calculation of the maximum allowable sign area for the use.
N.
For the purposes of this chapter, canopy signs and suspended signs,
if utilized, shall comply with the requirements for projecting signs
and shall be included in the calculation of the maximum allowable
sign area for the use.
O.
Signs prohibited under this chapter. All signs not expressly permitted
under this chapter or exempt from regulation hereunder in accordance
with the previous section are prohibited in the Township. Such signs
include, but are not limited to:
The following signs are permitted in any zoning district:
A.
Temporary signs which do not require a permit:
(1)
Temporary signs of painters, mechanics, contractors, realtors,
and the like not exceeding a total of 16 square feet in area, provided
such signs are removed as soon as the work has been completed.
(2)
Temporary signs and banners of a non-commercial nature across
a public right-of-way are permitted provided a) permission is obtained
from the Township Supervisors, b) they are erected in a location which
will not cause a traffic hazard, c) they meet safety standards and
are maintained, and d) they are removed when their temporary use is
completed.
(3)
Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive, or event of civic,
philanthropic, educational or religious organization. Such signs shall
not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed within 48 hours
after completion of the campaign, drive or event.
(4)
Temporary signs directing patrons, members, audience or customers
to temporary exhibits, shows, events, or activities (e.g., yard sales,
fruit sales, conventions, etc.). Such signs shall not exceed 12 square
feet in area and shall be removed within 48 hours after completion
of the campaign, drive or event.
(5)
Signs erected in conjunction with a political election provided
that all signs are removed within 48 hours after the date of the election.
B.
Off-premises directional signs which require issuance of a permit:
(1)
Off-premises directional signs which are used to direct patrons,
members, audience, customers, clients to service clubs, churches,
commercial, industrial, institutional or other organizations may be
erected subject to the following requirements:
(a)
A sign shall indicate only the name of the organization and
the direction to the facility.
(b)
Except at intersections, no sign shall be placed within 200
feet of another sign associated with the same principal use.
(c)
All signs shall be placed within two miles of the use and no
more than six signs for each principal use may be erected within the
borders of the municipality.
(d)
All signs shall consist of dark lettering on a light background,
excluding standard issue signs. The signs shall not exceed three square
feet in area, and no moving parts, flashing lights, or any type of
illumination shall be permitted.
(e)
At intersections of public streets, no more than one sign post accommodating all directional signs may be erected per corner. Said posts shall not exceed six inches in width and shall not be less than three feet nor greater than eight feet in height above ground. No more than one sign per principal use may be attached to any sign post and no portion of any sign shall be erected within the "clear sight triangle" as specified in § 250-172 of this chapter.
(f)
Application for off-premises directional sign permits shall
include a map indicating location of placement requests and the landowner's
written approval, name to be placed on sign, and distances from the
facility to each sign.
C.
One name plate for a home occupation, provided that the sign does
not exceed four square feet in size and identifies only the name of
the occupant and title of the occupation. If lighted, the sign shall
be illuminated without objectionable glare. No displays or change
in facade shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being
used for any purpose other than that of a dwelling.
D.
One institutional sign and/or one bulletin board, for places of worship,
schools, hospitals, libraries, museums, social clubs, and similar
uses, provided each sign or bulletin board does not exceed 16 square
feet in area and is located no closer to a road right-of-way than
1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or 25 feet whichever is less.
If lighted, it shall be illuminated without objectionable glare. Additionally,
if such property fronts on more than one street, each street frontage
may contain the above mentioned signs.
E.
Subdivision signs.
(1)
Temporary. A sign advertising lots for sale, giving prices,
dimensions, services, etc., and which shall be removed within 30 days
of the sale date of the last lot.
(2)
Permanent. A sign containing only the name of the development
or subdivision and designed to be permanently affixed to the land.
The following types of on-premises signs may be permitted in
agricultural districts unless otherwise prohibited:
A.
Signs for the advertisement of permitted agricultural businesses
as follows:
(1)
For each property involved in a permitted agri-business, one
sign may be erected, provided no sign or portion thereof shall be
located closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the
existing front yard or 25 feet, whichever is less.
B.
Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial, industrial or institutional
uses as follows:
(1)
For each property involved in a permitted or nonconforming commercial,
industrial or institutional use, a total sign area of 30 square feet
shall be permitted. No sign or portion thereof shall be located no
closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the existing
front yard or 15 feet, whichever is less.
The following types of on-premises signs may be permitted in
residential districts unless otherwise prohibited:
A.
Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial, industrial, institutional
or and agricultural uses as follows:
(1)
For each property involved in a permitted or nonconforming commercial,
industrial, institutional or and agricultural use, a total sign area
of 30 square feet shall be permitted. No sign or portion thereof shall
be located no closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of
the existing front yard or 15 feet, whichever is less.
The following types of on-premises signs may be permitted in
the Village District unless otherwise prohibited:
B.
Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial and other nonresidential
uses as follows:
(1)
For each property involved in a commercial use, a total sign
area of 30 square feet shall be permitted. No sign or portion thereof
shall be located no closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth
of the existing front yard or 15 feet, whichever is less.
(2)
For all permitted and nonconforming commercial and other nonresidential
uses in the Village District, a sign or signs may be erected in accordance
with one of the following:
(a)
One freestanding sign up to 10 square feet, plus one of the
following:
[1]
One wall sign mounted flush on a wall up to eight square feet;
or
[2]
One wall sign (when part of the architectural design of the
building) consisting of individual letters or symbols not to exceed
15% of the wall area; or
[3]
One window sign consisting of individual letter or symbols not
to exceed 30% of the total glass area of the building front; or
(b)
One projecting sign projecting not more than five feet from
the wall up to 10 square feet in size, plus one of the following:
[1]
One wall sign mounted flush on a wall up to eight square feet;
or
[2]
One wall sign (when part of the architectural design of the
building) consisting of individual letters or symbols not to exceed
15% of the wall area; or
[3]
One window sign consisting of individual letter or symbols not
to exceed 30% of the total glass area of the building front.
C.
Temporary signs. Exterior temporary signs, including moveable signs
such as those advertising a commercial sale, when located on the site
where such use is conducted, may be permitted for a period not to
exceed 30 days in any one calendar year for any one premises or commercial
use.
(1)
The size of such sign may not exceed 12 square feet per side.
Unless otherwise specified, only on-premises signs may be permitted,
provided the maximum signs area shall not exceed 250 square feet per
street frontage. All wall, projecting, marquee, roof or freestanding
signs must be erected in compliance with the following standards:
B.
Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial, office, institutional,
and industrial uses as follows:
(1)
One wall sign for each road frontage provided it is attached
to the wall of the principal building and projects horizontally not
more than 12 inches therefrom and occupies not more than 15% of the
total area of the front of the principal building. It shall not project
more than three feet above the roof line or parapet wall.
(2)
One projecting, marquee or roof sign for each road frontage
provided it shall not project beyond a vertical plane two feet inside
the road right-of-way line and does not exceed 20 square feet in area.
Said signs shall not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(3)
One freestanding sign for each road frontage, provided it does
not exceed 60 square feet in area. It shall not extend beyond a vertical
plane two feet inside the lot from the road right-of-way line and
shall not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(4)
General shopping district identification signs, provided they
are separate and not attached to any building. Maximum of two such
signs for any one general shopping district. The height of signs shall
be a maximum of 35 feet measured from the ground, and the maximum
size of the sign portion itself shall not exceed 100 square feet.
C.
Except as further restricted in § 250-218L, off-premises bill boards and advertising sign boards may be erected and maintained, provided the total display area of all such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet for each 10 feet of road frontage, and the total display area of any sign shall not exceed 100 square feet in area. Said signs shall not be placed less than 100 feet apart or within 100 feet of existing billboards or advertising sign boards. No sign or portion thereof shall be located closer than 25 feet to the road right-of-way and shall not exceed 35 feet in height.
Unless otherwise specified, only on-premises signs may be permitted,
provided the maximum signs area shall not exceed 50 square feet per
street frontage. All wall, projecting, marquee, roof or freestanding
signs must be erected in compliance with the following standards:
B.
Signs for permitted or nonconforming commercial, office, institutional,
and industrial uses as follows:
(1)
Two wall signs for each road frontage provided they are attached
to the front, sides, or rear walls of the principal building and project
horizontally not more that 12 inches therefrom and occupy not more
than 15% of the total area of the front, sides, and rear of the principal
building. They shall not project more than three feet above the roof
line or parapet wall.
(2)
One projecting, marquee or roof sign for each road frontage
provided it shall not project beyond a vertical plane two feet inside
the road right-of-way line and does not exceed 16 square feet in area.
Said signs shall not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(3)
One freestanding sign for each road frontage, provided it does
not exceed 60 square feet in area. It shall not extend beyond a vertical
plane two feet inside the lot from the road right-of-way line and
shall not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(4)
General shopping district identification signs, provided they
are separate and not attached to any building. Maximum of two such
signs for any one general shopping district. The height of signs shall
be a maximum of 35 feet measured from the ground, and the maximum
size of the sign portion itself shall not exceed 100 square feet.
C.
Except as further restricted in § 250-218L, off-premises bill boards and advertising sign boards may be erected and maintained, provided the total display area of all such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet for each 10 feet of road frontage, and the total display area of any sign shall not exceed 100 square feet in area. Said signs shall not be placed less than 100 feet apart or within 100 feet of existing billboards or advertising sign boards. No sign or portion thereof shall be located closer than 25 feet to the road right-of-way and shall not exceed 35 feet in height.
Electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader
boards/message centers may be erected and maintained in the GC- General
Commercial zoning district; the TDA - Tourism Development Area zoning
district; and as accessory uses to institutional uses in any zoning
district, provided that:
A.
No electrically activated changeable sign or electronic reader board/message
center shall be placed in such a position, or have such a source of
illumination, that it will cause any danger to pedestrians or vehicular
traffic.
B.
Except as noted below, electrically activated changeable signs and
electronic reader boards/message centers may not contain any flashing,
pulsing, scrolling or moving lights, text or graphics, or any full-motion
video.
C.
When approved as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board,
electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader boards/message
centers, may also contain electrically activated, patterned illusionary
movement (animation) as defined in this chapter. As part of its approval,
the Zoning Hearing Board may attach whatever conditions it deems necessary
a) to maintain the character of the neighborhood in which the sign
is located and b) to mitigate any negative impacts on neighboring
properties and/or uses.
D.
Change interval. Electrically activated changeable signs and electronic
reader boards/message centers must provide a minimum change interval
of at least five seconds. A "change interval" is defined as the time
period in which the display of an electronic sign must remain static
and during which the display may not transition to display another
image.
E.
Transition interval. Electrically activated changeable signs and
electronic reader boards/message centers must provide a maximum transition
interval of one second. The "transition interval" is defined as the
time period in which the display of an electronic sign transitions
to another display.
F.
On-premises electrically activated changeable signs and electronic
reader boards/message centers shall not be illuminated more than one-half
hour before the time at which the premises is open to the public or
more than one-half hour after the time at which the premises is closed
to the public, or 11:00 p.m., whichever is later, unless a special
exception to allow longer hours is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.
G.
The changeable portion of an electrically activated changeable sign
or electronic reader board/message center shall not exceed an area
of 32 square feet, unless a special exception to allow a larger area
is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.
H.
The display may only be used to advertise goods and services sold
on-premises, time and temperature, and public service announcements.
I.
No electrically activated changeable sign or electronic reader board/message
center shall be permitted on any residential land use.
J.
Any premises with an electrically activated changeable sign or electronic
reader board/message center shall not be permitted to have any other
freestanding sign on the property.
K.
Video is prohibited.
Any sign erected, constructed, replaced altered, enlarged, or
relocated before the effective date of this chapter, that would not
otherwise be permitted under the terms of this chapter, may remain
and continue to be used, maintained and repaired provided:
A.
A nonconforming sign shall not be replaced, altered, relocated, or
reconstructed except to bring the sign into total compliance with
the provisions of this chapter.
B.
A nonconforming sign may be used, maintained and repaired subject
to the following requirements:
(1)
Maintenance and repair of a nonconforming sign is permitted
when said activities are necessary to maintain the sign in a presentable,
functional condition. Maintenance and repair activities shall not
include alterations, relocation or reconstruction but may include:
replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and
other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. Prior to the
removal of a nonconforming sign for maintenance, repair or message
change, a permit shall be secured from the Zoning Administrator. Said
permit shall allow the applicant to re-erect the repaired or remessaged
nonconforming sign within 30 days of issuance. If the nonconforming
sign is not erected within the specified time, it shall lose its nonconforming
status and any successive sign shall conform with all applicable chapter
requirements.
(2)
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the change in advertising, identifying, or directional message of a nonconforming sign so long as the change does not involve any alterations, relocation or reconstruction of the nonconforming sign. Message changes of a nonconforming sign that are a result of a transfer in ownership of the premises on which the principal use is located, excluding contract advertising signs, shall be prohibited and any successive sign shall conform to the chapter requirements. If the message change requires removal of the sign, a permit shall be secured as in the above Subsection B(1).
(3)
A nonconforming sign, which has been damaged or destroyed by
fire, explosion, accident, or calamity, to an extent which is greater
than 50% of the sign or sign value, may not be repaired except in
compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A nonconforming sign
which has sustained less than 50% damage of the sign or sign value
may be repaired provided:
(a)
The repaired sign is virtually unchanged, except for building
materials and message, or is less nonconforming than the original
sign; and
(b)
Repair is completed within 60 days from the date of damage.
Failure to repair within 60 days shall result in the loss of nonconforming
sign rights and any successive sign shall conform with all applicable
chapter requirements.
(4)
When a nonconforming sign has been demolished or destroyed by
deterioration or removal, or has been moved from its location for
reasons other than for an approved repair, maintenance or a change
in message, said sign shall not be reconstructed or replaced except
in complete conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
C.
A nonconforming sign which pertains to a time, event, purpose or
use which no longer applies, has been abandoned or changed, shall
be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on
which the sign is located.
D.
Proposed signs that are associated with a nonconforming use shall
conform to the regulations of the district in which the sign is located.
