A.
Purposes. This article is intended to promote and maintain overall
community aesthetic quality; establish reasonable time, place and
manner of regulations for the exercise of free speech, without regulating
content; promote traffic safety by avoiding distractions and sight
distance obstructions; protect property values and ensure compatibility
with the character of neighboring existing and planned land uses;
and assist in carrying out the goals of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Advertising
Act, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.
B.
Permit required. A zoning permit shall be required for all signs except for a) signs meeting the requirements of § 440-66; and b) nonilluminated window signs constructed of paper, cardboard or similar materials and that are not of a permanent nature. Only types, sizes and heights of signs that are specifically permitted by this chapter within the applicable district shall be allowed.
C.
Changes on signs. Any lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming
signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in message without a
new permit under this chapter, provided that the changes do not increase
the sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or an increased
nonconformity with this chapter.
A.
Signs legally existing at the time of enactment of this chapter and
which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be
considered nonconforming signs. Any nonconforming sign which is removed,
destroyed or damaged to an extent of 25% or more shall be replaced
only with a conforming sign, except as below.
B.
An existing nonconforming sign may only be replaced with a conforming
sign, except a lawful nonconforming sign may be replaced with a new
sign if the new sign is not more nonconforming in any manner than
the previous sign.
A.
The following
signs shall be permitted by right within all zoning districts within
the following regulations and shall not be required to have a permit
under this article:
|
Type and Definition of Signs Not Requiring Permits
|
Maximum Number of Signs Per Lot
|
Maximum Sign Area Per Sign* on Residential Lots
(square feet)
|
Maximum Sign Area Per Sign* on Lots Other Than Residential Lots
(square feet)
|
Other Requirements
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Agricultural products sign: advertises the sale of agricultural
or livestock products clearly primarily produced or raised on the
premises of a principal agricultural use, or the seasonal sale of
Christmas trees
|
2
|
8
|
15
|
Shall only be posted during seasons when such products are actively
offered for sale.
|
|
Charitable event sign: advertises a special event held a maximum
of 9 days in any calendar year that primarily is held to benefit a
U.S. Internal Revenue Service certified tax-exempt nonprofit organization
|
2
|
4
|
15 for each of 2, or 32 if only a single sign is used
|
Shall be placed a maximum of 30 days prior to event and removed
a maximum of 7 days after event.
|
|
Contractor's sign: advertises a building tradesperson, engineer
or architect who is actively conducting significant work on a particular
lot that is not such person's place of business
|
2**
|
8
|
20**
|
Shall only be permitted while such work is actively and clearly
underway and a maximum of 10 days afterward. Such signs shall not
be placed on the lot for more than 1 year, unless a 1 year extension
is granted by the Zoning Officer. Shall not be illuminated.
|
|
Directional sign: provides information indicating traffic direction,
entry or exit, loading or service area, directions to apartment numbers
or parking courts in a development, fire lanes, parking or closely
similar information regarding the same lot as the sign is on, and
that does not include advertising
|
No maximum
|
3, other than signs painted on pavement
|
3, other than signs painted on pavement
|
Directional signs within a residential development shall not
be illuminated.
|
|
Flag: a banner or pennant made of fabric or fabric-like polymers
that is hung in such a way to flow in the wind and that includes some
type of commercial message
|
2
|
50
|
50
|
In addition, flags of any nation or level of government are
not regulated by this chapter.
|
|
Garage sale sign: advertises an occasional garage sale/porch
sale or auction
|
2 per event
|
2 per sign
|
2 per sign
|
Shall be placed a maximum of 48 hours before permitted garage
sale or auction begins, and be removed maximum of 24 hours after event
ends.
|
|
Home occupation sign: advertises a permitted home occupation
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
Shall not be illuminated, except for a sign of a medical doctor.
Shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the street right-of-way,
unless printed on a mailbox. May be freestanding, attached flat on
a building wall or within a window.
|
|
Identification sign: only identifies the name and/or occupation
of the resident and/or the name, street address and/or use of a lot,
but that does not include advertising
|
1
|
1, except 2 for a principal nonresidential use
|
6
|
Maximum height of 8 feet.
|
|
Open house sign: advertises the temporary and periodic open
house of a property for sale or rent
|
2 per event
|
4
|
4
|
Shall be placed maximum of 5 days before open house begins,
and be removed maximum of 24 hours after open house ends. Such sign
shall not be posted more than 5 consecutive days.
|
|
Political sign: advertises a person or party seeking political
office or a political cause or opinion on a referendum or matter of
political concern and which relates to a scheduled election or matter
of upcoming vote by a governmental body***
|
1 per candidate (which may have 2 sides)
|
6
|
6
|
Shall not be placed a maximum of 45 days prior to election,
vote or referendum and removed a maximum of 7 days after such election,
vote or referendum. Persons posting political signs shall maintain
a written list of locations of such signs, unless posting signs on
their own property. Political signs shall not be placed on private
property without the prior consent of the owner. If a political sign
does not meet these requirements, then it shall be regulated as an
off-premises sign.
|
|
Proposed (temporary) development sign: announces a proposed subdivision or land development for which a sketch, preliminary or final plan has been submitted to the Township, and which would involve a minimum of 10 dwelling units or a nonresidential principal building. If the applicant has not yet submitted for land development or subdivision approval, the sign must be regulated as permanent development sign. Off-premises directional signs stating the name of the new subdivision development directing persons to such location are to be regulated as a public service sign. For permanent development signs, see § 440-76.
|
1
|
32
|
32
|
Shall only be placed after the submission of a sketch, preliminary
or final subdivision or land development plan to the Township, and
shall be removed when any of the following occur: 1) if such plan
is rejected or withdrawn, 2) for a residential development, when all
of the approved units are sold or 3) for a nonresidential development,
when a permanent sign is placed.
|
|
Public services sign: advertises the availability of restrooms,
telephone or other similar public convenience
|
No maximum
|
2
|
2
| |
|
Real estate sign: advertises the availability of property on
which the sign is located for sale, rent or lease
|
1 per street the lot abuts
|
6
|
32
|
Shall only be placed on the property while it is actively for
sale, lease or rent, and shall be removed a maximum of 7 days after
settlement or start of lease.
|
|
Service organization/place of worship sign: an off-premises
sign stating name of a recognized incorporated service organization
or place of worship and that states the place and times of meetings
or services and/or an arrow directing persons to such location
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
Maximum of 2 such signs per such organization or place of worship.
|
|
Time and temperature sign: with a sole purpose to announce the
current time and temperature and any nonprofit public service messages.
|
1
|
Not permitted
|
40
|
If the sign is malfunctioning, it shall be turned off within
7 days.
|
|
Trespassing sign: indicating that a road is private, that trespassing
is prohibited on a lot, or controlling certain activities such as
hunting and fishing on the lot.
|
No maximum
|
1
|
4
|
|
NOTES:
| |
|---|---|
|
*
|
Maximum sign areas are for each of two sides of each permitted
sign, measured in square feet.
|
|
**
|
**Except 5 signs with a maximum sign area of 50 square feet
for a project with a total construction cost greater than $3 million.
|
|
***
|
This section shall also apply to nonmunicipal elections such
as union or association elections.
|
B.
In addition,
the following types of signs are not regulated by this chapter:
(1)
Historic
sign: memorializes an important historic place, event or person and
that is specifically authorized by the Township or a county, state
or federal agency.
(2)
Holiday
decorations: commemorates a holiday recognized by the Township, county,
state or federal government and that does not include advertising.
(3)
Not
visible sign: not visible from any public street or any exterior lot
line.
(4)
Official
sign: erected by the state, county, Township or other legally constituted
governmental body, or specifically authorized by Township ordinance
or resolution, and which exists for public purposes.
(5)
Physically
carried sign: physically carried by a person.
(6)
Required
sign: only includes information required to be posted outdoors by
a government agency or the Township.
(7)
Right-of-way
sign: posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and
officially authorized by the Township or PennDOT.
(8)
Very
small sign: has an area of less than one square feet and cannot be
read by a person of normal eyesight from a public street or exterior
lot line.
A.
The following are the signs permitted on a lot within the specified districts and within the following regulations, in addition to exempt signs and temporary signs permitted in all districts by other provisions of this article. See definitions of the types of signs in § 440-74.
|
Zoning District or Type of Use
|
Maximum Height of Freestanding Signs
(feet)
|
Maximum Area of Wall Signs
(% per square feet)
|
Maximum Area of Window Signs
(% per square feet)
|
Maximum Area and Number of Freestanding Signs
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
All residential districts for permitted principal nonresidential
uses
|
8 feet
|
A maximum of 10% of the building face or 20 square feet, whichever
is smaller. 1 sign is permitted on each side of the building facing
a street.
|
May be used in place of a wall sign with the same restrictions
|
1 sign on each street the lot abuts, each with a maximum sign
area of 20 square feet
|
|
For home occupation signs, see § 440-66. No signs shall be internally illuminated.
| ||||
|
In the VC District
|
12 feet
|
10% of the area of the building face; permitted on each side
of the building facing a street
|
10% of the area of the building face on which the signs are
attached. Plus may be used in place of permitted wall sign area
|
1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area
of 30 square feet
|
|
In the C or PC District, other than a shopping center
|
20 feet
|
15% of the area of the building face; permitted on each side
of the building facing a street
|
10% of the area of the building face on which the signs are
attached. Plus may be used in place of permitted wall sign area
|
1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area
of 50 square feet
|
|
In the C or PC District for a shopping center
|
20 feet
|
20% of the area of the building face; permitted on each side
of the building facing a street or directly facing other principal
business uses
|
15% of the area of the building face on which the signs are
attached. Plus may be used in place of permitted wall sign area
|
A maximum of 2 signs per street that the lot abuts. 1 such sign
shall have a maximum sign area of 100 square feet, and the other sign
shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet
|
|
In a LI/B or ME/I District. See also provisions for directional signs in § 440-76.
|
12 feet
|
15% of the area of the building face; permitted on each side
of the building facing a street or directly facing other principal
business uses
|
10% of the area of the building face on which the signs are
attached. Plus may be used in place of permitted wall sign area
|
1 sign for each street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum
sign area of 50 square feet
|
|
NOTE:
|
|---|
|
If the permitted freestanding sign area is not used, such sign
area may be added to the permitted wall sign area.
|
B.
Maximum height of wall signs. The maximum height of wall signs shall
be equal to a maximum of five feet above the top of the roof along
the wall to which they are attached.
C.
Portable signs (including signs on mobile stands) and other temporary
signs.
(1)
Purpose. These standards recognize signs portable signs as a particular
type of sign that has the characteristics of a temporary sign but
that has been inappropriately used as a permanent sign. This section
is based on the policy that if a use desires to regularly display
a sign for regularly changing messages, that it erect a permanent
sign within all of the requirements of this chapter. The portable
or temporary sign shall be outside of the existing right-of-way, a
minimum of 10 feet from the cartway.
(3)
Portable and temporary signs are prohibited in all districts, except:
(a)
The Zoning Officer may grant a temporary permit for up to 90
days for a portable sign (or temporary sign) with a maximum sign area
of 40 square feet on each of two sides for a new principal business
use that has ordered a new permitted permanent freestanding sign which
has not yet been able to be installed.
(b)
The Zoning Officer has the authority to remove any and all temporary
signs that may impede or distract drivers along Township and state
roads.
(c)
The Zoning Officer may remove signs from utility poles when
placed by anyone other than an authorized utility.
D.
Drive-through menu boards. A maximum of two signs, commonly referred
to as a "menu board," listing goods available at drive-through windows
may be placed at a location along access to such windows, in addition
to all other permitted signs. Such signs shall each have a maximum
size of 48 square feet, shall have only one side and shall not include
lettering readable from beyond the boundaries of the lot or lease
area.
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than a
sign relating to a building that is clearly temporarily vacant and
being offered to new tenants or for purchase) shall be removed within
180 days of the cessation of such use.
The following shall regulate the location of signs:
A.
Setbacks. A sign, except official signs, nameplate signs, public
service signs and directional signs, shall:
(1)
Not be erected within five feet of or project over any existing or
future street right-of-way;
(2)
For a sign for a commercial or industrial business, shall not be located within 25 feet of any residential lot line (as defined in Article II);
(3)
For any other lot line, not erected within five feet of the lot line,
except if two lots are specifically permitted to share a sign.
B.
Sight distance. No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with the sight distance requirements of § 440-79 or safe sight distances for vehicles within a lot.
C.
Off-premises. No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political
or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it
does not relate.
D.
Permission of owner. No sign shall be posted on any property or sign
pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by
the owner.
See § 440-54, Light, glare and heat control.
Any vehicle or structure to which a sign is affixed in such
a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental
to the primary purpose of the vehicle or structure but becomes a primary
purpose in itself shall be considered a freestanding sign and as such
shall be subject to requirements for freestanding signs in the district
in which such vehicle or structure is located.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use. Flags and banners except as is permitted by § 440-66 and except for flags or banners meeting the requirements for a particular type of sign.
B.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except time and temperature signs may flash. In addition, flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays, within § 440-66.
C.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
D.
Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot
may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions
of this chapter.
E.
Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they
imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or
that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract
the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent
use of the words "danger" or "stop").
F.
Signs that use reflective materials to give the appearance of flashing,
blinking or twinkling.
G.
Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images
that are obscene, pornographic or that an average reasonable person
would find highly offensive to public decency.
H.
Balloons of greater than 25 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground
or a structure for periods of over a day and that are primarily intended
for advertising purposes.
J.
Signs attached to utility poles, except by an authorized utility.
Every permanent sign permitted in this section shall be constructed
of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair.
The Zoning Officer shall by written notice require a property owner
or lessee to repair or remove a dilapidated or unsafe sign within
a specified period of time. If such order is not complied with, the
Township may repair or remove such sign at the expense of such owner
or lessee.
A.
BUILDING FACE
FREESTANDING SIGN
HEIGHT OF SIGN
ILLUMINATED SIGN, EXTERNALLY
ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLY
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
PORTABLE SIGN
SIGN
TEMPORARY SIGN
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Sign definitions. The following definitions shall be used in determining
whether signs meet the measurement and type requirements of this article:
The vertical area of a particular side of a building, but
not including the area of any slanted roof.
A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which
is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily
supported by a building.
The vertical distance measured from the average ground level
surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting
structure. Religious symbols, when not accompanied by lettering, shall
not be restricted by the sign heights of this article when attached
to a tower or spire of a place of worship.
A sign illuminated by light outside of the sign instead of
within the sign.
A sign illuminated by light from within the sign rather than
a source adjacent to or outside of the sign. A sign within a display
case with lights only shining onto the front of the sign shall be
considered to be "externally" illuminated.
See Article II.
A freestanding sign that is attached to a chassis or legs
that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another
and that is not permanently attached to the ground.
See Article II.
Any type of sign advertising a type of off-site or on-site
business and/or is displayed in such a fashion that the sign is not
in the ground without a permanent foundation. This definition shall
not apply to political or off-premises directional signs to identify
the location of subdivisions.
A sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building
and which does not project more than two feet from such wall.
A sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially
read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or
transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent
door.
B.
Measurement of sign area.
(1)
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs
and symbols, together with related background areas on which they
are displayed. One freestanding sign may include several signs that
are all attached to one structure, with the total sign area being
the area of a common geometric form that could encompass all signs.
(2)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting framework,
bracing, or clearly defined wooden framing if such area does not include
any display, lettering or sign and if such area is clearly incidental
to the sign area itself.
(3)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated
background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the
smallest rectangle that includes all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two sides, the
permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign area of only
one side (the larger of any two if they differ). If the interior angle
formed at the inside of the two sides of a two-sided sign is greater
than 60°, then the total area of both sides shall not be greater
than the permitted total sign area. No sign shall have more than two
sides or faces.
(5)
Unless otherwise specified, all square footage in regards to signs
are maximum sizes.
A.
Purposes. Off-premises signs are controlled by this chapter for the following purposes, to ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is attractive to desirable types of development, especially light industrial and office parks; prevent visual pollution in the Township and protect property values, especially in consideration of the fact that most commercial areas of the Township are within close proximity to existing residences; prevent glare on adjacent property and streets; protect the open space and natural character of areas of the Township planned to remain agricultural or as conservation areas; avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists, especially along the high-speed expressways and along busy arterial streets that involve complex turning movements, congestion and numerous traffic hazards; recognize the numerous alternative forms of free speech available in the Township, including existing nonconforming off-premises signs, on-premises signs and temporary signs and printed and electronic media; recognize that this chapter allows every landowner a reasonable use for their land; avoid off-premises signs that would have an unfair advantage over on-premises signs in the competition for attention, because off-premises signs typically are higher and larger than on-premises signs; carry out the purposes listed in § 440-64.
B.
Nonconforming off-premises signs. This section is not intended to
require the removal of an existing lawfully placed off-premises sign
that is in structurally sound condition.
C.
Commercial and noncommercial. This section applies to both commercial
and noncommercial off-premises signs, except as may be specifically
provided for elsewhere in this chapter.
D.
PennDOT sign. Signs erected and maintained by PennDOT are permitted
by right in all districts.
E.
Permitted off-premises signs. Based directly on the intent statements
within this chapter, off-premises signs are only permitted if they
meet the following requirements:
(1)
District. An off-premises sign is only permitted in the LI/B District.
(2)
Location. An off-premises sign is only permitted if the sign is within
300 feet of the existing right-of-way of an expressway and if all
portions of the sign are a minimum of 10 feet from all of the following:
any lot line or any existing or future street right-of-way.
(3)
Maximum sign area: 300 square feet.
(4)
Spacing. Any off-premises sign shall be separated by a minimum of
1,200 feet from any other off-premises sign, including signs on either
side of a street and including existing signs in other municipalities.
No lot shall include more than one off-premises sign.
(5)
Maximum height. Thirty-five feet above the elevation of the adjacent
street, measured at the street center line.
(6)
Attached. No off-premises sign or sign face shall be attached in
any way to any other off-premises sign, except that a sign may have
two sign faces of 300 square feet each if they are placed approximately
back-to-back.
(8)
Residences. No off-premises sign shall be located within 600 feet
of an existing dwelling or 300 feet of any residential lot line, unless
separated by an expressway.
The following types of permanent signs are permitted by right
in all districts, provided that they meet the following requirements.
A.
When allowed. Signs and any supporting structure (as described in
this section) are allowed for developments that have been approved
to involve either 1) a total of 15 or more dwelling units, or 2) a
total of five or more office, commercial, industrial or institutional
principal establishments on a minimum total of three acres of land.
B.
Size and number. Signs described in this section may have a maximum
sign area of 32 square feet and a maximum total height of eight feet.
For a business development, one of these signs and/or structures may
be located at each of two major entrances to the development from
exterior public streets. This sign area may be an addition to other
sign area limits of this chapter. The signs may be attached to a brick
or wooden structure with a maximum height of eight feet and maximum
length o f 20 feet.
C.
Durability. Such signs shall be designed to be of a durable construction
requiring little maintenance.
D.
Message. Such signs may only include the name of the development
and any logo. A phone number may be included during sale or rental
of the development. Such signs shall not include any advertising.
E.
Landscaping. Such signs shall be attractively landscaped, with plants
and shrubs requiring minimal maintenance.
F.
Location. Such signs and structures shall be located outside of the existing and future street rights-of-way lines and shall satisfy the sight distance requirements of § 440-79.
G.
Maintenance. If such signs are intended to remain beyond the completion
of a developer's involvement in a project, the developer shall provide
an appropriate method to ensure proper maintenance of the sign.
H.
Illumination. Such signs may not be illuminated.
I.
Directional signs within a major business development.
(1)
When allowed. A directional business sign is allowed at each intersection
of two or more streets within an office, commercial or industrial
development that involves a total of 20 or more acres.
(2)
Size. Each sign may have a total square footage of 80 square feet.
The sign shall be an orderly single structure and may include on it
the names and logos of all the businesses located in the development,
along with directional arrows and a map.
(3)
Purpose. The signs allowed by this subsection are to direct visitors
to businesses. These signs are not intended for routine advertising
purposes.
(4)
Illumination. Such signs may be externally but not internally.
J.
Off-premises signs to major business developments. As a special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board may allow a single sign permitted by this § 440-76 to be placed off-premises. Such sign shall be limited to direct vehicles to business developments and shall meet all requirements of this § 440-76, except the maximum sign area shall be 10 square feet on each of two sides.
