The following regulations and restrictions shall apply to all
signs created in all zoning districts of this Township, with all signs
requiring a building permit or zoning permit as the same is applicable
herein.
A. Permitting of signs.
(1)
When required. If a sign requiring a building permit or zoning
permit approval under the provisions of this chapter is to be placed,
constructed, erected altered or modified on a lot or site, the owner
of the lot shall secure a permit prior to the construction, placement,
erection or modification of such a sign and a zoning approval for
occupancy/use after completion of such sign in accordance with the
requirements of this chapter.
(2)
No zoning approval shall be issued for any business identification
sign requiring a zoning approval unless and until a master signage
plan for the lot or site, on which the signs will be erected has been
submitted to the Zoning Officer and approved by the Zoning Officer
as conforming with this chapter. A master signage plan will be submitted
which contains the following:
(a)
Two copies each — a site plan of the lot or site and elevation
drawings to scale — clearly and legibly drawn at a scale of
one inch being equal to 50 feet or less, showing the location of each
existing and proposed sign on the building, lighting, material, color
scheme and lettering or graphic style, computation of the maximum
total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs, the height
of signs, and the number of freestanding signs allowed on the lot
or site.
(3)
No zoning approval of any kind shall be issued for an existing
or proposed sign unless such sign is consistent with the requirements
of this chapter in every respect and with the master signage plan
for the lot or site.
(4)
After approval of a master signage plan, no sign shall be erected,
placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with such plan
and such plan may be enforced in the same way as any provision of
this chapter.
B. Signs within public rights-of-way:
(1)
No sign shall be constructed, erected, or so located that any
portion of the sign structure projects over or is placed within the
right-of-way lines of any public highway or street except for official
traffic signs or for street or road signs as required and erected
by local, state, and/or federal governmental agencies or authorities.
(2)
Street or road signs as required and erected by local, state,
and/or federal governmental agencies or authorities are permitted
at a height of not less than seven feet above the top level of established
or proposed curb. Such signs may have a reflective surface. Signs
guiding or controlling traffic movement may be permitted at a height
to exceed seven feet above adjacent grade level and may be illuminated
if such is judged to be appropriate and necessary by the governmental
agency or authority responsible for the erection and maintenance of
said signs.
(3)
Any sign which does not comply with the provisions of this chapter
shall constitute a public nuisance in addition to being in and of
itself a violation of this chapter.
C. Sign location and construction.
(1)
All signs shall be a minimum of 10 feet from the right-of-way
or four feet inside public sidewalk and the clear sight triangle must
be maintained.
(2)
No permanent sign shall be erected, placed, or constructed in
any zoning district on a movable base, sled, trailer vehicle, or any
other portable device. Temporary signs shall be erected and maintained
in accordance with the appropriate provisions of this chapter.
D. Sign lighting.
(1)
Signs that flash, rotate, oscillate or move shall not be permitted.
Digital signs are not included in this reference.
(2)
Any sign other than official governmental traffic control signs
using the words "Stop," "Look," "Listen," "Slow," "Danger," or any
other words, phrase symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere
with, mislead, or confuse traffic shall be prohibited.
(3)
A sign may be illuminated, according to the provisions of this
chapter. The illumination is confined to or directed to the surface
of the sign.
(4)
All illumination shall be by diffuse or indirect light.
(5)
All lighting shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away
from adjoining premises and public right-of-way.
(6)
No artificial light or reflecting device shall be used where
such will interfere with, compete for attention with, or may be mistaken
for a traffic signal.
(7)
No illumination utilizing red, green, or yellow lights, or a
combination thereof, shall be utilized if such sign interferes with
the effective visibility of any adjacent traffic signal or if such
sign is located adjacent to a roadway where such illumination might
give the appearance or impression of a traffic signal.
E. Sign removal.
(1)
Any sign which is in violation of this chapter or which creates
a public nuisance or hazard shall be removed by the owner(s) after
they are so notified by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(2)
In the case of a nonconforming sign determined to be a public
nuisance or hazard which has not been removed by the owner(s) within
10 days following proper notification by the Township Board of Supervisors,
then the Township, in order to prevent such signs from becoming injurious
to public health and welfare, may enter upon the premises upon which
such sign is erected and remove said sign along with its supporting
structure or hanging devices. All costs and expenses of removal shall
be the obligation of the owner(s) of said signs and the Township may
proceed to collect said costs and expenses by any legal procedure
that said Township deems advisable, including, without limitation,
the filing of a municipal lien.
(3)
A public nuisance or hazard shall be defined as any condition
that is created as a result of sign disrepair which in the opinion
of the Township Board of Supervisors will likely cause injury or damage
to persons or property.
Identification signs located on the premises or building in
all districts, which serve only to tell the name or use of a public
or semipublic facility, such as churches, schools, camps, hospitals,
recreational place, municipal facility, or other institutions of similar
nature, when permitted under the terms of the district and this chapter,
may be erected and maintained, provided:
A. The gross surface area of any such sign shall not be in excess of
36 square feet. The gross surface area of any such arched sign shall
not be in excess of 125 square feet.
B. Any self-supporting identification sign may be allowed up to 1/3
additional sign area over that allowed for such sign under the provisions
of this chapter to be used for ornamentation of the upright or structural
portion of the sign, provided that such ornamentation is designed
in such a manner as to form an integral background element to the
remainder of the sign and the design otherwise enhances the appearance
of the sign.
C. No more than two such signs shall be placed on each property unless
such property fronts upon more than one public street, in which event,
two such signs may be erected on each frontage.
D. Such signs shall not be overhead signs. Only wall-mounted or self-supporting
signs are permitted.
E. Self-supporting or wall-mounted signs may be reflective and may be
illuminated in accordance with the provisions of the chapter.