It is recognized that signs perform an important function in
identifying properties, businesses, services, residences, events and
other matters of interest to the public. It is hereby found and declared,
however, that control of signs is necessary to promote the health,
safety and general welfare by:
A. Lessening hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
B. Preserving property values.
C. Preventing unsightly and detrimental development which has a blighting
influence upon residential, business and industrial areas.
D. Preventing signs from reaching such excessive size that they obscure
one another to the detriment of all concerned.
E. Securing certain fundamentals of design for the Township.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
EMERGENCY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
A notification by the way of display and/or voice which is
intended to draw the attention of the public to issues where injury
or death may occur if not heeded.
SIGN
A structure, building wall or other outdoor surface or any
device used for visual communication which is used for the purpose
of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public or
to display, identify and publicize the name and product or services
of any person, exclusive of supporting members that bear no message.
SIGN AREA
A.
The area of a sign shall mean the area of all lettering, wording
and accompanying designs, logos and symbols, together with the background
on which they are displayed (whether such background is open or enclosed),
but excluding any supporting framework and bracing which are solely
incidental to the display itself, provided the same do not contain
any lettering, wording or symbols.
B.
Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs or symbols
attached to a building, awning, wall or window, the area shall be
that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters,
designs and symbols.
C.
Where a sign consists of a double face, only one side shall
be considered in the calculation of area.
SIGN HEIGHT
The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the
mean grade at the base of the sign.
SIGN TYPES
A.
ADVERTISING SIGNAn off-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation or other similar activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which the sign is located.
B.
ANIMATED SIGNA sign with action or motion, flashing or color changes requiring electrical energy, except such signs defined as "electronic signs" and as regulated herein, but not including wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners or novelty items.
C.
AWNING SIGNA sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning.
D.
BUSINESS SIGNAn on-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted, other than incidentally, on the premises upon which the sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
E.
DIRECTORY SIGNAn on-premises sign listing names, uses or locations of various businesses or activities conducted within a building or group of buildings. Such a sign shall be centrally located on private property and shall not provide any advertising displays.
F.
ELECTRONIC SIGNThe portion of a sign composed of internally illuminated components capable of changing the message periodically. Electronic signs may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays, and may be composed of alphanumeric text, images, symbols, or any combination thereof.
G.
FREESTANDING SIGNA self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of poles or standards, either on the ground or on the roof of a building.
H.
IDENTIFICATION SIGNA sign whose copy is limited to the name of a building, institution or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.
I.
INCIDENTAL SIGNA directional sign of a public service nature which contains no advertising.
J.
MARQUEE SIGNAny sign attached to or supported by a marquee structure.
K.
OBSCENE SIGNAny sign or symbol which displays or contains obscene matter. The matter shall be considered obscene if the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find the sign or symbol, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interest; the sign or symbol depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable state law; and/or the sign or symbol, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
L.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment which is sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at a place other than on the property on which said sign is located; a sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located, e.g., billboards, outdoor advertising, subdivision directional sign, and real estate sign.
M.
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity on the same lot where the sign is located.
N.
PAINTED WALL SIGNAny sign which is applied with paint or similar substances on the face of a wall.
O.
PARALLEL WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface but does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roofline or other surface to which it is mounted and does not project more than 10 inches from the surface to which it is mounted.
P.
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGNA sign which displays an individual's political, religious or personal belief, provided such sign is not considered obscene or offensive to an individual race, gender or religious belief.
Q.
PROJECTING WALL SIGNAny sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface other than a parallel sign but does not project more than seven feet from the surface to which it is mounted nor project above the wall, roofline or surface to which it is mounted nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
S.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
T.
SNIPE SIGNA permanent or temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, fence, utility pole or upon rocks or natural features.
U.
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease, or other special events on a temporary basis. The following types of signs shall be considered temporary signs:
(1)
BANNER SIGNA temporary sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags of political subdivisions, and symbolic or decorative flags of any institution, residential use or business shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this chapter.
(2)
CONSTRUCTION SIGNAny sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, subcontractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed.
(3)
DEVELOPMENT SIGNAn on-premises sign on a building or lot which announces the nature, purpose or name of the prospective building/enterprise.
(4)
POLITICAL SIGNA temporary sign used in connection with a local, county, state or national election or referendum.
(5)
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to: signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames; menu board and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. Portable signs shall not be illuminated unless a conditional use is granted by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(6)
REAL ESTATE SIGNA temporary sign which advertises the sale, lease or rent of the property on which the sign is placed. Open house signs for property which is for sale shall be considered real estate signs.
(7)
SPECIAL EVENT SIGNSOn-premises window signs, banners or commemorative flags which advertise a grand opening or other special event.
(9)
SUBDIVISION SIGNAn on-premises or off-premises directional sign advertising to the public the name of the subdivision project and the nature of the product offered.
(10)
WINDOW SIGNAny sign affixed to or visible through a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.
(11)
SEASONAL ACTIVITY SIGNAny on-premises sign advertising an activity that is to be held during a limited part of the year. An example would be "summer camp."
(12)
REGISTRATION SIGNSAny off-premises sign that is temporary for the purpose of advertising information for the registration/sign-up for any activity.
V.
TIME-AND-TEMPERATURE SIGNA display containing illuminated or reflective numerals switching alternatively to show the time and temperature.
W.
TRAILER SIGNAny sign which is erected upon a structure having wheels or rollers facilitating movement from one location to another.
Y.
VEHICULAR SIGNAny vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose but becomes a primary purpose in itself. An example is an empty tractor-trailer with advertising painted on its side, left for an extended period of time in front of the business premises that is advertised on the trailer. This does not include "For Sale" signs for the sale of personally owned vehicles.
Z.
ILLUMINATED SIGNSA sign that utilizes a constant, nonvarying artificial light source primarily to convey its message after sunset. Illuminated signs shall fall into one of two categories:
(1)
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign that is illuminated by an artificial light source from within the sign structure, including neon and exposed lamps, usually projected through a transparent or translucent sign face.
(2)
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign that is partially or completely illuminated at any time by an artificial light source that directly or indirectly illuminates any face of the sign from outside the sign structures.
(3)
ELECTRONIC SIGNThe portion of a sign composed of internally illuminated components capable of changing the message periodically. Electronic Signs may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays, and may be composed of alphanumeric text, images, symbols, or any combination thereof.
In all zoning districts, the following sign regulations shall
apply:
A. Prohibited signs. The following types of signs or illumination of
signs shall be prohibited in the Township:
(2) Flashing, moving or reflective signs, unless permitted as an electronic
sign elsewhere in this article.
(3) Illuminated temporary signs.
B. Signs exempt from sign permits. The following signs are permitted
throughout the Township and are exempt from requiring a sign permit,
provided that such signs comply with the regulations of this article.
Signs exempt from a sign permit shall still comply with all applicable
standards in the PA Uniform Construction Code, and shall require a
building permit when applicable:
(1) Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways
or other property on the same premises therewith, provided that the
total area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed four square
feet.
(2) Real estate signs as follows:
(a)
For advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which
the sign is erected, provided that the total area on any one side
of such signs on any street frontage of any property in single or
separate ownership shall not exceed the following:
[1]
In the R-1 Residential, R-2 Residential, R-3 Residential, R-4
Residential, R-5 Residential, ER Elderly Residential and OSR Open
Space Residential Overlay Districts: four square feet.
[2]
In the VCR-1 District, VCR-2 District and Institutional Overlay
District: 16 square feet.
[3]
In the CR Commercial Retail District, LI Light Industrial District,
and IN Industrial District: 32 square feet.
(b)
Signs so erected shall be removed within 10 days after the settlement
of the property.
(c)
For temporary advertising on the premises of the sale or development
of homes within a subdivision, provided that the area of any one side
of any such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet, and provided that
not more than two such signs shall be erected within any such subdivision.
(3) Directional subdivision sign (off-premises) for a subdivision within
Perkiomen Township, provided that the area of any one side of any
such sign shall not exceed six square feet, and provided that such
signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 500 feet of street
frontage.
(a)
A maximum of three off-premises directional signs shall be permitted
for one development. Permission must be obtained in advance from the
property owner where the sign is to be placed.
(b)
Signs shall not be erected more than 60 days prior to the beginning
of the actual construction of the project and shall be removed within
10 days after the date of the sale or rental of the final unit in
such development.
(4) Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans
erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed
during the period in which such work is being performed, provided
that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed six
square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be
erected on any property in single and separate ownership, and provided
that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the work.
(5) Construction sign, provided that the area of any one side of the
sign does not exceed 35 square feet and that the height is no more
than 15 feet. One such sign per street frontage is permitted. Signs
shall not be erected more than 60 days prior to the beginning of the
actual construction of the project and shall be removed 10 days after
the date of the sale or rental of the final unit in the development.
(6) For sale of agricultural products, signs indicating the name of the
owner or occupant and the product sold, provided that the total sign
area shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(7) Open house signs (on- and off-premises) for properties within Perkiomen
Township. There shall be a maximum of one on-premises open house sign
for each property line of street frontage.
(a)
A maximum of four off-premises directional open house signs
shall be permitted for each home or development.
(b)
Signs shall not exceed four square feet per side and may not
be illuminated.
(c)
Off-premises directional signs must have permission in advance
from the property owner where the sign is to be placed. Signs cannot
be placed in the legal right-of-way.
(d)
Freestanding open house and directional signs shall not exceed
a height of six feet.
(e)
Open house signs shall be allowed to be posted two days prior
to the open house and shall be taken down immediately upon the closing
of the open house.
(8) Signs which advertise public auctions for the disposal of real estate,
property or merchandise.
(a)
Signs shall not exceed nine square feet in area, at a maximum
height of six feet and shall be placed only on the property where
the stated auction is being conducted.
(b)
Signs may be erected not earlier than 60 days prior to the advertised
auction and shall be removed within 10 days after the auction.
(9) Political signs. Political signs may be erected not earlier than
45 days before the date of the election. All political signs shall
be removed within seven days after the election date.
(10)
Government signs (i.e., traffic signs, parking signs, etc.),
official street and traffic signs and any signs required by law.
(11)
Incidental signs for the convenience and safety of the public
(for example, signs identifying parking areas, telephones, rest rooms,
loading docks, other public conveniences, etc.), provided that they
contain no advertising and do not exceed three square feet.
(12)
Incidental signs, provided that the aggregate area of incidental
signs on a property does not exceed four square feet; incidental sign
area in excess of four square feet shall be included in the calculation
of a property's permitted sign area.
(14)
Public monument, plaque, historic identification sign erected
by a government agency.
(15)
Government flag, insignia or decorative banners.
(16)
Address signs, not exceeding two square feet.
(17)
Nameplates and identification signs, provided that characters
do not exceed three inches in height and with an area not exceeding
two square feet.
(18)
Vending machine signs, where a product name is an integral component
of the vending machine.
(19)
Home security signs, not exceeding one square foot.
(20)
Yard sale signs, which shall be no more than four square feet
in size.
(21)
Personal expression signs, provided that they either are freestanding,
wall or window signs. Such signs may not exceed six square feet and,
in the case of freestanding signs, six feet in height. They also cannot
be illuminated or placed within the legal right-of-way or clear sight
triangle of a road.
C. The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts provided
the following requirements are satisfied and a sign permit is obtained
from the Township:
(1) Special event signs or banners. Special event signs or banners for
public or quasi-public events shall comply with the following standards:
(a)
Regulations for all special event signs or banners. Signs or
banners shall be posted no earlier than one month prior to the event
and must be removed with seven days after the day of the scheduled
event.
(b)
Special event banners.
[1]
Such banners shall be affixed to a building or some other appropriate
sturdy structure.
[2]
The permitted size of any banner shall be determined on a case-by-case
basis by the Township Zoning Officer.
[3]
If the banner is to be strung across a state-owned road, the
sponsoring organization must receive necessary approvals from the
PennDOT.
(c)
Special event signs. Off-premises signs, not exceeding 10 square
feet in area and six feet in height, shall be permitted for any special
event, provided that permission has been obtained from the property
owner where the sign is to be placed.
(2) Seasonal activity sign. Seasonal activity signs shall be posted no
earlier than 30 days prior to the date the activity begins and must
be removed no later than seven days after the activity starts. The
area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(3) Registration sign (off-premises) shall be posted no earlier than
30 days prior to the date the registration begins and shall be removed
no later than seven days after the last day of registration. The area
of any one side of the sign shall not exceed six square feet.
D. No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic
on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official
street signs or signals.
E. No sign, other than official municipal street or directional signs,
street banner signs, or political signs, shall be erected or maintained
within the legal street right-of-way.
F. No sign shall be erected or maintained as to prevent free ingress
and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
G. No signs shall be placed on utility poles.
H. Property owners shall assume the cost of relocating any sign within
the ultimate right-of-way of a street which is widened.
I. All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be
maintained in good condition and repair at all times.
J. Illumination standards: Signs may only be illuminated in accordance
with the requirements of this article herein and the requirements
of the specific zoning district in which the sign is located:
(1) All illuminated signs. No more than 0.5 footcandle of light shall
be detectable along the boundary of any adjacent property. Illumination
of signs shall be subject to the National Electrical Code.
(2) External illumination.
(a)
External illumination shall be by a steady, stationary light
source, shielded and directed solely at the sign. The light source
must be static in color.
(b)
The source of light must be concealed by translucent covers.
(3) Internal illumination.
(a)
Internal illumination, including neon lighting, must be static
in intensity and color.
(b)
Electronic signs using internally illuminated components shall only be permitted pursuant to §
310-85.
K. Sign location requirements. No freestanding sign can occupy a designated
parking area or intended parking area, walkway, cartway, driveway
or area designated for any other use.
L. Removal of signs.
(1) The Township shall have the authority to remove or require the removal
and demolition of signs under the following circumstances:
(a)
When it is determined that the sign has deteriorated to the
point of becoming a danger to the public.
(b)
When a sign is erected without an approved sign permit.
(c)
When a sign is erected which does not comply with the requirements
of this article.
(d)
A nonconforming sign which has not been removed or brought into conformity pursuant to §
310-90 of this article.
(2) Except as set forth in Subsection
L(5) below, the removal procedure will be initiated by a letter to the owner or lessee by the Zoning Officer, requiring the removal of such sign within 30 days.
(3) Owner's or lessee's remedial action for each circumstance:
(a)
Deteriorated/hazardous sign: rehabilitation/repair of sign within
30 days.
(b)
No sign permit: obtain permit within 30 days.
(c)
Prohibited sign or nonconforming sign: required to be brought
into conformity pursuant to this article.
(4) A landowner's failure to take remedial action within 30 days after
notice is given shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections
L(1) to
(4) above, any "snipe," "for sale," "open house," "yard sale," or other similar sign installed or placed on public property or within any public right-of-way that is not in conformity with the regulations of this article shall be forfeited to the public and subject to immediate confiscation and destruction. In addition to other authorized remedies, the Township shall have the right to recover from the owner of the sign, the owner of the property, or the person placing such sign, the full cost of removal and disposal of any and all such signs.
The following number and types of signs are permitted for any
one lot located in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and ER Districts:
A. Any sign permitted in §
310-83B and
C of this article.
B. Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs on the
same lot with and indicating the name, profession or activity of the
occupant of the dwelling, provided that the area of any one side shall
not exceed two square feet, and provided that not more than one such
sign shall be erected for each permitted use or dwelling and a permit
has been obtained from Perkiomen Township for such sign.
C. Electronic Signs in the R-5 District as permitted in §
310-84B(5) of this article.
The following number and types of signs are permitted for any
one lot located in the VCR-1, VCR-2, IN Industrial Districts:
A. Any sign permitted in §
310-83B and
C of this article.
B. Residential uses. Residential uses are allowed any of the signs permitted in §
310-85 of this article.
C. Commercial or industrial uses. The following signs are permitted
and require permits:
(1) One freestanding business or identification sign per street frontage.
(a)
At gas stations, one additional freestanding sign per street
frontage for advertising gas prices only, provided that this sign
is attached to a freestanding sign.
(2) One of the following types of signs for each side of the building
which faces a street or a parking lot located on the same property:
(3) One of the following types of temporary signs:
(b)
Special event signs or banners.
(5) Electronic signs as permitted by §
310-84 of this article.
Regardless of those signs permitted under §
310-83B, the following number and type of signs are permitted for any one lot or building located in the CR Commercial Retail District, provided a permit has been obtained from Perkiomen Township:
A. Any sign permitted in §
310-83B of this article.
B. Any applicable sign permitted in §
310-86C of this article.
C. Electronic signs as permitted in §
310-84 of this article.
D. All dimensional standards for signs in §
310-87 shall apply for this district.
E. Shopping centers shall have the following dimensional standards,
but no electronic sign be permitted in excess of 35 square feet:
(1) One freestanding center sign, provided it does not exceed 350 square
feet and is not more than 25 feet in height.
(2) An on-site, parallel, wall-mounted sign. The wall-mounted sign shall
be determined by the size of the building:
Building Size
(square feet)
|
Maximum Sign Size
(square feet)
|
---|
10,000
|
100
|
10,001 to 20,000
|
200
|
20,001 to 30,000
|
300
|
30,000 plus
|
400
|
(3) At no time shall the wall-mounted sign cover more than 20% of the
total face of the front wall.