[Amended 2-28-1995 by Ord. No. 741; 1-13-2009 by Ord. No. 821; 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 883; 8-11-2020 by Ord. No. 904; 8-11-2020 by Ord. No. 905]
It is hereby declared to be the intent of this Article XVIII to provide for the regulation of signs in the Borough of Royersford as a proper exercise of the police powers granted to the municipality by state law to protect the public health, safety, and welfare in accordance with the following objectives:
A.
To control the size, location, and illumination of signs in the Borough
in order to reduce hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
B.
To encourage signs which are well designed and pleasing in appearance
and to provide incentive and latitude for variety, in order to enhance
the economic value as well as the visual character of the residential
and business community.
C.
To establish criteria designed to encourage signs which are compatible
with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which
they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors,
and legible in circumstances in which they are seen.
D.
To provide for the removal of signs which constitute a hazardous
or blighting influence.
The following definitions shall control with respect to any sign-related question. In the event of a conflict between these definitions and any definitions contained in Article II of this chapter, those in Article II shall control with the exception of sign-related questions.
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business,
service, owner, product, or activity for a period of at least 180
days for off-premises signs, or at least 360 days for on-premises
signs.
A sign depicting action, motion, or light or color changes
through electrical or mechanical means.
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material
attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing which
is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are
temporary in nature and do not include flags.
An off-premises ground or freestanding sign.
The framework, supports, display face(s) and electrical components
of the billboard.
For the purposes of calculating the allowable total sign
area, building frontage is defined as follows:
The linear footage of building face which serves as a principal
approach to a building and which building face fronts upon a public
street, a shopping center driveway, parking area or pedestrian mall
or walkway.
For corner lots, such footage may be calculated separately for
the principal approach and one adjacent face, if such face also fronts
on a public street, a shopping center driveway, public parking area,
pedestrian mall or public walkway. A sign area calculated for each
frontage shall be erected on that frontage only and shall not be increased
by the sign area calculated for another frontage.
A sign capable of displaying text, graphics, symbols, or
images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote
or automatic means; or with content that may be changed by electronic
process through the use of light or lights, including, but not limited
to, light-emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal and plasma image display.
A sign designed to provide direction to pedestrian and/or
vehicular traffic into and out of a site, or providing direction to
individual amenities or buildings within a site.
The face of a sign, including copy, insignia, background,
border and trim. The measurement shall be determined by the smallest
rectangle inclusive of all letters and images. The structural support
shall be excluded from the area calculations if it is not used to
directly express or convey a commercial or noncommercial message.
Artificial light, located away from the sign, which lights
the sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons
viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or
other like material with distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols
attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported
or anchored at only two corners. For the purposes of this article,
this definition shall include "feather flags" and "flutter flags."
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on, or anchored in, the ground, and that is independent and detached
from any building or other structure.
A sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported
entirely by a base structure, and not mounted on a pole or attached
to any part of a building.
A sign that displays general site information, instructions,
directives, or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians
and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public
street. These signs shall not contain any commercial advertising.
A sign identifying a single business or establishment within
a single parcel.
An electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior
or electronic signals of motor vehicle drivers.
A light source that is concealed or contained within the
sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface.
Digital signs and displays incorporating neon lighting shall not be
considered internal illumination for the purposes of this article.
A lot which abuts on at least two intersecting public streets.
In the case of a shopping center, driveways, public parking areas,
pedestrian malls and public walkways shall be considered public streets
for the purpose of this section. Frontage upon a service driveway
to an unloading area shall not be considered in determining corner
lot status.
A sign for shopping centers, industrial parks and office
campuses listing the names of various commercial and retail businesses
or professional establishments within a single parcel or a defined
contiguous area to be erected primarily as a service to the motoring
or the pedestrian public.
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific
business, product, service, event or activity, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about
something that is sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted
elsewhere than on the premises upon which the sign is located.
A sign attached to and approximately perpendicular to a wall
of a building or other structure.
An on-premises sign that expresses an opinion, interest,
position, or other noncommercial message.
A building-mounted sign erected upon, against, or over the
roof of a building.
The area of the largest single face of the sign within a
perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame, and
forms an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary
supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed, subject to the
following:
For double-faced signs or V-type signs, the interior angle of
which does not exceed 45°, only one face shall be applicable in
computing sign area; and
For V-type signs, the interior angle of which exceeds 45°,
both faces shall be applicable in computing sign area; and
The area of an irregularly shaped sign, including signs consisting
of separate modules, figures or letters, shall be deemed to be the
total square footage of the smallest single square or rectangle into
which all of the separate modules, figures, or letters which comprise
the irregularly shaped and/or modular sign would fit.
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise
affixed to a tree, pole, stake, fence, public bench, streetlight,
or other object, or placed on any public property or in the public
right-of-way or on any private property without the permission of
the property owner (also known as "bandit sign").
Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that
the carrying of such sign or signs is used primarily as stationary
advertisement for the business on which the vehicle sits or is otherwise
not incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose. Vehicular signs are
considered to be portable signs.
A sign that is applied, painted, or affixed to a window,
or placed inside a window, within three feet of the glass, facing
the outside of the building, and easily seen from the outside. Customary
displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering
behind a store window are not considered signs.
The following regulations shall apply to all new and replacement
signs in all districts:
A.
Placement of signs. All signs shall be placed with regard to public
safety and shall be governed by the following regulations:
(1)
No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free
ingress and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
(2)
Only incidental signs shall be attached to a standpipe or fire
escape.
(3)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians
or traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with
official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
B.
Sign movement and illumination. Where permitted, the illumination
of signs shall be subject to the National Electrical Code and to the
following regulations:
(1)
No sign shall have flashing, intermittent, animated or revolving
illumination.
(2)
External floodlighting of any property must be so shielded that
the source of light shall not be visible from any point off the lot
on which the sign, building, structure or area being illuminated is
situated, and so that only the sign, building, structure or area is
illuminated thereby.
C.
Sign maintenance. Every sign shall be constructed of durable materials,
using noncorrosive fastenings, shall be structurally safe and erected
or installed in strict accordance with the Borough Building Code and
shall be maintained in a safe condition and good repair at all times.
D.
No sign is permitted to be off-premises unless otherwise specified
below.
E.
All signs shall be installed in accordance with all current structural
and building codes.
Incidental signs and personal expression signs shall be permitted
in all zoning districts, subject to the following:
A.
In all residential districts, such signs shall be permitted, not
to exceed one square foot in area, subject to the approval of the
Zoning Officer.
B.
In all other zoning districts, such signs shall be permitted, not
to exceed four square feet in area, subject to the approval of the
Zoning Officer.
C.
All such signs shall be spaced no less than 50 feet apart unless
special conditions warrant less separation, subject to the approval
of the Zoning Officer.
The following regulations shall apply to temporary signs in
all districts or as indicated:
A.
Real estate signs. Signs advertising the sale, rental, or other conveyance
of the entire premises or a portion of the premises on which they
are erected shall be permitted in all zoning districts while a property
is actually for sale or rent. All such signs shall be unlighted and
shall be removed promptly when the property is no longer available
for sale, or rent, or in the case of new construction of multiple
dwelling or occupancy units, when 95% of the proposed units or floor
space is no longer available for sale or rent. Such signs shall be
limited to one per street frontage and shall be limited in size as
follows:
B.
Contractors' signs. Temporary signs which identify only the name,
address, phone number and specialty of contractors, mechanics, painters,
and artisans, placed on the premises where the work is performed,
shall be permitted in all districts. All such signs shall be unlighted,
and shall be promptly removed when the contractor has completed or
otherwise discontinued work on the premises, and shall be limited
in size as follows:
(1)
In the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Residence Districts and the O-R
Office Residence District:
(a)
For new construction, additions, renovations, etc., of individual
residential properties, one sign per contractor, limited to six square
feet.
(b)
For two or more contractors, signs shall be mounted on a common
surface, each sign not to exceed six square feet, total sign area
not to exceed 32 square feet.
(2)
In all other districts:
(a)
For new construction, additions, renovations, etc., of individual
nonresidential properties, one sign per contractor, limited to 12
square feet.
(b)
For two or more contractors, signs shall be mounted on a common
surface, each sign not to exceed 12 square feet, total sign area not
to exceed 64 square feet.
C.
Temporary directional signs. Off-site temporary directional signs
providing traffic direction to the location of special events will
be permitted only when approved by the Zoning Officer, who will determine
number, size, posted duration and escrow fee guaranteeing removal
of such directional signs after the special event has ended. Signs
indicating the location and direction of a premises available for
or in the process of development, but not erected upon such premises,
and having inscribed thereon the name of the owner, developer, builder,
or agent, may be erected or maintained, provided that:
D.
Other temporary signs. Other temporary signs, in addition to those discussed in Subsections A through C herein shall be permitted according to the following provisions:
(1)
Such signs may include the following:
(a)
Signs which advertise public or community events, political
events or campaigns, charitable fund-raising events, conventions or
any similar notice of general public interest.
(b)
Signs which advertise public auctions for the disposal of real
estate, property or merchandise.
(c)
Business or commercial signs for advertising, on the premises,
such events that are considered to be necessary for the conduct of
business beyond the normal day-to-day operations, such as grand openings,
"going out of business," bankruptcy, or fire sales (not including
signs advertising periodic specials or other ordinary incentives to
purchase or participate).
(2)
All such signs shall be displayed no more than 30 consecutive
days and not more than two times per calendar year.
(3)
All such signs shall be removed within one day after the advertised
event has occurred.
It shall be unlawful, upon or after the effective date of this
article or any amendment thereto, for any person, firm or corporation
to erect any of the following signs:
A.
Abandoned signs.
B.
Snipe signs.
C.
Vehicular signs. This regulation does not include the use of business
logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily and actively
used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.
D.
Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs.
E.
Pennant strings and streamers.
F.
Animated signs, flashing signs, or signs that scroll or flash text
or graphics.
G.
Inflatable devices or balloon signs, with the exception of balloons
used in temporary, noncommercial situations.
H.
Any sign that imitates, resembles, interferes with, or obstructs
official traffic lights, signs, or signals.
I.
Any sign that prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window,
fire escape or other exitway, or that prevents free access from one
part of a roof to any other part. No sign other than a safety sign
shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
J.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound,
or odor, or contain open flames.
K.
Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors.
L.
Interactive signs.
M.
Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting.
N.
Any banner or sign of any type suspended across a public street,
without the permission of the owner of the property and roadway.
O.
Roof signs.
P.
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized
agent, with the exception of those authorized or required by local,
state, or federal government.
Q.
Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property
may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of
this chapter.
R.
Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic
subjects as determined by the Borough.
S.
Any sign that promotes illegal activity.
The following types of signs shall be permitted in the R-1,
R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 Residence Districts, and the O-R Office Residence
District:
A.
Official street and traffic signs and any other sign required by
law.
B.
One professional, home occupation or name sign per residence, indicating
the name, profession or activity of the occupant of the residence,
which sign shall not exceed one square foot.
C.
One identification sign or bulletin board per street frontage of a school, college, church, hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, farm, estate, club, institutional uses permitted under Article XI, or any permitted use other than a dwelling, not exceeding 24 square feet in area.
(1)
Any identification sign shall be anchored so as to withstand
gusts of wind of 115 miles per hour or sustained winds of 90 miles
per hour.
D.
Trespassing signs indicating private ownership of a driveway or property
not to exceed one square foot in size, which signs shall be spaced
at intervals of not less than 100 feet apart on street frontage and
not less than 50 feet apart on other boundaries.
E.
For multifamily developments:
(1)
Each property may have one sign on each street frontage, containing
only the name and/or address of the property, each sign not to exceed
24 square feet.
(2)
With more than one building on a property, each building may
have one name and/or number sign not to exceed six square feet.
(3)
Any sign shall be anchored so as to withstand gusts of wind
of 115 miles per hour or sustained winds of 90 miles per hour.
F.
A principal office use in the R-5 District may also include:
(1)
A maximum of one freestanding sign of 10 square feet on each
of two sides and a maximum total height of six feet above the ground
level.
(2)
One-sided signs may be attached to the exterior building walls
that have a maximum combined total sign area of 20 square feet and
a maximum total height of 15 feet, not to exceed the height of the
building.
G.
Lighting. Signage permitted under this section in residential districts
is permitted to have external illumination.
The following types of signs shall be permitted:
A.
Individual business signs. Individual business signs are permitted
in the HB Highway Business, CB Central Business, GI General Industrial,
and I Industrial Districts as follows:
(1)
One or more signs affixed or otherwise represented upon a building,
having a maximum sign area of two square feet for every linear foot
of building frontage, subject to a maximum total sign area of 40 square
feet.
(a)
Corner lots: one more additional sign affixed or otherwise represented
upon the additional street frontage of a building, having a maximum
sign area of one square foot for every linear foot of building frontage
on the additional side, subject to a maximum total sign area of 40
square feet.
(b)
Window signs shall be allowed and count towards the total sign
area permitted.
(c)
Projection of signs. No sign affixed parallel to a building
facade shall project more than 18 inches beyond the building line,
and the lower edge of any projecting sign shall be not less than 10
feet above the finished grade. For the purpose of administering this
section, where a building has a canopy or marquee construction as
an integral part of said building, the front line of said canopy or
marquee shall be interpreted as being the face of the building.
(2)
One individual business ground or freestanding sign per street frontage is permitted in addition to the building signs permitted in Subsection A(1). The maximum total sign area for an individual business ground or freestanding sign is 40 square feet. The maximum height of such sign is 25 feet, and it must be set back a minimum of five feet from the ultimate right-of-way line. No sign shall be erected, maintained or positioned so as to obstruct the view of any traffic light or any other traffic sign or signal or so as to block any reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways or so as to cause any confusion with any traffic control device by reason of its color, location, shape or other characteristic.
B.
Multiple directory signs. Multiple directory signs are permitted
in the HB Highway Business, CB Central Business, GI General Industrial,
and I Industrial Districts as follows:
(1)
Such sign shall be located on a property serviced by the sign.
(2)
Such sign shall be a ground or freestanding sign only.
(3)
Such sign shall be limited in number to one per street and a
total of not more than three per parcel, tract, or development.
(4)
Multiple directory signs may list one identification sign per
business or establishment to include only the name, address and primary
product or service of each business or establishment, and may contain
a graphic directory (street map) to assist in locating destinations.
(5)
The respective permitted areas of information on multiple directory
signs shall be limited to no more than 40 square feet per business
identification sign and no more than 40 square feet per graphic directory,
provided that the total sign area does not exceed 150 square feet.
(6)
Multiple directory signs shall be located a minimum of 10 feet
from the street ultimate right-of-way line.
(7)
Multiple directory signs shall be located a minimum of 15 feet
from the nearest paved edge of any street intersection, including
access driveway intersections. No sign shall be erected, maintained
or positioned so as to obstruct the view of any traffic light or any
other traffic sign or signal or so as to block any reasonable sight
lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways or so as to cause any confusion
with any traffic control device by reason of its color, location,
shape or other characteristic.
(8)
Multiple directory signs shall not extend above a height of
25 feet.
C.
Overhanging signs shall be permitted in the CB Central Business,
HB Highway Business, OR Office Residence, GI General Industrial and
I Industrial Districts, subject to the following provisions:
(1)
No building or structure shall have more than one overhanging
sign per street frontage.
(2)
The maximum area of an overhanging sign shall be 20 square feet
per side. The total area of both sides of the overhanging sign shall
be included in the calculation of total sign area permitted under
the provisions of this chapter.
(3)
The lowest part of any overhanging sign or of any support thereof
which extends over any street, sidewalk, alley or other public way
in the Borough shall be at least 10 feet above the level of the walk
or public way over which it extends; and the highest part of any such
overhanging sign or support thereof which extends over any street,
sidewalk, alley or other public way in the Borough shall not exceed
a maximum height of 65 feet from ground level to the top of the sign;
provided, however, that in no event shall the top of the sign exceed
the level of the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
(4)
No overhanging sign or its attachments shall extend beyond the
building for a distance greater than six feet measured perpendicularly
from the face of the building; provided, however, that in no event
shall a sign or its attachments extend beyond 75% of the sidewalk
width.
(5)
Any overhanging sign extending over any public sidewalk, street,
alley or other public place must be securely fastened and constructed
so that there will be no danger of the same being dislodged by wind
or falling from any other cause. No sign shall be erected or maintained
extending over any public sidewalk, street, alley or other public
place in such location or position so as to obstruct the view of any
traffic light or any other traffic sign or signal or so as to block
any reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways or
so as to cause any confusion with any traffic control device by reason
of its color, location, shape or other characteristic. No overhanging
sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any door, window, or fire
escape of any building or interfere with the use of the sidewalk.
(6)
Lighting of overhanging signs. Signs permitted under this Subsection C are permitted to have both external and internal illumination.
(7)
Any person, firm or corporation maintaining an overhanging sign
over any street, sidewalk, alley or other public way in the Borough,
pursuant to the terms of this chapter, shall indemnify the Borough
of Royersford for any loss or damage or liability that may result
from the construction or maintenance of such sign and shall maintain
adequate liability insurance to insure such persons, firm or corporation
and the Borough or Royersford from any loss, damage or liability that
may result from the construction and maintenance of an overhanging
sign.
D.
Billboard signs. Billboard signs shall be permitted by conditional
use in the GI General Industrial District and subject to the following
provisions:
(1)
Location. Billboards may only be erected and maintained in the
General Industrial (GI) Zoning District.
(2)
Size. The display face of a billboard shall not exceed 50 square
feet in area, unless the applicant can establish before the Borough
Council that the content of the billboard could not be read from any
point along the road frontage and that the permitted size is not adequate
for the conveyance of any advertising messages to passing motorists.
If the applicant is able to establish the above, then the billboard
shall not be permitted to exceed 200 square feet in area, but shall
be no larger than is necessary to be read and conveyed to passing
motorists. If present, nondisplay physical borders around the display
image shall not exceed six inches on a side.
(3)
Setbacks. Billboards shall be set back a minimum of 300 feet
from any other billboard.
(a)
Setbacks. All billboards must be set back at least 500 feet
from all street intersections, measured from the point of intersection
of the center lines of the intersecting streets.
[1]
Setback from residential dwelling unit. Except as governed by
a greater setback required herein, all billboards must be set back
a minimum of 150 feet from the boundary of R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5,
and O-R Zoning Districts and from the boundary of any property on
which a residential dwelling unit is situated. Moreover, the applicant
must establish that the billboard will be screened such that the face
of the billboard will not be visible from an existing residential
dwelling unit. With respect to such setback as applied from any existing
residential dwelling unit, the 150-foot setback may be reduced if
the owner of such dwelling unit agrees in writing to the placement
of such sign as memorialized by an easement filed with the Montgomery
County Recorder of Deeds.
(4)
The applicant shall bear the burden of establishing that the
proposed billboard will not create a public health, welfare or safety
concern.
(5)
The billboard structure shall be designed as an architecturally
decorative feature or shall be screened with vegetation. In no case
shall the supporting structure be designed to increase the apparent
size of the billboard or to otherwise increase its visual prominence.
(6)
The applicant shall be required to submit an attestation from
a structural engineer, registered in Pennsylvania, to certify that
the proposed billboard is properly constructed pursuant to all applicable
codes, to certify the viability of the construction of the foundation
and erection of the structure for the proposed billboard. The applicant
shall further submit a report from an engineer to set forth the wind
tolerances of the proposed billboard.
(7)
The applicant shall submit a plan prepared by a landscape architect
showing landscaping proposed to be installed to screen and buffer
the billboard. Existing vegetation on and around the proposed billboard
shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible. All proposed landscaping
shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and the Subdivision
and Land Development Ordinance.[1] Applicants shall submit a visual survey from mutually
agreed upon vantage points in order to support the proposed landscaping
plan's mitigation of visual impacts.
(8)
All billboards shall be serviced by underground electrical wiring.
(9)
Billboards shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent
unauthorized access, with such features as a locked ladder way.
Signs permitted to be digital by §§ 475-128 and 475-129 shall be subject to the following provisions:
A.
Location. The total sign area and location of digital signage are subject to the provisions of each type of sign in § 475-129.
B.
No digital sign may contain text which flashes, pulsates, moves,
or scrolls. Each complete message must fit on one screen.
C.
The content of a digital sign must transition by changing instantly
(e.g., no fade-out or fade-in).
D.
The minimum length of time each message may be displayed on a digital
sign before changing is eight seconds.
E.
Text in digital signs shall have a minimum height of 10 inches.
F.
The digital sign shall contain a default design which shall freeze
the sign message in one position if a malfunction should occur.
G.
Digital sign lighting shall be automatically extinguished so as to
not operate before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.
H.
Illumination shall be automatically controlled so that at no point
on the digital sign shall the luminance exceed 100 cd/m2 with a full-white board face after sunset.
I.
No electronic sign/billboard shall shine or reflect light into adjacent
residences.
A sign permit shall be required for all signs unless otherwise
provided. The issuance of such permit shall be subject to the following
regulations:
A.
Applications for sign permits shall be filed on forms furnished by
the Borough of Royersford and shall be accompanied by detailed plans
and specifications and any other information deemed necessary by the
Zoning Officer to determine the location and details of construction
of such sign.
B.
No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until the required fee
has been paid to the Borough of Royersford, which fee shall be established
from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
C.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to inspect any sign proposed
to be erected or otherwise affixed in the Borough in order to determine
that such sign shall be in compliance with the terms and provisions
of this chapter. Upon compliance with the terms and provisions of
this chapter and payment of the permit fee, the Zoning Officer shall
issue a permit to the applicant to erect the proposed sign, which
shall be in accordance with the plans submitted to the Zoning Officer.
D.
After installation, the Zoning Officer shall inspect the sign to
assure that the installation has been in accordance with the plans
and in accordance with proper construction practices. If any such
sign is found to obstruct the view of any motorist or pedestrian of
any traffic light or other traffic sign or signal or otherwise fails
to satisfy the requirements of this chapter, the owner of the sign
shall be notified by the Zoning Officer and shall make such changes
as are necessary to comply with the terms and provisions of this chapter.
If the condition of the sign is not corrected to comply with the terms
and provisions of this chapter within 10 days after such notice, the
sign may be removed by the Zoning Officer.
E.
Upon a change of use on any property, a sign must be removed or painted
over within 60 days after the change in occupancy.
A.
Unsafe or unlawful signs.
(1)
Upon written notice by the Borough, the owner, person, or firm
maintaining a sign shall remove the sign when it becomes unsafe, is
in danger of falling, or it becomes so deteriorated so that it no
longer serves a useful purpose of communication, or it is determined
by the Borough to be a nuisance, or it is deemed unsafe by the Township,
or it is unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions
of this article.
(2)
The Borough may remove or cause to be removed the sign at the
expense of the owner and/or lessee in the event that the owner or
the person or firm maintaining the sign has not complied with the
terms of the notice within five days of the date of the notice. In
the event of immediate danger, the Borough may remove the sign immediately
upon the issuance of notice to the owner, person, or firm maintaining
the sign and advise the owner how he or she may retrieve and obtain
possession of the sign.
B.
Abandoned signs.
(1)
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property
upon which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within
30 days of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this article.
Removal of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire
sign, including the sign face, supporting structure, and structural
trim.
(2)
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is
located fails to remove such sign within 30 days of the date of the
notice, the Borough may remove such sign. Any expense directly incurred
in the removal of such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property.
Where the owner fails to pay, the Borough may file a lien upon the
property for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs associated
with the removal of the sign.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the official,
federal, state or municipal signs erected within Royersford Borough.
In addition, the trade names, emblems or directions on service facilities
or product dispensers, including but not limited to gasoline pumps,
telephone booths and vending machines, shall not be considered as
a sign when such trade name, emblem or single group of words or symbols
are not more than three square feet in area.
