Any sign erected, altered, or maintained after the effective
date of this chapter shall conform to the following regulations.
The intent of this article is to provide for the regulation
of signs in Thornbury Township, as a proper exercise of the municipal
police power, 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 Township
to reduce hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
B.
To encourage signs which are well-designed and attractive and to
provide latitude for variety, to enhance the economic value as well
as the visual character of properties within the Township.
C.
To establish standards 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,
legible; and to prohibit the erection of signs that do not meet these
criteria.
D.
To prohibit the construction of and require the removal of signs
which constitute a hazard or a blighting influence.
E.
To ensure that billboard advertising is reasonably permitted in Thornbury
Township and located safely and appropriately where it can be viewed
by the traveling public with the least distraction and degradation
in driving safety, and to provide billboard advertising in a manner
demonstrated to be compatible with the historic, natural, and rural
character of Thornbury Township in terms of size, location, visual
prominence from areas other than the adjacent highway, and materials
and finishes used in construction.
A.
Words and terms used in this article shall have the meanings defined below, subject to the word usage standards set forth under § 155-200. As used in this chapter, "sign" shall mean any permanent or temporary structure or part of a structure, or any device attached, represented, projected or applied by paint or otherwise, or any structure or other surface used to communicate information, a message or advertisement, or to attract the attention of the public to a subject or location. The term "sign" shall include, but not be limited to flat or curved surfaces, all support and/or assembly apparatus, flags, banners, streamers, pennants, insignias and medals with or without words or pictures.
B.
ABANDONED SIGN
AWNING
AWNING SIGN
BANNER
BILLBOARD
BUILDING FRONTAGE
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
CLEARANCE
DIGITAL DISPLAY
FLAG
FLASHING, ANIMATED, OR MOVING SIGN
FREESTANDING SIGN
GROUND SIGN
ILLUMINATED SIGN
INCIDENTAL SIGN
INFLATABLE SIGN
MESSAGE SEQUENCING
MULTI-TENANT SIGN
MURAL (or MURAL SIGN)
NONCONFORMING SIGN
PENNANT
PERMANENT SIGN
POLE SIGN
PORTABLE SIGN
PRIVATE DRIVE SIGN
PROJECTING SIGN
PUBLIC SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SECURITY SIGN
SHIELDED
SIGN AREA
SIGN FACE
SIGN HEIGHT
SIGN SUPPORTING STRUCTURE
SNIPE or BANDIT SIGN
STREET POLE BANNER
TEMPORARY SIGN
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Sign types and definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases,
when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in this article, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
Any sign which was erected for an occupant or business unrelated
to the present occupant or business, any sign which relates to an
obviously outdated event or purpose.
A cloth, plastic, or other nonstructural covering that projects
from a wall for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window. An awning
may be attached in a permanent position or raised or retracted to
a position against the building when not in use.
Any sign painted on, or applied to, an awning.
A type of temporary sign, not including flags, made of flexible
material and attached to a structure, building, pole, rope, wire,
or framing anchored on two or more edges or sides.
An outdoor sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment, cause, or event conducted, sold, or offered
at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.
The maximum linear width of a building measured in a single
straight line parallel, or essentially parallel, with the abutting
public street or parking lot.
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change
either automatically through electrical or electronic means, or manually
through placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted in or on
a track system. The two types of changeable-copy signs are manual
changeable copy signs and electronic changeable copy signs, which
include: message center signs, digital displays, and tri-vision boards.
The distance from grade at the sign location to the bottom
edge of a sign. This term may also refer to a horizontal distance
between two objects.
The portion of a sign face made up of internally illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
Any sign or image printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas,
or other like material attached to a pole or staff and anchored along
only one edge or supported or anchored at only two corners.
An illuminated sign where such illumination is not constant
in intensity at all times when in use, including, but not limited
to, motion, rotating, flashing, oscillating, twinkling, shuttering,
changes in light, color, direction, or animation, or other similar
action. This includes interactive signs that react to the behavior
of passersby.
A sign supported by structures, supports, or pylons that
are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent
and detached from any building or other structure. The following are
subtypes of freestanding signs:
Any sign erected directly upon the ground surface or erected
upon an independent structure (legs, base or pole) so that such structure
is the main support of the sign or, any sign which is not supported
by any part of a building.
A sign with characters, letters, figures, designs, or outlines,
which are illuminated externally by direct or indirect electric lighting
or internally by lighting contained within the sign.
An informational sign indicating general site information,
instructions, directives, restrictions, hours of operation, accepted
forms of payment, civic affiliations, and other information secondary
to the use on-site and not itself advertising the use.
A sign that is an air-inflated object, which may be of various
shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or structure,
and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a flow of
air into the device.
The spreading of one message across more than one sign structure.
A sign located on lot on which a shopping center or complex
with multiple tenants is located.
A large picture/image which is painted, constructed, or affixed
directly onto a vertical building wall, which may or may not contain
text, logos, and/or symbols.
A sign that was legally erected and maintained at the effective
date of this chapter, or amendment thereto, that does not currently
comply with the sign regulations for the district in which it is located.
A triangular or other shaped piece of fabric or other material,
commonly attached in strings or strands, or supported on small poles
intended to flap in the wind and that may or may not include graphics
or alpha-numeric characters.
A sign attached, affixed or painted to a building, window,
or structure, or to the ground in a manner that enables the sign to
resist environmental loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready
removal or movement of the sign and whose intended use appears to
be indefinite.
A freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed
location by a structure of one or more poles, posts, uprights, or
braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure.
A type of temporary sign, with or without display or legend,
which is not permanently embedded in the ground or attached to a building,
and is designed to be transportable or moved whether affixed on a
movable stand, mounted on wheels or movable vehicles, or made easily
movable in some other manner.
A sign for a street or drive which is not publicly owned
and maintained and used only for access by the occupants of the property
and their guests.
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the two faces
generally perpendicular to the building wall, not to include signs
located on a canopy, awning, or marquee. (Also known as a "blade sign.")
A sign erected or required by government agencies or utilities,
including for street construction, utility work, warning, or safety.
A building-mounted sign erected upon, against, or over the
roof of a building.
A sign located on a premises on which no trespassing, hunting,
and/or soliciting are permitted. (Also known as a "warning sign.")
The description of a luminaire from which no direct glare
is visible at normal viewing angles, by virtue of its being properly
aimed, oriented, and located and properly fitted with such devices
as shields, barn doors, baffles, louvers, skirts, or visors.
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information,
messages, advertising, logos, or symbols.
A single side of a sign that may or may not include graphics
and/or alpha-numeric characters. Such may be larger, the same, or
smaller than sign area.
The distance measured from grade to the highest point of
the sign structure.
Poles, posts, walls, frames, brackets, or other supports
holding a sign in place.
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, benches, street signs, streetlights,
or other objects, or that has been placed on any public property,
in the public right-of-way, or on any private property without the
permission of the property owner.
A banner suspended above a public street or right-of-way,
sidewalk and/or parking area and attached to a single street pole.
A nonpermanent sign located on private property that can
be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days at one time.
A building-mounted sign which is attached to, displayed on,
or painted on an exterior wall or other vertical building surface
in a manner parallel with the wall surface. A sign installed on a
false or mansard roof is also considered a wall sign. (Also known
as a "fascia sign," "parallel wall sign," or "band sign.")
Any sign that is applied, painted, or affixed to a window,
or that is placed inside a window (within three feet of the glass)
facing the outside of the building, and which is easily seen from
the outside.
The following signs are unlawful and shall be prohibited in
Thornbury Township:
A.
Abandoned signs.
B.
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner, with
the exception of those authorized or required by local, state, or
federal government.
C.
Snipe signs. Signs shall only be attached to utility poles in conformance
with applicable state and utility regulations.
D.
Any suspended sign which is either a pennant or a spinner which moves
in the wind, except when located inside a stadium, arena or temporary
fairground in conjunction with a special event.
E.
Inflatable devices or balloon signs.
F.
Any sign that interferes with, imitate, or resemble any public sign,
signal, or device and are located within 75 feet of a public right-of-way
or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.
G.
Any sign located within a public right-of-way which obscured or interfered
with the line of sight at any street intersection or traffic signal,
or at any other point of vehicular access to a street.
H.
Any sign which hinders rapid ingress or egress from any door, window
or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe
or fire hydrant that creates confusion or interferes with its use
and operation.
I.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound,
odor or contain open flames.
J.
Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors, excluding those as
approved by the Township or PennDOT for traffic use.
K.
Any banner sign or sign of any other type across a public street or on any private property, except as permitted under § 155-1704 below.
L.
Portable signs.
M.
Roof signs.
N.
Any off-premises or off-site sign, i.e., a sign unrelated to the property on which it is situated, with the exception of signs permitted in accordance with the terms of § 155-1707. This shall include any off-premises real estate sign(s) placed within or adjacent to any public right-of-way.
O.
Advertising signs within 400 feet of a public recreational area of
five acres or more, and other such areas as the Supervisors may designate,
that obscure or detract from the view of such area.
The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit and
shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or
area of permanent signs allowed within a zoning district. All owners
of such signs must comply with all other applicable standards of this
article, including the responsibility for maintenance and repair of
signs.
A.
Official traffic and public and private street signs, directional
signs, public signs, and other similar official federal, state, county,
or Township signs within the legal right-of-way of a street, when
in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation specifications
under the Pennsylvania Code and/or Thornbury Township Code.
B.
Public signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities,
including those located in the public right-of-way, at railroad crossings,
on buildings that have rest rooms, telephones, or similar public convenience
available.
C.
Legal notices, identification information, or way-finding information
provided by governmental or legislative authorities.
D.
Flags and insignia of any municipal, state or federal government.
E.
Private drive signs. One sign per driveway entrance, not to exceed
two square feet in area.
F.
Security signs. Not to exceed two square feet in area.
G.
Address signs. Signs required by a federal, state, county or municipal
regulation or by the United States Post Office to identity a property
by number, post box number or name(s) of occupants of the property,
not to exceed one square foot area.
H.
Permanent architectural features of a building or structure, such
as a cornerstone or carving or embossment on a building, provided
that the letters are not made of a reflective material.
I.
Incidental signs, including one or more signs applied to a windowpane,
giving store hours or the name or names of accepted credit or charge
cards, when the total area of any such sign or all signs together
does not exceed two square feet.
J.
Art and murals, provide such signs have no commercial messaging or
other advertising.
K.
Political campaign signs shall be located outside of any public right-of-way.
A.
Sign location.
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians,
bicyclists, or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by interfering
with government street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
(2)
Except for those classified as exempt under § 155-1704, no sign may be located within any public right-of-way and/or occupy a clear sight triangle of 75 feet (as measured from the center-line intersections of two streets) shall be provided at all intersections. The minimum clear sight triangle shall be increased to 100 feet if either street is a collector street and to 150 feet if either street is an arterial highway.
(3)
Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance
and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications
lines or equipment.
B.
Sign materials and construction.
(1)
Every sign shall be constructed of durable materials, using
noncorrosive fastenings; shall be structurally safe and erected or
installed in strict accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction
Code.
(2)
Every sign shall be maintained in safe condition and good repair
at all times, consistent with this article, so that all sign information
is clearly legible.
(3)
When applicable, signage for motorists installed on private
property and/or within private parking lots shall comply with the
standards set forth by the latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) by the Federal Highway Administration.
C.
Sign area.
(1)
The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording, designs
and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed,
on which they are displayed, including the frame, but not including
any supporting framework and bracing. Where a sign consists of individual
letters, numbers, characters or symbols attached to a building, the
area of a sign shall be considered to include a square or rectangular
pattern as drawn at the outer limits of the letters, words or representations.
(2)
Signs may be double-sided. In computing the area of a double-face
sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that the faces are
identical. In V-type sign structures, the interior angle of which
exceeds 45°, both sides shall be considered in measuring the sign
area.
(3)
Signs that consist of, or have attached to them, one or more
three-dimensional or irregularly shaped objects, shall have a sign
area of the sum of two adjacent vertical sign faces of the smallest
cube encompassing the sign or object.
(4)
The permitted maximum area for all signs is determined by the
sign type and the use of the property where the sign is located.
D.
Sign height and spacing.
(1)
Sign height shall be measured as the distance from the highest
portion of the sign to the mean finished grade of the street closest
to the sign. In the case of a sign located greater than 100 feet from
a public street, height shall be measured to the mean grade at the
base of the sign.
(2)
Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured
as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest
point of the sign, including any framework or other structural elements.
(3)
The permitted maximum height for all signs is determined by
the sign type and where the sign is located.
(4)
The spacing between sign structures shall be measured as a straight-line
distance between the closest edges of each sign.
E.
Illumination.
(2)
All illuminated signs shall be constructed to the standards
of the Underwriter Laboratories and shall meet Township Electrical
and Building Codes.
(3)
Illumination may be direct (giving forth light from the interior
of the sign through translucent material) or indirect, provided that
the light source is directed upon the sign.
(4)
The lighting source shall not be directly visible from any street,
residence or sidewalk, nor from any other normal vantage point.
F.
Sign construction and maintenance. Every sign shall be:
(1)
Erected or installed in strict accordance with the Township
Building Code with approval of all applicable building permits.
(2)
Maintained in a legible, safe condition, and good repair at
all times. Specifically, no sign shall be in such a state of disrepair
as to have the appearance of neglect or which is rotting, corroding,
or falling down or has loose parts separated from original fastenings.
In addition to all other applicable standards of this article,
the following standards shall apply to the respective types of sign
construction specified:
A.
Wall signs.
(1)
No portion of a wall sign shall be mounted less than 10 feet
above the finished grade or extend out more than eight inches from
the building wall on which it is affixed. If the wall sign projects
less than three inches from the building wall on which it is affixed,
the ten-foot height requirement need not be met.
(2)
More than one sign shall be permitted per wall, except that the total area of all signs on one wall shall not exceed 10% of the façade and shall further comply with the requirements of § 155-1706A(1).
(3)
The total area of all wall signs shall not exceed an area equal
to two square feet for every one linear foot of building wall parallel
to and facing, any particular street. The sign area for each street
frontage shall be computed separately, and any allowable sign area
not used on one frontage may not be used on another street frontage.
(4)
The maximum height of any such sign shall not exceed 15 feet,
and the maximum area shall not exceed 48 square feet.
(5)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which
it is mounted or beyond the edges of the same.
B.
Canopy or awning signs.
(1)
Canopy or awning signs must be centered within or over architectural
elements such as windows or doors.
(2)
Signs of the flat-wall type may be erected upon a canopy or
awning if the structural strength of such canopy or awning is sufficient
to safely carry the additional load, and provided that such signs
may not extend beyond the edges of said canopy or awning or extend
within otherwise prohibited areas.
(3)
Sign placement.
(a)
Letters or numerals shall be located only on the front and side
vertical faces of the awning or canopy.
(b)
Logos or emblems are permitted on the top or angled portion
of the awning or canopy up to a maximum of three square feet. No more
than one emblem or logo is permitted on any one awning or canopy.
(4)
Sign height. The lowest edge of the canopy or awning sign shall
be at least eight feet above the finished grade.
(5)
Awnings and canopies above the ground floor may be fixed, provided
they do not project more than four feet from the face of the building.
(6)
Multi-tenant buildings. If the awning or canopy sign is mounted
on a multi-tenant building, all awning or canopy signs shall be similar
in terms of height, projection, and style across all tenants in the
building.
C.
Projecting signs.
(1)
Districts and structures meeting the criteria of the National
Register of Historic Places shall be the only locations where projecting
signs may be permitted. Design and location of any such sign shall
be subject to review by the Zoning Officer.
(2)
Projecting signs shall be so located upon the buildings that
the lower edge is a minimum of 10 feet above grade. Projecting signs
may project a maximum of four feet from the building wall; provided,
however, that no sign shall project to a point nearer than 10 feet
from the edge of the paved roadway.
(3)
Sign height. The lowest edge of a projecting sign shall be at
least 10 feet above the finished grade and shall not extend above
the top of the wall upon which it is mounted.
(4)
One projecting sign shall be permitted per premises.
D.
Window signs.
(1)
Incidental window signs shall be excluded from area calculations
for window signs.
(2)
Multiple window signs shall be permitted per building, provided
that all window signs at any one time do not exceed 25% of the total
glass area on the side of the building where they are placed. For
grocery stores, food markets, and pharmacies, the total glass area
covered by window signs shall not exceed 35%.
(3)
Window signs may be internally lit when located on a lot within
a commercial zoning district.
E.
Freestanding (ground) signs.
(1)
One freestanding sign is permitted per street upon which the
use has direct frontage, provided that a maximum of two such signs
shall be permitted as of right on any tract.
(2)
Freestanding signs shall be supported and permanently placed
by embedding, anchoring, or connecting the sign in such a manner as
to incorporate it into the landscape or architectural design scheme.
(3)
Height. The maximum height of any sign affixed directly to the
ground shall be three feet, six inches. For a pole-type sign, unless
otherwise regulated by this article, the maximum height shall be 15
feet and the minimum distance between the ground surface and the bottom
of the sign face shall be four feet.
(4)
Area. The maximum area shall not exceed 48 square feet.
(5)
Sign placement.
(a)
No ground sign shall project to a point nearer than 10 feet
from any street right-of-way line or public sidewalk; where compliance
with this standard would nonetheless create an obstruction of view,
further setback may be required.
(b)
No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking,
loading, walkways, driveways, fire lane, easement, cartway of the
right-of-way or other areas required to remain unobstructed.
(c)
Ground signs shall be located no closer to any adjacent public
park, church, school or public playground than the minimum setback
or separation distance required for any other adjacent structure or
building, as regulated by this article.
(d)
No business ground sign may be located nearer to a residential
lot line than the minimum setback distance required for other business
or commercial structures. If located nearer than 50 feet from a residential
lot line, such sign shall be positioned or designed so as not to shine
or reflect light into adjacent residences.
A.
BILLBOARD STRUCTURE
DIGITAL BILLBOARD
DISPLAY FACE
MONOPOLE SIGN
MONUMENT SIGN
Definitions. The following terms shall have the following definitions
when used in this section:
The framework, supports, display face(s) and electrical components
of the billboard.
A billboard without moving parts whose content may be changed
by electronic process through the use of intermittent light or lights,
including, but not limited to, light-emitting diodes (LED), liquid-crystal
display (LCD), or plasma-image display.
The facing of a billboard, including copy, insignia, background,
border and trim. The measurement of the display face shall be determined
by the smallest rectangle inclusive of all letters and images. Structural
supports shall be excluded from calculation of the size of the display
face if they are not used to directly express or convey a commercial
or noncommercial message.
A billboard sign that is supported by a single pole, column
or similar-type vertical structure.
A billboard sign that is erected directly upon the ground
surface, including the display face and billboard structure.
B.
Area, yard and bulk regulations.
(1)
Lot area and street frontage. Every lot on which a billboard is located shall comply with the provisions of § 155-805.
(2)
Area of billboard. A billboard display face shall be limited
to a maximum area of 300 square feet.
(3)
Height. A billboard, including the billboard structure, shall
be limited to a maximum total height of 24 feet. The height of such
billboard, including the billboard structure, shall be measured from
the average existing grade based on the area found within a fifty-foot
perimeter of the outer limits of the billboard structure.
(4)
Setbacks. No billboard shall project to a point nearer than
10 feet from any street right-of-way line or public sidewalk; where
compliance with this standard would nonetheless create an obstruction
of view, further setback may be required.
C.
Lot requirements.
(1)
A billboard shall be located only within 500 feet of a highway
that is at least four lanes wide.
(2)
A billboard shall be permitted only as a principal use on any
lot. Billboards shall be constructed only as a monument sign or as
a monopole sign, and shall not be attached to a roof or wall of any
structure.
(3)
No other buildings, structures, or other improvements shall
be permitted on the same lot as a billboard.
D.
Separation requirements.
(1)
A billboard shall not be located within 250 feet of a residential
zoning district or an agricultural/residential zoning district.
(2)
A billboard shall not be located within 500 feet of any public
park, public open space or public playground.
(3)
Billboards shall be separated from each other by a minimum distance
of 600 feet.
(4)
A billboard shall not be located within 175 feet of an intersection
with a traffic light.
E.
Lighting.
(1)
All billboard lighting, except a digital billboard display face,
shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as not
to project or reflect light onto a neighboring use or property (light
trespass), U.S. Route 202, or a nearby intersecting road. The billboard
shall be lit only from dusk to 10:00 p.m. All lighting fixtures shall
be equipped with devices which automatically extinguish the lighting
at 10:00 p.m. There shall be a maximum luminance of 0.1 footcandle
measured at any residential property line.
(2)
Lighting shall comply with the Illuminating Engineering Society
of North America's (IESNA) recommended practices and criteria
in the IESNA Lighting Handbook, including, but not limited to, criteria
for full-cutoff fixtures. Fixtures shall be equipped with or be capable
of being back-fitted with light-directing devices such as shields,
visors or hoods when necessary to redirect offending light distribution.
(3)
No billboard shall include any flashing, intermittent, animated,
rotating or oscillating lighting.
F.
Landscaping.
(1)
A landscaping plan shall be required for any conditional use
application for a billboard. The landscaping plan shall demonstrate
that a minimum of 75% of the lot is pervious surface and landscaped
with vegetation.
(2)
Billboards shall be screened, at the time of construction of
the billboard, from any abutting property used or zoned for residential
use. Such screening shall consist of evergreen trees of a least 10
feet in height at the time of planting and shall form a continuous
visual buffer along or near the property line abutting the residential
use or lot.
(3)
If at the time of planting the evergreens do not provide for
adequate screening, a temporary, nonvegetative screen may be required
at the discretion and approval of the Township. This screening shall
not exceed the height of the existing billboard and shall be removed
at the expense of the billboard owner or lessee owner at such time
the evergreens provide for adequate screening as determined by the
Township.
G.
Digital billboards. Digital billboards shall be permitted in the B Business District. Where such digital billboard is proposed, the following standards and conditions shall apply in addition to the general standards contained within § 155-1707:
(1)
The digital billboard display face shall have a maximum luminance
of 5,000 nits, as defined by the most current edition of the IESNA
Lighting Handbook, from dawn to dusk and a maximum of 125 nits from
dusk to 10:00 p.m.
(2)
Digital billboard display face illumination of any type shall
be prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and dawn so that the entire billboard
is completely unlit between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and dawn.
(3)
The message displayed on the digital billboard display face
shall be static and non-animated and shall remain fixed for a minimum
of 20 seconds.
(4)
When a message is transitioned on the digital billboard display
face, it shall be accomplished in one second or less with all illumination
changing simultaneously and in unison.
(5)
The digital billboard shall contain a default design that will
freeze the sign in one position if a malfunction occurs or, in the
alternative, shut down.
(6)
The digital billboard shall not display any message that moves,
appears to move, scrolls, or changes in intensity during the fixed
display period.
(7)
The digital billboard display face shall not have lighting that
would compete with or distract from red and green traffic signal lighting.
H.
Maintenance, financial security and permits.
(1)
All maintenance, cleaning and repair, including repair of torn
or worn advertising copy and removal of graffiti shall be performed
promptly. In the event the Township notifies the owner or lessee of
any damage, vandalism, graffiti or offensive advertising to or on
the billboard or the billboard structure, the owner or lessee shall
repair or correct the problem within 48 hours of such notification.
If repairs and corrections are not timely, the Township shall have
the right, but not the obligation, to make repairs or corrections
and be reimbursed the costs thereof by the owner or lessee.
(2)
All billboards shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent
unauthorized access.
(3)
A bond or other security acceptable to the Township, in the
form and amount satisfactory to the Township, shall be posted with
the Township to ensure that the billboard will be properly removed
after the termination of use for a period of one year.
(4)
Billboards shall require a building permit and related permits
and shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions
of the Building Code of Thornbury Township.
(5)
All required landscaping and screening shall be maintained by
the billboard owner or the property owner.
I.
Special requirements.
(1)
No billboard shall unreasonably block the view from the roadway
of an existing business, logo or sign, or limit or reduce the lighting
and ventilation requirements of any Township ordinance or other applicable
code.
(2)
No billboard shall obscure or physically interfere with an official
traffic sign, signal or device.
(3)
No billboard shall obstruct any sight triangle in an unsafe
manner as determined by the Township's traffic engineer.
A.
The following signs, not qualified as exempt under § 155-1704 and not prohibited under § 155-1703, shall be permitted within residential zoning districts of the Township. The requirements of § 155-1711 regarding sign permits shall be waived for these signs; compliance with all other provisions of this article shall be required.
(1)
A temporary sign of a contractor, architect, mechanic, or artisan
placed on the property where the contracted work is occurring, shall
not exceed four square feet.
(3)
Temporary political campaign signs, provided that the signs
comply with the following:
(a)
Temporary political campaign signs must be placed outside of
the right-of-way, and a minimum of five feet from the edge of the
pavement of any street in the Township. Such signs may not block vehicle
sight lines or present any other traffic safety hazard.
(b)
Campaign signs within a public right-of-way are to be removed
no later than seven days after the relevant election.
(4)
Directional signs located within a tract undergoing development,
indicating the route to the sales office, model home, construction
trailer, etc., subject to the following:
(5)
Not more than one vehicle displaying a business sign shall be
parked in a residential district. All other such vehicles shall be
concealed (garaged) from public view, except where the vehicle owner
or repairman is currently engaged in authorized repairs or construction
at that location.
(6)
Special event temporary signs, including banners, that identify
a grand opening, parade, festival, fund drive, or similar occasion,
where such signs are deemed by the Zoning Officer to be of general
benefit to the Township or for public convenience, necessity or welfare,
subject to the following:
B.
The following signs, not qualified as exempt under § 155-1704 and not prohibited under § 155-1703, shall be permitted in residential zoning districts, provided that they conform with all other provisions of this article, including the requirements for a permit as specified in § 155-1711:
(1)
Professional, accessory use, home occupation, or name sign,
indicating the name, profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling,
subject to the following:
The following sings shall be permitted in the Business District
and/or Multipurpose District:
B.
The total area of all wall, awning/canopy, freestanding, and projecting
signs on lots with nonresidential uses shall not exceed an area equal
to two square feet for every one linear foot of building wall parallel
to, and facing, any particular street. The sign area for each street
frontage shall be computed separately, and any allowable sign area
not used on one frontage may not be used on another street frontage.
C.
The maximum height of any such sign shall not exceed 15 feet, and
the maximum area shall not exceed 48 square feet.
D.
For an individual, freestanding principal use of a commercial or
industrial nature, there shall be not more than one sign (regardless
of construction type) for each public street on which the property
fronts, exclusive of window signs.
(1)
In addition to the otherwise applicable provisions of this article,
gasoline service stations may erect and maintain four accessory signs,
provided that each such sign does not exceed four square feet in area.
E.
Wall signs on lots with commercial and industrial uses shall be permitted
subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Number. Each individual use shall be permitted one wall sign,
except a multi-tenant building, which shall be limited to one wall
sign. Wall signs in a planned commercial or office center shall be
uniform and coordinated in style, materials and colors.
(2)
Area. The total area for all wall signs are subject to the regulations in § 155-1706A(3).
(3)
Height. Signs shall have a maximum height equal to the eave
line of the structure where it is placed.
F.
Awning or canopy signs on lots with commercial and industrial uses
shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Number. One under-canopy sign per each tenant/business entity
within the shopping center complex, perpendicular to the front façade
of the store.
(2)
Area. Under-canopy signs shall not exceed eight square feet
per side.
(3)
Height. Signs shall have a maximum height equal to the eave
line of the structure where it is placed.
G.
Directory signs. Where permitted, directory signs may be erected
identifying two or more persons, agencies or establishments and erected
primarily as a service to motoring or pedestrian traffic.
(1)
Such signs shall be ground signs only and shall be limited in number as prescribed in § 155-1706E.
(2)
Such signs may list only a name, address, logo, and primary
product or service of each firm or business and may contain a graphic
directory or map to assist in locating destinations.
(3)
The respective permitted areas of information on multiple directory
signs shall be limited to no more than three square feet per establishment
listed and no more than 10 square feet per graphic directory, provided
that the total sign area does not exceed 25 square feet.
(4)
The maximum height of a directory sign shall be 15 feet.
(5)
Such signs shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from the street
line and a minimum of 20 feet from the nearest street access driveway
and shall be situated for maximum visibility from the vehicular accessway.
H.
Signs erected in conjunction with shopping center development shall
be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Ground signs.
(a)
Information contained on the ground sign shall be limited to
advertisement of establishments on the premises and the name of the
shopping center and/or the management/leasing company in charge of
operation of the shopping center.
(b)
Number. One ground sign identifying the shopping center shall
be permitted at each vehicular entrance from a public street, not
to exceed two such signs.
(c)
Area. Shall not exceed 180 square feet per side.
(d)
Height. Shall have a maximum height equal to 15 feet in height.
I.
Signs erected in conjunction with planned commercial or office centers
containing multiple or multitenant buildings shall be permitted subject
to the following regulations.
(1)
Number. One ground shall be permitted for identification purposes at or near the entrance of each separate building. Such signs shall be permitted in addition to directory signs authorized by § 155-1709G.
(2)
Area. Sign shall not exceed 15 square feet.
(3)
Height. Maximum height equal to five feet in height.
A.
Unsafe or unlawful signs.
(1)
Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe and/or poses a potential
threat to the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public
safety and such condition becomes known to the Zoning Officer, he/she
shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which the
sign is located that such sign must be made safe or removed within
five days, unless the Zoning Officer shall deem appropriate a more
extended period for compliance.
(2)
Where, in the opinion of the Zoning Officer upon careful inspection
by he/she and the Township Building Official, any sign as described
above constitutes an imminent hazard to public safety necessitating
immediate action, he/she shall be empowered to take those measures
he/she deems appropriate to secure, stabilize or remove such sign
without the written notice to the owner of the premises otherwise
required by that section. In such cases, a lien shall be placed against
the property on which such sign was situated in the amount of the
costs incurred by the Township to secure, stabilize, or remove the
sign.
(3)
Failure of the Zoning Officer to remove, or require the removal
of any unsafe sign as described in this section shall create no liability
upon, nor any cause of action against, the Township, the Zoning Officer
or any other Township official or employee for damage or injury that
may occur as a result of such 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 section.
Removal of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire
sign including the sign face, supporting structure, structural trim,
and all associated electrical components when applicable.
(2)
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is
located fails to remove such sign in 30 days Thornbury Township may
remove such sign after the Zoning Officer gives written notice to
the sign owner. 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, Thornbury Township may file a lien upon the property
for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorney fees incurred by the Township associated with the removal
of the sign.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, alter, repair, or relocate any sign within Thornbury Township without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempt from the permit requirements as outlined in § 155-1704.
B.
Application for a sign permit shall be made, in writing, to the Zoning
Officer and shall contain all information necessary for the Zoning
Officer to determine whether the proposed sign, or the proposed alterations,
conform to the requirements of this article. All applications for
sign permits shall be accompanied by plans or diagrams in duplicate
and approximately to scale, showing the following:
(1)
Exact dimensions of the lot, including any right-of-way lines
or building upon which the sign is proposed to be erected.
(2)
Exact size, dimensions and location of the said sign on the
lot or building, together with its type, construction, and materials
to be used and the manner of installation.
(3)
Any other lawful information which may be required of the applicant
by the Zoning Officer.
C.
No permit for an off-site sign shall be issued until the property
owner's consent and signature have been filed.
D.
No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until the required fee
has been paid to the Zoning Officer, which fee shall be established
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
E.
No sign permit shall be issued unless there is conformance with the
regulations of this article, except upon order of the Zoning Hearing
Board, granted pursuant to the procedures established for the issuance
of a variance.
F.
Thornbury Township shall have 15 business days from the receipt of
a complete application to review the application.
G.
After installation, the Zoning Officer shall inspect the sign to
ensure that the installation has conformed to the regulations set
forth in this article. All signs shall henceforth be subject to annual
inspection.
Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary,
to the extent that this article allows a sign containing commercial
copy, it shall allow a noncommercial sign to the same extent. The
noncommercial message may occupy the entire sign area or any portion
thereof, and may substitute for or be combined with the commercial
message. The sign message may be changed from commercial to noncommercial,
or from one noncommercial message to another, as frequently as desired
by the sign's owner, provided that the sign is not prohibited
and the sign continues to comply with all requirements of this article.
The placement of a sign that requires a sign permit without a sign permit shall be unlawful. Violations of this chapter shall be treated as prescribed within § 155-2107.
