[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 841; 8-24-2020 by Ord. No. 855]
The sign regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this section are intended to provide effective and compatible communication of information regarding public safety, location, streets and street addresses and basic community identity. Specifically, Part 7, Signage and Public Display, is intended to:
A.
Ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained
so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised.
B.
Minimize the distractions and the obstructing of view that contributes
to traffic hazards and endangers public safety.
C.
Encourage a high standard for signs in order to enhance the aesthetic
appearance and attractiveness of the community and, further, create
an aesthetic environment that contributes to the ability of the community
to attract sources of economic development and growth.
D.
Allow for adequate and effective signs for communicating identification
while preventing signs from dominating the visual appearance of the
area in which they are located. In the interest of public safety,
the visibility of street address information for use by emergency
responders (fire, police and medical) is of preeminent importance.
E.
Guide public safety, area development, preservation of lot values
and the general welfare of Peters Township.
F.
To preserve the rights of individuals and businesses to free speech
and expression within a uniform set of regulations without regard
to the message's content.
Any sign erected, altered or maintained after the effective
date of this chapter shall conform to the following regulations.
The Planning Director or their designee shall deem illegal any
sign erected in the Township that is not a permitted sign as defined
in this Part 7 or is erected without a necessary permit.
All words used in this Part 7 shall carry their customary dictionary
definitions as provided in the most recent edition of Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary, except where specifically defined herein. For the purpose
of this Part 7, certain words shall have the meanings assigned to
them as follows:
A sign which hosts an advertisement that has not been accurate
or valid for a period of at least 60 days, is in a state of disrepair,
or is located on a vacant or abandoned property.
A temporary hood or cover that projects from the wall of
a building and which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against
the face of the supporting building.
Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning.
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.
A type of off-premises sign and structure for the permanent
display of advertising of products and services not offered or conducted
on the same property where the sign is located. Off-premises advertising
directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment
conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on
which the sign is located.
A structure other than an awning made of fabric, metal or
other material that is supported by columns or posts affixed to the
ground and may also be connected to a building.
Any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy.
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular
traffic into and out of or within a site.
A sign oriented to occupants of a vehicle utilizing a drive-through
lane at an establishment that has a drive-through accessory use.
Any portion of a billboard that contains alphanumeric characters,
graphics or symbols defined by a small number of matrix elements using
different combinations of light-emitting diodes (LED), fiber optics,
light bulbs or other illumination device within the display area.
An on-premises sign that is a type of illuminated, changeable-copy
sign that consists of electronically changing alphanumeric text which,
in whole or in part, may be changed by means of electronic programming.
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.
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.
Any sign that hangs from rope, cable or chain or other flexible
means of support to a bracket or other type of support anchored to
a single pole. A hanging bracket sign may be considered one sign though
it may have two faces.
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated in or indirectly from an artificial
source.
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATIONArtificial 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.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATIONA light source that is concealed or contained within the sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface. Electronic variable-message signs and signs incorporating neon lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the purposes of this chapter.
HALO/BACKLIT ILLUMINATIONA sign using a three-dimensional message, logo, etc., which is lit in such a way as to produce a halo effect.
A nonelectric sign two square feet or less in size intended
primarily for the convenience of the public while on the premises
on which the sign is located.
Local unit of government refers to Peters Township, the Peters
Township School District and the local sanitary authorities.
A sign located on, or attached to, a permanent structure,
other than a roof or canopy, attached to, supported by, and projecting
from a building and providing protection from the elements.
A freestanding sign supported entirely by a base structure
and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of a building. The
base is to be constructed of materials used in the main structure.
A monument sign shall be considered one sign though it may have two
faces.
A sign attached or affixed 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 sign erected and maintained on a freestanding frame, mast
or pole and not attached to any building, but does not include ground-mounted
signs. A pole sign may be considered one sign though it may have two
sign faces.
A sign, other than a wall sign, which is affixed to, supported
by and perpendicular to the exterior wall of a building or structure.
Any material substance or medium that contains graphic content,
whether symbolic or alphabetic, that is intended for the purpose of
conveying information, product advertising, services, goods, activities
or directions. This does not pertain to traffic control or directional
signs located within a road right-of-way as placed by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, Washington County or Peters Township. The term "placed"
shall include erecting, constructing, posting, painting, printing,
tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving, or otherwise fastening,
affixing or making visible in any manner whatsoever.
The entire face of a sign, including the advertising surface
and any framing, trim, or molding, but not including the supporting
structure for all other signs. If no framing is provided, the sign
area is the smallest rectangle that encloses all lettering and other
graphics. The maximum sign area is the maximum allowable gross surface
area in square feet of a sign or signs.
A type of nonpermanent sign that is located on private property
that can be displayed for a limited duration specified in this chapter.
A sign which is affixed to the exterior wall of a building
and which is parallel to the building wall.
A sign affixed to the inside of a window or inside the building
within three feet of a window in view of the general public. This
does not include merchandise on display. Window signage shall include,
but is not limited to, business and logo signs.
A standalone freestanding sign on a residential property
that is no greater than six square feet in size, located in the property's
front or side yard. These signs are not required to be monument-style
freestanding signs.
A.
Packages, permits, fees and procedures.
(1)
All proposed developments shall be required to submit a sign
package to the Township Planning Department for its approval prior
to any sign permits being issued to businesses within the development.
This provision shall apply to new construction after the effective
date of this chapter. "Sign package" shall mean a detailed description,
including but not limited to type, size and location of all signs
for each unit within the complex/center, as well as the pole or monument
sign.
(2)
A sign permit shall be required in order to erect, install,
relocate, modify or change any sign within the Township unless otherwise
indicated in this section. "Modify," as it is used herein, shall mean
cabinet or face replacement because of a change in the nature or name
and ownership of the business.
(3)
Failure to conform to the conditions of a sign permit, including
any conditions and/or stipulations attached thereto, shall render
such permit void.
(4)
Fees for sign permits shall be required and payable in such
sums as the Peters Township Council may from time to time establish
by ordinance.
(5)
No sign permit shall be valid or effective after six months
from the date of issuance thereof and shall thereafter be void unless
the sign is in place as of the expiration date.
(6)
To obtain a sign permit, applicants must complete a sign permit
application including the following information:
(a)
A drawing prepared to scale of the proposed sign showing all
sign dimensions, including the height of the sign, the grade level
of the base of the sign or pole(s) and sign materials and colors.
(b)
Lot plan showing proposed locations of any freestanding sign(s).
(c)
Any building elevations showing proposed location of sign.
(d)
The sources of sign illumination and applicable details of the
fixture and screening.
B.
Design, construction and installation.
(1)
All signs shall be installed in accordance with good engineering
practice which shall be the responsibility of the sign owner. Signs
shall be constructed of durable materials using noncorrosive fastenings,
shall be structurally safe and shall be installed in strict accordance
with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
(2)
All signs shall be designed to be compatible in character and
style regarding materials, color and size of the building, other signs
on the building and other adjoining parcels in order to produce an
overall unified effect.
(3)
All freestanding signs shall be submitted to the Planning Department
for review in all zoning districts according to the following parameters:
(a)
Continuity. Signs shall be considered and reviewed in relation
to the zoning district and shall have a continuity of design.
(b)
Style/color. The color of a sign shall be generally consistent
with the color of the building and shall consist of architectural
elements that relate the sign to the building.
(c)
Materials. All building and freestanding signs shall be fabricated
with materials of good quality, good durability, and that are consistent
with or complementary to the building. The use of banners unframed
or directly attached to the building shall not be considered compliant
with this section.
C.
Maintenance.
(1)
Every permitted sign must be kept in good condition and repair.
Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated as determined by the
Township Planning Director or their designee may be removed by the
Township at the expense of the owner or person in possession of the
lot on which the sign is located. The Planning Director or their designee
will notify the responsible party with a certified letter prior to
any removal action being taken by the Township.
(2)
Any damaged sign shall be repaired within 60 days.
(3)
Any sign which has been damaged to such extent that it may pose
an imminent hazard to passersby, as determined by the Building Inspector,
shall be repaired or removed immediately.
(4)
Any internally illuminated sign cabinets or sign panels which
have been damaged shall remain nonilluminated until repaired.
(5)
Nonconforming signs shall only be repaired in accordance with
this chapter.
(6)
Failure to comply with these sign maintenance requirements shall
constitute a violation of the Peters Township Zoning Ordinance.
D.
Dimensions.
(1)
Area.
(a)
The maximum permitted area for all signs is determined by the
sign type and the zoning district in which the sign is located.
(b)
The area of a sign, both illuminated and nonilluminated, shall
refer to the square footage of the sign facing, including any border
or framing or decorative attachments, but not including some architectural
or landscaping element that otherwise meets zoning regulations and
is clearly identical to the sign itself.
(c)
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 encloses all the symbols. This includes monument signs mounted as individual letters and/or graphics against a wall or fence incorporated in the landscaping of a building. See the illustration in Part 12, Appendixes, of this chapter.
(2)
Height.
(a)
The permitted maximum height for all signs is determined by
the sign type and the zoning district.
(b)
Sign height shall be measured from the top of the sign structure
to the mean finished grade at the base of the sign, provided that
the ground level is not deliberately elevated to increase the height
of the sign.
(c)
The height of any decorative base or architectural or landscape
feature erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured
at average grade as part of the sign height.
(d)
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 structural elements.
(3)
Sign copy mounted or painted on an illuminated surface or illuminated
architectural element of a building shall be measured as the entire
illuminated surface or element which contains sign copy. A nonilluminated
sign placed on an awning shall be measured as if placed on any other
architectural element.
E.
Illumination. Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified
herein, consistent with the following standards:
(1)
No sign may incorporate any flashing or moving illustration,
illumination that varies in intensity, or visible movement achieved
by electric pulsations or by actions of normal wind currents.
(2)
Where permitted, illumination may be:
(a)
External.
[1]
The source of the light must be concealed by translucent covers
and shall be a steady, stationary light source shielded and directed
solely at the sign. The light source must be static in color.
[2]
Building-mounted signs may be illuminated by ground-mounted
lights or building-mounted light bars. Freestanding signs may be illuminated
by ground-mounted lights. The light source shall be totally screened
from view and shall not cause glare hazardous or distracting to pedestrians,
vehicle drivers or adjacent properties.
(b)
Internal. Internal illumination, including neon lighting, must
be static in intensity and color.
F.
Location.
(1)
No sign shall be placed, erected or located so that:
(a)
It endangers pedestrians, bicyclists or traffic on a street
by obscuring the view or by interfering with official street signs
or signals by virtue of position or color.
(b)
It interferes with any surface or underground utility or communications
lines or equipment.
(c)
It is pasted, stapled, or otherwise attached to public utility
poles or trees within the street right-of-way line.
(d)
It is located on a piece of publicly owned property or in a
public right-of-way unless permitted by the Township.
(e)
It is painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone,
cliff or other natural objects.
(f)
It is displayed on a vehicle parked and visible from a public
right-of-way unless the vehicle is used for the normal day-to-day
operation of a business on the premises. The intent of this provision
is to prohibit the use of a sign on a vehicle to circumvent sign limits
on a lot.
(g)
It is within a sight triangle.
(2)
All permanent freestanding signs shall be set back at least
16 feet from the paved cartway of any street in all districts, unless
otherwise approved by the Planning Director or their designee.
(3)
Signage shall not be lettered or painted directly upon the wall
or any other part of the building except for windows. No more than
50% of the window surface shall be taken up by window signs.
G.
Removal. Abandoned signs shall be removed within 90 days. If the
sign is a conforming sign in all respects except for placement, only
the letter portions of such signs must be removed.
H.
Liability. The provisions of this section shall not be construed
as relieving or limiting in any way the responsibility or liability
of any person, firm or corporation erecting or owning any sign, or
resulting from the negligence or willful acts of such person, firm
or corporation, its agents, employees or workmen, in the construction,
maintenance, repair or removal of any sign erected in accordance with
a permit issued hereunder. Nor shall issuance of such permit be construed
as imposing on the Township, or its officers or employees, any responsibility
or liability by reasons of approval of any signs structural integrity,
construction methods, materials, electrical or mechanical devices
or other components which shall be the sole responsibility of the
person, firm or corporation erecting, owning, repairing or removing
such sign.
|
Figure 700.1
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Permanent Signs Allowed in Residential Districts for Uses by
Right
| ||
|
Low-Density Residential (LD), Medium-Density Residential (MD),
Woodland Protection (WP), Cluster Residential (CL), Rural Residential
(RR), Village Residential (VR)
| ||
|
Sign Types
|
Allowed
|
Regulations
|
|
Freestanding Signs: § 440-705
| ||
|
Monument sign
|
Yes
|
20 sq. ft.; 6 ft. tall. Only at the entrance to a subdivision.
|
|
Pole sign
|
No
|
—
|
|
Drive-through menu board
|
No
|
—
|
|
Attached Signs: § 440-706
| ||
|
Wall sign (nonresidential uses)
|
Varies
|
See § 440-707A
|
|
Wall sign (residential uses)
|
Yes
|
Street no. sign, additional 3 sq. ft. sign
|
|
Projecting sign
|
Yes
|
Nonresidential only. 20 sq. ft. total and up to 2 per property
with nonresidential uses.
|
|
Canopy/awning sign
|
Yes
|
Nonresidential only. Up to 2 canopy/awning or projecting sign
at properties with nonresidential uses.
|
|
Marquee sign
|
No
|
—
|
|
Window sign
|
Yes
|
Nonresidential only. Up to 50% of window area. No permit. Not
counted toward attached sign area.
|
|
Other signs: § 440-707
| ||
|
Electronic variable-message sign
|
No
|
—
|
|
Flags
|
Yes
|
Not in ROW. 24 sq. ft. max. Up to 15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole,
2 flags
|
|
Hanging bracket
|
Yes
|
Attached or freestanding. Maximum 6 sq. ft.
|
|
Billboards: § 440-708
| ||
|
Billboards
|
No
|
—
|
|
Certain uses in residential districts (special exceptions, conditional uses, and otherwise) have additional regulations and allowance for the different sign types. The remainder of the Sign Ordinance (§ 440-700), the supplemental regulations in § 440-601, and Figure 700.2 provide these additional regulations.
| ||
|
Free-standing Signs § 440-706
|
Attached Signs § 440-707
| ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Figure 700.2
Allowed Permanent Signs for Special Exceptions and Conditional
Uses in Residential Districts
Low-Density Residential (LD), Medium-Density Residential (MD),
Woodland Protection (WP), Cluster Residential (CL), Rural Residential
(RR), Village Residential (VR)
|
Monument
|
Drive-Through Menu Board
|
Wall Sign
|
Projecting Sign
|
Canopy/Awning Sign
|
Marquee Sign
|
Window Sign
|
Electronic Variable-Message Sign
|
Flags
|
Hanging Bracket
|
Billboards
|
|
Special Exceptions
| |||||||||||
|
Animal kennel
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Bed-and-breakfast
|
Y2
|
N
|
Y3
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Cemetery
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Equestrian facility
|
N
|
N
|
Y3
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Family day care
|
N
|
N
|
Y3
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
Group living facility: Type A
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Home occupation (single-family cluster only)
|
N
|
N
|
Y3
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
New tower in the right-of-way
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
Place of worship/assembly
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
Y5
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Private club
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
Y5
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Recreation facility: private
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
Y5
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
School
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
Y6
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Conditional Uses
| |||||||||||
|
Mobile home park
|
Y
|
N
|
Y3
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Nursing-care facility/inpatient rehabilitation
|
Y
|
N
|
Y1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
Solar energy system: large
|
N
|
N
|
Y4
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
Transitional facility
|
N
|
N
|
Y3
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
1
|
Up to 20 square feet in size.
|
|
2
|
Not more than one ground sign shall be permitted on the lot.
The maximum permitted sign area shall be 20 square feet.
|
|
3
|
Street number sign, additional three-square-foot sign.
|
|
4
|
Up to three square feet in size. A clearly visible warning sign
concerning voltage must be placed at the base of all pad-mounted transformers
and substations.
|
|
5
|
Only along the roadways identified in § 440-708A.
|
|
6
|
See § 440-708A for additional information.
|
|
Figure 700.3
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Permanent Signs Allowed in Nonresidential Districts for Uses
by Right
| ||
|
Town Center (TC), Industrial (IN), Village Commercial (VC),
General Commercial (GC)
| ||
|
Sign Types
|
Allowed
|
Regulations
|
|
Freestanding Signs: § 440-706
| ||
|
Monument sign
|
Yes
|
Size varies by district. See Figures 700.7 and 700.8.
|
|
Pole sign
|
Yes
|
IN and GC only. 20 ft. tall. See Figure 700.8.
|
|
Drive-through menu board
|
Yes
|
Only with drive-through accessory use
|
|
Attached Signs: § 440-707
| ||
|
Wall sign
|
Yes
|
Varies by district. See Figure 700.9.
|
|
Projecting sign
|
Yes
|
20 sq. ft. per face and up to 2 per property with nonresidential
uses
|
|
Canopy/awning sign
|
Yes
|
Up to 2 canopy/awning signs at properties with nonresidential
uses
|
|
Marquee sign
|
Yes
|
1 per building. Not permitted in Industrial.
|
|
Window sign
|
Yes
|
Up to 50% of window area. No permit. Not counted toward attached
sign area.
|
|
Other Signs: § 440-708
| ||
|
Electronic variable-message sign
|
Yes
|
Must be monument style; see § 440-708A for additional regulations.
|
|
Flags
|
Yes
|
Not in ROW. 35 sq. ft. max. Up to 15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole,
2 flags.
|
|
Hanging bracket
|
Yes
|
Attached or freestanding. Maximum 6 sq. ft.
|
|
Billboards: § 440-709
| ||
|
Billboards
|
Yes
|
Only permitted in GC. 750 ft. away from another billboard. 250 sq. ft. and 35 ft. from grade to bottom of the sign. See § 440-709.
|
|
Figure 700.4
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Permanent Signs Allowed in Mixed-Use Districts for Uses by Right
| ||
|
Mixed-Use Activity (MA), Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia
Road Mixed-Use Corridor (WV), Valley Brook Road Mixed-Use Corridor
(VB)
| ||
|
Sign Types
|
Allowed
|
Regulations
|
|
Freestanding Signs: § 440-706
| ||
|
Monument sign
|
Yes
|
Size varies, see Figure 700.6.
|
|
Pole sign
|
No
|
—
|
|
Drive-through menu board
|
Yes
|
Only in MA with drive-through accessory use.
|
|
Attached Signs: § 440-707
| ||
|
Wall sign
|
Yes
|
Varies by district. See Figure 700.9.
|
|
Projecting sign
|
Yes
|
20 sq. ft. in MA; 10 sq. ft. elsewhere per face and up to 2
per property with nonresidential uses.
|
|
Canopy/awning sign
|
Yes
|
Up to 2 canopy/awning signs at properties with nonresidential
uses.
|
|
Marquee sign
|
Yes
|
1 per building.
|
|
Window sign
|
Yes
|
Up to 50% of window area. No permit. Not counted toward attached
sign area.
|
|
Other Signs: § 440-708
| ||
|
Electronic variable-message sign
|
Yes
|
Must be monument style; see § 440-709A for additional regulations.
|
|
Flags
|
Yes
|
Not in ROW. 24 sq. ft. max. Up to 15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole,
2 flags.
|
|
Hanging bracket
|
Yes
|
Attached or freestanding. Maximum 6 sq. ft.
|
|
Billboards: § 440-709
| ||
|
Billboards
|
No
|
—
|
|
Figure 700.5
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Permanent Signs Allowed in Residential Districts on Properties
Owned by a Local Unit of Government
| ||
|
Sign Types
|
Allowed
|
Regulations
|
|
Freestanding Signs: § 440-706
| ||
|
Monument sign
|
Yes
|
Monument only. 50 sq. ft.; 8 ft. tall.
|
|
Pole sign
|
No
|
—
|
|
Drive-through menu board
|
No
|
—
|
|
Attached Signs: § 440-707
| ||
|
Wall sign
|
Yes
|
1 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage.
|
|
Projecting sign
|
Yes
|
20 sq. ft. per face and up to 2 per property with nonresidential
uses.
|
|
Canopy/awning sign
|
Yes
|
Up to 2 canopy signs at properties with nonresidential uses.
|
|
Marquee sign
|
No
|
—
|
|
Window sign
|
Yes
|
Up to 50% of window area. No permit. Not counted toward attached
sign area.
|
|
Other Signs: § 440-708
| ||
|
Electronic variable-message sign
|
Yes
|
Must be monument style; see § 440-709A for additional regulations.
|
|
Flags
|
Yes
|
Not in ROW. 24 sq. ft. max. Up to 15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole,
2 flags.
|
|
Hanging bracket
|
Yes
|
Attached or freestanding. Maximum 6 sq. ft.
|
|
Billboards: § 440-709
| ||
|
Billboards
|
No
|
—
|
A.
Maximum dimension and number.
(1)
No land development shall have more than one monument or pole
sign, and none shall have both, with the following exception: multiple
single tenants comprising a land development may have one monument
sign per parcel.
(2)
Freestanding major signs shall conform to the maximum dimensions
and permitted types specified in Figure 700.6. This table summarizes
type-specific regulations detailed in this chapter.
|
Figure 700.6
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Summary of Allowable Types and Dimensions for Freestanding Signs
| ||
|
Zoning District
|
Sign Type
|
Size
|
|
TC McMurray Town Center
|
Monument
|
Single tenant: 30 square feet maximum
Buildings with multiple tenants: 50 square feet maximum
Maximum 6 feet in height
|
|
IN Industrial
|
Monument or pole
|
50 square feet maximum
Pole signs shall not measure higher than 20 feet in height.
Monument sign shall have a maximum height of 6 feet in height,
except 8 feet along Route 19.
|
|
GC General Commercial
|
Monument or pole
|
Single tenant: 50 square feet maximum
Single tenant with 200 feet or more of property frontage or
2 to 9 suites or units: 70 square feet maximum
Single tenant with 10+ acres or 10 or more suites or units:
100 square feet maximum
Pole signs shall not measure higher than 20 feet in height.
Monument sign shall have a maximum height of 6 feet in height,
except 8 feet along Route 19.
|
|
VC Venetia Village Commercial
|
Monument
|
35 square feet maximum
Maximum 6 feet in height
|
|
MA Mixed-Use Activity Center
|
Monument
|
Single tenant: 50 square feet maximum
Single tenant with 200 feet or more of property frontage or
2 to 9 suites or units: 70 square feet maximum
Single tenant with 10+ acres or 10 or more suites or units:
100 square feet maximum
Maximum 6 feet in height, except 8 feet along Route 19
|
|
VM Village Mixed-Use
|
Monument
|
25 square feet maximum
Maximum 6 feet in height
|
|
WV West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor
|
Monument
|
25 square feet maximum
Maximum 6 feet in height
|
|
VB Valley Brook Mixed-Use Corridor
|
Monument
|
25 square feet maximum
Maximum 6 feet in height
|
|
Residential Districts
|
Monument
|
20 square feet maximum1
Maximum 6 feet in height1
|
|
1.
|
Maximum 80 square feet in size and eight feet tall if located
on a property owned by a local unit of government.
|
B.
Monument signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
All permanent freestanding signs in all zoning districts, excluding
the General Commercial (GC) and Industrial (IN) Districts shall be
monument-style signs.
(b)
Location. Monument signs shall be set back at least 16 feet
from the paved cartway unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director
or their designee. Signs shall not be located in the right-of-way.
(c)
Area. Permanent monument signs installed perpendicular to a
street may be double-faced with the allowable square footage on each
face. Double-faced signs which are erected at an angle to each other
will be subject to the interpretation of the Planning Director or
their designee as to whether they are intended as two signs or for
all intents and purposes only constitute one sign for north/south,
east/west orientation on the serving street.
(d)
Height: shall be a maximum of six feet in height except along
Route 19, where they may reach a maximum of eight feet.
(2)
Standards by district. Monument signs on nonresidential properties
shall be permitted in addition to building signs subject to the following
regulations:
(a)
Up to two signs per land development if comprised of separate
parcels or outparcels.
(b)
In the General Commercial (GC), Mixed-Use (MA), Village Mixed-Use
(VM) and Village Commercial (VC) Districts, the following types of
illumination shall be permitted: internal and electronic variable-message
signs.
(c)
Monument signs in all districts, located on a property owned
by a local unit of government, shall be permitted to be eight feet
in height and 50 square feet in size.
(d)
Monument signs located on properties with residential uses may
only be located at the entrance to a development or subdivision on
a piece of property owned by a common association (HOA) or in an easement
dedicated for signage.
(e)
Each sign shall have a maximum area as follows:
|
Figure 700.7
| |
|---|---|
|
Maximum Area for Monument Signs
| |
|
District
|
Maximum Square Footage
|
|
Village Commercial (VC)
|
35
|
|
Mixed-Use Activity (MA)
|
50 to 1001
|
|
General Commercial (GC)
|
50 to 1001
|
|
Town Center (TC)
|
30 to 502
|
|
Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor
(WV), and Valley Brook Road Mixed-Use Corridor (VB)
|
25
|
|
Residential
|
20
|
|
Industrial (IN)
|
50
|
|
NOTES:
| |
|
1.
|
A maximum area of 50 square feet applies to single tenants in
these districts. However, the maximum area increases to 70 square
feet for single tenants with 200 feet or greater of property frontage
or two to nine suites or units. Single tenants on 10+ acres or with
10 or more suites or units may have a sign measuring up to 100 square
feet.
|
|
2.
|
A maximum area of 30 square feet applies to single tenants in
this district. However, the maximum area increases to 50 square feet
for buildings with multiple tenants.
|
C.
Pole signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Location. Pole signs shall be set back at least 16 feet from
the paved cartway unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director
or their designee. Signs shall not be located in the right-of-way.
(b)
Area.
[1]
Signs on poles shall be designed as a single unit with the open
spaces between panels counted as part of the allowable square footage.
[2]
The width of supporting poles shall not exceed 25% of the width
of the sign and shall contain no lettering or logo. Greater width
or application for lettering or logos shall qualify the sign as a
monument sign subject to all monument sign rules and restrictions.
[3]
Pole signs which are perpendicular to the street may be double-faced
with the allowable square footage on each side. Double-faced pole
signs shall not be erected at angles.
(c)
Height: shall be a maximum of 20 feet in height, with the lowest
sign edge either less than four or greater than seven feet above the
ground.
(2)
Standards by district. Pole signs on nonresidential properties
shall be permitted in addition to building signs subject to the following
regulations:
(a)
Pole signs shall have a maximum height of 20 feet.
(b)
The following types of illumination shall be permitted: internal
and electronic variable-message sign.
(c)
Each sign shall have a maximum area as follows:
|
Figure 700.8
| |
|---|---|
|
Maximum Area for Pole Signs
| |
|
District
|
Maximum Square Footage
|
|
General Commercial (GC)
|
50 to 1001
|
|
Industrial (IN)
|
50
|
|
NOTE:
| |
|
1
|
A maximum area of 50 square feet applies to single businesses
in these districts. However, the maximum area increases to 70 square
feet for single businesses with 200 feet or greater of property frontage
or two to nine suites or units. Single tenants on 10+ acres or with
10 or more suites or units may have a sign measuring up to 100 square
feet.
|
D.
Use-specific allowances.
(1)
In residential and agricultural districts, monument signs may
be erected at the entrance to a residential subdivision or on a property
owned by a local unit of government, provided that:
(a)
Permits are required.
(b)
External illumination by white light only.
(c)
Maximum size is 20 square feet, or 60 square feet if located
on a property owned by a local unit of government. The maximum height
of a monument-style sign on a property owned by a local unit of government
is eight feet.
(d)
If such signs are erected at a new driveway (local unit of government)
or street intersection (subdivision), the double-faced allotment may
be placed one on each side of the intersection.
(e)
All electronic signs are limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m.
(f)
Signs at the entrance to residential subdivisions shall not
be permitted to have an electronic variable-message sign.
(2)
Parcels or tenants with a drive-through accessory use are permitted
an additional freestanding sign near each drive-through lane entrance
that is no more than 36 square feet in size. They are not counted
toward total sign allotment.
A.
Wall signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Location. No portion of a wall sign shall be mounted less than
eight feet above the finished grade or extend more than 12 inches
from the facade on which it is affixed. If the wall sign projects
less than three inches from the building wall on which it is affixed,
the eight-foot height requirement does not apply. Wall signs shall
not exceed the width or height of the front of the building on which
they are located.
(b)
Height. In no case shall the height of a wall sign exceed the
height of buildings allowed in the zoning district.
(c)
Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted:
internal, external lit from above, halo or backlit letters and neon
lighting.
(d)
Building signs in nonresidential districts shall be placed on
the front face of the building only, except in instances where the
entrance door to the business is on the side or the rear of the building.
However, no signs in nonresidential districts may face an immediately
adjacent residential zoning district.
(e)
Up to two total wall, awning/canopy or projecting signs for
properties with nonresidential uses shall be permitted.
(2)
Regulations for wall signs in nonresidential districts.
(a)
Each tenant may have a maximum of two wall signs, not exceeding
the total allowable square footage allotment. The overall total square
footage sign allotment shall be split between the two signs.
(b)
Each sign face in the Town Center (TC), Village Commercial (VC),
Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor (WV)
and Valley Brook Mixed-Use Corridor (VB) Districts shall have a maximum
area of 20 square feet and a maximum height equal to the eave line.
(c)
Each building, lot or tenant space shall have a combined allowable
area for wall signs. When the square footage of all wall signs for
a given building, lot or tenant space is added together, it shall
not exceed the combined maximum allowable signage area permitted by
the district. The landowner and/or developer shall be responsible
for determining how to utilize the combined maximum allowable signage
area so long as the size restrictions for individual signs are not
exceeded.
[1]
The combined maximum allowable area of signage shall be applied
on a per-lot, per-building or per-tenant basis as follows according
to land use. A complete listing of authorized land uses per use category
is included within Part 4.
[2]
The allowable signage area shall be calculated by multiplying
the use category's sign area ratio, presented in Figure 700.9, by
the length of building frontage facing the front yard setback.
[3]
The combined maximum area total of signs shall be as follows:
|
Figure 700.9
Combined Maximum Allowable Area for Wall Signs
| |
|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Sign Area Ratio
(square feet per linear foot of building frontage)
|
|
TC McMurray Town Center
|
2
|
|
IN Industrial
|
1.5
|
|
GC General Commercial
|
2
|
|
VC Venetia Village Commercial
|
1
|
|
MA Mixed-Use Activity Center
|
1.5
|
|
VM Village Mixed-Use
|
1.5
|
|
WV West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor
|
1
|
|
VB Valley Brook Mixed-Use Corridor
|
1
|
|
MR: Mixed-Residential Overlay (only for properties with multifamily
uses)
|
1
|
(3)
Regulations for wall signs in residential districts.
(a)
Properties with nonresidential uses, excluding those owned by
a local unit of government, in residential districts shall be limited
to a single wall sign up to 30 square feet in size.
[1]
Properties in a residential district, owned by a local unit
of government, shall be permitted up to two wall signs not to exceed
the eave line height of the building with a combined area of one square
foot per linear foot of building frontage.
(b)
Properties with dwelling units, in residential districts, shall
be required to have/permitted the following wall signs:
[1]
Each single-family dwelling unit shall be clearly identified
with an attached sign with the unit's street address number, not to
exceed three square feet in area, for first responders to locate the
residential unit as necessary to respond to any fire or public safety
issue.
[2]
Each single-family dwelling unit may have one permanent wall
sign up to three square feet in size in addition to the required street
address number sign.
[3]
Each multifamily dwelling unit shall be clearly identified with
an attached sign, not to exceed three square feet in area, with the
unit's street address or unit number as applicable for first responders
to locate the multifamily dwelling unit to respond to any fire or
public safety issue.
[4]
Each multifamily dwelling unit may have one permanent wall sign
up to three square feet in size in addition to the required street
address number/unit number sign.
[5]
Individual multifamily structures shall be clearly identified
with an attached sign, not to exceed six square feet with the building
number as applicable for first responders to locate the building as
necessary to respond to any fire or public safety issue.
[6]
When utilizing the Mixed-Residential Overlay (MR), multifamily
structures shall be permitted two additional wall signs not to exceed
the combined area as provided for in Figure 700.9.
B.
Projecting signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Location. No portion of a projecting sign shall project more
than four feet from the face of the building. The outermost portion
of a projecting sign shall project no closer than five feet to a curbline
or shoulder of a public street.
(b)
Height. In no case shall the height of a projecting sign exceed
the height of buildings allowed in the zoning district.
(c)
Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted:
external lit from above.
(d)
Up to two total wall, awning/canopy or projecting signs for
nonresidential uses shall be permitted.
(e)
Projecting signs for properties with nonresidential uses shall
be limited to one sign per ground-floor establishment, plus one sign
per building entrance serving one or more commercial tenants without
a ground-floor entrance.
(f)
Each sign shall have a maximum area of 20 square feet per sign
face [10 square feet per sign face in the Mixed-Use Activity (MA),
Village Mixed-Use (VM), Village Commercial (VC) and Town Center (TC)]
and a maximum height equal to the eave line.
C.
Canopy/awning signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Location. Canopy or awning signs shall be centered within or
over architectural elements, such as windows or doors. The lowest
edge of the canopy or awning sign shall be at least eight feet above
the finished grade. Sign copy mounted or painted on an illuminated
canopy or awning shall be measured as the entire illuminated surface
which contains sign copy. A nonilluminated sign placed on an awning
shall be measured as if placed on any other architectural element.
(b)
Height. In no case shall the height of an awning or canopy sign
exceed the height of buildings allowed in the zoning district.
(c)
Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted:
external lit from above or by building-mounted light bars screened
from view.
(d)
A canopy or awning without lettering or other advertising shall
not be regulated as a sign.
(e)
Any ground-floor awning projecting into a street right-of-way
must be retractable.
(f)
If the awning or canopy sign is mounted on a multitenant building,
all awning or canopy signs shall be similar in terms of height, projection
and style across all tenants in the building.
(g)
Up to two total wall, awning/canopy or projecting signs for
nonresidential uses shall be permitted.
D.
Marquee signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Location. Such signs shall be located only above the principal
public entrance of a building facing a public street or parking lot.
(b)
No marquee shall be wider than the entrance it serves, plus
two feet on each side thereof.
(c)
No marquee shall extend closer to the curb than three feet.
(d)
Height. No part of a marquee sign shall extend vertically higher
than three feet above the eave line. The lowest edge of the marquee
sign shall be at least 10 feet above the finished grade.
(e)
Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted:
internal and electronic variable-message sign.
(2)
Standards by district.
E.
Window signs.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Location. Window signs shall be located on the interior of the
window facing outward.
(b)
Illumination. Neon lighting and internal illumination shall
be permitted to illuminate window signs for nonresidential uses.
(c)
Window signs displaying pertinent business information such
as the business' hours of operation and credit cards accepted shall
be excluded from area calculations for window signs.
(d)
Area. No temporary or permanent window sign or combination of
such signs shall cover more than 50% of the window surface. Temporary
or permanent window signs may not exceed a total area of 16 square
feet if illuminated.
(e)
Illuminated window signs shall not be placed above the ground
floor of the building and/or more than 10 feet above grade level of
the building.
(f)
No permit is required for a window sign meeting these criteria.
Window signs will not count toward total sign allotment.
F.
Use-specific allowance.
(1)
In shopping centers which have covered pedestrian walkways in
front of units, a sign in front of each tenant may be erected beneath
the canopy for direction for pedestrians. Such signs shall be perpendicular
to the building, may be double-faced, shall be of uniform design and
shall not exceed six square feet. A corner store is permitted one
per side.
(2)
When a commercial building in a nonresidential zoning district
is oriented towards an interior parking lot, each tenant may have
one additional wall sign in addition to the allowance listed above,
with the following regulations:
A.
Electronic variable-message signs.
(1)
In the districts where they are permitted, electronic variable-message
signs, except for those on a property owned by a local unit of government,
shall only be permitted on properties that have frontage along the
following roadways:
(2)
A sign permit is required for all electronic variable-message
signs, including conversion from existing nonelectronic signs. The
addition of any electronic variable-message sign to a nonconforming
sign is prohibited.
(3)
Messages shall not change at a frequency of more than once every
20 seconds, except for time-and-temperature signs.
(4)
Electronic variable-message signs shall be designed and placed
so as not to distract or interfere with operators of motor vehicles
or to create glare on adjacent properties, and so that it is compatible
with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding
properties.
(5)
Such displays shall be limited to static displays and shall
not have messages that appear or disappear from the display through
dissolve, fade, travel or scroll modes or similar transitions and
frame effects.
(6)
Text, animated graphics or images that appear to move or change
in size or be revealed sequentially rather than all at once are not
permitted.
(7)
No portion of any image may flash, scroll, twirl or in any way
imitate movement.
(8)
Transition. In instances when the message changes, the change
sequence must be accomplished by means of instantaneous pixelization
of less than one second.
(9)
All electronic variable-message signs must be monument-style
signs and conform to the size requirements of this chapter.
(10)
If a property, development, or multitenant center has an electronic
variable-message sign, temporary signs, except for those during a
political season per Figures 700.10 and 700.11, are not permitted.
(11)
The electronic variable-message signs shall be internal illumination
only which includes, but is not limited to, light-emitting-diode (LED)
signs.
(12)
Electronic variable-message signs may be double-sided. The sign
structure may have sign faces placed back to back or in a V-shaped
configuration on a single sign structure. The intersecting angle of
a V-shaped configuration shall not exceed 30°.
(13)
Only one contiguous electronic variable-message sign is allowed
on a single face. Multiple electronic variable-message signs are not
permitted within the maximum allowable signage area. The total surface
area of the electronic variable-message sign shall not exceed 50%
of the allowable area of the freestanding sign.
(14)
Dimmer control. Electronic graphic-display signs must have an
automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change
from a higher illumination level to a lower level with the result
being the appearance of the electronic variable-message sign will
be no greater than a conventional sign externally illuminated. No
electronic variable-message signs shall be erected without a light
detector/photocell, a scheduled dimming timer, or a manual control
by which the sign's brightness can be dimmed when ambient light conditions
darken.
(15)
Public service announcements. The owner of every message center
sign shall coordinate with local authorities to display, when appropriate,
emergency information important to the traveling public.
(16)
Glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of
such means as cutoff fixtures, shields, baffles and appropriate application
of fixture-mounting height, wattage, aiming angle and fixture placement.
Vegetation screens shall not be used as the primary means to control
glare.
B.
Flags.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Flags up to 15 square feet in area do not require a permit but
shall comply to all the appropriate regulations in this chapter.
(b)
Location. Flags and flagpoles shall not be located within any
right-of-way.
(c)
Area. The maximum flag size is 24 square feet in residential
districts and 35 square feet in all other districts.
(d)
Height. Flags and flagpoles shall have a maximum height of 30
feet.
(e)
Number. Each property shall be limited to one flagpole with
up to two total flags.
C.
Hanging bracket.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Illumination. Hanging bracket signs may incorporate external illumination subject to the regulations in § 440-704E.
(b)
Location. Hanging bracket signs shall be set back at least 16
feet from the paved cartway unless otherwise approved by the Planning
Director or their designee. Signs shall not be located in the right-of-way.
(c)
Area. Hanging bracket signs shall have a maximum area of six
square feet.
(d)
Height: shall be a maximum of five feet in height.
A.
Location. Billboards shall be erected as a principal use only in
the General Commercial (GC) District.
B.
Spacing. Billboard signs shall be:
(1)
Limited to a maximum of one two-sided billboard per property.
(2)
Not mounted on a roof, wall or other part of a building or any
other structure.
(3)
Erected in such a manner as not to block the view from the road
or street of any existing business sign, residential or nonresidential
structure.
(4)
Set back from the ultimate right-of-way a distance equal to
the height of the billboard sign or 16 feet, whichever is greater.
(5)
Set back 10 feet from each side property line and 25 feet from
the rear property line.
(6)
Located no closer than 50 feet to any building, structure or
freestanding sign located on the same property.
(7)
Located no closer than 750 feet to another billboard sign on
either side of the road, measured linearly.
(8)
Not attached to the external wall or otherwise affixed to any
part of any building and shall not extend over any public property
or right-of-way.
(9)
Not located on utility rights-of-way or pipelines.
(10)
Not located on a bridge.
C.
Size and height.
(1)
A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area
of 250 square feet per sign. A billboard shall have a maximum of two
sign faces per structure. However, the gross area of each sign face
shall not exceed the maximum of 250 square feet.
(2)
The billboard structure may have sign faces placed back to back
or in a V-shaped configuration on a single billboard structure. The
intersecting angle shall not exceed 30°.
(3)
There shall be a maximum height of 35 feet from the finished
grade to top of sign, measured at the center of the sign. The lowest
sign edge shall be at least seven feet above the finished grade.
D.
Illumination.
(1)
Any billboard utilizing an electronic display in whole or in
part must meet the following operational standards:
(a)
Duration. The full billboard image or any portion thereof must
have a minimum duration of 30 seconds and must be a static display.
No portion of the image may flash, scroll, twirl or in any way imitate
movement.
(b)
Transition. In instances where the full billboard image or any
portion thereof changes, the change sequence must be accomplished
by means of instantaneous pixelization of less than one second.
(c)
Dimmer control. Electronic graphic-display signs must have an
automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change
from a higher illumination level to a lower level with the result
being the appearance of the billboard will be no greater than a conventional
billboard externally illuminated. No billboard sign shall be erected
without a light detector/photocell, a scheduled dimming timer, or
a manual control by which the sign's brightness can be dimmed when
ambient light conditions darken.
(d)
Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics
are prohibited in association with billboards.
(e)
Fluctuating or flashing illumination. No portion of any billboard
may fluctuate in light intensity or use intermittent, strobe or moving
light or light that changes in intensity in sudden transitory bursts,
steams, zooms, twinkles, sparkles, or in any manner creates the illusion
of movement.
(f)
Video display. No portion of any billboard may change its message
or background in a manner or by a method of display characterized
by motion or pictorial imagery, or depict action or a special effect
to imitate movement, or the presentation of pictorials or graphics
displayed in a progression of frames that give the illusion of motion
or the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands of light
or expanding or contracting shapes.
(2)
Illumination of conventional billboards shall be effectively
shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed
at any portion of the traveled rights-of-way or which are of such
intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of
the driver of the vehicle, or which interfere with any driver's operation
of a vehicle, and illumination shall not be permitted that interferes
with the effectiveness or obscures an official traffic sign, device
or signal. Advertising signs shall not be permitted that contain,
include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving
lights except those giving public service information, such as time,
date and temperature or weather.
E.
Permit requirements. A sign permit application must be submitted
to the Peters Township Planning Department in accordance with the
general sign regulations of this Part 7 in addition to the following
requirements:
(1)
Engineered structure.
(a)
A billboard structure shall be entirely painted a single neutral
color every three years.
(b)
Every 10 years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural
inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania-registered
engineer and shall provide a certificate to the Township Engineer
certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
(c)
Annual inspections of the billboard shall be conducted by the
Township to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
Landscape plan.
(a)
The entire base of the billboard structure on the side of the
sign face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery
and/or bushes a minimum of three feet placed in such manner as to
screen the foundation of the structure.
(b)
Permanent landscaped trees (minimum three feet in diameter)
shall form a base and/or backdrop to the billboard sign when practical
in the opinion of the Planning Director or their designee.
(3)
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The issuance
of a permit for a billboard by Peters Township shall be conditioned
upon the approval of the permit by PennDOT within 30 days of the issuance
of the permit by Peters Township.
A.
Temporary signs are those intended for short-term display. They are
regulated as to height, setback, fixed location, stability, measurement,
etc., the same as other signs in this section. The following regulations
apply generally, in addition to the more-specific provisions contained
in Figures 700.10 and 700.11.
|
Figure 700.10
| |
|---|---|
|
Temporary Sign Regulations by Type: Commercial, Mixed-Use and
Industrial Districts
| |
|
Applies in Town Center (TC), General Commercial (GC), Industrial
(IN), Mixed-Use Activity (MA), Village Commercial (VC), Village Mixed-Use
(VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor (WV), Valley Brook Mixed-Use
Corridor (VB) Districts
| |
|
If a property, development, or multitenant center has an electronic
variable-message sign, temporary signs, except for those during a
political season, are not permitted.
| |
|
Temporary signs located at new land developments and construction
sites
| |
|
Number of signs
|
1 per site maximum; building permit or approved site plan required
|
|
Maximum size
|
20 square feet
|
|
Maximum height
|
6 feet
|
|
Duration
|
Permitted until construction operations cease or final occupancy
is issued
|
|
Illumination
|
None permitted
|
|
Permit
|
Required
|
|
Temporary signs at all commercial, mixed-use and industrial
properties
| |
|
Maximum size
| |
|
GC and MA
|
36 square feet
|
|
LI, TC, VC, VM, WV, and VB
|
20 square feet
|
|
Maximum height
|
6 feet
|
|
Frequency/duration
|
Permitted for 14 days from the date of the permit being received.
Cannot be issued at intervals of less than 4 weeks. Cannot exceed
6 permits per year per property.
|
|
Number
|
1 per property
|
|
Illumination
|
None permitted
|
|
Permit
|
Required
|
|
Temporary signs located on properties that are for sale
| |
|
Maximum size
|
20 square feet
|
|
Maximum height
|
6 feet
|
|
Number/duration
|
1 per property or multi-parcel development. May remain until
the property is sold.
|
|
Illumination
|
None permitted
|
|
Permit
|
None required
|
|
Temporary signs located on properties that are for lease
| |
|
Location
|
Only permitted if incorporated into an existing monument or
pole-style freestanding sign
|
|
Maximum height/width
|
2 feet tall, width of the existing monument or pole sign
|
|
Number/duration
|
1 per monument or pole sign. May remain until all available
on-site units are leased.
|
|
Illumination
|
None permitted
|
|
Permit
|
None required
|
|
Figure 700.11
| |
|---|---|
|
Temporary Sign Regulations by Type: Residential Districts
| |
|
Applies in Rural Residential (RR), Woodland Protection (WP),
Low-Density Residential (LD), Single-Family Cluster Residential (CL),
Medium-Density Residential (MD), Conservation Residential (CR), Mixed-Residential
Overlay (MR) Districts
| |
|
If a property, development, or multitenant center has an electronic
variable-message sign, temporary signs, except for those during a
political season, are not permitted.
| |
|
Temporary signs located on properties that are for sale
or for lease
| |
|
Number of signs
|
1 per property or lot maximum
|
|
Maximum size
|
9 square feet
|
|
Maximum height
|
6 feet
|
|
Maximum setback
|
6 feet from curb or pavement
|
|
Illumination
|
None permitted
|
|
Permit
|
None required
|
|
Temporary signs attached to scoreboards of Township and
school district ballfields
| |
|
Maximum size
|
Combined maximum 160 square feet
|
|
Duration
|
Signs will be hung at the beginning of the season and removed
at the end of the season.
|
|
Illumination
|
Shall not be internally illuminated
|
|
Other requirements
|
Print on 1 side only, facing into ball field. Signs shall not
include fluttering appurtenances
|
|
Permit
|
Required
|
|
Temporary signs at the entrance to a new subdivision or
multifamily development
| |
|
Maximum size
|
20 square feet
|
|
Maximum height
|
6 feet
|
|
Minimum setback
|
No closer than 16 feet from cartway unless otherwise approved
by the Planning Director or their designee
|
|
Illumination
|
None permitted
|
|
Other requirements
|
Development has received Township approval. Realtor's sign must
be removed when "for sale" signs are placed on lots. Developer's sign
can remain up until permanent signs are erected identifying the plan.
|
|
Permit
|
None required
|
(1)
Not more than one temporary sign per property will be permitted
at any one time, except as provided otherwise herein.
(2)
The minimum distance from the cartway is 16 feet unless otherwise
specified in Figures 700.10 and 700.11, or otherwise approved by the
Planning Director or their designee.
(3)
Temporary signs must be anchored or secured in their designated
location so as not to be portable or affected by winds.
(4)
Temporary signs on wheels or with changeable letters are permitted.
(5)
Applicants found violating the provisions set forth within this
Part 7 will forfeit their right to be issued a temporary sign permit
for a period of one year, commencing from the date said violation
is found to have occurred.
(6)
No sign in any district shall be attached to outdoor displays.
(7)
Temporary, nonilluminated window signs may be displayed only
on the inside of the window, no more than 50% of the surface of which
shall be covered. No permit shall be required for such signs.
(8)
Temporary signs shall not include waving banners, fluttering
appurtenances and balloons or other special devices. Banners used
as temporary signs are permitted if they are secured and not waving
or fluttering and comply with maximum size permitted. Flags shall
not be considered as banners.
(9)
If a property, development, or multitenant center has an electronic
variable-message sign, temporary signs, except for those during a
political season per Figures 700.10 and 700.11, are not permitted.
The following signs are exempt from the permit standards of
this section and are permitted in any district:
A.
Signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities, such
as traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing and identification
or directional signs for public facilities.
B.
Signs inside an enclosed facility which are located more than three
feet from the window and are not meant to be viewed from the outside.
C.
One "private drive" sign per driveway entrance, not to exceed two
square feet in area.
D.
Incidental signs no more than two square feet in size shall be exempt
from permit requirements in all nonresidential districts.
E.
Certain temporary signs in accordance with this chapter.
F.
Residentially zoned properties with single-family dwelling units
shall be permitted to have one yard sign not to exceed six square
feet in size, and six feet in height, that shall be exempt from all
permit requirements. This sign shall be located in the property's
front or side yard and is not required to be a monument-style sign.
G.
Temporary election signage that is required by state or federal statute
to contain an advertising disclaimer are exempt from regulation except
with regard to election signs placed in publicly owned and publicly
maintained rights-of-way. Election signs in publicly owned and publicly
maintained rights-of-way can be placed 90 days before an election
and must be removed no later than seven days after an election.
A.
Nonconforming signs and signs for nonconforming uses.
(1)
Any nonconforming sign shall not be moved to another position
on the building or lot on which it is located or modified in size
or shape after the effective date of this chapter or amendment thereto.
(2)
Whenever the nature of the business conducted on the premises
changes, and the signs are modified in size, shape or location, the
sign shall then be brought into conformance with current regulations.
(3)
Whenever the ownership and the name of a business changes and
signs are modified in size, shape or location, the sign shall then
be brought into conformance with current regulations.
(4)
A sign on a nonconforming use may be continued, but the size,
shape, or location of such a sign shall not be modified, except to
bring it into compliance with the current regulations for that sign.
(5)
A sign which is nonconforming as to location on a lot or building
shall not be enlarged or modified in any way.
(6)
In the event that any nonconforming advertising sign, billboard,
nonresidential advertising structure or statuary is damaged by casualty
to the extent of 75% of its cost of replacement at the time of destruction,
or becomes dangerous, dilapidated or an imminent hazard, such sign
shall not be restored or replaced except in conformity with the regulations
of this chapter.
(7)
Whenever any use of a building, structure or land ceases, all
nonconforming signs may be removed by the Township at the expense
of the owner or person in possession of the lot on which said sign
is located after official notification.
A.
Signs prohibited by this chapter include any that do not conform
to its provisions, including but not limited to the following:
(1)
Signs that by reason of size, location, or manner of illumination
obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract from the visibility
or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets
and roads.
(2)
Signs that prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window,
fire escape or that prevent 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.
(3)
Signs that make use of words such as "Stop," "Look," "One-Way,"
"Danger," "Yield," or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights
or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse
traffic.
(4)
Signs containing statements, words or images of obscene or pornographic
subjects, as determined by the Planning Director or their designee.
(5)
Abandoned signs.
Should any article, section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Part 7, for any reason, be held unconstitutional or invalid, such decision or holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof. It being the intent of the Township of Peters to enact each section and portion thereof, individually, and each such section shall stand alone, if necessary, and be in force regardless of the determined invalidity of any other section or provision.
