Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this article and any and all other ordinances and regulations relating to the erection, alteration, or maintenance of signs and similar devices.
A. 
The purposes of this article are the following: to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the Township of Reserve, to maintain and enhance the Township aesthetic environment and its ability to attract sources of economic development and growth, to improve pedestrian and traffic safety, to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property, and to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of this article's provisions.
B. 
Article XI applies to all signs located in the Township of Reserve.
Signs are allowed on private property in the Township of Reserve with or without permits as specified Table A below. The explanation and key to the table is as follows:
A. 
If the letter "P" (permitted) appears for a sign type in a column of this table, such a sign is permitted on private property in the zoning district represented by that column without any permits.
B. 
If the letter "S" (special exception) appears for a sign type in a column of this table, such a sign is allowed on private property in the zoning district represented by that column only after zoning permits have been secured according to the explanation below.
(1) 
If the letter "S" appears for a sign type in a particular district a zoning permit must be obtained for that sign before it may be erected. Article III, § 430-24, Zoning permits, explains how to obtain a zoning permit.
C. 
If the letter "N" (not) appears for a sign type in a column of this table, such a sign is not allowed on private property in the zoning district represented by that column.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Table A
Sign Type
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
C-1
C-2
L-I
Billboards/Outdoor Advertising
N
N
N
N
N
N
S
Incidental
N
N
N
N
S
S
P
Plaza
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Residential
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Temporary
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Other
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Banner1
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Building Marker
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Canopy
N
N
N
S
S
S
S
Identification
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Incidental
N
N
N
N
P
P
P
Marquee
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Plaza
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Projecting
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Roof
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Roof, Integral
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Suspended
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Temporary2
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Wall
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Window
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Bus Shelter
N
N
N
N
N
S
S
Flag3
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Portable
N
N
N
N
S
S
S
Notes:
1
Must be removed 90 days after permit approval.
2
A temporary sign on private property shall stand for no more than 45 days. A temporary sign in a public right-of-way may stand for no more than 60 days and must adhere to the requirements of § 430-120, Signs in the public right-of-way.
3
The involved flag shall not exceed 60 square feet in area and shall not be flown from a pole that is more than 40 feet tall.
Any sign designated by an "S" or "P" in Table A shall be allowed on private property only if the sum of the area of all building, freestanding and miscellaneous signs on the lot conforms with the maximum permitted sign area as determined by the formula for the zoning district in which the lot is located as specified in Table B.
A. 
How to compute the sign area of individual signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets the provisions of this chapter and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
B. 
How to compute the sign area of multifaceted signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces area are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
C. 
How to compute the maximum total permitted sign area for a lot:
(1) 
The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a lot shall be computed by applying the formula contained in Table B of § 430-116, Sign per lot area, to the lot frontage, building frontage, or wall area, as appropriate, for the zoning district in which the lot is located. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted sign area for each street frontage. However, the total sign area that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed the portion of the lot's total sign area allocation that is derived from the lot, building, or wall area frontage on that street.
(2) 
The maximum total area of all signs on a lot except incidental signs, building marker signs, identification signs, and flags shall not exceed the lesser of the following:
Table B
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
C-1
C-2
L-I
Total Square Feet
10
10
20
20
80
100
100
Percentage of the ground floor area of the lot's principal building
NA
NA
NA
NA
2%
3%
3%
Square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.0
2.0
3.0
A. 
The size, location, and number of signs on the lot must conform to the requirements of Table C and Table D below, which establish permitted sign dimensions by sign type.
(1) 
How to compute sign height:
(a) 
The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base anchoring at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of 1) existing grade prior to construction or 2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base anchoring of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower.
(b) 
An individual sign, including base anchoring shall not exceed the applicable maximum number, dimensions, or setbacks shown on Table C and on Table D.
Table C Sign Requirements
Sign Type
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
C-1
C-2
L-I
Maximum area
(square feet)
10
10
20
20
60
100
100
Maximum height
(feet)
(also see Subsection A(2) below)
7
7
7
7
15
15
15
Minimum Setback (in feet) from all lot lines (also see Subsection A(3) below)
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
Number permitted per lot per foot of street frontage
(also see Subsection A(4) below)
1 per 10
1 per 10
1 per 10
1 per 10
1 per 10
1 per 15
1 per 15
Area
(max. square feet)
6
6
6
6
NA
NA
NA
Wall area
(percent)
(also see Subsection A(5) below)
NA
NA
NA
NA
3%
3%
5%
(2) 
Additional height requirements:
(a) 
Billboard/outdoor advertising signs shall have no less than three feet of bottom open space along its entire length. Latticing shall be regarded as satisfying this requirement.
(3) 
Additional setback specifications:
(a) 
In addition to the setback requirements of Table D, no sign shall be located closer than 10 feet to an intersection between public and/or private roads and/or driveways unless that sign allows a clear view between the intersecting roads and/or driveways at all heights between three and 10 feet.
(b) 
In any zone where signs containing commercial messages are permitted, a pole(s) or standard(s) may be located at any point within a required yard if, between the level of 30 inches above curb level and the level of 10 feet above curb level, the diameter or greatest dimension of the supporting pole(s) or standard(s) does not exceed 20 inches.
(c) 
No billboard/outdoor advertising sign or structure shall be erected within 300 feet of any church or school.
(d) 
No billboard/outdoor advertising sign shall be erected within 500 feet of any other outdoor advertising sign.
(4) 
Additional number of signs per lot specifications. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted signage for each street frontage. However, this signage cannot be accumulated and used on one street in excess of that allowed for lots with only one street frontage.
(5) 
Additional wall area specifications. The percentage figure of "wall area" shall be interpreted as a maximum percentage of the area of the wall of which such a sign is a part or to which each sign is most nearly parallel.
B. 
No sign shall exceed any applicable maximum numbers or dimensions shown on Table D. Likewise, no sign shall encroach on any applicable minimum clearances shown below.
Table D Individual Signs By Sign Type
Number and Dimensions of Certain Individual Signs by Sign Type
Sign Type
Number Allowed
Maximum Sign Area
Vertical Clearance from Sidewalk, Private Drive, or Parking
(feet)
Vertical Clearance from Public Street
(feet)
FREESTANDING
Billboards/outdoor adv
See Table C
200 square feet
15
151
Residential, other, plaza and incidential
See Table C
See Table C
NA
NA
BUILDING
Banner
1 per building
24 feet
9
15
Building marker
1 per building
4 square feet
NA
NA
Canopy
1 per building
25% of the canopy's vertical surface
9
15
Identification
1 per building
NA
NA
NA
Incidental
NA
NA
NA
NA
Marquee
1 per building
NA
9
15
Plaza
1 per development
150 square feet
9
15
Projecting
1 per building
20 square feet
9
15
Residential
See Table C
NA
NA
NA
Roof
NA
NA
NA
NA
Roof, integral
2 per principal building
NA
NA
NA
Suspended
1 per entrance
NA
9
NA
Temporary
See Table C
NA
NA
NA
Wall
NA
NA
NA
NA
Window
NA
25% of the window's total area
NA
NA
MISCELLANEOUS
Banner
NA
NA
9
15
Flag
NA
60 square feet
9
15
Portable
1 where allowed
20 square feet
NA
NA
Notes:
1
No billboard/outdoor advertising signs shall be higher than 15 feet from the grades of the lot on which the outdoor advertising sign is located, provided that when outdoor advertising signs are located such that the signs are oriented towards an elevated highway, the measure of height shall be made from the grade of the road, not lot grade.
A. 
The size location, and number of signs on the lot must conform with any additional limitations listed in Table A, § 430-115, Sign types on private property, and the characteristics of the sign must conform with the limitations of Table "E" below, and with any additional limitations listed in Table A. The key to the table is as follows:
(1) 
A "P" signifies that the characteristic is allowed in the column's zoning district, while "N" signifies that the characteristic is not allowed.
Table E Sign Type
Sign Type
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
C-1
C-2
L-I
Animation
N
N
N
N
N
N
P
Changeable Copy
N
N
N
N
N
P
P
Internal Illumination
N
N
N
N
N
P
P
External Illumination
N
N
N
N
P
P
P
Exposed Bulbs or Neon Illumination
N
N
N
N
N
N
P
B. 
All permitted signs must follow the requirements of § 430-119, Design, construction, and maintenance.
A. 
All signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or other structural element.
B. 
Furthermore, all signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local building and electrical codes.
C. 
A sign that conforms with the requirements of the following: § 430-115, Sign types on private property, § 430-116, Sign area per lot, § 430-117, Quantity, area, height, and placement of signs, § 430-118, Sign characteristics by district, § 430-120, Signs in the public right-of-way, or § 430-122, Prohibited signs, may be 1) repaired, 2) repainted, 3) removed for repair and then re-mounted, or 4) replaced with an identical sign without any permits. Note that this chapter considers replacing a sign with a nonidentical sign to be the same as erecting a new sign. Thus, such a replacement may or may not require a zoning permit, depending on the type and location of the involved sign.
D. 
Billboards/outdoor advertising signs may have four sign faces, two on each side and each with a maximum length of 25 feet, inclusive of any border trim on a single structure. When two or more sign faces are utilized in the back-to-back arrangement, they shall be parallel and directly opposite sign faces oriented in opposite directions located not more than 15 feet apart.
E. 
When the V-type sign arrangement is used for two or more sign faces, the sign shall be located on a steel support so that when viewed from above, the faces are oriented in different positions forming the shape of the letter "V" and located not more than 15 feet apart at the farthest point.
F. 
The general area in the vicinity of any billboards/outdoor advertising signs on undeveloped property shall be kept free and clear of sign material debris.
G. 
Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs in all respects shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
Sign types allowed in public rights-of-way:
(1) 
Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices;
(2) 
Signs identifying public property;
(3) 
Conveying public information;
(4) 
Signs required by Penn DOT of a regulatory or cautionary nature and containing no commercial messages;
(5) 
Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;
(6) 
Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes, or other facilities;
(7) 
Awning, projecting, and suspended signs projecting over a public right-of-way in conformity with the requirements of Table A;
(8) 
Temporary signs are allowed in public rights-of-way only if they contain no commercial messages and are no more than two square feet in area; and
(9) 
Emergency warning signs are allowed in public rights-of-way if they are erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the pubic right-of-way.
B. 
Forfeiture of signs located in public rights-of-way: Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this article, shall be forfeited to the Township and subject to immediate confiscation. The Township shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of the sign.
The following kinds of signs are exempt from the requirements of this article:
A. 
Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance;
B. 
Any sign that is inside a building, not attached to a window or door, or not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the involved lot or parcel;
C. 
Works of art that do not include a commercial message;
D. 
Signs on the scoreboard or outfield fence of an athletic field;
E. 
Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message; and
F. 
Traffic control signs on private property, such as STOP, YIELD, and similar signs, the face of which meet the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENN DOT) standards and which contain no commercial message of any sort.
All signs that are not expressly permitted under this chapter or exempted from its regulations by § 430-121, Signs that are exempt from the requirements of this article, are prohibited in the Township of Reserve. Such signs include, but are not limited to beacons, pennants, strings of lights that are not permanently mounted to a rigid background (except those exempt under § 430-115, Table A) inflatable signs, and tethered balloons, and sexually suggestive signs containing advertisements, merchandise displays, signs, or any other exhibit depicting adult entertainment activities or sexually oriented businesses placed within the interior of buildings or premises shall be arranged and screened to prevent public viewing from outside such buildings or premises. No sexually suggestive signs shall contain photographs, silhouettes, drawings, or pictorial representations of any kind.
If a conforming use has been discontinued for a total of 12 months, then all signs that are related to that use, as well as any structures that support these signs, shall constitute "abandoned signs." Likewise, if a nonconforming use has been abandoned as described in § 430-17D(4), then all signs that are related to that use, as well as any structures that support these signs, shall constitute "abandoned signs." All abandoned signs shall be removed at the expense of their owners. If such a sign is not removed promptly, the Zoning Officer shall enforce the requirements of this section via the procedure given in Article III, § 430-31, and "Enforcement."
A. 
Applicability. The requirements of this section only apply to nonconforming signs. A nonconforming sign is defined as a sign that 1) was legally established before the effective date of this chapter's enactment (see Article I, § 430-6, When effective), and 2) does not conform the requirements of the following: § 430-115, Sign types on private property, § 430-116, Sign area per lot, § 430-117, Quantity, area, height, and placement of signs, § 430-118, Sign characteristics by district, § 430-120, Signs in the public right-of-way, or § 430-122, Prohibited signs. Because nonconforming signs are not illegal, they have a right to temporarily remain in place and to be maintained. However, they must adhere to the requirements of this section.
B. 
Phasing out nonconforming signs. So long as it does not threaten the public health or welfare, a nonconforming sign may temporarily maintain its nonconforming characteristic or characteristics. However, all nonconforming signs that are not temporary shall be brought into conformance with the requirements of Article XI within 10 years of the effective date of this chapter's enactment (see Article I, § 430-6, When effective. All nonconforming temporary signs shall be brought into conformance with the requirements of Article XI within 90 days of the effective date of this chapter's enactment (see Article I, § 430-6, When effective).
C. 
Nonconforming status. The following rules apply to or concern all nonconforming signs.
(1) 
The Zoning Officer may keep and maintain a list of all nonconforming signs that exist in the Township date of this chapter's enactment and on the effective dates of any relevant amendments to either this chapter or its Zoning Map.
(2) 
The owner of a nonconforming sign may obtain a "certificate of nonconformity" from the Township's Zoning Officer. This certificate shall state that the sign may continue to be used until a date that is 90 days from the effective date of this chapter's enactment (see Article I, § 430-6) in the case of temporary signs, or a date that is 10 years from the effective date of this chapter's enactment in the case of nontemporary signs.
(3) 
Aggrieved parties and the involved landowner may appeal the Zoning Officer's determination of whether or not a sign is nonconforming according to the rules of Article III, § 430-34, Appealing the determination of the Zoning Officer.
(4) 
Any sign that was illegally erected or painted under a previous zoning ordinance or land use regulation shall remain illegal under this chapter, even if it conforms to this chapter's regulations.
(5) 
Any sign that becomes a nonconforming sign due to an amendment made after the effective date of this chapter's enactment shall be subject to the regulations of this section.
D. 
Maintaining nonconforming signs. The following rules apply to all nonconforming signs.
(1) 
If any nonconforming sign deteriorates to an unsightly or hazardous condition, the owner of that sign shall repair, repaint, remove, or replace it. If the Township Zoning Officer finds that such a sign has not been repaired, repainted, removed, or replaced, he or she shall enforce this requirement via the procedures given in Article III, § 430-31, Enforcement.
(2) 
A nonconforming sign may be:
(a) 
Repaired;
(b) 
Repainted; or
(c) 
Removed for repair and then re-mounted without obtaining a zoning permit.
E. 
Replacing nonconforming signs.
(1) 
Within the periods established under Subsection B above, a nonconforming sign may be replaced with an identical nonconforming sign if the use that the sign relates to 1) has not changed since the original sign was constructed or painted, and 2) has not been discontinued for a total of 12 months or abandoned as described in § 430-17D(4). Otherwise, the nonconforming sign may only be replaced with a new, conforming sign.
(2) 
Replacing a temporary nonconforming sign with an identical temporary nonconforming sign does not require any permits. However, replacing a nontemporary, nonconforming sign with an identical nontemporary, nonconforming sign or erecting a permanent sign requires a zoning permit application. Article III, § 430-24, Zoning permits, explains how to obtain a zoning permit. Note that this chapter considers replacing a nonconforming sign with a non-identical sign to be the same as erecting a new sign. Thus, such a replacement may or may not require a zoning permit, depending on the type and location of the involved sign.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
F. 
Enlarging, relocating, or altering nonconforming signs.
(1) 
A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or relocated within the Township.
(2) 
A nonconforming sign shall not be altered in any aspect except:
(a) 
To make safety improvements;
(b) 
To keep the sign maintained in accordance with the requirements of this section or other Township ordinances; or
(c) 
To bring the sign into conformance with the requirements of this chapter.
G. 
Bringing a nonconforming sign into conformance. If a nonconforming sign is altered so that it becomes a conforming sign, it shall not be subsequently altered back to a nonconforming state. Likewise, if a nonconforming sign is replaced with a conforming sign, that conforming sign shall not be subsequently replaced with another nonconforming sign.
H. 
Abandoned nonconforming signs.
(1) 
If a conforming use has been discontinued for a total of 12 months, then all nonconforming signs that are related to that use, as well as any structures that support these signs, shall constitute "abandoned nonconforming signs."
(2) 
Likewise, if a nonconforming use has been abandoned as described in § 430-17D(4), then all nonconforming signs that are related to that use, as well as any structures that support these signs, shall constitute "abandoned nonconforming signs." All abandoned nonconforming signs shall be removed at the expense of their owners. If such a sign is not removed, the Zoning Officer shall enforce this requirement via the procedures given in Article III, § 430-31, and "Enforcement".