[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020[1]]
a.
The purposes of the sign regulations are:
1.
To provide uniform standards for signs within the Township and specific
standards for signs in each zoning district.
2.
To establish procedures for the review and approval of sign permit
applications.
3.
To regulate the location, size, construction, erection, alteration,
use, and maintenance of signs.
4.
To promote the use of well-crafted signs in harmony with the architectural
and residential character of the Township.
b.
In all zoning districts, signs shall be erected, altered, maintained,
used, removed, or moved in compliance with the provisions of this
chapter and any other applicable ordinances and regulations.
c.
Nonconforming signs which do not conform with the requirements of
this Part, once removed, shall be replaced only with conforming signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Part 26, Signs,
adopted as part of Ord. 8-14-1995, as amended by Ord. 03-04-02, Ord. 2005-10-1, Ord. 2008-09-02, Ord.
2010-07-01, and Ord. 2017-06-07.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this Part, have the meanings given. These terms are in addition to those defined in Part 2 of this chapter.
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current,
open, and/or active business, service, owner, product, or activity
for a period of at least six months; a sign which is damaged, in disrepair,
or vandalized and not repaired within 60 days; or a temporary sign
that has not been removed within the required time frame.
A sign that designates the street number, street name, and/or
occupants of a property or location for identification purposes.
A change in the size, shape, or type of an existing sign.
Copy or color change of an existing sign is not an alteration. Changing
or replacing a sign face or panel is not an alteration, providing
there is no increase in the size of the sign face or panel.
A person or entity who applies for a sign permit in accordance
with the provisions of this Part.
A sign with its copy on a shelter made of any nonrigid material,
such as fabric or flexible plastic, that is supported by or stretched
over a frame and attached to an exterior wall of a building or other
structure.
A sign with its copy on nonrigid material, such as cloth,
plastic, fabric or paper, with no supporting framework. Banners are
temporary in nature and do not include flags such as the flag of the
United States, the Pennsylvania state flag, and/or other local governmental
flags.
A sign that is applied or affixed to a building, including
awning, canopy, marquee, projecting, wall, and window signs, but not
roof signs.
A sign on a rigid, multisided structure attached to a building
or on any other freestanding structure, that may have a roof with
support but no walls.
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined
by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection
of the street right-of-way lines.
The smallest vertical distance between the surface of the
ground closest to a sign and the lowest point of that sign, including
the supporting framework or bracing of the sign.
Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of
providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular
traffic. A directional sign shall not advertise any commercial establishment,
activity, organization, product, goods or services, and no sign with
a commercial message legible from a position off the lot on which
the sign is located shall be considered directional.
A sign with two faces, back to back.
An electrically activated changeable-copy sign whose variable
message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically
or digitally programmed.
Emergency warning signs erected by a government agency, a
public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted
work within the public right-of-way.
The general term for any sign which is supported by structures
or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that
is independent and detached from any building or other structure.
A freestanding sign can either be a monument sign or a pole sign.
All freestanding signs may be double-faced.
A usually symmetrical two- (gambrel) or four- (mansard) sided
roof with two slopes on each side. The upper slope of the roof is
positioned at a shallow angle, while the lower slope of the roof is
steep.
A sign erected by a governmental entity, including safety
signs, signs indicating points of interest, historical markers, and
signs identifying official government buildings or facilities.
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated within, or indirectly from an
artificial source.
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a.
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EXTERNAL — An artificial light source 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.
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b.
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INTERNAL — An artificial light source that is concealed
or contained within the sign and becomes visible in darkness through
a translucent surface. Message center signs, digital displays, and
signs incorporating neon lighting shall not be considered internal
illumination for the purposes of this chapter.
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A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"entrance," "telephone," "no entry," and other similar directives;
advertising the availability of restrooms or public conveniences;
and signs showing store hours, the names of accepted credit institutions,
affiliations with business groups or associations, and business-related
awards. An incidental sign shall not advertise any commercial establishment,
activity, organization, product, goods or services, and no sign with
a commercial message legible from a position off the lot on which
the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
Any sign attached to a covered structure projecting from
and supported by a building with independent roof and drainage provisions
and which is erected over a doorway or doorways as protection against
the weather.
Any vehicle or trailer which has attached thereto or thereon
any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing
advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity
located on the same or nearby property or any other premises. These
shall not include business logos, identification, or advertising on
vehicles primarily used for other business purposes.
A type of freestanding sign permanently affixed to the ground
at its base, supported entirely by a base structure, and not mounted
on a pole or attached to any part of a building.
A sign which was erected prior to the establishment of zoning
regulations within the Township or was erected in compliance with
the then-enacted zoning regulations but does not currently comply
with the applicable sign regulations of this chapter.
A type of sign which directs attention to or contains a message
about a business, industry, profession, product, commodity, service,
event, entertainment, idea, concept, point of view, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity, not specifically located upon, sold, offered,
produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted on the premises where
the sign is located. (Also generally known as a "billboard.")
A sign whose message and design relate to an individual business,
profession, product, commodity, service, event, entertainment, idea,
concept, point of view, or other commercial or noncommercial activity
located upon, sold, offered, produced, manufactured, furnished, or
conducted on the same property where the sign is located.
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 placement and use appears to be indefinite.
A type of 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 sign that is dependent on a building for support and which
projects more than 12 inches from the building, including an awning
sign. Whenever a canopy or awning is affixed with any lettering, design,
or symbol, or is made from any special material that is intended to
be or by its nature is an identification of a business, the applicable
measurable area of the awning or canopy is a projecting sign.
A sign, any part of which is erected, constructed, and/or
maintained on or above the eave of the roof of a building, or a sign,
any part of which is erected, constructed, and maintained higher than
the highest elevation of the lower slope of a gambrel or mansard roof.
A sign that is not permanently attached to the ground or
a building and readily movable by a single person, consisting of two
faces, connected, and hinged at the top, and whose message is targeted
to pedestrians.
A sign contained within an athletic venue and intended solely
to provide information concerning the event occurring within the venue
to the attendees of the event.
Any device visible from a public place whose essential purpose
and design is to convey either commercial or noncommercial messages
by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols
or representations. The term "sign" shall not include any flag or
badge or insignia of the United States, State of Pennsylvania, Bucks
County, or New Britain Township, or official historic plaques of any
governmental jurisdiction or agency. A sign includes the sign faces
as well as any sign supporting structure.
A pole, wall, or window sign not intended or designed for
permanent display.
Any of the following signs erected and maintained on public
highways and roads by the commonwealth, the county, the Township or,
in the case of private streets, the owner of the road: official highway
route number signs, street name signs, directional signs, parking
signs, railroad crossing signs, construction signs, emergency signs,
and other traffic signs erected and maintained in the interest of
public safety or for the regulation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
A sign that is in any manner affixed to an exterior wall
of a building or structure and that projects not more than 18 inches
from the building or structure wall, including signs affixed to architectural
projections from a building, provided the copy area of such signs
remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade or
to the face of the architectural projection to which it is affixed.
An on-premises sign regulating the use of the premises, such
as a "no trespassing," "no hunting," or "no soliciting" sign.
A sign that is applied, painted, or affixed to a window,
or placed inside a window, facing the outside of the building, and
visible from the outside.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
The following signs are unlawful and prohibited throughout the
Township:
a.
Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property
is being or may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions
of this chapter.
b.
Any sign promoting illegal activity.
c.
Any sign which flashes, reflects, rotates, spins, revolves, oscillates,
or has parts that physically move or revolve (with the exception of
the movement of the hands of analog clocks or the rotation of barber
poles).
d.
Any sign containing or associated with audio speakers and/or any
form of pyrotechnics. This prohibition also includes the speakers
and pyrotechnics.
e.
Any sign which emits open flames, flashing lights, smoke, visible
vapors or particles, sound, or odor.
f.
Any sign with animated, scrolling, or moving text, video, or graphics.
g.
A series of lights or lighting outlining the edges of commercial
buildings or commercial building elements shall be considered a sign
under the terms of this Part and shall be prohibited.
h.
All electrical or digital signs, except electronic message centers.
i.
All roof signs.
j.
Strobe lights and spotlights.
k.
Any sign fully or partially blocking ingress and/or egress from any
door, window, or fire escape. Only safety signs shall be attached
to fire escapes or fire standpipes.
l.
Any sign that interferes with, obstructs, mimics, imitates, or resembles
a traffic sign, traffic signal, or traffic device.
m.
Any sign attached, erected, posted, painted, or otherwise placed
upon public or private property without the permission and/or knowledge
of the property owner (with the exception of signs posted in accordance
with legal notification requirements).
n.
Any mobile sign parked in such a manner that its primary purpose
is for advertising.
o.
Any sign tacked, nailed, glued, attached, erected, posted, placed,
painted, maintained, or otherwise supported by or upon a rock, tree,
telephone/power/light pole, road, trail, sidewalk, fence, wall, bench,
or other object not originally installed, constructed, erected, or
placed to support such sign.
p.
Any sign having content that is not subject to the protections of
the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I,
Section 7, of the Pennsylvania Constitution, including, but not limited
to the following:
q.
Any sign which has been abandoned and/or does not conform to the
requirements of the Zoning Ordinance which was in effect when the
sign was erected.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
A sign permit shall not be required prior to the erection, installation,
construction, alteration, structural repair, moving, removal, or demolition
of any exempt signs in any zoning district in the Township. Exempt
signs shall conform to the regulations of this chapter. No exempt
sign shall be illuminated, except as provided for herein. Exempt signs
are as follows:
a.
Traffic signs and emergency signs.
b.
Governmental signs.
c.
Governmental flags or insignias.
d.
Address signs, so long as each sign per property or location does
not have a sign area in excess of three square feet in residential
zoning districts and five square feet in nonresidential zoning districts.
e.
Incidental signs, so long as any such sign does not have a sign area
greater than two feet.
f.
Directional signs. Such sign shall not exceed four square feet in
sign area and shall have a maximum sign height of five feet.
g.
Temporary signs, so long as any such sign does not exceed six square
feet in sign area.
h.
Warning signs; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway,
or premises; and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing
or hunting upon a particular premises. Such signs shall not have a
sign area greater than two square feet and shall be spaced at intervals
of not less than 75 feet.
i.
Signs indicating that the property the sign is located upon has been
preserved by the Township, the county, the commonwealth, and/or a
land trust. There shall be only one such sign per road frontage, and
these signs shall not exceed three square feet in sign area and shall
have a maximum sign height of five feet.
j.
Cornerstones; historical plaques or plates affixed to the surface
of a building wall, so long as any such sign does not exceed two square
feet in sign area.
k.
Signs or displays, including lighting, which are temporary and celebrate
a national, state, or local holiday, religious or cultural holiday,
or another holiday season.
l.
Legal notices.
m.
Signs posted, placed, or erected inside a building or structure which
are not meant to be viewed from the outside.
n.
Vending machines.
o.
Any sign erected by or erected at the direction of New Britain Township.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
All signs in the Township shall comply all the applicable sign
regulations set forth in this chapter, including, but not limited
to, the specific sign type regulations of this Part, the specific
zoning district regulations of this Part, and the following general
regulations:
a.
Signs which advertise, promote, or draw attention to any product,
service, or activity must be located upon the same lot where such
product is being sold, service is being offered, or activity is taking
place, except where specifically exempt from these requirements by
this Part.
b.
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;
and shall be maintained in safe condition and good repair at all times
so that all sign information is clearly legible.
c.
Any sign located along rights-of-way shall comply with the following:
1.
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger vehicular
or pedestrian traffic by causing confusion with traffic signs or traffic
control signals/devices because of the sign's position, color, or
reflective surface.
2.
No sign shall use the words "stop," "look," "danger," or any other
word or character which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the
movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or which interferes with
or resembles any traffic sign or traffic signal/device.
3.
No sign shall use or be illuminated by red, green, or yellow lights
within 75 feet of a public street right-of-way or within 300 feet
of a traffic control signal/device, whichever is greater.
4.
No sign shall obscure or block a motorist's forward view of traffic
control signals/devices, traffic signs, or other warning devices as
viewed from the cartway of a public street.
5.
No sign shall obscure or block a motorist's forward view of roadway
or intersections as viewed from the cartway of a public street.
6.
No sign shall be placed so that blocks the clear sight triangle of
any intersection along a public street.
7.
No sign shall be placed so as to limit a pedestrian's view of vehicular
traffic along a public street to less than 500 feet while the pedestrian
stands inside the curbline at an intersection or other established
crossing point along the street.
8.
No sign shall be placed so that it blocks the movement of pedestrians
traveling on sidewalks, trails, or other public thoroughfares.
9.
Only banner signs, traffic signs, and governmental signs are permitted
within a public street right-of-way. In no case shall a sign intrude
into or hang over the cartway of a public road.
10.
Only banner signs, traffic signs, and governmental signs are
permitted to project over a public sidewalk, and the lowest edge of
such sign shall be at least eight feet above the walking surface of
the sidewalk.
11.
No sign shall be located within five feet of any multi-use trail
within the Township.
e.
Illumination of Signs. No sign shall be illuminated in any fashion
except as set forth herein.
1.
Light sources to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from any
public street right-of-way nor cause glare which is hazardous, annoying,
or distracting to pedestrians, the operators/drivers of vehicles,
or adjacent properties.
2.
No more than 0.2 footcandle of light from a sign's light source shall
be detectable at the boundary of any abutting property.
3.
External illumination, where permitted, is allowed only as a steady,
stationary light source, shielded, and directed solely at the sign.
The light source must be static in color and concealed by a translucent
cover.
4.
Internal illuminations, including backlighting and neon signs, must
be static in intensity and color. No portion of the light source should
be visible.
5.
The lighting of all signs shall meet the design and construction
requirements of the Uniform Construction Code of Pennsylvania. All
electrical signs shall be manufactured in accordance with the Underwriters'
Laboratories' specifications and shall bear the laboratory label.
6.
Illuminated signs are prohibited in residential zoning districts,
except for house numbers.
7.
Governmental signs identifying governmental buildings, police stations,
or other Township facilities may be illuminated by exterior lights
focused on the sign.
8.
Signs on nonresidential properties may be illuminated from 5:00 a.m.
until 11:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., or 1/2 hour past the close of business
of the facility being identified or advertised, whichever is later.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
a.
Sign Area.
1.
The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording, and accompanying
designs and symbols together with the background, whether open or
enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting
framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself.
The computation of the area of the sign shall include decorative trim
in addition to the portion devoted to the message and lettering.
2.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted on a building, wall, or window, the area shall be considered
to be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the
letters, logos, and symbols.
3.
In computing the size of a double-faced sign where the sides are
parallel to each other, only one side shall be considered, provided
the size of both faces is identical and the two faces are not more
than 18 inches apart. If the interior angle formed by the two faces
of the double-faced sign is 45° or greater or if the two faces
are more than 18 inches apart, then both sides of such sign shall
be considered in calculating the sign area.
4.
If elements of a sign are movable or flexible, such as a flag or
banner, the measurement of sign area is taken when the elements are
fully extended and parallel to the plane of view.
b.
Sign Height.
1.
Generally, the height of the sign shall be measured from the average
grade of the surface directly beneath the sign to the point on the
sign being measured, and if no such point is specified, then to the
highest point of the sign, including the supporting framework or bracing
of the sign. Where the sign is located less than 50 feet from the
legal right-of-way a public or private street, however, the height
of the sign shall be measured as the distance from the highest point
of the sign, including the supporting framework or bracing of the
sign, to the average finished grade of the street's cartway closest
to the sign.
2.
For wall, projecting, marquee, canopy, and awning signs, the height
of the sign shall be measured from the average base of the building
wall directly beneath where the sign is attached to this wall to the
highest point of the sign, including the supporting framework or bracing
of the sign.
3.
Any freestanding sign erected within five feet of or partially or
fully over a sidewalk, walkway, trail, or other area intended for
pedestrian travel shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
a.
Building Signs. The following building signs shall comply with the
regulations listed for that particular sign type.
1.
Awning or Canopy Signs.
(a)
An awning or canopy without lettering or other advertising shall
not be regulated as a sign.
(b)
Awning or canopy signs must be centered within or over architectural
elements such as windows or doors.
(c)
No awning or canopy shall be wider than the building wall or
tenant space it identifies.
(d)
Sign Placement.
1)
Letter or numerals shall be located only on the front and side
vertical faces of the awning or canopy.
2)
Logos or emblems are permitted on the top or angled portion
of the awning or canopy up to a maximum sign area of three square
feet. No more than one emblem or logo is permitted on any one awning
or canopy.
(e)
Every awning or canopy sign shall have a minimum clearance of
eight feet.
(f)
No ground-floor awning or canopy may project into a street right-of-way.
(g)
Awnings or canopies may be fixed (i.e., not collapsible or foldable),
provided they do not project more than four feet from the face of
the building they are attached to.
(h)
Multi-Tenant Buildings. All awning or canopy signs mounted on
a multi-tenant building shall be similar in terms of height, projection,
lettering, and style throughout the entire building.
2.
Marquee Signs.
(a)
Such signs shall be located only above the principal public
entrance of a building facing a public street or parking lot.
(b)
No marquee containing a marquee sign shall be wider than the
entrance it services plus two feet on each side thereof.
(c)
No marquee containing a marquee sign shall extend into the right-of-way
of a public street or more than 50% over a public sidewalk. In no
case shall a marquee containing a marquee sign extend more than 10
feet from the face of the building it is attached to.
(e)
Marquee signs may contain manually changeable copy.
3.
Projecting Signs.
(a)
No portion of a projecting sign shall project more than four
feet from the face of the building it is attached to.
(b)
No portion of a projecting sign shall project into the right-of-way
of a public street.
(c)
Every projecting sign shall have a clearance of eight feet.
Projecting signs located over sidewalks or other public walkways shall
have a minimum clearance of 10 feet.
4.
Wall Signs.
(a)
No wall sign shall extend out more than 18 inches from the wall
on which it is affixed.
(b)
Every wall sign shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet,
unless the wall sign projects less than two inches from the wall on
which it is affixed, in which case its clearance may be less than
eight feet.
(c)
Wall signs may contain manually changeable copy.
5.
Window Signs. Incidental window signs shall be excluded from the
sign area calculations for window signs.
b.
Electronic Message Center Signs. All electronic message center signs
shall comply with the following:
1.
Electronic message center signs are permitted in the form of freestanding
signs or wall signs or incorporated as a portion of a freestanding
sign or wall sign. Electronic message centers are permitted instead
of and shall not be permitted in addition to an allowed freestanding
sign or wall sign on a property. Moreover, the sign area of the electronic
message center sign counts towards the total permitted sign area allowed
on the property.
2.
Only one message center sign is permitted per property, regardless
of the number of street frontages the property has or the number of
signs allowed on the property under this Part.
3.
All displayed messages, or any portion thereof, must have a minimum
duration of 10 seconds and must be a static display. Messages may
change immediately or fade in and out only. No portion of the message
may flash, scroll, twirl, twinkle, oscillate, rotate, blink, change
color, or imitate movement in any manner.
4.
Time and temperature shall be included as a separate message(s).
5.
The illumination and/or intensity of the display shall be controlled
so as to not create glare, hazards, or nuisances. The brightness of
the electronic message center sign shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle
of light above the normal ambient light levels. Such signs shall be
equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically adjusts
the sign's brightness based on ambient light conditions. Such brightness
shall be measured as follows:
(a)
The luminance specification shall be determined by a footcandle-metering
device held at a height of five feet and aimed towards the sign from
a distance of 65 feet.
(b)
The metering device should be at a location perpendicular to
the sign's center (as seen in plain view) as this angle has the highest
luminance.
(c)
This check shall include the measurement of an all-white image
displayed by the sign to evaluate the worst-case scenario.
(d)
If the difference in luminance between the sign-on and the sign-off
conditions is 0.3 footcandle or less, then the sign luminance is in
compliance.
6.
All electronic message center signs must be equipped with a properly
functioning default mechanism that will stop the sign and return to
a solid black display should a malfunction occur.
7.
The applicant shall be required to coordinate/permit message access
for local, regional, state, and national emergency services during
emergency situations. Emergency messages are not required to conform
to message standards listed herein.
c.
Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs shall comply with the
following:
1.
Every pole sign shall have a clearance that is either less than four
feet or greater than eight feet.
2.
Monument 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.
Sign Placement.
(a)
A freestanding sign shall be set back from the rights-of-way
of public streets and the boundary lines of neighboring properties
a distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign. The minimum
setback for all freestanding signs from such rights-of-way and boundary
lines is 10 feet.
(b)
No freestanding sign may occupy, intrude into, or hang out over
any parking area, loading area, walkway, driveway, fire lane, easement,
right-of-way, or other area required to remain unobstructed.
4.
Freestanding signs may contain manually changeable copy.
5.
These freestanding sign regulations do not apply to traffic signs,
government signs, or off-premises signs.
d.
Sandwich-Board Signs. Sandwich-board signs that fully comply with
this chapter shall not be included in the determination of the type,
number, or area of signs allowed on a property. All sandwich-board
signs shall comply with the following:
1.
Only one sandwich-board sign is permitted per establishment. The
commercial messages on the sign must advertise only goods and services
available on the premises from the establishment.
2.
Each sandwich-board sign shall have a maximum sign area of seven
square feet per sign face and a maximum sign height of 3.5 feet. Each
sign shall be weighted or otherwise temporarily secured so as to avoid
being carried away by high winds.
3.
Sandwich-board signs must be taken in during hours of nonoperation
of the business being advertised. In addition, these signs shall not
be displayed on any premises before 6:00 a.m. and shall be removed
each day at or before 10:00 p.m.
4.
Sandwich-board signs shall not be illuminated.
5.
Sandwich-board signs may contain manually changeable copy.
6.
Sandwich-Board Sign Placement.
(a)
If a sign is located on a public or private sidewalk, a minimum
of 36 inches of unobstructed sidewalk must be maintained between the
sign and any building, the edge of the sidewalk, curb, or other obstruction.
(b)
The sign must be located on the premises and within 12 feet
of the primary public entrance of the establishment it advertises.
e.
Temporary Signs.
1.
Commercial.
(a)
Commercial temporary signs are temporary signs that advertise
a transitory commercial event or activity occurring on the property
where the sign is located, such as construction work, a sale, help
wanted, etc.
(b)
On a single property, one temporary pole sign or one group of
temporary wall and/or window signs is permitted for each road the
property fronts upon. On properties with multiple units or dwellings,
one temporary sign or sign grouping is permitted for each dwelling
or unit.
(c)
Dimensions.
1)
Area. Each temporary pole sign shall not exceed six square feet
in sign area. A grouping of temporary window and/or will signs shall
not exceed 20 square feet in sign area.
2)
Sign Height. Temporary pole signs shall be limited to four feet
in sign height. Temporary wall or window signs shall be limited to
eight feet in sign height.
(d)
Temporary signs shall not be directly illuminated in any fashion.
(e)
A temporary sign shall be permitted to be displayed upon a property
for up to 30 consecutive days before the occasion, event, or activity
commences and up to five consecutive days after the occasion, event,
or activity ends. In no case shall the temporary sign be displayed
for more than 45 consecutive days.
(f)
The number of times a temporary sign may be erected upon a property
in a calendar year shall be equal to four times the number of temporary
signs allowed on the property under Subsection e1(b) above.
2.
Noncommercial.
(a)
Noncommercial temporary signs are temporary signs that advertise
a transitory noncommercial occasion, event, or activity occurring
on or off the property where the sign is located, such as holidays,
birthdays, fairs, festivals, political campaigns, etc.
(b)
On a single lot, one temporary sign is permitted for each 10
feet of road frontage the lot has.
(d)
Temporary signs shall not be illuminated in any fashion.
(e)
A temporary sign shall be permitted to be displayed upon a property
for up to 30 consecutive days before the occasion, event, or activity
commences and up to five consecutive days after the occasion, event,
or activity ends. In no case shall the temporary sign be displayed
for more than 45 consecutive days.
(f)
One or more temporary signs [as limited by subsection e2(b)
above] may be erected upon a property four separate times in a calendar
year.
3.
Sale or Rental of Real Estate.
(a)
Real estate temporary signs are temporary signs that advertise
the sale or rental of the real property the sign is located upon.
(b)
On a single property, one temporary pole sign or one temporary
wall and/or window sign is permitted for each road the property fronts
upon.
(d)
Real estate temporary signs shall not be directly illuminated
in any fashion.
(e)
A real estate temporary sign shall be permitted to be displayed
upon a property for the entire time the property is for sale or rent.
The sign shall be removed no later than five consecutive days after
the property has been sold or let.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
In all zoning districts and in conjunction with all uses, the
following types of signs are permitted, contingent upon the securing
of a sign permit when one is required, and when in full compliance
with the applicable requirements of this chapter:
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
In the C/R, WS, SR-1, SR-2, RR, VR, and MHP Zoning Districts,
the following types of signs and no others shall be permitted upon
a lot or site, contingent upon the securing of a sign permit when
one is required and when in full compliance with the requirements
of this chapter:
a.
Monument signs for residential developments and/or buildings containing
more than 10 units in compliance with the following regulations:
1.
One sign per street frontage.
2.
Each sign shall have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet and a
maximum sign height of five feet.
3.
Illumination of such sign shall only be done externally with a shielded,
downward-facing light source.
4.
Each sign shall only be erected/installed upon a portion of land
owned and controlled by a homeowners' or condominium association.
The association shall be responsible for maintaining the sign.
b.
Pole or monument signs for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance
with the following regulations:
1.
One sign per street frontage, and only one type of sign (pole or
monument) per property. Where a property or use has multiple signs,
all the signs shall be integrated and have a consistent style, lettering,
and construction.
2.
Each pole sign shall have a maximum sign area of 16 square feet and
a maximum sign height of seven feet. Each monument sign shall have
a maximum sign area of 30 square feet and a maximum sign height of
five feet.
3.
Illumination of pole signs shall only be done externally with a shielded,
downward-facing light source. Illumination of monument signs shall
only be done with internal illumination or externally with a shielded,
downward-facing light source.
4.
A permitted sign may contain manually changeable copy.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
In the IN, OP, I, and IO Zoning Districts, the following types
of signs and no others shall be permitted upon a lot or site, contingent
upon the securing of a sign permit when one is required and when in
full compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter:
a.
Any commercial temporary sign.
b.
Freestanding signs for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance
with the following regulations:
1.
One sign per street frontage.
2.
Each sign shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
3.
Pole signs shall have a maximum sign height of 12 feet, and monument
signs shall have a maximum sign height of seven feet.
4.
Each sign may be externally or internally illuminated. External illumination
shall only be done with a shielded, downward-facing light source.
c.
Building signs for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance with
the following regulations:
1.
No more than two projecting or wall signs shall be erected/installed
on each principal building located on a property, and not more than
one of these two signs shall be a projecting sign.
2.
The sign area of each wall sign shall not exceed 10% of the exterior
area of the building wall onto which it is mounted (including window
and door area and cornices). Any projecting sign shall have a maximum
sign area of 32 square feet.
3.
The total sign area of all the building signs on the property shall
not exceed 60 square feet.
d.
Additional temporary sign for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance
with the following regulations:
e.
Electronic message center or changeable-copy signs for permitted
nonresidential uses in compliance with the following regulations:
1.
An electronic message center sign or a changeable-copy sign may be
substituted for or incorporated into a permitted freestanding sign
or wall sign, but no more than one electronic message sign may be
utilized on any one property.
2.
The electronic message center sign or changeable-copy sign shall
comply with all the requirements of the sign it is being substituted
for or incorporated into.
3.
If fully replacing an allowed sign, the electronic message center
sign or changeable-copy sign shall have a maximum sign area that is
50% of the allowed maximum sign area of the sign it is being substituted
for.
f.
One sandwich-board
sign for permitted nonresidential uses.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
In the C-1, C-2, and C-3 Zoning Districts, the following types
of signs and no others shall be permitted upon a lot or site, contingent
upon the securing of a sign permit when one is required and when in
full compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter:
a.
Any commercial temporary sign.
b.
Monument signs for residential developments and/or buildings containing
more than 10 units in compliance with the following regulations:
1.
One sign per street frontage.
2.
Each sign shall have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet and a
maximum sign height of five feet.
3.
Illumination of such sign shall only be done with a shielded, downward-facing
light source.
4.
Each sign shall only be erected/installed upon a portion of land
owned and controlled by a homeowners' or condominium association.
The association shall be responsible for maintaining the sign.
c.
Freestanding signs for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance
with the following regulations:
1.
One sign per street frontage.
2.
Each sign shall have a maximum sign area of 100 square feet.
3.
Pole signs shall have a maximum sign height of 20 feet, and monument
signs shall have a maximum sign height of seven feet.
4.
Each sign may be externally or internally illuminated. External illumination
shall only be done with a shielded, downward-facing light source.
d.
Building signs for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance with
the following regulations:
1.
No more than two projecting or wall signs shall be erected/installed
on each principal building located on a property, and not more than
one of these two signs shall be a projecting sign.
2.
No more than four window signs shall be allowed on each principal
building located on a property, and not more than two of these four
signs shall be in a single window.
3.
Sign Area.
(a)
The sign area of each wall sign shall not exceed 20% of the
exterior area of the building wall onto which it is mounted (including
window and door area and cornices).
(b)
Any projecting sign shall have a maximum sign area of 32 square
feet.
(c)
The sign area of each window sign shall not exceed 20% of the
area of the window it is mounted in, and no more than 30% of the area
of a window shall be covered by signage.
(d)
The total sign area of all the building signs on the property
shall not exceed 100 square feet.
e.
Additional temporary sign for permitted nonresidential uses in compliance
with the following regulations:
f.
Electronic message center or changeable-copy signs for permitted
nonresidential uses in compliance with the following regulations:
1.
An electronic message center sign or a changeable-copy sign may be
substituted for or incorporated into a permitted freestanding sign
or wall sign, but no more than one electronic message sign may be
utilized on any one property.
2.
The electronic message center sign or changeable-copy sign shall
comply with all the requirements of the sign it is being substituted
for or incorporated into.
3.
If fully replacing an allowed sign, the electronic message center
sign or changeable-copy sign shall have a maximum sign area that is
50% of the allowed maximum sign area of the sign it is being substituted
for.
g.
One sandwich-board sign for permitted nonresidential uses.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
The following regulations apply to the signage allowed in conjunction
with certain uses and activities. These regulations are in addition
to the other requirements set forth in this Part. The erection or
placement of any sign allowed pursuant to this section is contingent
upon the securing of a sign permit when one is required and must be
done in full compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter.
a.
Agricultural Uses (A Uses). In place of the signs allowed in the
zoning district where an agricultural use is located, such a use may
erect the following signs:
1.
Any commercial temporary sign.
2.
Pole signs for permitted agricultural uses in compliance with the
following regulations:
(a)
One sign per street frontage.
(b)
Each pole sign shall have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet
and a maximum sign height of seven feet.
(c)
Illumination of pole signs shall only be done externally with
a shielded, downward-facing light source.
(d)
A permitted sign may contain manually changeable copy.
3.
Pole signs advertising the crop being grown in a farm field in compliance
with the following:
(a)
One sign per field of crop.
(b)
Each pole sign shall have a maximum sign area of two square
feet and a maximum sign height of five feet.
(c)
The sign shall not be illuminated.
(d)
The sign shall only be in place while the advertised crop is
actually planted and growing in the field.
(e)
Sign permits are not required for these signs.
b.
Service Stations (Use J19). In addition to the signs allowed in the
zoning district where the service station is located, such a use may
also have the following signs:
1.
If the service station has more than one road frontage, it may have
an additional electronic message center sign or changeable-copy sign
for each additional road frontage. Other than regarding the number
allowed on each property, these signs shall comply with the applicable
regulations for the zoning district the service station is located
in.
2.
If the service station has one or more fuel island canopies ("FIC")
over the gasoline pumps, it may place a sign on the face of each FIC
in accordance with the following:
(a)
The sign shall just consist of the name of the service station
or the brand of fuel being sold.
(b)
Each side of the FIC facing a road frontage may have a sign
on it.
(c)
The sign area shall not exceed 45 square feet or 30% of the
total area of the side of the FIC the sign in located upon, whichever
is larger.
(d)
The sign on the FIC shall have a maximum sign height of 20 feet.
(e)
Each FIC sign may only be illuminated internally. No external
illumination of the sign is allowed.
c.
Multitenant Commercial/Industrial Buildings (F, I, J, and K Uses
- Not Including Shopping Centers). In place of the signs allowed in
the zoning district where a multitenant building is located, such
a use may erect the following signs:
1.
Where multiple tenants use the same entrance to a building, a directional
sign may be posted or erected outside each such entrance to the building
in accordance with the following:
2.
Where a tenant has a separate dedicated entrance just for that tenant,
the tenant may post or erect a sign with its name and/or logo outside
this dedicated entrance to the building in accordance with the following:
(a)
Each sign shall have a maximum sign area of six square feet
and a maximum sign height of six feet.
3.
Where the use is comprised of several separate buildings in an integrated
complex or campus (Uses F6, F7, and J32 only), directional signs may
be posted or erected along the driveways of the complex/campus at
each entrance to the complex/campus or at each building within the
complex/campus in accordance with the following:
(a)
Each sign shall be a freestanding sign with a maximum sign area
of 20 square feet and a maximum sign height of six feet.
(b)
Each sign shall be placed to provide directions to and so it
can be read by drivers in automobiles traversing the adjacent driveway
or parking lot.
(c)
Each sign shall only provide information concerning the location
of tenants within the complex/campus.
4.
Each
tenant may erect a single commercial temporary sign and a single sandwich-board
sign.
d.
Multitenant Shopping Centers (Use J24 and Similar). In place of the
signs allowed in the zoning district where the shopping center is
located, such a use may erect the following signs:
1.
A pole sign containing the name of the shopping center and the name
of one or more of the tenants of the shopping center along each arterial
road frontage in accordance with the following:
2.
A monument
sign containing the name of the shopping center along each nonarterial
road frontage in accordance with the following
3.
A single wall sign on the wall of each tenant's unit in accordance
with the following:
4.
A single projecting sign on the wall of each tenant's unit in accordance
with the following:
5.
Each
tenant may erect a single commercial temporary sign and a single sandwich-board
sign.
e.
Theater (Use J10). In addition to the signs allowed in the zoning
district where the theater is located, such a use may erect the following
signs:
1.
A single marquee sign at the main entrance to the theater in accordance
with the following:
2.
Wall signs specifically designed and used to advertise current and
future events or showings at the theater in accordance with the following:
(a)
Each wall sign shall be no larger than 40 inches by 55 inches
and shall not project more than four inches from the wall.
(b)
No wall sign shall have a sign height in excess of eight feet.
(c)
Each theater may erect up to four wall signs or one wall sign
per separate theater room within the theater building, whichever is
greater.
(d)
The wall signs may only be illuminated internally. No external
illumination of the sign is allowed.
f.
Outdoor Athletic Venues (Use E1 or E2). In addition to the signs
allowed in the zoning district where the venue is located, such a
use may erect the following signs:
1.
Scoreboards in accordance with the following:
(a)
One scoreboard per playing field.
(b)
The scoreboard shall have a maximum sign area of 100 square
feet and a maximum sign height of 12 feet.
(c)
Commercial messages shall not exceed 30% of the front face of
the scoreboard.
(d)
The face of all scoreboards, including any attached commercial
signs and panels, shall be permanently oriented toward the athletic
venue and the spectators located therein.
(e)
Illumination of the scoreboard shall only be done externally
with a shielded, downward-facing light source. Team names and numbers
may be shown on the scoreboard electronically or digitally in conformance
with the electronic message center regulations.
2.
Off-premises
signs in accordance with the following:
(a)
Such signs shall only be hung from fencing surrounding an individual
athletic field and shall be permanently oriented toward the athletic
venue and the spectators located therein.
(b)
One sign per 15 of fencing.
(c)
Each sign shall have a maximum sign area of 30 square feet and a
maximum sign height of six feet.
(d)
The signs shall only be hung during the athletic seasons the field
is in use.
(e)
The signs shall not be directly illuminated except as a result of
the field being illuminated during an event.
g.
Bars and Restaurants (Uses J6, J7, and J8). In addition to the signs
allowed in the zoning district where the bar or restaurant is located,
such a use may erect the following signs:
1.
Neon window signs in accordance with the following:
(a)
The sign area of each window sign shall not exceed 20% of the
area of the window it is mounted in, and no more than 30% of the area
of a window shall be covered by signage. Moreover, the sign area of
window signs shall not exceed 10% of the exterior area of the building
wall in which the windows with these signs are located (including
window and door area and cornices).
(b)
The signs shall be turned off whenever the business establishment
where they are hung is closed to the public.
(c)
The signs shall comply with the illumination and intensity regulations
for electronic message centers contained within this Part.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
Off-premises signs are allowed in the Township in accordance
with the following requirements. This section applies to both commercial
and noncommercial off-premises signs, except as may be specifically
provided for elsewhere in this chapter.
a.
Purpose. Off-premises signs are controlled by this chapter to serve
the following purposes:
1.
To ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is attractive
to desirable types of development;
2.
To prevent visual pollution in the Township and protect property
values;
3.
To prevent glare onto adjacent property and streets;
4.
To protect the open space and natural character of areas of the Township
planned to remain agricultural or as conservation areas;
5.
To avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists;
and
6.
To protect the public's health, safety, morals and general welfare.
b.
Approval. Off-premises signs are only permitted as a special exception.
c.
Location. Off-premises signs shall be only located only along Route
313/Swamp Road in the OP Zoning District or along County Line Road
in the I and/or IO Zoning Districts.
d.
Type. All off-premises signs shall be nonilluminated, permanent,
freestanding signs erected upon the ground. No off-premises sign shall
be erected upon, painted on, applied to, attached to, and/or supported
by a building, vehicle, or other structure.
e.
Site.
1.
All off-premises signs shall be erected upon land which is leased
or purchased for the exclusive business purpose of advertising by
sign. Only one such sign may be erected per parcel.
2.
Off-premises signs shall not be erected upon or within any protected
natural resource.
3.
Off-premises signs shall not be erected upon or within any rights-of-way,
utility easements, or any easement held by the Township or a third
party.
4.
Off-premises signs shall not be erected upon a bridge or culvert.
f.
Area. No off-premises sign shall be permitted to exceed a maximum
sign area of 160 square feet, including border and trim but excluding
supports. A sign having two sides back-to-back or a V-shaped sign
with a horizontal angle not greater than 45° is permitted to have
120 square feet on each side for a total maximum sign area of 240
square feet.
g.
Sign Height.
1.
No off-premises sign or any part thereof shall be taller than 20
feet in height as measured from the nearest shoulder of the road to
the highest point of the proposed sign or taller than 25 feet in height
measured from the lowest point of the undisturbed surface of the ground
underneath the sign.
2.
All off-premises signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet.
3.
No off-premises sign shall be erected upon a berm or other artificial/man-made
structure designed to increase the height of the sign.
h.
Setbacks.
1.
Right-of-Way.
No off-premises sign or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained
closer than 50 feet from the existing or ultimate right-of-way of
a public street. No off-premises sign or any part thereof shall be
erected or maintained farther away than 100 feet from the existing
or ultimate right-of-way of Route 313/Swamp Road or County Line Road.
No off-premises sign or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained
within 50 feet of any driveway or private lane.
2.
Side
or Rear Yards. No off-premises sign or any part thereof shall be erected
or maintained within 50 feet of any side or rear property line.
3.
Street
Intersection. No off-premises sign shall be erected within 100 feet
of any public street intersection.
4.
Bridge
or Overpass. No off-premises sign shall be erected within 500 feet
of any bridge or overpass.
5.
Buildings
and Signs. No off-premises sign or any part thereof shall be erected
or maintained within 50 feet of any building or on-premises sign.
6.
Residences.
No off-premises sign shall be located closer than 500 feet to any
residence located within a residential zoning district, such measurement
to be made between the two nearest points located on any portion of
the sign and the residence.
7.
Public
and Civic Places. No off-premises sign shall be placed so as to face
a lot located within 300 feet of the sign and occupied by a church,
school, park, playground, open space, historic building, or cemetery.
8.
Other
Off-Premises Signs. No off-premises sign shall be located closer than
1,000 feet to any other off-premises outdoor advertising sign, such
measurement to be made between the two nearest points located on any
portion of the signs
i.
Advertisement. An off-premises sign structure may contain only one
sign or advertisement per face.
j.
Illumination. Off-premises signs shall not be artificially lit in
any fashion.
k.
The following buffer plants shall be planted adjacent to all off-premises signs. The size and species of these plants shall comply with the requirements listed in Part 28 of this chapter.
l.
Construction and Maintenance.
1.
All plans for off-premises signs shall be certified by a licensed
engineer registered in Pennsylvania.
2.
All off-premises signs shall be constructed in accordance with industry-wide
standards established by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America
and the Institute of Outdoor Advertising, or their successor organizations,
as well as in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction
Code.
3.
All off-premises signs shall be structurally sound and maintained
in good condition and in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform
Construction Code.
4.
The structural components of the sign shall be maintained to ensure
their integrity and to prevent the possible collapse of the sign.
Any damage to the structural components shall be repaired within 24
hours.
5.
The face of the sign shall be blank or shall show the full advertisement.
Signs having ripped, defaced, or partial advertisements shall be immediately
repaired by having the advertisement restored to its original condition,
removed, or covered.
6.
The rear face of a single-face, off-premises sign shall be painted
and maintained with a single neutral color as approved by the Township.
7.
Every three years, the owner of the off-premises sign shall have
a structural inspection made of the sign by a licensed engineer registered
in Pennsylvania and shall provide to the Township a certificate certifying
that the sign is structurally sound.
8.
Any trees greater than four inches DBH removed or damaged during
the construction of the sign shall be replaced or replanted on an
equivalent caliper basis. The caliper of all the trees removed or
damaged shall be added together, and the applicant shall be required
to plant new trees whose cumulative caliper equals or exceeds that
of the removed or damaged trees. The planting of replacement trees
shall occur on site, or on a property within New Britain Township
designated and approved by the Board of Supervisors, unless the applicant
offers a fee in lieu of the required replacement, such fee being approved
by the Board of Supervisors, in its sole discretion. Replacement trees
shall be species native to the Township, planted not less than 20
feet on center, and shall have a minimum caliper of 3 1/2 inches
DBH.
m.
Identification of Sign Owner. All off-premises signs shall be identified
on the structure with the name, address, and phone number of the owner
of such sign.
n.
Prohibitions. All off-premises signs shall comply with the prohibited
signs section of this Part. No digital or electronic off-premises
signs are allowed, including, but not limited to, revolving or flashing
signs, signs with intermittent illumination, or signs with mechanically
or electronically changing messages or pictures. No mobile signs or
manually-changeable-copy signs shall be permitted as off-premises
signs.
o.
Application/Plan Requirements. All applicants/owners of an off-premises
sign must obtain a sign permit prior to erecting the sign in addition
to obtaining special exception approval. Any plans submitted in conjunction
with an off-premises sign permit application shall show the following
in addition to the information required for any sign permit application:
1.
The location of the proposed sign on the lot with all the required
sign setbacks.
2.
The location and species of: existing trees, trees and vegetation
to be removed, replacement trees, and proposed landscaping and buffering.
3.
The distance to the nearest existing off-premises sign.
4.
Proof of compliance with all of the applicable requirements set forth
in this chapter.
5.
Certification under the seal of a licensed engineer that the off-premises
sign, as proposed, is designed in accordance with all federal, state,
and local laws, codes, and professional standards.
p.
Additional Regulations. All off-premises signs shall comply with
any and all applicable zoning regulations of the Township and all
other applicable municipal, state, and/or federal regulations. In
the event any other applicable regulation is in conflict with the
provisions of this section, the more-strict regulation shall apply.
q.
Safety. In applying for special exception relief, the applicant bears
the burden of proof to establish that the proposed off-premises sign
will not create a public health or safety hazard in the manner and
location that it is proposed and in the manner by which it is to be
erected and used.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
a.
Permit Required. It shall be unlawful to erect, install, construct,
alter, structurally repair, move, or replace any sign not classified
as "exempt" under this Part without first obtaining a sign permit
from the Township Zoning Officer. Normal sign maintenance, which only
includes cleaning and repairs, shall not require a sign permit, nor
shall a permit be required for changing the advertising copy on a
permanent sign.
b.
Prior to the erection of any sign or signs requiring a sign permit,
the applicant shall file a sign permit application with the Township
along with any required fee, set from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Supervisors.
c.
Along with the application, the applicant shall submit two copies
of a plan, drawn to scale, depicting:
1.
Lot dimensions; building frontage; and existing cartways, rights-of-way
and driveways.
2.
The design of each sign face and sign structure, including dimensions,
total area, sign height, depth, color scheme, structural details,
materials, lighting scheme and proposed location.
3.
Building elevations, existing and proposed facades, parapet walls,
eave line and the location and size of all proposed and existing permanent
signage.
4.
Current photographs showing existing signs on the premises (if any)
and certifying the date on which photographs were taken.
d.
Upon the filing of an application for a sign permit, the Township
shall examine such plans and specifications and other data and the
premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising
structure; and if it shall appear that the proposed structure(s) is(are)
in compliance with the requirements of this Part and chapter and all
other laws and ordinances of the Township, the officer shall then
issue the sign permit. If the work authorized under a sign permit
has not been completed within six months of the date of issuance,
the said permit shall become null and void.
e.
An application for a sign permit may be denied by the Township if
the application fails to comply with the standards contained herein.
The Township shall inform the applicant of the reasons for denying
the sign permit application in writing.
f.
Upon denial of a sign permit application, the applicant has 30 days
to revise and resubmit the application for review by the Township.
In the alternative, the applicant may appeal the denial to the Zoning
Hearing Board in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
g.
Sign permits shall not expire, provided that such signs are not abandoned
or destroyed. In the instance that substantial repair or replacement
becomes necessary (i.e., repairs that cost more than 50% of the replacement
cost of the damaged sign), the applicant must apply for a new sign
permit, and pay an additional fee, if required.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
All signs permitted in this chapter must be constructed of durable
materials and must be kept in good condition and repair. If any sign
is allowed to become dilapidated, then the owner of the property upon
which the sign is located shall be notified by the Zoning Officer
to restore said sign to good and proper condition within 30 days.
The Zoning Officer shall make the determination as to whether the
sign has become dilapidated and, also, whether said sign has been
restored to good and proper condition. Should the landowner object
to the Zoning Officer's determination, then said landowner shall appeal
the Zoning Officer's decision to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30
days after receiving notice from the Zoning Officer. Failure of a
landowner to either rectify the condition of the sign within 30 days
or to appeal the decision of the Zoning Officer to the Zoning Hearing
Board within 30 days shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
The following provisions shall apply in all zoning districts:
a.
Unsafe, Unlawful, or Unpermitted Signs.
1.
Upon receipt of written notice from New Britain Township, the sign
owner or owner of the property where the sign is located shall remove
any sign which meets one or more of the following:
(a)
Becomes unsafe;
(b)
Is in danger of falling;
(c)
Becomes deteriorated so that it no longer serves the purpose
of communication;
(d)
Is determined to be a nuisance by the Township;
(e)
Has been unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions
contained in this Part; or
(f)
Has been erected without application for and/or without the
issuance of a sign permit in conformance with the provisions contained
in this Part.
2.
New Britain Township may remove, or cause to be removed, the sign,
at the expense of the sign owner or property owner, where such owner
has not complied with the terms of the notice. Permanent signs shall
be removed or remedied within 30 days of the date of the notice. Temporary
signs shall be removed within five business days of the date of the
notice. In the event of immediate danger, the Township may remove
the sign immediately upon issuance of notice.
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 Part. Removal of
an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign, including
the sign face, supporting structure, and structural trim.
2.
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located
fails to remove such sign in 30 days, New Britain Township may remove
such sign. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign
shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails
to pay, New Britain Township may file a lien upon the property for
the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs associated with the
removal of the sign.
[Ord. No. 2020-11-04, 11/16/2020]
a.
Signs legally in existence as of November 21, 2020, which do not
conform to the requirements of this chapter, shall be considered nonconforming
signs.
b.
Nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired, the sign copy may
be changed, and sign faces may be replaced, provided that these actions
do not increase the dimensions of the existing sign and do not in
any way increase the extent of the sign's nonconformity. A nonconforming
sign, however, shall be brought into conformance with the sign regulations
of this Part if and when the following occurs:
1.
The sign is removed, relocated, or significantly altered. Significant
alterations include changes in the size or dimension of the sign or
changes to the support structure of the sign.
2.
If more than 50% of the sign area is damaged, it shall be repaired
to conform to this chapter.
3.
An alteration in the structure of a sign support.
4.
A change in the mechanical facilities or type of illumination.
5.
A change in the material of the sign face.
6.
The property on which the nonconforming sign is located submits a
subdivision or land development application requiring municipal review
and approval.
7.
The property on which the nonconforming sign is located undergoes
a change of land use requiring the issuance of either a use and occupancy
permit or a change of use and occupancy permit by the Township.
c.
To request a determination of the legal nonconforming status of existing
signs, the requestor shall submit the following information to the
Township Zoning Officer:
1.
Type(s) of existing sign(s) located on the property.
2.
The area and height of all signs.
3.
For freestanding signs, the distance between the curbline or shoulder
and the nearest portion of the sign.
4.
Type of sign illumination.
5.
The material of which the sign is constructed.
6.
The building frontage.
7.
If the sign in question is an off-premises sign, the applicant shall
also submit the plan requirements for such signs as listed in this
Part.
d.
A nonconforming sign shall be exempt from being brought into conformance
in accordance with the provisions of this section if it meets one
of the following conditions:
1.
The nonconforming sign possesses documented historic value.
2.
The nonconforming sign is of a unique nature or type by virtue of
its architectural value or design, as determined by the National Park
Service, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, or local historical
commission.
3.
When a nonconforming sign is required to be moved because of public
right-of-way improvements.
e.
Nonconforming Signs on the Premises of Legal Nonconforming Uses.
1.
Signs on the premises of legally nonconforming uses (such as an office
in a residential area) may remain until the existing nonconforming
use of the premises is discontinued.
2.
If a sign wears out or is damaged (including rust, faded colors,
discoloration, holes, or missing parts or informational items), or
is changed for any other reason, the number, size, and area of all
signs relating to the premises shall not be increased beyond the characteristics
of the sign or signs that existed on that property as of November
21, 2020.
