A. 
In addition to serving the overall purposes of this chapter, this article is intended to:
(1) 
Establish reasonable and impartial regulations for signs to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, convenience and aesthetics;
(2) 
Serve the public need to be informed about products, businesses, and services that are available;
(3) 
Preserve the unique character of the Township, while promoting tourism and outdoor recreation; and
(4) 
Avoid distractions to motorists and other public safety hazards.
B. 
A sign shall only be erected, placed, constructed, painted or created if it conforms with the regulations of this article and other requirements of this chapter. All other signs are prohibited.
The following terms shall have the following meanings:
ABANDONED SIGN
See § 240-60B.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign that moves or has an optical illusion of moving, such as the movement of any illumination or the flashing or varying of light intensity, or a sign that has changing messages, provided that the following types of sign shall not be considered "animated signs":
A. 
A sign that simply changes messages not more once than every 10 seconds;
B. 
A time or temperature sign; or
C. 
A sign with scrolling text.
AREA OF A SIGN or SIGN AREA
The vertical area covered by a sign. In the case of individual letters or symbols used as a sign, the sign area shall be the area enclosed by the smallest rectangle, circle or triangle (or combination thereof) needed to completely encompass all letters and symbols. For a sign that is not composed of individual letters or symbols, the sign area shall be the total area within the outer edge of the border of the sign, including any background color used to differentiate the sign from the structure to which it is attached. Supports, bracing or a decorative wall or fence shall not be considered part of the sign area if they are clearly incidental to the sign display area.
A. 
Sign area shall be measured based upon one side of a sign with two or more sides. However, if two sides of a sign are routinely readable from one location, then both sides shall be counted towards the maximum sign area.
AWNING SIGN
A sign with the message on a shelter constructed of a nonrigid material such as fabric or flexible plastic that is supported by or stretched over a frame and that extends from an exterior wall of a building.
BANNER
A display made of a flexible material that is attached to a pole or a building at one or more edges, without an enclosing framework. A banner shall be regulated as a sign, except for flags of a level of government or a decorative banner.
A. 
BANNER, DECORATIVEA banner that is purely decorative in nature and which does not include any words, logos or advertising, and which shall not be regulated as a sign.
CONTRACTOR OR CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A temporary sign identifying a contractor actively engaged in construction or repair on the property, or an architect, engineer, financier or material supplier participating in active construction on the property.
DEVELOPMENT SIGN, TEMPORARY
A temporary sign used to identify an approved future development.
DIRECTIONAL OR INCIDENTAL SIGN
An informational sign that directs motorists or pedestrians to entrances or exits, directs traffic within a lot, announces certain restrictions (such as no parking or handicapped parking) or directs persons to a convenience (such as an automatic transaction machine, rest room or a public telephone), and which do not include advertising.
EMERGENCY SIGN
A sign that is necessary to warn persons of an emergency or hazard, such as high-voltage warnings or railroad crossings, and which does not include any advertising.
FLAG
Free-flowing fabric containing colors, patterns or symbols and which is mounted on a pole, cable or rope. A decorative flag is one that does not include any advertising.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported permanently upon the ground by poles or braces and that is not attached to any building.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
A sign erected by the Township, county, state or federal government for traffic direction or to designate the locations of certain facilities, tourism attractions or historic sites.
HEIGHT OF A SIGN
The distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the highest attached component of the sign. In determining normal grade, berming or mounding under the sign to attempt to increase the total height shall not be considered.
INDIRECT ILLUMINATION
A source of lighting that is exterior to the sign, but with the lighting element not being directly visible from a street or sidewalk.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATION
A sign that is lit from inside of the sign and that transmits light through a translucent material.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign which is not allowed by this chapter, but which when originally constructed and placed was legally allowed by the Township.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
See "sign, off-premises" in § 240-26.
POLITICAL SIGN
A temporary sign which supports candidates for elected office or urges action on a political matter or election.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign that is not permanently attached to the ground or a permanent structure. This includes, but is not limited to, a sign designed to be transported on wheels or a trailer.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign that advertises the availability of land or a building for sale or lease and which is not an off-premises sign.
ROOF SIGN
A sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the top mounts edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partly supported by such building.
SIGN
See § 240-26.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign that is not permanently attached to the ground, wall or a building and which is only allowed to be used for a certain period of time as provided in this section.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached to a building wall or painted on a building wall or that is an awning sign attached to the building wall, and which does not project more than five feet beyond a building wall.
WARNING SIGN
A sign that is necessary to warn persons of a danger, and which includes no advertising.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign attached to the inside or glued to the glass of a window or door and which is intended to be read from the exterior of the building.
A. 
Permit required. A zoning permit shall be required for every sign, except for types of signs that are exempted from permit requirements by this article. The zoning permit shall be required before the erection, enlargement, placement or installation of signs regulated by this chapter. A zoning permit shall not be required for the following types of signs:
(1) 
Exempt signs as provided in § 240-57B.
(2) 
Temporary real estate or contractor/construction signs as provided in § 240-57.
(3) 
Alterations to signs, provided the alteration does not cause a sign to violate this chapter and provided the alteration does not increase the sign area or height of the sign or change the sign's location.
B. 
Permit application. The zoning permit application requirements of Article II shall apply for a sign. The application shall show the locations of buildings, lot lines, streets, sidewalks and public rights-of-ways, in addition to showing the types, heights, sizes and locations of existing and proposed signs. The type of lighting of signs shall be identified. Additional information shall be required to comply with the Township Construction Code.[1]
(1) 
A sign permit fee shall be paid, as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Such fee is intended to cover the administrative and inspection costs of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 88, Construction Code, Uniform, of the Code.
C. 
After a sign requiring a permit is completed, the applicant shall provide a photograph of the sign to the Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer shall then conduct any final inspection and note the results on the permit application.
D. 
Violation. If the Zoning Officer determines that the completed sign does not comply with this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall require that corrections be made. The Zoning Officer may revoke a permit if this article is violated or if there was misrepresentation of any material facts in the application or the plans submitted to the Township. A sign permit may be revoked by the Zoning Officer if a sign is altered or moved in a manner that does not conform to this article, or if the sign is not properly maintained.
E. 
Expiration. If the work authorized under a sign permit is not completed within six months after the date of issuance of the permit, the permit shall become null and void, unless the deadline is extended in writing by the Zoning Officer for an additional six months.
F. 
Removal. See § 240-60.
G. 
Inspections. The Township may conduct periodic inspections to determine compliance of signs with the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
Prohibited signs. The following signs are expressly prohibited throughout the Township:
(1) 
Signs placed on a public sidewalk or curb, except as may specifically be allowed in § 240-58.
(2) 
An inflatable object of more than 50 cubic feet that is attached to the ground or a structure.
(3) 
Signs which flash, revolve, rotate, swing or otherwise move, but this provision shall not restrict flashing holiday lights that are not used for advertising purposes.
(4) 
Animated signs (see definition in § 240-55).
(5) 
Portable signs, except as may be specifically permitted by § 240-58.
(6) 
Signs that project into a public right-of-way.
(7) 
Signs totaling more than five square feet per side on a vehicle or trailer that is parked for 30 days or more in one spot in a location that is readable from a public street.
(8) 
Signs on utility poles, rocks or trees, except for: signs placed by the owner of the utility pole and for no-trespassing/no-hunting signs.
(9) 
Signs which imitate, interfere with or obstruct the view of traffic control signals and signs.
(10) 
Signs which emit sound, odor or visible matter, such as smoke.
(11) 
Signs attached to a support outside of the permitted sign area.
(12) 
Mirrors as part of a sign.
(13) 
Types of roof signs that are prohibited by § 240-57E.
(14) 
Signs that are not listed as specifically as allowed.
B. 
Exempt signs. The following signs shall not be required to have zoning permits, provided such signs comply with the following restrictions, and provided such sign does not exceed a maximum height of eight feet and is not illuminated:
(1) 
Signs for established civic nonprofit organizations or places of worship to direct persons to their location or meeting place, with a maximum of two signs per organization or place of worship, and with each sign having a maximum sign area of three square feet.
(2) 
Signs that cannot be read from any street and from any lot line. In such cases, such sign shall not be required to meet the other requirements of this article.
(3) 
Directional or incidental signs (see § 240-55) with a maximum sign area of four square feet per sign. A maximum of two directional signs shall be allowed at each vehicle entrance, which shall not exceed five feet in height. Also see § 240-58D.
(4) 
An individual sign of less than 120 square inches of sign area.
(5) 
Government or emergency signs or signs stating speed limits or providing warning of a speed bump.
(6) 
Flags of a level of government. In addition, one flag with a maximum sign area of 24 square feet may be used to identify a business or institution or to note that a business is "open."
(7) 
One identification sign per dwelling or business, each with a maximum sign area of 1.5 square feet, to identify the occupant and/or address.
(8) 
Signs restricting trespassing, hunting, fishing and similar activities, with a maximum sign area per sign of four square feet.
(9) 
Signs erected around athletic fields that are sponsored by nonprofit youth sports organizations and that are primarily intended to be readable to spectators and not motorists on public streets, and with no sign exceeding 32 square feet.
(10) 
Religious symbols that do not include any advertising.
(11) 
On-premises signs that are an integral part of a commercial vending machine, provided the vending machine is allowed.
C. 
Maintenance. All signs shall be kept in good repair. A sign that is a hazard to public health and safety or involves loose or dangling materials or peeling paint or major cracks shall be repaired or removed. See § 240-60.
D. 
Lighting. Lighting shall be located, shielded, directed and screened to avoid the lighting element from being directly visible to motorists or pedestrians and to prevent glare to motorists and persons on other properties. A sign shall not be illuminated in such a manner that it exceeds the lighting spillover requirements of Article VI.
(1) 
A business sign in a residential district shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. during hours when the business is not open for customers.
E. 
Roof signs. Roof signs that are attached to a roof are a type of wall sign and shall meet the requirements of a wall sign, plus the additional requirements of this section.
(1) 
A roof sign shall not exceed the maximum building height for the zoning district or the highest point of the highest roof of the building, whichever is more restrictive.
F. 
Window signs. A business may include temporary window signs, which are not regulated.
G. 
Business banners. A lawful principal business use in a commercial district shall be allowed to use one banner sign of up to 32 square feet in addition to other allowed sign area. If a lot includes multiple business establishments, a maximum total of one banner shall be allowed per establishment up to a maximum of five banners per lot. A banner shall not obstruct minimum sight distances. In addition, banners meeting the requirements for wall sign area shall also be allowed.
(1) 
Purely decorative banners and flags without a commercial message are not regulated by this section.
(2) 
In addition, each principal business shall be allowed an eight-square-foot flag, which may include a commercial message such as the word "Open."
H. 
Temporary development sign. One temporary development sign shall be allowed along each exterior street to advertise a proposed or ongoing new development. Each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in sign area and eight feet in total height. Such sign shall only be allowed for a nonresidential development of more than 3,000 square feet of building floor area or for a development of six or more new dwelling units.
(1) 
The sign shall not be placed until a preliminary subdivision or land development application or a zoning or building application has been submitted. The sign shall be removed after the completion of construction or the sale of the last new dwelling unit, or after the temporary sign is replaced with a permanent sign.
I. 
Special event sign. A temporary sign may advertise a special event by an established nonprofit civic, emergency service, educational or religious organization. Such sign shall be placed a maximum of 30 days before the event begins and be removed within three days after the event is ended. Such sign shall be placed a maximum total of 60 days per calendar year. A maximum of two signs shall be allowed per special event, with a maximum sign area of 32 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet of total height.
(1) 
A special event sign for a noncommercial or nonprofit special event may also be placed over a public road if permission is granted in advance by the Township. The Township may require the payment of a fee and/or a $500 deposit and may establish conditions upon the approval. Such sign shall have a maximum sign area of 80 square feet and shall be securely attached so as to maintain a minimum clearance of 20 feet over the roadway. Such sign shall be placed a maximum of 20 days.
J. 
Political signs.
(1) 
Temporary political signs shall be prohibited on public property, rights-of-way of public streets, utility poles and trees. Political signs shall be prohibited on private property if the owner has not granted permission for the sign. A person posting multiple signs shall maintain a list of the locations where the signs were posted.
(2) 
A political sign may also be used to express an opinion on a political matter or issue.
(3) 
Political signs shall be removed a maximum of seven days after an election if they pertain to an election. In case of doubt, a candidate shall be responsible to remove signs that advertise his/her candidacy.
(4) 
In a residential district, each political sign shall have a maximum total height of five feet and a maximum sign area per sign of six square feet per side. In any other district, each political sign shall have a maximum total height of 10 feet and a maximum sign area of 16 square feet per side. A maximum of two signs shall be allowed per candidate per lot per street frontage. Any sign not meeting these requirements shall meet the regulations for an off-premises sign (such as a billboard).
K. 
Real estate signs. A maximum of one temporary real estate sign shall be allowed per lot for each street that is adjacent to the property. The maximum sign area shall be six square feet for a dwelling or residential lot and 16 square feet for other property. A sign permit is not required.
(1) 
The maximum total sign height shall be eight feet. Such signs shall be removed within a maximum of seven days after settlement of the purchase or lease.
L. 
Contractor/construction signs. A maximum of one contractor/construction sign shall be allowed for each contractor, financier, architect or engineer who is actively working on construction on the lot. Each sign shall not exceed eight square feet, although the sign area may be combined (for example, one 18-square-foot sign may be used to identify three contractors). A sign permit is not required.
(1) 
Such sign shall not exceed a total height of eight feet. Such signs shall be removed within seven days after completion of active work on the property.
M. 
Garage sale signs. Up to two signs shall be allowed for an occasional household garage sale, with a maximum sign area of four square feet each. Such signs shall only be posted with permission of the property owner and shall be removed within 24 hours after the end of the sale. A sign permit is not required.
N. 
Open house or auction signs. A maximum of three temporary signs may be used to advertise a real estate open house or auction. Each sign shall not exceed four square feet. A sign permit is not required.
(1) 
Such signs shall not exceed six feet in height. Such signs shall be placed a maximum of one day before the event and removed within 24 hours after the conclusion of the event. No such sign shall be erected for more than four total days.
O. 
Permanent development sign. If a development includes 10 or more dwelling units or three or more nonresidential lots, a permanent development sign shall be allowed at each entrance to the development from an adjacent public street. Such sign shall have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet on each of two sides. This may include separate signs on each side of the entrance, provided each only has one sign face. Such signs shall not exceed five feet in total height and shall not be internally illuminated.
(1) 
Such signs may be attached to a fence or decorative masonry wall with a maximum height of five feet and a maximum length of eight feet. Such signs and any attached fence/wall shall be designed to be durable and require minimal maintenance.
P. 
Bus shelter sign. See § 240-43D(2).
Q. 
Camp or campground sign outside of a commercial district or resort complex. A maximum of one freestanding sign shall be allowed per lot along each street that the lot abuts. Such sign shall have a maximum sign area of 16 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet.
R. 
Sign height exception. A sign may include an extension of up to 10 feet above the maximum sign height or the preexisting height of the sign, whichever is more permissive, to allow the sign to be illuminated with solar energy.
S. 
A sign permit is not needed for a simple change of the message or sign face of a sign, provided the sign face does not change in size or type of lighting.
In addition to signs allowed by other portions of this Article VIII, the following signs shall be allowed for a principal nonresidential use. These provisions in § 240-58 shall not apply to a day-care center, camp or campground that is not within a commercial district or a resort complex:
A. 
Building wall signs. The maximum total area of all wall signs attached to one side of a building shall not exceed 10% of the total vertical area of the building wall and roof to which the signs are attached. Such building wall area shall include windows and doors. Building wall signs that are attached to the roof shall also meet the requirements for "roof signs" in § 240-55.
(1) 
Wall signs shall not be placed on a side of a building that directly faces a residential zoning district that is not separated by a street.
(2) 
Temporary signs within a window are not regulated.
(3) 
If a building includes multiple tenants, then the 10% maximum sign area shall apply to the portion of the building controlled by each tenant, unless a different allocation is established by the building owner in writing, provided that the 10% maximum sign area applies to the entire building wall.
B. 
Freestanding signs. A maximum of one freestanding sign shall be allowed per lot along each street that the lot abuts, unless stated otherwise in this section.
(1) 
Such sign shall have a maximum sign area of:
(a) 
Thirty-two square feet if the lot only includes one principal nonresidential use;
(b) 
Fifty square feet if the lot includes two to three principal nonresidential uses;
(c) 
Seventy square feet if the lot includes four to 10 principal nonresidential uses; and
(d) 
One hundred square feet if the lot includes 11 or more principal nonresidential uses.
(2) 
The freestanding sign maximum size shall be 120 square feet for:
(a) 
An auto sales use that includes the sale of new motor vehicles by two or more manufacturers (with up to three signs totaling 120 square feet); or
(b) 
Three or more movie theaters.
(3) 
If a lot includes two or more detached principal buildings that each include one or more different commercial establishments, then one additional freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of 50 square feet shall be allowed.
(4) 
If a lot includes gasoline sales, an additional 24 square feet of freestanding sign area shall be allowed to advertise gasoline prices.
(5) 
Freestanding signs allowed by this section shall have a maximum total height of 20 feet in a business district and 16 feet in a residential district. Where a sign faces onto a roadway that has a higher elevation than the ground area under the sign, the total sign height may be a maximum of 20 feet above the elevation of such road, in a commercial or industrial district. Such 20 feet height shall be increased to 30 feet for a sign of 100 square feet or larger. Such sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the street right-of-way, except no setback shall apply from the right-of-way of Route 903 where such right-of-way or 60 feet or more in width.
(6) 
A freestanding sign with a sign area of greater than 10 square feet shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from the lot line of a principal dwelling on another lot.
(7) 
The maximum sign area for each freestanding sign may be increased by 10 square feet if the sign is not internally illuminated and if the sign is surrounded by a landscaped area with a minimum ground area of 50 square feet.
(8) 
A principal business may also display a sandwich board sign with a maximum sign area of six square feet on each of two sides. Such sign shall only be displayed when the business is open for customers.
C. 
Off-site directional sign. If a lawful principal nonresidential use (other than a place of worship which are addressed by § 240-57B) is not located on an arterial street and is not identified by PennDOT tourism destination signs, up to three directional signs shall be allowed to direct motorists to such use, with a maximum of one sign per street intersection.
(1) 
Such signs shall each have a maximum sign area of six square feet. Where located on private property, the owner of the land shall provide a written signed statement agreeing to the placement of the signs.
(2) 
The locations of such signs shall be approved by the Township.
(3) 
The sign shall only include the name of the use, an arrow and a distance (if desired). The sign shall be attached to a secure pole.
(4) 
The sign shall have a minimum height as necessary for safe sight distance and a maximum height of eight feet.
D. 
Directional signs within a development. Freestanding signs of up to 16 square feet each shall be allowed within a development, provided such signs are not readable from a public road outside of that development. Such signs shall only be used to direct motorists or to state rules or similar information by a homeowners' association, camp or campground. Such signs shall still require a zoning permit for the sign and the payment of the required permit fee. In addition, a homeowners' association may place standard-sized regulatory signs (such as stop signs) and street name signs wherever necessary within the development, without needing a zoning permit or payment of a fee.
E. 
Master sign plan. It is requested that a development involving multiple uses and/or lots include a master sign plan that identifies the location, size and type of various signs.
F. 
Changeable messages. A sign shall display the same message and image for a minimum of 10 seconds before the sign changes to a different message or image, except time-and-temperature signs.
A. 
Location. Except as specifically permitted otherwise by this Article VII, an off-premises sign shall only be allowed in the C-1 Commercial Zoning District. Special exception approval shall be required for an off-premises sign with a sign area of more than 50 square feet.
B. 
Setbacks. An off-premises sign shall meet the same setback requirements that would apply to a principal building in that zoning district. An off-premises sign that is illuminated or that has a sign area of more than 50 square feet shall be set back a minimum of 500 feet from any existing dwelling.
(1) 
An off-premises sign of more than 50 square feet in sign area shall be set back a minimum of 1,000 feet from any other off-premises sign of more than 50 square feet in sign area.
C. 
Height and sign area. An off-premises sign shall have a maximum total height of 40 feet and a maximum sign area of 300 square feet. Extensions shall not be allowed to extend beyond the maximum sign area. An off-premises sign may include two sign faces if they are approximately back to back.
D. 
Changeable message. An off-premises sign shall maintain the same message or image for a minimum of 10 consecutive seconds before changing to display any other message or image.
A. 
Nonconforming signs.
(1) 
A lawful nonconforming sign may be continued but shall not be expanded or changed in any manner that would increase the sign's nonconformity. If a permit is issued by the Township, then an existing lawful nonconforming sign may be replaced with a new nonconforming sign, provided the new sign is not any more nonconforming than the previous sign. For example, an existing nonconforming sign may be allowed to be replaced in the same location by a new sign with the same or less sign area and height.
(2) 
A nonconforming sign shall also be required to comply with § 240-60B and C.
B. 
Obsolete or unused signs.
(1) 
If a sign (other than an allowed off-premises sign) advertises a business no longer being conducted or a product, event or service no longer being offered on the premises, such sign and sign structure shall be removed within 12 months after such cessation of activity. Such removal shall be accomplished by the owner of the property. The Zoning Officer shall provide an enforcement notice as authorized by Article II that requires the removal of the sign.
(a) 
This provision shall not require the removal of a sign structure if business space is actively being offered for lease by a new tenant, or the building is under renovation or reconstruction, and the sign structure is clearly intended to be and is suitable to be reused by the new tenant.
(2) 
If an off-premises sign pertains to a business or facility that is discontinued for a period of 12 months or more, such sign and sign structure shall be removed by the owner of the property.
C. 
Signs in poor repair. See § 240-57C. If the Zoning Officer determines that a sign is unsafe, insecure or is a hazard to persons or property, the Zoning Officer shall send an enforcement notice requiring that the sign be repaired or removed within a maximum of 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice or another time period specified in the notice.
(1) 
If such sign is not repaired or removed within the time period specified in the enforcement notice, and a timely appeal is not filed and granted, the Zoning Officer shall be authorized to cause the sign to be removed at the expense of the owner of the lot.
(2) 
In addition, if a sign is determined to be an imminent hazard to the public, the Zoning Officer may have the sign ordered to be removed immediately at the expense of the owner of the lot.
(3) 
This § 240-60 is permissive to the Township. The Township is under no obligation to identify and address every sign that may be a hazard.