It is the purpose of this article to promote the public safety
and welfare by regulating the placement, size, number, and conditions
of signs and by limiting visual blight, potential hazards to vehicular
and pedestrian movement, and dangers posed by signs in disrepair.
Further, it is the purpose of this article to provide opportunities
for a variety of sign types and encourage sign designs that meet local
resident and business needs in a manner that complements the character
of the Township.
A.
Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree or rock or other natural
feature, unless approved by the Board of Supervisors.
B.
Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property
may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of
this chapter.
C.
Roof signs of any size.
D.
Digital, electronically changing message, or flashing signs.
E.
Internal illumination of signs.
F.
Portable or Mobile signs of any type or size (e.g., signs on trailers
or wheels)
G.
Signs affixed to or painted on a vehicle or trailer and parked at
a specific location for the purpose of conveying a commercial message.
H.
Off-premises signs, except for an off-site billboard permitted in
the HC Zoning District only and a temporary sign.
The following shall apply to all permitted sign uses:
A.
Sign location.
(1)
No sign shall be permitted to be placed close enough to any intersection to impact the clear sight triangle as per § 162-1907, nor to obstruct clear and free vision of traffic control signals or signs. Signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.
(2)
No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall be located
within or extend into or over any street right-of-way.
(3)
No sign shall be higher than permitted by this chapter or protrude
above the building height as defined in the district in which the
sign is located, whichever is lower.
(4)
Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal
highway shall comply with any more restrictive applicable federal
or state requirements.
(5)
No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free
ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
(6)
No business sign may be located nearer to a residence or a residential
lot line than permitted for other commercial, institutional, or industrial
accessory uses in the district in which the sign is located. If located
nearer than 50 feet or facing into a residence or a residential lot,
the sign shall be so designed as not to shine or reflect light upon
such residence or lot.
(7)
The outdoor storage of vehicles on a property shall not be used
as a sign for a business, home occupation, or any other use. No vehicle
which contains business advertising on its exterior shall park in
a location visible from a public right-of-way.
B.
Sign illumination and movement.
(2)
External light sources shall be located above the sign to be
illuminated, and the direction of the illumination shall be downward
on the sign.
(3)
Any illumination of signs in any district shall be so shielded
that the source of light shall not be visible from a point off the
lot on which the sign being illuminated is erected, and so that only
the sign is illuminated thereby. Signs shall be illuminated only during
the hours of operation and the light source shall be extinguished
at the end of business hours.
(4)
Electrical transformer boxes and raceways are required to be
concealed from public view. If a raceway cannot be mounted internally
behind the finished exterior wall, the exposed metal surfaces of the
raceway shall be finished to match the background wall, or integrated
into the overall design of the sign.
C.
Sign construction, maintenance, and removal.
(1)
All signs shall be constructed of durable materials firmly supported
and shall be kept in good condition and repair. The Zoning Officer
is designated to periodically inspect signs.
(2)
If the Zoning Officer finds a sign to be structurally unsafe
or endangering the public safety, or the safety of a building or premises,
the Township shall give written notice to the owner of the premises
on which the sign is located that such sign be made safe or removed
within five days at the expense of the owner. Failure to comply shall
be just cause for the Township to remove the sign or take corrective
action to ensure the maintenance of the public safety. Such remedy
shall be at the expense of the owner of the property on which the
sign is located.
(3)
All signs requiring the use of electricity shall be manufactured
in accordance with the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) specifications
and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
(4)
All signs shall be securely mounted or fastened to the building
upon which they are erected or, if freestanding or ground signs, must
be securely and safely installed in the ground. Breakaway signs shall
be installed where freestanding signs are installed immediately adjacent
to vehicular facilities, as required by the Board of Supervisors.
The installation of all signs must be approved by the Zoning Officer.
(5)
Abandoned signs shall be removed by the owner of the property.
Such signs may be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner
of the property on which said sign is located.
(6)
Any site, lot, or building on which a sign was erected shall
be restored to its original, or better, condition upon removal of
the sign by the owner of the property on which said sign was located.
D.
Sign size. Permitted sign size shall be dependent on sign type and
the district in which the sign is located, and may be dependent on
the building frontage that a business occupies. For purposes of calculating
permitted size, building frontage shall be calculated as follows:
(1)
On buildings housing only one tenant, or multiple tenants that
access the building via a common outside entrance(s), building frontage
shall be that one face or wall of a building which is architecturally
designed as the front of the building and which contains the main
entrance for use by the general public. In instances where building
frontage is in question, an average of the linear feet of those walls
in question shall be used in calculating allowable sign area.
(2)
On buildings that house more than one tenant where each tenant
has its own outside entrance(s), building frontage for each tenant
shall be that one architecturally designed perimeter wall that contains
that tenant's main entrance for use by the general public to
the area occupied by that tenant. In instances where a tenant occupies
an area which has more than one architecturally designed wall located
on the perimeter of the building, only that one wall which contains
the primary entrance for use by the general public shall be used in
calculating allowable sign area. In instances where it cannot be clearly
determined which perimeter wall contains the primary entrance for
use by the general public, an average of the linear feet of those
walls in question shall be used in calculating allowable sign areas.
E.
Sign design standards and guidelines. The intent of the sign design standards and guidelines is to provide minimum standards and additional guidance for how signs are designed, constructed, and placed in order to produce creative, high-quality signage that effectively communicates its message while positively contributing to Township character. These standards and guidelines will also assist those responsible for reviewing sign permit applications by providing established criteria against which to judge the appropriateness of a sign's design. The standards and guidelines apply to all new signs and the modification or reconstruction of existing signs in all zoning districts, and compliance is highly encouraged. Proposed signs located within the boundaries of the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark Planning Area, Fairville Village Historic District, the Route 1 Corridor Overlay District, or on or within 100 feet of the exterior walls of a historic resource shall be reviewed by the Historical Commission and Planning Commission for their comments regarding sign design, as per § 162-1708C. All signs shall be coordinated with the design of the principal use in such a manner that the overall appearance is harmonious in color, form and proportion. The following specific standards and guidelines are recommended:
(1)
Color.
(a)
The total number of colors used on a sign should be limited
to increase readability. It is recommended that no more than three
colors be used for a sign.
(b)
A substantial contrast should be provided between the color
of the background and the letters or symbols to make the sign legible.
(c)
Sign colors should complement the colors used on the structures
and project as a whole. Matching either the background or trim color
of the structure which the sign serves is encouraged.
(d)
Use historic colors if appropriate. Appropriate historic colors
include but are not limited to bottle green, olive, gold, and burgundy.
Black lettering on a white background is not recommended, nor are
metallic paints other than gold.
(e)
When more than one sign is permitted, the colors on the signs
shall be coordinated with each other to present a unified image.
(2)
Materials.
(a)
Sign materials and finishes should be compatible with the architecture
of the structure the sign serves.
(b)
Signs shall be professionally constructed using durable and
high-quality materials.
(c)
Signs are recommended to be constructed of natural materials
such as wood, masonry, stone, or metal with painted or raised lettering.
Wood signs, either painted or carved, should be properly sealed to
prevent deterioration. Metal signs should be properly primed and painted
or factory coated to protect against corrosion.
(d)
The use of synthetic materials is allowed, but sign materials
are encouraged to replicate a natural material.
(e)
Materials should contribute to the legibility of the sign. For
example, glossy finishes are often difficult to read because of glare
and reflections.
(3)
Legibility.
(a)
The information shown on signs shall identify the use or business(es)
in a simple and straightforward manner. Brief, succinct messages are
encouraged.
(b)
Crowding or over-spacing of letters, words, or lines should
be avoided. As a general rule, letters should not occupy more than
75% of the total sign area.
(c)
The number of different font styles on a single sign should
be limited. A general rule is no more than two font styles for small
signs and three for large signs.
(d)
Overly intricate fonts that are difficult to read should be
avoided. Sign fonts should be selected to provide both clarity and
artistic integrity.
(e)
Symbols and logos in place of words should be used whenever
appropriate.
(4)
Illumination.
(a)
Use illumination only if necessary, and keep any lighting in
proportion with the sign and structure.
(b)
Where illumination is required, a projected light source is
preferred. Projected lighting (such as gooseneck lighting) emphasizes
the continuity of the sign and structure, and should be simple, unobtrusive,
and not obscure the sign.
(c)
If electrical raceways are necessary, they shall be as thin
and narrow as possible and should never extend in width or height
beyond the area of the sign's lettering or graphics. All exposed
conduit and junction boxes shall be concealed from public view.
(5)
Structure compatibility and site integration.
(a)
Signs should be located where architectural features or details
suggest a location, size, or shape for the sign.
(b)
Signs should be placed consistent with the proportions and scale
of the elements within the structure's facade.
(c)
Signs should be designed and placed to relate to the architectural
features of the building and site on which they are located.
(d)
The scale of signs should be appropriate for the building and
site on which it is placed and should be proportional to the size
of the location and the scale of the structure.
(e)
Signs are discouraged from obscuring any architectural detail.
(f)
In pedestrian-oriented areas, signs should relate to the sidewalk
instead of motorists.
(g)
Signs should be placed at or near the public entrance to a building
or main parking area to indicate the most direct access to the building.
(6)
Sign type guidelines.
(a)
Freestanding signs are considered most appropriate for buildings
originally designed as residential dwellings or where larger front
yard setbacks are present and the building is fronted by landscaping.
Freestanding signs should emphasize horizontal rather than vertical
massing. Landscaping should be planted around the base of freestanding
signs at a surface area ratio of 1:1 or greater. Between five and
10% of the sign area should be dedicated to identification of the
street address.
(b)
Wall signs designed as an integral part of the front facade
of commercial buildings (the band or blank area between the first
and second floors of a building) are encouraged. Signs should be proportional
in scale to the building and to the wall space on which they are mounted.
(c)
Wall or projecting signs are preferred where there is a small
front yard setback.
(d)
Projecting signs and wall-mounted signs that are rectangular,
square or oval are encouraged for historic structures, as they are
most appropriate to the majority of historic buildings.
(e)
Projecting signs are most appropriate in pedestrian-oriented
areas, and should be placed in close proximity to an entrance. A projecting
sign should be suspended between the bottom of the second story window
sills and the top of the doors or windows of the first story on a
multistory building. On a one-story building, the top of the sign
should be suspended in line with the lowest point of the roof. A projecting
sign should be hung at a 90° angle from the face of the building,
and should be pinned at least six inches away from the wall for best
visibility.
(f)
Multitenant signs should be designed with consideration of legibility
and tenant replacement. Individual tenant sign panels should be uniform
in size, recognizing that the major tenant or name of the center may
require a slightly larger sign panel. The size, font, and number of
tenant names should provide visual interest. Panels should be designed
in such a manner that replacement of an individual tenant's panel
can be accomplished without negatively affecting the overall appearance
of the sign.
A.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
In order to provide safe passage for pedestrians, freestanding
signs shall be designed and installed so that the sign area is either
lower than four feet in height or higher than eight feet in height,
above grade. A freestanding sign shall be no more than 12 feet in
height, except for off-site billboards which shall not exceed 35 feet.
(2)
Freestanding signs shall be limited to one such sign per lot
or development. If more than one use is carried on in a structure
or lot, the one permitted freestanding sign may indicate the presence
of all uses in the structure or lot. Individual freestanding signs
for each use shall not be permitted.
(3)
Where both freestanding signs and ground signs are permitted
in this article, only one of these sign types shall be erected on
a lot or development.
(4)
The height shall be measured from the proposed finished grade
to the highest point of the sign structure. Berming or mounding around
the location of the sign to increase the sign height is prohibited.
(5)
Size shall be as specified below by district.
B.
Ground signs.
(1)
Ground 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 building design scheme.
(2)
Ground signs shall be limited to one such sign per lot or development.
If more than one use is carried on in a structure or lot, the one
permitted ground sign may indicate the presence of all uses in the
structure or lot. Individual ground signs for each use shall not be
permitted.
(3)
In those districts where both ground signs and freestanding
signs are permitted, only one of these sign types shall be erected
on a lot or development.
(4)
Ground signs may have an open area, and if so it shall not extend
more than two feet above grade. This area should be maintained free
of weeds and debris. The overall height of any ground sign, including
support structure, shall not be more than six feet above grade.
(5)
Size shall be as specified below by district.
C.
Projecting signs.
(1)
No portion of a projecting sign shall be less than eight feet
nor more than 15 feet above grade if located above a sidewalk. If
located above a parking area or drive, no portion of a projecting
sign shall be less than 14.5 feet nor more than 20 feet above grade.
(2)
No projecting sign can project more than 42 inches from the
face of the building.
(3)
Projecting signs shall not extend above the top of the wall
upon which it is mounted.
(4)
No projecting sign shall be attached to a building where a canopy,
marquee, or awning sign exists.
(5)
Size and number of signs permitted per lot shall be as specified
below by district.
D.
Wall signs.
(1)
No portion of an exterior wall sign shall extend more than six
inches from the building wall.
(2)
No portion of a wall sign that extends from the building shall
be less than eight feet above grade.
(4)
Letters painted on or affixed to a building shall be considered
a wall sign and shall be included in the computation of the total
sign area.
(5)
Murals that consist only of images and do not include any commercial
messages shall not be considered a wall sign. Murals that include
commercial messages shall be considered a wall sign and regulated
as such.
F.
Off-site billboards.
(1)
Shall be permitted only in the Highway Commercial (HC) Zoning
District.
(2)
Shall not exceed a dimension of 10 feet vertically and 20 feet
horizontally, for a total surface area of 200 square feet.
(3)
Shall not be located closer to a street line than the minimum
front yard allowed in the HC Zoning District and must be the sole
use on a separate lot containing no less than 30,000 square feet.
(4)
No part of the off-site billboard shall exceed 35 feet in height.
(5)
Lighting of the off-site billboard shall be permitted without
time limitations, provided that the lighting meets all other requirements
of this chapter pertaining to the lighting of signs.
(6)
Content shall not be regulated, except that lewd or indecent
content, as defined by community standards, is prohibited.
(7)
No off-site billboard shall contain advertising on more than
one side of the sign structure.
G.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs announcing special or community
events or the temporary, lawful sale of products, goods and/or services
such as, but not limited to, the seasonal sale of goods such as Christmas
trees, or special sales events of items, shall be permitted, provided
that:
(1)
A permit shall be obtained before erecting any temporary sign, unless exempted under § 162-2108. Permits shall run for 45 successive days and may be re-issued for an additional 45 successive days once per calendar year where just cause has been demonstrated.
(2)
Temporary signs shall comply with all pertinent regulations
applicable to permanent type signs.
(3)
Temporary signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in total sign
area per lot, business, or use.
(4)
Signs shall be removed no later than three days after the expiration
of the permit, or three days after completion of the advertised event
if no permit was required.
(5)
Any site, lot, or building on which the sign was erected shall
be restored to its original or better condition upon removal of the
sign.
(6)
Portable signs shall be permitted as a temporary sign; however,
such signs shall only be permitted for commercial uses in districts
where commercial uses are permitted as a principal use, and there
shall be no more than one portable sign per establishment.
(7)
Banner signs shall be permitted only as a temporary sign. No
such sign is permitted to extend over a public road right-of-way.
The following types of signs and no others shall be permitted
in the Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5),
the Mobile Home Park Zoning District (MHP), and the Village Residential
Zoning District (VR), provided that the signs comply with all requirements
herein specified.
A.
Official traffic signs.
D.
Real estate signs, provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on premises held
in single and separate ownership unless such premises front on more
than one street, in which event, one such sign may be placed on each
frontage.
(3)
All such signs shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or
rental of the premises. Open house signs shall be removed within 24
hours after the end of the open house.
F.
No trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a
driveway or premises, provided that the size of any such sign shall
not exceed two square feet.
G.
Artisan signs, provided that:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected only on the premises where such
work is being performed.
(2)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(3)
Not more than one such sign per contractor shall be placed on
premises held in single and separate ownership.
(4)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(5)
Signs may be placed no sooner than three days prior to work.
(6)
Such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of active
work.
K.
On-site directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in size,
shall be permitted but shall be located no closer than 20 feet from
any street intersection, and shall not be illuminated. No advertising
matter shall be contained on signs of this type.
The following types of signs shall be permitted in the Village
Commercial (VC) District, provided that the signs comply with all
requirements herein specified:
A.
Any sign permitted in residential districts which relates to a use
permitted in the district.
B.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
Not more than one freestanding or ground sign and one building-mounted
(projecting, wall, canopy, marquee, or awning) sign; or two building-mounted
signs shall be placed on each premises held in single and separate
ownership.
(2)
The maximum total sign area for the premises held in single
and separate ownership shall not exceed an area equal to one square
foot for every one linear foot of building frontage, but not to exceed
26 square feet in total area for all signs.
The following types of signs shall be permitted in the Highway
Commercial (HC), Light Industrial (LI) and Multi-Use (MU) Districts,
provided that the signs comply with all requirements herein specified:
A.
Any sign permitted in residential districts which relates to a use
permitted in the district.
B.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of premises, provided
that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on premises held
in single and separate ownership unless such premises fronts on more
than one street, in which case, one such sign may be placed on each
street frontage.
(3)
All such signs shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or
rental of the premises. Open house signs shall be removed within 24
hours after the end of the open house.
C.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
In the case of a premises under single and separate ownership
with one permitted use, up to two signs shall be permitted. Not more
than one freestanding or ground sign and one building-mounted (projecting,
wall, canopy, marquee, or awning) sign shall be placed on each premises
held in single and separate ownership. The maximum total sign area
for the premises shall not exceed an area equal to one square foot
for every one linear foot of building frontage, but not to exceed
32 square feet in total area for all signs.
(2)
In the case of a unified development with more than one entity
under single and separate ownership, such as an office or industrial
park, business or shopping center, the following shall apply:
(a)
One freestanding or ground sign may be erected at the entrance
of the unified development. Such freestanding sign shall identify
the name of the development or center and may include names of the
principal businesses or uses and shall not exceed 32 square feet in
total area. No freestanding or ground sign shall be permitted for
individual businesses located within the same development or on the
same lot as the unified development.
(b)
The area of a permitted building mounted sign for individual
uses within a unified development shall be as follows:
[1]
Buildings that house only one tenant shall not
exceed one building-mounted sign. Sign size is limited to one square
foot of sign area for every one linear foot of building frontage;
however, no sign shall be in excess of 20 square feet. Such sign shall
be located on the entry or parking side of the building.
[2]
Buildings that house multiple tenants which access
the building via a common outside entrance shall be permitted one
directory sign which shall not exceed 20 square feet in total area.
Such sign shall be located on the entry or parking side of the building.
[3]
Buildings that house multiple tenants which access
the building via multiple, common outside entrances shall be permitted
one directory sign which shall not exceed 20 square feet in total
area on the building frontage, and may have additional nameplate signs
that do not exceed two square feet on the other common entrances.
[4]
Buildings that house more than one tenant where
each tenant has its own outside entrance(s) shall not exceed one square
foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage occupied
by each tenant. The maximum allowable sign area for any one tenant,
however, shall not exceed a total of 20 square feet.
A.
Permits. In addition to applicable requirements of Article XXIII, a sign permit shall be required for all signs exceeding two square feet in area, except as designated in Subsection B below, and such signs shall be subject to annual inspection. All illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Applications for sign permits shall be filed in triplicate and on forms furnished by the Township and shall be accompanied by detailed plans, drawings, specifications and such other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to determine the location and details of construction of such sign. The plans and drawings shall show, in detail, the size, location, illumination, color, material and information included on the proposed sign(s).
B.
The following signs are allowed without a permit or fee, but the
owner of the property on which the sign is located shall still be
responsible for its proper erection and maintenance in a good and
safe condition.
(1)
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional
or other official federal, state, county, or Township signs.
(2)
Signs, as permitted in residential districts, six square feet
or less in area.
(3)
Artisan signs.
(4)
Real estate signs.
(5)
Political signs, which are permitted in all zoning districts,
provided they are on private property and are not more than six square
feet. Political signs shall be permitted within 30 days prior to any
municipal, state or national election or referendum and shall be removed
within three days after election day.
C.
Bond or liability insurance policy. Before any permit will be issued
for any sign erected and/or projecting over property used by the public,
a liability insurance policy or an indemnity bond payable to the Pennsbury
Township, in a form and amount satisfactory to the Township Solicitor,
shall be posted. Only one such bond or liability policy need be posted
for the owner of the sign.
D.
Permit fees. No permit to erect shall be issued until a fee has been
paid to the Township in such amount as the Board of Supervisors shall
by resolution establish.
E.
All application for sign permits shall be accompanied by the property
owner's written consent, if the property owner is not owner of
the sign.
F.
Annual inspection fees. All signs for which a permit is required
shall be subject to annual inspection by the Zoning Officer. The fees
for annual inspection shall be established by resolution by the Board
of Supervisors, and the Zoning Officer shall issue a certificate of
inspection upon payment of the same.
G.
Signs deemed by the Zoning Officer to be illegal or without permit shall be removed within five days of written notification by the Zoning Officer in accordance with the provisions of § 162-2306. Any failure to remove such sign or recurrence of a similar infraction on the premises by the owner or lessee shall be in violation of this chapter and shall be punishable in accordance with the provisions of Articles XXIII and XXVI.
H.
Signs within the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark Planning Area, Fairville Village Historic District, the Route 1 Corridor Overlay District, or on or within 100 feet of a historic resource shall be reviewed by the Historical Commission and Planning Commission for their comments in accordance with § 162-1708C.
All nonconforming signs at the effective date of this chapter, or at the effective date of any amendment of this chapter by which any sign shall be made nonconforming, shall be subject to the provisions of Article XXII.
