[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Patton 5-26-1969 by Ord No.
70; amended in its entirety 2-27-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-495 (Ch. 140 of the 1996 Code). Subsequent amendments noted
where applicable.]
The long title of this chapter is as follows:
"An ordinance to establish regulations for the construction, erection,
maintenance and removal of signs; providing for materials, sizes,
number, height, lighting and location; specifying license fees, permits
and inspections; and providing provisions for enforcement and penalties
for violations."
This chapter shall be known as the "Sign Ordinance."
A. The sign regulations, controls and provisions set
forth in this chapter are made in accordance with an overall plan
and program for the public safety, area development, preservation
of property values and the general welfare of the Township of Patton
and are intended to aid in traffic control and traffic safety, preserve
and protect property values, lessen congestion of land and air space,
mitigate concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic
safety and traffic flow, establish reasonable standards for commercial
and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain
and encourage business activity and area development, avoid uncontrolled
proliferation of signs, avoid glare and diversions that could distract
motorists, recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets, highways
and the areas adjacent to those roads, streets, and highways, preserve
the wholesome and attractive character of Patton Township and to recognize
that the general welfare includes a community plan that shall be beautiful
as well as healthy and spacious, as well as clean and well-balanced
in its growth and development.
B. Where the provisions of Chapter
425, Zoning, set forth specific sign regulations and requirements for specially zoned districts, such as Article
VII, University Planned District (UPD), the provisions of Chapter
425, Zoning, shall prevail in the event of a conflict with this chapter.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions,
Art. I)]
A. The following
words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings
given in this section:
MENU BOARD
A sign which details the sale of goods or services available
on the property and which is not intended to be seen from roadways
or parking lots.
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, firm, association, corporation
or other legal entity.
PREMISES
The area occupied by a business or other public enterprise.
When more than one business occupies a single building on the ground
floor, each business area shall be considered a separate premises.
Businesses or other public enterprises which occupy other floors shall
be considered separate premises.
SHOPPING CENTER
A cohesive unit of stores or other commercial businesses
arranged and constructed according to a plan and contained within
a separate parcel of land.
SIGN
A sign is any structure, device, light or natural object,
including the ground itself, or any part thereof, or any device attached
thereto or painted or represented thereon, which shall be used to
identify, advertise or attract attention to any object, product, place,
activity, person, institution, organization, firm, group, commodity,
profession, enterprise, industry or business or which shall display
or include any announcement, direction or advertisement and which
is intended to be seen from off the premises or from a parking lot.
No other indoor sign shall be deemed a sign within this chapter.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-597]
(1)
GROUND-POLE SIGNA sign supported
by one or more uprights, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground.
(2)
ILLUMINATED SIGNA sign that provides
artificial light directly, or through any transparent or translucent
material, from a source of light connected with such sign, or a sign
illuminated by a light focused upon or chiefly directed at the surface
of the sign.
(3)
OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGNA
sign which contains a message unrelated to a business or profession
conducted upon the premises where such sign is located or which is
unrelated to a commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered
upon the premises where such sign is located.
(6)
POLITICAL/PERSONAL SIGNA noncommercial
sign communicating a political, issue-oriented, religious, or personal
message that is not an advertisement, name, address, directional sign,
or real estate sign.
(7)
TEMPORARY SIGNA nonpermanent sign
erected or maintained on a premises for a short, fixed period of time.
(8)
WALL SIGNA sign which is attached
directly to or painted upon a building wall and which does not extend
more than 12 inches therefrom nor extend above the roofline.
(9)
ROOF SIGNAny sign erected and maintained
upon or above the roof of any building.
(10)
FLAGAny fabric or other flexible material attached
to or designed to be flown from a flagpole or similar device.
SIGN AREA
The area of the smallest triangle, rectangle or circle which
can wholly enclose the surface area of the sign. All visible faces
of a multifaced sign shall be counted separately and then totaled
in calculating sign area. Three-dimensional signs shall be treated
as dual-faced signs, such that the total area shall be twice the area
of the smallest triangle, rectangle or circle which can totally circumscribe
the sign in the plane of its largest dimension.
B. In this chapter,
the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the
singular, and the masculine shall include both the feminine and the
neuter.
The following regulations shall be observed
in all districts within Patton Township:
A. Notwithstanding any other regulation in Chapter
282 or elsewhere in the Patton Township Code, noncommercial messages shall be permitted wherever commercial messages are permitted.
B. Consistent with §
1-14 of the Patton Township Code, the regulations of Chapter
282 are severable. If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word is declared invalid by a court of law, the remainder of Chapter
282 shall remain valid.
Signs listed in this section are permitted in
all zones and shall not require licenses, and they shall not be counted
when calculating the number of signs on a premises. However, such
signs shall conform with the general regulations for signs enumerated
in the remainder of this section.
A. Name and address
of resident, but not to include any commercial advertising of not
more than two square feet in sign area.
B. Signs regulating
the use of a property, such as no hunting, no fishing, no trespassing,
etc., of no more than two square feet in sign area in residential
zones and five square feet in all commercial and industrial zones.
C. Real estate signs
not exceeding five square feet in sign area in residential zones,
and 25 square feet in all commercial and industrial zones, which advertise
the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are
located. Such real estate signs shall be removed within 10 days after
the premises advertised has been sold, rented or leased. "Sold" signs
are prohibited.
D. Bulletin boards
for public, charitable or religious institutions, when located on
the premises thereof, and with a sign area of no more than 25 square
feet if single-faced, nor more than 50 square feet if double-faced,
and if used exclusively for noncommercial announcement.
E. Signs regulating
on-premises traffic, parking or other functional subdivision such
as lavatory facilities, telephone, signs denoting other sections of
a building such as lubrication, office, etc., when less than five
square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising.
F. Signs erected
by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, and
bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad
crossing signs, safety signs, signs identifying public schools and
playgrounds and the like.
G. Historical markers,
memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection
of buildings.
H. The flag, pennant
or insignia of any government or of any religious, charitable or fraternal
organization.
I. Temporary signs
no larger than 10 square feet in area advertising the sale of farm
products produced on the premises or advertising auctions and special
events of charitable or public service groups. Such signs shall be
removed as soon as the activity advertised thereon has taken place.
J. Permanent residential
development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential
subdivision and containing no commercial advertising. Maximum area:
25 square feet of surface area per sign face or 50 square feet in
total surface area.
K. Signs identifying
places of worship when located on the premises thereof and not exceeding
25 square feet of surface area per sign face or 50 square feet in
total surface area.
L. Signs identifying
a golf course or country club or other recreational facility when
located on the premises thereof and containing no commercial advertising.
M. Political/personal
signs not exceeding five square feet in sign area per sign face (not
exceeding 10 square feet total) on residential lots or 25 total square
feet on commercial lots.
N. Contractor, artisan,
or property maintenance signs identifying the contractor or property
maintenance company working on the premises on which the sign is located.
No more than one sign per street abuttal shall be located on any lot.
Such signs must be removed immediately upon completion of the project,
and no one sign shall be larger than 16 square feet on a residential
lot or 32 square feet on a commercial lot.
O. Real estate management
signs for premises including six or more units, indicating only the
name of the property and the name, address, and telephone number of
the real estate management company. Such signs shall not exceed five
square feet.
The following signs shall not be permitted,
erected or maintained in any district, notwithstanding anything else
contained in this chapter or elsewhere:
A. Signs which incorporate
in any manner any flashing, moving, or changing illumination or sign
faces or with illumination which varies in intensity or which varies
in color, and signs which have any visible moving part, visible revolving
parts, or visible mechanical movement of any description, or other
apparent visible movement achieved by electrical pulsations or by
actions of normal wind currents, except when not visible from motor
vehicles traveling on public roadways. Electronic screen signs, using
technologies such as (but not limited to) LCD or LED screens, are
prohibited within clear sight of public roadways, except when used
as necessary traffic control devices by either Patton Township or
the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation under the guidelines
of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (most recent edition).
(1) Flags, banners, and pennants
are exempt from this requirement.
[Added 11-20-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-597]
B. Any sign or sign
structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.
C. Signs which by
reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination
obstruct the vision of drivers, either when driving a roadway or driveway
or when entering a roadway from another roadway, or obstruct or detract
from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control
device on public streets and roads.
D. Any sign which
obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window
or other required exitway.
E. Signs which make
use of words such as "stop," "look," "one-way," "danger," "yield"
or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such
a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
F. Any obsolete sign
which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product
sold. In any case, 90 days shall be allowed for removal of an obsolete
sign.
G. Signs on public
property or public rights-of-way, unless erected by a governmental
body, or unless required to be so located by order of a governmental
body. No sign located on public property or a public right-of-way
shall bear any commercial advertising or announcement.
H. Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object, except signs permitted under §
282-6I.
I. String lights,
other than temporary holiday decorations, which are unshielded from
off the property on which they are located.
J. Searchlights,
spinners, and streamers, except for occasions such as grand openings
and then only with special permission of the Planning Commission or
the Sign Inspector. Use shall be limited to a fifteen-day period.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-597; 5-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-599]
A. Light sources
which cast light on signs shall be shielded by opaque material so
that the bulbs, floodlights or tubes are not visible off the property
on which the signs are located. Glare or light may not be cast on
adjacent roadways or surrounding property.
B. In addition to complying with the provisions of this chapter, all illumination must be in compliance with the provisions for illumination at §
425-65 of the Patton Township Code.
C. Sign illumination
should use the most energy-efficient technology that is available
and feasible at the time of installation. The use of less-efficient,
incandescent bulbs is discouraged.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-597]
Notwithstanding anything else in this chapter or elsewhere, no more than five signs may be erected or maintained on any premises at any one time, except that when a premises is located on a corner lot and has public entrances on two or more public ways, or where a building has both a front and rear public entrance, one additional sign may be erected. In calculating the total number of signs on a premises, both permanent and temporary signs shall be combined in the total. A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign. Flags and ground-pole signs shall be counted towards the sign limit. No more than one flag shall be permitted per parcel. Signs enumerated in §
282-6, "Signs permitted in all districts," shall not be counted in calculating the total. Directional menu signs permitted by §
282-19 and special event signs permitted by §
282-29F shall also not be counted towards the sign limit.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-597]
No sign, or any part thereof, including braces, supports or
lights, shall exceed a height of 25 feet, except that a wall sign
may reach a height of 25 feet or 75% of the height to the roofline
of the building to which it is affixed, whichever is higher. A flag
may reach a height of 25 feet or a height equal to the roofline of
the tallest building(s) to which it is associated; whichever is higher.
Height shall be measured from grade level directly below the face
of the sign to the highest part of the sign.
A. Notwithstanding anything else in this chapter or elsewhere, the total sign area per premises, including both permanent and temporary signs, shall not exceed two square feet per linear front foot of the main building on the premises, except that no premises shall be limited to fewer than 20 square feet of total sign area. In no case shall the total sign area of all signs on one premises exceed 200 square feet, except that shopping centers in Planned Commercial Districts may have one additional shopping center identification sign located along each street frontage used as an entrance. Such sign shall be subject to the requirements of §
282-16. Flags, except those enumerated in §
282-6, Signs permitted in all districts, shall be counted towards the limit on sign area and shall be of a size no larger than 50 square feet. Notwithstanding anything else in this chapter, the total sign area for a basement premises shall not exceed 20 square feet. Directional menu signs permitted by §
282-19 and special event signs permitted by §
282-29F shall not be counted towards the total sign area of a premises.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-597]
B. Menu boards are permitted and shall comply with applicable regulations for a wall sign, ground-pole sign or roof sign and may be placed in addition to other signs allowed for by the provisions of this chapter. Menu boards shall not be included in the calculation of total signs and total sign area permitted in §§
282-9 and
282-11A above. The following standards shall apply to menu boards:
[Amended 9-22-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-526]
(1) Each ordering lane shall be limited to one menu
board.
(2) Each menu board shall be limited to a single face
with a maximum sign area of 45 square feet.
The largest sign on a premises shall not advertise any particular article of merchandise unless it is the principal product sold or manufactured on the premises, except for off-premises signs which shall be regulated by §
282-18.
A. Every sign and
all parts thereof, including framework, supports, background, anchors
and wiring systems, shall be constructed and maintained in compliance
with the latest adopted version of the Building, Electrical, and Fire
Prevention Codes. In the absence of an electrical ordinance, the latest
version of the National Electrical Code (NFPA-70) shall be used as
the standard for all wiring systems.
B. All signs and
all parts thereof shall be kept in a good state of repair and maintenance.
In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all projecting signs:
A. No projecting
sign shall project more than five feet beyond the building line in
the direction of the street, nor shall any portion of any projecting
sign be closer than two feet to the face of the street curb or curbline.
B. No portion of
any projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet above grade level.
C. No single face
of a projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in sign area.
D. No projecting
sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than six feet.
E. There shall be
no more than one projecting sign for any premises unless the premises
is located on a corner lot or has public entrances on two or more
public ways, in which case one projecting sign may be erected for
and toward each public way.
In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all wall signs:
A. No wall sign
shall extend above the top of the wall upon which it is placed.
B. No wall sign,
or any part thereof, shall project more than 12 inches from the wall
upon which it is mounted. If external lighting is used, reflectors
must be 10 feet above the surface of the sidewalk equipped with wire
mesh guards, and no part may extend more than two feet from the wall
of the building.
C. No wall sign
shall extend beyond the left and right extremities of the wall to
which it is attached.
In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all ground-pole
signs:
A. Every ground-pole
sign and all parts, braces and supports thereof shall be located entirely
behind the property line and shall not project over public rights-of-way
or other adjoining lands. However, ground-pole signs may be permitted
between the property line and the building setback lines.
B. No ground-pole
sign shall be larger than 25 square feet in sign area on a single
sign face, nor larger than 50 square feet of sign area for both faces
combined, nor in excess of 10 feet in any dimension of the sign face.
C. A premises may
erect and maintain one projecting sign or one ground-pole sign, but
not both. However, no individual business or other enterprise within
a shopping center may erect or maintain a ground-pole sign.
D. No more than one sign shall be mounted to the supporting structure of any ground-pole sign, except for directional sign permitted in §
282-19.
E. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this chapter, any property located on a corner
lot or having public entrance to two or more public ways, one ground-pole
sign may be erected for and toward each public way. On a corner lot,
neither sign may be located within 50 feet of the property corner
closest to the intersecting roads.
In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all roof signs:
A. When viewed from
a distance of 50 feet directly in front of the sign surface, and at
a point five feet above ground level, a roof sign shall exhibit a
background which contains nothing other than a portion of the building
which supports the sign.
B. No more than
one roof sign may be erected or maintained on a single premises.
In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all off-premises
advertising signs, except directional signs:
A. Off-premises
advertising signs shall be located in space provided at roadside turnoffs
or in pedestrian display areas. It is the intent of this provision
to permit off-premises advertising for the Centre Region, of which
the Township is a member, in roadside turnoffs or pedestrian display
areas.
B. To provide maximum
direction and information to the traveling public without disturbing
neighborhoods or causing unnecessary visual clutter, roadside turnoffs
may be located in the centrally located I-1 District. Pedestrian display
areas may be located in C-1, C-2, and I-1 districts. No off-premises
advertising signs are permitted outside of the C-1, C-2, and I-1 Districts.
C. A maximum sign
area of 10 square feet at each roadside turnoff and five square feet
in pedestrian display areas shall be allowed each commercial enterprise,
institution or organization using these areas. No off-premises advertising
sign in Patton Township shall exceed 10 square feet in size or 10
feet in height.
D. Vehicular access
shall be designed in accordance with adopted standards of the Township's
subdivision regulations and shall be subject to sight distance standards adopted
by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). All areas
devoted to vehicular usage shall be paved or covered with dust-free
material; restroom facilities, water supply and sewage disposal, if
provided, shall be subject to Township and state requirements; storm
drainage shall be approved by the Township Engineer; and lighting
shall be provided for vehicular and pedestrian areas in accordance
with Township regulations. Outdoor malls shall be located so as to
be seen from parked vehicles or by pedestrians and shall not be designed
to convey messages from off the site. No structures or parts thereof
shall exceed 25 feet in height. All structures and parking facilities
shall be located at least 30 feet behind the front property line of
the site.
E. Roadside turnoffs
shall permit either an outdoor advertising mall or enclosed information
center or both. The site may also include picnic tables, restrooms,
playground equipment, cooking grills or other noncommercial activities
or utilities. Individual advertisers may have direct telephone lines
to their place of business.
F. Site approval.
(1) Anyone wishing
to construct a roadside turnoff shall apply, in writing, to the Township
Board of Supervisors for location approval. The Board shall, within
seven days, forward the request to the Township Planning Commission
for recommendations prior to acting upon the request. The Planning
Commission shall make its report within 30 days after formally receiving
the request from the Board of Supervisors.
(2) The application
shall be accompanied by a preliminary plan of the site showing topographic
and other physical features, boundary dimensions and property size.
G. Submission of
final site plans. Final site plans shall be submitted to the Board
of Supervisors for its approval.
H. Review of final
site plans.
(1) By Planning
Commission. Within seven days of formal receipt, the Board of Supervisors
shall submit final site plans to the Township Planning Commission.
The Commission shall submit its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
within 60 days of formal receipt.
I. Final site plan
requirements. The final site plan shall indicate final grading, parking
and driveways, ingress and egress, landscaping, detailed plans of
all improvements and, if provided, methods of waste disposal and water
supply.
J. Pedestrian display
structures shall be subject to review procedures as stated above.
A. Within the C-2,
C-T, PC, OBD, OBD2, and Industrial Zoning Districts, directional menu
signs, as defined in this section, may be placed in shopping centers
or multibuilding office/business parks under single ownership and/or
approved simultaneously under a single development plan. The signs
shall be the property and responsibility of the single ownership or
tenant association.
B. Such directional
menu signs will only be permitted on parcels greater than five acres
in size.
C. Such directional
menu signs must be located on site.
D. Directional menu
signs shall not be located closer than 75 feet to any vehicular entrance
into the involved shopping center or office/business park.
E. Directional menu
signs shall address automobile and pedestrian traffic that is either
on site or passing along a local public road that bisects the site.
To this end, they shall not be located within 150 feet of a freeway,
expressway, arterial highway, or urban collector as defined by the
Federal Functional Classification System.
F. Directional menu
signs facing the same direction of travel may be no closer than 200
feet to each other.
G. Directional menu
signs shall:
(1) Be no greater
than seven feet in height, with no more than 20 square feet of sign
area per side where they are located along a local road and no more
than 15 square feet of sign area per side where they are located in
an off-street parking area.
(2) Have no more
than two sides oriented back to back.
(3) Consist of
a top panel that gives the name of the shopping center or office/business
park, as well as lower panels that list and direct traffic to tenants.
(a) The lower
panels that list and direct traffic to tenants shall use a uniform,
nonserif, mixed-case font (e.g., Futura, Aerial, Helvetica, Universe
65) that is no greater than six inches tall and no smaller than three
inches tall. They shall be dark panels with lighter-colored text and
shall contain no advertising. The lower panels shall be composed of
a uniform color scheme, and each shall be the same size with the same-sized
text.
(b) No one
business or tenant may be listed on more than one of the lower panels
or may have more than one line of text.
(c) The top
panel that gives the name of the shopping center or office/business
park shall use text or graphics that are no greater than six inches
tall.
(4) Be uniform
throughout each shopping center or office park, using a uniform shape,
font, and color scheme.
(5) Match the
architecture and surface materials of the shopping center or multibuilding
office/business park as much as is possible.
H. Directional signs
shall either use reflective lettering or be lighted via an interior
light source. If an interior light source is used, however, the entire
sign must be a dark color with lighter-colored text.
The following illustration of a directional
menu sign is for illustrative purposes only and in no way should be
interpreted as containing any regulatory power.
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In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all real estate
development signs:
A. The use of real
estate development signs shall be limited to those developers or owners
having for sale a minimum of six lots in one subdivision.
B. Such signs must
be located on the premises which are for sale.
C. Such signs may
advertise only the subdivision in which the sign is located and not
the sale of lots elsewhere or the realtor's, developer's or landowner's
business in general. The content of such signs shall be limited to
the name of the development, the developer's name and the telephone
number of the developer or their sales agents.
D. Such signs shall
conform to relevant setback line requirements. If any person shall
use more than one sign for the same development or area, no two signs
shall be closer to each other than 1,000 feet measured in a straight
line between said signs.
E. The maximum sign
area of any such single-faced sign shall be 25 square feet, and for
any such double-faced sign, 50 feet. No part of such sign shall be
more than 10 feet above grade or in excess of 10 feet in any dimension.
F. Such signs shall
be removed when 75% of the lots in the subdivision have been sold
or leased.
G. Artificial illumination
of such signs is prohibited.
Denoting only the name, office hours, symbol
and/or profession of an occupant and not exceeding one sign per occupant
and not exceeding five square feet per occupant, the total area for
all such signs shall not exceed 25 square feet per building.
In addition to the general provisions of this
chapter, the following regulations shall apply to shopping centers:
A. Only ground-pole signs which bear the name of the shopping center may be erected on the lands occupied by the center, subject to the provisions of §
282-16. Also, directional signs that meet the requirements of §
282-19 may be erected in shopping centers.
B. All other signs
identifying each individual business shall be erected in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter.
A. All signs are prohibited in low-density residential zones except those signs enumerated in §§
282-6 and
282-21, "Signs permitted in all districts" and "Professional occupation signs."
B. Illuminated signs
are prohibited in low-density residential zones, except for street
address signs, signs indicating doctors of medicine, signs indicating
churches or other places of worship and signs necessary for public
safety.
C. Regardless of
anything else in this chapter, no sign may be erected or maintained
in a low-density residential zone which exceeds 25 square feet of
area on a single face or 50 square feet of area on a double-faced
sign.
A. All signs are
prohibited in medium-density residential zones except those enumerated
as follows:
(1) Signs permitted
in low-density residential zones.
(2) Wall signs
denoting the name of an apartment building, fraternity or sorority
house, boardinghouse or rooming house, tourist home, nonprofit club,
community or municipal center, funeral home or any other similar enterprises
as are now allowed or may hereafter be allowed in these zones.
B. Illumination
and sign area restrictions in medium-density residential zones are
the same as in low-density residential zones.
[Amended 5-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-599]
A. The intent of this section is to allow certain provisions of this chapter to be modified where such modification will encourage excellence in the planning and design of signs. Nothing in this section, however, is intended to permit the erection or maintenance of signs that are prohibited in §
282-7 (Signs prohibited in all areas).
B. In the event that any person wishes to retain, construct or install a sign or signs other than as permitted in this chapter, that person shall be entitled to a hearing before the Planning Commission for special exceptions. Any person requesting a variance for hardship shall be entitled to a hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with §
282-26, Variances.
C. The Planning Commission will
consider requests for special exceptions to the provisions of this
chapter in the following manner:
(1) Requests for special exceptions
shall be made, in writing, to the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
and provided to the Secretary of the municipality.
(2) The Planning Commission shall
have the power to hear all cases that involve a special exception
from the terms of this chapter prior to submission to the Zoning Hearing
Board. The Planning Commission shall also review final plans for roadside
turnoffs and pedestrian display areas prior to submission to the Zoning
Hearing Board and shall approve applications for directional signs
prior to issuance of a sign permit by the Sign Inspector.
(a) The Planning Commission
may recommend a special exception, provided that all of the following
findings are made where relevant in a given case:
[1] The sign material,
design or construction should be nonstandard. Signs of substantially
the same material, design or construction as existing signs in the
Township or commonly used signs for a multisite business interest
do not demonstrate excellence in design.
[2] The sign shall include
some unique element or elements, other than the written message, related
to the use, or the sign shall provide a visual tie to other features
on the site, or the sign shall convey additional information.
[3] Evidence must be provided
demonstrating that the sign has been integrated into the site or building
design in the design phase of the project. "Excellence in planning"
is demonstrated by linking site, architectural, and signage elements
together early in the process.
[4] It must be demonstrated
that due to the unique elements of the sign it is not possible to
comply with all aspects of the Sign Ordinance, or it must be demonstrated
that there is a compelling reason related to other design features
on the site that lead to a design outside the Sign Ordinance, and
it must be demonstrated that the requested special exception represents
the minimum deviation that will afford relief and will represent the
least modification possible of the regulation in issue.
(b) The Planning Commission
may request sketches, drawings or photographs showing the entire property
and the proposed sign or signs, and the applicant shall explain briefly
in the written request where the sign or signs vary from the provisions
of this chapter and why an exception is needed.
(3) After the meeting and hearing on any application, the Planning Commission shall decide the application and make its determination known to the applicant within 30 days of having received such application. Subsequent to review of any application for a special exception from the terms of this chapter, the Planning Commission shall also make its determination known to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days of having received such application. This action will constitute a formal application to the Zoning Hearing Board, provided that upon receipt of notice from the Planning Commission the applicant submits such forms and fees as required by the Zoning Hearing Board. The Zoning Hearing Board shall determine that the Planning Commission has correctly applied the express criteria stated in §
282-25C(2)(a) and may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards it may deem necessary.
(4) In considering an application,
the Planning Commission may not consider reasons of hardship.
A. Variances, for hardship, to this chapter shall be granted by the Zoning Hearing Board under the variance provisions of Chapter
425, Zoning, and in accordance with the variance criteria established by the Municipalities Planning Code. The Board shall hear requests for variances where it is alleged that the provisions of the Sign Ordinance inflict unnecessary hardship upon the applicant. The hearings shall be convened and conducted in accordance with §
425-81, Hearings.
(1) The Board
may grant a variance, provided that all of the following findings
are made where relevant in a given case:
(a) That there
are unique physical circumstances or conditions, including irregularity,
narrowness, or shallowness of lot size or shape, or exceptional topographical
or other physical conditions peculiar to the particular property and
that the unnecessary hardship is due to such conditions and not the
circumstances or conditions generally created by the provisions of
the Sign Ordinance.
(b) That because
of such physical circumstances or conditions, there is no possibility
that the property can be signed in strict conformity with the provisions
of the Sign Ordinance and that the authorization of a variance is
therefore necessary to enable the reasonable use of the property.
(c) That such
unnecessary hardship has not been created by the appellant.
(d) That the
variance, if authorized, will not alter the essential character of
the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, nor
substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development
of adjacent property, nor be detrimental to the public welfare.
(e) That the
variance, if authorized, will represent the minimum variance that
will afford relief and will represent the least modification possible
of the regulation in issue.
(2) In granting
any variance, the Board may attach such reasonable conditions and
safeguards as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this
Act and the Zoning Ordinance.
B. The Zoning Hearing
Board shall have the power to hear and rule on appeals from the decision
of the Sign Inspector. Such appeals must be filed with the Zoning
Hearing Board within 30 days of the Sign Inspector's decision.
A. Appointment.
The Township Supervisors shall appoint a Sign Inspector to enforce
the provisions of this chapter.
B. Duties of the
Sign Inspector.
(1) The Sign
Inspector shall examine all applications for permits for erection
of signs, issue licenses for new signs and for continued use of signs
which conform with the requirements of this chapter, record and file
all applications for permits with any accompanying plans and documents,
make an annual inspection of all signs in the Township and make such
reports as the Township may require.
(2) If the Sign
Inspector shall find that any sign has been constructed or erected
or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter,
they shall promptly notify the owner or lessor thereof, in writing.
If the owner or lessor fails to remove or alter the sign so as to
comply with the provisions of this chapter within 30 days, the Sign
Inspector shall cause such sign to be removed or altered in such way
as to conform with the provisions of this chapter. The cost of such
removal or alteration shall be borne by the owner or lessor of such
sign and shall be a lien upon the premises.
(3) The Sign
Inspector shall cause any sign which is in immediate peril to persons
or property to be removed immediately. The cost of such removal shall
be borne by the owner or lessor of such sign and shall be a lien upon
the premises.
A. General provisions
for all permanent signs.
(1) All permanent signs except those enumerated in §
282-6, Signs permitted in all districts, must be licensed.
(2) Application
for a license for a permanent sign shall be made on a form provided
by the Sign Inspector. Licenses for permanent signs must be kept on
the premises where the sign is displayed and must be shown to the
Sign Inspector at their request.
(3) Licenses
for permanent signs are valid for three years. If such sign is found
to be in violation of this chapter at time of license renewal, it
shall be subject to a new license fee.
B. Permits to build
new permanent signs or to alter or move existing permanent signs.
(1) No permanent
sign shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or moved until
the person proposing to erect, alter or move such sign shall have
obtained a permit therefor from the Sign Inspector. Such permit shall
be issued only when the Sign Inspector is satisfied that such sign
will, in every respect, comply with all of the applicable provisions
of this chapter. Such permit shall be valid for 180 days.
(2) Any person
desiring such a permit shall file application therefor upon a form
which shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(a) The name,
address and telephone number of the applicant.
(b) A map
showing the location of the building, structure or lot to which the
sign is to be attached or erected and showing the position of the
sign in relation to nearby buildings and thoroughfares; such a map
must be to scale.
(c) A plan
showing the design of the sign, materials used and method of construction
and means of attachment to the building or the ground; such plans
must be to scale.
(d) The name
of the person, firm, corporation or association erecting, altering
or moving said sign.
(e) Written
consent of the owner of the land on which the sign is to be erected,
altered or relocated.
(f) Any electrical
or building permit required and issued for said sign under Township
ordinances.
(g) Any other
information as the Sign Inspector shall require in order to show full
compliance with this and all other applicable laws of the Township.
(3) After permission
to erect, alter or move a permanent sign has been obtained and said
sign has been constructed, painted and placed as specified in the
permit application, the owner of the sign shall notify the Sign Inspector,
who shall inspect the sign. If the sign is as specified in the permit
application and does not violate any provision of this or other applicable
ordinances, a license shall be issued to the owner, valid for the
current year.
C. Nonconforming
signs.
(1) Eligible
nonconforming signs may be relicensed annually until said signs are
structurally altered or moved, at which time they shall be considered
new signs.
(2) No nonconforming
sign shall be enlarged, nor shall the location of any nonconforming
sign be changed.
(3) Nonconforming
signs may be repaired and maintained. Repairing and maintaining shall
include, but not be limited to, the replacement of certain portions
of a sign, or the entire sign, if necessary, to repair damage from
collision or natural causes such as a windstorm or fire or from intentional
damage such as vandalism.
A. All temporary signs as they are defined in this chapter, except those signs enumerated in §
282-6, Signs permitted in all districts, must be licensed. Possession of a valid license for a temporary sign shall entitle the licensee to display one temporary sign at any given time.
B. Application for
a license for a temporary sign shall be made on a form provided by
the Sign Inspector. Licenses for temporary signs must be kept on the
premises where signs are displayed and must be shown to the Sign Inspector
at their request.
C. Size, content
and location of a temporary sign may be varied at any time so long
as the variations remain within the overall restrictions of this chapter.
D. Licenses for
temporary signs are valid for one year and shall be renewed annually.
E. No temporary
sign need be licensed until one year after the passage of this chapter.
Thereafter, nonconforming temporary signs shall not be permitted,
and the Sign Inspector may cause any such nonconforming temporary
sign to be removed without notice.
F. Each premises may display one temporary "special event sign" per year that does not count towards the maximum number of signs permitted per premises by §
282-9 and does not count towards the maximum amount of sign area allowed per premises by §
282-11A. This one sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in size and shall remain in place for no more than 20 days. It shall be placed against an existing building wall or freestanding wall, and it must meet all other requirements of this chapter beyond those exempted here. Each sign must display its expiration date on the sign itself.
A. Every applicant,
before being granted a license hereunder, shall pay to the Township
Secretary a fee to be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors
from time to time.
B. Signs exempt
from license fee. The following signs shall be exempt from license
fees. Such signs must be licensed, however.
(1) One sign
on any premises, provided that such sign does not exceed 25 square
feet in sign area and conforms in all respects to the provisions of
this chapter.
(2) Any sign
which existed at the time this chapter was passed and on which a previous
permit fee had been paid. Such signs shall be exempted from payment
of fees upon presentation of a valid sign license or bona fide receipt
for such license.
(3) No off-premises
sign shall be exempt from license fees.
Any person who shall violate any provision of
this chapter shall, for each and every such violation, upon conviction
thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 and court
costs, including reasonable attorney fees. If the defendant neither
pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the municipality may enforce
the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure.
Each day's continuance of a violation shall constitute a separate
offense.