[Amended 2-21-1978 by Ord. No. 197; 12-2-1985 by Ord. No.
249; 12-16-1991 by Ord. No. 307; 11-5-2001 by Ord. No. 409; 5-5-2003 by Ord. No. 426; 11-7-2005 by Ord. No. 454]
In expansion of the community development objectives contained in § 300-2 of this chapter, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this article to recognize that signs provide an important function in the Township providing for the identification of businesses, residences, services and other matters of interest. This article provides standards and controls to balance the need to provide information to residents and the desire not to impair the visual character of Upper Providence Township or create potential hazards.
A.
One of each
of the following signs is permitted for residential use, provided
that each sign not exceed one square foot in area:
(1)
Identification
sign.
(2)
Incidental
sign.
(3)
Professional,
accessory use or name sign, indicating the name, profession or activity
of the occupant of the residence.
(4)
Trespassing
sign indicating private ownership of a driveway or property. One such
sign shall be permitted for each 150 feet of frontage on each street
on which a property abuts.
B.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans erected and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
C.
Agricultural uses are permitted one business sign advertising the sale of farm products on the premises, not to exceed 15 square feet in area; provided, however, that a farm which is also in the Township's Agricultural Security District may instead have one business sign not exceeding 48 square feet, as long as said farm has been permanently preserved as a result of the sale of its development rights and is recognized as a business by the Township. Such sign shall not exceed 12 feet in height. Temporary signs used for special holiday events or the sale of agricultural products shall be permitted in accordance with the provisions of § 300-607C herein.
D.
Residential
developments may have one sign to identify the name of the complex
on each side of the entrance at each vehicular entrance to the property.
The aggregate area of signs at each vehicular entrance may not exceed
25 square feet in area. A homeowner's association or, where none exists,
the lot owner on whose lot such signs are located, shall be responsible
for maintenance of such signs and any decorative walls, fences or
landscaping associated with them.
E.
Residential
developments with on-site recreation or community centers may have
one identification sign for said center, which shall be no larger
than 12 square feet. An additional directional sign with a maximum
area of two square feet may be either added to and combined with the
identification sign or be separate.
A.
Wall signs shall
be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
On lots
less than one acre: total sign area of all wall signs shall not exceed
48 square feet, and no wall sign shall exceed 5% of any building face.
(2)
On lots
of one acre or more but less than five acres: total sign area of all
wall signs shall not exceed 96 square feet, and no wall sign shall
exceed 6% of any building face.
(3)
On lots
of five acres or more: total sign area of all wall signs shall not
exceed 144 square feet, and no wall sign shall exceed 7% of any building
face.
B.
One incidental
sign not to exceed four square feet in area.
C.
One directional
sign not to exceed six square feet in area.
D.
One monument
entrance sign to identify the name of the complex at each vehicular
entrance to the property not to exceed 25 square feet in area. The
height of said sign shall not exceed five feet.
E.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans directed and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Each sign
shall not exceed 35 square feet in area for properties less than five
acres in size and 65 square feet for properties in excess of five
acres.
(2)
All such
signs shall be unlighted.
(3)
All such
signs shall be removed within 10 days of the completion of the particular
purpose for which the sign has been erected.
(4)
One sign
shall be permitted for each street frontage.
A.
One entrance
sign to identify the name of the complex at each vehicular entrance
to the property not to exceed 25 square feet in area.
B.
One directional sign not to exceed six square feet in area for each vehicular entrance. This may be added to and combined with the sign permitted in Subsection A or be separate.
D.
One identification
sign per field or facility not to exceed six square feet in area.
(1)
If the field
is surrounded by fencing, the sign must be flush-mounted on that fencing.
In the event there is no fence, the sign must be placed in a minimum
of 20 feet outside the field of play.
(2)
An identification
sign on a structure or building must be flush-mounted on the wall
of the facility. A rest room facility may have two signs, one identifying
each gender-specific rest room.
E.
Scoreboards
shall be exempt from sign provisions; provided, however, the following
regulations shall be applicable:
(1)
A maximum
of 25% of the total area of the scoreboard can be devoted to advertising
or information not directly related to the activity on the field the
scoreboard relates to.
(2)
The side of the scoreboard with the activity-related information (i.e., score, inning, quarter, etc.) and any advertising shall only be facing inward towards the field of play and not exposed to adjacent streets or highways. If the only possible position for the sign exposes any game information or advertising to the adjacent streets or highways, the planting requirements of a Type 3 buffer, in accordance with § 270-68D(5)(e), Chapter 270 of the Township Code, Subdivision and Land Development, shall be installed to screen the exposure.
(3)
The rear of the sign shall be buffered from the adjacent fields, streets or highways, and parking. The planting requirements of a Type 2 buffer, in accordance with § 270-68D(5)(c), Chapter 270 of the Township Code, Subdivision and Land Development, shall be installed to screen the exposure.
F.
In addition to the identification signs permitted in Subsection D of this section, other signs may be affixed to fencing which surrounds playing fields, subject to the following regulations:
G.
At a publicly
owned field, one sign may be affixed to any portion of the grandstands
associated with said field, subject to the following regulations:
A.
The total maximum
sign area shall be based upon the size of the lot on which the office
use is located, distributed in any manner chosen by the applicant,
and as subject further to the limitations on size of individual types
of signs prescribed in the various subsections of this section.
(1)
On lots
of less than one acre: total sign area of 175 square feet, provided
that it may be increased to 275 square feet for lots with more than
one frontage.
(2)
On lots
of one acre or more but less than five acres: total sign area of 200
square feet, provided that may be increased to 300 square feet for
lots with more than one frontage.
(3)
On lots
of five acres or more: total sign area of 235 square feet, provided
that it may be increased to 350 square feet for lots with more than
one frontage.
B.
Wall, awning,
window or blade signs are permitted on only the building frontage
that serves as the principal approach to the building, except as noted
below.
C.
D.
Wall signs shall
be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
No wall
sign shall be placed above the sign height line.
(2)
The sign
area for the primary frontage shall be based on the gross square footage
of the building and shall be limited as follows:
(a)
Buildings
less than 10,000 square feet: 100 square feet.
(b)
Buildings
10,000 square feet or more and less than 20,000 square feet: 150 square
feet.
(c)
Buildings
20,000 square feet or more and less than 30,000 square feet: 200 square
feet.
(d)
Buildings
of 30,000 square feet or more: 300 square feet.
(e)
In no
case is the area of the sign(s) to exceed 20% of the building frontage
on which it is placed.
(3)
When a building
can be approached by vehicles from two or more directions, a sign
on one additional frontage shall be permitted at up to 50% of the
size permitted above for the principal approach frontage. The sign
area calculated for each frontage shall be erected on that frontage
only and shall not be increased by the sign area calculated for another
frontage.
(4)
Tenants
shall be required tohave an identification sign of four square feet
on the rear or service entrance side of tenant spaces for delivery
and emergency response purposes.
E.
Additional monument
signage for large-scale office or office/business parks. Monument
signs for those uses shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Monument
signs may only be permitted in office or office/business park when
the tract contains at least 25 acres (gross).
(2)
When the
entrance to an office or office/business park is via a public or private
road which intersects a public road that is classified as feeder or
higher by the Township's Ultimate Right-of-way Map and Ordinance,[1] the development may have a maximum of two monument signs,
one on either side of the entrance.
(3)
Monument
signs are subject to the following dimensional requirements:
(a)
The overall
height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed 12 feet
measured from the grade of the abutting roadways.
(b)
Said
sign shall be located a minimum of five feet back from the ultimate
right-of-way line, and in no case impede proper sight distance.
(c)
Monument
signs shall be limited to 200 square feet in size, not including the
structure upon which the sign is erected.
(4)
Monument
signs for an office or office/business park provided for in this section
may only contain the name of the overall office user or the office/business
park name.
(5)
In addition to any directory sign which may be permitted in an office or business park in accordance with Subsection H of this section, one additional directory sign may be permitted as part of the monument signage permitted herein. Said directory sign shall be of like or coordinated design and materials as the main monument sign and shall be designed as an integral part of the monument sign structure or design appurtenances thereto. The maximum overall size of said directory sign shall be as prescribed in Subsection H of this section; provided, however, it may be increased up to a maximum of 75 square feet, provided the total area of the monument sign and the directory sign together do not exceed 200 square feet.
F.
Awning signs
shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
A sign may
be placed on the portion of the awning, canopy or marquee that is
in a plane parallel to the wall of the building and visible from the
public street.
(2)
The size
of the sign shall not exceed 20% of the area on that plane.
(3)
In addition,
a logo or other graphic, with no written copy, is permitted on the
sloped face of the awning. The size of the graphic shall not exceed
20% of the sloped area of the awning.
G.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans directed and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Each sign
shall not exceed 35 square feet in area for properties less than five
acres in size and 65 square feet for properties of five acres or more.
(2)
All such
signs shall be unlighted.
(3)
All such
signs shall be removed within 10 days of the completion of the particular
purpose for which the sign has been erected.
(4)
One sign
shall be permitted for each street frontage.
H.
In addition
to the aforementioned signs, when there are three or more establishments
in a development, a multiple directory sign shall be permitted, subject
to the following regulations:
(1)
Such signs
shall be ground signs only and one such sign shall be located at the
main point of ingress and egress to the area served by the sign and
located on one of the properties serviced by this sign.
(2)
Individual
spaces to indicate the name and location of each industry or enterprise
within the area, including the name of the area if being developed
as a single unit, may be provided on such sign, provided that each
such space shall not exceed three square feet in area, and further
provided that the total sign area shall not exceed 36 square feet.
A.
The total maximum sign area shall be based upon the size of the lot on which the commercial use is located, distributed in any manner chosen by the applicant, and as subject further to the limitations on size of individual types of signs prescribed in the various subsections of this section. However, signage for shopping centers of less than 10 acres is regulated in § 300-598 herein; signage for shopping centers of 10 acres or greater is regulated in § 300-599 herein; and signage for individual tenants within any shopping center or mixed-use development is regulated in § 300-601 herein.
(1)
On lots
of less than one acre: total sign area of 225 square feet, provided
that it may be increased to 325 square feet for lots with more than
one frontage.
(2)
On lots
of one acre or more but less than five acres: total sign area of 275
square feet, provided that it may be increased to 450 square feet
for lots with more than one frontage.
(3)
On lots
of five acres or more: total sign area of 325 square feet, provided
that it may be increased to 525 square feet for lots with more than
one frontage.
B.
Wall, awning,
window or blade signs are permitted on only the building frontage
that serves as the principal approach to the building, except as noted
below.
C.
D.
Wall signs shall
be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Roof signs
are not permitted; signs above sign height line may be permitted as
long as they are mounted on a parapet wall which is designed as an
integrated element of the building's architecture.
(2)
The sign
area for the primary frontage shall be based on the gross square footage
of the building and shall be limited as follows:
(a)
Buildings/tenant
space less than 10,000 square feet: 100 square feet.
(b)
Buildings/tenant
space 10,000 square feet or more and less than 20,000 square feet:
200 square feet.
(c)
Buildings/tenant
space 20,000 square feet or more and less than 30,000 square feet:
300 square feet.
(d)
Buildings/tenant
space of 30,000 square feet or more: 400 square feet.
(e)
In no
case is the area of the sign(s) to exceed 20% of the building frontage
on which it is placed.
(3)
When a building
can be approached by vehicles from two or more directions, a sign
on one additional frontage shall be permitted at up to 50% of the
size permitted above for the principal approach frontage. The sign
area calculated for each frontage shall be erected on that frontage
only and shall not be increased by the sign area calculated for another
frontage.
(4)
In addition
to the above, window signs that contain a logo or other graphic, with
no written copy, are permitted on the glassed area of the building
face. The size of the graphic shall not exceed 15% of the glassed
area.
E.
Awning signs
shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
A sign may
be placed on the portion of the awning, canopy or marquee that is
in a plane parallel to the wall of the building and visible from the
public street.
(2)
The size
of the sign shall not exceed 20% of the area on that plane.
(3)
In addition,
a logo or other graphic, with no written copy, is permitted on the
sloped face of the awning. The size of the graphic shall not exceed
20% of the sloped area of the awning.
F.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans directed and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Each sign
shall not exceed 35 square feet in area for properties less than five
acres in size and 65 square feet for properties of five acres or more.
(2)
All such
signs shall be unlighted.
(3)
All such
signs shall be removed within 10 days of the completion of the particular
purpose for which the sign has been erected.
G.
In addition to the aforementioned signs, when there are three or more establishments in a development, a multiple directory sign shall be permitted subject to the following regulations; provided, however, that a shopping center development entitled to signage in accordance with § 300-598 shall not also be entitled to this signage:
(1)
Such signs
shall be ground signs only, and one such sign shall be located at
the main point of ingress and egress to the area served by the sign
and located on one of the properties serviced by this sign.
(2)
Individual
spaces to indicate the name and location of each industry or enterprise
within the area, including the name of the area if being developed
as a single unit, may be provided on such sign, provided that each
such space shall not exceed three square feet in area, and further
provided that the total sign area shall not exceed 36 square feet.
(3)
Tenants
shall be required to have an identification sign of four square feet
on the rear or service entrance side of tenant spaces for delivery
and emergency response purposes.
In a shopping center of less than 10 acres,
the following sign provisions apply in lieu of any other herein:
A.
One entrance
sign identifying the shopping center at each vehicular entrance from
a public street, provided that:
(1)
The overall
height of all such entrance signs shall not be more than 25 feet in
height.
(2)
The total
area of such sign shall not exceed 150 square feet. Larger individual
signs may be permitted if the total sign square footage for which
the site is entitled is not increased. In no event shall a sign exceed
200 square feet.
(3)
The spacing
of such signs, with reference to each other, shall not be less than
400 feet measured in single straight lines.
(4)
There may
not be more than two such signs for any one shopping center.
B.
Wall, awning,
window or blade signs are permitted on only the building frontage
that serves as the principal approach to the building, except as noted
below.
C.
Roof signs are
not permitted; signs above sign height line may be permitted as long
as they are mounted on a parapet wall which is designed as an integrated
element of the building's architecture.
D.
Pedestrian directory
signs listing the names of commercial or business establishments within
the vicinity shall be permitted in any area used solely by pedestrians,
provided that such signs may not exceed 15 square feet in area.
E.
Vehicular directory
signs shall be permitted, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Such signs
shall be ground signs only, and one such sign shall be located at
the main point of ingress and egress to the area served by the sign
and located on one of the properties serviced by this sign. A maximum
of one directory sign in a shopping center shall be permitted.
(2)
Individual
spaces to indicate the name and location of each use within the area,
including the name of the area if being developed as a single unit,
may be provided on such sign, provided that each such space shall
not exceed three square feet in area, and further provided that the
total sign area shall not exceed 36 square feet.
F.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans directed and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
In a shopping center of 10 acres or greater,
the following sign provisions apply in lieu of any other herein;
A.
One entrance
sign identifying the shopping center at each vehicular entrance from
a public street, provided that:
(1)
The overall
height of all such entrance signs shall not be more than 35 feet in
height.
(2)
The total
area of such sign shall not exceed 200 square feet. Larger individual
signs may be permitted if the total sign square footage for which
the site is entitled is not increased. In no event shall a sign exceed
300 square feet.
(3)
The spacing
of such signs, with reference to each other, shall not be less than
400 feet measured in single straight lines.
(4)
There may
not be more than three such signs for any one shopping center.
B.
Tenants are
permitted to have wall, awning, window or blade signs on only the
building frontage that serves as the principal approach to the building,
except as noted below.
C.
Roof signs are
not permitted; signs above sign height line may be permitted as long
as they are mounted on a parapet wall which is designed as an integrated
element of the building's architecture.
D.
Pedestrian directory
signs listing the names of commercial or business establishments within
the vicinity shall be permitted in any area used solely by pedestrians,
provided that such signs may not exceed 15 square feet in area.
E.
Vehicular directory
signs shall be permitted, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Such signs
shall be ground signs only, and one such sign shall be located at
the main point of ingress and egress to the area served by the sign
and located on one of the properties serviced by this sign. A maximum
of one per 30 acres or fraction thereof, but in no case more than
three directory signs in a shopping center, shall be permitted.
(2)
Individual
spaces to indicate the name and location of each use within the area,
including the name of the area if being developed as a single unit,
may be provided on such sign, provided that each such space shall
not exceed three square feet in area, and further provided that the
total sign area shall not exceed 36 square feet. As a conditional
use, a total of 60 square feet of signage will be permitted, with
individual spaces not to exceed five square feet, if the area for
which the directory is intended is either remote from any abutting
roads or does not parallel same. One vehicular directory sign of the
increased size shall be permitted for each 30 acres or fraction thereof.
F.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans directed and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
I.
For shopping
centers in the IO-3 District, the following additional requirements
apply, provided that signs in addition to those specified herein,
or in excess of the sizes enumerated herein, may be permitted by special
exception from the Zoning Hearing Board.
[Amended 12-22-2009 by Ord. No. 505; 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 525]
(1)
No pylon
signs are permitted. Entrance signs are to be monument signs only.
Maximum height is 12 feet.
(2)
A coordinated
signage package must be provided. All signs must have similar sign
style, lettering style, construction materials and color.
(3)
Wall signs
can be transferred from another building, as long as the total permissible
wall sign area for the building facade on which it is being placed
is not increased.
A.
The total maximum
sign area shall be based upon the size of the lot on which the industrial
use is located, distributed in any manner chosen by the applicant,
and as subject further to the limitations on size of individual types
of signs prescribed in the various subsections of this section.
(1)
On lots
of less than one acre: total sign area of 225 square feet, provided
that it may be increased to 325 square feet for lots with more than
one frontage.
(2)
On lots
of one acre or more but less than five acres: total sign area of 275
square feet, provided that it may be increased to 450 square feet
for lots with more than one frontage.
(3)
On lots
of five acres or more: total sign area of 325 square feet, provided
that it may be increased to 525 square feet for lots with more than
one frontage.
B.
C.
Wall, awning,
window or blade signs are permitted on only the building frontage
that serves as the principal approach to the building, except as noted
below.
D.
Wall signs shall
be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
No wall
sign shall be placed above the sign height line.
(2)
The sign
area for the primary frontage shall be based on the gross square footage
of the building and shall be limited as follows:
(a)
Buildings
less than 10,000 square feet: 100 square feet.
(b)
Buildings
10,000 square feet or more and less than 20,000 square feet: 150 square
feet.
(c)
Buildings
20,000 square feet or more and less than 30,000 square feet: 200 square
feet.
(d)
Buildings
of 30,000 square feet or more: 300 square feet.
(e)
In no
case is the area of a sign to exceed 20% of the building frontage
on which it is placed.
(3)
When a building
can be approached by vehicles from two or more directions, a sign
on one additional frontage shall be permitted at up to 50% of the
size permitted above for the principal approach frontage. The sign
area calculated for each frontage shall be erected on that frontage
only and shall not be increased by the sign area calculated for another
frontage.
E.
Additional monument
signage for large-scale industrial park. Monument signs for those
uses shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Monument
signs may only be permitted in an industrial park when the tract contains
at least 25 acres (gross).
(2)
When the
entrance to an industrial park is via a public or private road which
intersects a public road that is classified as feeder or higher by
the Township's Ultimate Right-of-way Map and Ordinance, the development
may have a maximum of two monument signs, one on either side of the
entrance.
(3)
Monument
signs are subject to the following dimensional requirements:
(a)
The overall
height of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed 12 feet
measured from the grade of the abutting roadways.
(b)
Said
sign shall be located a minimum of five feet back from the ultimate
right-of-way line, and in no case impede proper site distance.
(c)
Monument
signs shall be limited to 200 square feet in size, not including the
structure upon which the sign is erected.
F.
Awning signs
shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
A sign may
be placed on the portion of the awning, canopy or marquee that is
in a plane parallel to the wall of the building and visible from the
public street.
(2)
The size
of the sign shall not exceed 20% of the area on that plane.
(3)
In addition,
a logo or other graphic, with no written copy, is permitted on the
sloped face of the awning. The size of the graphic shall not exceed
20% of the sloped area of the awning.
G.
Signs of contractors,
mechanics, painters and artisans directed and maintained on the premises
where the work is being performed for the period of time that the
work is being performed and real estate signs advertising either the
sale or rental of the premises or the development of the premises
by the builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested
therein shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Each sign
shall not exceed 35 square feet in area for properties less than five
acres in size and 65 square feet for properties of five acres or more.
(2)
All such
signs shall be unlighted.
(3)
All such
signs shall be removed within 10 days of the completion of the particular
purpose for which the sign has been erected.
(4)
One sign
shall be permitted for each street frontage.
H.
In addition
to the aforementioned signs, when there are three or more establishments
in a development, a multiple directory sign shall be permitted, subject
to the following regulations:
(1)
Such signs
shall be ground signs only and one such sign shall be located at the
main point of ingress and egress to the area served by the sign and
located on one of the properties serviced by this sign.
(2)
Individual
spaces to indicate the name and location of each industry or enterprise
within the area, including the name of the area if being developed
as a single unit, may be provided on such sign, provided that each
such space shall not exceed three square feet in area, and further
provided that the total sign area shall not exceed 36 square feet.
(3)
Tenants
shall be required to have an identification sign of four square feet
on the rear or service entrance side of tenant spaces for delivery
and emergency response purposes.
A.
Each tenant
shall be permitted signage in accordance with the following:
(1)
Tenants
are permitted to have wall, awning, window or blade signs on only
the building frontage that serves as the principal approach to the
building, except as noted below.
(2)
The maximum
total signage for each tenant shall be as follows:
(a)
Buildings/tenant
space of less than 10,000 square feet: 100 square feet.
(b)
Buildings/tenant
space of 10,000 square feet or more and less than 20,000 square feet:
200 square feet.
(c)
Buildings/tenant
space of 20,000 square feet or more and less than 30,000 square feet:
300 square feet.
(d)
Buildings/tenant
space of 30,000 square feet or more: 400 square feet.
(e)
In no
case is the area of the sign(s) to exceed 20% of the building frontage
on which it is placed.
(3)
When a building
can be approached by vehicles from two or more directions, a sign
on one additional frontage shall be permitted at up to 50% of the
size permitted above for the principal approach frontage. The sign
area calculated for each frontage shall be erected on that frontage
only and shall not be increased by the sign area calculated for another
frontage.
(4)
In addition
to the above, window signs that contain a logo or other graphic, with
no written copy, are permitted on the glassed area of the building
face. The size of the graphic shall not exceed 15% of the glassed
area.
(5)
Awning signs
shall be placed on the portion of the awning, canopy or marquee that
is in a plane parallel to the entrance wall of the building. The size
of the sign shall not exceed 20% of the area on that plane. In addition,
a logo or other graphic, with no written copy, is permitted on the
sloped face of the awning. The size of the graphic shall not exceed
20% of the sloped area of the awning.
(6)
One blade
sign or under-canopy sign, not to exceed six square feet in area,
may be installed at each public entrance. The bottom of the sign must
be at least eight feet above the level of the sidewalk.
(7)
Tenants
shall be required to have an identification sign of four square feet
on the rear or service entrance side of tenant spaces for delivery
and emergency response purposes.
B.
The total maximum
sign area for a mixed-use development shall be based upon the use
on the property which is entitled to the least allowable sign area,
as prescribed in the various sections of this article.
C.
As a conditional
use for a mixed-use development, the total maximum sign area may be
based upon the use on the property which is entitled to the greatest
allowable sign area, as prescribed in the various sections of this
article, provided that: a coordinated signage package is proposed
for the property, for all ground and wall signs, including similar
sign style, lettering style, construction materials, and color.
Office, commercial or industrial uses with frontage
along Route 422 may provide additional signage along said frontage
as a conditional use, beyond what would ordinarily be permitted in
this article, subject to the following, provided signage is for uses
on the site on which the sign is located:
A.
Adequate evidence
shall be provided to enable the Board of Supervisors to determine
that the additional signage is necessary to identify the use to the
passing motorist and that the use would not be adequately visible
without it.
B.
Any sign permitted
shall meet all requirements of PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.
C.
One sign shall
be permitted for every 1,000 feet of frontage, or fraction thereof.
D.
Each sign shall
have a maximum area of 300 square feet and a maximum height of 40
feet unless adequate evidence of the need for greater area and/or
greater height can be justified through empirical evidence to the
satisfaction of the Board of Supervisors; however, in no case shall
a sign greater than 400 square feet in area and/or 45 feet in height
be approved.
E.
If more than
one sign is permitted, the spacing of the signs shall be at the discretion
of the Board of Supervisors.
F.
Such signs shall
be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the ultimate right-of-way.
G.
No sign permitted
by this section shall be installed within 500 feet of any interchange
ramp of the Route 422 Expressway, measured along the ramp from its
point of intersection with the intersecting roadway.
Advertising signs and billboards shall be permitted
as a conditional use in the industrial districts, subject to the following
provisions:
A.
The overall
height of such signs shall not exceed 40 feet.
B.
Such signs shall
be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the ultimate right-of-way.
C.
Such signs shall
not be placed within 1,000 feet of one another.
D.
Such signs shall be permitted to front only those public roads of a controlled or semicontrolled access highway classification or greater, as delineated on the Township Ultimate Right-of-way Map, adopted as part of Article III of Chapter 264, Streets and Sidewalks, and as the map may be amended in the future.
E.
Such signs shall
not exceed an area of 300 square feet, and no combination of signs
at any single location shall exceed a total area of 300 square feet.
F.
No sign permitted
by this section shall be installed within 500 feet of any interchange
ramp of any qualifying road, measured along the ramp from its point
of intersection with the intersecting roadway.
Where permitted, the illumination of signs shall
be subject to the National Electrical Code and to the following regulations:
A.
Signs that move,
rotate, oscillate, vibrate or shimmer are only allowed in the M-2
Manufacturing Industrial District, and no other.
B.
Indirect illumination
may be provided by floodlights, spotlights, ordinary incandescent
bulbs, fluorescent tubes or mercury-vapor lamps. Internally illuminated
signs shall be permitted only for commercial and industrial uses.
Regardless of the type of illumination employed, all illuminated signs,
and/or the light fixtures illuminating the signs, shall be properly
shielded and so located as to prevent glare or blinding effects upon
surrounding buildings, properties, or motor vehicle traffic so as
not to cause a nuisance or hazard to building occupants, residents
or travelers in the area.
C.
Neon lighting will be considered only as a part of a special sign, as defined in § 300-605, and as such will be included as part of the special exception required for such signs. In any case, neon lighting will only be permitted for a commercial or industrial use.
D.
No sign shall
be permitted which is animated by means of flashing, scintillating,
blinking or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant
illumination. Public service information signs shall be classified
as "changing signs" and shall be permitted. A public service information
sign shall be any sign intended primarily to promote items of general
interest in the community, such as the time, temperature, date and
atmospheric conditions, and may be located in any district except
residential. Illuminated revolving barber poles shall be permitted
in conjunction with the use of a barbershop.
When the architectural design of a building
is integral with the sign composition to such a degree that normal
standards cannot be applied with practicality, such a sign shall be
deemed a "special sign" and may be permitted when authorized as a
special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, subject to the following
conditions:
A.
Such sign shall
be limited to office, commercial, and industrial uses.
B.
Such sign shall
form an integral part of the structural or decorative facade of a
building wall to such an extent as to render impractical the measurement
or placement of sign area as defined herein; however, such sign may
not be placed on any decorative facade where the purpose appears primarily
to increase the permitted height of a sign above the sign height line
of the building.
C.
Such sign may
be of such unique materials, shape or design as to render impractical
the application of any of the regulations contained herein which are
intended to apply to the customary sign and materials, shapes, designs
or construction.
Flags bearing a corporate or company name and/or
insignia shall be permitted to be flown on the property where the
company is located, provided the following:
A.
The flag must
be flown in conjunction with the flag of the United States, provided
that such corporate or company flag shall not exceed in size 75% of
the United States flag with which it is displayed.
B.
In the event
that a flagpole is attached to a building, such flagpole shall not
extend above the sign height line of such building, except where such
pole is used exclusively for the display of the United States flag.
C.
Nothing herein
precludes the flying of POW/MIA or other legally sanctioned flags
in recognition of nationally significant events or persons.
A.
Unless more
restrictive regulations are stipulated for a specific type of temporary
sign, such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area and shall
be in place for no longer than 30 days. Funds shall be placed in escrow
for removal of all temporary signs at the termination of their allotted
period of display, in an amount fixed by resolution of the Board of
Supervisors. Each sign left in place beyond the permitted time shall
be considered a separate violation.
B.
Any candidate
or group of candidates sharing sign space can erect any number of
election campaign signs. Said signs may be in place no earlier than
60 days prior to said election and may stay in place no longer than
15 days after the election.
C.
For agricultural
or other nonresidential uses, not more than one additional temporary
sign for each street frontage of an affected property may be erected
four times a year, provided that such sign shall be displayed for
a period of not more than 30 consecutive days. Such signs may be used
for special sales, events, openings, product introductions, anniversaries
and similar occasions. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet
in area and shall comply with all other regulations for the district
in which they are located. Notwithstanding any provisions herein to
the contrary, balloons, banners and/or pennants without advertising
copy thereon may be permitted for the purposes described in this section.
Four off-site directional signs may be posted for the same time period
as for the temporary on-site signs, provided that the maximum size
of each sign shall be 12 square feet.
D.
Four signs directing
prospective customers to a yard sale may be posted a maximum of five
days before the sale and shall be removed within 24 hours of the conclusion
of the sale. No individual sign shall exceed six square feet in size.
E.
Four signs directing
prospective customers to an open house, for purposes of selling real
estate, may be posted no sooner than 12:00 noon on the Friday immediately
prior to the weekend during which the open house is scheduled; all
said signs shall be removed by 8:00 a.m. the Monday immediately following
the conclusion of the sale. No individual sign shall exceed six square
feet in size. These signs shall be exempt from the requirement for
a sign permit.
F.
No temporary
sign may be posted on private property without the express consent
of the property owner.
A.
Not more than
two outdoor signs directing traffic to a business location, hospital,
community center, school, church, nonprofit or charitable organization,
park, etc., or the name and place of a meeting of an official civic
or service body may be permitted in any zoning district on property(ies)
other than the location of said use.
B.
Not more than
one outdoor sign directing traffic to two or more businesses may be
permitted in any zoning district on property(ies) other than the location
of said uses.
(1)
All such signs shall comply with the requirements of § 300-610 and with the height requirements of the district in which they are located.
(2)
The total
area of such sign shall not exceed 72 square feet, with the identification
of any individual business not exceeding six square feet.
(4)
All such
signs shall be unlighted.
All signs shall be placed with regard to the
public safety and shall be governed by the following regulations:
A.
No sign shall
be erected or maintained as to prevent free ingress and egress to
or from any door, window or fire escape.
B.
Only instructional
signs shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
C.
Any business
sign must maintain a setback distance from an adjacent residential
district as required under this chapter for other business or commercial
structures or buildings.
D.
No sign shall
be erected at or near the intersection of streets or upon a curve
so as to obstruct free and clear vision. No red-, amber- or green-colored
discs or shapes may be permitted within 100 feet of a street intersection
or any location wherein it is determined by the Zoning Officer that
such colored lights or shapes might be confused with official traffic
signals.
Any vehicle or trailer which is parked on a
public right-of-way or on public or private property so as to be visible
from a public right-of-way and which has attached thereto or located
thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing
advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity
located on the same or nearby property or any other premises is hereby
deemed to be an advertising vehicle and shall be prohibited. This
section shall not prohibit any form of vehicular signage, such as
a sign attached to a bus or lettered on a motor vehicle, where the
vehicle is not used for the basic purpose of providing advertisement
or direction as set forth above.
A.
A sign permit
shall be required for all signs exceeding two square feet in area
unless otherwise provided. Applications for sign permits shall be
filed on forms furnished by the Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied
by detailed plans and specifications and any other such information
deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to determine the location and
details of construction of such signs.
B.
All signs for
which a permit has been issued must be completely constructed within
six months after the date of issuance of the permit. Upon written
request, the Zoning Officer may grant one extension for an additional
three-month period, provided that the applicant presents reasonable
grounds for the extension request.
C.
No permit to
erect a sign shall be issued until a fee has been paid to the Zoning
Officer in an amount fixed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
D.
A nonrenewable permit may be granted to any person or organization in the Township to permit the erection of temporary signs, as permitted in § 300-607. All such nonrenewable permits may be issued only upon payment into an escrow account an amount of money to guarantee the removal of such signs. The payment amount is determined by a fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. In the event that such signs are removed within the time periods stated herein, the escrow deposit shall be returned. If such signs have not been removed in the time period stated, the escrow deposit shall be forfeited and such signs shall be removed at the direction of the Township Zoning Officer.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply
to official federal, state or municipal signs erected within the Township.
In addition, the trade names, emblems or directions on service facilities
or product dispensers, including but not limited to gasoline pumps,
telephone booths and vending machines, shall not be considered to
be a sign when such trade name, emblem or single group of words or
symbols are not more than three square feet in area. Further, window
signs shall not be considered in computing total sign area, but in
no event shall window signs cover more than 20% of the area of any
window opening.
Any lawful sign existing on the effective date
of this chapter that does not conform to the provisions of this chapter
shall be considered a lawful nonconforming sign and may be continued.
Nonconforming signs may be repaired or repainted but shall not be
altered or changed in overall dimensions except to conform with the
provisions of this chapter.
A.
A nonconforming office use in a residential district shall be entitled to one ground and one wall sign. The maximum size for the ground sign shall be 20 square feet; the maximum size for the wall sign shall be based upon the formula provided in § 300-596D(2) herein.
B.
A nonconforming commercial or industrial use in a residential district shall be entitled to one ground and one wall sign. The maximum size for the ground sign shall be 20 square feet; the maximum size for the wall sign shall be based upon the formula provided in § 300-596D(2) herein.
[Added 8-15-2022 by Ord. No. 595]
A.
Whether the primary purpose
of artwork painted on a building is commercial or noncommercial is
a fact-based inquiry and the initial determination is to be made by
the Township Zoning Officer. The determination to be made is whether
the expression depicted in the artwork is primarily intended to advance
the economic interests of a business. Factors in making this determination
include:
(1)
Whether the wall is part
of a business;
(2)
Whether the artwork includes
the name or advertising slogans of a business;
(3)
Whether the artwork depicts
specific elements of a transaction or business activity associated
with a particular business or trade;
(4)
Whether the artwork includes
depictions of the owner or employees of a particular business;
(5)
If volunteered by the building
owner or artist, the stated noncommercial expression sought to be
expressed in the artwork;
(6)
Whether the artwork, in
consideration of these and any other relevant factors, is intended
to call attention to a business or commercial activity.
B.
If the Zoning Officer determines
the artwork to be a sign, then it shall be prohibited unless it complies
with the signage criteria for wall signs in that zoning district,
if any. If it is determined to be a mural, then it is subject only
to the requirements set forth in this part. Specifically:
(1)
It may not be larger than
the wall on which it is painted;
(2)
It may not cover doors or
windows;
(3)
It may not contain electronic
elements and may not be internally illuminated;
(4)
It may not include words
or graphic depictions of violence or sexuality that would be considered
obscene applying contemporary community standards;
(5)
It may not project into
any public right of way;
(6)
It must be created using
materials durable enough to last approximately as long as ordinary
exterior paint applied to the same wall in a single, uniform color.
C.
Persons intending to create
a mural within the Township may apply to the Zoning Officer free of
charge for a determination that the artwork does not constitute a
regulated sign. A mural that is painted without Zoning Officer approval
is subject to removal if it is in violation of this section.
D.
The perceived cultural, artistic,
historical, or societal significance of any depiction in any artwork
is unrelated to a determination made by the Zoning Officer pursuant
to this section.
