In expansion of, and in addition to, the declaration of legislative intent found in Article I, § 285-2, of this chapter, and the statement of community development objectives found in Article I, § 285-3, of this chapter, it is the intent of this article to:
A.
Recognize that signs perform an important function
in identifying properties, businesses, services, residences, events
and other matters of interest to the public.
B.
Set standards and provide controls that permit reasonable
use of signs while restricting the potential adverse visual effects
of signs on the character of the Township.
C.
Control the size, number, location and illumination
of signs to reduce potential hazards caused by glare or obstruction
of visibility, and to reduce visual clutter which results from competition
among signs.
D.
Encourage signs which are attractively designed in
order to enhance the economic value as well as the visual character
of the various parts of the community.
E.
Establish criteria to encourage signs that are compatible
with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which
they pertain, complimentary to the architecture of the buildings involved,
expressive of the identity of individual proprietors or of an integrated
development's identity, and which are easily readable in the circumstances
in which they are seen.
[Amended 12-8-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any light with one or more beams, capable of being focused
in several directions and rotated or revolved automatically.
A portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending
from grade to the top of the parapet wall, or eaves, and the entire
width of the building elevation.
The entire background area of a sign upon which copy could
be placed. In computing the area of a sign background, only that face
or faces, which can be seen from any one direction at one time will
be counted.
A sign that directs attention to a business, profession,
activity, commodity, service, product price or entertainment conducted,
sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or with
the building to which such sign is affixed.
A sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design,
construction, wrecking, financing or development when placed upon
the premises where work is under construction, but only for the duration
of construction or wrecking.
A sign designed to give forth artificial light directly or
through transparent or translucent material, from a source of light
within the sign including, but not limited to, neon and exposed lamp
signs.
A sign which indicates the name and/or address of the occupant,
the address of the premises and/or identification of any legal business
or occupation which may exist at the premises.
A sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic
image or video, which may or may not include text. This definition
includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat
screens, video boards, LED displays, fiber optic displays, holographic
displays or other technologies of a similar nature.
[Added 10-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
Any sign, or portion of a sign, that uses changing lights
to form a sign message or messages in text form wherein the sequence
of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and
can be modified by electronic processes. Such signs shall include
the following modes of operation:
[Added 10-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
STATICSigns which shall include no animation or effects simulating animation.
FADESigns where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.
DISSOLVESigns where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity or pattern, where the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneous to the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent message.
TRAVELSigns where the message is changed by the apparent horizontal movement of letters or graphic elements of the message.
SCROLLINGSigns where the message is changed by the apparent vertical movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
A directly illuminated sign composed of either:
An illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not
maintained stationary and constant in intensity and/or color at all
times when in use.
A sign in which a source of light is used in order to make
the message readable. This definition shall include internally and
externally lighted signs.
A sign illuminated with a light so shielded that no direct
rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination
occurs. If such shielding device is defective, such sign shall be
deemed to by a "directly illuminated sign."
A permanent sign which identifies the name of a subdivision
or land development which complies with the following:
One freestanding sign may be located at each
intersection of the development's streets with primary or secondary
streets, the area of each sign not to exceed six square feet in area.
One freestanding sign may be located at one
main entrance to the development, not to exceed 25 square feet in
area, or two signs not exceeding 15 square feet each, provided both
signs display the same content, are identical in size, and are part
of a landscaping feature.
A sign visible from a public way that directs attention to
a business, commodity, service, entertainment, attraction or objects
sold, offered or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where the
sign is displayed. The term "off-premises sign" shall include an outdoor
advertising sign (billboard) on which space is leased or rented by
the owner thereof to others for the purpose of conveying a commercial
or noncommercial message.
The juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.
The area of a sign shall mean the area of all
lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together
with the background on which they are displayed (whether such background
is open or enclosed). The calculation of sign area must include the
supporting frame work and/or bracing.
Where the sign consists of individual letters,
designs or symbols attached to a building, awning, wall or window,
the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses
all the letters, designs and symbols.
Where a sign consists of an identical double-face,
only one side shall be considered in the calculation of area, but
if the interior angle formed by the two faces is greater than 45°,
then both sides of the sign shall be considered in the calculation
of area.
The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the
mean grade at the base of sign.
Any structure which supports or is capable of supporting
a sign, whether or not an integral part of a building.
ANIMATED SIGNA sign with action or motion, flashing or color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners or novelty items.
BUSINESS SIGNAn onpremises sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted, other than incidentally.
CONSTRUCTION SIGNAny sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNIncidental sign designed to guide or direct pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign on which the names and location of the occupants of the use of a building is given, including office building and church directories.
FREESTANDING SIGNA self-supporting sign resting on, or supported by means of, poles or standards, situated on the ground.
[Amended 10-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or otherwise direct attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or otherwise direct attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located.
PARALLEL WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface, but does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roof line or other surface to which it is mounted, and does not project more than one foot from the surface to which it is mounted.
PROJECTED WALL SIGNAny sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface other than a parallel sign, but does not project more than four feet from the surface to which it is mounted, nor project above the wall, roof line of surface to which it is mounted, or in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
REAL ESTATE SIGNAny sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property on which the sign is placed.
REVOLVING SIGNSA sigh which revolves 360°.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building, and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease or other special events on a temporary basis.
VEHICULAR SIGNAny vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself. An example is an empty tractor trailer with advertising painted on its side, left for an extended period of time in front of the business premises that is advertised on the trailer.
WINDOW SIGNAny sign affixed to or visible through a window.
Temporary, nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary
exhibits, shows, events, grand openings, sales, etc., may be erected
subject to the following requirements:
Banners, freestanding signs and signs on or
in windows are permitted. Movable signs are not permitted.
Total temporary sign area permitted per property
shall not exceed four square feet.
Signs on or in windows shall not exceed 50%
of the window area.
A maximum of two off-premises directional signs,
not exceeding 10 square feet in sign area shall be permitted for any
special event, provided that permission has been obtained from the
property owner where the sign is to be placed.
Signs shall not be posted more than 30 days
prior to the advertised event, and must be removed no later than seven
days following the event.
[Amended 12-8-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09]
Signs shall be permitted in all districts in
compliance with the requirements of this article.
A.
Permit required. Prior to erecting, affixing, attaching
or installing any sign on or to any building, structure or property,
an application for a use and occupancy permit must be submitted to
the Zoning Officer for review. The application shall include:
(1)
A site plan showing the location of the sign in relation
to buildings, structures, property lines and public or private rights-of-way.
The width of street frontage(s) at the legal right(s)-of-way on the
subject property shall be shown.
(2)
A drawing of the proposed sign showing the specific
dimensions of all elements of the sign, the specific copy, lettering,
words, symbols and designs to be displayed, along with a written explanation
of any illumination or unusual feature of the sign.
C.
Prohibited signs. The following types of signs or
illumination of signs is prohibited in the Township:
(1)
Flashing, revolving, nonstationary or animated signs,
any signs with changeable copy, or any signs with electronic display
screens.
[Amended 10-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
(2)
Festoon lighting or beacon lights.
(3)
Roof signs.
(4)
Trailer signs.
(5)
Illuminated temporary signs.
(6)
Vehicular signs which do not meet the requirements
for a freestanding sign in the district where the vehicle is parked.
(7)
Signs affixed with adhesives.
(8)
Electronic message centers.
[Added 10-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
D.
Prohibition of hazards. Signs shall be so designed
and located that they shall not create a hazard to vehicular traffic
by any of the following:
(1)
Obscuring necessary visibility:
(2)
Confusion with official street and/or traffic signs.
(3)
Confusion with traffic control devices by reason of
color, location, shape or other means.
(4)
Creation of motion, glare or excessive brightness
which may interfere with drivers' vision or be unnecessarily distracting.
E.
Public right-of-way. No sign other than official street
signs, shall be erected or maintained within the legal right-of-way
of any public road in the Township. No sign projecting over a public
walkway shall be less than eight feet above the walk level at its
lower edge.
F.
Location of signs.
(1)
No sign may be located in the side or rear yard or
in a required buffer area adjacent to a zoning district with more
restrictive sign requirements.
(2)
No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated
for parking, loading, walkways, cartways, driveways or other areas
required to be unobstructed.
G.
Removal of signs. A sign shall be found to be in violation
of this chapter, and may be required to be ordered removed by the
Zoning Officer, under any of the following circumstances:
(1)
The sign has not been maintained in good condition
and safe repair, and has deteriorated to the point of becoming a potential
public safety hazard. The Zoning Officer shall specify a period of
time in which the owner of the sign may repair or rehabilitate the
sign, thereby effecting correction of the safety hazard.
(2)
A sign is erected without an approved use and occupancy
permit and does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
H.
Illumination.
(1)
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified
herein, only to the extent that is necessary to allow them to be seen
and read at night at a distance not to exceed 500 feet for signs of
20 square feet or more in area, and 150 feet for signs less than 20
square feet in area.
(2)
Professional sign of a health care practitioner, dentist,
clergyman, justice of the peace, and such other person whose services
are customarily considered essential in an emergency may be illuminated,
provided that the illumination is white light not exceeding the equivalent
of a 25 watt incandescent light source.
I.
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs shall only
be permitted under and subject to the following conditions:
(1)
Directional signs. Permitted with the written consent
of the owner of the affected property, and as a special exception
granted by the Zoning Hearing Board. Directional signs may be located
at the nearest intersection with a Township road. Such sign may not
exceed 10 square feet in sign area, and may display no more than the
name of the subject business and its location, direction and distance.
(2)
Political signs. Temporary, nonilluminated signs advertising
political parties or candidates for elections shall be permitted,
provided that the sign area does not exceed four square feet. Such
sign shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to an election,
and must be removed no later than seven days following the election.
(3)
Special event signs. One temporary, nonilluminated
sign directing attention to temporary exhibits, shows or special events
of a noncommercial nature, shall be permitted, per property, per street
frontage, provided the sign does not exceed four square feet. Such
signs shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to the advertised
event, and must be removed no later than seven days following the
event.
(4)
Service signs. Nonilluminated signs directing patrons,
members or other audience to service clubs, churches or other nonprofit
organizations shall be permitted, provided the area of such signs
does not exceed four square feet. Such signs shall indicate only the
name of the organization, and the place, date and time of the meetings.
(5)
Official signs. Memorial or historical markers, official
signs directing traffic, signs identifying communities and street
names, legal notices and warnings, and other official signs authorized
or erected by appropriate governmental authorities shall be permitted.
(6)
Billboards and business signs. Off-premises signs
advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment
which is sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at a place other
than on the property on which said sign is located shall be permitted
only in the CB - Commercial Business District as a conditional use,
provided that:
(a)
Only one billboard or off-premises business
sign is permitted per lot.
(b)
Billboards or off-premises business signs shall
not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet above ground level. The height
shall be measured to the highest part of the sign or supporting structure.
(c)
A billboard or off-premises business sign may
be double-faced, with two advertising surfaces. Both surfaces shall
be the same size and shape. The maximum sign area per side shall be
100 square feet.
(d)
Each billboard or off-premises business sign
shall comply with the following minimum setbacks:
[1]
No billboard or off-premises business sign shall
be erected within the ultimate right-of-way of any street, road or
highway.
[2]
Other than as established under Subsection I(6)(d)[4], 50 feet from any side or rear property line.
[3]
One hundred fifty feet from any intersection
on the same side of any public roadway, no billboard or off-premises
business sign shall be erected or placed in any manner so as to interfere
with or impede the unobstructed vision of a motor vehicle operator
attempting to enter on or exit from any intersection, public or private
roadway, or any driveway or parking facility.
[4]
One hundred feet from any property line abutting
a residential use.
[5]
One thousand feet from any other billboard or
off-premises business sign.
[6]
Forty feet from any building on the same side
of the street as the proposed sign.
(e)
Each sign shall be erected on permanent footings
and support structures that meet the standards of the Township Building
Code, as amended.
(f)
All billboards and off-premises business signs
shall be maintained in a good and safe structural condition. The painted
portion of all such signs shall be kept in good condition.
(g)
The general area in the vicinity of all billboards
and off-premises business signs shall be kept free and clear of sign
material, debris and the area shall be maintained so as to adhere
to any and all Township ordinances as now in effect or as hereinafter
enacted or amended.
(h)
Billboards and off-premises business signs may
only be illuminated under the following conditions:
[1]
The lighting or relighting of signs and billboards
shall be based on control of illumination, glare, light pollution
and light trespass. Illumination shall not exceed an average of 15
vertical maintained foot-candles based on the surface area of the
sign with a maximum to minimum uniformity ratio not to exceed 6:1.
[2]
Applications for signs and billboards for which
illumination is proposed, shall be accompanied by a point plot of
illuminances on the sign or billboard face, catalog cuts of proposed
fixtures and glare reduction devices and a description of lamps, mounting
locations, aiming angles, and proposed method for automatically extinguishing
the lighting by 10:00 p.m.
[3]
Lighting fixtures for signs and billboards shall
be installed and aimed so as not to project their output into the
windows of neighboring residences, adjacent uses, past the face of
the sign or billboard, skyward or onto a public roadway.
[4]
The illumination of billboards and off-premises
signs between 10:00 p.m. and dawn shall be prohibited.
[5]
Externally illuminated signs and billboards
shall be lighted by fixtures mounted at the top of the sign or billboard
and aimed downward unless otherwise approved by the Township Engineer.
The fixtures shall be designed, shielded, fitted and aimed to limit
the light pattern to the sign or billboard and not beyond.
[6]
Rotating, pulsating or oscillating light sources,
lasers, beacons or strobe lighting shall not be permitted.
(i)
No billboard or off-premises business sign shall
be erected, added to, altered or changed (content of copy) without
the owner thereof having first obtained a zoning permit from the Township,
which shall be issued by the Zoning Officer or other party designated
by the Board of Supervisors. The zoning permit shall be renewable
annually or upon a change to the face, information or content thereof,
at a fee to be established by the Board of Supervisors from time to
time by resolution of the Board. For all billboard or off-premises
signs in excess of 50 square feet, the owner thereof shall also obtain
a building permit which shall be issued by the Building Inspector,
or other party designated by the Board of Supervisors, at a fee to
be established by the Board from time to time by resolution. In addition,
for all billboard and off-premises business signs, the applicant shall
also provide a copy of a plan of the property or tract of land, prepared
to scale, depicting dimensional limits of the sign face, the perimeter
boundaries as taken from the deed for said tract, identifying the
current owner of the tract, all adjacent owners, the location and
dimensions of abutting streets, the proposed location of the sign
area to be provided and all easements or utility installations affecting
such site. The plan shall also depict the supporting structure and
the specifications of the materials and methods of construction and
maintenance to be employed, signed and certified by a registered licensed
professional engineer. Where lighting is proposed, the plan shall
be submitted to the Township Engineer for review, and owner shall
pay the fee as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors
for such a lighting review.
[Amended 12-8-2005 by Ord. No. 05-09]
The following provisions shall apply to all
uses in residential districts and to residential uses in nonresidential
districts.
A.
Permitted onpremises signs.
(1)
Real estate signs.
(a)
Individual properties. Nonilluminated onpremises
real estate signs, provided the sign area does not exceed six square
feet, and not more than two signs are placed upon any property in
single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more
than one street, in which event not more than two such signs may be
erected on each frontage.
(b)
Small developments. Nonilluminated onpremises
sign advertising sale or rental of dwelling units in a development
or subdivision of up to 10 dwelling units, provided that the sign
area shall not exceed 15 square feet, and provided that not more than
one such sign shall be erected within any such development.
(c)
Large developments. Nonilluminated onpremises
sign advertising sale or rental of dwelling units in a development
or subdivision of more than 10 dwelling units, provided that the sign
area shall not exceed 30 square feet, and provided that not more than
two such signs shall be erected within any such subdivision.
(2)
Directional signs. Onpremises directional signs, provided
that the area of any such sign shall not exceed three square feet.
(3)
Private property signs. Nonilluminated, onpremises
"No Trespassing" signs, "No Hunting" signs, and other similar signs
indicating private ownership of roadways or other property, provided
that the sign area shall not exceed two square feet and shall be spaced
at intervals of not less than 100 feet.
(4)
Construction signs. Temporary, nonilluminated, onpremises
construction signs, provided:
(5)
Business signs.
(a)
Home occupations. Nonilluminated, onpremises
signs identifying and advertising bed-and-breakfasts, rooming houses
and home occupations, provided that the sign are shall not exceed
six square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall
be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership.
(b)
Businesses in residential districts. Onpremises
business signs for commercial, industrial, professional and office
uses in residential zoning districts, provided that the sign are shall
not exceed 20 square feet and no more than one such sign is erected
on any one property in single and separate ownership.
(c)
Roadside stand sign. Nonilluminated onpremises
sign advertising the sale of agricultural products at a roadside stand,
provided that the sign are shall not exceed eight square feet, and
provided that not more than one such sign shall be placed on any one
street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
(6)
Signs for residential complexes and institutional
uses.
(a)
Onpremises sign for a school, camp, church,
health care facility, health care service, private club or other institution
of a similar nature, displaying the name of the institution and its
activities or services, provided that the sign area shall not exceed
15 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall
be erected on any street frontage of any property in single and separate
ownership. Said sign shall be setback at least 1/3 the distance of
any required yard from any property line or street line.
(b)
Permanent signs which identify the name of a
subdivision or land development shall be permitted in compliance with
the following:
[1]
One freestanding sign may be located at each
intersection of the development's streets with primary or secondary
streets, the area of each sign not to exceed six square feet in area.
[2]
One freestanding sign may be located at one
main entrance to the development, not to exceed 30 square feet in
area, or two signs not exceeding 15 square feet each.
(7)
Monument signs. A permanent monument sign which identifies
the name of a subdivision or land development is permitted, provided:
(a)
One freestanding sign may be located at each
intersection of the development's streets with primary or secondary
streets, the area of each sign not to exceed six square feet in area.
(b)
One freestanding sign may be located at one
main entrance to the development, not to exceed 25 square feet in
area, or two signs not exceeding 15 square feet each, provided both
signs display the same content, are identical in size and are a part
of a landscaping feature.
B.
Height. The maximum height limit of any sign permitted
in residential districts shall be six feet.
The following provisions shall apply to all
nonresidential uses in nonresidential districts:
A.
Permitted onpremises signs.
(1)
Single occupancy business signs. Properties in single
and separate ownership, with a single business premises, may have
a sign or signs within the following limits on sign area:
(a)
Twenty square feet of sign area for a business
where the road frontage of the property (in single and separate ownership)
upon which it is located is up to 40 feet.
(b)
The sign area may be increased by one-square-foot
every three additional feet of building frontage in excess of 40 feet.
(c)
The total maximum sign area shall be exceed
40 square feet.
(d)
In order to encourage users to provide the community
with an attractive, unified outdoor advertising scheme, it is further
provided that if the user chooses to mount a parallel sign(s) or awning
sign(s), rather than freestanding or projecting sign, the maximum
allowable sign area (calculated above) may be increased by 20%.
(2)
Multiple-occupancy business signs. Properties in single
and separate ownership, with multiple businesses, tenants or franchise
center as whole, and/or which is a directory sign for the establishments
on the property, with a maximum sign area of 40 square feet.
(a)
Each multiple-occupancy property may have a
single freestanding sign which identifies the business or commercial
center as a whole, and/or which is a directory sign for the establishments
on the property, with a maximum sign area of 40 square feet.
(b)
In addition, each individual business on the
property may have a parallel or awning sign of no more than 20 square
feet in area.
(3)
Real estate signs. Nonilluminated onpremises sign
no larger than 10 square feet in sign area. One such sign per road
frontage is permitted.
(4)
Construction signs. Temporary, nonilluminated construction
signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in sign area, and shall be removed
upon completion of the work. No more than one sign per contractor
performing work on a property shall be permitted.
B.
Height. The maximum height of signs in nonresidential
districts shall be:
