A.
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform
with the provisions of this article and any other ordinance or regulations
of the township relating hereto.
B.
Zoning approval shall be required for all signs and
billboards.
C.
All signs shall be erected and maintained in safe
orderly condition. The Zoning Officer may order the repair or removal
of any sign which he has declared unsafe. In the event that the owner
fails to remove or repair an unsafe sign within 10 days following
such notification by the Zoning Officer, it may be removed by the
township at the owner's expense.
D.
All signs shall be erected in a manner which will
not obstruct vision or in any way impede the safe movement of vehicular
and/or pedestrian traffic.
E.
Each face of a double-faced sign may have a surface
area not exceeding 50 square feet. When a sign has more than two faces,
the total area of all faces combined shall not exceed 100 square feet.
F.
No sign mounted on a building shall project above
the ridge line of a sloping roof nor above the eaves line of a flat
roof.
The following types of signs and no other shall
be permitted in residential districts and the University District
except as otherwise provided in the district regulations.
A.
Traffic control signs installed and maintained by
the township, Cambria County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any
other governmental authority.
B.
Professional, accessory use or name signs indicating
the name, profession or activity of the occupant of the dwelling provided
that:
C.
Identification signs for farms or estates, university
uses, schools, churches, hospitals and similar permitted uses other
than dwellings, provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square
feet.
(2)
Except in a university district, not more than one
sign shall be placed on premises held in single and separate ownership
unless such premises front on more than one street, in which case,
one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated except by concealed
or indirect light attached to the sign itself.
(4)
No such sign shall stand more than 10 feet from the
ground level to the top of the sign.
D.
One no trespassing sign or sign indicating the private
nature of a driveway or premises, provided that the size of any such
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
E.
Temporary signs of mechanics and artisans, provided
that:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected only on the premises where
such work is being performed.
(2)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet.
(3)
Such signs shall not be illuminated except attached
to the sign itself.
(4)
Such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion
of active work.
F.
One directional sign not exceeding 1 1/2 square
feet.
G.
In connection with a parking facility, directional
signs not to exceed eight square feet.
H.
Any use other than specified in Subsections A through G herein, which use is a permitted use in a university or residential district and signs for uses which are preexisting nonconforming uses, provided that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square
feet.
(2)
Except any university district, not more than one
sign shall be placed on premises held in single and separate ownership
unless such premises front on more than one street, in which case,
one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated except by concealed
or indirect light attached to the sign itself.
I.
Any signs in any residential or university district
shall be nonflashing and nonanimated; those not attached to a building
shall be set back at least 15 feet from a lot or right-of-way line,
and no signs shall project above the roof or mounted on a building
above the eaves line of a roof.
J.
Nonconforming use signs, provided that:
(1)
The total area of such signs relating to a single
use at the effective date of this chapter or at the effective date
of any amendment of this chapter by which any sign shall be made nonconforming
shall not be increased.
(2)
No such signs shall be changed or replaced except
when such change or replacement results in a new sign being in conformity
with the sign regulations in a residential or university district
unless the change or replacement is authorized as a special exception
by the Zoning Hearing Board.
The following types of signs shall be permitted
in the A, C-2, C-3, L-1, and M Districts:
A.
Any sign permitted in a residential district which
relates to a use permitted in the district.
B.
Freestanding business or related signs as follows:
(1)
Any sign permitted in a residential district.
(2)
One freestanding business sign or identification sign not to exceed 50 square feet for any one business except as provided in § 240-114B(3).
(3)
Where a group of three or more businesses are Located
on one parcel or tract, one freestanding business or identification
sign shall be permitted per street, and no such sign shall exceed
100 square feet per street.
(4)
Signs not attached to a building shall be set back
at least five feet from a lot or street right-of-way line or any required
buffer area. Signs located on a corner lot shall be set back a minimum
of 15 feet from the front and side street lines. A freestanding sign
shall not exceed 40 feet in height as measured from the ground to
the top of the sign. No sign mounted on a building shall project above
the ridge line of a sloping roof nor above the eaves line of a flat
roof.
(5)
Except as provided in Subsection B(6) hereafter, all signs in any A, C-2, C-3, L or M District shall be stationary, nonrevolving, nonflashing and nonanimated. If illuminated, they shall utilize reflected or refracted light in such manner as shall not detrimentally affect any property in another zoning district.
[Amended 3-3-2008 by Ord. No. 311]
(6)
Billboards (see § 240-115) and signs permissible under § 240-114B(2) through (4) may include changeable-message signs (changeable-message signs change the message on the sign by electronic or mechanical process); provided, however, that such signage has a static display lasting no less than eight seconds, achieves a message change with all moving parts or illumination moving or changing simultaneously over a period of three seconds or less, and does not display any illumination that moves, appears to move or changes in intensity during the static display period. Only one changeable message sign or billboard shall be permitted per lot. The brightness of the changeable message signs and billboards described in this section shall be limited as set forth in § 240-114B(7).
[Added 3-3-2008 by Ord. No. 311; amended 12-16-2013 by Ord. No.
327]
(7)
Digital billboard and signage lighting requirements:
[Added 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 327]
(a)
The regulated average luminance for digital billboards and signage
after sunset (time of sunset to be determined by the NOAA solar calculator)
shall not exceed 7% of the total intensity of the sign, assuming that
100% is equal to 10,000 nits.
(b)
All readings shall be taken with a luminance meter to the face of
the sign at a distance of 25 feet from the sign. Readings should be
taken for each sign at both 7% and 100% to establish a baseline intensity
for the specific sign.
(c)
A background reading should be taken to establish the level of extraneous
light affecting the sign.
(d)
LUMINANCE METER
Definition. As used in this subsection, the following term shall
have the meaning indicated:
Luminance, measured in candelas/square meter (cd/m2), represents the quantity of light leaving a surface
in a particular direction relative to the size of the area of the
surface from which it is leaving. As such, it is related to the perceived
brightness of the surface. A luminance meter is an instrument for
measuring this quantity by aiming it along the line of sight to the
surface. Note that the size of the surface measured is a function
of the measurement distance due to the fixed size of the measurement
area within the meter. Also note that this unit of measure is sometimes
called the "nit." However, this is a term that is deprecated (ANSI/IES
RP-16-10). Measures in cd/m2 and nits are
equivalent.
C.
The total area on one side of all signs attached to
a building and facing any one street frontage on any one premises
shall not exceed eight percent of the area of the wall surface, including
window and door areas on which they are displayed, or two square feet
for each lineal foot of building frontage, whichever is the greater;
provided, further, that in the case of a lot which is vacant or on
which any building is clearly an incidental or accessory to the use
of the lot, the total area of all signs attached to the building and
facing any one street frontage of any one premises shall not exceed
one square foot for each two additional lineal feet of building frontage.
D.
Temporary commercial signs. No stringing of light
bulbs, no animated sign nor signs that revolve, swing or have movable
parts or have flashing lights or reflectors shall be permitted after
the effective date of this chapter except when authorized as a special
exception by the Zoning Hearing Board, and no advertising signs, banner,
pennant balance, spinners or display constructed of cloth, canvas,
wallboard or other like materials shall be erected, suspended or hung
on any property except as follows. The Zoning Officer may permit the
use of any such advertising signs, banners or displays constructed
of cloth, light fabric or other like materials for a period of not
more than 30 consecutive days and not more than three such periods
in any one calendar year, provided that:
(1)
No such sign or display shall exceed in size the area
permitted for permanent signs as provided for each zoning district.
(2)
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it
will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
(3)
No such sign or display shall be permitted within
the lines of any public street or public sidewalk or shall be closer
to a curb than 10 feet unless specifically authorized by other ordinances
and regulations of Richland Township.
(4)
No sign or display shall be permitted to be placed
across a public street or highway.
(5)
Signs not attached to a building shall be set back
at least five feet from a lot or street right-of-way line or any required
buffer area. Signs located on a corner lot shall be set back a minimum
of 15 feet from the front and side street lines. A freestanding sign
shall not exceed 40 feet in height as measured from the ground to
the top of the sign. No sign mounted on a building shall project above
the ridge line of a sloping roof nor above the eaves line of a flat
roof.
(6)
All signs in any A, C-2, C-3, L or M District shall
be stationary nonrevolving,nonflashing and nonanimated. If illuminated,
they shall utilize reflected or refracted light in such manner as
shall not detrimentally affect any property in another zoning district.
[Amended 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 327]
Billboards shall be allowed on undeveloped property
only by special exception in A, C-2, L and M Districts. All billboards
along streets shall be spaced with a radius of 1,500 feet apart. For
purposes of this section, "undeveloped land" shall be defined as property
having no structure erected thereon. Any property leased for construction
of a billboard shall be deemed to be part of the parcel owned by the
lessor.
The following restrictions shall apply to all
permitted sign uses:
A.
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it
will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring view.
B.
No sign other than signs authorized by § 240-113A shall be erected within the lines of any public street or public sidewalk or shall be closer to a curb than 10 feet unless specifically authorized by other ordinances and regulations of Richland Township.
C.
No sign shall project over a public sidewalk unless
authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.
D.
Wall signs shall not project over 12 inches from the
face of the building.
E.
Each sign must be maintained in good condition and
repair.
F.
No commercial building, including multiple dwellings
or apartments in any residential district, shall be illuminated on
the exterior by floodlighting or spotlighting or similar type lighting.
G.
All signs shall be made a part of the architectural
design of a new commercial construction or major alterations of existing
buildings. Drawings submitted for sign permits shall show size, location
and illumination in detail.
H.
All nonconforming signs and billboards at the effective
date of this chapter shall not be altered, expanded or enlarged without
approval of the Zoning Hearing Board.
I.
A sign advertising a profession, use, activity or
business no longer conducted shall not be permitted and must be removed.
J.
Signs painted or affixed to any outdoor bench, chair
or the like article shall not be permitted unless specifically authorized
by the governing body.
K.
Signs advertising a profession, use, activity or business
shall be located on the premises where the said profession, use, activity
or business is located.
L.
No sign shall be affixed by tacking, pasting or otherwise
mounting upon utility poles, light standards, trees, rocks or other
natural features or any part of official traffic signs required by
law.
M.
All sign lighting shall be arranged, designed and
shielded or directed to protect the adjoining properties and streets
from glare. Reflectors and lights permitted in conjunction with signs
shall be equipped with restraining hoods or shields to concentrate
the illumination upon the area of the sign.
The following special event signs are exempt
from the requirement of obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer.
However, no special event sign shall be placed within any public right-of-way
or placed in such a manner or at a location which creates a traffic
hazard by impairing visibility from or of a public highway:
A.
Temporary signs advertising home garage sales, yard
sales and the like, as differentiated from signs advertising established
commercial enterprise, may be erected in any zoning district subject
to the following provisions:
(1)
The area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed
eight square feet.
(2)
Only one such sign may be erected on any single property,
unless such property fronts on two streets, in which case, one sign
is authorized on each street frontage.
(3)
The sign shall be installed no earlier than two days
prior to the sale and shall be removed within one day after the activity.
B.
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized holidays
shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter except as they
may cause glare, interfere with traffic safety or in any other way
become a public safety hazard.
C.
Temporary signs advertising exhibits, shows or events
of public, civic or charitable organizations occurring in the township
may be erected in any district, subject to the following:
(1)
The area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed
12 square feet.
(2)
The sign must advertise an event taking place within
the township.
(3)
Such signs may be erected no earlier than one month
prior to the date of the event and shall be removed no later than
two days after the completion of the event.
D.
Signs used for directing patrons or members to churches,
civic clubs or other public, quasi-public or charitable facilities
or functions are permitted in any district, provided that the area
of any one side of such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
E.
Real estate signs.
(1)
Signs advertising the sale or rental of residential
premises, provided that:
(a)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 12
square feet.
(b)
Not more than two such signs shall be erected
for any property held in single and separate ownership.
(c)
No such signs shall be illuminated.
(d)
No such sign shall stand more than 10 feet from
the ground level to the top of the sign.
(2)
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises
in the process of development, provided that:
