This article regulates signs that are visible
from the right-of-way and from beyond the property where erected.
These regulations balance the need to protect the public safety and
welfare, the need for a well-maintained and attractive community,
and the need for adequate identification, communication, and advertising
for all land uses. In addition, these regulations for signs are intended
to:
A. Ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed,
and maintained so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised.
B. Allow and promote positive conditions for meeting
sign users' needs while, at the same time, avoiding nuisances to nearby
properties and promoting an attractive environment.
C. Reflect and support the desired character and development
patterns of the various districts.
D. Allow for adequate and effective signs in commercial
and industrial districts while preventing signs from dominating the
visual appearance of the area.
E. Allow for adequate and multiple types of signs for
a site, although the provisions do not necessarily assure or provide
for a property owner's desired level of visibility for the signs.
This article regulates the number, size, placement,
and physical characteristics of signs. The regulations are not intended
to, and do not, restrict, limit, or control the content or message
of signs. The regulations of this article apply to all districts in
the Township.
No sign may be erected unless it conforms to
the regulations of this article. Sign permits must be approved prior
to erection of the sign.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions
of this article, but may be subject to other Township ordinances:
A. Signs inside a building, not visible from a right-of-way,
private or public road, or other private property.
B. Building street address numbers.
C. Signs carved into or part of materials that are on
an integral and permanent part of the building, noting the name of
the building and its date of erection.
D. Garage or yard sale signs no larger than four square
feet, displayed for a maximum duration of 48 hours per year.
E. Public and/or government signs, including traffic
or similar regulatory devices.
F. Flags and insignia of any government, except when
displayed in connection with a commercial promotion.
G. Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted, or
no trespassing signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.
H. Temporary, nonilluminated "For Sale," "For Rent," real estate signs concerning the premises upon which the sign is located, subject to the provisions of §
200-83D(2).
I. Nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding
10% of the window surface.
J. One temporary sign for a seasonal roadside stand selling
agricultural produce grown on the premises, providing that such sign
shall not exceed six square feet in area, shall be set back a minimum
of 10 feet from any property line, and shall remain on the site only
for that portion of the year that the stand is in active use.
K. Nonilluminated, on-premises directional signs for
the convenience of the general public, such as those identifying public
parking areas, fire zones, and entrances and exits; not exceeding
four square feet per face and no more than six feet above the ground.
The following signs are prohibited and shall
be removed:
A. Signs placed or painted on a vehicle or vehicle trailer
and parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign for a business,
use, event, or similar function.
B. A sign that copies or imitates or in any way approximates
an official highway sign or carries the words "STOP," "DANGER," "GO
SLOW," "CAUTION," "WARNING," or similar terms.
C. Any sign in, or projecting into, a public right-of-way.
D. A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare
into or upon any building or street, other than the building to which
the sign may be accessory.
E. Abandoned signs, defined as those on-premise signs
that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer
conducted or available on the premises.
F. Any sign advertising activities, services, products
or uses not located, made, sold, used, or served on the premises displaying
such sign.
G. Billboard signs or off-premises signs, except as provided for in §
200-85.
H. Roof signs or signs on dormers or balconies.
I. Strobe lights and signs containing strobe lights.
J. Except as permitted under §
200-85F, any sign which falls within the scope of an "animated sign," a "flashing or message sign," a "glaring sign" or an "intermittent sign," being respectively defined as follows:
[Amended 1-13-2010 by Ord. No. 221-2010; 2-8-2017 by Ord. No. 289-2017]
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign which includes action, motion, or color changes, or
the optical illusion of action, motion or color changes, including
signs set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or made up of a
series of sections that turn. An animated sign exists whenever such
sign contains kinetic or illusionary motion.
FLASHING AND MESSAGE SIGN
A sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently,
or any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary
or constant in intensity or color at all times when such sign is in
use, including an LED (light-emitting diode) or digital sign. A flashing
or message sign occurs whenever such signs include lights or messages
which change, flash, blink or turn on and off intermittently, with
the exception of such signs which are limited exclusively to time
and temperature displays, with no other text or image.
GLARING SIGNS
A sign with light sources or which reflect brightness in
a manner which constitutes a distraction to passing motorists or a
nuisance to adjacent property owners, including signs with fluorescent
text, graphics or background, as well as holographic signs.
INTERMITTENT SIGN
A sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently
more frequently than once every 12 hours or which is operated in a
way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently more frequently
than once every 12 hours, including any illuminated sign on which
such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity
or color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED or
digital sign which varies in intensity or color more frequently than
once every 12 hours.
K. Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particles,
sound, or odors.
L. Signs consisting of pennants, spinners, or streamers,
or inflatable signs, except as short-term temporary on-site commercial
event signs as permitted in this article.
M. Any sign that impairs, or causes confusion to, vehicular
or pedestrian traffic in its design, color, or placement, as determined
by the Police Department of East Whiteland Township.
N. Any sign mounted or attached to a tree or utility
pole in the public right-of-way.
O. Any sign located in a rear yard.
P. Any sign that is not included under the types of signs
permitted in specific district regulations or in this article.
[Amended 3-12-2008 by Ord. No. 203-2008; 9-10-2008 by Ord. No. 211-2008; 1-13-2010 by Ord. No. 221-2010]
A. Signs in O/BP, O/BPS and PO Districts. The following types of signs
and no other shall be permitted in O/BP, O/BPS and PO Districts:
(1) Any sign permitted in a residential district for single-family detached
dwellings and agriculture uses.
(2) Office signs in conjunction with all other O/BP, O/BPS and PO District
uses, provided that:
(a)
Such signs shall be erected only on the premises on which the
use to which the signs pertain is conducted, and a plot plan prepared
by a qualified engineer, surveyor, or architect, showing locations,
shall be submitted to the Township.
(b)
Such signs shall not exceed 50 square feet on any one side,
and there shall not be more than 400 square feet of exposed sign area
for any one lot.
(c)
The square-foot limitations set forth in Subsection
A(2)(b) above may be increased by special exception. In granting special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those expressed in this chapter, as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter.
(d)
On any one lot there shall not be more than four signs larger
than five square feet on any one side and not more than 10 signs altogether.
(e)
There may be one sign with an overall ground height up to, but
not exceeding, 15 feet.
(f)
No sign shall be within 150 feet of another sign.
(g)
No sign shall have lineal dimensions which exceed 25 feet in
length or exceed 10 feet in height.
(h)
If any sign is illuminated, the average light reading shall
not exceed 40 lumens. The lumens may be increased by special exception.
In granting a special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board may attach
such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those expressed
in this chapter, as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes
of this chapter.
B. Signs in VMX, FC, ROC and I Districts. The following types of signs
and no other shall be permitted in VMX, FC, ROC and I Districts:
(1) Any sign permitted in residence districts.
(2) Commercial or industrial signs in conjunction with any permitted
use, provided that:
(a)
Such sign shall be erected only on the premises on which the
use to which the sign pertains is conducted.
(b) Unless otherwise provided for in this section, all ground signs shall
be limited to 15 feet in height.
[Added 6-12-2019 by Ord.
No. 316-2019]
(c)
There shall be not more than three signs for any one use. Such
signs shall not exceed 50 feet on any one side, and the maximum total
exposed sign area of all three shall be two square feet for every
one foot of building frontage or 100 square feet, whichever is greater.
"Building frontage" shall be defined as the lineal footage of a building
face which serves as the principal approach to a store or building
and which building face fronts a public street, shopping center driveway
or pedestrian walkway. For corner lots, the building frontage may
be calculated on the basis of the principal approach and one adjacent
face if such face also fronts on a public street, shopping center
driveway or pedestrian mall or walkway.
[1]
Frontage on a service driveway to an unloading area shall not
be considered in determining corner lot status. In addition, the sign
area calculated for each building frontage on a corner lot shall relate
to that frontage only and shall not be applied to the sign area for
another frontage.
[2]
Window signs shall not be considered in computing the total
exposed sign area but shall not cover more than 20% of the area of
any window opening.
[3]
Letters painted on or affixed to a building shall be included
in the computation of the total exposed sign area.
(d)
The square-foot limitations set forth in Subsection
B(2)(b) above may be increased by one additional square foot for each foot that the sign is set back from the street line.
(e)
There may be not more than one directional sign for each permitted
nonresidential use erected in a location other than on the premises
to which the sign relates, but in no case shall such a sign exceed
24 square feet in area on any one side nor have a total exposed area
in excess of 48 square feet. No such directional sign shall be located
in a residence, P0-1 or P0-2 District. Additional directional signs
may be authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
All such directional signs shall be removed when the activity to which
the sign relates no longer exists.
(f)
Signs in a shopping center shall conform to the following regulations:
[1]
Signs for individual establishments shall follow §
200-82B(2)(b); provided, however, that individual establishments cannot have ground signs.
[2]
Pedestrian directory signs shall be permitted in the proportion
of one such sign for each 10 establishments. The signs shall not exceed
15 square feet on any one side; they may be double-faced; and they
may be located on a building, on a mall or in any area used solely
by pedestrians.
[3]
Parking signs and directional signs shall be permitted but shall
not exceed two square feet on any one side.
[4]
One ground sign identifying the shopping center shall be permitted
at each vehicular entrance from a public street, provided that:
[a] The overall height of any such entrance sign, including
structural support, shall not be more than 25 feet.
[b] The total exposed area of all permitted entrance signs shall not exceed 600 square feet. Any one two-faced sign shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet. No single-faced sign or any one side of a two-faced sign shall exceed 100 square feet, of which not more than 50% may be used to identify the various tenants. Below such a sign and not forming part of it may be a semipermanent changeable sign which shall not exceed 34 square feet on any one side and which shall not have any of the attributes of signage prohibited under §
200-77. The area of the changeable sign shall form part of the six-hundred-square-foot limitation.
[c] The distance between such signs, with reference
to each other, shall not be less than 400 feet measured in a single
straight line.
[d] There shall not be more than three such signs for
any one shopping center. The signs may be double-faced.
The following signs shall be permitted within
any district in the Township:
A. Development/neighborhood identification sign. In conjunction with an existing development or neighborhood, except as set forth in §
200-83F below, on-site development or neighborhood identification signs may be placed subject to the following conditions:
[Amended 3-12-2008 by Ord. No. 203-2008; 3-13-2013 by Ord. No.
245-2013]
(1) A maximum of two single-faced freestanding signs shall be permitted
per road entrance/intersection per development or neighborhood;
(2) The maximum area per sign shall be 16 square feet;
(3) Such signs shall only be indirectly illuminated; and
(4) If such signs are freestanding, the maximum height shall be 48 inches
above the finished grade.
B. Multiple-family development identification signs.
In conjunction with an existing multiple-family development having
20 units or more, on-site multiple-family identification signs may
be placed subject to the following conditions:
(1) One freestanding, attached wall or suspended wall
sign, single- or double-faced, shall be allowed per street frontage
from which vehicles gain access to the development;
(2) The maximum area per sign shall be 16 square feet;
(3) If such signs are freestanding, the maximum height
shall be 48 inches above the finished grade;
(4) If freestanding, such signs shall only be indirectly
illuminated; and
(5) A maximum of 30% of the area of the sign may include
information pertaining to the availability or size of the dwelling
units.
C. Religious and quasi-public institutions. In conjunction
with religious institutions, libraries, colleges, other educational
institutions, and hospitals, signs may be placed subject to the following
regulations:
(1) One on-site, freestanding, attached wall, or suspended
wall sign bulletin board may be placed that shall not exceed 20 square
feet in area and eight feet in height.
(2) One on-site attached wall, suspended wall, or projecting
sign identifying the name of the institution may be placed that shall
not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3) On-site attached wall, suspended wall, or projecting
signs identifying permitted accessory uses may be placed whose aggregate
areas shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
D. Long-term temporary signs.
(1) Off-site directional signs. In conjunction with an
approved subdivision or use, off-site directional signs may be placed
subject to the following regulations:
(a)
Maximum duration of such signs shall be 48 hours
in any calendar week.
(b)
One such sign may be placed per intersection.
(c)
Such signs shall be located within 50 feet of
the intersection, no further than two vehicular miles from the advertised
site, and not less than five feet from a property line.
(d)
Such signs shall be freestanding, with a maximum
height of five feet.
(e)
The maximum sign area per directional sign shall
be three square feet.
(f)
Directional signs shall have no commercial messages
or copy and shall not be illuminated.
(2) On-site real estate signs in all zoning districts except O/BP Office/Business Park District and O/BPS Office/Business Park Services District. Signs advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the premises upon which sign is located, except for said signs located in the O/BP District and O/BPS District which are regulated by §
200-83D(4), may be placed subject to the following restrictions:
[Amended 3-12-2008 by Ord. No. 203-2008]
(a)
One attached wall or freestanding sign per street
frontage is permitted.
(b)
For residential properties, the maximum area
sign shall be six square feet with a maximum height of five feet.
For nonresidential properties, the maximum area per sign shall be
20 square feet and the maximum height of the sign shall be eight feet.
(c)
Signage shall not illuminated.
(d)
All such signs shall be removed within five
days following the sale of the premises.
(e)
No sign shall be permitted within the right-of-way
adjacent to any property.
(f)
Open house and associated directional language
shall be permitted, provided such signs comply with the following:
[1]
Open houses signs shall be permitted on the
subject property and shall not exceed the sign area permitted for
primary real estate signs. Directional signs shall not exceed three
square feet in area;
[2]
Such signs shall not be erected more than 48
hours prior to the open house and must be removed no later than one
hour following the open house;
[3]
No sign is permitted within the right-of-way
of any public street, alley, or way. Signage erected on private property
must have the permission of the property owner.
(3) On-site construction signs. In conjunction with an
approved subdivision or land development, construction signs may be
placed subject to the following regulations:
(a)
There shall not be more than one such freestanding
sign for each arterial or collector street frontage of the project
or development.
(b)
Such sign may only identify persons or companies
involved with the construction, architecture, engineering, and development
of the premises.
(c)
Such sign shall be no larger than 20 square
feet in total area, and no more than eight feet in height.
(d)
Construction signs shall not be illuminated.
(e)
Construction signs may be erected and maintained
for a period not to exceed 14 days prior to the commencement of construction
and shall be removed within 14 days of the termination of construction
of the project or development.
(4) On-site real estate signs in O/BP Office/Business
Park District and O/BPS Office/Business Park Services District. Signs
advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the premises upon which such
sign is located may be placed subject to the following regulations:
[Added 3-12-2008 by Ord. No. 203-2008]
(a)
No sign shall be permitted within the right-of-way
adjacent to any property;
(b)
For any on-site real estate sign located on
street frontage along Route 202 or Route 29, the maximum area per
sign shall be 75 square feet with a maximum height of 12 feet. For
any on-site real estate sign located on any other portion of a property,
the maximum area per sign shall be 35 square feet with a maximum height
of nine feet;
(c)
All such signs shall be removed within five
business days following the sale of the premises of the premises or
the lease of all available space in the premises.
E. Short-term temporary signs.
(1) Political signs. Signs announcing political candidates
seeking public office, political parties, and/or political and public
issues contained on a ballot may be placed subject to the following
regulations:
(a)
There shall be no limit on the number of permitted
political signs displayed; however, such signs shall not be placed
on public property except at polling places on election day, and shall
be placed on private property only with permission of the property
owner.
[Amended 3-12-2008 by Ord. No. 203-2008]
(b)
Such signs may be freestanding or attached wall
signs.
(c)
Such signs shall not be illuminated, shall not
exceed eight square feet in total area per property and, if freestanding,
each sign shall be no more than six feet in height and no more than
six square feet in area.
(d)
All political signs shall be erected no earlier
than 30 days prior to the election in question, and shall be removed
within two days after election day.
(e)
Any political sign erected in violation of these
regulations shall be removed and impounded by the Township if such
violation(s) is not corrected within 48 hours after issuing a notice
to correct such signs. A reasonable service charge, as established
by the Township, shall be levied to cover the cost of removing and
impounding such signs.
(2) Civic event signs. Signs announcing a campaign, drive,
activity, or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious
organization for noncommercial purposes may be placed subject to the
following regulations:
(a)
There shall not be more than one such sign for
each lot. If the sign is not to be placed on property owned by the
organization requesting the permit, then the permittee shall present
written consents from all the property owners on whose property the
sign is to be located.
(b)
Such signs may be freestanding or attached wall
signs.
(c)
Such signs shall not be illuminated, shall not
exceed 16 square feet in total area and, if freestanding, shall be
no more than six feet in height.
(d)
Civic event signs may be erected and maintained
for a period not to exceed 30 days prior to the date of which the
campaign, drive, activity, or event advertised is scheduled to occur
and shall be removed within five days of the termination of such campaign,
drive, activity, or event.
(3) On-site commercial event signs. Signs, banners, posters,
and other similar promotional devices announcing a special, unique,
or limited activity, service, product, or sale of limited duration
may be placed subject to the following regulations:
(a)
One temporary event sign shall be permitted
for every 200 linear feet of street frontage for the subject property.
The primary event sign shall not exceed 40 square feet in the sign
area. Secondary signs shall not exceed 50% of the primary sign area.
There shall be no more than three signs for any event or events on
the subject property.
(b)
If freestanding, no sign shall exceed six feet
in height.
(c)
Approval must be obtained from the Zoning Officer
prior to the erection of any commercial event sign(s). In addition
to legal United States holidays, commercial event signs shall be limited
to no more than four additional times on the parcel in any calendar
year.
(d)
All such signs shall be erected and maintained
for a period not to exceed 10 days, and shall be removed within three
days of the termination of the activity, service, project, or sale.
F. Development identification sign in O/BP District for large office
development. In the O/BP District, in conjunction with an existing
or approved office development containing or approved for more than
500,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area, freestanding signs may be placed
subject to the following conditions:
[Added 3-13-2013 by Ord. No. 245-2013]
(1) A maximum of two single-faced freestanding signs shall be permitted
per road entrance/intersection providing access to the development,
which shall be used to identify the development, subject to the following:
(a)
The maximum area per sign shall be 60 square feet;
(b)
Such signs shall only be indirectly illuminated; and
(c)
The maximum height shall be six feet above the finished grade.
(2) A maximum of two additional single-faced freestanding signs shall
be permitted per road entrance/intersection providing direct access
to the development, which shall be used to identify a user or tenant
in the development, subject to the following:
(a)
The maximum area per sign shall be 20 square feet;
(b)
Such signs shall only be indirectly illuminated; and
(c)
The maximum height shall be four feet above the finished grade.
The following signs shall be permitted within
any residential district in the Township:
A. One nonilluminated attached wall, suspended, or freestanding
sign identifying a professional office may be placed on the premises
subject to the following conditions:
(1) Such sign shall not exceed two square feet in total
area; and
(2) If freestanding, such sign shall not exceed four feet
in height.
[Amended 9-12-2007 by Ord. No. 197-2007; 1-13-2010 by Ord. No. 221-2010; 12-14-2016 by Ord. No. 286-2016; 2-8-2017 by Ord. No. 289-2017; 3-11-2020 by Ord. No.
322; 2-1-2021 by Ord. No. 329-2021]
Except as provided for in this section, off-premises signs are
prohibited. Off-premises signs are only permitted in the Professional
Office Zoning District, provided that:
A. The lot is located along the south side of Route 202.
B. The off-premises sign is located within 75 feet of the right-of-way
of Route 202 and oriented so as to be primarily visible thereto.
C. Maximum active area.
(1) Off-premises signs shall have no more than two separate sign faces.
(2) Each face of an off-premises sign shall not exceed 672 square feet
in area.
(3) Each face shall be oriented horizontally such that the longest horizontal
measurement of the face is at least twice the longest vertical measurement
of the face.
(4) The maximum sign face area shall be measured in accordance with §
200-78; however, no part of the architectural elements required under Subsection
N shall be included when calculating the sign face area.
D. Sign structure elevation. An off-premises sign structure shall not
exceed 50 feet when measured between the highest part of the structure
and grade below. For the purposes of this section, the sign structure
shall include the sign face or display area; any decorative frame
or other materials around the display; the support structure, foundation,
or base of the sign; and all other physical aspects of the installation.
E. Spacing. No off-premises sign shall be located within 500 feet of
another off-premises sign.
F. Illumination. An off-premises sign may be illuminated, provided that:
(1) All off-premises signs shall incorporate ambient light sensors that
measure the levels of surrounding light and automatically reduce the
intensity of illumination during periods of ambient darkness or increase
the intensity of illumination during periods of ambient brightness.
(2) Digital sign faces shall incorporate light mitigating technology
and shall be designed to have a primary horizontal viewing angle of
90° or less which shall be oriented toward Route 202.
G. Luminance (intensity of illumination). Off-premises signs shall not exceed a maximum illumination intensity of 280 nits during nighttime hours (dusk until dawn) and 7,500 nits during daytime hours (dawn until dusk) when the active area is in direct sunlight. Luminance shall be measured in accordance with Subsection
I of this section.
H. Maximum illuminance level. The illuminance of an off-premises sign shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle of light above the ambient light levels when measured in accordance with Subsection
I of this section.
I. Illuminance and luminance levels shall be measured by a professional
lighting consultant, hereinafter referred to as the "Lighting Inspector,"
as follows:
(1) Illuminance measurement. The Lighting Inspector shall use a high-quality
illuminance meter (Minolta No. T-1 or equivalent), calibrated within
the previous five years with two-decimal-place capability at a height
of five feet above the grade of the off-premises sign held at a preset
distance from the off-premises sign called the "illuminance measurement
distance," which is calculated in accordance with the formula below.
The Lighting Inspector shall aim the light meter toward the off-premises
sign perpendicular from the illuminance measurement distance (as depicted
below). When a measurement from the required distance is obstructed
by private property, a building, or other permanent structure, the
measurement shall be taken from the furthest possible perpendicular
extent.
(2) In order to determine the ambient light level, the Lighting Inspector
shall employ one of two methods at his or her discretion as follows:
(a)
Inactive off-premises sign. The Lighting Inspector shall position
the light meter at an elevation of five feet above the grade at the
illuminance measurement distance. Immediately following measurement
of the ambient light level, the active area shall be turned on whereupon
the Lighting Inspector shall measure the light spillage or glare emanating
from the active area to determine compliance.
(b)
Active off-premises sign. The Lighting Inspector shall aim the
light meter toward the active area but shall place an opaque black
sheet of material that is of an appropriate size to obstruct the light
meter from reading any light emanating from the active area. A material
size of 12 inches high by 40 inches is recommended but subject to
the discretion of the Lighting Inspector. The material should be placed
at a distance of 10 feet away from the Lighting Inspector in between
the off-premises sign and the Lighting Inspector. Please see Diagram
A below for an illustration.
(3) Luminance measurement. The measurement of luminance shall be conducted
by the Lighting Inspector using a high-quality luminance meter (Minolta
No. LS-110 or equal), calibrated within the previous five years as
follows:
(a)
If measuring the illumination intensity during daytime hours
(dawn to dusk), the Lighting Inspector shall conduct the measurement
within a time frame of at least 30 minutes after dawn and 30 minutes
before dusk. If measuring during nighttime hours (dusk to dawn), the
Lighting Inspector shall conduct the measurement within a time frame
of at least 60 minutes after dusk but 60 minutes before dawn.
(b)
The Lighting Inspector shall be positioned perpendicular to
the sign face at a distance from the sign face not less than 50 feet
and not more than 250 feet.
(c)
All luminance meter measurements shall be represented by two
circles, a larger field of view circle and a smaller target area circle
inside the view finder. The Lighting Inspector shall position the
target area circle so it falls entirely within a white-colored portion
of the active area that is being measured, as outlined in Diagram
B below.
(4) An off-premises sign shall not use an "active area background," defined
as the color of the communication copy behind the graphics, images,
and logos occupying more than 50% of the sign face, consisting of
bright white, off-white, or other pale colors which would create excessive
contrast or glare.
J. Automatic changeable copy. An off-premises sign may have changeable
copy, provided that:
(1) Dwell time. No off-premises sign shall change message or copy on
the active area more than once every eight seconds.
(2) Message or copy transition. All message or copy changes shall be
instantaneous; there shall be no scrolling, fading, animated, flashing
or moving messages or copy. The entire electronic portion of an off-premises
sign must change at the same time, thereby preventing different portions
of the sign from changing at different times.
K. Hours of operation. If located within 100 feet of residential zoning
districts, off-premises signs shall not be operated between the hours
of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. The sign shall be equipped with a
device or technology which automatically activates and deactivates
the display in accordance with these prescribed hours.
L. Restrictions. An off-premises sign shall not:
(1) Advertise adult or sexually oriented businesses or materials, hate
speech, advertisements related to abortion, or otherwise display any
content prohibited by 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5903.
(2) Advertise obscene or profane language.
(3) Emit any verbal or musical announcements or noises.
(4) Display any moving, flashing, scrolling or animated text or video.
(5) Have a split display of the sign area.
(6) Move, rotate, oscillate, vibrate or shimmer.
(7) Flash, scintillate or blink.
M. An off-premises sign shall provide availability and display time
for municipal, civic and emergency messaging.
N. Architectural requirements. The design of an off-premises sign shall
incorporate architectural elements in addition to its messaging function
thereby creating a unique or distinctive architectural design. Architectural
elements shall include, but not be limited to, a decorative base or
monument, a decorative shroud, or other similar design elements.
O. Off-premises sign permit application procedure. An off-premises sign
permit application shall be submitted, reviewed and approved under
the Township's standard building permit process. An off-premises sign
shall not require subdivision and land development approval; however,
a detailed site plan shall be included with the sign permit application.
P. In case of a conflict between the provisions or requirements of this §
200-85 and those contained elsewhere in this chapter, the provisions of this §
200-85 shall apply.
[Amended 3-12-2008 by Ord. No. 203-2008]
A. Illegal signs. If the Zoning Officer shall find that any signage is in violation of the terms of this chapter (lawful, nonconforming signs being considered not to be in violation of this chapter, as more fully set forth in §
200-79, unless altered in violation of §
200-79A), the Zoning Officer shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which such sign is located. Removal of the sign shall be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such sign is not removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to commence any and all enforcement proceedings for such violation as authorized under §
200-8A,
B and/or
C.
B. Obsolete signs. A sign, whether existing on or erected after the effective date of this article, that advertises a business no longer being conducted or a product no longer being offered for sale in or from the premises on which the sign is located, shall be removed within one year after cessation of such business or cessation of the sale of such products by the owner or tenant of the premises on which sign is located, unless the owner of such premises shall demonstrate that it is the owner's intent to maintain the signage, subject to alteration of the text and/or display of the signage, for a subsequent permitted use of the premises. In such event, the owner shall remove the signage lettering and/or display pending commencement of a subsequent permitted use of the premises, but may retain the standard frame or cabinet of the signage, provided they are in good repair. Any electrical components, including but not limited to ballasts, sockets and lamps that may become exposed as a result of removal of the message area, shall be concealed by means of an opaque insert installed in the frame or cabinet. If the Zoning Officer shall find that any such obsolete sign has not been removed or altered to remove the message area within one year after cessation of such business or the cessation of the sale of such product, he shall given written notice to the owner of the premises on which such sign is located. Removal of the sign shall be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such sign is not removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to commence any and all enforcement proceedings for such violation as authorized under §
200-8A,
B and/or
C.
C. Unsafe signs. If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign is unsafe, insecure or is a menace to the public, he shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which such sign is located. Correction of the condition that caused the Zoning Officer to give such notice shall be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such condition is not corrected after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to institute such enforcement remedies as he may deem necessary to preclude further threat to public health, safety and welfare, including but not limited to, the institution of an action to prevent, restrain, correct or abate such conditions, as authorized by §§
200-8 and 200-9B of this chapter, together with financial remedies (including court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees) as authorized by § 200-9C of this chapter. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the Zoning Officer is authorized to cause any sign to be removed summarily, with notice to the owner of the premises if reasonably practicable, or without notice in the event of an emergency, at the expense of the owner of the premises on which sign is located, whenever he determine that such sign is an immediate peril to persons or property.
[Added 9-10-2008 by Ord. No. 211-2008; amended 11-12-2008 by Ord. No. 214-2008]
A. Procedure.
(1)
Identification signs, as defined in §
200-89.1B(1) hereinbelow, and directional/directory signs, as defined in §
200-89.1B(2) hereinbelow, may be erected and/or replaced by only the overall developer of the unified development area (UDA) or its successor.
(2)
The location, size, design, copy and maintenance
responsibility of identification signs and directional/directory signs
shall be shown on a Master Signage Plan prepared by the overall developer
of the UDA (or its successor) and approved by the Board of Supervisors
after review and comment by the East Whiteland Township Planning Commission.
(3)
Applications for revisions to the sign area
of a sign approved as part of the Master Signage Plan may be made
by only the overall developer (or its successors) and shall be subject
to East Whiteland Township Planning Commission review and Board of
Supervisors approval.
B. Identification, directional/directory, retail/other
commercial, office, wall-mounted building exterior directory, cinema,
hotel and residential signage. In the ROC/R Zoning District, signs
will be classified into eight categories: identification signs; directional/directory
signs; retail/other commercial signs; office signs; wall-mounted building
exterior directory signs; cinema signs; hotel signs; and residential
signs. Each category shall be regulated as set forth hereinbelow:
(1)
Identification signs. Identification signs are
those signs used to identify the name of the UDA as well as merchants
situated therein. There are three categories of identification signs:
site identification; entrance column signs; and entrance pylon signs.
Regulation of identification signs shall be as follows:
(a)
A maximum of three site identification signs
are permitted within a UDA. Site identification signs may be designated
on the Master Signage Plan as "entrance sign"; "gateway sign" and/or
"corner identification sign." No site identification sign shall exceed
40 feet in height and 375 square feet of face area per side. Site
identification signs shall be situated at major access roads within
the development tract; however, one of the site identification signs
may be situated on the development tract at the intersection of existing
public roadways. Site identification signs are only for the purpose
of identifying the name of the UDA.
(b)
A maximum of four entrance column signs are
permitted within a UDA. No entrance column sign shall exceed 30 feet
in height and 55 square feet of face area per side. Entrance column
signs shall be situated on minor access roads within the UDA. The
entrance column signs are only for the purpose of identifying the
name of the UDA.
(c)
A maximum of two entrance pylon signs are permitted
within a UDA. No entrance pylon sign shall exceed 22 feet in height
and 200 square feet of face area per side. Entrance pylon signs shall
be situated at entrance roads within the UDA. Entrance pylon signs
are for the purpose of identifying both the name of the development
as well as certain of those merchants situated therein.
(2)
Directional/directory signs. Directional and
directory signs are those signs strategically placed throughout the
UDA to assist motorists and pedestrians in arriving at their destination
within the UDA. There are six categories of directional/directory
signs: master vehicular directional signs; minor vehicular directional
signs; exterior directory signs; parking garage identification/entrance
signs; ground monument site identification signs; and bank directional
signs. Regulations of directional/directory signs shall be as follows:
(a)
A maximum of three master vehicular directional
signs not to exceed 17 feet in height and 55 square feet of face area
per side shall be permitted within the UDA. These signs shall depict
the road network within the UDA, or a portion thereof, and shall be
located at one of the major access roads within the UDA.
(b)
A maximum of five minor vehicular directional
signs not to exceed 14 feet in height and 32 square feet of face area
per side shall be permitted within the UDA. The purpose of these signs
is to list various destinations within the UDA together with directional
arrows.
(c)
A maximum of 15 exterior directory signs not
to exceed 7.5 feet in height and 25 square feet of face area per panel
shall be permitted within the UDA. One panel of each exterior directory
sign shall include a site map and be available for the posting of
community information by East Whiteland Township. The remaining three
panels may contain information directing pedestrians to various locations
and/or general commercial advertisement within the UDA.
(d)
A maximum of 16 parking garage identification/entrance
signs not to exceed three feet in height and 51 square feet of face
area per side shall be permitted within the UDA. The purpose of these
signs is to identify structured parking facilities.
(e)
A maximum of six ground-mounted site identification
signs shall be permitted within the UDA. Three of the ground-mounted
site identification signs shall not exceed eight feet in height and
95 square feet of face area per side. The other three ground-mounted
site identification signs shall be used to identify bank buildings
and shall not exceed six feet in height and 45 square feet of face
area per side. The purpose of these signs is to identify the location
of various destinations within the UDA.
(f)
A maximum of six bank directional signs not
to exceed three feet in height and four square feet of face area per
side shall be permitted within the UDA. The purpose of these signs
is to identify the location of bank parking and bank drive-through
areas within the UDA.
(3)
Retail signage. Retail signs are those signs within the UDA to be affixed to buildings containing retail or other commercial uses except for office, cinema, and hotel uses. There are eight categories of retail signs: wall sign; blade sign; awning edge sign; banner; window sign; canopy edge sign; spire sign; and roof sign. The eight sign categories are shown on Exhibit A
attached to this chapter. Retail signage shall be regulated as follows:
[Amended 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 243-2013]
(a)
Retail signage for freestanding retail buildings
which are in excess of 120,000 square feet.
[1] Retail signage shall be dimensioned
and shown on the Master Signage Plan.
[2] The maximum amount of square footage
permitted on the main-entrance exterior building wall for each freestanding
retail building shall not exceed 5%. The maximum amount of square
footage permitted on all other exterior building walls per exterior
building wall for each freestanding retail building shall not exceed
4%.
(b)
Retail/other commercial signage.
[1] Retail signage for retail and other commercial building uses except for freestanding retail buildings which are in excess of 120,000 square feet and signs for cinema and hotel uses shall not be shown or required on the Master Signage Plan referenced in §
200-89.1A. Instead said retail/other commercial signage except for office signage and retail signage as set forth in §
200-89.1B(3)(b)[4] shall be pursuant to the retail signage matrix set forth in this §
200-89.1B(3)(b) and shall be submitted by the applicant to the Zoning Officer for review and approval at the time a sign permit for a particular retail use is sought pursuant to §
200-86 of the Zoning Ordinance. For a mixed-use building, the retail/other commercial signage provisions shall apply to the retail/other commercial uses except for office use components of the building.
[2] Except as permitted in §
200-89.1B(3)(b)[4], the maximum retail/other commercial signage allowance for each retail/other commercial building subject to this §
200-89.1B(3)(b) shall be one square foot of wall signage for every lineal foot of exterior building wall, regardless of the number of tenants in the building, plus one square foot of a combination of one or more of the following: blade signage, awning edge signage, banner signage, canopy edge signage, roof signage (if permitted pursuant to §
200-89.1B(3)(b)[4]) and window signage, for every lineal foot of exterior building wall, regardless of the number of tenants in the building.
[3] The Retail Signage Matrix to be
completed by the applicant for a sign permit shall be as follows:
[4] Roof signs and spire signs are permitted for those
buildings containing only retail or commercial uses which are no more
than two stories in height in the ROC/R District and which are set
back a distance of 1,500 feet as measured perpendicularly from a point
in the center line of S.R. 29 to the proposed location of the building(s)
and also set back a distance of 700 feet as measured perpendicularly
from a point in the center line of Matthews Road to the proposed location
of buildings(s).
[a]
A roof sign shall not extend more than six feet in height above
the roof line.
[b]
A limit of three spire signs shall be permitted per building
so long as said spire signs do not extend more than 55 feet in height
above the roof line, nor exceed six feet in width.
(4)
Office signage. Office signs are those signs
within the UDA to be affixed to buildings containing office uses.
(a)
Office signage shall not be shown or required on the Master Signage Plan referenced in §
200-89.1A. For a mixed-use building, the office signage provisions shall apply to the office-use component of the building. (NOTE: In a mixed-use office-retail building, a portion of the office signage may be allocated to retail uses in the building, provided that said allocation shall not exceed 50% of the total office signage permitted for the entire building.)
(b)
The maximum amount of office signage square
footage permitted on each exterior building wall shall not exceed
2% of each building wall as measured utilizing that portion of the
building devoted to office use. The maximum number of office signs
permitted on each exterior building wall shall be limited to three.
(5)
Wall-mounted building exterior directory signage. Wall-mounted building exterior directory signage shall not be shown or required on the Master Signage Plan referenced in §
200-89.1A. One wall-mounted building exterior directory sign shall be permitted on the first floor of each exterior building wall containing a building entrance at the entrance to the building. Each wall-mounted building exterior directory sign shall not exceed 3 feet by 4 feet
(6)
Cinema signage. (Reserved)
(7)
Hotel signage. (Reserved)
(8)
Residential signage. (Reserved)
C. Other signs. Street signs, pedestrian directional
signs, pedestrian blade signs, parking garage blade signs, parking
lot row signs, parking directional signs, regulatory signs, bike path
identification signs, and decorative banners on existing light poles
shall be as set forth on the Master Signage Plan.
D. Illumination. The standards of §
200-80G shall not apply within a UDA. The following standards shall apply to illumination of signs in a UDA:
(1)
Illumination of signs is permitted within the
UDA.
(2)
Illumination shall be of an even intensity at
all times.
(3)
Illumination may be direct (giving forth light
from the interior of the sign) or it may be indirect (when the light
source is not visible from any adjoining property or street and is
directed upon the sign).
(4)
In addition:
(a)
Illumination shall be appropriate to the character
of the sign and its surroundings, and shall not adversely illuminate
or shadow surrounding properties, uses or streets and roads;
(b)
No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner
as to diminish or detract in any way from the effectiveness of any
traffic signal or similar safety or warning device; and
(c)
The illumination shall be directed downward
onto the sign to avoid sky glow.
E. Conflicting provisions. When requirements of this §
200-89.1 are in conflict with the other signage provisions set forth in this article, the requirements of this section shall prevail.
[Added 1-13-2016 by Ord.
No. 276-2016]
The following types of signs and no other shall be permitted
in Turnpike Interchange Overlay Districts:
A. Commercial signs in conjunction with any permitted use except retail
with gasoline service station, provided that:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected on the tract on which the use to
which the sign pertains is conducted.
(2)
One freestanding sign identifying the Turnpike Interchange Overlay
development and commercial users in the Turnpike Interchange Overlay
District shall be permitted, provided that:
(a)
The overall height of any such sign, including structural support,
shall be not more than 25 feet.
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed 145 square feet on any one side.
(3)
One additional freestanding sign identifying a commercial user
shall be permitted, provided that:
(a)
The overall height of any such sign, including structural support,
shall be 12 feet.
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet on one side.
(4)
In a building containing a commercial use or uses other than
retail with gasoline service station or hotel, wall signs shall be
permitted, provided that:
(a)
One wall sign shall be permitted per commercial use on the front
of the building and one additional wall sign shall be permitted each
side of the building. No wall signs shall be permitted on the rear
of the building.
(b)
The maximum total exposed sign area of each wall sign shall
be two square feet for every one linear foot of the building façade
or 75 square feet, whichever is less.
(c)
Window signs shall not be considered in computing the total
exposed sign area on a building but shall not cover more than 10%
of the area of any window opening.
(5)
Wall signs shall be permitted for a hotel, provided that:
(a)
Two wall signs shall be permitted per building.
(b)
The maximum total exposed sign area of each wall sign shall
be two square feet for every one linear foot of the building facade
or 200 square feet, whichever is less.
(6)
Parking signs and directional signs shall be permitted but shall
not exceed two square feet on any one side.
B. Commercial signs in conjunction with retail with gasoline service
station use:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected on the tract on which the use to
which the sign pertains is conducted.
(2)
One freestanding sign shall be permitted, provided that:
(a)
The overall height of any such sign, including structural support,
shall not exceed 25 feet.
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed 100 square feet on one side. A portion, not exceeding 35 square feet on one side, may be a semi-permanent changeable sign which shall not have any of the attributes of signage prohibited under §
200-77.
(3)
Two wall signs shall be permitted, provided that:
(a)
The maximum total exposed sign area of the wall sign on the
building frontage shall be 70 square feet.
(b)
The second wall sign shall not be located on the same side of
the building as the wall sign on the building frontage and shall have
a maximum total exposed sign area of 40 square feet.
(c)
Window signs shall not be considered in computing the total
exposed sign area on a building but shall not cover more than 10%
of the area of any window opening.
(4)
Spanner signs, which are signs that span the support columns
underneath a gasoline service station canopy, shall be permitted,
provided that:
(a)
A maximum of two spanner signs shall be affixed to one canopy.
(b)
Each spanner sign shall not exceed 30 square feet on one side.
(5)
Parking signs and directional signs shall be permitted but shall
not exceed two square feet on any one side.
C. Development identification signs:
(1)
A maximum of two single-faced freestanding signs shall be permitted
per road entrance at an intersection with an arterial street per development
identifying the name of the development, provided that:
(a)
Each sign shall have a maximum area of 48 square feet.
(b)
The lineal dimensions of each sign shall not exceed 24 feet
in length and two feet in height.
(2)
One additional freestanding sign shall be permitted per road
entrance at an intersection with an arterial street per development
identifying uses in the development, provided that:
(a)
The overall ground height of the sign shall not exceed 10.5
feet in height.
(b)
A maximum of three uses shall be identified on the sign.
(c)
Each panel identifying a use on the sign shall be a maximum
of six feet in length and two feet in height.
(3)
Multifamily development identification signs shall be permitted in connection with a multifamily development on the premises containing the multifamily development in accordance with the requirements of §
200-83B(1) through
(5).