Township of Upper Uwchlan, PA Article XVI Signs

[Amended 12-15-2003 by Ord. No. 03-05]

§ 200-93 Compliance and intent.

Any sign hereafter erected, changed, replaced, or maintained shall conform with the provisions of this article and any other ordinance or regulations of the Township of Upper Uwchlan relating thereto. The intent of this article is to provide for the regulation of signs in Upper Uwchlan Township, as a proper exercise of the municipal police power, to protect the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare in accordance with the following objectives:

A. To control the size, location, and illumination of signs in the Township in order to reduce hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

B. To encourage signs that are well-designed and pleasing in appearance, and to provide latitude for variety, in order to enhance the economic value as well as the visual character of properties within the Township;

C. To establish standards designed to encourage signs that are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors, and legible in the circumstances in which they are seen; and to prohibit the erection of signs that do not meet these criteria;

D. To prohibit the construction of, and require the removal of, signs which constitute a hazard or a blighting influence; and

E. To eliminate signs that demand, rather than invite, public attention.

§ 200-94 Regulations applicable to all signs.

The following restrictions shall apply to all permitted signs:

A. No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.

B. No sign shall be erected or maintained within the lines of, or project over, any public street or public sidewalk, or shall be closer to a street or sidewalk surface than 10 feet, except for real estate signs which may be set closer than 10 for proper view from the street line; unless said sign is a street sign, attached flatly to a building and/or is specifically authorized by this chapter and other ordinances and regulations of Upper Uwchlan Township, especially § 200-98E of this article, or is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.

C. No stringing of light bulbs, no animated sign, nor signs that revolve, swing, or have movable parts, or have reflectors, nor inflatable signs, tethered balloons, bicycles, boats, kayaks, etc., shall be permitted after the effective date of this article. No sign that emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor shall be permitted after the effective date of this article. No advertising sign, banner, pennant, valance, spinners or display constructed of cloth, canvas, wall board, or other like materials shall be erected, suspended or hung on any property, except as allowed by § 200-96G(4) of this article. See also the other subsections of § 200-96G of this article.

D. Each sign shall be maintained in safe condition and in good repair. Signs determined by the Zoning Officer to be unsafe or not in good repair or condition shall be repaired within a reasonable time, such time period not to exceed 90 days.

E. A sign shall be considered unsafe upon lapse of any insurance as may be required by § 200-99D of this article; the owner of such unsafe sign shall remove the unsafe sign within 90 days unless acceptable evidence of insurance renewal is provided to the Zoning Officer.

F. No commercial building in any residential district including multiple-family dwellings and apartments shall have signage that is internally illuminated, or externally illuminated by such means as neon, strip, floodlighting or spot lighting.

[Amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]

G. Freestanding signs (pole or monument) shall be prohibited within 400 feet of a public park of three acres or more in area and such other parks as the Township Supervisors may designate.

[Amended 11-5-2007 by Ord. No. 07-11]

H. All signs shall be made a part of the architectural design of new commercial or retail construction or, of major alterations of existing buildings, and shall comply with any additional criteria which may be stipulated for the zoning district applicable to the construction or buildings. See also § 200-98 of this article. Drawings submitted for sign permits shall show pertinent information such as size, location, illumination, etc., in sufficient detail and pursuant to § 200-99 of this article. No sign shall protrude above or next to the building, unless allowed by this article or in the underlying base zoning district of the use to which the sign is accessory to.

I. Signs on vehicles denoting a business-related activity are business signs. Vehicles containing a business sign and parked in a residential district shall be concealed (e.g., garaged) from public view except where the vehicle owner or repair person is actually engaged in authorized repairs or construction at that location.

J. For the purpose of ascertaining whether any sign is no more than the dimensions permitted by this article, the gross sign area shall be the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign, and in no case passing through or between adjacent elements of the same. For measurement of gross sign area, such perimeter shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. In the case of an open sign, made up of individual letters, figures or designs, the space between such letters, figures, or designs shall be included. The total area of both sides of a double-sided sign, including V-type signs, shall be included in the computation of gross sign area. Signs which are composed of letters, words, or representations only and which do not form a square or rectangular pattern shall be considered to include in gross sign area a square or rectangle as drawn at the outer limits of the letters, words, or representations.

K. Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway shall comply with any more restrictive requirements which may be applicable.

L. All distances provided in this article shall be measured along straight lines between signs and from the near edge to the near edge of the sign or sign structure, including the location of new signs relative to currently existing conforming and nonconforming signs.

M. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape. No signs shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

N. No business sign may be located nearer to a residence or a residential district lot line than permitted for buildings on the lot. If located nearer than 30 feet and facing into a residence or a residential zoning district, such sign may be illuminated only in accordance with this article and such illumination shall be so designed as not to shine or reflect light upon such residence or district.

O. If a use ceases or is abandoned, as prescribed in § 200-102D and E, respectively, signs advertising the ceased use shall be removed by the owner of the property within two weeks.

P. All signs shall be securely mounted or fastened to the building upon which they are erected or, if freestanding, shall be securely and safely installed in the ground. The installation of all signs shall be approved by the Zoning Officer, pursuant to § 200-99 of this article.

Q. Off-premises directional signs, as defined by this chapter, shall indicate only the name of the facility, organization or site, including location of meetings, and the direction in which it is located or approximate distance. Such sign shall not exceed three square feet in area. No more than two such signs per permitted use shall be permitted within the Township, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Supervisors.

R. Vehicular service establishments, in addition to satisfying § 200-94A, B, and C of this article, shall be permitted one sign for each street frontage, provided the following are met:

(1) The nonreaderboard display area of the sign shall not exceed 15 square feet, for both sides of the sign, or 7.5 square feet for a single-sided sign.

(2) The sign shall be lighted from within.

(3) The sign shall be permanently affixed to the ground and shall be constructed to withstand overturning by heavy winds.

(4) The sign may utilize readerboard design, with allowance for up to six square feet of additional sign area for the readerboard, and only to establish the type of gasoline and its price per gallon.

S. No sign shall have flashing lights, nor shall artificial light or any reflecting device interfere with or compete for attention with a traffic signal or create a visual nuisance. All illuminated signs as allowed by this article shall be consistent with the lighting requirements of § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances.

[Amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]

T. No sign shall be erected that contains information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district in which the property is located, unless such purpose is consistent with an otherwise nonconforming use pursuant to Article XVII of this chapter or as otherwise approved by the Township (e.g., variance).

U. No sign shall be erected in any zoning district without a sign permit (§ 200-99 of this article), unless so exempted in § 200-95 of this article.

V. Readerboard signs shall not be permitted unless specifically allowed or exempted by this article.

W. At no time shall the Township permit the erection of an outdoor advertising billboard, other than as allowed by § 200-98I of this article.

X. The Township reserves the right to require sign landscaping, as part of a sign permit required pursuant to § 200-99.

Y. Signs that do not conform to the requirements of this article shall be subject to the requirements of § 200-105 of this chapter.

Z. For any sign subject to this article, such sign shall include the extreme limits of such sign (used to calculate its area pursuant to § 200-94J), together with all moldings, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached and are part of the sign proper and/or forming an integral part of the display.

AA. No sign with more than two faces or sides shall be permitted by the Township.

BB. No storage tank or structure, as defined in this chapter, shall be used for off-premises advertising. One sign identifying the installer, owner, and/or use of the storage tank or structure shall be allowed, unless applicable regulation deem otherwise. If no other size criteria apply, the allowed sign shall have an area of greater than four but not to exceed 15 square feet, and shall not be illuminated.

§ 200-95 Exempt signs.

No permit need be obtained before erecting any of the following signs in any district. Exempt signs, excepting those installed by a governmental body to serve a public purpose, shall conform to all other regulations set forth in this article.

A. Signs of a duly constituted governmental body.

B. Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organization not exceeding 12 square feet. Exempt temporary signs for civic events such as a community fair or theater production shall be removed within the applicable time frame as specified in this section or § 200-96 of this article. In addition, permission shall be obtained from the landowner or utility to post said temporary signs.

C. Traffic signs, including street signs, or other directional, information, or public service signs such as those advertising availability of restrooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs or organizations may be erected and maintained, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods, or services except those of public utilities. Directional and information signs provided for the safety and/or convenience of the public within commercial establishments may be erected. Signs erected under this provision shall not exceed four square feet.

D. Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises. Signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling hunting or fishing upon particular premises, and signs indicating ownership of a property, provided sign area does not exceed three square feet. Signs otherwise exempted under this section shall be posted no closer than 50 feet to one another.

E. Legal notices.

F. Window signs indicating the store hours or names of credit institutions or other businesses, provided that the total area of such signs or signs does not exceed two square feet.

G. Vending machine signs bearing the brand name of the product being sold and/or the price of such product.

H. Memorial signs or historical tablets, provided that such a sign or tablet does not exceed four square feet.

I. Signs that are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone, or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are not made of a reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.

J. Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 36 inches in height.

K. Only the following temporary signs, conditioned as follows, are exempt from pursuant to this section; all other temporary signs shall conform to § 200-96 of this article:

(1) Temporary signs of contractors or artisans, erected and maintained on the premises during the period of their work or as established by any applicable building permit, one such sign per trade, each having an area of not more than four square feet. Such signs shall be erected only on the premises where such work is being performed. Such signs shall not be illuminated, and shall be removed upon completion of temporary activity.

(2) Temporary yard or garage sale signs, provided they do not exceed four square feet, are erected no more than two days before the first day of the sale, and are removed within two days after the sale. No more than three temporary off-premises directional signs shall be erected and permission shall be obtained from the landowner or utility to post such signs.

(3) A sign, bunting, or pennants announcing the opening of a new business or industry, provided they are erected no more than 14 days prior to and removed no more than seven days after the opening day or the first day of business. No such sign shall be placed across a public sidewalk, street, or highway, and shall be no larger than one foot high and three feet across.

(4) Temporary window signs announcing a drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization, less than four square feet, placed in a store, office, or residence window. Temporary signs for such events shall be removed within three days after the event. Permission shall be obtained from the landowner or utility to post said temporary signs.

(5) Any site or building on which a temporary sign was erected shall be restored to its original or better condition upon removal of the sign.

L. Identification signs that indicate the name and street address of the occupant of a residential dwelling, provided that:

(1) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.

(2) Not more than one such sign shall be erected for each permitted use or dwelling unit.

(3) No such sign shall be illuminated.

§ 200-96 Temporary sign regulations.

The following shall be observed for temporary signs in all zoning districts:

A. Permits shall run for one successive one-month period and may be reissued for a single, additional, successive one-month period, for any one event during a twelve-month period.

B. Unless exempted under § 200-95, a permit shall be obtained before erecting a temporary sign pursuant to this section.

C. Signs shall comply with § 200-97 or 200-98 of this article, whichever is applicable.

D. Signs shall be removed immediately upon expiration of permit.

E. Any site or building on which a temporary sign was erected shall be restored to its original or better condition upon removal of the sign.

F. Temporary signs of contractors or artisans, erected and maintained on the premises during the period of their work or as established by any applicable building permit, one such sign per trade, each having an area of greater than four but not to exceed 15 square feet. Such signs shall be erected only on the premises where such work is being performed. Such signs shall not be illuminated. Such signs are exempt from Subsection A above but shall be removed upon completion of temporary activity.

G. Temporary signs announcing special events or the temporary lawful sale of products, goods and/or services such as the sale of Christmas trees shall be permitted only if the following standards, as applicable, are met:

(1) Signs shall comply with all pertinent regulations applicable to permanent type signs.

(2) Signs shall not exceed 24 square feet except for community special event signs [(Subsection G(3)].

(3) Community special events signs. Where such signs are in the form of banners proposed for suspension across public roads, the following standards shall apply in addition to the above standards:

(a) The sign shall not exceed three feet high by 30 feet wide and the bottom edge of the sign shall be at least 15 feet above the road surface.

(b) The Township shall be notified prior to the erection of such signs.

(c) When the proposed banner spans a state road, the applicant shall also comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) procedural requirements for the placement of signs or banners across state highways. Evidence of such compliance shall be supplied to the Township at the time of application for a sign permit pursuant to § 200-99 of this article.

(4) Portable signs shall be allowed only for temporary display and shall be subject to the following provisions:

(a) Portable signs shall only be permitted in districts where commercial uses are permitted as a principal use. Portable signs shall comply with all pertinent regulations applicable to permanent type signs permitted in the underlying zoning district, including maximum area and height requirements for monument signs pursuant to § 200-98C(5) and (6) of this article.

(b) Permits shall be issued for a one-month period for portable signs. Permits for portable signs shall be issued no more than four times in any twelve-month period.

(c) No more than one portable sign shall be allowed per premises.

H. Political signs shall be permitted as temporary signs, provided that:

(1) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, except at a polling place, in which case no sign shall exceed 24 square feet in area.

(2) Signs shall be removed within three days after the election or referendum.

I. All temporary signs not exempted in § 200-95 of this article shall require a permit and adherence to all applicable sections of this article.

§ 200-97 Signs in residential districts.

Only the following types of signs shall be permitted in residential zoning districts (i.e., R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts on the Upper Uwchlan Township Zoning Map):

A. Professional or accessory use signs indicating the name, street address, and profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:

(1) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.

(2) Not more than one such sign shall be permitted for each use or dwelling unit which are allowed by the applicable residential zoning district.

(3) No permitted sign shall be illuminated.

B. Signs for permitted uses other than dwellings, provided that:

(1) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

(2) Not more than one such sign shall be placed on premises held in single and separate ownership unless such premises front on more than one street, in which case two such signs may be erected, one on each street frontage.

(3) No such sign shall be illuminated except by concealed or indirect nonglare lighting attached to the sign itself. Any illumination shall meet the lighting requirements of § 200-79 of this chapter, § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances.

C. Real estate signs, including:

(1) Signs advertising the sale or rental of premises, provided that:

(a) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet.

(b) Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any property held in single and separate ownership unless such premises front on more than one street, in which case, two such signs may be erected, one on each street frontage.

(c) No such signs shall be illuminated.

(d) All such signs shall be removed within seven days of the conveyance or rental of the premises.

(e) All such signs shall be located on the property to which they relate.

(2) Signs indicating the location of premises under development, provided that:

(a) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed 10 square feet and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the street line.

(b) Not more than two such signs shall be erected on each 500 feet of street frontage.

(c) No such sign shall be illuminated.

(d) The maximum permit period for such signs shall be one year, with renewals subject to full permitting as provided under this article and not to exceed two renewals beyond the initial one-year time period. Maximum time periods for such signs shall also be subject to Subsection C(2)(e) below.

(e) No such sign shall remain on the premises beyond the time period of the building permit. In all cases, such signs shall be removed upon completion of development active work.

(f) All such signs shall be located on the property to which they relate. No application, permit, or renewal for such sign shall be filed by or issued to any person or organization other than the legal owner of such property.

D. One subdivision entrance sign (i.e., that identifies the subdivision's name and developer) per each new road that enters the residential subdivision, provided that such sign is a monument sign (see § 200-98C) no larger than 40 square feet in total area. Subdivision entrance signage and landscaping shall reasonably reflect traditional use of materials and plantings typical to Upper Uwchlan Township and its environs. The height, scale, surface, and coloration of any such signs, supporting materials, and landscaping shall complement the immediate landscape context and shall not appear disjunctive in comparison with existing or planned signage or landscaping on any neighboring tract. No such sign shall be illuminated except by concealed or indirect nonglare lighting attached to the sign itself. Any illumination shall further meet the lighting requirements of § 200-79 of this chapter, § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances.

E. Off-premises directional signs, as allowed by § 200-94Q of this article.

§ 200-98 Signs in commercial, limited industrial and planned industrial/office districts.

[Amended 11-5-2007 by Ord. No. 07-11; 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01; 4-17-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-02]

Only the following types of signs shall be permitted in the Highway Commercial, Limited Industrial or Planned Industrial/Office Districts (i.e., the C-3, LI and PI Districts shown on the Upper Uwchlan Township Zoning Map), provided that the signs comply with all requirements herein specified. Note that Subsection H contains separate sign requirements for the C-1 District, as shown on the Zoning Map. Note that Subsection I contains additional standards for outdoor advertising billboard signs as allowed in the LI District, as shown on the Zoning Map. Note that freestanding pole signs are considered more appropriate for commercial and industrial uses.

A. Any sign permitted in residential districts which relates to a use permitted in the commercial, limited industrial, or planned industrial/office district.

B. Real estate signs, including:

(1) Signs advertising the sale or rental of premises, provided that:

(a) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet for single-sided signs, or 32 square feet for double-sided signs.

(b) Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any property held in single and separate ownership unless such premises front on more than one street, in which case, two such signs may be erected; one on each street frontage.

(c) No such signs shall be illuminated.

(d) All such signs shall be removed within seven days of the conveyance or rental of the premises.

(e) All such signs shall be located on the property to which they relate.

(2) Signs indicating the location of premises under development, provided that:

(a) The gross area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the street line.

(b) Not more than two such signs shall be erected on each 500 feet of street frontage.

(c) No such sign shall be illuminated.

(d) The maximum permit period for such signs shall be one year, with renewals subject to full permitting as provided under this article and not to exceed two renewals beyond the initial one-year time period. Maximum time periods for such signs shall also be subject to Subsection B(2)(e) below.

(e) No such sign shall remain on the premises beyond the time period of the building permit. In all cases, such signs shall be removed upon completion of development active work.

(f) All such signs shall be located on the property to which they relate. No application, permit, or renewal for such sign shall be filed by or issued to any person or organization other than the legal owner of such property.

C. Freestanding signs.

(1) Not more than one freestanding sign (pole or monument) shall be permitted for an establishment occupying an individual structure on a single lot. In the case of uses in combination, shopping centers, industrial or office parks, only one freestanding sign shall be permitted to identify the combined uses. For tracts with street frontage in excess of 1,000 feet of frontage on another public street, only one additional freestanding sign, of the monument type only, shall be permitted provided that such sign shall be located no closer than 400 feet from the other.

(2) The gross area of a freestanding pole sign shall in no case exceed 70 square feet for a single use; 100 square feet for uses in combination; or 140 square feet for shopping centers.

(3) Freestanding signs may be located no closer to a side or rear property boundary line or street right-of-way than the greatest of:

(a) Fifteen feet.

(b) A distance equivalent to the height of the sign.

(c) The minimum side or rear yard required for the permitted use being identified.

(4) No freestanding sign shall exceed 12 feet in height when measured from the ground level to the top of the sign and have a minimum distance of eight feet measured from ground level to the bottom of the sign.

(5) The gross area of a monument sign shall be 60 square feet, except for subdivision entrance signs (§ 200-97D).

(6) Monument signs shall be limited to five feet in height, and shall be set back a minimum of one foot from the right-of-way or sidewalk, whichever is greater.

(7) Freestanding signs shall be illuminated either from within or with direct illumination that does not create glare or other unsafe conditions for passing drivers or pedestrians. Any illumination shall meet the lighting requirements of § 200-79 of this article, § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances.

(8) No monument sign shall be placed within the visibility triangle as defined in § 200-75H of this chapter.

D. Wall-mounted signs.

(1) A wall-mounted sign shall be permitted on any wall of a building or structure incident to a permitted use.

(2) Wall-mounted signs shall be installed parallel to the supporting wall and project no more than 14 inches overall from the face of such wall.

(3) The maximum display area of a sign mounted on any wall of a building or structure shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of building frontage on which the sign is mounted, provided that:

(a) The total display area of such sign shall not exceed 10% of the total area of the wall on which the sign is mounted.

(b) The total display area of all signs mounted on the sides and/or rear of a structure shall not exceed the area of the sign mounted on the front wall.

(4) No wall-mounted signs shall extend above the roof line or cornice of the major building incident to the use.

(5) Signs mounted on a side or rear wall exposed to the public view from either a street or parking area shall not extend above the height of the front mounted sign.

(6) For integrated, multiple uses on a single lot or within a single building, each use will be permitted one wall-mounted sign for identification and/or merchandising purposes provided such signs shall comply with the regulations stated herein.

E. Projecting signs.

(1) One projecting sign shall be permitted for each building or structure incident to a permitted use, except where wall-mounted signs are used for identification and/or merchandising purposes.

(2) For integrated, multiple uses on a single lot or within a single building, each use will be permitted one projecting sign, except where wall-mounted signs are used.

(3) The display area of a projecting sign shall be a maximum of six square feet and extend no more than two feet from the building surface.

(4) No part of the projecting sign shall be less than eight feet nor more than 12 feet above the ground or walking level.

(5) Projecting signs shall not project above the roof or parapet line, nor be located on the roof itself.

F. In addition to the readerboard signs specifically allowed or exempted in this article, readerboards are allowed subject to the following conditions:

(1) The maximum size shall not exceed 20 square feet.

(2) The readerboard shall be permanently affixed, shall be part of a pole or monument sign otherwise permitted by this article, and architecturally integrated into the host pole or monument sign.

G. Off-premises directional signs, as allowed by § 200-94Q of this article.

H. For permitted commercial and professional uses in the C-1 District, as shown on the Zoning Map, only freestanding signs, wall-mounted signs and projecting signs will be permitted, provided that the signs comply with Subsection C (freestanding signs), Subsection D (wall-mounted signs) or Subsection E (projecting signs) of this section, and to the requirements of this Subsection H. For residential uses in the C-1 District, the residential sign provisions of this article shall apply.[1] No outdoor advertising billboard signs shall be permitted for any use in the C-1 District. The Township reserves the right to require review of all sign permit applications within the C-1 District by its planning consultant in order to ensure compliance with the following requirements:

(1) Signs affixed to the exterior of a building shall be architecturally compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors, and details of the building, as well as with other signs used on the building or its vicinity. In particular, artisan-crafted signs and high-quality materials are strongly encouraged.

(2) Signs shall fit within the existing facade features, shall be confined to signable areas, and shall not interfere with door or window openings, conceal architectural details, or obscure the composition of the facade where they are located. Signs shall be placed on a facade only in a manner historically appropriate to the style of the building.

(3) Whenever possible, signs located on buildings within the same block face shall be placed at the same height, in order to create a unified sign band.

(4) Wood and painted metal are the preferred materials for signs. Flat signs should be framed with raised edges. Signs using wood shall use only high-quality exterior grade wood with suitable grade finishes.

(5) Sign colors should be compatible with the colors of the building facade. A dull or matte finish is recommended, as it reduces glare and enhances legibility.

(6) Signs shall be either spot-lighted or back-lighted with a diffuse light source. Spot-lighting shall require complete shielding of all light sources in accordance with § 200-79 of this chapter, § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances; light shall be contained within the sign frame and shall not significantly spill over to other portions of the building or site. Backlighting shall illuminate the letters, characters, or graphics on the sign but not its background. Warm fluorescent bulbs may be used to illuminate the interior of display cases. Neon signs placed inside the display case shall insure low intensity colors.

(7) Signs shall be mounted so that the method of installation is concealed to the maximum extent practicable. Signs applied to masonry surfaces should be mechanically fastened to mortar joints only, and not directly into brick or stone. Drilling to provide electrical service (i.e., lighting), only as allowed by this chapter, shall also meet these installation and drilling requirements.

(8) Any signs proposed in the Byers Station Historic District shall be subject to review by the Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission prior to the issuance of any permit by the Township pursuant to § 200-99 of this article. The Township reserves the right to require changes to a proposed sign design, based on the Historic Commission's input.

(9) Freestanding signs are permitted for a single use, and the gross area of a freestanding sign in the C-1 District shall in no case exceed 50 square feet for a single use.

[1] Editor's Note: See § 200-97.

I. In only the Limited Industrial or Planned Industrial/Office Zoning Districts (LI and PI, respectively), outdoor advertising billboard signs are permitted.

(1) SIGN, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING BILLBOARD — A large sign intended to display one or more advertisements, whose area shall not exceed 700 square feet and whose height from grade to top of sign face is no greater than 30 feet. Such signs may have two faces so long as neither face, measured individually, exceeds 700 square feet; both faces are located on the same support structure; and the two facades are located back-to-back and are separated by no more than 45 feet at the widest point of separation.

(2) Outdoor advertising billboard signs shall be prohibited within 800 feet of any public park.

(3) Such signs may be illuminated, provided that the signs comply with § 200-79 of this chapter and § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development. Lighting shall be designed, installed and aimed in a manner so that it does not project output into the windows of neighboring structures, skyward or onto a public roadway.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any permitted outdoor advertising billboard may be illuminated, provided that there shall be no illumination of a flashing, intermittent or moving type, and further provided that the floodlighting shall be so shielded and aimed that the source of light shall not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign is erected, and so that only the sign is directly illuminated thereby. Billboard signs shall be illuminated only by fixtures mounted at the top of the sign and aimed downward. Internally illuminated signs shall have sources that do not exceed 3000K with sign face in all white mode.

(5) Lighting for such billboard signs shall be controlled by automatic switching devices (such as a combination photocell and astronomic dial time clock with battery or spring-wound backup, or a programmable controller with battery backup) to automatically extinguish all sign lighting between 10:00 p.m. and dawn. Internally illuminated signs shall have the ability to be dimmed in the event the Township determines they do not comply with the standards in this article.

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this § 200-98I or in the definition of "sign, outdoor advertising billboard" in § 200-7, all outdoor advertising billboard signs shall meet all other applicable requirements of this chapter, including those related to landscaping, screening and uses of adjacent parcels.

(7) Notwithstanding any provisions of Article XVI hereof to the contrary, more than one but no more than two outdoor advertising billboard signs shall be permitted on a parcel or lot, so long as the support structures for such signs are located at least 500 feet from one another and no closer to a side or rear property line than 15 feet. As many as two outdoor advertising billboard signs shall be permitted on a parcel or lot, regardless of the number and type of other signs located on such parcel.

(8) No outdoor advertising billboard sign shall be located within a radius of 500 feet of another outdoor advertising billboard sign, regardless of whether such signs are located on the same parcel or lot.

(9) Use of outdoor advertising billboard signs is provided for within the Township only on parcels or lots with a minimum of 300 feet of frontage directly abutting the Pennsylvania Turnpike and that are zoned Limited Industrial or Planned Industrial/Office Districts (LI and PI, respectively).

(10) For the purpose of ascertaining whether the face of any outdoor advertising billboard sign is no more than the dimensions permitted by this § 200-98I, the gross sign area shall be the surface area of such sign face upon which a message is disseminated, but not including any frame or identification apron. Two-dimensional copy design appendages, cutout letters or figure extensions from the continuous perimeter of the sign face are permitted and are limited to four feet beyond the face of the sign and 1/3 of the sign's length or height. Extensions shall not be included in the calculation of the gross sign area or height. Extensions may be subject to an additional permit fee as determined appropriate by the Township. Three-dimensional extensions shall not be permitted.

(11) Advertising messages of outdoor advertising billboard signs that are permitted on parcels owned by the Township in the LI District shall be subject to review by and approval of the Township.

(12) An annual inspection shall be performed for the structural integrity of each structure and the proper maintenance of landscaping and lighting. An annual inspection fee for each outdoor advertising billboard sign shall be established to cover the cost of the inspection by the Township. The amount of the inspection fee shall be fixed by the Board of Supervisors by resolution.

§ 200-99 Sign permits.

A. A sign permit shall be required for all signs unless specifically exempted by this article. All permitted signs shall be subject to annual inspection, unless otherwise provided. Any illuminated signs shall, be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with the National Electrical Code, in addition to meeting all applicable requirements of this chapter and other ordinances. Satisfactory evidence to structure durability shall be provided to the Township.

B. Any of the following changes to a sign shall not require a permit: changing of only the advertising message; regular maintenance of the sign, including electrical, repainting, or cleaning of a sign; and, the repair of an existing, lawful sign.

C. Application for sign permits shall be filed in duplicate and on forms furnished by the Township. One copy of said complete application package shall be returned to applicant after the Zoning Officer shall have marked such copy either approved or disapproved, and attested to same. Applications shall be accompanied by detailed plans, specifications, and such other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to determine whether the proposed sign meets the requirements of this and any other applicable ordinances, including, but not limited to:

(1) Lot dimensions, including right-of-way lines, and/or building upon which the sign is proposed to be erected.

(2) The proposed sign location with respect to the property lines and building.

(3) A description of the size, shape, color, material, supports, anchoring, weight, and height of the sign, as well as details regarding illumination, where allowed.

(4) Sketch elevation, drawn to scale, of the sign, including the proposed size, dimensions, shape, material, supports, anchoring, and height of the sign.

(5) Proposed landscaping, as appropriate. All landscaping shall be in accordance with § 162-57 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and with § 200-78 of this chapter.

D. No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until a fee has been paid to the Township in such amount as the Board of Supervisors shall establish by resolution.

E. All applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by the property owner's written consent, if the property owner is not the owner of the sign.

F. Signs deemed by the Zoning Officer to be illegal or without permit, shall be removed within three days of written notification by the Zoning Officer. Any recurrence of a similar infraction on the premises by the owner or lessee shall be in violation of this article and shall be punishable as per Article XIX.

G. The Zoning Officer shall process applications for sign permits within 30 calendar days from the date of the filing of two copies of the complete application with the required fee.

H. No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with the regulations of this article, or except after written order from the Zoning Hearing Board, or the courts.