[Amended 12-15-2003 by Ord. No. 03-05]
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.
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.
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).
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
B.
Signs for permitted uses other than dwellings, provided
that:
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.
[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.
(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.
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:
(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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
