As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
AREA OF SIGNS
A.
The area of a sign shall be construed to include
all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together
with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed,
but not including any supporting framework and bracing incidental
to the display itself.
B.
Where the sign consists of individual letters
or symbols attached to a building, wall or window, the area shall
be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular
geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
In computing square foot area of a double-face sign, only one side
shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical. If the
interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faces sign is
greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered
in the calculating the sign area.
ILLUMINATION OF SIGNS
A sign designed to give forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a source of light within such sign, including, but no limited to, neon and exposed lamp signs. No directly illuminated sign shall violate the provisions of §
325-61.
A.
FESTOON LIGHTINGA directly illuminated sign comprised of a group of incandescent bulbs hung or strung overhead or used to outline a structure or any part thereof.
B.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGNA sign illuminated with a light so shielded that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination occurs. If such shielding device is defective, such sign shall be deemed to be a directly illuminated sign.
C.
FLASHING SIGNAn illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained in a stationary position and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
E.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD (LED) SIGNA sign with a fixed or changing message composed of a series of lights that may be changed through electronic means.
[Added 9-26-2007 by Ord. No. 1926]
PLACEMENT OF SIGNS
A.
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign which directs attention to an activity conducted on the same lot.
B.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign which directs attention to an activity not conducted on the same lot.
C.
ADVERTISING SIGNAn off-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation or other similar activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which such sign is located.
D.
BUSINESS SIGNAn on-premises sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted other than incidentally on the premises upon which such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
SIGN
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof or any
device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly on
a structure or other surface that shall display or include any letter,
word, insignia, flag or representation used as or which is in the
nature of any advertisement, announcement, visual communication, direction
or is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to the attention
of the public.
TYPES OF SIGNS
A.
FREESTANDING SIGNA self-supporting sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards in the ground. The height of freestanding signs shall be measured from the official street grade.
B.
PARALLEL SIGNA sign attached, painted or otherwise mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface. Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted or shall not project more than 18 inches from its surface.
C.
PROJECTING SIGNAny sign mounted to a wall or other vertical building surface other than a parallel sign. Projecting signs shall not project more than two feet from the wall or surface to which they are mounted nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Projecting signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted.
D.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected on or above the roof or parapet of a building.
[Added 3-11-1997 by Ord. No. 1758]
A. Prohibited signs. The following signs shall be prohibited
in the Shopping Center District:
(1) Spinning, animated, twirling or any other moving objects
used for advertising purposes whether containing a message or not.
(2) Flashing, blinking, twinkling, or lighted moving signs
of any type including automatic color changing and rotating lamps
or other displays that call attention to a sign.
(3) Advertising cloth or paper banner or signs of any
similar character suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary
banners which may be permitted through special permission of the Township.
(4) Signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place
to place and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground.
(5) Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached
or suspended from any outdoor bench, chair or other structure.
(6) Swinging and hanging signs.
B. On-premises signs. In the Shopping Center District,
only the following on-premises signs shall be permitted.
(1) All signs permitted in §
325-67A at the standards prescribed therein, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2) One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or rental
of the premises on which the sign has been erected or one sign indicating
that said premises have been sold or rented, provided the area of
any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet and shall be removed
within 20 days after an agreement of rental has been entered or legal
title has been transferred.
(3) One parallel business sign is permitted for each establishment
in the shopping center, subject to the following limitations:
(a)
The total area of the parallel sign for each
establishment shall not exceed four square feet for each foot of length
of the front building wall or length of that portion of such wall
devoted to such establishment.
(b)
If such establishment does not occupy any floor
area on the ground level of the building other than an entryway, the
establishment shall be permitted one additional sign on the ground
level directing patrons to the second floor use. The maximum permitted
sign area for that sign shall not exceed one square foot per foot
of length of the front building wall (or portion).
(c)
Signs painted on or affixed to the inside or
outside of windows shall be permitted, provided that they do not exceed
25% of the window in which they are placed.
(d)
In no case, however, may the total area of parallel
signs exceed 25% of the area of the wall (including windows, door
area and cornices) to which they are attached.
(4) Freestanding business signs are permitted, subject
to the following limitations:
(a)
Only one such sign shall be permitted for the shopping center except as provided in §
325-66H. One additional freestanding sign is permitted when the shopping center can be accessed from two or more arterial streets, each of which is controlled by a traffic signal.
(b)
The area of any such sign shall not exceed one
square foot for each two feet of lot frontage or 100 square feet,
whichever is smaller.
(c)
The maximum height of freestanding business
signs shall not exceed 20 feet, and the lowest edge shall be no closer
to the ground than seven feet.
(d)
No such sign shall be illuminated except by
lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(5) A restaurant with drive-through service may erect
one additional freestanding sign which is a menu sign, provided that
it does not exceed 25 square feet.
(6) Projecting business signs are permitted as a substitute
for either parallel or freestanding signs, provided such sign shall
not conflict with signs on neighboring properties, shall not visually
interfere with the view to and from adjacent properties, shall not
extend above any portion of the roof of the building to which such
sign is affixed, shall have its lower edge at least eight feet above
any sidewalk or pedestrian way, shall in most cases have a vertical
alignment and in general shall be appropriate to and in scale with
the building to which it is affixed.
(7) Canopies or marquees are permitted, subject to the
requirements of the Township Building Code. Signs that are proposed in connection with canopies or
marquees shall be considered to be projecting signs and shall:
(a)
Be affixed flat to such canopy or marquee.
(b)
Be limited to announcing the name of the establishment
or any on-premises show or event.
(c)
Have an eight-foot minimum clearance above any
portion of any walk directly below.
(d)
Have the maximum permitted area of all other
signs permitted on the premises reduced in an amount equal to the
area as the sign to be located on such canopy or marquee.
C. Off-premises signs. In the Shopping Center District, only off-premises signs as described in §
325-67B shall be permitted.