Any sign hereafter erected and maintained shall conform with
the provisions of this article and any other municipal ordinances
and regulations.
The following words and phrases when used in this article shall
have the meaning given in this article:
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict
action or create a special effect or scene. A sign on which the only
copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time
or temperature shall be considered a changeable copy sign and not
an animated sign.
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
mounted to a pole, a building or any other structure. Flags representing
governmental, educational or religious organizations shall not be
considered banners.
Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere
or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light
source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
Any sign supported by an upright(s) that is anchored in the
ground and independent from any building or other structure with an
area not in excess of 200 square feet which directs attention to a
person, business, profession, product, occupation or activity not
conducted on the same premises. For purposes of this article, freestanding
signs mounted on rooftops are not considered billboards.
Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental
information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry
surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
Any sign attached to any part of a building including canopy
signs, marquee signs, projecting signs, wall signs and window signs,
as contrasted to a freestanding sign.
Any sign that is a part of an awning, canopy, or other fabric,
plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window,
or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
A sign on which the message copy can be changed through the
use of attachable letters, numerals or graphics or through the use
of electronic switching of lamps or other illuminated devices. A sign
on which the message changes more than eight times a day (except for
time and/or temperature) shall be considered an animated sign and
not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter.
Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business,
product, service, or other commercial activity.
Any sign supported by an upright(s) that is anchored in the
ground and that is independent from any building or other structure,
not including billboards.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"entrance," "telephone," "no trespassing" and other similar directives,
and window signs giving store hours or the names of credit institutions.
No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the
lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
Any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building
or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building,
generally designed and constructed for commercial use to provide protection
from the weather, or for advertising.
Any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a
marquee.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material which
does not contain a message and is suspended from a rope, wire, or
string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
Any sign which is self supporting without being firmly embedded
in the ground, or is fixed on a movable stand or mounted on wheels
or movable vehicles or made easily movable in some other manner, including,
but not limited to, signs converted to A-frames or T-frames; balloons
used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached
to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way.
Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that
its leading edge extends more than 14 inches beyond the surface of
such building or wall. Projecting signs shall not project more than
four feet from the wall or surface to which they are attached, shall
not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they
are mounted, and the lowest edge shall be at least eight feet above
the ground level immediately below.
Any sign located in a district zoned for residential uses
that contains no commercial message except advertising for goods or
services legally offered on the premises where the sign is located.
Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof
of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically
above the highest portion of the roof.
Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially
integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that
no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of
the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest
of the roof by a space of more than 14 inches.
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any
color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise,
announce, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate
information of any kind to the public.
Any sign attached parallel to, but within 14 inches of, a
wall, painted on a wall surface of, or erected and confined within
the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which
is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one
sign surface.
Any sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof, designed
to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the
window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
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.
The area
of a sign painted upon or applied to a building shall be considered
to include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs or symbols
together with any backing associated with the sign.
C.
Where
the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or
painted on a surface, building, wall, canopy, 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.
D.
In computing
square foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered,
provided both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by
the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then
both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign
area.
E.
Lots fronting
on two or more streets may compute the sign area for each street frontage
separately; however, signage cannot be accumulated and used on one
street in excess of that allowed for lots with only one street frontage.
A.
Directly
illuminated sign is 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 not limited to neon and exposed
lamp signs.
B.
Indirectly
illuminated sign is a 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.
Nonilluminated
sign is a sign which is not illuminated either directly or indirectly.
A.
The height
of a freestanding sign shall be computed as the distance from the
base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached
component of the sign. Normal grade shall be the existing grade prior
to construction or the newly established grade after construction
(exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavating solely
for the purpose of locating the sign), whichever is lower.
B.
For a
projecting or wall sign, the height shall be determined by its placement
on the building.
A.
In no
case shall any sign be erected so that it:
(1)
Interferes
with traffic through glare or through confusion with a traffic control
device (by reason of color, location, shape, wording or other characteristic)
or through any other means.
(3)
Lies
within a parking space or parking aisle.
(4)
Obstructs
the sight distance of any vehicle leaving a driveway.
(5)
Blocks
the movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares, including
sidewalks, walkways, and pathways.
(6)
Blocks
or obstructs the entrance, exit, fire escape, or fire lane to a building.
(7)
Is
erected or installed upon any property owned by the Township without
the prior, express permission of the Township given by Council at
a duly convened public meeting.
B.
Signs
shall not be located within, nor project into the ultimate right-of-way
of a street regardless of location from sidewalks. In addition, the
following minimum setback requirements shall be met:
C.
Signs
shall be no closer than 15 feet to a side or rear lot line.
D.
No off-premises
signs shall be located nearer than 100 feet from a residential district.
Official signs which are authorized or erected by a duly constituted
governing body including, but not limited to, signs necessary for
the direction, regulation and control of traffic; street name signs,
legal notices; and warnings at railroad crossings, shall be exempt
from regulation under this article.
The following signs are unlawful and prohibited:
A.
Animated
signs.
B.
Beacons.
C.
Portable
signs for permanent use.
D.
Pennants.
E.
Signs
containing information that a property may be used for any purpose
not permitted in the zoning district in which the property to which
the sign relates is located.
F.
Signs
illuminated by a group of incandescent light bulbs hung or strung
overhead or used to outline a sign or structure, with the exception
of festive lighting.
G.
Any sign
erected on a tree or utility pole, or painted or drawn on a rock or
other natural feature.
H.
Roof signs
and integral roof signs.
The following signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts
and do not require a permit, provided the applicable requirements
have been met. In addition, such signs shall not be counted when calculating
the maximum total area of all signs on a lot.
A.
Incidental
signs, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed two
square feet.
B.
Flags
representing governmental, educational or religious organizations,
provided that the total area of all such flags shall not exceed 60
square feet in area.
C.
Identification
signs displaying only the name and/or address of the occupant of a
premises (one per property or family), provided that the area of any
such sign shall not exceed 200 square inches.
D.
Building
markers or historical signs or tablets, provided that the total area
of such signs shall not exceed four square feet per building.
A.
In the
R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and EH Districts, the following sign regulations
shall apply to residential uses:
(2)
Each
lot shall be permitted temporary signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The maximum area of any such sign shall be six square feet.
(b)
Freestanding signs or window signs shall be permitted.
(c)
Such signs shall be nonilluminated.
(d)
No more than four temporary signs shall be permitted in any one calendar
year, and no more than two temporary signs shall be permitted on a
lot at any one time.
(e)
Such signs shall be removed after 30 days. However, signs advertising
the sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected
shall be permitted until there is an agreement of sale, lease or rental
for the property.
(3)
Each
residential development or complex shall be permitted an identification
sign at each principal access drive subject to the following requirements:
(4)
The
maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be six feet.
B.
In the
R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and EH Districts, the following sign regulations
shall apply to permitted nonresidential uses and lawful nonconforming
uses:
(1)
Each
lot shall be permitted permanent signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
One freestanding sign with a maximum area of 12 square feet.
(b)
One wall sign with a maximum area of 10 square feet.
(c)
The signs permitted by Subsection B(l)(a) and (b) above may be changeable
copy signs provided that they are not directly illuminated.
(d)
Such signs shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated.
(2)
Each
lot shall be permitted temporary signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The maximum area of any such sign shall be 10 square feet.
(b)
Freestanding signs, banners and window signs shall be permitted.
(c)
Such signs shall be nonilluminated.
(d)
No more than four temporary signs shall be permitted in any one calendar
year, and no more than two temporary signs shall be permitted on a
lot at any one time.
(e)
Such signs shall be removed after 15 days. However, signs advertising
the sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected
shall be permitted until settlement or rental of the property has
occurred.
(3)
The
maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be six feet.
A.
The following
types of permanent signs shall be permitted in the CN, P-O and MS
Districts:
(2)
Each
lot shall be permitted building signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The total area of all building signs shall not exceed 10% of the
exterior area of the front building wall (including window and door
area and cornices) of the principal building.
(b)
Canopy signs, projecting signs, marquee signs, wall signs and window
signs shall be permitted.
(c)
Not more than one projecting sign or marquee sign shall be permitted
per principal building and such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(d)
Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the total window area.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly
illuminated.
B.
Temporary
signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
The
maximum area of any such sign shall be 12 square feet.
(2)
Freestanding
signs, banners and window signs shall be permitted, provided that
no more than one temporary, freestanding sign shall be permitted on
a lot at any one time.
(3)
The
maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be six feet.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated.
(5)
No
more than four temporary signs shall be permitted per establishment
for any one calendar year, and no more than two temporary signs shall
be permitted per establishment at any one time.
(6)
Such
signs shall be removed after 15 days. However, signs advertising the
sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected
shall be permitted until there is an agreement of sale, lease or rental
for the property.
A.
The following
types of permanent signs shall be permitted in the C and CS Districts:
(1)
Each lot shall be permitted one freestanding sign in accordance with the following requirements in addition to that provided in Subsection A(5) of this section:
(2)
Each
lot shall be permitted building signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The total area of all building signs shall not exceed 15% or 100
square feet, whichever is less, of the exterior area of the front
building wall (including window and door area and cornices) of the
principal building.
(b)
Canopy signs, projecting signs, marquee signs, wall signs and window
signs shall be permitted.
(c)
Not more than one projecting sign or marquee sign shall be permitted
per principal building and such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(d)
Window signs shall not exceed 15% of the total window area.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly
illuminated.
(6)
Billboards
may be permitted as a conditional use subject to the following provisions:
(a)
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected and maintained
within 1,000 feet of any other billboard measured on the same side
of the road, and no such sign shall be permitted within 500 feet of
any residential use, no matter in what district the use is located.
(b)
No billboard shall be erected and maintained within 24 feet of any
building.
(c)
No billboard shall be permitted to exceed a maximum area of 200 square
feet, including border and trim but excluding supports. A sign having
two sides back-to-back or a V-shaped sign with a horizontal angle
not greater than 45° is permitted, 200 square feet on each side
or a total maximum area of 400 square feet.
(d)
No billboard or any part thereof shall exceed 20 feet in height,
measured from the natural level of ground immediately underneath the
proposed billboard.
(e)
In addition to the area and dimensional requirements of the applicable
zoning district, billboards must comply with the following yard setbacks.
Where requirements differ, the greater dimensional requirement shall
apply:
[1]
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within
50 feet of the future right-of-way of a public street.
[2]
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within
100 feet of any interstate highway.
[3]
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within
50 feet of any side or rear property line.
(f)
The following minimum landscaping shall be provided adjacent to each
billboard:
[1]
Five five-foot- to six-foot-high evergreen trees planted within a
forty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign.
[2]
Four eight-foot- to ten-foot-high flowering trees planted within
a fifty-foot radius on the sides of the base of the sign.
[3]
One three-foot- to four-foot-high shrub per three linear feet of
frontage or 40 shrubs, whichever is greater, to be placed in front
of the sign.
B.
Temporary
signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
The
maximum area of any such sign shall be 20 square feet.
(2)
Freestanding
signs, banners and window signs shall be permitted, provided that
no more than one temporary, freestanding sign shall be permitted on
a lot at any one time.
(3)
The
maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 10 feet.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated.
(5)
No
more than four temporary signs shall be permitted per establishment
for any one calendar year and no more than two temporary signs shall
be permitted per establishment at any one time.
(6)
Such
signs shall be removed after 15 days. However, signs advertising the
sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected
shall be permitted until there is an agreement of sale, lease or rental
for the property.
A.
The following
types of permanent signs shall be permitted in the TC (Overlay) District:
(2)
Each
lot shall be permitted building signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The total area of all building signs shall not exceed 15% or 100
square feet, whichever is less, of the exterior area of the front
building wall (including window and door area and cornices) of the
principal building.
(b)
Canopy signs, projecting signs, marquee signs, wall signs and window
signs shall be permitted.
(c)
Not more than one projecting sign or marquee sign shall be permitted
per principal building and such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(d)
Window signs shall not exceed 15% of the total window area.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly
illuminated.
B.
Temporary
signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
The
maximum area of any such sign shall be 20 square feet.
(2)
Freestanding
signs, banners and window signs shall be permitted, provided that
no more than one temporary, freestanding sign shall be permitted on
a lot at any one time.
(3)
The
maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 10 feet.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated.
(5)
No
more than four temporary signs shall be permitted per establishment
for any one calendar year, and no more than two temporary signs shall
be permitted per establishment at any one time.
(6)
Such
signs shall be removed after 15 days. However, signs advertising the
sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected
shall be permitted until there is an agreement of sale, lease or rental
for the property.
A.
The following
types of permanent signs shall be permitted in the M-1, M-2, and P-I
Districts:
(1)
Each lot shall be permitted one freestanding sign in accordance with the following requirements in addition to that provided in Subsection A(5) of this section:
(2)
Each
lot shall be permitted business signs in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The total area of all building signs shall not exceed 5% of the exterior
area of the front building wall (including window and door area and
cornices) of the principal building.
(b)
Canopy signs, projecting signs, wall signs and window signs shall
be permitted.
(c)
Not more than one projecting sign shall be permitted per principal
building and such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly
illuminated.
(6)
Billboards
may be permitted as a conditional use subject to the following provisions:
(a)
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected and maintained
within 1,000 feet of any other billboard measured on the same side
of the road, and no such sign shall be permitted within 500 feet of
any residential use, no matter in what district the use is located.
(b)
No billboard shall be erected and maintained within 24 feet of any
building.
(c)
No billboard shall be permitted to exceed a maximum area of 200 square
feet, including border and trim but excluding supports. A sign having
two sides back-to-back or a V-shaped sign with a horizontal angle
not greater than 45° is permitted, 200 square feet on each side
or a total maximum area of 400 square feet.
(d)
No billboard or any part thereof shall exceed 20 feet in height,
measured from the natural level of ground immediately underneath the
proposed billboard.
(e)
In addition to the area and dimensional requirements of the applicable
zoning district, billboards must comply with the following yard setbacks.
Where requirements differ, the greater dimensional requirement shall
apply:
[1]
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within
50 feet of the future right-of-way of a public street.
[2]
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within
100 feet of any interstate highway.
[3]
No billboard or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within
50 feet of any side or rear property line.
(f)
The following minimum landscaping shall be provided adjacent to each
billboard:
[1]
Five five-foot- to six-foot-high evergreen trees planted within a
forty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign.
[2]
Four eight-foot- to ten-foot-high flowering trees planted within
a fifty-foot radius on the sides of the base of the sign.
[3]
One three-foot- to four-foot-high shrub per three linear feet of
frontage or 40 shrubs, whichever is greater, to be placed in front
of the sign.
B.
Temporary
signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
The
maximum area of any such sign shall be 20 square feet:
(2)
Freestanding
signs, banners and window signs shall be permitted; provided that
no more than one temporary, freestanding sign shall be permitted on
a lot at any one time.
(3)
The
maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 10 feet.
(4)
Such
signs shall be nonilluminated.
(5)
No
more than four temporary signs shall be permitted per establishment
for any one calendar year and no more than two temporary signs shall
be permitted per establishment at any one time.
(6)
Such
signs shall be removed after 15 days. However, signs advertising the
sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected
shall be permitted until there is an agreement of sale, lease or rental
for the property.
A.
Signs
existing at the time of passage of this chapter, which were legally
erected, and which do not conform with the requirements of this chapter
shall be considered nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs must
be registered with the Department of Licenses and Inspections within
60 days of the date of this chapter, and annually thereafter. When
registering, the sign owner must produce written proof of the original
cost of the sign.
B.
Nonconforming
signs may be repainted or repaired (including lighting), provided
that such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions
of the existing sign. Wording may also be changed. However, nonconforming
signs shall either be eliminated or made to conform with the requirements
of this article when any proposed change, repair or maintenance would
constitute an expense of more than 50% of the original value or replacement
value of the sign, whichever is less. A nonconforming sign on a building
or structure shall be removed when the building or structure is demolished
or when its renovation or expansion amounts to over 50% of the assessed
market value of the structure as assessed by the Bucks County Board
of Assessment.
C.
A sign in violation of § 205-161, Prohibited signs, of this chapter shall be removed within 14 days of the effective date of this chapter.
D.
A sign
lying within or projecting over a public right-of-way shall be removed
within 14 days of the effective date of this chapter.
E.
A nonconforming
sign must be removed within 14 days or be brought into conformity
with this article in every respect whenever:
(1)
It
is not firmly attached to the ground or some other object and can
be easily moved.
(2)
It
becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose
of communication and is a nuisance as determined by the Township.
(3)
It
is not constructed of durable materials or has not been kept in good
condition and repair.
F.
Any sign
now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business
conducted or product sold shall be taken down and removed by the person
having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which
such sign may be found within 10 days after written notification to
the owner of such building from the Department of Licenses and Inspections,
and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified
therein, the Department of Licenses and Inspections is hereby authorized
and empowered to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident
thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to
which such sign is attached.
G.
Nonconforming
signs which are removed shall be replaced only with conforming signs.
A.
General
permit procedures.
(1)
A
building permit must be obtained from the Township before the erection
of any sign greater than two square feet in area, unless specifically
exempted herein. Exemptions from the necessity of securing a building
permit, however, shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the
sign involved from responsibility for its erection in a safe manner
and in a manner in accord with all the other provisions of this chapter.
(2)
The
application for a permit shall be accompanied by the written consent
of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be
erected for the Township to enter said premises to inspect such sign.
(3)
Permanent
signs. Before any permit is granted for the erection of a permanent
sign or permanent sign structure, plans and specifications shall be
filed with the Township showing:
(a)
The dimensions of the sign and, where applicable, the dimensions
of the wall surface of the building to which it is to be attached;
(b)
The dimensions of the sign's supporting members;
(c)
The maximum height of the sign;
(d)
The proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the
building, in front of which or above which it is to be erected;
(e)
The proposed location of the sign in relation to the boundaries of
the lot upon which it is to be situated;
(f)
The method and hours of illumination;
(g)
The materials, finish, and details of construction including loads,
stresses, anchorage, and any other pertinent engineering data; and
(h)
Existing signs on the property.
(4)
Temporary
signs. Temporary signs shall be allowed only upon the issuance of
a temporary sign permit, which shall be subject to the following requirements:
(a)
A temporary sign permit shall allow the use of a temporary sign for
a specified time period, as authorized by this chapter.
(b)
The applicant for a temporary sign permit shall provide the Zoning
Officer with sufficient information to demonstrate compliance with
the sign regulations of this chapter.
(c)
An escrow deposit shall be required as a guarantee that the temporary
sign shall be promptly and completely removed at the end of the authorized
period. If such signs are not promptly removed at the end of the authorized
period, the municipality will have them removed and keep a sum necessary
to reimburse the expense incurred in removal.
(5)
Plans
for signs with a proposed area greater than 100 square feet shall
be prepared and sealed by a structural engineer.
(6)
Fees
and deposits. Permit fees and refundable escrow deposit amounts shall
be set from time to time by resolution of Council.
(7)
It
shall be the duty of the Department of Licenses and Inspections, upon
the filing of an application for a permit, to examine such plans,
specifications, and other data and the premises upon which the sign
is proposed, to determine compliance with all applicable requirements.
Once issued, if the work authorized under a sign permit has not been
completed within six months after the date of issuance, said permit
shall become null and void.
(8)
Every
sign for which a permit has been issued and hereafter erected, constructed,
or maintained shall be plainly marked with the name of the person
owning, erecting, maintaining, or operating such sign, and shall have
displayed in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than
one inch in height, the date of erection, the permit number, and the
voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection therewith.
(9)
Annual
renewal of sign permit and fee.
(a)
All signs requiring a sign permit, whether or not such signs have
been erected prior to the adoption of this chapter, shall annually
renew the sign permit and pay an annual fee to the Township on or
before January 15 of each year, beginning in the year following the
year within which a sign permit was first obtained.
(b)
Upon receiving such annual renewal application, the Township Department
of Licenses and Inspections shall inspect such sign(s) visually for
any apparent structural damage or defects that needs to be repaired,
and either:
[1]
Issue a sign permit for the calendar year, if the required fees have
been paid and the sign is determined to conform to this and other
applicable ordinance of the Township; or
[2]
Give notice by certified mail to the owner of the sign(s) of any
violations of this or other applicable ordinance of the Township affording
15 days to correct such violations; and
[3]
If such violations are corrected to the Township Department of Licenses
and Inspections satisfaction, issue the sign permit.
B.
Construction
requirements.
(1)
All
signs shall meet the design and construction requirements of the BOCA
Basic Building Code, the Township Engineer's Handbook of Standards
and Specifications, and any other applicable ordinance or regulations
of the Township.
(2)
No
sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means. Electrical
devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the requirements
of the National Electric Code and certified by an electrical inspection
agency approved by the Township.
(3)
All
sign components, connections, and installations shall conform to specifications
of the National Electric Code and Underwriters' Laboratories and bear
a UL seal. In no case shall any open spark or flame be used for display
purposes.
C.
Maintenance
requirements.
(1)
Every sign permitted by this chapter must be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or leasee of the property or premises on which it is located. Prior to such action, the Zoning Officer shall follow the notification procedures specified in Subsection E below.
(2)
Weeds,
rubbish, or debris shall be kept out from in front of, underneath,
and around the base of all freestanding signs.
(3)
All
signs shall be maintained at all times in such a safe condition that
they shall not be a danger to the public health or safety.
D.
Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Zoning Officer finds that any sign regulated herein is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall give notice to remove or alter the sign to comply with this chapter, in the same manner as in Subsection E below. However, any sign that is in immediate peril to persons or property may be removed summarily, without notice.
E.
Removal
of signs. The owner or leasee of any property or premises upon which
any sign is erected shall be responsible for its complete removal
as required by any provision of this chapter. If the owner or leasee
of any property upon which a sign has been erected shall fail or neglect
to remove it as hereinabove required, the Zoning Officer shall give
notice to the owner by certified mail to remove the sign. If this
letter is returned undelivered, for any reason, he may post such notice
upon the premises. If, upon the expiration of 30 days following notice,
the owner fails to remove the sign, the municipality shall arrange
for its removal and shall bill the owner or leasee for the cost of
such work plus 10% for administrative cost.
