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Article 3: General Provisions
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Section 316: Outdoor Signs
316.1. General Regulations for All Signs:
1. Signs must be constructed of durable material and maintained in good condition.
2. No sign shall be maintained within the Township in such a state of disrepair as to have the appearance of complete neglect, which is rotting or falling down, which is illegible, or has loose parts separated from original fastenings.
3. Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of the building or premise, or endangers the public safety, the Zoning Officer shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which the sign is located that such sign be made safe or removed within five (5) days.
4. Advertising painted upon or displayed upon a barn or other building or structure shall be regarded as a flat wall sign and the regulations pertaining thereto shall apply.
5. Each sign shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.
6. Signs may be interior lighted with non-glaring lights, or may be illuminated by floodlights or spotlights that are shielded so there is no direct light transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way.
7. No sign shall be of the intermittent flashing or rotating type, unless located within an Industrial Zone.
8. No sign located within three hundred (300) feet of any traffic light shall be illuminated with red, green or yellow lights or neon tubing.
9. All electrically illuminated signs shall be constructed to the standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
10. Signs must be positioned so that they do not interfere with any clear sight triangle.
11. Determination of Size - 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, including any border framing or decorative attachments, but not including any supporting framework or bracing incidental to the display itself. Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to a building, wall or window, the area of the sign shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols. Where a sign has two (2) or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign; provided, however, for a double-face sign, if the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-face sign is less than forty-five (45) degrees and the two (2) faces are at no point more than three (3) feet from one another, the area of only the larger face shall be included.
12. No loud, vulgar, indecent, or obscene advertising matter shall be displayed in any manner, including, but not limited to:
A. Act or simulated acts of sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, oral copulation, flagellation, or any sexual acts which are prohibited by law.
B. Scenes wherein a person displays the vulva or the anus or other genitals.
C. Scenes wherein artificial devices are employed to depict, or drawings are employed to portray any of the prohibited signs, photographs or graphic representations described above.
D. Any other graphic illustration pertaining to specified sexual activities and/or specified anatomical areas.
13. No sign shall be erected or located as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door or fire escape.
14. No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will obscure light or air from a building or which would create a traffic danger.
15. No sign shall be permitted which is permanently attached to public utility poles, nor trees which are within the right-of-way of any street.
16. No sign located within any floodplain shall exceed six (6) square feet of area per side.
17. In the event that a symbol, trademark or other such figure is used as a sign post or standard which could be construed to indicate or identify a particular use or business, that symbol, trademark or figure is to be computed as part of the total allowable sign area.
18. Except in the cases of billboards as regulated by Section 411 and off-premise signs as regulated by Section 316.2., only those signs referring directly to materials or products made, sold or displayed on the premises, to services offered on the premises, and/or to activities conducted on the premises, shall be permitted.
19. No streamers, pennants or other similar materials shall be permitted to be located on the outside of any building.
316.2. The following two tables present specific standards imposed upon permanent and temporary signs, respectively:
|
PERMANENT SIGN REQUIREMENTS |
|
Sign Type |
Maximum
Permitted
Number |
Maximum
Permitted
Sign Area |
Maximum Height/and
Minimum Required
Setback from Nearest
Property Line for
Freestanding Signs |
Maximum Height
of
Flat Wall Signs |
Maximum Height
of Wall
Projecting Signs |
Maximum Projection
from Wall for Wall
Projecting Signs |
Permitted
Zones |
Other
Requirements |
Permit
Required |
|
Signs owned and associated with uses operated by the Township. Official traffic signs. |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
All |
|
No |
|
Signs identifying public and semi-public uses (e.g., schools, churches, utilities, hospitals, libraries, parks, fire stations, post offices, and other similar uses). |
1 per lot frontage not to exceed 2 per principal use |
40 square feet |
20 feet/12 feet |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
10 feet, but no closer than 10 feet from any lot line. |
All |
|
Yes |
|
Residential nameplates identifying name of home, its occupant, or both , not including name listing on mailbox. |
1 per dwelling unit |
2 square feet |
10 feet/
height of sign |
10 feet |
10 feet |
6 inches |
All |
|
No |
|
Property control signs (e.g., "No Trespassing," "Private Property," "No Hunting or Fishing," "Posted," "Private Drive," or similar type signs). |
1 per 25 lineal feet of property line |
2 square feet per sign |
5 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
6 inches |
All |
Spacing at no less than 25 foot intervals. |
No |
|
Preservation placards identifying the site’s cultural significance. |
1 per lot |
4 square feet |
10 feet/
height of sign |
10 feet |
10 feet |
6 inches |
All |
These signs shall be limited to those presented by some recognized governmental, cultural or civic agency. |
No |
|
Residential development/
neighborhood signs. Such signs shall only list the name of the neighborhood/ development and shall not list any names of contractors, realtors, or both. |
1 per street entrance, but no more than 2 total |
1 square foot per dwelling, not to exceed 32 square feet per sign |
20 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
10 feet, but no closer than 10 feet from any lot line. |
A, R, R-1, R-2, and MHP. |
The applicant shall submit a written description of the maintenance responsibilities in a form satisfactory to the Township Solicitor. |
Yes |
|
Individual business signs identifying the name and type of business, any trademark of the business conducted on the premises, or any combination thereof. This does not include businesses contained within planned centers, as defined herein. |
1 freestanding plus 1 wall sign on the building, per principal use. If the lot's frontage exceeds 1,000 feet, one (1) additional sign is permitted. |
1 square foot per each lineal foot of lot frontage, not to exceed 120 square feet per sign. |
20 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
20 feet, but no closer than 10 feet from any lot line. |
A, R, R-2, NC, IC, HC, CR, and I. |
No flat wall sign, nor wall projecting sign shall be larger than 15% of the wall area to which the sign is attached. |
Yes |
|
continued on next page |
|
PERMANENT SIGN REQUIREMENTS |
|
Sign Type |
Maximum
Permitted
Number |
Maximum
Permitted
Sign Area |
Maximum Height/and
Minimum Required
Setback from Nearest
Property Line for
Freestanding Signs |
Maximum Height
of
Flat Wall Signs |
Maximum Height
of Wall
Projecting Signs |
Maximum Projection
from Wall for Wall
Projecting Signs |
Permitted
Zones |
Other
Requirements |
Permit
Required |
|
Individual business signs for convenience stores, automobile filling stations and drive-thru/fast food restaurants. |
1 per building facade facing an adjoining street, plus 1 per gasoline pump island canopy facade, plus 1 freestanding sign. |
275 square feet for all permitted signs with no 1 sign exceeding 120 square feet |
20 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
20 feet, but no closer than 10 feet from any lot line. |
CR, HC, IC, and NC. |
No flat wall sign, nor wall projecting sign shall be larger than 15% of the wall area to which it is attached. |
Yes |
|
On-site directional, entrance, exit, rest room, and other informational signs. |
4 per lot frontage |
2 square feet per sign |
10 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
2 feet |
All |
|
No |
|
Interchange business signs identifying the name and type of business, any trademark of the business conducted on the premises, or any combination thereof, where such business directly abuts an interchange of Routes I-76 and PA 283. |
1 per use or lot whichever is fewer |
210 square feet |
80 feet/30 feet from Routes I-76 and PA 283; 80 feet from other lot lines |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
Sign may only be interior lighted. Prior to issuance of a permit the applicant must demonstrate that applicable approvals have been obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. |
Yes |
|
Off-premise signs indicating the direction of travel to a public use, park, church or public school which is not located on the premises of such use. |
2 per use |
16 square feet per sign |
10 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
10 feet, but no closer than 10 feet from any lot line. |
All |
Off-premise signs may only be located upon private property with the written permission of the landowner, a copy of which must be submitted to the Zoning Officer upon application for a zoning permit. No off-premise sign shall be located within the street right-of-way. Off-premise signs must be designed and located so as not to interfere with the clear sight triangle of any driveway, access drive or street. No more than two (2) off-premise signs shall be located within two hundred (200) feet of any street intersection. |
Yes |
|
Billboards |
See Section 411 of this Ordinance. |
Yes |
|
TEMPORARY SIGN REQUIREMENTS |
|
Sign Type |
Maximum
Permitted
Number |
Maximum
Permitted
Sign Area |
Maximum Height/and
Minimum Required
Setback from Nearest
Property Line for
Freestanding Signs |
Maximum Height
of
Flat Wall Signs |
Maximum Height
of Wall
Projecting Signs |
Maximum Projection
from Wall for Wall
Projecting Signs |
Permitted
Zones |
Other
Requirements |
Permit
Required |
|
Temporary signs of contractors, architects, mechanics, landscapers, and artisans, displayed only while actual on-site work is in progress. |
1 per firm whose work is in progress |
12 square feet |
5 feet/
height of sign |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
Should a sign be left on-site beyond allowable time period, the Township may impound it and recover a fee from owner equal to cost of impoundment and storage. |
No |
|
Real estate sale, sold, or rent signs when placed upon the property (unit) to be rented or sold, containing less than 3 acres. Auctioneer signs when placed upon the property at which an auction is to take place. |
1 per street frontage, maximum of 2 signs |
6 square feet per sign |
5 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
All such signs shall be removed within 5 days of final sales transaction or upon rental occupancy, or be subject to Township impoundment and a recovery fee. |
No |
|
Real estate sale, sold, or rent signs when placed upon the property (unit) to be rented or sold, containing more than 3 acres. Auctioneer signs when placed upon the property at which an auction is to take place. |
1 per street frontage, maximum of 3 signs |
32 square feet per sign |
10 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
Same as above. |
No |
|
Proposed development signs for residential or office complexes. |
1 per street frontage, maximum of 2 signs |
1 square foot per unit of occupancy, not to exceed 32 square feet |
10 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All, but only after final plan is approved. |
Such signs shall be removed upon completion of construction of final unit. |
Yes |
|
Proposed development signs for commercial uses, industrial uses, other nonresidential, uses, or any combination thereof. |
1 per street frontage, maximum of 2 signs |
1 square foot per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, not to exceed 64 square feet |
10 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
NC, HC, CR, and I, but only after final plan approval. |
All such signs shall be removed upon completion of building construction. |
Yes |
|
Special event signs for public and/or nonprofit uses (e.g., fund-raisers, reunions, holidays, festivals, shows, sales, etc.). |
1 per use per event |
32 square feet |
10 feet/ height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
Such signs may only be used during four consecutive periods per calendar year, not exceeding 60 days total. |
No |
|
Continued on next page |
| |
|
TEMPORARY SIGN REQUIREMENTS |
|
Sign Type |
Maximum
Permitted
Number |
Maximum
Permitted
Sign Area |
Maximum Height/and
Minimum Required
Setback from Nearest
Property Line for
Freestanding Signs |
Maximum Height
of
Flat Wall Signs |
Maximum Height
of Wall
Projecting Signs |
Maximum Projection
from Wall for Wall
Projecting Signs |
Permitted
Zones |
Other
Requirements |
Permit
Required |
|
Special event signs for businesses (e.g., grand openings, change of use or ownership, close-out sale, clearance sale, holiday sale, etc.). |
1 per business per event |
32 square feet |
10 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
NC, HC, CR, and I. |
Such signs may only be used during two consecutive periods per calendar year, not exceeding 30 days total. |
Yes |
|
Roadside stand signs for the sale of agricultural products upon a principal farm property. |
2 per road-side stand |
10 square feet |
Not Permitted |
Height of wall to which sign is attached, not exceeding 15 feet. |
Height of wall to which sign is attached, not exceeding 15 feet. |
15 feet |
All |
Roadside stand signs shall only be displayed during seasons when products are for sale. |
No |
|
Garage/yard sale signs upon properties conducting such sales. |
1 per lot |
4 square feet per sign |
5 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
See Section 302.4. for additional requirements. |
No |
|
Political signs. |
Unlimited |
12 square feet |
5 feet/
height of sign |
Height of wall to which sign is attached. |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
All |
Such signs may only be displayed between 30 days prior to and 5 days after an election. |
No |
316.3. All signs requiring the obtainment of a permit (as listed in the preceding tables) shall be required to submit zoning permit applications that include scaled plans or diagrams showing the following:
1. Exact dimensions of the lot, including any right-of-way lines or building upon which the sign is proposed to be erected.
2. Exact size, dimensions and location of the said sign on the lot or building together with its type, construction, materials to be used, and the manner of installation.
3. Any other lawful information which may be required of the applicant by the Zoning Officer.
316.4. Application for permit shall be made in writing to the Zoning Officer and shall contain all information necessary for such Officer to determine whether the proposed sign, or the proposed alterations conform to all the requirements of this Ordinance.
316.5. No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with the regulations of this Ordinance, except upon order of the Zoning Hearing Board, granted pursuant to the procedures established for the issuance of a variance.
Content Last Modified on 1/8/2009 3:08:53 PM
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