Allen Township City Zoning Code
PART 17
SIGNS
§ 27-1700 Definition of "Sign."
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1700; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
"Sign" shall mean and include any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, or any device attached, painted, or represented directly or indirectly on a structure or other outdoor surface, that shall display or include any letter, word, insignia, flag, or representation used as, or which is in the nature of, an advertisement, announcement, visual communication, direction, or is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to the attention of the public. Symbols or other clearly decorative items not conveying a message as defined above shall not be construed to be signs and shall not be subject to the requirements of this Part.
§ 27-1701 Definitions.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1701; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign that moves or has an optical illusion of moving, such as the movement of any illumination or the flashing or varying of light intensity to depict action or create a special effect or scene, or a sign that has changing messages, provided that the following types of signs shall not be considered animated signs:
A sign that displays electronic, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately. Digital/electronic signs shall include computer-programmable, microprocessor-controlled electronic or billboard digital displays.
A sign that directs attention to a person, profession, business, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located. This definition includes commercial advertising signs otherwise known as "billboards."
A sign which directs attention to a person, business, profession, or home occupation conducted on the same lot. A "For Sale" or "For Rent" sign relating to the lot on which it is displayed shall be deemed an "on-premises" sign.
§ 27-1702 Area of Sign.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1702; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
1.
For a sign, the area 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 or bracing which is incidental to the display itself.
2.
For a sign painted upon or applied to a building, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs or symbols, together with any backing associated with the sign.
3.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, buildings, wall, or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
4.
In computing square foot area of a double-faced 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-faced sign is greater than 45°, both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
§ 27-1703 On-Premises Signs Permitted in Residential Districts.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1703; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
1.
Signs displaying the street number or name of the occupancy of the premises, or both, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet. Such sign may include identification of permitted accessory uses, including a customary home occupation or a roadside stand.
2.
One bulletin or announcement board or identification freestanding sign for a permitted nonresidential building or use, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. One additional sign may be attached to a building face. Total area of that sign shall not exceed 15% of that building face area.
3.
One sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
4.
Real estate "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. Such signs shall be removed on date of settlement or rental of the property.
5.
Temporary contractors', developers', architects', or builders' signs, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. Such signs shall be maintained on the premises to which they relate and shall be removed upon completion of the work.
6.
Signs announcing no trespassing; signs indicating the private nature of the road, driveway, or premises; and signs controlling fishing or hunting on the premises, provided that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed four square feet.
7.
Temporary signs for residential garage sales or for the sale of personal property at an individual's residence, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed nine square feet. Such signs shall be removed upon completion of the sale event but in any case shall not be present for more than 14 continuous days.
§ 27-1704 On-Premises Signs Permitted in Nonresidential Districts.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1704; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
No sign or other on-premises device shall be permitted except as follows:
B.
Signs advertising permitted nonresidential uses, provided that for all signs to be viewed from without any building, the following requirements shall apply:
(1)
The total area of signs attached to a building shall not exceed 20% of the building face to which said signs are attached.
(2)
Not more than one freestanding sign shall be placed on any single property or unless such premises fronts upon more than one street, in which event one sign may be erected on each frontage. The area on any one side of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 100 square feet. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(3)
Maximum sign size may be exceeded on a case-by-case basis if approved by the Board of Supervisors following the following general guidelines:
(a)
The sign is required for use on the property by a national franchising agency.
(b)
The sign will not interfere with the traveling public by attracting unnecessary attention.
(c)
The sign does not cause glare or offensive light to shine onto adjacent properties.
(d)
The Board of Supervisors may attach any reasonable conditions necessary to protect the public welfare.
§ 27-1705 Off-Premises Signs.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1705; as amended by Ord. 2002-02, 2/14/2002, § 2; and by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
1.
Off-premises signs which are used for directing persons to principal uses located in Allen Township, but not for principal uses located in other municipalities, are permitted in all districts. Such signs may be erected subject to the following requirements:
A.
A sign may indicate only the name, principal use, and direction of the principal use.
B.
Only one sign shall be erected prior to each intersection during movement necessary to reach such principal use and not more than 50 feet from the nearest intersection of street right-of-way lines, outside of any required yard.
C.
No more than four directional signs shall be erected in the Township for any one principal use.
D.
Signs in nonresidential districts shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. Signs in residential districts shall not exceed four square feet in area.
E.
Signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height.
2.
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows, or events located in the Township may be erected, in all zoning districts, subject to the following requirements:
3.
Temporary signs for residential garage sales or for the sale of personal property at an individual's residence are permitted in all zoning districts subject to the following provisions:
A.
The area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed nine square feet.
B.
Such signs shall be removed upon completion of the sale event but in any case shall not be present for more than 14 continuous days.
C.
No more than four off-premises signs may be erected within Allen Township for any single sale.
4.
Billboards are permitted subject to the following regulations:
A.
District. A billboard is only permitted in the Industrial Commercial and the Highway Commercial Zoning Districts on properties with frontage along Nor-Bath Boulevard (PA Route 329).
B.
Location. A billboard shall only be located within 100 linear feet of the existing right-of-way of Nor-Bath Boulevard (PA Route 329) as identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Placement of billboard shall not adversely impact the right-of-way of any other roadway nor be located within the ultimate right-of-way of any other roadway. Billboards may be located within the side or rear yard, provided that they are set back a minimum distance that equals the total height of the billboard.
C.
Size. A billboard may be two-sided, and each sign face may have a maximum sign area of 300 square feet inclusive of any border and trim. Extension, projections, and add-ons beyond the perimeter face of the sign are prohibited.
D.
Illumination. Billboards may be illuminated in a manner such that no direct rays of light are visible elsewhere on the property on which the billboard is located. In addition, rays of light shall not be permitted to spill onto any adjacent roadway.
E.
Spacing. A billboard shall not be located closer than 1,000 feet on the same side of the roadway or 1,000 feet on the opposite side of the roadway from another billboard, as measured along the right-of-way line. A billboard shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from an existing dwelling or residential zoning district.
F.
Height. The maximum total height of any billboard shall be 30 feet above the center line of the adjacent roadway.
G.
A billboard shall be located, constructed and maintained in accordance with all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations.
H.
An engineering certificate shall accompany any application for a billboard. The certification shall indicate under seal of a professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that the sign has been designed in accordance with acceptable engineering practices. All billboards shall be subject to the design and construction requirements of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
I.
Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers and/or any form of pyrotechnics is prohibited.
J.
Wood and beam frame structures are prohibited. All billboard structures shall be constructed of steel.
K.
Billboard structures shall be located in accordance with all other regulations of Allen Township.
5.
Billboard digital displays are permitted subject to the following regulations in addition to those contained in Subsection 4:
A.
Message Duration. Any portion of the message must have a minimum duration of eight seconds and must be a static display. Messages may change immediately. No portion of the message may flash, scroll, twirl, twinkle, oscillate, rotate, blink, change color, or in any manner imitate movement.
B.
Default Mechanism. All signs must be equipped with a properly functioning default mechanism that causes the sign to go dark and return to a solid black display should a malfunction occur.
C.
Brightness (Luminance). The illumination and/or intensity of the display shall be controlled so as to not create glare, hazards or nuisances. Such signs shall have a maximum nits level of 5,000 nits during daylight hours and a maximum of 200 nits in the evening, provided that the brightness of the digital billboard does not exceed 0.3 footcandle of light above the normal ambient light levels. Such signs shall be equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically adjusts the sign's brightness based on ambient light conditions.
(1)
The billboard luminance specification shall be determined by a footcandle metering device held at a height of five feet and aimed towards the billboard from a distance of 175 feet.
(2)
The metering device should be at a location perpendicular to the billboard center (as seen in plain view) as this angle has the highest luminance.
(3)
This check shall include the measurement of an all-white image displayed by the billboard to evaluate the worst case condition.
(4)
If the difference in luminance between the billboard-on and the billboard-off conditions is 0.3 footcandle or less, then the billboard luminance is in compliance.
D.
Spacing. Any billboard digital display shall be separated by a minimum of 2,500 feet from any other billboard digital display and shall be located a minimum of 500 feet from an existing dwelling or residential zoning district.
E.
Applicants shall be required to coordinate/permit message access for local, regional, state and national emergency services during emergency situations. Emergency messages are not required to conform to message standards listed herein.
§ 27-1706 Signs in All Districts.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1706; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
The following requirements shall apply to all signs and other advertising devices:
A.
No sign or other advertising device with visible moving or movable parts or with flashing, animated, or intermittent illumination shall be erected or maintained.
B.
No sign shall be permitted which interferes with highway safety, such as direct beams which may interfere with highway visibility or any light which may be interpreted as a traffic or emergency signal.
C.
No sign or other advertising device attached to a building shall project more than six inches above the roof or parapet lien nor more than 12 inches out from the wall to which it is attached. However, signs not exceeding six square feet in area may be projected more than 12 inches from a building, providing such sign or canopy does not interfere with pedestrian flow.
E.
No sign or other advertising device shall be located within the lines of any street right-of-way nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian and vehicular flow. This shall include vehicles and transportable devices.
F.
Animated signs are prohibited.
§ 27-1707 Maintenance of Signs.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1707; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
Every sign located in Allen Township must be constructed of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located after notification by the Board of Supervisors or the Township Zoning Officer. If the sign is not removed within the time specified, the Township shall remove the sign at the expense of the owner or lessee.
§ 27-1708 Nonconforming Signs.
[Ord. 2000-03, 9/14/2000, Art. XVII, § 1708; as amended by Ord. 2014-02, 3/25/2014]
1.
Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of the chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs and once removed shall be replaced only with conforming signs. However, nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired, provided that such repainted or repaired signs do not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
2.
If any legal nonconforming sign shall be damaged or destroyed by natural causes, accident, or vandalism, such sign may be replaced by a new sign, provided that the dimensions of the old sign are not exceeded.