The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the type and dimensions of signs in the various zoning districts of the township; to recognize the commercial communication requirements of all sectors of the business community; to protect the public from damage or injury caused or attributable to distractions and obstructions caused by improperly designed or located signs; to safeguard property values; and to assure that signs are consistent and harmonious in relation to the buildings and areas where they are placed.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   (a)   Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform with the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or regulations of the township relating thereto. Any sign not specifically authorized by the provisions of this chapter shall not be erected or maintained in the township.

   (b)   It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or individual to erect and maintain signs, ground signboards, roof signboards, wall bulletins, projecting signs, marquees and marquee signs without first obtaining a permit from the township, except those listed specifically in § 1282.06.

   (c)   No sign shall hereafter be erected or attached to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure, and no display sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated until a permit for the same has been obtained, except those listed specifically hereafter in § 1282.06.

   (d)   Application for such permits shall be made in writing to the township in accordance with § 1282.08 and shall present full particulars as to size, shape, material, supports, location and height above the sidewalk or ground, together with the written consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located. All applications shall be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale, showing the sign, its size, and its location with respect to the building and to the boundaries of the lot upon which it is situated.

   (e)   Signs and their respective illumination existing at the time of the passage of this Zoning Code and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs and once discontinued for 60 days, or damaged more than 50% of its market value, or removed for any reason, shall be replaced with conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be painted, repaired (including lighting), and altered in their wording, provided such modifications do not exceed the dimensions of the existing signs.

   (f)   No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him or her, a sign which has been abandoned. An ABANDONED SIGN, for the purpose of this chapter is a sign erected on and/or related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of 60 days or more; or any sign which was erected for a prior occupant or business; or any sign which relates to a time or event or purpose which is past. Any such abandoned sign shall be removed by the landowner or person controlling the property within ten days of the abandonment as described above.

   (g)   The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by the township, upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with any provision of this chapter.

   (h)   The provisions of this chapter shall not apply where signage is erected and maintained by the township for township purposes, provided that all other required governmental permits are obtained by the township prior to such township use.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   The size of any sign shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the following.

   (a)   When a sign consists of letters, numbers and/or logos and not a lettered board and such sign is erected on or attached to a building wall or other similar surface, the size of such sign shall be measured by the geometric shape formed by the extreme outside edge of the largest letters, numbers or logos contained in the sign.

   (b)   When a sign consists of a lettered board and such sign is erected on or attached to a building wall or other similar surface, the size of such sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered board.

   (c)   When a sign is a freestanding sign or ground sign, the size of such sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered board or the area of the combinations of letters, numbers and/or logos without a lettered board.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   (a)   Prohibited signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following signs:

      (1)   Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated, inflatable, aerial, crane signs or lighted moving signs, including automatic color changing and rotating lamps and other moving objects that call attention to the sign. The use of rotating search lights for advertising is allowed. Permits for the same will be treated the same as the temporary signs in the Uniform Construction Code (UCC);

      (2)   Advertising cloth or paper banners 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 to be determined by the Building Inspector and/or Code Enforcement Officer (CEO). Permits for the same will be treated the same as the temporary sign in the UCC;

      (3)   Wall bulletins or any other signs painted directly on the facade of a building or other structure;

      (4)   Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached or suspended from any outdoor bench, chair or other structure;

      (5)   Swinging and hanging signs;

      (6)   Signs, letters, posters and advertisements which are tacked, pasted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences or other structures located on public property or within public right-of-way in the township;

      (7)   A.   Signs temporarily or permanently placed, erected, attached or painted on any vehicle if such a sign identifies, advertises or gives information with respect to premises or a part thereof, or any sale or special event or other circumstances.

         B.   A sign is permitted on a vehicle when:

            1.   Such sign is required by law;

            2.   Such sign is in transit, for a time not to exceed three days, from one location to another for permanent installation.

            3.   The sign is permanently painted or affixed to a vehicle and is incidental to the use of a currently licensed vehicle when that use is a means of transportation; or

            4.   The vehicle, capable of sheltering a use or occupancy, is used as a construction shed or is located as prescribed for buildings in the zoning provision regulating the premises and is used and occupied for a purpose permitted by the zoning regulation. In such a case, the sign shall otherwise comply with this chapter.

      (8)   Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the roofline or any structure which extends above the roofline of any building.

   (b)   Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Building Inspector shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this Zoning Code, he or she shall give written notice thereof to the permittee. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards set forth herein within ten days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Building Inspector at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Building Inspector shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Building Inspector may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.

   (c)   General restrictions and standards. The following restrictions shall apply to all permitted signs.

      (1)   No sign shall be located, arranged or placed in a position where it will cause danger to traffic or will interfere with traffic through glare; blocking of required sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways; confusion with a traffic control device by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristics; or through any other means.

      (2)   All signs constructed or erected under the provisions of this chapter shall comply with the standards set forth in the UCC.

      (3)   No sign shall be erected within the right-of-way of any public street, nor shall any such sign be closer than five feet to the right-of-way line of a public street, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances and regulations of the township or other governmental bodies or agencies having jurisdiction or regulatory authority in the matter.

      (4)   No sign shall be designed or lighted in such a manner or placed in such a position or location that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obstructing or hindering the view.

      (5)   No sign shall be designed or lighted in such a manner or placed in such a position or location where it will present an unreasonable risk of injury to persons or property.

      (6)   All external illuminated signs shall be turned off not later than one-half hour after closing of the business or entity which they identify or advertise.

      (7)   No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or permitted use is not open for business.

      (8)   Every sign must be constructed of durable materials and shall be solidly and firmly attached, supported and/or anchored to the supports or framework.

      (9)   Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by and at the expense of the landowner or lessee of the property on which it is located.

   (d)   Double-faced signs.

      (1)   A sign may be double-faced providing it has two parallel surfaces that are directly opposite and matching in size and shape and are not over 24 inches apart. Should the two surfaces deviate from being parallel, the sign shall be considered as two signs.

      (2)   Should the faces of a double-faced sign be parallel, the sign shall be considered as one sign and only one face shall be used to calculate the total size of the sign.

      (3)   Each face of a double-faced sign shall be equal in size. Should the faces of a double-faced sign differ in size, then the area of both faces shall be used to calculate the size of the sign.

   (e)   Multi-faced signs. A freestanding sign may be multi-faced beyond two faces provided that:

      (1)   The combined area of all of the sign faces is no more than 50% greater than the combined area of both faces of a permitted double-faced sign in that district;

      (2)   No plane or planes of any multi-faced signs shall be open; and

      (3)   All sign faces shall be of the same dimensions.

   (f)   Freestanding signs.

      (1)   The bottom or lowest edge of any freestanding sign shall be no closer to the ground than seven feet. At least five feet of the upper portion of the seven-foot space shall be open and unobstructed. No more than two feet above the ground level can be devoted to and maintained for flowers, ground covers and low spreading shrubs. If such plantings are installed, they shall be maintained at the maximum height of two feet and shall be free of weeds, debris and other undesirable material.

      (2)   All single post freestanding signs shall be made of metal and be embedded in the ground at least three feet six inches unless otherwise so directed by the CEO.

      (3)   Freestanding signs will be permitted in residential areas only when set back a minimum distance of ten feet from the front property line.

   (g)   Ground signs.

      (1)   The top edge of a ground sign shall be a maximum of six feet above ground level and shall have an area of not more than 45 square feet.

      (2)   Ground signs shall be supported and permanently placed by embedding, anchoring or connecting the sign in such a manner as to incorporate it into the landscape or architectural design scheme. The base for each such sign shall be uniform for each office park or complex.

      (3)   Ground signs shall be permitted in Commercial, Planned Business Campus, Limited Industrial Districts, Institutional and Freestanding Business Districts, only.

   (h)   Projecting signs. Such signs may be erected and maintained provided that:

      (1)   No such sign shall project more than 12 inches beyond the building line if internally illuminated and not more than four inches if it is not internally illuminated, except that no sign shall project over a public sidewalk area;

      (2)   All projecting signs shall be rigidly affixed to the building and to all supporting and framing structures, attachments and hardware;

      (3)   No part of the projecting sign shall be less than eight feet or more than 14 feet above the ground or walkway level; and

      (4)   No projecting sign shall be permitted within 25 feet of any other projecting sign.

   (i)   Removal. Each sign shall be removed within ten days of the time when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply, or as provided otherwise herein. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by them a sign which has been abandoned. An ABANDONED SIGN, for purposes of this chapter, is a sign erected on and/or related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of three months or more or any sign which was erected for a prior occupant or business or any sign which relates to a time event or purpose which is past. Any such abandoned sign shall be removed by the landowner or person controlling the property within ten days of the abandonment described above.

   (j)   Application to smoke stacks, water towers and other similar structures and protrusions. All sign provisions of this chapter shall apply to smoke stacks, water towers, silos and other similar structures.

   (k)   Off-site advertising.

      (1)   Except as permitted under § 1282.09, no sign advertising a business or commercial organization or the sale of a product or service not located or available on the property upon which the sign is located or associated with the record owner (majority ownership if applicable) of the parcel of land, for which money or other consideration is exchanged between the parties, is permitted for any parcel of land. This includes, but is not limited to messages displayed on a sign that:

         A.   Promote a political campaign or candidate for elective office;

         B.   Propose a commercial transaction; and

         C.   Propose a transaction related primarily to the economic interests of the speaker and its audience; and promote professional services.

      (2)   Amber alerts and community events open to the general public are excluded from this prohibition.

      (3)   No more than one off-site advertising sign is permitted for any parcel of land. No off-site sign shall exceed ten square feet. All other regulations contained in this chapter shall apply.

   (l)   Miscellaneous regulations. A sign that is not expressly permitted in any given zoning district is prohibited by this section.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011; Ord. 933, passed 3-18-2015; Ord. 947, passed 7-20-2016; Ord. 956, passed 12-21-2016)

   The following signs, exactly as described under each specific district, are permitted, provided a sign permit has been obtained for such sign.

   (a)   Signs in residential districts. The following types of signs and no others shall be permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3, Apartment, Townhouse, Mobile Home and Planned Residential Development Districts:

      (1)   Professional, accessory use or name signs indicating the name, profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:

         A.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 288 square inches;

         B.   Not more than one such sign shall be erected for each permitted use or dwelling; and

         C.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

      (2)   Identification signs for apartment complexes, schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, sanitariums and other permitted uses other than dwellings, provided that:

         A.   The size of any such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet;

         B.   Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises; and

         C.   No such sign shall be illuminated, except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

      (3)   Signs advertising the development of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:

         A.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet;

         B.   Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises or lot unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage;

         C.   No such sign shall be illuminated; and

         D.   All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots on the premises in all approved phases of the development.

      (4)   Signs indicating the location and direction of premises in the process of development, provided that:

         A.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet;

         B.   Not more than one such sign shall be erected on each 500 feet of street frontage;

         C.   No such sign shall be illuminated; and

         D.   All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots in all approved phases of development.

   (b)   Signs in the Commercial, Limited Industrial, Shopping Center, Planned Business Campus, Freestanding Business and Institutional Districts.

      (1)   General provisions. The following types of signs shall be permitted in the Commercial, Limited Industrial, Shopping Center and Planned Business Campus Districts:

         A.   Any sign permitted in a residential district which relates to a use permitted in such district:

         B.   Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:

            1.   Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage;

            2.   The size of any such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet;

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated;

            4.   All such signs shall be removed not later than on the date of settlement; and

            5.   Any such sign, less than six square feet, shall require no permit pursuant to this Zoning Code.

         C.   Real estate development signs advertising the development of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:

            1.   Not more than one such sign shall be erected on any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 48 square feet nor be more than six by eight feet;

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated; and

            4.   All such signs shall be removed when all the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold or within one year from the date the application for such signs was approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for additional periods of six months upon application to the CEO provided that at the time said application is filed not more than 90% of the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold.

      (2)   Signs in the Commercial District.

         A.   The following signs, in addition to those in subsections (b)(1)A., (b)(1)B. and (b)(1)C. above, shall be permitted in the C Commercial District:

            1.   Signs permitted in residential districts; and

            2.   Freestanding signs, ground signs, wall signs, awning or canopy signs, projecting signs, window signs, and freestanding digital signs that meet the size, setback and other requirements for signs in the district and comply with the provisions of § 1282.09(d)(4) relating to digital signs.

         B.   Except as provided in subsections (b)(2)C. and (b)(2)D. below, not more than one freestanding or ground sign for each building or combination of buildings on the premises held in single and separate ownership shall be erected regardless of the number of uses or businesses in each building or combination of buildings, provided that:

            1.   No freestanding sign shall be less than seven feet or more than 15 feet in height above the grade of the centerline of the nearest public roadway. Nor shall such sign exceed 25 square feet;

            2.   No ground sign shall be more than four feet in height nor shall the sign area exceed 32 square feet;

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            4.   No projecting sign shall have an area in excess of six square feet.

         C.   1.   Signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and which are therefore not permanently affixed to the ground, and other portable signs, be they freestanding, on the ground, or temporarily attached to a building or other support, shall be permitted. Said signs shall require a permit, and a permit fee shall be established in an amount which shall be determined by the Board of Commissioners from time to time by resolution. Such temporary mobile signs may be erected for a period not to exceed seven days in succession and must be removed from the premises for a period of at least 30 days prior to applying for a new and subsequent permit for said temporary mobile signs. The permit for such signs shall be limited in issuance to no more than six times in any calendar year. In addition, only one temporary mobile sign per business shall be permitted in addition to those signs already permitted in this section.

            2.   Said temporary mobile signs shall be permitted pursuant to these provisions only in Commercial, Limited Industrial, Planned Business Campus and Institutional Districts and may not be erected or installed in any other district.

         D.   A restaurant with drive-through service may erect one additional freestanding sign which is a menu sign provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

            2.   Directional signs are not included.

         E.   Each occupant in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with a direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall be a wall sign;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

         F.   All occupants in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with no direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants, provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall be a wall sign attached to a building or combination of buildings on the premises and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance of the building or combination of buildings;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

      (3)   Signs in the Shopping Center District. The following signs, in addition to those in subsections (b)(1)A., (b)(1)B. and (b)(1)C. above, shall be permitted in the Shopping Center District:

         A.   Freestanding signs, ground signs, wall signs, awning or canopy signs, projecting signs and window signs;

         B.   Not more than one freestanding sign advertising and identifying each shopping center held in single and separate ownership shall be erected for each street upon which the shopping center has frontage, provided that:

            1.   No such freestanding sign shall be less than seven feet nor more than 15 feet in height above the grade of the centerline of the nearest public roadway;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet;

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            4.   Signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground and other portable signs, be they freestanding, on the ground, or temporarily attached to a building or other support, are prohibited within this district.

         C.   Each occupant in the shopping center with a direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:

            1.   The sign shall be a wall sign attached to a building or combination of buildings on the premises;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

         D.   Each occupant in the shopping center with no direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants, provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall be a wall sign attached to a building or combination of buildings on the premises and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the shopping center;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 15 square feet;

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            4.   No projecting sign shall have an area in excess of six square feet.

         E.   Each occupant of a multi-occupancy building occupying 2,000 square feet or less of floor space and having direct public access to a parking area shall be permitted one sign on the exterior of said building, provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall be wall signs;

            2.   Such sign shall be located in the immediate vicinity of said occupant’s direct public access to the parking area;

            3.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet; and

            4.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

         F.   Each occupant in a multi-occupancy building occupying in excess of 2,000 and up to 30,000 square feet or more of floor space, shall be permitted one sign on the exterior of said building, provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall be a wall sign;

            2.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 30 square feet; and

            3.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

         G.   Each occupant of a multi-occupancy building occupying in excess of 30,000 square feet of floor space shall be permitted signs on the exterior of said building, provided that:

            1.   Not more than two such signs shall be permitted for any one occupant;

            2.   Such signs shall be wall signs;

            3.   No sign shall exceed 50 square feet; and

            4.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed of indirect, attached to the sign itself.

         H.   All occupants in a multi-occupancy building which do not have a direct public access to a parking area shall not be permitted an exterior sign. The township may permit such an occupant to have an exterior sign upon the showing by such occupant of undue hardship and special need.

         I.   The principal occupant in a multi-occupancy building as described in subsection (b)(3)G. above shall be permitted signs on the exterior of said building, provided that:

            1.   Not more than one sign shall be permitted on each of three sides of said building;

            2.   Such signs shall be wall signs;

            3.   The size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet;

            4.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            5.   In the case of a movie theater or auditorium, the township may, as a conditional use, authorize the number and size of signs per building wall to be modified to reduce the number of walls utilized for signage, so long as the total square footage for signage on the building does not exceed 300 feet.

         J.   At each public entrance to a multi-occupancy building as described in subsection (b)(3)F. above, there shall be permitted one sign on the exterior of the building identifying the occupants of said building, provided that:

            1.   Such sign shall be a wall sign;

            2.   Such sign shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to said building;

            3.   The size of any such sign shall allow each occupant of the building not more than six square feet; and

            4.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

         K.   Exterior signs are permitted on a single occupancy building with 50,000 square feet or more of floor space, provided that:

            1.   Not more than one sign shall be permitted on two sides of the building;

            2.   All signs shall be wall signs;

            3.   No sign shall exceed 50 square feet;

            4.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            5.   No sign may be used to advertise any goods, businesses or services which are not sold in or conducted in the building to which the sign is attached.

         L.   Where “entrance”, “exit”, “pick-up” and “loading area” signs are desired, such signs shall be permitted by the Building Inspector if shown to be necessary for the safety and protection of the public. No such sign shall be greater than six square feet in area, and no such sign shall contain any advertising.

         M.   Signs shall be permitted on the interior of any single or multiple occupancy building.

         N.   Exterior signs are permitted on a single occupancy building with floor space of at least 10,001 square feet but not more than 99,999 square feet, provided that:

            1.   Not more than two signs shall be permitted on any such building;

            2.   All signs shall be wall signs;

            3.   The total size of all signs shall not exceed 50 square feet;

            4.   No sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            5.   No sign may be used to advertise any goods, businesses or services which are not sold in or conducted in the building to which the sign is attached.

         O.   Exterior signs are permitted on a single occupancy building with floor space of 10,000 square feet or less, provided that:

            1.   Not more than one sign shall be permitted on each side of the buildings;

            2.   No more than two such signs shall be permitted on any such building;

            3.   Such signs shall be wall signs;

            4.   The total size of all signs shall not exceed 50 square feet;

            5.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and

            6.   No such sign may be used to advertise any goods, businesses or services which are not sold in or conducted in the building to which the sign is attached.

      (4)   Signs in Freestanding Business District.

         A.   Ground signs. Whenever a site is established as a freestanding business establishment, as further explained and regulated in Chapter 1277, no more than one ground sign may be erected for each building to advertise and identify the business for such building, or in the case of a multi-occupancy building, the principal occupant for such building. Such sign shall be erected not less than five feet from the right-of-way line and shall otherwise be governed by § 1282.04.

         B.   Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs are prohibited in this district. Additionally, signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground and other portable signs, whether they are freestanding, on the ground or temporarily attached to a building or other support, are prohibited within this district.

         C.   Exterior wall signs.

            1.   In the case of a single occupancy building, exterior wall signs may be erected on no more than two sides of the main building, the size of which shall not exceed 50 square feet.

            2.   No portion of any wall sign shall extend above the wall or roof of any building. No other wall signs shall be erected on any wall or other surface of the building except that a sign shall be erected indicating entrances or exits or other service areas of the building. Such signs shall not exceed two feet by two feet or be higher than six feet from the ground.

            3.   For multi-occupancy buildings, each occupant in a building with direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one exterior wall sign, provided that:

               a.   Such sign shall be a wall sign;

               b.   The size of the sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

               c.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting concealed or indirect attached to the sign itself.

            4.   Occupants in a multi-occupancy building which do not have a direct public access to a parking area, shall be permitted one sign, which shall identify all such occupants, provided that:

               a.   Such sign shall be a wall sign and shall be in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the building;

               b.   The size of such sign shall not exceed 15 square feet;

               c.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by indirect or concealed lighting attached to the sign itself; and

               d.   Exterior signs are not permitted. The township may permit an exterior sign upon showing by such occupant of undue hardship and special need.

         D.   Where “entrance”, “exit” and “pick-up” and “loading area” signs are desired, such signs shall be permitted by the Building Inspector if shown to be necessary for the safety and protection of the public. No such sign shall be greater than six square feet in area, and no such sign shall contain any advertising.

         E.   Signs shall be permitted on the interior of any single or multiple occupancy building.

         F.   Window signs are permitted and shall comply with § 1282.06.

      (5)   Signs in the Planned Business Campus District, Limited Industrial District, and Institutional Districts.

         A.   Planned Business Campus District.

            1.   Freestanding signs. Whenever a site is established as an industrial park containing not less than three separate offices, shops, warehouses or other buildings permitted in accordance with Chapters 1272 and 1278, a sign may be erected at the main entrance of such site. Such sign shall designate the name of the park or site and the names of all tenants or owners within the site. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height and shall be of sufficient length or width to permit the listing of all tenants or owners. The area of each sign shall not exceed one foot by two feet for each tenant or owner and plus the name of the park which may extend the full width of the sign but not over three feet high.

            2.   Ground signs. Ground signs shall be erected not less than five feet from the right-of-way line. Such signs shall not exceed four in height and 32 square feet in area.

            3.   Wall signs. Wall signs may be erected on the front of the main building, the size of which shall not exceed 48 square feet. No portion of any wall sign shall extend above the wall or roof or any building. No other wall signs shall be erected on any wall or other surface of the building, except that a sign may be erected indicating entrances or exits or other service areas of the building. Such signs shall not exceed two feet by two feet or be higher than seven feet from the ground.

            4.   Illumination. Illumination for freestanding signs and ground signs shall be by indirect lighting. Any illuminated sign shall be wired in accordance with applicable regulations and provided with non-glare style illumination.

         B.   Limited Industrial District.

            1.   Freestanding signs. The lowest edge of a freestanding sign shall be no closer than seven feet from the ground and such a sign shall not exceed 48 square feet in area.

            2.   Ground signs. Ground signs shall be erected not less than 15 feet from the curb line and shall not exceed four feet in height and 32 square feet in area.

            3.   Wall signs. See subsection (b)(5)A.3. above, relating to Limited Industrial District and Planned Business Campus District.

            4.   Illumination. See subsection (b)(2)B.3. above.

            5.   Digital freestanding signs. Digital, freestanding signs that meet the size, setback and other requirements in the district and comply with the provisions of § 1282.09(d)(4) relating to digital signs.

            6.   Billboards. Billboards that meet the requirements of § 1282.09.

         C.   Signs in the Institutional District.

            1.   Freestanding signs. Whenever a site is designated for an institutional or quasi-public use, as regulated in Chapter 1279, a sign may be erected at the main entrance of such entrance of such establishment. Such sign shall designate the name of the business or entity occupying the site. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height.

            2.   Ground signs. Ground signs shall be erected not less than five feet from the right- of-way line. The size of such signs is governed by § 1282.04.

            3.   Wall signs. See subsection (b)(5)A.3. above relating to Limited Industrial District and Planned Business Campus District.

            4.   Illumination. See subsection (b)(2)B.3. above.

            5.   Mobile stands. Signs in mobile stands are prohibited in the Institutional District.

            6.   Digital freestanding signs. Digital, freestanding signs that meet the size, setback and other requirements for signs in the district and comply with the requirements of § 1282.09(d)(4) relating to digital signs.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011; Ord. 916, passed 10-16-2013; Ord. 924, passed 3-19-2014; Ord. 943, passed 1-20-2016; Ord. 1015, passed 7-21-2021)

   The following signs are exempt from the need to secure a permit:

   (a)   Public notice, warning or official traffic sign required by a federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance;

   (b)   Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the property on which such sign is located;

   (c)   Building markers that only include building name, date of construction or historical data on an historic site, provided that there is only one per building with a maximum area of six square feet;

   (d)   Flags of the United States, the commonwealth, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States, or any other flag adopted or sanctioned by an elected legislative body of competent jurisdiction, provided that such flag does not exceed 60 square feet in area and shall be flown from a pole not more than 40 feet in height;

   (e)   Incidental signs containing no commercial message of any kind, provided that such signs do not exceed eight square feet;

   (f)   Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises or lot upon which they are erected, provided that there is no more than one such sign per street frontage. Such sign shall be neither illuminated nor exceed eight square feet in residential districts and 20 square feet in nonresidential districts;

   (g)   Signs advertising the development of the premises where they are erected. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in residential districts and 20 square feet in nonresidential districts;

   (h)   Nameplate signs on private residences, provided that they do not exceed 288 square inches;

   (i)   Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday, provided that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard;

   (j)   Yard sale or garage sale signs, provided that they do not exceed two square feet and shall be removed within 24 hours after such sales;

   (k)   Signs announcing a political, educational, charitable, civic, religious, athletic or similar campaign or event, provided that such signs are erected for a period not to exceed 30 days or more than four times in any calendar year for a maximum annual total of 120 days. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet;

   (l)   Temporary banners advertising or denoting special events;

   (m)   Changeable copy signs. These signs shall be permitted for churches, schools and other uses which by their nature require changeable copy signs, provided that only one such sign shall be permitted. However, in the case of a corner property with a frontage in excess of 100 feet, one additional sign is permitted on the side of the property. The size of such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet;

   (n)   Window signs, used to serve as accessory sign to the signs associated with the principal use:

      (1)   Window signs shall be permitted in commercial zoning districts; and

      (2)   Area of window sign(s) shall not exceed 25% of the glass area of the window in which it is placed.

   (o)   Official traffic signs;

   (p)   Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property provided that the size of such sign shall not exceed six square feet;

   (q)   Signs of contractors, mechanics and artisans, provided that:

      (1)   Such signs shall be erected only upon the premises or lot where such work is being performed;

      (2)   The size of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet;

      (3)   No such sign shall be illuminated; and

      (4)   Such signs shall be removed within 24 hours after completion of the work.

   (r)   Signs advertising the sale of farm products grown on the premises provided that:

      (1)   The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet;

      (2)   Not more than one such sign shall be erected on each street frontage;

      (3)   No such sign shall be illuminated; and

      (4)   Such sign shall be displayed only when farm products are being sold.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   (a)   Signs which are nonconforming and signs which identify and advertise nonconforming uses shall be permitted in accordance with the following regulations, except as otherwise provided in this Zoning Code.

      (1)   A sign which is nonconforming at the effective date of this Zoning Code may be continued although such sign does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.

      (2)   A nonconforming sign may be changed to or replaced by another nonconforming sign, when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board. Whenever a nonconforming sign has been changed to a more restricted nonconforming sign, such sign shall not thereafter be changed to a less restricted nonconforming sign.

      (3)   No nonconforming sign which has been dismantled, damaged or otherwise destroyed to the extent of more than 75% of its value shall be repaired or rebuilt except as a conforming sign, except when authorized to be repaired or rebuilt as a nonconforming sign as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.

      (4)   If a nonconforming use of a building ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of one year or more and such nonconforming use is deemed to be abandoned by virtue of the applicable provisions of other ordinances and regulations of the township, any nonconforming sign on the premises shall also be considered abandoned and any subsequent signs erected or maintained on the premises shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

   (b)   The following types of signs advertising nonconforming uses on conforming lots, or conforming uses on nonconforming lots, or nonconforming uses on nonconforming lots shall be permitted provided that:

      (1)   Not more than one freestanding sign designating the name and address of the building or combination of buildings on the premises held in single and separate ownership and identifying the occupants of said building or combination of buildings shall be erected provided that:

         A.   No such freestanding sign shall be more than 15 feet in height above the grade of the centerline of the nearest public street;

         B.   The size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

         C.   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed and indirect, attached to the sign itself.

      (2)   Each occupant in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with a direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign provided that:

         A.   The sign shall be a wall sign;

         B.   The size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

         C.   Illumination as per subsection (b)(1)C. above.

      (3)   All occupants in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with no direct entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign which shall identify all such occupants and tenants, provided that:

         A.   Such sign shall be a wall sign and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance of the building or combination of buildings;

         B.   The size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and

         C.   Illumination as per subsection (b)(1)C. above.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   (a)   Except as otherwise provided in § 1282.06 relating to exempt signs, no sign shall be erected in the township until a permit therefore has been obtained in the following manner:

      (1)   An application in writing shall be made to the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) by the person desiring the permit;

      (2)   The application submitted to the CEO shall give full particulars regarding the size, shape, material and supports of the sign as well as a sketch or sketches showing the location of the sign on the building or lot, the distance from the curb line, and the height of the sign. The application shall be sufficiently specific to enable the CEO to determine if the sign complies with this chapter as well as any other ordinance or regulation of the township relating thereto. Such application shall be accompanied by a fee as Township Commissioners may establish from time to time by resolution, which shall be 1.5% of the cost of the sign and its erection, with a minimum fee of an amount set forth by the Board of Commissioners in the fee resolution which shall be for the use of the township and is hereby imposed in order to cover or partially cover the cost of inspection of the work of construction/erection of such sign;

      (3)   If the person submitting the application is not the owner of the property upon which the sign is to be erected, the written consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected shall accompany the application; and

      (4)   Except as otherwise provided in § 1282.06 (exempt signs), whenever any sign or sign face is replaced by another sign, enlarged in any manner, or altered, dismantled, damaged or otherwise destroyed, a permit shall be required as provided in this section before the sign is replaced, enlarged, altered or repaired.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   (a)   Purpose.

      (1)   It is the intent of this section to recite the purposes of permitting billboards as conditional uses in the LI District subject to the area and bulk regulations, conditional use standards and criteria for approval of billboards as set forth herein.

      (2)   The purposes are:

         A.   To support the First Amendment rights of advertisers to promote legal products and services while retaining the sense of community and protecting the character of the township;

         B.   To ensure billboards are provided for in the township and located safely and appropriately where they can be viewed by the traveling public with the least distraction and degradation in driving performance;

         C.   To place reasonable limits on the size and total number of billboards within the township; and

         D.   To promote quality, appearance and safety of billboards through the use of the latest digital technology.

   (b)   Location.

      (1)   Billboards are permitted in the Limited Industrial (LI) District only, as a conditional use.

      (2)   The said billboard shall be the principal use of the parcel on which it is located and be subject to the area and bulk regulations set forth herein in subsection (c) below.

   (c)   Area and bulk regulations.

      (1)   The minimum lot size for a billboard shall be 20,000 square feet.

      (2)   Only one billboard shall be permitted on any one lot. The lot shall be free from all other buildings, structures and improvements, except those required for the operation, maintenance and security of the billboard.

      (3)   A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the curb or a roadway, from which it is intended to be of 35 feet; provided, however, that the height of a billboard structure oriented to a depressed roadway shall be measured from the grade at the base of the billboard.

      (4)   The minimum lot width at both the street line and the front yard setback line shall be 100 feet.

      (5)   The minimum setback from the street line shall be 35 feet, and the minimum setback from all other property lines shall be 25 feet.

      (6)   Billboards shall have no more than two display faces, neither of which may exceed 150 square feet. The display faces shall be back to back and shall not be more than four feet apart. The sign area for billboards shall be calculated including all trim and border area but shall exclude the main supporting structure, base, and apron.

      (7)   No billboard shall be located closer than 1,000 feet to any other billboard, measured in all directions.

      (8)   No billboard may be located closer than 100 feet from the boundary line of any residential district. The required distance shall be measured from a point perpendicular to the centermost point of the billboard structure along the front line parallel to the centerline of the roadway to which the sign is erected.

      (9)   Billboards are not permitted on sewer rights-of-way, including water, electric, gas or petroleum pipelines, and floodplain areas or within 500 feet of a bridge crossing.

      (10)   Billboards may not be mounted on a roof.

   (d)   Standards and criteria. In addition to standards and criteria for approval of conditional uses set forth in Chapter 1290, the following standards and criteria shall apply to billboard conditional use.

      (1)   No billboard may be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street or road on which it is situated and shall not in any manner impede traffic safely including ingress or egress.

      (2)   No billboard may be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road, street of any existing business sign, logo sign, residential or nonresidential structure or limit, or reduce the lighting and ventilation requirements under the township Building Code.

      (3)   No billboard shall be located within the safe clear sight distance or safe stopping distance of a signalized intersection, which distance shall be determined in accordance with applicable State Department of Transportation standards.

      (4)   All billboards shall be stationary and utilize digital technology to produce static images which may be changeable. Billboards shall not flash, twinkle, feature motion pictures, moving images, moving lights or have mechanical or animated movement.

      (5)   Only one advertisement, display or message may appear on a billboard face at any one time. When a billboard has two sides, each of the two sides of a billboard may contain a separate advertisement.

      (6)   Changes from one advertisement, display or message to another may occur no more frequently than three times per side in any 24-hour period and no more than one time per six-hour period, with transitions that do not have the effect of moving text images or lights.

      (7)   Each face of a billboard shall be demonstrated to be oriented toward the road upon which the billboard fronts or faces to cause the least visual impact upon neighboring properties.

      (8)   The billboard shall not be used to advertise, display, or otherwise direct attention to a product activity, message or business within the LI District where in the billboard is located, except where the advertisement, display, attention or message is not for the local product, activity, message or business but is part of an off-site regional or national campaign or program.

      (9)   All billboards shall be internally lit. No exterior lighting shall be permitted, except in connection with safety or maintenance and as approved by the township. Illumination of billboard signs shall, at a minimum, follow the standards and requirements of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and shall be subject to review and approval by the township.

      (10)   All billboards shall have an automatic light output adjustment to minimize light output or brightness to necessary levels for surrounding ambient light conditions. Light intensity shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles above ambient lighting, as measured by a foot-candle meter.

      (11)   Where billboards are visible from a residential district, use of the billboard shall be extinguished automatically by a form of programmable controller, with eastern standard time and day light savings time control and spring or battery outage reset, from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. on the following day.

      (12)   Billboards shall be freestanding and self-supporting. No part or portion of a billboard shall be attached or connected to any other building or structure. All utilities serving the billboard shall be located below the ground.

      (13)   A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support without bracing, which shall have a minimum diameter of 48 inches with one-half inch wall or width.

      (14)   A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal which are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust or corrosion.

      (15)   Billboards must comply with all applicable federal and state regulations concerning permissible wind pressure and construction.

      (16)   The entire base of the billboard structure shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of three feet placed in such a manner as to screen the foundation of the structure. A landscaping plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the Code Enforcement Officer. Said landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive and healthy manner. Landscaping shall form a base and backdrop to the billboard sign when practical.

      (17)   Billboards shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access.

      (18)   There shall be no objects or other structures attached to a billboard or its support structure except as may be necessary for the proper and safe operation and maintenance of the billboard.

      (19)   The provisions of the township’s subdivision and land development ordinance, as amended, shall apply.

      (20)   A bond or other security acceptable to the township in form and amount satisfactory to the township shall be posted with the township to ensure that the billboard will be properly removed upon termination of use for a period of one year.

      (21)   Billboards shall require a building permit and related permits and shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Township Building Code and Uniform Construction Code.

      (22)   To the extent of any conflict between the provisions of this section and any other section of the Zoning Code, the provisions of this section shall be controlling as to billboards.

   (e)   General billboard regulations.

      (1)   The billboard structure shall be entirely repainted every three years.

      (2)   Every five years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified state registered engineer or architect and shall provide to the township a certificate from the engineer or architect certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.

      (3)   Annual inspections of the billboard shall be conducted by the Township Code Enforcement Officer to determine compliance, and billboards found to be in violation of this section shall be brought into compliance within 30 days of notice or ordered to remove upon proper notification by the township. The cost of such inspection shall be borne by the billboard owner.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)

   (a)   Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to provide regulations for the number, size and calculations associated with signage in major sports complexes.

   (b)   Location. Major sports complexes are permitted in the Limited Industrial (LI) and Institutional (ID) District, only.

   (c)   Sign types. The following signs types shall be permitted in a major sports complex:

      (1)   Freestanding signs;

      (2)   Ground signs;

      (3)   Wall signs;

      (4)   Fence signs (outdoor complex);

      (5)   Awning or canopy signs;

      (6)   Projecting signs;

      (7)   Window signs;

      (8)   Neon signs;

      (9)   Freestanding digital signs;

      (10)   Banners and portable signs; and

      (11)   Windsail signs.

   (d)   Maximum square footage. The maximum square footage for total signage shall apply to freestanding signs, freestanding digital signs, wall signs, fence signs, awning or canopy signs, projecting signs, window signs, neon signs and permanent banner, windsails or portable signs.

   (e)   Size; 25,000 to 50,000 square feet. Each owner occupant of a major sports complex occupying a minimum of 25,000 and up to 50,000 square feet or less of floor space shall be permitted 0.75% or a maximum of 375 square feet of signage.

      (1)   Individual wall (including projecting signs) and fence signs shall not exceed 75 square feet.

      (2)   There is no limit on the number of wall and fence signs.

      (3)   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

   (f)   Size; 50,000 to 100,000 square feet. Each owner occupant of a major sports complex occupying in excess of 50,000 and up to 100,000 square feet or less of floor space shall be permitted 1.50% or a maximum of 1,500 square feet of signage.

      (1)   Individual wall (including projecting signs) and fence signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.

      (2)   There is no limit on the number of wall and fence signs.

      (3)   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

   (g)   Size; 100,000 to 150,000 square feet. Each owner occupant of a major sports complex occupying in excess of 100,000 square feet and up to 150,000 square feet or less of floor space shall be permitted 2.25% or a maximum of 3,375 square feet of signage.

      (1)   Individual wall (including projecting signs) and fence signs shall not exceed 225 square feet.

      (2)   There is no limit on the number of wall and fence signs.

      (3)   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

   (h)   Size; 150,000 to 200,000 square feet. Each owner occupant of a major sports complex occupying in excess of 150,000 and up to 200,000 square feet or more of floor space shall be permitted 3.0% or a maximum of 6,000 square feet of signage.

      (1)   Individual wall (including projecting signs) and fence signs shall not exceed 300 square feet.

      (2)   There is no limit on the number of wall and fence signs.

      (3)   No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.

   (i)   Freestanding signs. Individual freestanding signs (including freestanding digital signs) shall not exceed 48 square feet.

   (j)   Ground signs. Individual ground signs shall not exceed 45 square feet.

   (k)   Awning or canopy. Individual awning or canopy signs are permitted. The bottom of the awning or canopy shall be a minimum of eight feet above the ground surface when projecting over a private or public walkway. Awnings/canopies shall project no more than five feet into a public right-of-way and shall project no closer than two feet from the face of the curb line. Awning and canopy signs are subject to the limitations contained in this section, with the exception that lettering on all faces or sides of the awning shall be considered as one sign.

   (l)   Square footage. The maximum square footage for all window signs, including neon signs may not exceed 35% of the total window space for individual lobby entrances.

   (m)   Banners, windsail signs and portable signs. Banners, windsail signs and portable signs are considered temporary if they are used for special events or during a team’s season and shall not be included in the maximum total signage allowed. However, banners, windsails or portable signs shall be considered permanent if they are used year round and/or if used as wall signs to identify teams that use the major sports complex as their home sporting venue. These permanent signs shall be included in the total maximum signage permitted. The overall size of banners shall not exceed the size of wall signs.

   (n)   Occupants responsibilities. The owner occupants of a major sports complex shall be responsible for allocating the permitted size for all businesses operating within the major sports complex, including, but not limited to, the business name (including logo), ownership sponsors, tenants and sports teams and the like.

   (o)   Signage identifying the name of the major sports complex. Signage identifying the name of the major sports complex may include the name of a paid sponsor as long as it does not exceed the individual sign standards permitted in the chapter and is not interpreted as off-site advertising.

(Ord. 957, passed 12-21-2016)

   If any sign is in violation of this chapter, the township or any owner or tenant of real property who shows that his or her property or person will be substantially affected by the alleged violation, in addition to other remedies, may institute an appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct or abate such violation. When any such action is instituted by an owner or tenant, notice of that action is begun by serving a copy of the complaint on the township, at least 30 days prior to the time the action is commenced, by way of filing the complaint with the applicable court. No such action may be maintained until such notice has been given.

(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)