Bern Township City Zoning Code

A sign displaying the name and address of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet and not more than one such sign shall be erected for each dwelling.

One sign advertising the sale or rental of real property, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet. Such signs shall be removed within seven days after final settlement or renting of said property.

One temporary contractor's, developer's, architect's or builder's sign, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. Such sign shall be removed within seven days after completion of the work or 18 months after erection of the signs, whichever shall occur first.

Trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises and signs controlling fishing or hunting on the premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet.

Temporary signs announcing an event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization or a drive or campaign, other than signs in conjunction with a political election. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall be removed within seven days after completion of the campaign, drive or event.

A plot plan and/or elevation drawing which indicates the location of the proposed sign.

A sketch of the proposed sign.

The required application fee.

The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which is incidental to the display itself. Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a building surface, the area shall be considered to be the smallest rectangle which can be drawn to encompass all of the letters and symbols.

In computing the area of a double-faced or multifaced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that all faces are identical. If they are not identical, the larger side shall be used.

Illumination at a property line abutting residential properties, resulting from all signs and lighting on any nonresidential use property, shall not exceed 0.6 footcandle at a height of five feet from grade. When a street intervenes between residential property and any nonresidential use property, the illumination measurements just described shall be taken at the curbline closest to the residential property.

Lighting from all sources other than streetlights and natural sources shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be a nuisance and shall be turned off or reduced to not more than two footcandles at the closest street or business property line between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one day and 6:00 a.m. of the succeeding day (prevailing time, standard or saving); except that if the premises are open for business after 10:00 p.m., the lighting shall be reduced as above at the close of business.

No sign of the colors red, yellow or green shall be placed in such a position that it would produce a background into which the traffic signal might blend, thereby interfering with vehicular vision of the signal.

No sign shall be located so as to obscure a motorist's view of roadway, intersections, railway crossings, traffic signals, stop signs or other warning devices.

All signs shall be erected in conformance with the Federal Highway Beautification Act.

No sign shall be located within 100 feet of the right-of-way line of a limited access highway except as follows:

No lighted signs of intermittent flashing, animated or rotating types shall be permitted.

No sign other than those permitted in §§ 184-142 and 184-143 shall be erected or maintained. Upon termination or abandonment of any building or land use, all signs pertaining to that use must be removed within 60 days of said termination or abandonment.

No sign shall be mounted, erected or maintained on a tree or other natural vegetation or utility pole.

No sign shall be mounted or located in such a manner as to block or restrict the operation of any door or window or to block or restrict the movement into or out of any exit or entrance of a building or driveway.

All signs, except temporary signs, shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair. All dilapidated and deteriorated signs shall be repaired or removed at the owner's expense, within 30 days after notice from the Zoning Officer. Otherwise, the sign will be subject to removal by the Township and the owner billed for the costs thereof.

No sign shall exceed a height (measured from the ground to the top of the sign structure) equal to the height permitted for the building to which it is accessory. In the event that the building exceeds the height limit prescribed by the schedule by variance, the height limit of the schedule shall govern the height of the sign.

No sign shall project more than six inches above the primary roofline nor more than 12 inches out from the wall to which it is attached. Signs not exceeding six square feet in area may be placed perpendicular to a building face if attached to and below a canopy projection from said building.

No sign shall be located within 10 feet of any right-of-way line, nor within 20 feet of any adjoining property or lot line.

On lots abutting more than one public street, any combination of signs permitted may be erected on each side of the building or in the yard area abutting each public street.

A sign affixed to any vehicle or other object in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle or object but becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be prohibited.

Changeable message signs regulations.

Signs which are used for directing patrons, members or audiences to service clubs, churches or other nonprofit organizations may be erected subject to the following requirements:

In the OR, LI, GI, LC and ASU Districts, an overall identifying sign including a directory limited to a maximum overall area of 120 square feet shall be permitted.

On unimproved, undeveloped land in the SC and GI Districts that border Pennsylvania Route 183, outdoor advertising signs which are subject to the following requirements:

Temporary signs directing patrons, members or audiences to temporary exhibits, shows or events and signs directed in conjunction with a political election, subject to the following requirements:

Nationally recognized service clubs and nonprofit organizations are permitted to erect signs within the rights-of-way of Township roads, subject to the following:

In the AB, ASU, HC, LI, GI, NC, LC and OR Zoning Districts, there shall be permitted one freestanding ground sign (one sign per frontage, not per use) indicating the name of a group of businesses and/or the names of individual business with a maximum area of 120 square feet (60 square feet in the AB District) for each lot side which fronts a street and one wall sign for each permitted use attached to the wall of that permitted use not to exceed in area two square feet per one linear foot of horizontal wall facade length to a maximum of 240 square feet (120 square feet in the HC, NC, LC and AB Districts). There shall be permitted directional signs, not to exceed six square feet each, erected within the project itself to direct persons to an office or other location. Signs in addition to these, such as signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and poster signs, are not permitted. A projecting sign may be erected in lieu of a freestanding ground sign but may not project within 10 feet of any right-of-way line, may not exceed 30 square feet in area and must have a minimum height clearance of 10 feet above grade measured to the bottom edge of the sign.

In the SC Zoning District there shall be permitted one wall sign per commercial unit not to exceed in area four square feet per one linear foot of horizontal building facade length to a maximum of 240 square feet. In addition, there shall be permitted one freestanding ground sign for each lot side which fronts a street not to exceed in area 300 square feet. The sign shall reflect only the name or identification of the shopping center or uses within the center and may include a marquee for public announcements.

In the IR Zoning District, there shall be permitted directional signs, not to exceed six square feet each. Permanent identifying signs for the purpose of indicating the name of the premises and for the purpose of identifying the individual buildings within the project shall be permitted. Not more than one freestanding ground sign at an entrance to the project from a public street to identify the name of the project shall be permitted, and no such sign shall exceed 48 square feet in size. Not more than one wall sign identifying the project shall be permitted, and no such sign shall exceed 48 square feet in area. Signs advertising a use located on the site may be erected in accordance with the above size limitations. In the case of freestanding or projecting signs, except directional signs, such signs must be at least 20 feet from one edge of the property or building.

Signs for multifamily dwellings.

Temporary on-lot signs. Temporary signs which pertain to the business or activity conducted on the premises upon which the sign is to be located are permitted in all zoning districts pursuant to the following regulations: