Cecil Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Sign Regulations
[Amended 4-4-2022 by Ord. No. 2-2022]
§ 240-69 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to:
A.
Provide uniform standards for signs within the Township and specific standards for signs in zoning districts.
B.
Establish procedures for the review and approval of sign permit applications.
C.
Regulate the location, size, construction, erection, alteration, use, and maintenance of signs.
D.
Promote the use of signs in harmony with the character of the Township.
E.
Minimize the clutter of signs through maintenance, inspection, and reasonable guidelines.
§ 240-70 Scope and applicability.
A.
In all zoning districts within the jurisdiction of this chapter, signs may be used, erected, maintained, altered, relocated, removed or demolished only in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any and all ordinances and regulations of the Township relating to the use, erection, maintenance, alteration, moving or removal of signs or similar devices.
B.
All plans and applications for subdivision and land developments shall include on the plan's information describing all signs proposed for the subdivision and/or land development. The plan shall indicate the size, location, style, materials, proposed text, lighting, and colors for all signs to demonstrate that the requirements of the Township's regulations as set forth in this chapter have been satisfied.
§ 240-71 Exempt signs.
A sign permit shall not be required prior to the erection, structural repair, alteration, moving, removal or demolition of any exempt signs in any zoning district in the Township. Exempt signs shall conform to the regulations of § 240-72. No exempt sign shall be illuminated, except as provided for herein. Exempt signs are as follows:
A.
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, emergency signs, and other official traffic signs which are in the interest of public safety or the regulation of traffic. Official traffic signs may be illuminated according to law.
B.
Trespassing signs; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises; and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing or hunting upon a particular premises, provided that the area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet and shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 100 feet of street or property line frontage.
C.
Incidental signs, such as those advertising the availability of restrooms, or public conveniences or those applied to a windowpane giving store hours or the name(s) of credit or charge institutions, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services. Any sign covered by this subsection shall not exceed two square feet.
D.
Governmental flags or insignia such as the flag of the United States, the Pennsylvania state flag, and/or other local governmental flags, which may be illuminated consistent with state and federal flag laws.
E.
Other flags, provided they comply with the following:
(1)
Location: Flags and flagpoles shall not be located within any right-of-way.
(2)
Height: Flags shall have a maximum height of 30 feet.
(3)
Number: No more than two flags per lot in residential districts, no more than three flags per lot in all other districts.
(4)
Size: Maximum flag size is 24 square feet in residential districts, 35 square feet in all other districts.
(5)
Flags containing commercial messages may be used as permitted freestanding signs or projecting signs, and, if so used, the area of the flag shall be included in, and limited by the computation of allowable area for signs on the property.
(6)
Flags up to three square feet in area containing noncommercial messages are considered personal expression signs and are regulated in accordance with § 240-71K.
F.
Legal notice.
G.
Cornerstone; historical plaque or sign affixed to the surface of a building wall and not exceeding two square feet.
H.
Governmental signs, including safety signs, signs indicating points of interest, and signs identifying official governmental buildings or facilities and/or events or notices. Governmental signs may be illuminated by external illumination or internal illumination.
I.
Directional signs, provided they do not contain any commercial messaging. Such sign shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall have a maximum height of four feet.
J.
Personal expression signs provided that they do not exceed three square feet in area per side.
K.
Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field. Such signs shall be removed after the growing season.
§ 240-72 General regulations.
A sign permit shall be secured from the Zoning Officer prior to the use, erection, structural repair, alteration, relocation, removal or demolition of any sign unless listed as exempt as per § 240-71. The following regulations shall be observed for all signs in all zoning districts in the Township:
A.
Signs which advertise, promote or draw attention to any product, business, service or activity sold, occurring or located at or in the place or premises where such sign is located shall be allowed by permit in the Township, except where specifically exempt from such requirements.
B.
Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway shall comply with any more restrictive requirements of the state and federal government relating thereto.
C.
Sign location.
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic by obscuring the view or by confusion with official street signs or signals because of position, color or reflective surface.
(2)
Only traffic signs and similar regulatory notices of a duly constituted governmental body are permitted within a street right-of-way.
(3)
No sign shall be erected or maintained nearer to a street line or lot line than a distance equaling the height of the top of the sign, or five feet, whichever is greater, unless the sign is that of a governmental authority.
(4)
A sign shall not project over a public walkway, except for signs of a governmental entity. For those exceptions where a sign is permitted, the lowest edge of such sign shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk elevation.
(5)
If a sign is located on a public or private sidewalk, a minimum of four feet of unobstructed sidewalk clearance must be maintained between the sign and any building or other obstruction.
(6)
Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications lines or equipment.
D.
Sign area.
(1)
"Sign area" shall mean the area of all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs, logos, and symbols. The area of a sign shall not include any supporting framework, bracing, or trim which is incidental to the display, provided that it does not contain any lettering, wording or symbols.
(2)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be the smallest rectangle or other geometric shape which encompasses all the letters and symbols.
(3)
In computing the size of a double-sided sign, only one sign face shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical, except where the interior angle formed by the two sides is greater than 45°, in which case both sides shall be counted as part of the sign area.
E.
Sign height.
(1)
Sign height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the highest portion of the sign to the ground on which the sign is located.
(2)
Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between the ground and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other structural elements.
(3)
The permitted maximum height for all signs is determined by the sign type and the zoning district in which the sign is located.
F.
Sign spacing. The spacing between sign structures shall be measured as a straight- line distance between the closest edges of each sign.
G.
Sign illumination.
(1)
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein, consistent with the following standards:
(a)
Light sources to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from any street right-of-way nor cause glare hazardous or distracting to pedestrian, vehicle drivers, or adjacent properties.
(b)
No more than 0.2 footcandle of light shall be detectable at the boundary of any abutting property.
(c)
Illumination types:
[1]
External illumination, where permitted, is allowed only as a steady, stationary light source, shielded and directed solely at the sign. The light source must be static in color and concealed by a translucent cover.
[2]
Internal illumination, including back-lighting, must be static in intensity, and color. No portion of the light source shall be visible.
(d)
Message duration. The length of time each message may be displayed on a message center sign, digital display, or tri-vision board sign is based upon the visibility and speed limit unique to individual signs and adjacent road conditions. The following method should be used to calculate message duration for message center signs, digital displays, or tri-vision board signs.
[1]
Determine the greatest distance from which the sign becomes visible on the road the sign is primarily intended to serve. If a sign is intended to be seen by more than one roadway, the road with the lower posted speed limit shall be used for determining message duration.
[2]
Multiply the road's posted speed limit (MPH) by 5,280, and then divide by 3,600 to obtain the speed limit in feet/second.
[3]
Divide the visibility distance by the speed limit (feet/second).
[4]
Add an additional 10% of this number to the total.
[5]
The resulting amount of time is the minimum permitted message duration, except where this value is less than eight seconds in which the minimum message duration shall be no less than eight seconds.
(e)
Brightness: Message center signs are subject to the following brightness limits:
[1]
During daylight hours between sunrise and sunset, luminance shall be no greater than 5,000 nits.
[2]
At all other times, luminance shall be no greater than 250 nits.
[3]
Each sign must have a light sensing device that will automatically adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change to comply with the limits set here within.
(f)
Message center signs are subject to the following regulations, in addition to all other illumination requirements established in this section.
[1]
Sign type: Message center signs are permitted in the form of freestanding, monument, and wall signs, both on-premises and off-premises, in accordance with the regulations established in §§ 240-74 and 240-75.
[2]
Height: A message center sign shall have the same height limits as other permitted signs of the same type and location.
[3]
Area.
[a]
When used as an on-premises sign, message center signs shall not exceed 50% of the sign area for any one sign, and shall not exceed more than 30% of the total area for all signs permitted on a property.
[b]
When used as an off-premises sign, message center signs may be used for the full permitted sign area.
[4]
Maximum number. Where permitted, one message center sign is permitted per frontage, up to a maximum of two message center signs per property.
[5]
Message display.
[a]
No message center sign may contain text which flashes, pulsates, moves or scrolls. Each complete message must fit on one screen.
[b]
The content of a message center sign must transition by changing instantly.
[c]
Default design. The sign shall contain a default design which shall freeze the sign message in one position if a malfunction shall occur.
[6]
Conversion of a permitted non-message center sign to a message center sign requires the issuance of a permit pursuant to § 240-76.
[7]
The addition of any message center sign to a nonconforming sign is prohibited.
[8]
Public service announcements. The owner of every message center sign shall coordinate with the local authorities to display, when appropriate, emergency information important to the traveling public, including but not limited to Amber Alerts or alerts concerning terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Emergency information messages shall remain in the advertising rotation according to the protocol of the agency that issues the information.
(g)
Digital display signs are subject to the following regulations in addition to all other requirements established in this section.
[1]
Sign type. Digital displays are permitted in the form of freestanding, monument, and wall signs, both on-premises and off-premises, in accordance with the regulations established in §§ 240-74 and 240-75.
[2]
Height. A digital display shall have the same height limits as for other permitted signs of the same type and location.
[3]
Area.
[a]
When used as an on-premises sign, digital display shall not exceed more than 30% of the total sign area permitted on the site.
[b]
When used as an off-premises sign, digital displays may be used for the full permitted sign area.
[4]
Maximum number per property. Where permitted, one digital display sign is permitted per property.
[5]
Message display.
[a]
Any digital display containing animation, streaming video, or text or images which flash, pulsate, move, or scroll is prohibited. Each complete message must fit on one screen.
[b]
One message/display may be brighter than another, but each individual message/display must be static in intensity.
[c]
The content of a digital display must transition by changing instantly, with no transition graphics.
[d]
Default design. The sign shall contain a default design which shall freeze the sign message in one position if a malfunction shall occur.
[6]
Conversion of a permitted nondigital sign to a digital sign requires the issuance of a permit pursuant to § 240-76.
[7]
The addition of any digital display to a nonconforming sign is prohibited.
[8]
The owner of every digital sign shall coordinate with the local authorities to display, when appropriate, emergency information important to the traveling public, including but not limited to Amber Alerts or alerts concerning terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Emergency information messages shall remain in the advertising rotation according to the protocol of the agency that issues the information.
(h)
Electrical standards.
[1]
Permits for illuminated signs will not be issued without an approved electrical permit if required. Applications for electrical permits shall be filed at the same time as the sign permit application.
[2]
The electrical supply to all exterior signs, whether to the sign itself or to lighting fixtures positioned to illuminate the sign, shall be provided by means of concealed electrical cables. Electrical supply to freestanding signs shall be provided by means of underground cables.
[3]
The owner of any illuminated sign shall arrange for a certification showing compliance with the brightness standards set forth herein by an independent contractor and provide the certification documentation to the Township as a condition precedent to the issuance of a sign permit.
(i)
Glare control. Glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as cutoff fixtures, shields, and baffles, and appropriate application of fixture mounting height, wattage, aiming angle, and fixture placement. Vegetation screens shall not be employed to serve as the primary means for controlling glare.
H.
Sign materials and construction. All signs must be constructed with durable materials, must conform with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, and must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be removed by the Township in accordance with the regulations contained in § 240-79.3.
§ 240-73 Prohibited signs.
A.
Abandoned signs.
B.
Signs, which by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or signals, or obstruct the view of an intersection of a street or highway with a railroad crossing, or which are located upon, over, or in any street or highway right-of-way.
C.
Snipe signs. Signs shall only be attached to utility poles in conformance with state and utility regulation and the requirements of this chapter.
D.
Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
E.
Mobile billboards. This regulation does not include the use of business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.
F.
Inflatable devices or balloon signs, with the exception of balloons used in temporary, noncommercial situations.
G.
Signs painted directly on the surface of any building.
H.
Billboards in residential districts or within 300 feet of a residential district or use.
I.
Business or industrial signs placed to face an abutting residential zoning district, except when authorized as special exception.
J.
Banners as permanent signs.
K.
Signs containing information stating or implying that a property may be used for any purposes not permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
L.
Roof-mounted signs and building-mounted signs that extend above the roof line.
M.
Any sign that promotes illegal activity.
N.
Signs that exhibit statements, words, or pictures of sexual conduct as defined by § 240-8 of this chapter.
O.
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner, with the exception of those authorized or required by local, state, or federal government.
P.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor or contain open flames.
Q.
Signs containing flashing, moving, neon, or oscillating lights or elements, except for time and temperature devices.
§ 240-74 Regulation by sign type: on-premises signs.
A.
Wall signs.
(1)
No portion of a wall sign shall be mounted less than eight feet above the ground or extend out more than 18 inches from the building wall on which it is affixed. If the wall sign projects less than three inches from the building wall on which it is affixed, the eight-foot height requirement need not be met.
(2)
Wall signs may be mounted onto building parapet but cannot project above the top of the parapet.
B.
Canopy or awning signs.
(1)
A canopy or awning sign without lettering or other advertising shall not be regulated as a sign.
(2)
A canopy or awning sign must be centered within or over architectural elements such as windows or doors.
(3)
No awning sign or canopy sign shall be wider than the building wall or tenant space it identifies.
(4)
Sign placement.
(a)
Letters or numerals shall be located only on the front and side vertical faces of the awning sign or canopy.
(b)
Logos or emblems are permitted on the top or angled portion of the awning sign or canopy up to a maximum of three square feet. No more than one emblem or logo is permitted on any one awning sign or canopy.
(5)
Sign height.
(a)
The lowest edge of the canopy or awning sign shall be at least eight feet above the ground.
(b)
The maximum height of the canopy or awning sign shall be 14 feet above the ground.
(6)
Any ground-floor awning sign projecting into a street right-of-way must be retractable.
(7)
Awning signs above the ground floor may be fixed, provided they do not project more than four feet from the face of the building.
C.
Projecting signs.
(1)
No portion of a projecting sign shall project more than four feet from the face of the building.
(2)
The outermost portion of a projecting sign shall project no closer than five feet from a curb line or shoulder of a public street.
(3)
Sign height.
(a)
The lowest edge of a projecting sign shall be at least eight feet above the ground.
D.
Window signs.
(1)
Incidental signs in windows that display pertinent business information such as the business' hours of operation and credit cards accepted, shall be excluded from area calculations for window signs.
E.
Marquee signs.
(1)
Such signs shall be located only above the principal public entrance of a building facing a public street or parking lot.
(2)
No marquee sign shall be wider than the entrance it serves, plus two feet on each side thereof.
(3)
No marquee sign shall extend closer to the curb than three feet.
(4)
Sign height.
(a)
No portion of a marquee sign shall extend vertically above the eave line.
(b)
The lowest edge of the marquee sign shall be at least 10 feet above the ground.
F.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
The lowest edge of any freestanding pole sign shall be either less than four feet or greater than seven feet above the ground.
(2)
Freestanding 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.
(3)
Sign placement.
(a)
All freestanding signs shall be set back five feet from the right-of-way, except for official traffic signs and government/regulatory signs.
(b)
No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking, loading, walkways, driveways, fire lane, easement, cart way of the right-of-way or other areas required to remain unobstructed.
G.
Manual changeable copy signs. Manual changeable copy signs are permitted only when integrated into a preestanding, marquee, wall, or portable sign.
§ 240-75 Regulation by sign type: off-premises signs.
A.
Locations permitted.
(1)
Off-premises signs are permitted in nonresidential districts, so long as the off-premises sign will not be within 300 feet of a residential district or use.
B.
Sign size. An off-premises sign is subject to the following size restrictions according to the posted speed limit of the road which the off-premises sign faces.
Posted Speed Limit (MPH) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<35 | 36-45 | 46-55 | 56-65 | Limited access | |
Maximum Sign Area (square feet) | 60 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 300 |
C.
Height and location of sign.
(1)
The lowest edge of an off-premises sign shall be at least seven above the ground.
(2)
Off-premises signs shall have a maximum height of 30 feet.
D.
Spacing. Off-premises signs shall be:
(1)
Set back from the ultimate right-of-way a distance equal to the height of the off-premises signs or 15 feet, whichever is greater.
(2)
Located no closer than 25 feet from any property line.
(3)
Located no closer than 50 feet from any building, structure, on on-premises sign located on the same property.
(4)
Located no closer than 1,500 feet from another off-premises signs on either side of the road measured linearly.
(5)
Located no closer than 500 feet from any intersection, or interchange (on-/off-ramp).
(6)
Located no closer than 1,000 feet from any property line abutting a public park, playground, religious institution, cemetery, or school.
(7)
Not attached to the external wall or otherwise affixed to any part of any building and shall not extend over any public property or right-of-way.
(8)
Not located on sewer rights-of-way, or water, electric, or petroleum pipelines.
(9)
Not located on a bridge.
E.
Number of signs per lot. There shall be no more than one off-premises sign per lot. Vertically or horizontally stacked signs shall not be permitted.
F.
Content. Off-premises signs shall not display any message or graphic of an obscene or pornographic nature as determined by the Township.
G.
Double-sided off-premises signs. Signs may be single- or double-sided.
H.
Message sequencing. Message sequencing is prohibited.
I.
Construction and maintenance.
(1)
All plans for off-premises signs shall be certified by a licensed engineer registered in Pennsylvania.
(2)
All off-premises signs shall be structurally sound and maintained in good condition and in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
(3)
The rear face of a single-face, off-premises sign shall be painted and maintained with a single neutral color as approved by the Township.
(4)
Every three years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a licensed engineer registered in Pennsylvania and shall provide to the Township a certificate certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
J.
Identification of sign owner. All off-premises signs shall be identified on the structure with the name, address, and phone number of the owner of such sign.
K.
Landscaping.
(1)
Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all off-premises signs.
(2)
Trees greater than four inches in diameter removed for construction of the sign shall be replaced on-site at a ratio of one replacement tree for each removed tree using native species no less than three inches in diameter.
L.
Additional regulations. All off-premises signs shall comply with any and all applicable zoning regulations of Township, and any and all municipal, state and/or federal regulations. In the event any other applicable regulation is in conflict with the provisions of this section, the stricter regulation shall apply.
M.
Illumination and changeable copy of off-premises signs.
(1)
Off-premises signs may incorporate manual and electric changeable copy signs.
(2)
Off-premises signs may be illuminated, provided that:
(a)
All light sources are designed, shielded, arranged, and installed to confine or direct all illumination to the surface of the off-premises sign and away from adjoining properties.
(b)
Light sources are not visible from any street or adjoining properties.
(3)
The following illumination types shall be permitted subject to the regulations in § 240-72G.
(a)
Message center sign.
(b)
External illumination.
(c)
Internal illumination.
(4)
Off-premises signs may incorporate tri-vision boards.
(a)
The length of time each message of the tri-vision board may be displayed before changing is based upon the visibility and posted speed limit unique to individual signs and adjacent road conditions. The message duration for tri-vision boards shall be calculated using the method described in § 240-72G(1)(d).
N.
Safety. In applying for special exception relief, the applicant bears the burden of proof to establish that the proposed off-premises sign will not create a public health or safety hazard in the matter and location that it is proposed and in the manner by which it is to be operated.
§ 240-76 Regulation by sign type: temporary signs.
A.
Temporary signs, as defined in this section, located on private property, are exempt from standard permit requirements. Temporary signs that comply with the requirements in this subsection shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or area of signs allowed on a property. Unless otherwise stated below, the requirements listed below shall apply to both commercial and noncommercial signs.
B.
Size and number.
(1)
Nonresidential districts:
(a)
Large temporary signs: One large temporary sign is permitted per property in all nonresidential districts. If a property is greater than five acres in size and has at least 400 feet of street frontage or has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area, one additional large temporary sign may be permitted so long as there is a minimum spacing of 200 feet between the two large temporary signs.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[d]
Banner.
[2]
Area:
[a]
Each large temporary freestanding, window, or wall sign shall have a maximum area of 20 square feet.
[b]
Each large temporary banner shall have a maximum area of 32 square feet.
[3]
Height:
[a]
Large temporary signs that are freestanding shall have a maximum height of eight feet.
[b]
Banners shall hang at a height no greater than 24 feet.
(b)
Small temporary signs: In addition to the large temporary signs outlined above, one small temporary sign is permitted per property in all nonresidential districts. If a property is greater than five acres in size and has at least 400 feet of street frontage or has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area, one additional small sign may be permitted so long as there is a minimum spacing of 200 feet between both sets of small temporary signs.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[2]
Area: Each small temporary sign shall have a maximum of six square feet.
[3]
Height: Small temporary signs shall have a maximum of six feet.
(2)
Residential districts:
(a)
Large temporary signs: One large temporary sign is permitted per residential property so long as the property is greater than five acres in size and has at least 400 feet of street frontage or has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[d]
Banner.
[2]
Area:
[a]
Each large temporary freestanding, window, or wall sign shall have a maximum area of 16 square feet.
[b]
Each large temporary banner shall have a maximum area of 32 square feet.
[3]
Height:
[a]
Large temporary signs that are freestanding shall have a maximum height of eight feet.
[b]
Banners shall hang at a height no greater than 24 feet.
(b)
Small temporary signs: One small temporary sign is permitted per residential property.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[2]
Area: Each small temporary sign shall have a maximum area of six square feet.
[3]
Height: Small temporary signs shall have a maximum height of six feet.
C.
Duration and removal.
(1)
Temporary signs may be displayed up to a maximum of 30 consecutive days, two times per year.
(2)
The Township or the property owner may confiscate signs installed in violation of this chapter. Neither the Township nor the property owner is responsible for notifying sign owners of confiscation of an illegal sign.
D.
Permission: The party posting the temporary sign is solely responsible for obtaining the permission of the property owner before posting their temporary sign.
E.
Municipal notification: temporary signs are exempt from the standard permit requirements but the date of erection of a temporary sign must be in indelible ink on the lower right-hand corner of the sign.
F.
Installation and maintenance.
(1)
All temporary signs must be installed such that, in the opinion of the Township's municipal building official, they do not create a safety hazard.
(2)
All temporary signs must be made of durable materials and shall be well-maintained.
(3)
Temporary signs that are frayed, torn, broken, or that are no longer legible will be deemed unmaintained and required to be removed.
G.
Illumination: Illumination of any temporary sign is prohibited.
§ 240-77 Regulation by sign type: limited-duration signs.
A.
Limited duration signs. Limited duration signs, as defined in this section, located on private property are subject to the regulations set forth below. Limited duration signs that comply with the requirements in this subsection shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or area of signs allowed on a property. Unless otherwise stated below, the requirements listed below shall apply to both commercial and noncommercial signs.
B.
Size and number.
(1)
Nonresidential districts:
(a)
Large limited duration signs: One large limited duration sign is permitted per property in all nonresidential zones. If a property is greater than five acres in size and has at least 400 feet of street frontage or has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area, one additional large limited duration sign may be permitted so long as there is a minimum spacing of 200 feet between the two large limited duration signs.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[2]
Area: Each large limited duration sign shall have a maximum area of 20 square feet.
[3]
Height: Large limited duration signs that are freestanding shall have a maximum height of eight feet.
(b)
Small limited duration signs: In addition to the large limited duration sign(s) outlined above, one small limited duration sign is permitted per property in all nonresidential zones. If a property is greater than five acres in size and has at least 400 feet of street frontage or has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area, one additional small sign may be permitted.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[2]
Area: Each small limited duration sign shall have a maximum area of six square feet.
[3]
Height: Small limited duration signs that are freestanding shall have a maximum height of six feet.
(2)
Residential districts:
(a)
Large limited duration sign: One large limited duration sign is permitted per property so long as the property is greater than five acres in size and has at least 400 feet of street frontage or has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[2]
Area: Each large limited duration sign shall have a maximum area of 16 square feet.
[3]
Height: Large limited duration signs that are freestanding shall have a maximum height of eight feet.
(b)
Small limited duration sign: One small limited duration sign is permitted per property.
[1]
Type:
[a]
Freestanding sign.
[b]
Window sign.
[c]
Wall sign.
[2]
Area: Each small limited duration sign shall have a maximum area of six square feet.
[3]
Height: Small limited duration signs that are freestanding shall have a maximum height of six feet.
C.
Permit requirements.
(1)
A permit for a limited duration sign is issued for one year and may be renewed annually.
(2)
One sign is allowed per permit. An applicant may request up to two permits per address but is subject to the size and number requirements set forth in this section.
(3)
An application for a limited duration sign permit must include:
(a)
A description of the sign indicating the number, size, shape, dimensions, and colors of the sign, and the expected length of time the sign will be displayed;
(b)
A schematic drawing of the site showing the proposed location of the sign in relation to nearby building and streets; and
(c)
The number of signs on the site.
D.
Installation and maintenance.
(1)
All limited duration signs must be installed such that in the opinion of the Township building official, they do not create a safety hazard.
(2)
All limited duration signs must be made of durable materials and shall be well-maintained.
(3)
Limited duration signs that are frayed, torn, broken, or that are no longer legible will be deemed unmaintained and required to be removed.
E.
Illumination: Illumination of any limited duration sign is prohibited.
§ 240-78 Signs in residential districts.
In addition to the exempt signs described in § 240-71, the following numbers and types of signs may be erected in the Residential Districts, subject to the conditions specified here and in §§ 240-74 through 240-77.
A.
Any temporary sign as defined and regulated in § 240-76.
B.
Any limited duration sign as defined and regulated in § 240-77.
C.
Freestanding signs for residential developments or apartment buildings containing more than 10 units shall be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Number: One sign per street frontage.
(2)
Area: Each sign shall have a maximum area of 15 square feet per sign face.
(3)
Height: Signs shall have a maximum height of eight feet.
(4)
Illumination: The following illumination types shall be permitted subject to the regulations in § 240-72G.
§ 240-79 Signs in nonresidential districts.
The following numbers and types of signs may be erected in any nonresidential district subject to the conditions specified here and in §§ 240-74 through 240-77.
A.
Any sign permitted in residential districts, for the appropriate uses, as defined and regulated in § 240-78, Signs in residential districts.
B.
The total area of all wall, awning/canopy, and projecting signs for nonresidential uses shall be limited to 5% of the front facade of the building as further defined below:
(1)
Area of front facade shall be determined by multiplying the overall building's front length times the overall building height. The building front shall be considered as the longest wall of the building facing the roadway on which it has access. Buildings with multiple front setback facades and building projections may include all the front faces of together in determining area of front facade. However, any front facing wall which is set back more than 20 feet from the furthest front facing wall ahead of it shall not be included in the calculations to determine area of front face.
(2)
Buildings located on corner lots may add an additional sign on the side of the building facing the secondary street using the above calculations with the exception of percentage. The maximum gross area of the sign shall be 2 1/2%.
C.
Wall signs for nonresidential uses shall be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Number: If a wall sign is desired, the use may display one wall sign adjacent to each street, highway, expressway, or public off-street parking area on which it has frontage.
(2)
Height: Signs shall have a maximum height equal to eave line.
(3)
Illumination: The following illumination types shall be permitted subject to regulations in § 240-72G.
(a)
Internal illumination.
(b)
External illumination.
D.
Awning or canopy signs for nonresidential uses shall be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Height: Signs shall have a maximum height equal to eave line except for buildings with flat roofs and parapets of which the sign shall not exceed the top of the parapet.
(2)
Illumination. The following illumination type shall be permitted subject to the regulations in § 240-72G.
(a)
External illumination.
E.
Projecting signs for nonresidential uses shall be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Number: One sign per ground floor establishment, plus one sign per building entrance serving one or more commercial tenants without a ground floor entrance.
(2)
Height: Signs shall have a maximum height equal to the eave line.
(3)
The following illumination type shall be permitted subject to the regulations in § 240-72G.
(a)
External illumination.
F.
Window signs for nonresidential uses shall be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Area: A maximum of 25% of the total window area of any single storefront may be used for permanent signs that are etched, painted, or permanently affixed to the window. A maximum of 35% of the total window area of any single storefront may be covered by a combination of permanent and temporary window signs.
G.
Freestanding signs for nonresidential uses shall be permitted subject to the following regulations.
(1)
Number: One sign per street frontage, up to two signs per property held in single and separate ownership.
(2)
Area: Each sign shall have a maximum area of 50 square feet plus an additional 10 square feet per tenant up to a maximum of 100 square feet.
(3)
Height: Signs shall have a maximum height of 20 feet.
(4)
Illumination: The following illumination types shall be permitted subject to the regulations in § 240-72G.
§ 240-79.1 Sign permits and applications.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, alter, or relocate any sign within the Township without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempt from the permit requirements as outlined in § 240-71.
B.
In order to apply for a sign permit, the applicant must provide the following information, in writing, to the Township:
(1)
Name of the person and/or organization and location.
(2)
Name, address, and telephone number of the property owner, and the signature of the property owner or duly authorized agent for the owner.
(3)
Contact person and contact information.
(4)
Description of any existing signage that will remain on the site.
(5)
Identification of the type of sign(s) to be erected by the applicant.
(6)
Site plan depicting the locations of proposed signage and existing remaining signage.
(7)
Two copies of a plan drawn to scale depicting:
(a)
The location of the proposed sign on the lot with the required sign setbacks from the property line and ultimate right-of-way and to include lot dimensions, building frontage, and existing cart ways, rights-of-way and driveways.
(b)
The design of each sign face and sign structure, including dimensions, total area, sign height, depth, color scheme, structural details, materials, lighting scheme and proposed location.
(c)
Building elevations, existing and proposed facades, parapet walls, eave line and the location and size of all proposed and existing permanent signs.
(d)
Current photographs showing existing signs on the premises and certifying the date on which the photographs were taken.
(8)
A permit fee, to be established from time to time by resolution of the Township, shall be paid.
(9)
Additional requirements for plans submitted for off-premises signs:
(a)
The location and species of existing trees.
(b)
The distance to the nearest right-of-way, property line, building, structure, on-premises sign, off-premises sign, intersection, interchange, safety rest area, bridge, residential district, or institutional use, sewer rights-of-way, and water, electric or petroleum pipelines.
(c)
Certification under the seal by a licensed engineer that the off-premises sign, as proposed, is designed in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, codes, and professional standards.
C.
An application for a sign permit may be denied by the Township if the application fails to comply with the standards contained herein. The Township shall inform the applicant of the reasons for denying the application for sign permit in writing.
D.
Upon denial of an application for a sign permit, the applicant has 30 days to revise and resubmit the application for review by the Township. In the alternative, the applicant may appeal the denial to the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
E.
Unless otherwise provided in this section, sign permits shall not expire provided that such signs are not abandoned or distorted. In the instance that substantial repair or replacement becomes necessary (i.e., repairs that costs more than 50% of the replacement cost of the damaged sign), the application must apply for a new sign permit, and pay an additional fee, if required.
§ 240-79.2 Nonconforming signs.
Any sign legally existing at the time of passage of this chapter that does not conform in use, location, height or size with the regulations contained herein shall be considered nonconforming and may continue in such use, in its present location, until the sign is considered abandoned or replacement or rebuilding of the sign becomes necessary, at which time a zoning permit will be required and the sign brought into conformity with this chapter.
§ 240-79.3 Removal of unlawful, unsafe, or abandoned signs.
A.
Unsafe of unlawful signs.
(1)
Upon written notice by the Township, the owner, person, or firm maintaining a sign shall remove any sign which meets one or more of the following:
(a)
Becomes unsafe;
(b)
Is in danger of falling;
(c)
Becomes deteriorated so that it no longer serves the purpose of communication;
(d)
Determined to be a nuisance by the Township; or
(e)
Has been unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions contained in this chapter.
(2)
The Township may remove, or cause to be removed, the sign, at the expense of the owner and/or lessee in the event the owner or the person or firm maintaining the sign has not complied with the terms of the notice. Permanent signs shall be removed or remedied within 30 days of the date of the notice. Temporary signs shall be removed within five business days of the date of the notice. In the event of immediate danger, the Township may remove the sign immediately upon issuance of notice.
(3)
If the Township removes an unsafe or unlawful sign, any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the Township may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs and expenses associated with removal of the sign.
B.
Abandoned signs.
(1)
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property upon which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within 90 days of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this chapter. Removal of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign including the sign face, supporting structure, and structural trim.
(2)
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located fails to remove such sign in 90 days, the Township may remove such sign. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the Township may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs and expenses associated with removal of the sign.
