Purpose. These zoning regulations are designed to prevent the overconcentration, improper placement, and excessive height, bulk, and area of signs in order to promote an optimum level of signage consistent with the needs and character of different areas; to permit legible and effective signage of individual sites for the convenience of the public and in the interest of the full enjoyment of property rights, and to prevent the obstruction by sign clutter of traffic visibility, traffic signs and signals, neighboring uses and signs, and scenic views.

To accomplish these purposes, it is the intent of this article to encourage and authorize the use of signs which will:

No sign, as hereinbefore defined, shall be erected, hung, placed or painted in any district except as hereinafter provided.

In all cases where illumination of signs is necessary and is permitted under the terms of this article, such sign shall not be illuminated by other than a shielded or otherwise indirect, nonflashing light, preferably a white light, or a light from the interior of a sign with a translucent face.

In no event will red or green illumination be permitted, whether flashing or not, on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control signal. The Township shall have the authority to compel the removal or correction of such sign within 60 days of notification of its decision, whether or not such sign existed at the time of enactment of this Part 3.

In no event will any illumination of any sign be so arranged as to produce undue glare or offensive light annoying to residents in the surrounding area. The Township shall have the authority to compel the removal or correction of such sign within 60 days of notification of its decision, whether or not such sign existed at the time of enactment of this Part 3.

The total area of all signs/graphics temporary or otherwise shall not exceed 30% of the aggregate area of building window.

Unless otherwise noted herein, such signs shall not remain longer than 30 days. The date of installation shall be noted on the sign in the lower right-hand corner.

Information on such signs shall be limited to advertisements for special promotions, temporary sales and other such nonpermanent sales promotions and seasonal decorations.

Signs shall be maintained in neat and orderly manner and shall not contain content of an obscene or offensive nature.

This section shall not be interpreted as to limit or prohibit a business from displaying merchandise in a window display area.

Signs may be freestanding or attached to building. Freestanding signs shall not exceed four square feet without obtaining sign permit.

Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.

Signs shall not be permitted on telephone poles or trees.

For a sign, either freestanding or attached, the area shall be considered 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 are incidental to the display itself.

For a sign painted upon or applied to a building, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs or symbols, together with any backing of a different color than the finished material of the building face.

Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest quadrangle which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.

Permanent window graphics shall not be included in the calculation of the maximum aggregate sign area for the site but shall require a permit. Window graphics may be utilized, provided they conform to area and sign classification limitations.

Graphics on awnings which are free of text shall not be included in the maximum aggregate sign area. Awning graphics may be utilized, provided they conform to area and sign classification limitations.

Any drive-through restaurant use approved by the Township may include up to two ground-mounted signs to provide menu information to the public. The first sign shall be a maximum of 30 square feet in area. The second sign shall be 50% of the area of the first sign.

In the case of a sign attached flat against the face of a building or other structure, such signs shall not extend or project beyond the face of such building or other structure located in any residential district a distance of more than six inches, and in no event shall such projection be any greater than 18 inches in any other district where signs are permitted.

No freestanding sign shall be located within five feet of any lot line.

Nothing herein shall be construed to affect in any way any directional, informational, or street name signs erected by any municipal, county, state or federal government agency or utility in connection with street identifications, public buildings, railroad crossings, electric utility lines and installations and other like uses, buildings or activities or any nonilluminated nameplate or plaque of less than two square feet in area or any directional signs on premises less than three square feet in area indicating traffic movements, exits and entrances.

Nothing herein shall be interpreted as to prevent the use of seasonal decorations by a property or business owner.

Menus posted by restaurant uses shall be exempt from signage requirements, provided same is posted in the window or a display case and does not exceed 1.5 square feet.

Residential districts.

DTV, CN, CO, CI, COR and COH Districts.

CG and CI Districts.

LCI Zone.

Electronic message centers.

As used herein, a "banner" shall be defined as a temporary sign of cloth, vinyl or similar material that celebrates an event, season, community, neighborhood, or district, and is sponsored by a recognized community agency or organization or local business.

Approvals.

Prohibitions.

The following types of signs shall not be permitted in any zone:

The term "internally illuminated sign" shall include awnings and vending machine displays which are translucent or transparent and which meet the definition of sign as contained herein which are illuminated from the rear so that such awning or vending machine display acts as an internally illuminated sign.

Any sign advertising a use or business that is no longer in existence at that location shall be removed within 30 days of the close of the business.

Any sign indicating commercial property is for rent or for sale shall conform to the size limitations as if it were a permanent sign.

Any type of sign not specifically permitted is hereby prohibited.

Each application filed with the Construction Code Official for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the Township in accordance with the schedule of fees set forth in § 122-2.

There shall be no fee charged for permits for temporary signs advertising school board elections, municipal elections, charitable or eleemosynary functions or activities; provided, however, that such signs shall only be permitted to be posted for a period 15 days prior to and seven days after the date of the election, event or occurrence advertised thereon.