Conestoga Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
Sign Regulations 1
§ 320-156 Purpose.
The purposes of this article are to provide for signs as a means of effective visual communication, regulate existing and proposed outdoor signs, promote comprehensive planning policies, promote the safety of pedestrians and vehicle traffic, protect property values, create a more attractive and harmonious economic and business climate, protect the physical appearance of the community, and reduce unnecessary visual distractions and obstructions in order to promote the public health, safety, and welfare.
§ 320-157 Sign area and height.
A.
Area calculation. The area of a sign shall be calculated as described below. For the purposes of applying the provisions of this article, parcels which are comprised of one or more individual lots of record or which are parts of a combined group of businesses operating under one corporation or association, or are part of a single land use, shall be regarded as a single parcel or lot.
(1)
When the sign is a separate unit, its area shall include any borders, framing, trim, decorative attachments, background, and space between elements; it shall not include any supporting structure unless the structure is illuminated, is in the form of a symbol, or contains advertising elements.
(2)
When the sign is applied to a wall or otherwise has no definite edges, the area shall include all color, artwork, of other means used to differentiate the sign from the surface upon which it is applied.
(3)
When a single sign structure has more than one face with the same message, and no two faces are more than three feet apart at any point, the area shall be computed by determining the greatest total area of all sign faces visible from any single location.
(4)
When a sign displays a street address, such area shall not be counted towards calculating the sign area.
B.
Location. Unless otherwise specified herein, signs shall be located on the site to which they pertain.
C.
Dimensions and permit requirements. Maximum sign dimensions and permit requirements are shown in Table 18.[1] Illustrative examples of the uses of sign terminology are shown below and in § 320-161:
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[1]
Editor's Note: Said table is included as an attachment to this chapter.
D.
General regulations. The following regulations shall apply to all signs, in addition to any specific regulations in other parts of this chapter.
(1)
Character of the neighborhood to be reflected. All signs shall reflect the general character of its neighborhood, and shall be constructed of durable materials and be maintained in good repair.
(2)
Address required. All signs shall clearly display the street name and number.
(3)
No floodplain signs. No permanent signs are permitted within the 100-year floodplain.
(4)
Illumination. All illuminated signs or lighting devices shall employ only lights emitting a constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by, or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light, except to show the time and/or temperature. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be so placed or directed as to permit light or illumination to be directed towards a public roadway so as to create spill light or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance. Signs shall be lighted only when the activity is open for business or in operation.
(5)
Projecting signs. No sign shall project more than 18 inches beyond the face of any building. No sign shall obstruct access to any window or door, or ventilation to any building.
(6)
Damaged signs. Dilapidated or damaged signs shall be promptly repaired. Signs constituting a hazard shall be repaired or removed within 24 hours of notice by the Township.
(7)
Animated signs. Signs or devices that are moving, fluttering, rotating, spinning, audible, or are otherwise animated, (except for clocks and thermometers) are prohibited.
(8)
Pedestrian traffic. No sign shall be placed in any position that may present a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and no sign suspended above areas where pedestrians may walk shall provide a clearance of less than eight feet.
(9)
Signs prohibited in the right-of-way. No sign or supporting structure, including temporary signs or sandwich-type or wheeled signs, except for official traffic or public utility signs, shall be permitted within any public right-of-way.
(10)
Confusion with official signs. No sign shall imitate any traffic control or other official sign by containing the words "stop," "yield," "danger," etc., or by using red, amber, or green lights in such a way as to cause confusion by pedestrians or motorists.
(11)
Religious signs. Religious signs, symbols, and devices shall comply with all applicable provisions of this article.
(12)
Utility pole or tree placement. No sign shall be placed on any utility pole or tree.
(13)
Government signs. Signs of any government or public utility, municipal traffic control devices, and public school signs shall be exempt from these regulations except.
§ 320-158 Nonconforming signs.
Nonconforming signs that lawfully existed and were continuously maintained prior to the effective date of this chapter may continue to be utilized. However, notwithstanding the provisions of § 320-12, such signs shall not be expanded and shall comply with the provisions of this article upon their removal or damage to an extent of more than 50% of their value as established prior to such damage.
§ 320-159 General sign regulations relating to adult entertainment establishments.
No person shall place or cause to be placed or maintained in such a location as can be viewed by persons on any public street any sign, photograph, picture, image, or other graphic representation which depicts in whole or in part any illustration pertaining to specified sexual activities and/or specified anatomical areas.
§ 320-160 Clear sight triangle: no signs permitted.
No sign exceeding two feet above surrounding grade may be placed in the sight triangles as determined by § 320-90 of this chapter or the area as determined below, whichever is greater.
A.
Near driveways. No sign exceeding 24 inches in height shall be located within a triangle formed by an unobstructed line of sight between points not less than 50 feet from the intersection of the center line of the street and the driveway, nor in any position where it may endanger vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
B.
Near intersections. No sign exceeding 24 inches in height shall be located within a triangle formed by an unobstructed line of sight between points not less than 100 feet from the center line of each intersecting street, nor in any position where it may endanger vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
§ 320-161 Street numbers to be provided.
Every business and residence within the Township shall comply with Chapter 157, Numbering of Buildings, relating to the provision of assigned street numbers.
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