Darlington Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
Signs
§ 172-148 General requirements.
The following regulations and restrictions shall apply to all signs erected in all zoning districts of this Township.
A.
Permits and exemption.
(1)
It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, or convert any sign in Darlington Township or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit, if required, for each sign from the Township Zoning Officer.
(2)
Applications for a sign permit shall be made, in writing, to the Township Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied by such information as may be required to assure compliance with these regulations and all other appropriate ordinances and regulations of Darlington Township.
(3)
The following signs do not require a sign permit:
(a)
Any sign with a gross surface area of four square feet or less;
(b)
Official traffic signs erected by the commonwealth, Beaver County or Darlington Township;
(c)
Temporary signs, including but not limited to real estate, no trespassing, artisan, seasonal or special activities or contractors' signs which are six feet or less in gross surface area.
B.
Signs within public rights-of-ways.
(1)
No sign shall be constructed, erected, or so located that any portion of the sign structure projects over or is placed within the right-of-way lines of any public highway or street except for official traffic signs or for street or road signs as required and erected by local, state, and/or federal governmental agencies or authorities.
(2)
Street or road signs as required and erected by local, state, and/or federal governmental agencies or authorities are permitted at a height of not less than seven feet above the top level of established or proposed curb. Such signs may have a reflective surface. Signs guiding or controlling traffic movement may be permitted at a height to exceed seven feet above adjacent grade level and may be illuminated if such is judged to be appropriate and necessary by the governmental agency or authority responsible for the erection and maintenance of said signs.
(3)
Any sign which does not comply with the provisions of this article shall constitute a public nuisance in addition to being in and of itself a violation of this chapter.
C.
Sign location and construction.
(1)
All signs shall be a minimum of 10 feet from the abutting public road or street right-of-way or four feet inside public sidewalk and the clear sight triangle must be maintained.
(2)
No permanent sign shall be erected, placed, or constructed in any zoning district on a movable base, sled, trailer, vehicle, or any other portable device. Temporary signs shall be erected and maintained in accordance with the appropriate provisions of this article.
D.
Sign lighting.
(1)
Signs that flash, rotate, oscillate or move shall not be permitted. Digital signs are not included in this reference.
(2)
Any sign other than official governmental traffic control signs using the words "stop," "look," "listen," "slow," "danger," or any other words, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic shall be prohibited.
(3)
A sign may be illuminated according to the provisions of this article. The illumination is confined to or directed to the surface of the sign.
(4)
All illumination shall be by diffuse or indirect light.
(5)
All lighting shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises and public right-of-way.
(6)
No artificial light or reflecting device shall be used where such will interfere with, compete for attention with, or may be mistaken for a traffic signal.
(7)
No illumination utilizing red, green, or yellow lights, or a combination thereof, shall be utilized if such sign interferes with the effective visibility of any adjacent traffic signal or if such sign is located adjacent to a roadway where such illumination might give the appearance or impression of a traffic signal.
§ 172-149 Real estate signs.
A.
Temporary on-premises signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises when erected by the owner or broker or any other person interested in the sale or rental of such premises shall adhere to the following:
B.
Signs bearing the word "sold" or the word "rented" with the name of the persons or corporate entity effecting the sale or rental may be erected and maintained in compliance with this section, provided such signs are removed within 30 days of the date of the final sale or rental.
§ 172-150 Temporary signs.
A.
Temporary signs designed and displayed for a seasonal or brief activity, including but not limited to sales, specials, promotions, holidays, auctions, business openings and signs advertising properties for lease or sale may be erected on real estate located in any zoning district by the owner or owners of that property, provided:
(1)
The gross surface area of such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in all districts.
(2)
The total height of such sign shall not exceed six feet above adjacent ground grade.
(3)
Only one such sign shall be erected and maintained on each property unless such property fronts on more than one public street, in which event one such sign may be erected on each frontage.
(4)
Such signs shall only be erected and maintained during the time period beginning four weeks before an event and terminating one week following that event or use.
(5)
The owner of the property upon which such sign is erected shall be responsible for the placement, maintenance, and removal of such sign in accordance with the terms of this article.
(6)
No sign shall be reflective or illuminated.
(7)
All such signs shall be self-supporting or wall-mounted. Overhead signs, arched signs, and banners are prohibited.
(8)
At no time shall such signs be placed on any utility pole.
B.
Signs of mechanics, painters, and other artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided:
(1)
The gross surface area of such sign shall not be in excess of 20 square feet.
(2)
Such signs shall not be reflective or illuminated.
(3)
No more than one such sign shall be placed upon each property.
(4)
Such signs when pertaining to remodeling or rehabilitation work being performed on an existing structure may be displayed for a period not to exceed 60 days in any one calendar year.
(5)
Such signs when pertaining to the construction of a new structure or an addition to an existing structure shall be removed within 15 days of the completion of work or the issuance of an occupancy permit, as applicable, except as mandated by state or federal regulations.
C.
Temporary signs advertising the sale of farm products, when such sale is not the primary use of the premises and where such sale is permitted under the terms of the districts established by this chapter, may be erected, provided:
D.
Temporary advertising for community activities, auctions, garage or yard sales, special events of charitable or public service groups. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum area of six square feet. Signs shall not be erected earlier than 30 days prior to the advertised event or activity and shall be removed within 48 hours following the event or activity. A temporary sign is intended to be used for a period of 30 days or less, announcing an event or advertising a special limited time offer not normally available on the premises.
(1)
Temporary signs pertaining to special sales or events may be displayed for a period of 30 days or less.
(2)
The cumulative area of temporary window sign(s) shall not exceed 50% of the area of each display window or public entrance on the building site. For purposes of this subsection, any display window that faces a separate public right-of-way or which is separated from any other display window by a public entrance shall be considered a single display window.
(3)
Holiday message and decorations are excluded from the restrictions under this section.
§ 172-151 No trespassing signs.
A.
No trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property, or restricting the use of a driveway or property, may be erected and maintained, provided that the gross surface area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet. Only two such signs are permitted for every 100 feet of public street frontage. Such sign shall not be an overhead sign or be illuminated.
B.
For any nonresidential property, a no trespassing sign, or sign indicating the private nature of a driveway or property, or restricting the use of a driveway or property, may be erected and maintained, provided that the gross surface area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet. Only two such signs are permitted per property unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which event two such signs may be erected on each frontage. Such signs shall not be overhead signs or illuminated, but may be reflective.
§ 172-152 Business identification signs.
A.
Business identification signs bearing the name of the occupant and the service offered or products sold or displayed may be erected and maintained on a tract or parcel when said tract or parcel contains only one business enterprise, provided:
(1)
No more than two such signs may be placed on each property unless such property fronts on more than one public street, in which event one sign may be erected on each additional frontage.
(a)
A combination of self-supporting, wall-mounted, or overhead signs are permitted, provided that the total number shall not exceed two signs except as provided for in this article.
(b)
The gross surface area of an overhead sign shall not exceed 20 square feet and shall not project beyond the building line.
(c)
The gross surface area of a wall-mounted sign shall not exceed one square foot of gross sign surface area per two lineal feet of building frontage or 10% of the surface area of the wall upon which the sign is mounted, whichever is less.
(d)
The gross surface area of a self-supporting sign shall be as follows:
[1]
The gross surface area of such self-supporting sign located a minimum of 10 feet from a public street or road right-of-way shall not exceed 50 square feet.
[2]
The gross surface area of such self-supporting sign located more than 50 feet from a public street or road right-of-way shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(2)
Such signs may be illuminated in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(3)
Each business may erect signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter. Such signs shall be limited to such information or instructions as necessary for the convenience of vehicular traffic in reaching such business.
(4)
No sign shall exceed the height of 15 feet above adjacent ground level.
(5)
All wall-mounted signs shall be affixed to or displayed on the face of a building. Such signs shall not project or extend above or beyond the roof or eave line.
(6)
Overhead signs shall be at least nine feet high measured from the adjacent ground grade.
(7)
No wall-mounted sign shall project over a sidewalk area available for public use more than 12 inches.
B.
Business identification signs for multiuse commercial sites bearing the name of the integrated commercial development, the commercial occupants, and the services offered or products sold or displayed may be erected and maintained on a parcel when:
(1)
Only one self-supporting sign identifying only the name of the integrated commercial development may be erected and maintained per land parcel unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which event one such sign may be erected on each frontage.
(a)
There shall be only one sign of any type mounted on a support or supports erected to hold a self-supporting sign.
(b)
The gross surface area of such identification sign shall not exceed 1.5 square feet of gross sign surface area per two linear feet of street frontage to a maximum of 300 square feet in gross surface area.
(2)
Each business enterprise shall be permitted one wall-mounted business identification sign not to exceed one square foot of gross sign surface area per one linear foot of frontage of the building or portion of the building occupied by said business enterprise.
(3)
As applicable, each business enterprise shall be permitted one additional wall-mounted business identification sign for each auxiliary or accessory use. Such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet of gross surface area.
(4)
No combination of business enterprises may combine their interest to permit larger signs or increase the number of signs.
(5)
Such signs may be illuminated in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(6)
Each business may erect signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter. Such signs shall be limited to such information or instructions as necessary for the convenience of vehicular traffic in reaching such business.
(7)
No sign shall exceed the height of 35 feet above adjacent ground level.
(8)
All wall-mounted signs shall be affixed to or displayed on the face of a building. Such signs shall not project or extend above or beyond the roof or eave line.
(9)
No wall-mounted sign shall project over a sidewalk area available for public use more than 12 inches.
C.
Within a M Manufacturing District, at or in close proximity to the intersection of State Highway Route 51 with any intersecting Township road, the erection of a business directional sign providing directional information to the location of a business within the M Manufacturing District or the adjoining L-I Light Industrial District shall be permitted.
(1)
No more than one self-supporting sign shall be permitted at any intersection.
(2)
No sign shall exceed the height of 20 feet above the adjacent ground level.
(3)
No sign shall exceed 160 square feet of gross sign surface.
(4)
No business enterprise shall be permitted more than 20 square feet of gross sign surface in the directional sign.
(5)
No sign shall be constructed, erected or so located that any portion of the sign projects into or is located within the public right-of-way.
(6)
No sign shall be so located as to interfere with the sight distance on any intersecting road.
(7)
Such signs may be illuminated in accordance with the provisions of this article.
§ 172-153 Billboard or advertising sign boards.
Billboards or advertising sign boards may be erected and maintained in commercial, manufacturing, and industrial districts. All such signs shall be controlled by the Outdoor Advertising Act[1]and Highway Beautification Act if erected contiguous to a commonwealth or federal right-of-way.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.