Edgmont Township City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XXX

Outdoor Advertising

§ 365-169 Billboards.

Purpose. It shall be the purpose of this section to provide opportunities for off-premises outdoor advertising by conditional use under Article XV and Article XXXII, § 365-191, to:

Support the First Amendment rights of advertisers to promote legal products and services while retaining the sense of community and protecting the character of the Township.

Ensure that outdoor advertising is provided for in the Township and located where it can be viewed by the traveling public with the least distraction.

Place reasonable limits on outdoor advertising within the Township.

Provide a timely and effective means for emergency and public service dissemination of information.

Promote quality, appearance and safety of outdoor advertising through the use of the latest digital technology.

Use regulations.

Conditional use. A billboard may be permitted by conditional use as the principal use of a lot in the following zoning district and no other. The use shall be subject to the provisions of Article XXXII, § 365-191, and shall otherwise comply with this section:

POC, Planned Office Center District.

Static digital images. All billboards shall be stationary and utilize digital technology to produce static images, which may be changeable via computer.

Prohibited uses.

Single principal use. Where a lot is used for the erection and operation of a billboard, the lot shall not be used for any other principal use, building or structure, notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter to the contrary.

Moving images. Billboards shall not scroll, flash, twinkle, feature motion pictures, moving images, or have mechanical or animated movement.

Conventional billboards. Conventional billboards requiring the physical placement of printed content shall not be permitted.

Bulk, area and height regulations.

Lot size. The minimum lot size shall be determined by providing a setback equal to 200% of the height of the billboard on all four sides of the billboard (front, rear and side yards). The lot shall be free from all other buildings, structures, and improvements, except those demonstrated to be necessary for the operation, maintenance or security of the billboard.

Height.

Maximum height. The maximum height of the highest point of the billboard, including its support structure, shall not exceed 50 feet measured from the existing, undisturbed grade.

Minimum height. No point of the lowest parallel plane of a billboard, including its support structure, may be closer to the ground at any point than 20 feet.

Location.

Distance between billboards. No billboard may be closer than 500 feet from any other billboard, as measured between the closest points of each billboard, including its support structure.

Distance to signalized intersection. No billboard shall be located within the safe clear sight distance or safe stopping distance of a signalized intersection, which distance shall be determined in accordance with applicable PA DOT standards.

Interference with traffic. No part of a billboard shall interfere with or obstruct vehicle traffic, travel or ingress and egress to a public street.

Standards of approval.

Burden of proof. It shall be the burden of an applicant wishing to install a billboard to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section, as well as those of Article XXXII, § 365-191.

Subdivision. The provisions of Chapter 305, Subdivision and Land Development, shall also apply.

Removal bond. A removal bond, in form and amount satisfactory to the Township, shall be posted with the Township to ensure that a billboard, once erected, will be promptly and properly removed upon abandonment or termination of use.

Other standards.

Permits. In addition to the other requirements of this section, a permit must be obtained from the Township and any other agency with jurisdiction prior to commencing construction of the billboard.

Display.

Faces. Billboards shall have no more than two sign faces of equal size, shape and dimension, neither of which may exceed 240 square feet, measured as the full height and width to the outside dimension, not including any surrounding framework.

Singular display. Only one advertisement, display, or message shall appear on a billboard face at any one time. When a billboard has two sides, each of the two sides of a billboard may contain a separate advertisement.

Display changes. Changes from one advertisement, display, or message to another shall occur no more frequently than once per hour during the time which the billboard is permitted to be in daily operation. When a message or display on the billboard is transitioned, it shall be accomplished in one second or less in a seamless, imperceptible transition from one message or display to the next. Transitions shall not have the effect of moving text or images.

Malfunctioning display. The billboard display shall be set to all black when not in normal operational display.

Orientation. Each face of a billboard shall be demonstrated to be oriented toward the road or street upon which the billboard fronts or faces to mitigate the impact upon neighboring properties.

Advertisements and displays.

Prohibited advertisements and displays.

Language and images. Advertisements shall not contain or use obscene or profane language or images.

Planned office center business. The billboard shall not be used to advertise, display, or otherwise direct attention to a product, activity, message, or business within the Planned Office Center District wherein the billboard is located, except where the advertisement, display, attention or message is not for the local product, activity, message, or business but is part of a regional or national campaign or program.

Space available. The billboard shall not be used to advertise that space is available for advertising.

Message sequencing. The display of a single message or advertisement for a product or service that is divided into segments and presented over two or more successive display phases of a sign or across two or more individual signs is prohibited.

Operator name. The operator of the billboard may include its name on each display side of the billboard structure, subject to the following:

Number. The name of the operator of the billboard is limited to two places on the billboard, which shall be located at a point under each of the display screens.

Size. The size of the operator name identifier shall measure no greater than six square feet.

Public safety announcements. Billboards shall include a means by which emergency service, public safety agencies, and other public service announcements may, without charge, be timely communicated via the billboard to alert the public on an emergency and temporary basis.

Illumination.

Internal illumination. All billboards shall be internally lit. No source of lighting external to the sign face shall be permitted, except in connection with safety or maintenance and as approved by the Township.

Design standards. All lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as not to project or reflect light or glare onto a neighboring use or property or any road or street.

Automatic adjustment. Every billboard shall be capable of automatic reduction of sign-face brightness at dusk to a level commensurate with ambient brightness of the surround. For locations of relatively high ambient background brightness, a minimum reduction from daytime levels to 400 nits is required, and in locations of low ambient background brightness, a minimum reduction to 200 nits is required. The Township may require a further reduction in sign face brightness if deemed appropriate. Luminance (brightness) readings shall be with the sign face set to all white.

Extinguishment. Where billboards are visible from a residential district or use, the billboard shall be extinguished automatically by a form of programmable controller, with astronomical and daylight saving time control and spring or battery outage reset, from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. on the following day, except when displaying a public service announcement. The billboard display shall be set to all black when extinguished.

Source color temperature. White LEDs shall have a correlated color temperature not to exceed 3000K.

Site requirements.

Screening. Billboards shall be adequately screened, to the satisfaction of the Township, whenever a billboard is visible from a residential district or use.

Access. Vehicles shall have adequate access to and within the site over an improved all-weather surface.

Utilities. All utilities serving the billboard shall be located underground.

Structure.

Self supporting. Billboards shall be freestanding and self-supporting. No part or portion of a billboard shall be attached or connected to any other building or structure.

Attachments. There shall be no objects or other structures attached to a billboard or its structure except as may be necessary for the proper and safe operation and maintenance of the billboard.

Secure. Billboards shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access.

Maintenance. Billboards, including support structures, shall be properly and regularly maintained.

Contact information. Twenty-four-hour contact information for the billboard operator shall be provided to the Township.

Abandonment.

Presumed abandonment. Any billboard which remains unused for a period of 60 days or more shall be deemed to have been abandoned.

Removal of dangerous structures. If the Township determines that the billboard presumed to have been abandoned poses a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the general public, such billboard shall be immediately removed or demolished.

Removal of billboard. In no event shall such billboard remain in place for more than six months after abandonment.

Demolition costs. Notwithstanding any removal bond posted with the Township, the property owner shall be responsible for any removal and demolition costs related to the billboard.

Controlling provisions. To the extent of any conflict between the provisions of this section and any other section of this chapter, the provisions of this section shall control billboards.

Edgmont Township City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XXX

Outdoor Advertising

§ 365-169 Billboards.

Purpose. It shall be the purpose of this section to provide opportunities for off-premises outdoor advertising by conditional use under Article XV and Article XXXII, § 365-191, to:

Support the First Amendment rights of advertisers to promote legal products and services while retaining the sense of community and protecting the character of the Township.

Ensure that outdoor advertising is provided for in the Township and located where it can be viewed by the traveling public with the least distraction.

Place reasonable limits on outdoor advertising within the Township.

Provide a timely and effective means for emergency and public service dissemination of information.

Promote quality, appearance and safety of outdoor advertising through the use of the latest digital technology.

Use regulations.

Conditional use. A billboard may be permitted by conditional use as the principal use of a lot in the following zoning district and no other. The use shall be subject to the provisions of Article XXXII, § 365-191, and shall otherwise comply with this section:

POC, Planned Office Center District.

Static digital images. All billboards shall be stationary and utilize digital technology to produce static images, which may be changeable via computer.

Prohibited uses.

Single principal use. Where a lot is used for the erection and operation of a billboard, the lot shall not be used for any other principal use, building or structure, notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter to the contrary.

Moving images. Billboards shall not scroll, flash, twinkle, feature motion pictures, moving images, or have mechanical or animated movement.

Conventional billboards. Conventional billboards requiring the physical placement of printed content shall not be permitted.

Bulk, area and height regulations.

Lot size. The minimum lot size shall be determined by providing a setback equal to 200% of the height of the billboard on all four sides of the billboard (front, rear and side yards). The lot shall be free from all other buildings, structures, and improvements, except those demonstrated to be necessary for the operation, maintenance or security of the billboard.

Height.

Maximum height. The maximum height of the highest point of the billboard, including its support structure, shall not exceed 50 feet measured from the existing, undisturbed grade.

Minimum height. No point of the lowest parallel plane of a billboard, including its support structure, may be closer to the ground at any point than 20 feet.

Location.

Distance between billboards. No billboard may be closer than 500 feet from any other billboard, as measured between the closest points of each billboard, including its support structure.

Distance to signalized intersection. No billboard shall be located within the safe clear sight distance or safe stopping distance of a signalized intersection, which distance shall be determined in accordance with applicable PA DOT standards.

Interference with traffic. No part of a billboard shall interfere with or obstruct vehicle traffic, travel or ingress and egress to a public street.

Standards of approval.

Burden of proof. It shall be the burden of an applicant wishing to install a billboard to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section, as well as those of Article XXXII, § 365-191.

Subdivision. The provisions of Chapter 305, Subdivision and Land Development, shall also apply.

Removal bond. A removal bond, in form and amount satisfactory to the Township, shall be posted with the Township to ensure that a billboard, once erected, will be promptly and properly removed upon abandonment or termination of use.

Other standards.

Permits. In addition to the other requirements of this section, a permit must be obtained from the Township and any other agency with jurisdiction prior to commencing construction of the billboard.

Display.

Faces. Billboards shall have no more than two sign faces of equal size, shape and dimension, neither of which may exceed 240 square feet, measured as the full height and width to the outside dimension, not including any surrounding framework.

Singular display. Only one advertisement, display, or message shall appear on a billboard face at any one time. When a billboard has two sides, each of the two sides of a billboard may contain a separate advertisement.

Display changes. Changes from one advertisement, display, or message to another shall occur no more frequently than once per hour during the time which the billboard is permitted to be in daily operation. When a message or display on the billboard is transitioned, it shall be accomplished in one second or less in a seamless, imperceptible transition from one message or display to the next. Transitions shall not have the effect of moving text or images.

Malfunctioning display. The billboard display shall be set to all black when not in normal operational display.

Orientation. Each face of a billboard shall be demonstrated to be oriented toward the road or street upon which the billboard fronts or faces to mitigate the impact upon neighboring properties.

Advertisements and displays.

Prohibited advertisements and displays.

Language and images. Advertisements shall not contain or use obscene or profane language or images.

Planned office center business. The billboard shall not be used to advertise, display, or otherwise direct attention to a product, activity, message, or business within the Planned Office Center District wherein the billboard is located, except where the advertisement, display, attention or message is not for the local product, activity, message, or business but is part of a regional or national campaign or program.

Space available. The billboard shall not be used to advertise that space is available for advertising.

Message sequencing. The display of a single message or advertisement for a product or service that is divided into segments and presented over two or more successive display phases of a sign or across two or more individual signs is prohibited.

Operator name. The operator of the billboard may include its name on each display side of the billboard structure, subject to the following:

Number. The name of the operator of the billboard is limited to two places on the billboard, which shall be located at a point under each of the display screens.

Size. The size of the operator name identifier shall measure no greater than six square feet.

Public safety announcements. Billboards shall include a means by which emergency service, public safety agencies, and other public service announcements may, without charge, be timely communicated via the billboard to alert the public on an emergency and temporary basis.

Illumination.

Internal illumination. All billboards shall be internally lit. No source of lighting external to the sign face shall be permitted, except in connection with safety or maintenance and as approved by the Township.

Design standards. All lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as not to project or reflect light or glare onto a neighboring use or property or any road or street.

Automatic adjustment. Every billboard shall be capable of automatic reduction of sign-face brightness at dusk to a level commensurate with ambient brightness of the surround. For locations of relatively high ambient background brightness, a minimum reduction from daytime levels to 400 nits is required, and in locations of low ambient background brightness, a minimum reduction to 200 nits is required. The Township may require a further reduction in sign face brightness if deemed appropriate. Luminance (brightness) readings shall be with the sign face set to all white.

Extinguishment. Where billboards are visible from a residential district or use, the billboard shall be extinguished automatically by a form of programmable controller, with astronomical and daylight saving time control and spring or battery outage reset, from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. on the following day, except when displaying a public service announcement. The billboard display shall be set to all black when extinguished.

Source color temperature. White LEDs shall have a correlated color temperature not to exceed 3000K.

Site requirements.

Screening. Billboards shall be adequately screened, to the satisfaction of the Township, whenever a billboard is visible from a residential district or use.

Access. Vehicles shall have adequate access to and within the site over an improved all-weather surface.

Utilities. All utilities serving the billboard shall be located underground.

Structure.

Self supporting. Billboards shall be freestanding and self-supporting. No part or portion of a billboard shall be attached or connected to any other building or structure.

Attachments. There shall be no objects or other structures attached to a billboard or its structure except as may be necessary for the proper and safe operation and maintenance of the billboard.

Secure. Billboards shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access.

Maintenance. Billboards, including support structures, shall be properly and regularly maintained.

Contact information. Twenty-four-hour contact information for the billboard operator shall be provided to the Township.

Abandonment.

Presumed abandonment. Any billboard which remains unused for a period of 60 days or more shall be deemed to have been abandoned.

Removal of dangerous structures. If the Township determines that the billboard presumed to have been abandoned poses a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the general public, such billboard shall be immediately removed or demolished.

Removal of billboard. In no event shall such billboard remain in place for more than six months after abandonment.

Demolition costs. Notwithstanding any removal bond posted with the Township, the property owner shall be responsible for any removal and demolition costs related to the billboard.

Controlling provisions. To the extent of any conflict between the provisions of this section and any other section of this chapter, the provisions of this section shall control billboards.