Eldred Township Lycoming County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Sign Regulations
§ 250-700 Purpose.
In order that the legitimate demands for signage can be met without the unsightly intrusion of an unlimited number of signs of inappropriate size, dimension, and location, any sign erected or altered in Eldred Township after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the provisions of this article.
§ 250-701 Types of signs.
Signage may include a variety of different types of signs, each with unique functions. The following list itemizes and defines the various signs considered under the provisions of this article.
A.
Advertising sign board. A sign or board which directs motorists or pedestrians to a business establishment or calls the attention of a motorist or pedestrian to a product, place, or activity that exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which the sign is erected; i.e., an off-premises sign.
B.
Business identification sign. A sign that attracts motorists or pedestrians to a business, product, service, or activity that is sold, produced, or conducted on the same premises upon which the sign is located; i.e., an on-premises sign.
C.
Canopy sign. A sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or freestanding canopy which advertises a product available on the premises or identifies the business to which it is attached or accessory; i.e., a business identification sign.
D.
Freestanding sign. A self-supporting sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards placed in or on the ground. Such signs may be designed to be portable or may be permanently affixed to the ground to prevent displacement and may advertise products or items offered for sale or that are directly related to the premises upon which they are located, e.g., business identification signs, or may advertise products or events located elsewhere, e.g., billboards or advertising sign boards.
E.
Parallel wall sign. A type of wall sign which is attached to, painted on, or otherwise mounted parallel to a wall or vertical surface of a building. Such sign not protrude more than eight inches from the wall to which it is attached nor extend beyond the edge of such wall.
F.
Permanent sign. A sign intended to be erected for a period of time exceeding 30 days, excluding standard real estate signs.
G.
Portable sign. Any sign which is not securely attached to the ground or a building or structure, regardless of its size or area.
H.
Projecting wall sign. A type of wall sign with its horizontal plane attached at right angles to its supporting wall and which protrudes more than eight inches from such wall.
I.
Temporary sign. Promotional flags or pennants, temporary portable signs, temporary or seasonal business identification signs, or other special promotional or advertising devices or banners, or temporary event signs intended to be erected for 30 or fewer days in any calendar year.
J.
Traffic or roadway signs. Signs erected by or with the approval of the Township Supervisors or PennDOT which are intended to direct or inform the general public about traffic or roadway conditions.
K.
Wall sign. A sign attached to a wall or part of a wall of a building or structure.
§ 250-702 General sign regulations.
The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses.
A.
Zoning permit. A zoning permit shall be required for the placement, erection, or alteration of all permanent signs, except property posting signs, name plates or personal identification signs, property sale or rental signs, and municipally placed directional or traffic or roadway signs. Applications for signs being erected on property other than that owned by the applicant shall include written permission from the property owner. (Fees for the issuance of zoning permits for signs shall be paid to the Township and shall be in accordance with the schedule of fees established by resolution of the Township Supervisors.)
B.
Construction and maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable material and shall be maintained to present a legible appearance and avoid deterioration, decay or other conditions which could endanger the public health, welfare or safety. All signs shall be securely fastened in order to prevent their displacement by the elements.
C.
Sign area or sign size.
(1)
Sign area shall include the entire face of a single side of a sign, including all framing, trim and border area, but excluding any supporting framework or bracing.
(2)
A double-faced sign shall be considered a single sign, unless the interior angle formed by the two sides of the sign is greater than 45°, then each side of the sign shall be considered as a separate sign.
(3)
Where a sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to a building, the area of such sign shall be the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
D.
Placement.
(1)
No sign shall be placed within the clear sight triangle of any intersection as per the requirements of § 250-504E of this chapter, nor at any other location that could obstruct or impair a motorists clear vision. In addition, no sign (whether temporary or permanent) shall be located where it could be an impediment to pedestrian traffic.
(2)
No sign, other than an official traffic or roadway sign, shall be erected within the right-of-way of any street, unless authorized by the Township Supervisors or PennDOT, as applicable, for a special purpose.
(3)
No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer to a street right-of-way or front property line than 10 feet, except for official traffic or roadway signs, and no portion of such signs shall be located closer to any side or rear lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the district in which the sign is to be erected.
(4)
No sign shall be erected or maintained which could prevent free ingress and egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall any sign be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. Additionally, no sign shall obstruct pedestrian access on any sidewalk or access to or egress from any building.
(5)
No sign shall be painted, erected, affixed or maintained on a tree, stone, or other natural object, except for property posting signs. Nor shall any sign be painted, erected, supported or maintained on an accessory storage trailer.
(6)
Signs placed in any floodplain district shall be subject to the regulations of the underlying district, except that no sign in any floodplain area may impede natural drainage or the flow of water.
E.
Sign height.
(1)
Sign height shall be measured from the average finished grade of the site beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign. No person shall artificially increase the maximum height of a sign by altering the grade at the base of the sign.
(2)
No freestanding sign located in a Rural Residential, Agricultural, or Conservation Zone shall exceed eight feet in height. The maximum height of all such signs in the Village Center District shall be 14 feet.
(3)
No portion of a wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
No sign shall be erected or placed upon the roof of any building.
F.
Projection.
(1)
Parallel walls signs shall not extend more than eight inches from the surface or wall to which they are mounted or attached, nor in any way interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(2)
There shall be no projecting wall signs erected in the Township.
(3)
No canopy sign shall have a clearance of less the 10 feet measured from the lowest part of the sign, when projecting over a sidewalk or pedestrian circulation area. In addition, no sign shall be located on the eave of any building.
G.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall not cause excessive glare or other disturbance which would be incompatible with the nature of the surrounding neighborhood or which would in any way impair the vision of passing motorists. Illumination shall be steady in nature, not flashing, animated, moving or changing in brilliance, color or intensity. No flashing or animated signs, or moving digital message boards shall be permitted, except for approved time and temperature signs. The following types of illumination may be permitted as provided in §§ 250-703, 250-704, and 250-705.
(1)
Direct illumination. Illumination provided either directly or through transparent or translucent material from a source of light within a sign, including but not limited to, neon and exposed lamps.
(2)
Indirect illumination. Illumination provided by a light which is shielded so that no direct rays are visible from elsewhere on the lot where the sign is located.
H.
Nonconforming signs. Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs, and once removed, shall be replaced with only conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be painted, repaired or maintained, provided such maintenance or repair does not extend the dimensions of the existing sign.
I.
State regulations. All applicable state regulations shall be met where signs are proposed in areas adjacent to highways included in PennDOT's Primary and Interstate Highway Systems. Any person(s) desiring to erect a sign in these areas shall contact PennDOT to determine if the state's regulations will effect his proposal. A written copy of PennDOT's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas, and a copy of the state permit, where required, shall be submitted to the Township prior to the issuance of a zoning permit for the sign or initiation of construction or erection of the sign.
J.
Temporary event signs. Temporary signs which are to be erected for a legally permissible special event or purpose, i.e., an auction, a flea market, an exhibit, a carnival, a fair, festival, or fund-raising event, not including any business identification sign, may be permitted in any zoning district in the Township subject to the following restrictions.
(1)
The area of each temporary event sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(2)
The placement of such signs shall met the requirements of § 250-702D(2) of this chapter.
(3)
Temporary event signs shall not be displayed for more than two weeks prior to the event and shall be removed by the property owner or event promoter within 24 hours after the event has occurred.
§ 250-703 Signs in the Rural Residential District.
Signs may be placed or located in the Rural Residential Zoning District subject to the following specified requirements.
A.
General signs. The following types of nonilluminated, nonadvertising general signs may be permitted in the Rural Residential District as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel walls signs.
(2)
Name plates or personal identification signs. Signs which display the name of the property owner and/or address of the property on which they are located may be permitted as follows:
(3)
Home occupation signs. Signs which identify the name of a specific home occupation to be conducted on the site where they are located may be permitted as follows:
(4)
Property sale or rental signs. Signs which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of property on which they are located may be permitted as follows:
(5)
Residential development identification signs. Signs which identify the name of the residential development upon which they are located may be permitted as follows:
B.
Institutional and civic signs. Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated, nonadvertising institutional or civic signs may be permitted in the Rural Residential District as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
(1)
On-premises identification signs. Signs which display the name of a church, park or playground, group home, personal care home, or other institutional building or use may be permitted as follows:
(2)
Off-premises directional signs. Signs which direct patrons, members, or individuals to service clubs, churches, schools, or other nonprofit or civic institutions may be permitted as follows:
C.
Business identification signs. The following types of nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the Rural Residential District as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding or parallel wall signs.
(1)
Existing nonconforming uses. Signs which identify the name of an existing nonconforming use (whether a new sign or a replacement for an existing sign) may be permitted as follows:
(2)
New commercial uses. Signs which identify the name of an approved commercial use or activity, including bed-and-breakfast establishments and day-care centers, or other uses set forth in the district regulations, may be permitted as follows:
§ 250-704 Signs in the Village Center District.
Signs may be placed or located in the Village Center District subject to the specified requirements.
A.
General signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-703A, General Signs in the Rural Residential District, may also be permitted in the Village Center District at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same style.
B.
Institutional and civic signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-703B, Institutional and Civic Signs in the Rural Residential District, may also be permitted in the Village Center District at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same type.
C.
Business identification signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial use or activity, the following types of nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the Village Center District as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either freestanding signs, parallel wall signs, or canopy signs. Signs which identify the name, logo, or trademark of the business, service, or activity and/or the availability or pricing of certain products offered for sale on the premises where the sign is located may be permitted as follows:
§ 250-705 Signs in the Agricultural and Conservation Districts.
Signs may be placed or located in the Agricultural and Conservation Districts subject to the specified requirements.
A.
General signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-703A, General Signs in the Rural Residential District, may also be permitted in the Agricultural and Conservation Districts at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same style.
B.
Institutional and civic signs. Those signs permitted in § 250-703B, Institutional and Civic Signs in the Rural Residential District, may also be permitted in the Agricultural and Conservation Districts at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same type.
C.
Business identification signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial use or activity, those signs permitted in § 250-703C, Business Identification Signs in the Rural Residential District, may also be permitted in the Agricultural and Conservation Districts at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same type.