Fairview Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Exterior Signs and Outdoor Display Structures
§ 300-64 Signs permitted in all zoning districts without permits.
The following listed signs are permitted in all zoning districts, shall not require a permit, and shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs on a premises or the area of signs on a premises, but shall otherwise conform with the general regulations for signs in this chapter, including the specific prohibitions contained in this Article IX of this chapter relating to signs prohibited in all zoning districts.
A.
Single-family residential name and address sign. One single-family residential name and address sign, not to include any commercial advertising and not to exceed six inches by 18 inches. Such sign may be illuminated.
B.
No-trespassing signs. No-trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of property such as no hunting no fishing, of no more than two square feet in sign area in RL, RS, and/or VR Zoning Districts, and of no more than five square feet in sign area in all other zoning districts. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
C.
Construction or repair signs. One combined sign shall be permitted for all contractors, professional firms, mechanics or craftsmen and lending institutions on premises under construction or repair not to exceed six square feet in sign area in the RL, RS, and/or VR Zoning Districts and not to exceed 32 square feet in all other zoning districts. Such sign shall be confined to the site of construction or repair and shall be removed within seven days of completion of construction or repair. Such sign shall not be illuminated.
D.
Real estate signs.
(1)
Real estate signs which advertise the sale or lease of the premises on which the sign is located, limited to one such sign for each frontage of the premises. In the RL, RS, and/or VR Zoning Districts, such sign shall not exceed five square feet of sign area if single-faced, nor more than 10 square feet of sign area if double-faced. In all other zoning districts, such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in sign area if single-faced, nor more than 50 square feet in sign area if double-faced. The top of such signs shall not be over three feet above immediately surrounding grade. Such signs shall be removed within seven days after settlement of the transaction. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(2)
Real estate directional signs not exceeding five square feet in such area of single-faced or not more than 10 square feet in area if double-faced, not exceeding four in number, displaying no more than the name of realtor, a directional arrow and "open house," on approach routes to the premises to be sold or leased. The top of such signs shall not be over three feet above immediately surrounding grade. Such signs shall be removed immediately after an open house is concluded. No more than one such sign shall be placed for each 500 feet of the street frontage. If the signs are placed on private property, written permission of the property owner shall be required. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(3)
Signs indicating the location of and directions to premises available for or in the process of development, having thereon the name of the owner, developer, builder or agent if such signs do not exceed 10 square feet in sign area if single-faced, nor more than 20 square feet in sign area if double-faced. No more than one such sign shall be placed for each 500 feet of street frontage. The top of such signs shall not be over three feet above immediately surrounding grade. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(4)
Signs advertising the development of a subdivision when placed upon the premises in the process of development by a builder, contractor, developer or other person interested in such subdivision not exceeding 80 square feet in sign area if single-faced, nor more than 160 square feet in sign area if double-faced and no more than two such signs are placed upon any subdivision held in single and separate ownership unless such subdivision fronts upon more than one street, in which event, two such signs may be newer on each frontage. Such signs shall be removed within seven days after the last lot, tract or parcel of land in the subdivision is sold or leased.
(5)
Signs bearing the word "sold" or word "rented" with the name of the person effecting the sale or rental may be added to a real estate sign. Such signs shall be removed within 14 days after settlement of the transaction. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
E.
Window signs. Signs shall be permitted on inside of windows.
F.
Integral. Signs indicating name of building, date of erection, monumental citation, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar materials or made of bronze, steel or other permanent-type construction or material and made an integral part of the structure.
G.
Public, charitable or place of worship civic/institutional signs.
(1)
Signs of schools, colleges, universities, places of worship, hospitals, public sanitariums, charitable religious, and civic/institutions when located on the premises thereof, with a sign area of no more than 40 square feet if single-faced, nor more than 80 square feet if double-faced, used exclusively for noncommercial purposes, and the top of which is not more than eight feet above ground. No more than one such sign shall be placed on a property in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event one such sign may be placed on each frontage.
(2)
Directional signs for the aforesaid institutions, not exceeding three square feet of sign area if single-faced, nor more than six square feet of sign area if double-faced. The top of such signs shall not be more than eight feet above immediately surrounding grade. Not more than one such sign shall be erected on each 500 feet of frontage, and no more than four such signs shall be permitted. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
H.
Permanent residential development signs. Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential subdivision, containing no commercial advertising, and with a sign area not to exceed 80 square feet.
I.
Auction, garage or yard sales, special events of charitable or public service groups. Signs for auctions, garage or yard sales and special events or functions of public service, charitable, religious, educational and civic organizations, when placed on the premises thereof, with a sign area not to exceed four square feet if single-faced, nor more than eight square feet if double-faced. Such signs shall be permitted no more than seven days prior to the event or function, and such signs shall be removed immediately as soon as the event or function advertised thereon has taken place. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
J.
Signs erected by a governmental body. Signs erected by a governmental body, or under direction of such body, and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs or signs identifying public parks, playgrounds or facilities.
K.
Private traffic directions. Signs regulating traffic movement into a property or within a property, not exceeding eight square feet in sign area for each sign. Standard traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs or signs identifying public parks, playgrounds or facilities.
L.
Flag, pennants or insignia. The flag, pennant or insignia of any government, or any religious, charitable, educational or fraternal organization.
M.
Bulletin boards. Bulletin boards for public, charitable, religious, educational, service or civic organizations when placed on the premises thereof with a sign area not to exceed 20 square feet if single-faced, nor more than 40 square feet if double-faced, and if used exclusively for noncommercial announcements.
N.
Political signs. Signs announcing candidates for seeking public office and other data pertinent thereto shall be permitted with an individual sign area not to exceed nine square feet in the RL, RS, and/or VR Zoning District a total area of 24 square feet in all other zoning districts. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
O.
Professional signs. On-premises signs containing name and profession of a doctor, dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, lawyer, accountant, architect, engineer, planner, landscape architect, or minister not to exceed four square feet, not over three feet above surrounding grade and containing no commercial advertising. Such signs may be illuminated.
P.
Outdoor display of merchandise. An outdoor display of merchandise containing thereon the name of the merchandise or product and related matters.
Q.
New or relocated business. One temporary sign which is used for directing persons to a new or relocated commercial or industrial business or facilities. Such sign shall not exceed five square feet in sign area if single-faced nor more than 10 square feet if double-faced. Such sign shall be removed not later than 30 days after such opening or relocation. Such sign shall not be illuminated.
R.
Home occupations and day care, family. One sign will be allowed, not to exceed two square feet.
S.
Rural occupations. One sign will be allowed, not to exceed four square feet.
§ 300-65 Signs prohibited in all zoning districts.
The following signs shall not be permitted, erected, constructed or maintained in any zoning district, notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter elsewhere to the contrary.
A.
Except as provided Article IX of this chapter relating to specific sign uses, signs which have any visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description, or by actions of normal wind currents. A hanging sign which simply swings in the wind, and a clock, time or temperature sign or a barber pole, shall not be considered as a prohibited sign if it complies with the other provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 1-25-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-1]
B.
Signs containing light sources which cast light on signs not shielded by opaque material making the bulbs, floodlights or tubes visible off the property on which signs are located.
C.
Signs advertising activities that are illegal under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances as applied to the location of a particular sign or the location of such activities.
D.
Signs which by reason of size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers either when leaving or entering a public street from another street, access drive, or driveway, obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic control device or traffic sign on a public street.
E.
Signs which make use of works such as "stop," "look," "one way," "danger," "yield," "go slow," "caution," or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic, or which imitate an official traffic sign or signal except as provided in § 300-64J above.
F.
Signs which advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted. In such case, such sign shall be removed within 30 days after the same is no longer produced or conducted.
G.
Signs painted on, pasted or attached to, or supported by utility poles or fences, or trees, stones, cliffs or other natural objects, except that signs permitted in § 300-64I above may be affixed to poles, fences or natural objects by means not permanent or causing damage to the object.
H.
Signs which are placed or located within the public right-of-way, except as provided in § 300-64K above.
I.
Signs which consist of pennants, spinners, banners, streamers, or searchlights.
J.
String lights other than temporary holiday decorations or special events or functions of public service, charitable, religious, educational and civic organizations, which are unshielded from outside the property on which they are located.
K.
Signs which obstruct free ingress to, or egress from a fire escape door, window or other exitway.
L.
Signs which are structurally unsafe or in a state of disrepair.
M.
Signs which are located so as to encroach upon any required clear sight triangle at street intersections and at points where access drives and driveways intersect public streets, as set forth in Chapter 260, relating to subdivision and land development.
N.
Signs which are attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting the following conditions:
(1)
The primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs.
(2)
The signs are magnetic, decals, or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.
(3)
The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively used or available for the us in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate.
O.
Vehicles and trailers used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, nor utilized as storage, shelter or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public.
§ 300-66 Sign permits.
A.
General provisions.
(2)
Application for a zoning permit for sign shall be made on a form provided by the Zoning Officer. Zoning permits for signs shall be kept on the premises, except for off-premises signs, which zoning permit shall be shown to the Zoning Officer at his request.
(3)
Permits for signs are valid until revoked, or until the sign is replaced, structurally altered or moved, in which case a new permit shall be required.
§ 300-67 General provisions for all signs.
A.
Limit on sign area. Except as provided in this Article IX of this chapter, the total sign area per property shall not exceed four square feet per lineal front foot of the principal building on the premises. If the principal building has multiple frontage, an additional sign area of two square feet for each additional lineal foot of main building frontage shall be allowed. Where there is multiple frontage, only the amount of added sign area allowed by each additional frontage shall be allowed to face that frontage. The total area of all signs erected, maintained or located on the premises and buildings shall be within the allowable square footage, and shall not exceed 600 square feet per sign.
B.
Height of signs. Signs shall not exceed 35 feet in height above the average ground-level base of the sign, and said base may not be raised by use of fill if the purpose of filling is to get a sign of greater height.
C.
Location of signs. No point of any sign, including trim, border and supports, shall be located within 10 feet of any property line or public right-of-way.
D.
Roof signs. A roof sign may project 10 feet above the roof of a building, but said sign shall not be more than 35 feet above immediately surrounding grade.
E.
Projecting signs. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all projecting signs:
(1)
No projecting sign or supporting structure shall project more than 36 inches from the wall of a building, nor shall any portion of any projecting sign or supporting structure extend above the roof line.
(2)
No portion of any projecting sign or supporting structure shall be less than 10 feet above grade level.
(3)
No single face of a projecting sign shall exceed 16 square feet in sign area.
(4)
No projecting sign or supporting structure shall be more than 26 feet to the top of the sign above grade level.
(5)
There shall be no more than one projecting sign for any premises unless the premises is located on a corner lot or has public entrances on two or more public streets, in which case, one projecting sign may be erected for and toward each public street.
F.
Condition of signs. Every sign shall be kept in a state of good repair to insure that it is safe, not a fire hazard and of good appearance. The Zoning Officer may require such maintenance, and in the event of failure of sign owner to correct unsafe conditions or dilapidated appearance within a specified time, the Zoning Officer may remove the sign at the owner's expense. All signs not owned by the person, firm or organization advertising thereon shall carry a clearly legible imprint showing the owner's name and address. Signs with no such imprint shall be presumed to be owned by that person whose product or service is being advertised.
G.
Electrical. Construction and wiring of all electric signs requiring transformers or ballast shall comply with the requirements of the National Electric Code, as part of Chapter 113, relating to code enforcement, Uniform Construction Code. No sign shall be so illuminated as to constitute a nuisance by spilling light into any adjacent property.
H.
Removal by owner. A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee falls to remove the sign within 30 days after the same is no longer conducted, it shall be considered a violation of this chapter. These removal provisions shall not apply where a succeeding owner or lessee conducts the same type of business and agrees to maintain the signs as provided in this chapter or change copy on the signs to advertise the type of business being conducted on the premises and provided the signs comply with the other provisions of this chapter.
I.
Alterations; replacing; enlarging. No sign shall be replaced, structurally altered, enlarged or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter for new signs, nor until a required permit has been secured. The changing of movable parts of an approved sign that is designed for such changes, the repainting or re-posting of display matter or making of ordinary and necessary repairs shall not be deemed an alteration; provided, that conditions of the original approval and requirements of this chapter are not violated.
§ 300-68 Specific sign uses.
[Amended 4-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
A.
Outdoor advertising structures, billboards and poster panels. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all outdoor advertising structures, billboards, and poster panels:
(1)
Outdoor advertising structures, billboards and poster panels, sometimes referred to also as "billboards," which advertise products or businesses or activities not connected with the site or building on which they are located, shall be permitted only on property in the CB, IB, and/or AB Zoning Districts.
(2)
Such signs shall be subject to the following regulations:
(a)
No such sign shall be more than 40 feet in height as measured from the grade of the nearest highway adjacent to the sign location, but in no event shall such sign be more than 50 feet in height to the top of the sign from ground level. The Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of Fairview may grant a special exception for an additional 10 feet of height if it can be shown that excessive grades, building interference, bridge obstruction or similar visual obstruction exists.
(b)
Such signs may be single-faced, double-faced, back-to-back or "V" type, but no such sign shall contain more than four signs or panels and shall not exceed in aggregate a total area of 825 square feet per facing.
(c)
Along the interstate system and limited-access highways on the primary system, no two such sign structures shall be spaced less than 500 feet apart and no such structure may be erected adjacent to or within 500 feet of an interchange or safety rest area, measured along the interstate or limited-access highway from the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way.
(d)
Along non-limited-access highways on the primary system, no two such structures shall be spaced less than 1,000 feet apart.
(e)
Directional and official signs and notices, which signs and notices including, but not limited to, signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historical attractions, as defined and regulated in Title 23, United States Code, § 131(c), shall not be counted nor shall measurements be made from them for purposes of determining spacing requirements.
(f)
The distance between sign structures shall be measured along the nearest edge of the pavement, between points directly opposite the signs along the same side of the traveled way.
(i)
Such signs may be illuminated.
(j)
In addition to the requirements of in Subsection A(2)(a) above, all digital and electronic billboard signs shall also comply the following requirements:
[1]
The illumination and/or intensity of the display shall be controlled so as to not create glare, hazards or nuisances. Such signs shall have a maximum nits level of 7,000 nits; provided the brightness of the digital and/or electronic sign shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle of light above the normal ambient light levels. Such sign shall be equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically adjusts the brightness of the sign based on ambient light conditions. Such sign shall be dimmed to 500 nits between sunset and sunrise.
[a]
The sign luminance specification shall be determined by a footcandle-metering device held at a height of five feet and aimed towards the sign, from a distance of 175 feet.
[b]
The metering device should be at a location perpendicular to the sign center (as seen in plain view), as this angle has the highest luminance.
[c]
This check shall include the measurement of an all-white image displayed by the sign to evaluate the worst-case condition.
[d]
If the difference in illuminance between the sign "on" and the sign "off" conditions is 0.3 footcandle or less, then the sign luminance is in compliance.
[2]
Applicant shall permit message access for local, regional, state and national emergency services during emergency situations. Emergency messages are not required to conform to message standards listed in this Subsection A(2)(j).
[3]
Audio speakers and/or any form of pyrotechnics are prohibited.
[5]
Message default mechanism. All signs shall be equipped with a properly functioning default mechanism that will stop the sign in one position should a malfunction occur.
[6]
When applicable, such billboards shall be located, constructed and maintained in accordance with all applicable PennDOT regulations, in addition to all other regulations of the Township. Where there is a conflict between regulations, the more restrictive regulation shall apply.
[7]
No digital or electronic sign shall directly face the RS and/or VR Zoning Districts and/or existing residential uses in the RL, RMU and/or VMU Zoning Districts.
B.
Directional signs. In addition to the general provisions of this Article IX, the following regulations shall apply to all directional signs:
(2)
Directional signs may be erected along streets to direct vehicles or pedestrians to premises not located on such streets, but the access to which is from such streets.
(3)
Directional signs shall be ground signs with a maximum area of six square feet on a single-faced, or 12 square feet on a double-faced sign.
(4)
The content of directional signs shall be limited to the name of the establishment and directions and distance information.
(6)
When more than two directional signs are requested at single location, all information shall be combined in one sign which shall not exceed an area of 12 square feet for a single-faced sign, or 24 square feet for a double-faced sign.
(7)
Directional signs shall be located on private property with permission from property owners.
C.
Shopping center and business park. In addition to the general provisions of this Article IX of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to shopping centers and business parks:
(1)
One multiple-use ground sign stating the name of the shopping center or business park, name of tenants and the name of entertainment and rating thereof if any, and advertising matter, shall be permitted. The area of the sign shall be determined independently from the sign area allowed under this Article IX of this chapter relating to general provisions for all signs, for building frontage, and shall be one square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage or not more than 500 square feet overall, whichever is smaller. The sign may be double-faced. If the shopping center of business park has a frontage on more than one street, one siuch sign shall be allowed for each frontage. The height of such sign shall not exceed 50 feet from grade at the base of the sign.
(2)
Such signs may be illuminated.
(3)
All other signs identifying each individual business shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Article IX, except that each individual business shall be permitted not less than one identification sign which shall not exceed 80 square feet in sign area, shall not exceed four feet in height and shall not exceed 20 feet in width. No ground sign shall be permitted for any business.
(a)
Shopping center. No monument signs shall be permitted for any business within a shopping center.
(b)
Business park. Individual uses within a business park may erect one monument sign per lot within a business park. This monument sign may be located at the entrance of the parking lot of the business, subject to the applicable setbacks under this Article IX of this chapter. The monument sign may not exceed 80 square feet in sign area, shall not exceed 10 feet in height, and shall not exceed 20 feet in width. The monument sign may be illuminated. A permit for the monument sign shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer, subject to Article XII of this chapter.