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Fermanagh Township Juniata County
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE VII

Signs

§ 175-34 Erection and maintenance of signs.

Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this article and any and all other ordinances and regulations relating to the erection, alteration, or maintenance of signs and similar devices.

§ 175-35 Signs permitted in residential districts.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, when erected by the owner or broker or any other person interested in the sale or rental of such premises, may be erected and maintained, provided:
(1) 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of six square feet; and
(2) 
Not more than two signs are placed upon any property in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event two such signs may be erected on each frontage.
B. 
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises available for or in process of development, but not erected upon such premises and having inscribed thereon the name of the owner, developer, builder or agent may be erected and maintained, provided:
(1) 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of six square feet, and not in excess of four feet in length; and
(2) 
Not more than one such sign is erected on each 500 feet of street frontage.
C. 
Signs bearing the word "sold" or the word "rented" with the name of the persons affecting the sale or rental may be erected and maintained provided the conditions in § 175-35A hereof are complied with.
D. 
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 size thereof is not in excess of 12 square feet; and
(2) 
Such signs are removed promptly upon completion of the work.
E. 
Trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property provided that the size of any sign shall not exceed two square feet.
F. 
Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, sanitariums or other institutions of a similar nature may be erected and maintained provided:
(1) 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of 40 square feet; and
(2) 
Not more than two signs are placed on a property in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event two such signs may be erected on each frontage.
G. 
Signs advertising home occupations shall not be larger than 12 inches by 24 inches, and may include the name, occupation, and logotype or trade mark, if appropriate, of the practitioner. Such signs shall not be illuminated, with the exception of medical and dental clinics during the hours such offices are open for the care of patients.
H. 
Signs advertising the sale of farm products when permitted by this chapter, provided:
(1) 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of six square feet;
(2) 
Not more than two signs are used; and
(3) 
The signs shall be displayed only when such products are on sale.
I. 
Official traffic and street name signs when erected by, or with the written approval of the Township Supervisors.
J. 
Signs necessary for the identification, operation or protection of public utility facilities and municipal uses; however, all General Regulations, § 175-38, shall apply to such signs.

§ 175-36 Panel type signs (billboards).

Signs which advertise products or services other than those which are sold on the premises where the sign is located are permitted in commercial and industrial districts, subject to the following conditions, as well as other applicable requirements.
A. 
No billboards or advertising sign board shall exceed 500 square feet in area.

§ 175-37 Business identification signs.

Signs bearing the name of the occupant and products manufactured, processed, sold or displayed may be erected and maintained on the premises in commercial and industrial districts. The size of business identification signs shall not exceed 75 square feet in area; however, all general regulations, § 175-38, shall apply to such signs.

§ 175-38 General regulations for all signs.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses.
A. 
Signs must be constructed of durable material, maintained in good condition, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
B. 
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
C. 
No sign, other than an official traffic sign, shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any street, unless authorized by the Municipal Governing Board for a special purpose.
D. 
No sign shall project over a public sidewalk area more than 18 inches.
E. 
Clearance beneath overhead signs shall be at least nine feet, measured from the ground or pavement to the bottom-most part of the sign.
F. 
No portion of a sign shall be positioned in a manner that exceeds the height of the primary structure on the property on which it is located.
G. 
No permit shall be required for the erection, alteration, or maintenance of any signs as permitted in § 175-35, Signs in Residential Districts.
H. 
A permit shall be required for the erection or alteration of panel type signs or advertising sign boards, and business identification signs.
I. 
Advertising painted upon, or displayed upon, a barn or other building or structure shall be regarded as an advertising sign board and the regulations pertaining thereto shall apply.
J. 
Each sign shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.
K. 
No animated, sequential, flashing or oscillating signs shall be permitted in any district. Any sign by reason of its intensity, color, location, or movement that may interfere with traffic lights, signals or other controls, or abrogate public safety shall not be permitted in any district.
L. 
Open flames used to attract public attention to a place of business or to an advertising sign shall not be permitted.
M. 
Signs located along the Route 22 scenic byway, as defined in Chapter 50, Advertising, Outdoor, Article I, Scenic Byway, shall be subject to the regulations therein.