Frazer Township City Zoning Code
PART 17
SIGNS
§ 27-1701 Application.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008]
1.
Signs may be erected and maintained only in compliance with the provisions of this Part, other Parts of this chapter and any and all regulations of the Frazer Township relating in any way to the erection, location, size, height, use, number, lighting, operation, alteration or maintenance of signs, billboards, banners and other similar advertising devices as defined herein.
2.
No sign shall be erected, altered, painted, relocated, remodeled, expanded or maintained in any manner that is inconsistent with provisions of this chapter and all other applicable Township ordinances. A zoning permit shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer prior to the erection or alternation of any sign. The Zoning Officer shall review and approve all sign applications.
§ 27-1702 General Regulations.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, §§ 21, 22; and by Ord. 173, 8/5/2014, § 37]
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning districts:
A.
Restricted Signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district:
(1)
Banners or pennants, other than temporary special event displays authorized by this chapter.
(2)
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs.
(3)
Signs which imitate traffic control devices.
(4)
Signs painted on fences or retaining walls.
(5)
Strings of lights, flashers, flags, pennants or other display paraphernalia, except those displays specifically authorized by this Part.
(6)
Overhanging signs, as defined herein.
(7)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right of way, public property or private property, other than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, which are visible from the public right of way and where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
(8)
Signs located within public rights-of-way, unless otherwise provided herein.
B.
Exempt Signs. The following signs shall be exempt from these regulations:
(1)
Residential identification signs, as defined herein.
(2)
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized Federal or State holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard.
(3)
Memorial/historical plaques.
(4)
Window displays, as defined herein, provided they shall not exceed 20% of the gross surface area of all windows in an establishment.
(5)
Signs erected by a governmental agency, including street signs and official traffic signs.
C.
Lots with Multiple Street Frontage. In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one sign which is permitted per lot, on each street frontage.
D.
Temporary Signs.
(1)
In all zoning districts where authorized by § 27-1703, real estate, construction and development signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sale or construction.
(2)
Sandwich board signs shall be permitted for restaurants, subject to the following requirements:
(a)
The sandwich board sign shall be placed immediately adjacent to the entrance to the facility, provided that the sign does not impede pedestrian traffic. A minimum three-foot clearance shall be maintained for pedestrian access.
(b)
The sandwich board sign shall not be placed within a public right-of-way.
(c)
The sandwich board sign shall be secured to the building or other fixed object with a chain or similar device and shall be constructed of such design and materials so as not to be easily displaced by normal wind force.
(d)
Placement of the sandwich board sign shall be limited to the hours which the restaurant is open to the public and the sign shall be removed daily.
(e)
Only one sandwich board sign shall be permitted per restaurant.
(3)
Temporary signs advertising nonprofit community events taking place in the Township are permitted to be located within public rights-of-way in the CSO and CPO Districts subject to the following requirements, regulations and restrictions:
(a)
The signs shall be constructed of weather-resistant material such as cloth and plastic.
(b)
The signs shall not be digital, animated, flashing or illuminated.
(c)
No more than one such sign shall be located per, street frontage of any lot. No such sign shall be located within 100 feet of any other temporary sign.
(d)
No such sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle or in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device.
(e)
A sign shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area. The maximum height of the sign and any supporting structure shall be four feet.
(f)
A portable sign shall not be considered a temporary sign under this subsection.
(g)
The applicant shall apply for and obtain a zoning permit for any temporary sign permitted by this subsection. The period of the permit shall not exceed 30 days and the signs shall be removed immediately upon the expiration of the permit. An applicant shall not be permitted more than four display periods in any single twelve-month period. The duration and permit period restrictions within this subsection shall not apply to signs installed by the Township.
E.
Changeable, Moving and Flashing Signs. Changeable signs, moving signs and flashing signs shall only be permitted in the I Industrial District subject to the regulations contained in this chapter; provided, however, the following portions of signs are exceptions to this requirement provided that the following signs do not flash:
F.
Portable, Painted, Sandwich Board and Inflatable Signs. Portable signs, signs painted on wall, sandwich board signs (except as permitted under § 27-1702.D(2)) and inflatable signs shall only be permitted in the I Industrial District subject to the regulations contained in this chapter.
G.
Notification Signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth. Legal notification signs posted on private property by property owners, such as "no trespassing," "no hunting," and the like shall be limited to a gross sign surface area not exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along street frontages shall be one sign for every 30 feet of street frontage.
H.
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall hang over, or be erected within, the right-of-way of any street. No sign shall be located within the clear site triangle of any intersection.
I.
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall be directed upon the sign face and not toward adjoining properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall only be permitted in the I District. Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as to not create glare and to be compatible with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding properties.
J.
Maintenance and Inspection. All signs must be constructed of a durable material and maintained in good condition. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection by the Zoning Officer, or his/her designee, shall be declared to be a public nuisance and a notice shall be given to the owner, in writing, to repair or remove the sign within a reasonable time period. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
K.
Removal of Signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated, all signs relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be removed within 30 days of the discontinuance or vacation of the business. Whenever a zoning permit expires for a sign, the sign relating to the expired zoning permit shall be removed immediately. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
L.
Permits Required. A zoning permit shall be required for the erection or placement of all signs with the following exceptions:
(1)
Notification.
(2)
Real estate.
(3)
Political.
(4)
Construction.
(5)
Off-premises direction signs erected by a governmental agency.
The Zoning Officer shall issue the required zoning permit upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Township Supervisors. |
M.
Expiration of Permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently pursued.
N.
Sign Location. Except for political signs and billboards, where authorized by this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended to serve.
O.
Gross Sign Surface Area. In computing the gross sign surface area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered provided both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the gross sign surface area.
§ 27-1703 Signs Authorized in All Zoning Districts.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, § 23]
The following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:
A.
Bulletin Board Sign. One bulletin board sign which is nonilluminated or indirectly or internally illuminated, and which does not exceed 24 square feet in gross sign surface area, shall be permitted in connection with any place of worship, school, library or similar public or semi-public building.
B.
Real Estate Sign. One nonilluminated, temporary real estate sign shall be permitted on each lot provided the gross sign surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet in residential zoning districts and shall not exceed 32 square feet in any other zoning district. The sign shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the property on which it is located.
C.
Development Sign. One nonilluminated, temporary development sign shall be permitted on each lot provided the gross sign surface area shall not exceed 32 square feet. The development sign shall not exceed six feet in height when located in any residential zoning district and shall not exceed 10 feet in height in any other zoning district. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the last lot or completion of the proposed construction in the development.
D.
Construction Sign. One nonilluminated, temporary construction sign announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot; provided, the gross sign surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.
E.
Temporary Special Event Sign. One nonilluminated temporary special event sign shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public building, place of worship or building housing a nonprofit organization, provided that: (1) the gross sign surface area of the signs shall not exceed 40 square feet; and (2) the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 10 days and is removed within five days following the event that it promotes.
F.
Home Occupation Identification Sign. One nonilluminated home occupation identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that the surface area of the sign does not exceed two square feet and the sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation of the resident, and shall not contain any logo or any other advertising.
G.
Political Sign. Nonilluminated, temporary political signs shall be permitted, provided that they are not of a type restricted by § 27-1702.A of this chapter. The signs shall not:
H.
On-premises Directional Sign. On any lot which contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential buildings and/or on any lot which provides more than 100 parking spaces, on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the gross sign surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet. On lots with an area less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted. For each additional acre, or fraction thereof above one acre, two additional on premises directional signs shall be permitted.
§ 27-1704 Signs Authorized in Residential Zoning Districts and PRDs.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, § 241; and by Ord. 173, 8/5/2014, § 38]
The following signs shall be permitted in all residential zoning districts and PRDs:
A.
Residential Plan Identification Sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated permanent wall or free-standing ground residential plan identification sign with a gross sign surface area not to exceed 24 square feet and containing only the street address and/or name of a residential subdivision plan or multi-family building or development. A sign identifying the name of a residential subdivision may be affixed to a free-standing decorative wall, rather than to a building wall, provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable requirements of this chapter.
B.
Business Identification Sign. One freestanding ground sign for any business use (other than a home occupation) which is a legal nonconforming use, or which constitutes a use authorized by this chapter in the subject residential district, provided that:
(1)
No pole sign exists on the lot.
(2)
The gross sign surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(3)
The structure height of the ground sign shall not exceed six feet.
(4)
The location of the ground sign shall be designed to not interfere with vehicular traffic visibility entering or exiting the lot or traveling on any street.
(5)
The foundation of the ground sign shall have a decorative finish that compliments the principal building on the property and such foundation shall have a minimum height of 18 inches above the adjacent ground level.
(6)
The ground sign shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated.
(7)
The ground sign shall be located at least 10 feet from the street right-of-way line, or 40 feet from the center line of the street, whichever is greater. Where the lot abuts a residential property, the setback from the lot line of that property shall be not less than 50 feet.
(8)
No portion of the ground sign shall project over any public right-of-way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection.
(9)
The ground sign shall contain no more than two sign faces, one per side.
§ 27-1705 Signs Authorized in Commercial, Industrial and Overlay Districts.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008; as amended by Ord. 158, 4/6/2010, § 26; by Ord. 173, 8/5/2014, § 39; and by Ord. 174, 8/5/2014, § 1]
The following signs shall be permitted in all commercial, industrial and overlay zoning districts:
A.
Temporary Special Event Display. A temporary special event display shall be permitted, provided that:
(1)
No more than one sign or banner shall be permitted on any establishment at any one time.
(2)
The temporary special event display sign shall be securely attached to the building or a temporary supporting structure.
(3)
The temporary special event display shall be displayed for a period not exceeding 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively, in any twelve-month period.
(4)
The gross sign surface area of the temporary special event display sign shall not exceed 40 square feet per establishment. In the event that there is more than one establishment on a site, the aggregate gross sign surface area of all temporary special event display signs on the site at any one time shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(5)
The maximum height of the sign and any temporary support structure shall not exceed four feet.
(6)
Portable signs shall not be considered temporary special event display signs.
(7)
The temporary special event display shall be nonilluminated.
B.
Changeable Sign. Changeable signs (including animated, digital and electronic message signs) shall only be permitted in the I Industrial District. In addition to the authorized business identification sign, one nonilluminated or internally illuminated changeable sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, which shall not exceed 30 square feet in gross sign surface area and which shall be permanently affixed to the wall of a building on the subject property.
C.
Business Identification Sign.
(1)
Wall Sign. Each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. The aggregate gross sign surface area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building occupied by the business, or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less. The wall sign shall not be located on the roof, nor extend above the height of the building.
(2)
Ground Sign. In addition to the wall sign, one free-standing ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot; provided, that:
(a)
No pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected on the lot.
(b)
The gross sign surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in the GC General Commercial District and shall not exceed 64 square feet in the I Industrial District and the Overlay Districts.
(c)
The structure height of any ground sign shall not exceed six feet and the location of the sign shall be designed to not interfere with vehicular traffic visibility entering or exiting the lot or traveling on any street.
(d)
Ground signs shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.
(e)
All ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet from the street right-of-way line or 40 feet from the center line of the street, whichever is greater. Where the lot abuts a residential property, the setback from the property line shall be not less than 50 feet.
(f)
No portion of any ground sign shall project over any public right of way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection.
(g)
A ground sign shall contain no more than two sign faces, one per side.
(h)
The foundation of the ground sign shall have a decorative finish that compliments the principal building on the property and such foundation shall have a minimum height of 18 inches above the adjacent ground level.
(3)
Pole Sign. In addition to the authorized wall signs, one free-standing pole sign shall be permitted, per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot; provided, that:
(a)
Pole signs shall only be permitted in the I Industrial District, unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b)
No ground sign exists or is proposed on the lot.
(c)
The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.
(d)
The maximum structure height of the top of the pole sign shall be 25 feet.
(e)
The minimum structure height of the bottom edge of the pole sign shall be eight feet.
(f)
The gross sign surface area of the pole sign shall not exceed 40 square feet for one business, and 64 square feet if there is more than one business on the lot.
(g)
No portion of any pole sign shall project over any public right of way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection. The location of the sign shall be designed to not interfere with vehicular traffic visibility entering or exiting the lot or traveling on any street.
(h)
All pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right of way line, or 35 feet from the center line of the street, whichever is greater. Where the property abuts a residential parcel, the setback from the property line shall not be less than 50 feet.
(i)
The pole sign shall contain no more than two sign faces, one per side.
(4)
Roof Signs. A roof sign may be illuminated or nonilluminated. Roof signs shall be permitted only in place of a wall sign in the I Industrial District. The gross sign surface area of a roof sign shall not exceed two square feet per each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building or 200 square feet, whichever is less. A roof sign shall not project more than six feet above the highest point on the roof on which it is placed.
(5)
Arcade Signs. In shopping centers or office complexes which have pedestrian access ways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior arcade, one arcade sign shall be permitted for each business in the building, provided that:
(6)
Window Display Signs. Window display signs shall be permitted under the following conditions:
(a)
Window display signs (which include posters, signs, symbols and other identification of or information about, the occupant or activity and/or use of the premises) shall be permitted within the allowable total sign area applicable to the building; however, in no case shall window display signs exceed 30% of the total window area of the front of the building or, in the case of a multi-tenant building, the total window area of the front of the tenant space for which the window display sign relates.
(b)
Neon window display signs shall be permitted in cases where they are custom designed to be compatible with the architectural character and exterior color of the building.
(c)
Window display signs shall be nonilluminated or internally illuminated, provided that internally illuminated window display signs:
(d)
Window display signs shall be limited to first floor windows only.
§ 27-1706 Billboards.
§ 27-1707 Master Sign Plan.
[Ord. 146, 1/10/2008]
1.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, signs of the type, number and size specified in Table 27-3 attached hereto ("CSO Corridor Site Overlay Sign Table") shall be permitted in the CSO Corridor Site Overlay District.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 27-3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
2.
A master sign plan which shows the proposed location, size and type of all signage for a proposed development in the CSO, CPO, YRO and AO Districts shall be submitted to the Township by a landowner and/or developer as part of the final land development plan application. The Township Board of Supervisors shall review and approve the said master sign plan as part of the final land development plan application.