Gregg Township Centre County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 7
SIGN REGULATIONS
§ 15-701 Compliance Required; Intent.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
1.
Signs may be erected, altered and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this Part, and any other appropriate Township regulations.
2.
This Part of this chapter is intended solely as a means for regulating the form or manner of display and is not meant as a restriction upon the content.
§ 15-702 Definitions.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
For the purposes of this chapter, terms shall be defined and applied as follows:
Boards which direct the motorist or pedestrian to a business establishment or call the attention of motorists or pedestrians to a product, place, or activity that is available, exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which the Board is erected. Billboards are free standing structures, and are differentiated thereby from wall signs, which are attached to the wall of a building. "Billboard," as used herein, shall refer to a sign with a single face area greater than 76 square feet.
Signs or boards that are directly oriented to activities that occur on the same premises as the sign or board. Such signs may be either free standing or attached to a wall of a building.
A sign supported vertically by one or more uprights placed in or on the ground but designed to be movable. Such a sign advertises products or items offered for sale or are directly related to the premises upon which it is located, e.g., a business identification sign.
Signs or boards directing attention to or promoting a particular individual or group of persons running for office in a public election.
The area occupied by a single business, professional office, or other public enterprise or home. When more than one business office or home occupies a single building on the ground floor, each business area shall be considered a separate premises. Businesses, homes or other enterprises which occupy space on other floors shall be considered separate premises.
Any sign erected and maintained on or above the roof of any building.
The area of the smallest triangle, rectangle, or circle which can wholly enclose the message-carrying surface area of a sign. All visible faces of a multi-faced sign shall be counted separately and then totaled in calculating the sign area, if those faces carry messages. Three-dimensional signs shall be treated in the same manner as dual-faced signs, i.e., the message-carrying area(s) of the faces shall be calculated, and then totaled to calculate the total sign area.
Flags, pennants, ground signs, or special promotional devices intended to be erected for a limited period of time to call attention to a legally permissible special event.
Signs attached to a wall or part of a wall of a building or structure, not including billboards as defined above, which advertise products sold or directly related to the premises on which they are located, e.g., a business identification sign.
§ 15-703 Specific Sign Regulations.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
1.
When a regulation hereunder is nonspecific, i.e., when the terms "reasonably necessary," "as appropriate," "noncommercial," etc., are used, the Zoning Officer shall decide any questions that may arise as to the necessity, appropriateness, or content of a sign or signs hereunder. The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses:
A.
Signs Permitted in All Districts. Signs listed in this section shall be permitted in all zoning districts, except where noted, and shall require permits as noted. Where no specific regulation is given, such signs shall conform to the general regulations for signs set forth in the remainder of this Part:
(1)
Name and Address of Resident; Professional Signs. Such signs shall not include any commercial advertising, and shall not be larger than nine square feet in area per side, or 18 square feet total for a two- or three-dimensional sign. No more than three such signs allowed per premises located on the premises. Such signs shall include signs identifying a professional office, such as doctor, dentist, osteopath, lawyer, accountant, architect, surveyor, or other licensed professionals, or farms, farmettes or camps. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(2)
No Trespassing and Similar Signs. Included in this group shall also be other similar signs regulating or warning of use of the property, such as "no hunting," "no fishing," "no camping," etc. Such signs may be no more than two square feet in total area. There shall be no limit as to the number of signs per premises. They must be located on the premises. Commercial content is not allowed. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(3)
Real Estate Signs. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in total area in residential zones, and 20 square feet in total area in all other zones. They shall be limited to statements advertising that the premises are for sale, rental or lease, and names and other information for interested parties to contact. They may be located only upon the premises offered for sale, rent, or lease. Such signs shall be removed within two weeks after the premises advertised has been sold, rented, or leased. No more than three such signs per premises may be erected. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(4)
Charitable or Religious Institution Signs and Bulletin Boards. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in total area and shall be used exclusively for noncommercial announcement. They may be located only on the premises of the church or other institution. No more than one per premises. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(5)
Informational Signs for On-Premises Direction. Such signs shall not exceed five square feet in total area each, and shall be used exclusively for noncommercial direction, e.g., "telephone," "no parking," "office entrance," "lubrication and tune up," etc, they shall be located only on the premises. As many of such signs as are reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of the signs may be erected. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(6)
Signs Erected by the governing body. Such signs may be erected as any governing body, (federal, state, county or local) may direct, including holiday banners. They shall not be limited in size, type, number, location, design or any other manner by anything contained herein. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(7)
Memorial Signs or Tablets. Such signs shall not exceed such dimension as is reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose thereof, and shall be noncommercial in nature. They need not be located on the premises referred to. Two such signs per premises may be erected. The content shall be limited to date of erection of buildings or events, and statements of historical circumstances, as appropriate. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(8)
The Flag, Banner, Pennant or Insignia of any Governmental Body, or Religious, Charitable, or Fraternal Organization. Such signs must be located on the premises. Size, shape, number, and other characteristics may be as appropriate. Such signs shall have no commercial content. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(9)
Temporary Signs, Advertising Farm Products, Auctions, Yard Sales, and Special Events of Charitable, Public Service, or Political Groups. Such signs shall have a total sign area no greater than six square feet each. Location (on or off premises) and number as appropriate. In the case of farm products, the products advertised must be produced on the premises. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(10)
Permanent Residential, Commercial and Industrial Development Signs, Signs Identifying Country Clubs, and Similar Recreational Facilities. Such signs shall be located on the premises, at or near the entrance(s) of residential, industrial, and commercial developments, or on the premises of any recreational facility. They shall be no larger than 72 square feet total, per entrance, or no more than 72 square feet total for recreational facilities. No more than two faces per entrance. No commercial content is allowed. Such signs shall not be subject to the permit provisions herein.
(11)
Signs Identifying Places of Warship. Location and number as appropriate. Total size to be no greater than 32 square feet. No commercial content allowed. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(12)
Political Signs. Number, size and location may be as appropriate, provided that the property owner has given permission for any signs located on his property. No commercial content allowed. Failure to remove political signs within 30 days after the election shall constitute a violation hereunder, and shall subject the candidate, or the local party affiliate or committee, to a fine of $5 per sign. Such signs are not subject to the permit provisions herein.
(13)
Directional Signs.
(a)
These signs may be erected along major roadways to direct motorists to premises in locations far removed from the roadway. They shall be ground pole signs with a total area of 76 square feet for a single-sided sign and 152 square feet for a double-sided sign. These signs may be erected by a Gregg Township-based business only.
(b)
Content shall be limited to the name of the establishment, and distance/direction information. Such signs may be located in any district except residential, and only with the written permission of the landowner. No more than two such signs per single advertising establishment. Such signs shall be subject to the permit provisions herein.
(14)
Real Estate Development Signs.
(a)
Such signs may be erected only by developers or owners with a minimum of six lots for sale in a single subdivision. Such signs must be located on the premises which are for sale.
(b)
Content is limited to advertisement of the lots in the subdivision on which the sign is located, the name of the development, and the developer's, realtor's or landowner's names, addresses and telephone numbers. Content shall not include reference to the sale of lots elsewhere or the realtor's, developer's or landowner's business in general.
(c)
No more than two such signs per premises, located no closer than 1,000 feet apart. Maximum total area for each single-faced sign shall be 32 square feet, and 64 square feet for a double-faced sign. No sign shall be higher than 10 feet above grade or in excess of 12 feet in any direction. Such signs shall be subject to the permit provisions herein.
(15)
Shopping Center Signs. Such signs are limited to ground pole signs located on the premises of the shopping center. One such sign per premises is allowed. Such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet for a single-sided sign, and 64 square feet for a double-sided sign. No such sign shall be higher than 10 feet above grade or in excess of 12 feet in any direction. Content shall be limited to the name of the shopping center. Such signs shall be subject to the permit provisions herein.
B.
Signs Permitted in the Village District.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Specific Sign Regulations in the Village District is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 15-704 Signs Prohibited in All Districts.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
1.
The following signs shall not be erected, permitted, or maintained in any district, notwithstanding anything else contained in this chapter or elsewhere. Signs which are prohibited in paragraphs marked with an asterisk (*) shall be removed or brought into conformance with the provisions of this chapter within 90 days after the effective date of this chapter.
A.
Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving illumination or with illumination which varies in intensity or color, and signs which have any visible moving part, visible revolving parts, or visible mechanical movement of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical pulsations, or by actions of normal wind currents, except when not visible from motor vehicles traveling on public roadways. Hanging signs which simply swing in the wind, clocks, time and temperature signs, barber poles and similar signs may be exempted, provided that they comply with the other provisions hereunder.
B.
Light sources which cast light on signs shall be shielded by opaque material so that the bulbs, floodlights, or tubes are not visible off the property or premises on which the signs are located.
C.
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or public health.
D.
Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination obstruct the vision, or impair the concentration of drivers, or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
E.
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required exit way.
F.
Signs which make use of words such as "stop," "look," "one way," "danger," "yield" or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, confuse, or mislead traffic.
G.
Any obsolete sign (including the structural members of the sign) which advertises a business no longer being conducted, or a product no longer sold.
H.
Signs on public property or public rights-of-way unless erected by a governing body, or unless required to be so located by order of a governing body. No sign erected on public property or on a public right-of-way shall contain any commercial content.
J.
String lights, other than temporary holiday decorations, which are unshielded from off of the premises on which they are located.
K.
Searchlights, pennants, banners, spinners and streamers, except for occasions such as grand openings and similar events, and then only with written permission of the Zoning Officer. Use shall be limited to 15 days.
L.
Except as specifically allowed herein, the erection, placing, and construction of ground pole signs, commonly known as "billboards" or "advertising sign boards" and as defined in § 15-702 above, off of the premises where the product or service advertised is to be found, shall be prohibited in all districts.
2.
No alteration in either length, height or width shall be allowed, nor shall any single-faced billboard be converted into a two-faced billboard.
§ 15-705 General Regulations.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
1.
These regulations shall apply to all signs, commercial and otherwise, where such signs are not more specifically regulated herein. In the case of conflict between any two provisions of this Part, the more stringent shall apply.
A.
Height of Signs. No sign, or any part thereof, shall exceed a height of 15 feet, as measured from grade level directly below the face of the sign to the highest part of the sign.
B.
Location. Signs must be located on the premises which they advertise, except as specifically allowed herein. When located off the premises, written permission of the property owner must be obtained.
C.
Area.
(1)
The total area of signs erected hereunder shall not exceed 76 square feet on a single-faced sign or 152 square feet on a double-faced sign, per sign.
(2)
The total area of all signs that maybe erected or maintained on any single premises shall not be greater than 228 square feet. The total area of all signs that maybe erected or maintained by any person, or single business or corporate entity, off the premises, shall not exceed an additional 228 square feet.
D.
Number. No more than four signs may be erected or maintained on any one premises at any one time, and no more than three additional signs may be erected or maintained off the premises, except as specifically allowed herein.
E.
Permitting. All signs shall be subject to the permitting provisions of this Part, unless otherwise noted.
F.
Projecting Signs. No sign shall project more than five feet beyond the building line in the direction of the street. No portion of any projecting sign shall be any lower than 10 feet above grade level. No single face of any projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in sign area. No projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in sign area. No projecting sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than five feet. No more than one projecting sign is allowed per premises, unless said premises is located on a corner lot, in which case two projecting signs shall be allowed, one erected for and towards each public way.
G.
Wall Signs. No wall sign shall project above the top, or to the left or to the right of the wall to which it is attached. No wall sign, or any, part thereof, shall project more than one foot from the wall on which it is mounted. If external lighting is mounted on the building, reflectors must be not less than 10 feet above grade, and no part may extend further than two feet from the wall of the building. Reflectors must be shielded to prevent glare from leaving the premises or interfering with motorists.
H.
Ground Pole Signs.
(1)
All ground pole signs, and all parts, braces, and supports thereof shall be located entirely behind the property line and any appropriate setback lines and shall not project over any property line, setback line, public right-of-way, or adjoining land.
(2)
No ground pole sign shall be larger than 32 square feet in area for a single-faced sign, and 64 square feet in area for a double-faced sign. No ground pole sign shall exceed 12 feet in any dimension of the sign face.
(3)
A premises may erect one ground pole sigh or one projecting sign, but not both. No individual business or other enterprise within a planned retail commercial or industrial development hereunder may erect or maintain a ground pole sign except off the premises of the development.
I.
Roof Signs. No more than one roof sign per premises.
J.
Indoor Signs. No indoor sign shall be considered a sign for purposes of this Part, nor shall any indoor sign be subject to the regulations hereunder.
K.
Signs in Historic Areas. These regulations shall apply to any property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or to any property or portion thereof within 500 feet of such historic property:
§ 15-706 Permitting Provisions.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
1.
All signs shall be classified as either temporary or permanent and shall be subject to the following regulations:
A.
Permanent Signs; General Provisions.
(1)
Prior to placing a sign not otherwise exempt hereunder, an application shall be submitted to the Township Zoning Enforcement Officer on a form provided by the Township. If the application is approved, the applicant shall pay a permit fee as set forth below, and may place or erect his sign.
(2)
Any sign altered structurally or moved will be considered a new sign and is subject to the application and permit requirements hereof, however, a change in content shall not require re-application, or re-licensing.
(3)
Permit fees shall be set by resolution of the Gregg Township Board of Supervisors, from time to time.
B.
Temporary Signs; General Provisions.
(1)
Prior to placing a sign not otherwise exempt hereunder, an application shall be submitted to the Township Zoning Enforcement Officer on a form provided by the Township. If the application is approved, the applicant shall pay a permit fee as set forth below, and may place or erect his sign.
(2)
After the sign is in place, the Zoning Officer shall inspect the sign, and if it complies with all applicable Township rules, regulations and ordinances, will prepare a sign permit. The sign permit fee shall then be paid, and the permit will be issued for a thirty-day period. The permit may be renewed upon payment of additional permit fees but in no case shall renewal be granted more than three times.
(3)
Size, content, and location of a temporary sign may be varied at any time so long as the variations remain within the restrictions of this chapter.
(4)
Permit fees shall be set by resolution of the Gregg Township Board of Supervisors, from time to time.
C.
County and State Regulation. All applicable provisions of county and state regulations and ordinances must be adhered to. The applicant should be aware of the restrictions imposed by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Advertising Act of 1971 (Act 160), 36 P.S. § 2718.100 et seq.
§ 15-707 Safety and Maintenance.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
Every sign and all parts thereof, including framework, supports, background, anchors, and wiring systems shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with the Building, Electrical, and Fire Prevention Codes [Chapter 2], as they now exist, or may hereafter exist. All signs and all parts thereof shall be kept in good repair and maintenance.
§ 15-708 Enforcement.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
1.
The Zoning Officer shall examine all applications for permits for erection of new signs, and issue permits for new signs.
2.
The Zoning Officer shall make an annual inspection of all signs in the Township, and make such report to the Supervisors as may be necessary or as they may require. An inventory of all nonconforming signs shall be made by the Zoning Officer, and a copy submitted to the Township Secretary.
3.
The Township Zoning Enforcement Officer shall record and file all applications for sign permits, with any accompanying plans or documents.
4.
Violations of this Part of the chapter shall be treated in the same manner as any other violation of this chapter.
§ 15-709 Variances and Exceptions.
[Ord. 05-01-01, 5/7/2001]
The Zoning Hearing Board may, but is in no manner whatsoever obliged to, grant variances to the regulations herein. The procedure, including application and appeals, for granting variances shall be as set forth in Part 10.