The objective of this article is to establish requirements for placing, installing and maintaining signs in order to preserve and protect the health, safety, welfare and general well-being of the community’s citizens. Just as regulations for the placement, construction and maintenance of buildings through zoning is a valid use of law, so are regulations for the placement, installation and maintenance of signs a valid use of the law because signs, in the literal sense, must be considered structures and, in a practical sense, are capable of producing many of the same nuisances that buildings produce.

Sign regulations are further justified by the primary purpose of a sign: to draw attention to its content. Moreover, since signs can distract drivers or obstruct views, the very nature of a sign can be a potential hazard to the safety of motorists. Therefore, an objective of this article is to regulate the location of signs in such a way that they fulfill their purpose without causing unsafe conditions for motorists.

It is also an objective of this article to protect and preserve the visual character of the community by regulating the placement, installation, and maintenance of signs. Because signs are intended to command visual contact, that gives signs an important role in the overall visual character of the community. This visual impact affects the value and enjoyment of property; therefore, the regulation of signs can work to enhance the value of property, encourage appropriate land use throughout a municipality and minimize clutter in the community.[1]

Signs are prohibited which in any way simulate official, functional, directional, or warning signs maintained by the United States government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any county or municipality thereof, or by any railroad or public utility or similar agency concerned with the protection of public health or safety.

Permanent banners, spinners, flags, pennants, or any moving objects for commercial advertising purposes, whether containing a message or not, are prohibited.

Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, twirling or moving signs of any type, except those portions of signs which indicate time and temperature changes, are prohibited.

No sign shall be erected on which information is stated or implied that a referenced property, be it the property on which the sign is located or another, may be used for any purpose not permitted within the zoning district in which the referenced property is located.

On-premises signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be removed or changed to advertise the new use of the product immediately after cessation of the original use. Signs, once removed, shall be replaced only by signs in conformance with this chapter.

No signs shall be allowed within street lines unless specifically authorized by ordinance or regulation of Hilltown Township, in compliance with the regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs is no longer incidental to the vehicle’s primary purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself, is prohibited.

Interior property parking and traffic control signs not visible from the public right-of-way and not exceeding four square feet.

Special information signs, including “men,” “women,” “rest rooms,” “credit cards accepted,” and “hours of operation” signs if such signs do not exceed two square feet.

A sign with an area not exceeding one square foot bearing only property number, street address, post box numbers or the names of the occupants in residence.

A sign which is a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure such as a cornerstone.

Traditional barber poles, defined as poles not exceeding three feet in height and located on the same premises as the barbershop advertised.

The legal display of the flag of the United States of America, the flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the flag of any recognized governmental authority.

A governmental insignia, public monument, historic identification sign or plaque, and state or municipal highway safety signs and identification signs.

Holiday decorations.

Legal notices.

The size of any sign shall be computed by multiplying its greatest height by its greatest length, exclusive of supporting structures, unless the supporting structure is illuminated or is in the form of a symbol or contains advertising copy. In the case of signs that have no definable edges, such as raised letters attached to a building facade, the sign shall be that area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual message or copy area.

The area of the sign shall be computed to include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with a background, whether open or closed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself.

Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall, or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangular or other shape which encompasses all the letters and symbols.

In computing square foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical. If of unequal size, the size of the larger side shall be the measured size for purposes of this chapter. If the signs form an interior angle greater than 45°, both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area, and it shall be considered as a parallel sign.

No sign shall be erected at a distance from a side property line less than the sign’s total height from the finished grade and there shall be a minimum distance of 20 feet between any side property line and any sign erected under the provisions of the Ordinance.

No sign shall be placed in a position which will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view. No sign other than one identifying a profession, home occupation, or name of resident or occupant shall be located within 15 feet of the edge of an improved cartway. No sign shall be erected or maintained within a distance of 50 feet from the intersection of any street line or the intersection of a street line and a private accessway unless the location of this sign is situated at least eight feet above the level of the street center line. No sign shall be erected or maintained which would interfere with minimum horizontal or vertical intersection sight distances established in accordance with PennDOT Chapter 441, as amended. In no case shall any sign other than official highway or traffic sign be erected within the official right-of-way of any street. No red, green or yellow illuminated sign shall be permitted within 300 feet of a traffic light.

All signs over two square feet in size, other than those permitted within the street right-of-way, shall be considered structures and shall be in conformance with all other provisions of this chapter.

All signs except temporary signs shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair. Electrical signs shall be subject to the performance criteria of the Underwriter’s Laboratory, Inc., or to applicable Township codes, whichever is more stringent. Upon the determination of the Zoning Officer that a sign has become dilapidated, then the owner of the property upon which the sign is located shall be notified by the Zoning Officer to restore said sign, or have said sign restored, to good and proper condition within 30 days. Any sign which is allowed to remain dilapidated shall be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.

Signs which face a residential district, or which face any occupied residential dwelling, may not have an exposed source of illumination if the sign is located within 200 feet of such district or dwelling. Illuminated signs shall not shine in the normal line of vision for traffic on a public street. Illuminated signs with any form of exposed bulbs are not permitted.

Temporary signs advertising the prospective or completed sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located are permitted within the property lines of the premises, provided that:

Temporary signs advertising the sale or development of the premises, when erected in connection with the development or proposed development of the premises by a builder, developer or contractor are permitted, provided that:

Temporary signs indicating the names of contractors, consultants, and artisans performing services on construction sites are permitted provided that:

Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive, or event of a civic, philanthropic, political, educational, or religious organization, as well as signs advertising political parties or candidates for elections, may be erected provided that:

Temporary signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows, events or sales shall be permitted, provided that:

Temporary banners, spinners, flags, pennants, floodlights or other promotional alternatives to traditional signs erected for commercial advertising purposes are permitted in nonresidential districts provided that:

Temporary signs pursuant to § 160-78A, B and D of this article. Temporary signs as described in § 160-78C, E and F are not permitted in the CR-1, CR-2, RR and MHP Districts.

Official highway route number signs, street name signs, and other official traffic signs may be erected and maintained in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of traffic.

Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling the fishing and hunting upon a particular premises, may be erected and maintained, provided that the size of any such sign does not exceed two square feet.

Professional, home occupation, or name signs indicating the profession and/or activity and/or the name of the occupant of the dwelling may be erected and maintained, provided that:

Identification signs for schools, churches and other religious institutions, hospitals and health facilities, clubs, lodges, farms and estates are permitted, provided that:

Signs advertising the sale of farm products, when otherwise permitted by this chapter, are permitted provided that:

Residential development/neighborhood signs provided that:

All signs permitted under § 160-79 may be erected and maintained in accordance with said provisions.

All temporary signs permitted under § 160-78 may be erected and maintained in accordance with said provisions.

Freestanding signs which advertise a business, industry, or other permitted use not referenced in Subsections D through F, whether located on-premises or off-premises, may be erected and maintained, provided that:

Freestanding signs which advertise a shopping center as defined under § 160-11, including the name of the center and the uses therein, may be erected in each yard fronting on a street. No portion of a shopping center freestanding sign shall be less than eight feet or more than 32 feet above the ground. The area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.

Freestanding signs which advertise a group of businesses or industrial uses other than a shopping center on a lot held in single and separate ownership, may be erected in each yard fronting a street and such freestanding signs may contain a collection of signs identifying the different interests and uses on the premises, provided that the total area of one side of the freestanding sign does not exceed 100 square feet and that each individual sign does not exceed four square feet.

Freestanding signs which advertise gasoline service stations, may be erected provided that each station shall be permitted two freestanding, brand name signs, each not to exceed six square feet in area and not to be higher than seven feet above the finished grade.

Parallel and projecting signs may be erected and maintained, provided that:

It is recognized that billboards, also known within the industry as "outdoor advertising signs," are freestanding signs of comparatively great size which are designed specifically to attract the attention of the motoring public. Because billboards differ in these aspects from other freestanding signs, and because it is the expressed objective of this article to limit nuisance and ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians, the following regulations have been adopted:

Billboards shall be permitted, by special exception only, in the PC-1, I-II and LI Districts, subject to the following criteria:

Billboards must be kept and maintained in good repair, subject to the following conditions:

A permit is required for permanent or temporary signs permitted within the CR-1, CR-2, RR, MHP, or AQRC Districts. All permanent and temporary freestanding, parallel, and projecting signs, and temporary signs permitted in accordance with § 160-78E, shall require the issuance of a Zoning Permit before erection or replacement. All signs must comply with the regulations contained herein.

In the case of a shopping center, or group of stores or other business uses on a lot held in single and separate ownership, a separate sign permit shall be required of each separate store, business, or similar use erecting and maintaining a sign in conformance with this chapter.

For the purposes of obtaining a sign permit, the applicant shall make application to the Zoning Officer and shall present a plot plan, sketch of design and lettering, and construction plans indicating on said plot plan all existing structures, including signs, and setting forth in the application all necessary facts with respect to existing signs in order to ascertain whether the proposed erection or alteration of the proposed sign complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Permanent sign permits shall be issued for each separate property, residence, store, business, or use erecting and maintaining a permanent sign(s). Any addition, revision, reduction, or alteration shall require the issuance of a new permit. Permit fees are established by separate resolution.

All permanent sign permits shall have an annual renewal fee established by separate resolution. Nonpayment of the annual renewal fee invalidates the sign permit and all signs permitted by said expired permit shall be deemed in violation of this chapter.