Lancaster Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XII
Sign Regulations
§ 280-1200 Applicability.
The requirements and provisions of this Article XII shall apply to all signs unless application to specific zoning districts is expressly stated.
§ 280-1201 Statement of purpose.
The purposes of this Article XII are as follows:
A.
To provide for signs as a means of effective visual communication.
B.
To promote adopted comprehensive planning and zoning objectives.
C.
To assure compatibility of signs with land uses and buildings in the vicinity of the signs and in the community as a whole.
D.
To improve the safety of pedestrians, vehicular traffic, and property.
E.
To enhance the economic value of the community.
F.
To enhance the aesthetic environment.
G.
To minimize adverse effects of signs on nearby property.
H.
To otherwise promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community.
I.
To regulate the use of signs through a sign permitting process.
J.
To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
§ 280-1202 Sign-related definitions and terms.
The following definitions and terms of "sign" and various types of signs shall apply to those terms whenever they appear in this Article XII:
A device for visual communication that is used to bring the subject to the attention of the public.
Signs do include:
Lettering, logos, trademarks, or other symbols that are an integral part of the architectural design of a building, that are applied to a building, or that are located elsewhere on the premises;
Signs affixed to windows or glass doors or otherwise internally mounted such that they are obviously intended to be seen and understood by vehicular or pedestrian traffic outside the building;
Flags and insignia of civic, charitable, religious, fraternal, patriotic, or similar organizations;
Insignia of governments or government agencies;
Banners, streamers, pennants, spinners, reflectors, ribbons, tinsel, and similar materials; and
Inflatable objects.
Signs do not include:
Architectural features which may be identified with a particular business;
Backlit awnings that include no lettering, logos, or other symbols;
Signs within a building that are obviously intended to be seen primarily from within the building;
Outdoor signs intended for use within a property, such as menu signs by fast-food restaurant drive-through lanes, signs with regulations within a park, and building identification signs within a campus;
Flags of governments or government agencies;
Decorative seasonal and holiday banners on residential properties; and
Displays of merchandise either behind store windows or outdoors.
An off-premises, permanent sign which directs attention to a product, service, business, or cause.
A sign attached to or painted on a building which has a use in addition to supporting the sign; this includes wall signs and roof signs.
A sign which directs attention to any business, professional, commercial, or industrial activity occurring on the premises on which the sign is located, but not including a home occupation sign (also see "center sign").
A temporary sign that carries the name and information about a contractor who is involved in construction work occurring on the premises on which the sign is located.
A temporary sign which directs attention to a candidate or candidates for public office, a political party, or a ballot issue.
A sign not attached to or painted on a building, or a sign attached to or painted on a building which has no use in addition to supporting the sign.
A temporary sign which directs attention to the sale of personal goods on the premises on which the sign is located.
An off-premises sign placed by a governmental unit, such as a traffic, directional, informational, or street name sign, or an historical marker.
A sign providing information about a business activity conducted within a dwelling unit on the premises on which the sign is located.
A sign used to identify the name and display information about the individual, organization, agency, institution, facility, or development located on the premises on which the sign is located, but not including a business sign. (Also see "development sign" and "public use sign.").
An informational sign, no more than two square feet in size and not including any commercial message or logo, which carries a message such as "enter," "open," "telephone," "rest rooms," "no parking," "no trespassing," "warning," a listing of hours when open, an on-site direction, or anything similar.
When used in this Article XII, Signs, the word "lot" shall mean a designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit (e.g., the area used by a dwelling unit in a single-family attached dwelling structure).
An off-premises sign displaying information about a place of worship, service club, or other organization that does not operate for the purpose of making a profit.
A sign that does not apply to the property on which it is displayed.
A sign that applies to the property on which it is displayed.
A temporary sign which provides information about a real estate open house, including the words "open house," the day and time of the open house, and the name of the realtor.
A sign located such that pedestrian or vehicular traffic might pass beneath any part of it.
A sign intended to be displayed for an unlimited period of time.
An identification sign used to identify the name and display information about a public use such as a government building, school, park, firehouse, or place of worship. (Refer to "identification sign" in Table 12-1-B and "public use sign" in Table 12-2-B.[3])
A sign with a message relating to a business organization performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulations (e.g., an electric company, sewer authority, or telephone company).
A temporary sign which provides information about a real estate activity on the premises on which the sign is located, such as a sign advertising a sale, rental, or property available for or in the process of development, but not including an open house sign.
A sign attached to or painted on a roof.
A temporary sign placed on the sidewalk adjacent to the commercial activity it advertises, but not including a contractor sign, a garage/yard sale sign, a home occupation sign, an open house sign, a real estate sign, or a special event sign.
A temporary sign which carries information about a special event such as an auction, flea market, festival, carnival, meal, or fund-raising event, but not including any business sign, such as a "sale" sign at a store.
A sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.
A sign attached to or painted on the wall of a building.
An exhibit behind a window that is intended to draw attention to a product, service, business, or cause.
§ 280-1203 Sign area and sign height.
The following regulations shall apply when interpreting sign area and sign height regulations in this Article XII:
A.
Sign area. The area of a sign shall be the area of the smallest rectangle, triangle, or circle that will encompass all elements of the sign, such as letters, figures, symbols, designs, or other display.
(1)
When the sign is a separate unit, the area shall include any borders, framing, trim, decorative attachments, background, and space between elements; it shall not include any supporting structure unless that structure is illuminated, is in the form of a symbol, or contains advertising elements.
(2)
When the sign is applied to a wall or otherwise has no definable edges, the area shall include all color, artwork, or other means used to differentiate the sign from the surface upon which it is placed.
(3)
When a single sign structure has more than one face with the same message, and no two sign faces are more than three feet apart at any point, the area shall be computed by determining the greatest total area of all sign faces visible from any single location.
B.
Sign height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the average ground level beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign. The ground level shall be the lower of the ground level existing at the time of construction or the ground level existing prior to construction and prior to any earth disturbance at the site. This prior ground level may be established by any reliable source, including, without limitation, existing topographic maps, aerial photographs, photographs of the site, or affidavits of people who are personally familiar with the site. No person(s) shall artificially increase the maximum height of a sign by altering the grade at the base of the sign by any means.
(1)
No sign shall be higher than the height limitation of the zoning district in which it is located.
(3)
Wall signs may be at any height on the wall to which they are attached, except that they may not extend higher than the top of the wall.
(4)
Roof signs may extend no more than five feet above the lowest point where they are attached to the building and may not extend above the highest point of the roof.
§ 280-1204 General regulations.
The following regulations shall apply to all signs, in addition to the specific regulations and supplemental regulations contained in the following provisions of this Article XII. Where the general regulations are contradicted by the specific or supplementary regulations, the specific or supplementary regulations shall control.
A.
All signs shall reflect the general character of the neighborhood.
B.
All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition.
C.
When a sign becomes unsafe, the Zoning Officer shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which the sign is located that the sign must be made safe or removed immediately.
D.
The areas surrounding all signs shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and attractive condition.
E.
All signs shall be removed within three months if the purpose for which they were erected no longer exists.
F.
Each property which displays one or more permanent freestanding signs and which is in an area where street addresses have been assigned must prominently display the address on one permanent freestanding sign visible from the street. The address must include the street number; the street name is optional. The address must be of a size and design which is easily identifiable and legible from moving traffic in the street at a distance of 100 feet (three-inch-high lettering/numerals with a three-quarter-inch stroke). The area taken up by the address does not count as part of the sign area. Center signs are exempt from this requirement.
H.
No sign shall be located within a street right-of-way, except a government sign, a public utility sign, a sidewalk sign, a nonprofit organization sign, or another sign approved by the governing body or PennDOT.
I.
No sign shall be permitted within the clear sight triangle as required in § 280-1617 of this chapter.
J.
No signs shall be painted, pasted, nailed, stapled, or otherwise attached to utility poles, trees, fences, fire hydrants, or in an unauthorized manner to walls or other signs, except insofar as such signs comply with generally applicable rules, regulations, or policies formally adopted by the governing body.
K.
Any freestanding sign within a floodplain must receive approval as a special exception.
L.
No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct any door, stairway, window, fire escape, or other means of egress or ingress.
M.
No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct ventilation or light from a building.
N.
No overhead sign shall have a clearance of less than eight feet between any pedestrian walk and the lowest part of the sign.
O.
No sign that is parallel to and attached to the face of a building shall project more than 18 inches over a public sidewalk.
P.
No sign that is perpendicular to and attached to the face of a building shall project more than 48 inches from the building.
Q.
No sign shall have lights or other illuminating devices that constitute a public safety or traffic hazard.
S.
No sign or window display shall include a revolving beam or beacon of light resembling an emergency vehicle or facility.
T.
No sign shall advertise activities or products which are illegal under federal, state, or local municipal laws or regulations.
U.
No sign shall include statements, words, or pictures that are considered to be vulgar, obscene, or pornographic.
V.
No streamers, pennants, spinners, reflectors, ribbons, tinsel, or similar materials shall be displayed outside a building. (See § 280-1206N of this chapter for regulations which apply to banners used as special events signs.)
W.
In addition to any other signage permitted by this Article XII, each commercial or industrial property may display one flag, not to exceed 35 square feet, with a company or corporate identification logo on premises on an approved, standard flagpole.
X.
No animated, sequential, intermittent, flashing, rotating, or oscillating signs shall be permitted except for time-and-temperature signs.
Y.
No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor.
Z.
No sign shall be placed on an automobile, truck, or other vehicle if that vehicle is being used primarily for displaying such sign.
AA.
No inflatable signs shall be permitted.
BB.
No open flames shall be permitted as part of a sign or in any other way to attract attention.
CC.
Advertising painted upon or displayed upon a barn or other structure shall be considered a sign and shall comply with the regulations of this Article XII.
DD.
Any sign which has been authenticated as historically significant and accurate for its specific location, whether original or a replica, shall be exempt from the regulations of this Article XII.
EE.
Signs may be interior lighted with nonglaring lights; signs may be externally lighted by lights which are shielded so there is no direct light transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way.
GG.
No lighting shall be permitted to outline buildings or structures, or parts thereof, through the use of exposed neon tubing, strings of lights, or other means, with the exception of customary holiday decorations, that may be installed 30 days prior to and be removed not later than 21 days after the holiday.
HH.
Business signs in other than commercial zoning districts or industrial zoning districts shall not be illuminated when the business is closed.
II.
All electrically illuminated signs shall be constructed to the standards/listing of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and the most-recent version of the National Electrical Code, as part of the most-recent version of the Lancaster Township Building Code, as amended.
§ 280-1205 Specific regulations.
Tables 12-1 and Tables 12-2 provide regulations for specific types of signs in each zoning district. Note that there are also supplemental regulations in § 280-1206 of this chapter which also regulate most types of signs; these are referenced in the second column of Tables 12-1, the note at the top of Table 12-2-A, and the second column of Table 12-2-B.[1]
A.
Permitted signs and sign permit requirements. Tables 12-1 indicate, for each zoning district, which types of signs are permitted and not permitted and which types of signs require permits. Table 12-1-A applies to signs on residential properties; Table 12-1-B applies to signs on nonresidential properties. In those parts, an "N" indicates that the sign is not permitted; a "P-Y" indicates that the sign is permitted and a permit is required; a "P-N" indicates that the sign is permitted and a permit is not required. Table 12-1-C applies to signs in rights-of-way; these are approved through special processes rather than through the regular permit procedure.
B.
Permitted number, area, height, and setback for signs. Tables 12-2 indicate, for each zoning district, information about the permitted number, maximum area, maximum height, and minimum setback for each type of sign. Table 12-2-A has standards for the following types of signs: business signs (except center signs), home occupation signs, and identification signs (except development signs and public use signs). Table 12-2-B has standards for other types of signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: Tables 12-1 and 12-2 are included at the end of this chapter.
§ 280-1206 Supplemental regulations.
In addition to the regulations contained elsewhere in this Article XII, the following shall apply to specific types of signs. The regulations in Tables 12-1 and Tables 12-2 apply in addition to the following supplemental regulations.[1] Where the provisions in the supplemental regulations and Tables 12-1 and Tables 12-2 are contradictory, the provisions contained in the supplemental regulations shall control.
A.
Billboards.
(1)
There may be no more than one billboard structure at any point; it may have two surfaces with a total of two messages, as long as the surfaces are back-to-back or at an angle of 45° or less. Each surface may have an area of 300 square feet, whether or not the messages are the same. The minimum yard for each billboard structure shall be in accordance with the following:
(2)
Each billboard structure must be at least 1,200 feet from any other billboard structure and at least 300 feet from any residential, rural, agricultural, or open space zoning district.
B.
Business signs. Business signs are generally regulated in accordance with Table 12-1-B and Table 12-2-A. Business signs for individual businesses which are permitted by Table 12-2-A must be located so that they are identified with the individual business, i.e., rather than being at the lot (street) frontage of a large center, away from the business they are advertising. One specific type of business sign is regulated in accordance with Tables 12-1-B and 12-2-B.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Tables 12-1-B, 12-2-A and 12-2-B are included at the end of this chapter.
D.
Contractor signs.
(1)
Each contractor sign must be set back at least 10 feet from the cartway or at the building line, whichever is less, may not be in the required minimum side yard, and may not be illuminated. Contractor signs must be removed promptly upon completion of the project; signs that are not removed promptly may be removed and impounded by the municipality, and the municipality may recover a fee equal to the cost of removal and storage. No off-premises contractor signs are permitted.
(2)
If there are four or more contractor signs on a single lot, they must be combined in a single display by attaching them to a single background panel or frame as large as necessary to accommodate one sign per contractor. The background is not included in calculating the sign area, the height of the display may not exceed 10 feet, and the display may project a maximum of 12 inches from the wall if attached parallel to the building.
E.
Garage/yard sale signs. Garage/yard sale signs may be placed no more than 48 hours before the sale and must be removed before the end of the day of the sale. Signs that are not removed within the time limit may be removed and impounded by the Township, and the municipality may recover a fee equal to the cost of removal and storage. No off-premises garage/yard sale signs are permitted.
F.
Home occupation signs. A home occupation sign may include a name, an address, an occupation or activity, and a logo or trademark. There may be no illumination, except that a sign for a medical office or emergency service may be illuminated when the business is open.
G.
Identification signs. Identification signs are generally regulated in accordance with Tables 12-1 and Table 12-2-A. However, two specific types of identification sign are regulated in accordance with Table 12-2-B: development signs and public use signs.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Tables 12-1, 12-2-A and 12-2-B are included at the end of this chapter.
H.
Development signs. Development signs are allowed for residential developments. They may include only the name of the development and may not include any commercial advertising.
I.
Incidental signs. Incidental signs must have a setback of 10 feet from the right-of-way, unless they are 30 inches or less in height, in which case no setback is required.
J.
Nonprofit organization signs. Nonprofit organization signs may be placed in street rights-of-way with the approval of the Township. The governing body may require that they be placed at designated entrances to the community or on common display panels.
K.
Open house signs. Open house signs must include the words "open house," the day and time of the open house, and the name of the realtor. They may be displayed no more than 72 hours in advance of the open house and must be removed within two hours of the end of the open house. The open house must be attended by the seller or his representative during the entire advertised time of the open house. Signs that are not removed within the time limits may be removed and impounded by the Township, and the Township may recover a fee equal to the cost of removal and storage. There may be no more than two off-premises open house signs for each open house, with not more than one sign per intersection. Open house signs shall be limited to use for six days per month per lot. The placement of open house signs may not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic and must comply with all applicable general regulations in § 280-1204 of this chapter.
L.
Real estate signs. Real estate signs must be removed within five days of the completion of the activity that they advertise. Signs that are not removed within the time limits may be removed and impounded by the Township, and the Township may recover a fee equal to the cost of removal and storage. No off-premises real estate signs are permitted.
M.
Sidewalk signs. Sidewalk signs shall not be more than 24 inches wide and 48 inches high if placed next to the curb; if placed next to buildings having obstructions such as steps, they shall not be more than 42 inches wide and 72 inches high. The distance between sidewalk signs shall be at least 15 feet. A minimum of four feet of unobstructed walkway shall be maintained.
N.
Special event signs. Special event signs shall comply with any generally applicable rules, regulations, or policies of the governing body; and, if a special event has a specific date, signs for that event may be displayed no more than 21 days in advance. All special event signs must be removed within five days of the end of the event. Signs that are not removed within the time limits may be removed and impounded by the Township, and the Township may recover a fee equal to the cost of removal and storage.
[1]
Editor's Note: Tables 12-1 and 12-2 are included at the end of this chapter.
§ 280-1207 Permitting procedures and fees.
§ 280-1208 Nonconforming signs.
Nonconforming signs may continue to be displayed, as long as there is compliance with the following limitations and conditions:
A.
There may be no expansion or increase in the nonconformity in any way.
B.
Maintenance and repair of the sign are permitted; if necessary, up to 50% of the sign and its supporting structure may be replaced in the event of damage; any such replacement must be completed within six months of the damage occurring.
C.
The sign must be brought into conformity if, for a period of at least three months, the message has no longer applied to an activity on the premises (this does not apply to billboards).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Tables 12-1 and 12-2, which immediately followed this section, are included at the end of this chapter.