Advertising Sign Boards (Billboards). A sign or board which attracts the attention of motorists or pedestrians to a product, place or activity that exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which the sign is situated, excluding official notices or road signs of a governmental body or other directional signs; i.e., an off-premises sign. For the purposes of this chapter, advertising sign boards may only be free-standing signs.

Awning Signs. Signs that are displayed on or are attached flat against the surface of an awning which identify the business to which they are attached; i.e., business identification signs. Such signs shall project from and be supported by the exterior wall of a building and may be composed of rigid or non-rigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework. For the purposes of this chapter, awning signs may be either permanent or retractable.

Business Identification Sign. A sign or board which attracts motorists or pedestrians to a business, product, service or activity that is sold, produced, or conducted on the same premises upon which the sign is located; i.e., an on-premises sign. For the purposes of this chapter, business identification signs may be either free-standing, parallel or projecting wall signs, or roof signs, and may be either temporary or permanent in nature.

Business or Industrial Complex Identification Sign. A sign which identifies the name of a business or industrial complex, i.e., a shopping center or shopping mall, office building complex, industrial park, or similar multi-tenant commercial or industrial facility. The names of individual businesses or operations located within such complex may also be displayed on such signs.

Canopy Sign. A sign affixed to the visible surfaces of an attached or freestanding canopy which identify the business to which they are attached or accessory; i.e., business identification signs. Such signs may be located on various sides of the canopy.

Digital Sign. Any type of sign, including but not limited to a business identification sign, product advertising sign, or billboard, that consists of or incorporates into its overall design an image-changing display and/or electronic message board. This definition does not include basic time and temperature displays or basic scoreboards associated with recreational uses.

Directional Sign. A sign erected and maintained for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Such signs may not contain any advertisement or promotional information.

Franchise Sign. A sign, usually free-standing in nature, which identifies the name of a franchise(s) which is offered or available at the site where the sign is located. For the purposes of this chapter, such signs may be permitted where associated with outdoor businesses.

Free-Standing Sign. A self-supported sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards placed in or on the ground. Such signs may advertise products or items offered for sale or that are directly related to the premises on which they are located, i.e., a business identification sign, or may advertise a business, product or event located elsewhere, i.e., an advertising sign board.

Image-Changing Advertising Sign Board. An advertising sign board which is designed so that its advertising face changes mechanically on a designated frequency.

Institutional Sign. A sign erected and maintained for the purpose of identifying a school, church or place of worship, park or playground, government building, library, museum or art gallery, nursing or personal care home, day care center or nursery, medical clinic, or other institutional building or use located on the same premises as the sign. Such signs may be either free-standing or parallel wall signs.

Parallel Wall Sign. A type of wall sign that is attached parallel to the face of its supporting wall, or a wall sign consisting of individual letters that are attached parallel to the face of their supporting wall, and which does not project more than 12 inches from such wall.

Permanent Sign. A sign which is permanently affixed to the ground, excluding standard real estate or similar signs.

Political Sign. A temporary sign erected to announce or support a political candidate or issue in connection with any national, state or local election.

Product or Service Advertising Sign. Devices, structures or objects used to advertise a product, service, commodity, or activity available or occurring on the same premises as the sign(s). Such signs shall include, but need not be limited to, placards, boards, or other devices which are mounted, hung or painted on the inside of windows and faced outward, or are placed outside of a business, either on the building itself or on the same lot as the building, which advertise or are intended to advertise the variety, type, or pricing of available products or services. Flags, pennants and banners which advertise specific products or services shall also be considered product or service advertising signs for the purposes of this chapter.

Projecting Wall Sign. A type of wall sign which is wholly or partially dependent on a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from its supporting wall. Such signs shall be mounted at right angles to their supporting wall and shall have two faces upon which information can be displayed.

Roof Sign. A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support. For the purposes of this chapter, such signs may be permitted only as business identification signs.

Temporary Sign. Flags, pennants, inflatables, portable signs, temporary business identification signs, political signs, or other special promotional or advertising devices or banners intended to be erected for a limited period of time to call attention to a legally permissible business, activity or special event.

Traffic or Roadway Sign. A sign erected by or with the approval of the Township or PennDOT which is intended to direct or inform the general public about traffic or roadway conditions.

Wall Sign. A sign attached to or painted on a wall or part of a wall of a building.

Construction and Maintenance.

Sign Area.

Placement.

Height.

Attachment and Projection.

Illumination.

State Regulations. All applicable State regulations shall be met where signs are proposed in areas adjacent to highways included in PennDOT's primary and interstate highway systems. Any person desiring to erect a sign in these areas shall contact PennDOT to determine if the State's regulations will affect his proposal.

Nonconforming Signs. Signs which existed on or before August 17, 2009, (the effective date of this amendment), and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs, and once removed, shall only be replaced with conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may however be painted, repaired or maintained, provided that such maintenance or repair does not extend the dimensions of the existing sign as per the requirements of this Part.

Special Event Signs. Temporary signs erected to advertise or call attention to a legally permissible special event or purpose, i.e., an auction, a flea market, a carnival, a circus, a fair, festival or fund-raising event, not including any business identification sign, may be permitted in any zoning district subject to the following requirements:

Garage, Porch or Yard Sale Signs. Temporary signs advertising garage, porch or yard sales or other similar periodic events may be permitted in any zoning district subject to the following requirements:

Political Signs. Temporary signs used to announce or support a political candidate may be permitted in any zoning district subject to the following requirement:

General Use Signs. The following types and numbers of non-illuminated, non-advertising general use signs may be permitted in the R-A, R-R, R-S and R-U Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either free-standing or parallel wall signs. (See also § 27-703.C and D regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)

Institutional Signs.

Business Identification Signs. The following types of externally or internally illuminated, business identification signs may be permitted in the R-A, R-R, R-S, and R-U Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as either free-standing or parallel wall signs. (See also § 27-703.C and D regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)

Digital Signs. Digital signs of any type shall be prohibited in residential zoning districts.

General Use Signs. Those signs permitted in § 27-704.A, "General Use Signs in the R-A, RR, R-S and R-U Districts," may also be permitted in the C, I and IC Districts at the same size, in the same quantity, and in the same style.

Institutional Signs. Those signs permitted in § 27-704.B, "Institutional Signs in the R-A, RR, R-S and R-U Districts," may also be permitted in the C, I, and IC Districts, in the same size, same quantity, and in the same style.

Business Identification Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial use or activity, externally or internally illuminated business identification signs may be permitted in the C, I and IC Districts as indicated below. Such signs may be designed as free-standing signs, parallel or projecting wall signs, canopy or awning signs or roof signs. (See also § 27-703.C and D regarding placement and height requirements for such signs; § 27-705.E for business identification signs in business or industrial complexes; and § 27-705.G for requirements for temporary business identification signs.) Total sign area shall not exceed 600 square feet per business, regardless of the type of signs utilized or the number of frontages available.

Outdoor Business Franchise Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved outdoor business (those with a majority of their inventory situated outside of an enclosed building; i.e., automobile or manufactured housing dealerships) applicants may be permitted to erect and maintain signs recognizing the various franchises available or offered on their site in addition to the business identification signage permitted in § 27-705.C of this chapter. Such signs may be externally or internally illuminated and may be designed as either free-standing or parallel wall signs. They shall also meet the requirements set forth below. (See also § 27-703.C and D regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)

Business or Industrial Complex Identification Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial complex, shopping mall or shopping center, industrial park, or similar multi-tenant facility, externally or internally illuminated complex identification signs may be permitted in the C, I or IC Districts as indicated below. Such signs may only be designed as free-standing signs. (See also § 27-703.C and D regarding placement and height requirements for such signs.)

Product or Service Advertising Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial use, non-illuminated product or service advertising signs may be permitted in the C, I and IC Districts as indicated below:

Temporary Business Identification Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with an approved commercial or industrial use or activity, externally illuminated business identification signs may be permitted on a temporary basis in the C, I and IC Districts as indicated below. Such signs may only be designed as free-standing signs. (See also § 27-703.C and D regarding placement and height requirements for such signs and § 27-705.C for standards for permanent business identification signs.)

Advertising Sign Boards (Billboards). Externally illuminated advertising sign boards or billboards may be permitted in the IC District as indicated below. Such signs may only be designed as freestanding signs. (See also § 27-703.B, C, D, F and G regarding area calculations, placement, height and illumination requirements and State regulations for such signs.)

Digital Signs. Digital signs may be permitted in the C, I, and I-C Zoning Districts as indicated below:

Property posting signs.

Name plates or personal identification signs.

Property or development sale or rental signs.

Special event signs, garage, porch or yard sale signs, or political signs.

Artisan's signs or other temporary signs intended to be displayed for a period of time of 30 days or less.

Informational or public service signs, including those advertising the availability of rest rooms, public telephones, or other public conveniences, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, product, or goods or services.