Scott Township Columbia County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Sign Regulations
§ 135-70 Types of signs.
Signage may include a variety of different types of signs, each with unique functions. The following list itemizes and defines the various signs considered under the provisions of this article.
Signs or boards which direct motorists or pedestrians to a business establishment or call the attention of a motorist or pedestrian to a product, place or activity that exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which the board is erected. For the purposes of this chapter, "billboards" shall be freestanding structures and shall not include wall signs.
Signs or boards that are directly oriented to activities that occur on the same premises as the sign or board. Such signs may be attached to either a wall or the ground.
Signs or boards erected outdoors which electronically or mechanically, using movement or change of lighting, either natural or artificial, use letters and words only to direct persons to a business establishment or call the attention of a person to a product, place or activity or which communicates public service messages.
A sign resting on the ground or supported vertically by one or more uprights placed in or on the ground. Such signs may be designed to be movable and may advertise products or items offered for sale or that are directly related to the premises upon which they are located, e.g., business identification signs, or may advertise products or events located elsewhere, e.g., billboards.
An advertising signboard or business identification sign which is designed so that the advertising face changes mechanically or at a programmed frequency.
Temporary signs announcing or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state or local election.
Flags, pennants, portable ground signs, political signs or special promotional devices intended to be erected for a limited period of time to call attention to a legally permissible special event.
A Digital message board displaying solely the time and temperature.
Signs erected by or with the approval of the Township Supervisors which are intended to direct or inform the general public about traffic or roadway conditions.
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 upon which they are located, e.g., business identification signs.
§ 135-71 General regulations.
The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses.
A.
Location. The main supporting structure of all signs shall be set back in accordance with the minimum requirements established in this article for the specific type of sign and the district in which it is to be located. In no case, however, shall any sign be located closer than three feet to any side property line or be situated within any public right-of-way, except traffic signs or signs that are required in connection with the provision of municipal services.
B.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall not cause excessive glare or other disturbance which would be incompatible with the nature of the surrounding neighborhood or which would in any way impair the vision of passing motorists. Illumination shall be steady in nature, not flashing, animated, moving or changing in brilliance, color or intensity. No flashing or animated signs shall be permitted except for digital message boards, which shall be permitted as special exceptions in the General Commercial, Interchange Commercial and Industrial Districts, subject to meeting the regulations of the same set forth herein. Image-changing advertising signs shall be prohibited in all districts as being an impediment to the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public.
C.
Traffic or visual obstruction. No sign shall be erected at the intersection of a street which could obstruct a motorist's clear vision. If located within the direct line of vision of any traffic control signal, no sign shall have red, green or amber illumination.
D.
Attachment. All signs shall be constructed and securely fastened in a manner which will prevent their displacement by the elements and prevent collapse. Signs attached to a building may not project over a public sidewalk unless the sign is located at least 10 feet above the sidewalk. No sign shall be permitted to swing.
E.
Anchoring. All ground signs shall be anchored, weighted, spring-loaded or otherwise designed to minimize wind action. The application for such signs shall indicate the method of anchoring to be employed.
F.
Access. No sign shall be erected or maintained which prevents free ingress and egress from any door, window or fire escape or which prevents free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
G.
Construction and maintenance. All signs permitted under this chapter must be constructed of durable material and shall be adequately maintained to present a legible appearance and to avoid deterioration, decay or other conditions which could endanger the public health, welfare or safety. Each sign and all appurtenances shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection or display no longer apply.
H.
Landowner's permission. No sign shall be displayed upon private or public property, other than on that of the applicant, without first being permitted by the owner or agent thereof, with the exception of political or other temporary signs. Written consent or a copy of the lease shall be presented with an application for a building/zoning permit for the sign.
I.
Nonconforming signs. Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs and, once removed, shall be replaced with only conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be painted, repaired or maintained, provided that such maintenance or repair does not extend the dimensions of the existing sign.
J.
Temporary event signs (see also Subsections K and L below). Temporary signs which are to be erected for a legally permissible special event or purpose may be permitted in any zoning district, subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
The size or area of each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(2)
Such signs shall not be located within any public right-of-way without prior approval of the Township Supervisors or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
(3)
Temporary event signs shall not be displayed for more than 30 days prior to the event.
(4)
The signs shall be removed by the property owner or applicant within seven days after the event has occurred.
K.
Garage, porch or yard sale signs. Signs advertising garage, porch or yard sales or similar periodic events may be permitted, subject to the following requirements:
L.
Political signs. Political signs may be permitted in any zoning district but shall be subject to the following regulations.
(1)
A building/zoning permit shall be required for the erection of political signs in the Township. Fees for such permits shall be refundable upon satisfactory and timely removal of the signs.
(2)
All applications for political signs shall include a list of locations of said signs.
(3)
Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per sign face and shall not have more than two faces.
(4)
Signs shall not endanger the public nor be located within the right-of-way of any public street.
(5)
Signs may be erected 60 days prior to the election date and must be removed by the applicant within 10 days after the election.
(6)
Failure to remove all such signs within the established time limits shall result in the forfeiture of the required fee.
(7)
The Township shall have the right to enter upon any premises and remove signs that are not in compliance with these regulations without notice.
M.
Building and zoning permits. Building and zoning permits shall be required for the erection or alteration of all signs, with the exception of temporary signs meeting the requirements of Subsections J and K above, and those signs permitted in § 135-72A, General signs, in the A-R, R-S and R-U Districts.
N.
Fees. Fees for the issuance of building and zoning permits for signs shall be paid to the Township upon filing of an application for such use and shall be in accordance with the schedule of fees established by resolution of the Township Supervisors.[1] No fee shall be charged for any permit connected with the erection of a sign necessary for the public welfare.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee schedule is on file in the administrative offices of the Township.
§ 135-72 A-R, R-S and R-U Districts.
The following signs may be placed or located in the A-R, R-S and R-U Zoning Districts, subject to the requirements outlined below.
A.
General signs.
(1)
No more than two of the following nonflashing, nonanimated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time, unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case two such signs may be erected on each frontage (a double-faced sign shall count as a single sign):
(a)
Nameplates, identification signs and home occupation signs bearing the name and occupation of the practitioner. Maximum size: four square feet.
(b)
Trespassing signs. Maximum size: two square feet.
(c)
Sale and rental signs. Maximum size: six square feet.
(d)
Signs advertising the sale of farm, garden or nursery products, displayed only when such products are on sale. Maximum size: six square feet.
(e)
Signs of schools, churches and similar institutions. Maximum size: 16 square feet.
(f)
Signs of mechanics, painters or other artisans while performing work on the same premises. Maximum size: nine square feet.
(g)
Development signs erected by the developer, builder or realtor advertising the sale or development of the premises upon which they are located, only during construction or sale of units. Maximum size: 20 square feet.
(2)
Such signs may be located in any portion of a required front yard but shall be no closer to the adjoining street right-of-way line than 10 feet. (See also § 135-71A.) No sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes, and no such sign shall be higher than eight feet above the average grade of the proposed site.
B.
Business identification signs (ground or wall signs). No more than one business identification sign, either a ground or a wall sign, may be erected and maintained on a property in the A-R, R-S or R-U District in accordance with the standards listed below. (A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign.)
(1)
Business identification signs advertising products sold, processed or available on the premises shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(2)
Business identification signs advertising nonconforming activities or businesses occurring in nonconforming structures shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. Such signs may only be lighted by hidden or diffused light or may be backlighted.
(3)
Business identification signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height above average yard grade nor be located closer to the ground than 10 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign) when in a parking, vehicular or pedestrian circulation area, unless such signs are resting on the ground.
(4)
Business identification ground signs may be placed within any required front yard but shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the edge of the adjoining public street right-of-way. (See also § 135-71A.) No sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes.
(5)
Business identification wall signs shall not extend above the top of the wall nor beyond either side of the wall to which they are attached.
C.
Image-changing advertising signs shall be prohibited as being an impediment to the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public.
§ 135-73 C, IC, I and LI Districts.
The following signs may be placed or located in the C, IC, I or LI Zoning District, subject to the requirements outlined below.
B.
Business identification signs (ground or wall signs). No more than two business identification signs, either ground or wall signs, may be erected and maintained on a property in the C, IC, I or LI District in accordance with the standards listed below. (A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign.)
(1)
Business identification signs advertising products or services sold, processed or available on the premises shall not exceed 100 square feet in area. Total sign area, excluding digital message boards, per lot shall not exceed 200 square feet.
(2)
Business identification signs advertising commercial complexes or shopping centers accommodating two or more businesses shall not exceed 300 square feet in area. Signs identifying individual businesses within the complex shall be affixed to the individual units and shall not exceed 50 square feet in area.
(3)
Business identification signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height above average yard grade nor be located closer to the ground than 15 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign).
(4)
Business identification ground signs may be placed within any required front yard but shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way. (See also § 135-71A.) No sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes.
(5)
Business identification wall signs shall not extend above the top of the wall nor beyond either side of the wall to which they are attached.
(6)
All applicable provisions of the state's Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, as amended,[1] shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to highways in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's primary and interstate highway system. Any individual desiring to establish a sign in these areas shall contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Division of Outdoor Advertising to determine if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A copy of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.
C.
Billboards or advertising signboards. Billboards or advertising signboards may be erected and maintained on a property in the C, IC or I District in accordance with the standards listed below.
(1)
Billboards or advertising signboards shall be situated at least 25 feet from the right-of-way of any public street. No such sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance.
(2)
Billboards or advertising signboards shall not exceed 300 square feet in area.
(3)
Billboards or advertising signboards shall not exceed 35 feet in height above the average grade of the proposed site nor be located closer to the ground than 15 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign).
(4)
The sign area for billboards or advertising signboards shall be calculated including all trim and border area but shall exclude the main supporting structure, base and apron.
(5)
No billboard shall be located closer than 300 feet (on the same side of the street) to any other billboard or image-changing advertising signs.
(6)
All applicable provisions of the state's Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, as amended,[2] shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to highways in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's primary and interstate highway system. Any individual desiring to establish a sign in these areas shall contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Division of Outdoor Advertising to determine if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A copy of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.
D.
Digital message boards. Digital message boards shall be permitted upon the granting of a special exception, only in the C, IC and I Districts and only in accordance with the standards listed below:
(1)
Applications for special exceptions must be filed by the landowner and may not be filed by tenants of the subject property.
(2)
Digital message boards shall be situated at least 25 feet from the right-of-way of any public street. No such sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance.
(3)
Digital message boards shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(4)
Digital message boards shall not exceed 25 feet in height above the average grade of the proposed site nor be located closer to the ground than 15 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign).
(5)
The sign area for digital message boards shall be calculated including all trim and border area but shall exclude the main supporting structure, base and apron.
(6)
No digital message boards shall be located closer than 300 feet (on the same side of the street) to any other digital message board.
(7)
Digital message boards shall be limited to one per business structure regardless of the number of business units which are located on the premises. More than one unit connected by rooflines or supporting or connecting construction shall be deemed to be one business structure if any business or commercial activity is conducted therein or thereon.
(8)
Digital message boards shall be permitted to be located either on an external wall of a structure or erected on a freestanding pole.
(9)
The erection of a digital message board shall not affect the number, type or size of signs otherwise permitted under these regulations.
(10)
All applicable provisions of the state's Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, as amended,[3] shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to highways in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's primary and interstate highway system. Any individual desiring to establish a sign in these areas shall contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Division of Outdoor Advertising to determine if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A copy of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.
E.
Time-and-temperature signs. Time-and-temperature signs shall be permitted only in C and IC Districts and only in accordance with the standards listed below:
(1)
Time-and-temperature signs shall be situated at least 25 feet from the right-of-way of any public street. No such sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance.
(2)
Time-and-temperature signs shall not exceed 25 square feet in area.
(3)
Time-and-temperature signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height above the average grade of the proposed site nor be located closer to the ground than 15 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign).
(4)
The sign area for time-and-temperature signs shall be calculated including all trim and border area but shall exclude the main supporting structure, base and apron.
(5)
Time-and-temperature signs shall be limited to one per business structure regardless of the number of business units which are located on the premises. More than one unit connected by rooflines or supporting or connecting construction shall be deemed to be one business structure if any business or commercial activity is conducted therein or thereon.
(6)
Time-and-temperature signs shall be permitted to be located either on an external wall of a structure or erected on a freestanding pole.
(7)
The erection of a digital message board shall not affect the number, type or size of signs otherwise permitted under these regulations.
(8)
All applicable provisions of the state's Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, as amended,[4] shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to highways in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's primary and interstate highway system. Any individual desiring to establish a sign in these areas shall contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Division of Outdoor Advertising to determine if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A copy of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 36 P.S. § 2718.101 et seq.
F.
Image-changing advertising signs. Image-changing advertising signs shall be prohibited as being an impediment to the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public.
§ 135-74 FF and FP Districts.
A.
Provisions for signs in the FF and FP Districts shall be the same as the underlying district, except that no sign may impede natural drainage or the flow of water.
B.
Where state approval is necessary, the requirements of that agency shall be met prior to the issuance of a building/zoning permit.
C.
Image-changing advertising signs shall be prohibited as being an impediment to the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public.
§ 135-75 FW District.
A.
No signs, except "no trespassing" signs with a maximum size of two square feet, shall be permitted in the Floodway District, except as might be necessary by federal, state or local governments to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people. If such signs are necessary, they shall be designed and placed so as not to impede the natural drainage or flow of water.
B.
Where state approval is necessary, the requirements of that agency shall be met prior to the issuance of a building or a zoning permit.
C.
Image-changing advertising signs shall be prohibited as being an impediment to the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public.