SIGN: The word "sign" includes any writing (including letter, word or numeral); pictorial representation (including illustration or decoration); emblem (including device, symbol, or trademark); or any other device or similar character which (1) is a structure or any part thereof, or is attached to, painted on, or in any other manner represented on a building, vehicle or other structure; (2) is used to announce direct attention to, or advertise; and (3) is visible from outside a building.

      ANIMATED/MOVING SIGN: A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion. Animated signs, which are different from changeable signs as defined and regulated in this Chapter, include the following types:

         A.   Electrically activated. Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical or electro-mechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:

            1.   Flashing. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle of intermittent illumination which includes the illusion of intermittent flashing light by means of animation. Also any mode of lighting which resembles zooming, twinkling, or sparkling. For the purposes of this Chapter, flashing will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds five (5) seconds.

            2.   Patterned illusionary movement. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.

         B.   Environmentally activated. Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.

         C.   Mechanically activated. Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.

      BANNER: Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is permanently mounted to a pole or building by a permanent frame at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.

      BEACON: Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.

      BUILDING MARKER: Any sign indicating the name of a building and data and incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.

      CANOPY SIGN: Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outside service area. A marquee is not a canopy.

      CHANGEABLE SIGN: A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, including signs which are:

         A.   Manually activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually.

         B.   Electrically activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. (See also "Electronic Reader Board/Message Center").

      ELECTRONIC READER BOARD/MESSAGE CENTER: An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed. A sign that contains a changing message within the copy area that remains on for a specified minimum period of time and blacks out for a specified period of time between messages. Messages contained on the sign do not travel or appear to travel in any direction.

      FLAG: Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity.

      FLASHING SIGN: See "Animated/Moving Sign, electrically activated."

      FREESTANDING SIGN: An independently supported sign which is not attached to any building or structure.

      IDENTIFICATION SIGN: Any sign indicating the name and address of an occupant of a building.

      INCIDENTAL SIGN: A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.

      MARQUEE SIGN: Any sign attached to, in any manner, or made part of a marquee.

      NONCONFORMING SIGN: Any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this Chapter.

      PENNANT: Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.

      PORTABLE SIGN: Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A-frames or T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.

      PROJECTING SIGN: A sign erected or displayed which is attached to the wall of a building and projects in a perpendicular fashion from said wall. Wall signs that project more than twelve (12) inches shall be treated as projecting signs.

      ROOF SIGN: Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of building supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof. Roof signs shall not exceed the maximum height requirements for buildings or structures.

      ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL: Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure or design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six (6) inches.

      SUSPENDED SIGN: A sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.

      TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign that is used temporarily and is not permanently mounted.

      WALL SIGN: A sign erected or displayed on or parallel to the surface of a building and does not project more than twelve (12) inches therefrom.

      WINDOW SIGN: Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, which is placed inside a window or upon the windowpanes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.

   SIGN, ADVERTISING: Any sign which is owned or operated by any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of outdoor advertising for direct profit gained from the rental of such signs or any sign advertising a commodity not sold or produced on the premises, including "billboards".

   SIGN, DOUBLE-FACED: A sign consisting of two (2) display areas placed back to back or joined along a common edge and is treated as having one (1) sign area. If the display areas are joined along a common edge and the interior angle is greater than forty-five (45) degrees, the structure shall be treated as having two (2) sign areas.

   SIGN AREA: The area of a sign shall be construed to include the entire display surface and background, whether open or enclosed, which encompasses lettering, wording, designs, and symbols, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which is incidental to the display itself. The area shall be determined using the largest visible sign or silhouette area. When the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or printed on a surface, the area shall be considered to be the smallest rectangular shape or shapes which can be drawn together to encompass all of the letters and symbols.

      A.   No sign shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, replaced, altered removed for repair, enlarged, or relocated until a permit is obtained from the Zoning Officer, except that no permit shall be required by this Chapter for the following signs:

         1.   Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, postal box numbers or names of the occupants of the premises.

         2.   Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.

         3.   Legal notices, official traffic signs, community facilities signs, municipality identification signs, non-commercial historical or geographical identification information, or directional signs erected by government bodies. Such signs may be placed within the road right-of-way.

         4.   Geographical identification and greeting signs erected by civic and service organizations provided that they do not exceed four (4) square feet in area and are comprised of the organization's standard emblem or seal.

         5.   Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.

         6.   Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, provided that such signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet and such signs shall not contain advertising copy.

         7.   Temporary signs as described in § 1604 and 1606.C. of this Chapter.

         8.   Signs identifying farms, farm associations, and agricultural products, provided that no farm or association identification signs exceeds ten (10) square feet in area and no more than one (1) sign shall be erected per road frontage. Signs identifying agricultural products shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.

         9.   Hunting, fishing, and trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways or property, provided that such signs do not exceed two (2) square feet in area and when erected along street frontage the signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less than one hundred (100) feet.

         10.   Signs up to four (4) square feet in area which are necessary for the identification, protection, and operation of public utility facilities.

   B.   Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign.

   C.   All signs not owned by the person, firm or organization advertising thereon shall carry a clearly legible imprint showing the owner's name.

   D.   No sign shall be so illuminated as to have a glaring effect upon vehicular traffic or adjacent properties. No sign shall be illuminated so as to constitute a nuisance. No sign shall contain moving parts or use flashing or intermittent illumination. The source of the light shall be continuous and stationary.

   E.   No sign shall be higher than thirty-five (35) feet from the ground to the highest part of the sign.

   F.   No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct entrance to or exit from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.

   G.   No sign shall be erected that screens traffic signals or signs or utilizes red, green or amber lights or reflectorized material that creates a flashing action and is so located as to render ineffective any traffic sign or signal. Any sign which resembles an official traffic sign or signal, by way of its appearance or content, shall be prohibited.

   H.   Unless otherwise provided, no sign shall be painted, pasted, or otherwise affixed to any tree, rock, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, sidewalk, curb, or street.

   I.   Unless otherwise provided, no portion of any sign shall be erected within or placed on an existing structure in the road right-of-way. Additionally, no portion of any sign shall be erected in the "clear sight triangle" as specified in § 1401.

   J.   Unless otherwise specified, all signs shall be on on-premises, and no sign shall be erected until a permit has been secured from the Zoning Officer and approval has been received from any other applicable state or local agencies.

   K.   No sign shall contain obscene material.

   L.   For the purposes of this Chapter, portable signs, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements for freestanding signs and shall be included in the calculation of the maximum allowable sign area for the use.

   M.   For the purposes of this Chapter, canopy signs and suspended signs, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements for projecting signs and shall be included in the calculation of the maximum allowable sign area for the use.

   N.   Signs Prohibited Under this Chapter. All signs not expressly permitted under this Chapter or exempt from regulation hereunder in accordance with the previous section are prohibited in the Township. Such signs include, but are not limited to:

      1.   Beacons.

      2.   Pennants.

      3.   Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except for holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message.

      4.   Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.

   A.   Temporary signs which do not require a permit:

      1.   Temporary signs of painters, mechanics, contractors, realtors, and the like not exceeding a total of sixteen (16) square feet in area, provided such signs are removed as soon as the work has been completed.

      2.   Temporary signs and banners of a non-commercial nature across a public right-of-way are permitted provided (a) permission is obtained from the Township Supervisors, (b) they are erected in a location which will not cause a traffic hazard, (c) they meet safety standards and are maintained, and (d) they are removed when their temporary use is completed.

      3.   Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive, or event of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization. Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area and shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after completion of the campaign, drive or event.

      4.   Temporary signs directing patrons, members, audience or customers to temporary exhibits, shows, events, or activities (e.g. yard sales, fruit sales, conventions, etc.). Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area and shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after completion of the campaign, drive or event.

      5.   Signs erected in conjunction with a political election provided that all signs are removed within forty-eight (48) hours after the date of the election.

   B.   Off-premises directional signs which require issuance of a permit:

      1.   Off-premises directional signs which are used to direct patrons, members, audience, customers, clients to service clubs, churches, commercial, industrial, institutional or other organizations may be erected subject to the following requirements:

         a.   A sign shall indicate only the name of the organization and the direction to the facility.

         b.   Except at intersections, no sign shall be placed within two hundred (200) feet of another sign associated with the same principal use.

         c.   All signs shall be placed within two (2) miles of the use and no more than six (6) signs for each principal use may be erected within the borders of the municipality.

         d.   All signs shall consist of dark lettering on a light background, excluding standard issue signs. The signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area, and no moving parts, flashing lights, or any type of illumination shall be permitted.

         e.   At intersections of public streets, no more than one (1) sign post accommodating all directional signs may be erected per corner. Said posts shall not exceed six (6) inches in width and shall not be less than three (3) feet nor greater than eight (8) feet in height above ground. No more than one (1) sign per principal use may be attached to any sign post and no portion of any sign shall be erected within the clear sight triangle as specified in Section 1401 of this Chapter.

         f.   Application for off-premises directional sign permits shall include a map indicating location of placement requests and the land owner's written approval, name to be placed on sign, and distances from the facility to each sign.

   C.   One (1) name plate for a home occupation, provided that the sign does not exceed four (4) square feet in size and identifies only the name of the occupant and title of the occupation. If lighted, the sign shall be illuminated without objectionable glare. No displays or change in façade shall indicate from the exterior that the building is being used for any purpose other than that of a dwelling.

   D.   One (1) institutional sign and/or one (1) bulletin board, for places of worship, schools, hospitals, libraries, museums, social clubs, and similar uses, provided each sign or bulletin board does not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area and is located no closer to a road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is less. If lighted, it shall be illuminated without objectionable glare. Additionally, if such property fronts on more than one (1) street, each street frontage may contain the above mentioned signs.

   E.   Subdivision signs.

      1.   Temporary - a sign advertising lots for sale, giving prices, dimensions, services, etc., and which shall be removed within thirty (30) days of the sale date of the last lot.

      2.   Permanent - a sign containing only the name of the development or subdivision and designed to be permanently affixed to the land.

One (1) sign per road frontage may be permitted provided the sign is placed at an entrance to the subdivision, is located on the property to be subdivided, and does not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area. No portion of any sign shall be erected within the clear sight triangle as specified in § 1401.

   A.   Signs for the advertisement of permitted agricultural businesses. For each property involved in a permitted agri-business, one sign may be erected, provided no sign or portion thereof shall be located closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is less.

      1.   Wall, or projecting sign - maximum sign area shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

      2.   Freestanding sign - maximum sign area shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet.

   B.   Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial, industrial or institutional uses. For each property involved in a permitted or nonconforming commercial, industrial or institutional use, a total sign area of thirty (30) square feet shall be permitted. No sign or portion thereof shall be located no closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or fifteen (15) feet, whichever is less.

      1.   Projecting sign - maximum sign area shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

      2.   Freestanding sign - maximum sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

      3.   Wall or window sign - maximum sign size shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

   C.   Signs as permitted in § 1604 of this Chapter.

   A.   Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial, industrial, institutional and/or agricultural uses. For each property involved in a permitted or nonconforming commercial, industrial, institutional and/or agricultural use, a total sign area of thirty (30) square feet shall be permitted. No sign or portion thereof shall be located closer to the road right-of-way than 1/2 the depth of the existing front yard or fifteen (15) feet, whichever is less.

      1.   Projecting sign - maximum sign area shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

      2.   Freestanding sign - maximum sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

      3.   Wall or window sign - maximum sign size shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

   B.   Signs as permitted in § 1604 of this Chapter.

   A.   Signs for the advertisement of agri-business as permitted in § 1605 of this Chapter.

   B.   Signs for permitted and nonconforming commercial, office, institutional, and industrial uses as follows:

      1.   One (1) or more wall signs for each road frontage provided each wall sign is attached to the wall of the principal building and projects horizontally not more than twelve (12) inches therefrom and the total of all wall signs on the wall shall occupy not more than fifteen (15) percent of the total area of the front of the principal building. No wall sign shall project more than three (3) feet above the roof line or parapet wall.

      2.   One (1) projecting, marquee or roof sign for each road frontage provided it shall not project beyond a vertical plane two (2) feet inside the road right-of-way line and shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area. Said signs shall not exceed a height of thirty-five (35) feet.

      3.   One (1) freestanding sign for each road frontage, provided it does not exceed sixty (60) square feet in area. It shall not extend beyond a vertical plane two (2) feet inside the lot from the road right-of-way line and shall not exceed a height of thirty-five (35) feet.

      4.   Shopping center identification signs, provided they are separate and not attached to any building. There shall be a maximum of two (2) such signs for any one (1) shopping center. The height of signs shall be a maximum of thirty-five (35) feet measured from the ground, and the maximum size of the sign portion itself shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.

   C.   Off-premises billboards and advertising sign boards may be erected and maintained by special exception, provided the total display area of any sign shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area. Each such sign shall not be placed less than five hundred (500) feet apart or within five hundred (500) feet of existing billboards or advertising sign boards. No sign or portion thereof shall be located closer than twenty-five (25) feet to the road right-of-way and shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height. Any electrically activated changeable sign shall also comply with § 1608.

   D.   Signs as permitted in §1604 of this Chapter.

   A.   No electrically activated changeable sign or electronic reader board/message center shall be placed in such a position, or have such a source of illumination, that it will cause any danger to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

   B.   Except as noted below, electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader boards/message centers may not contain any flashing, pulsing, scrolling or moving lights, text or graphics, or any full-motion video.

   C.   When approved as a special exception by the zoning hearing board, electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader boards/message centers, may also contain electrically activated, patterned illusionary movement (animation) as defined in this Chapter. As part of its approval, the Zoning Hearing Board may attach whatever conditions it deems necessary (a) to maintain the character of the neighborhood in which the sign is located and (b) to mitigate any negative impacts on neighboring properties and/or uses.

   D.   Change Interval. Electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader boards/message centers must provide a minimum change interval of at least five (5) seconds. A change interval is defined as the time period in which the display of an electronic sign must remain static and during which the display may not transition to display another image.

   E.   Transition Interval. Electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader boards/message centers must provide a maximum transition interval of one (1) second. The "transition interval" is defined as the time period in which the display of an electronic sign transitions to another display.

   F.   On-premises electrically activated changeable signs and electronic reader boards/message centers shall not be illuminated more than one-half hour before the time at which the premises is open to the public or more than one-half hour after the time at which the premises is closed to the public, or 11:00 p.m., whichever is later, unless a special exception to allow longer hours is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.

   G.   The changeable portion of an electrically activated changeable sign or electronic reader board/message center other than a billboard shall not exceed an area of thirty-two (32) square feet, unless a special exception to allow a larger area is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.

   H.   The display may only be used to advertise goods and services sold on-premises, time and temperature, and public service announcements.

   I.   No electrically activated changeable sign or electronic reader board/message center shall be permitted on any residential lot.

   J.   Any premises with an electrically activated changeable sign or electronic reader board/message center shall not be permitted to have any other freestanding sign on the property.

   K.   Video is prohibited.

   A.   A nonconforming sign shall not be replaced, altered, relocated, or reconstructed except to bring the sign into total compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

   B.   A nonconforming sign may be used, maintained and repaired subject to the following requirements:

      1.   Maintenance and repair of a nonconforming sign is permitted when said activities are necessary to maintain the sign in a presentable, functional condition. Maintenance and repair activities shall not include alterations, relocation or reconstruction but may include: replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. Prior to the removal of a nonconforming sign for maintenance, repair or message change, a permit shall be secured from the Zoning Officer. Said permit shall allow the applicant to re-erect the repaired or re-messaged nonconforming sign within thirty (30) days of issuance. If the nonconforming sign is not erected within the specified time, it shall lose its nonconforming status and any successive sign shall conform with all applicable Chapter requirements.

      2.   Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit the change in advertising, identifying, or directional message of a nonconforming sign so long as the change does not involve any alterations, relocation or reconstruction of the nonconforming sign. Message changes of a nonconforming sign that are a result of a transfer in ownership of the premises on which the principal use is located, excluding contract advertising signs, shall be prohibited and any successive sign shall conform to the Chapter requirements. If the message change requires removal of the sign, a permit shall be secured as in the above sub-section.

      3.   A nonconforming sign, which has been damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, accident, or calamity, to an extent which is greater than fifty (50) percent of the sign or sign value, may not be repaired except in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. A nonconforming sign which has sustained less than fifty (50) percent damage of the sign or sign value may be repaired provided:

         a.   The repaired sign is virtually unchanged, except for building materials and message, or is less nonconforming than the original sign; and

         b.   Repair is completed within sixty (60) days from the date of damage. Failure to repair within sixty (60) days shall result in the loss of nonconforming sign rights and any successive sign shall conform with all applicable Chapter requirements.

      4.   When a nonconforming sign has been demolished or destroyed by deterioration or removal, or has been moved from its location for reasons other than for an approved repair, maintenance or a change in message, said sign shall not be reconstructed or replaced except in complete conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.

   C.   A nonconforming sign which pertains to a time, event, purpose or use which no longer applies, has been abandoned or changed, shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on which the sign is located.

   D.   Proposed signs that are associated with a nonconforming use shall conform to the regulations of the district in which the sign is located.