Springfield Township York County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Sign Regulations
§ 500-102 General sign regulations.
A.
Area of signs.
(1)
The area of a sign shall be constructed to include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing incidental to the display itself.
(2)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to a building, wall, or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
(3)
In computing the square foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
(4)
If an establishment has walls fronting on two or more streets, the sign area for each street may be computed separately.
B.
Location/placement of signs.
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger on a street by obscuring the view, and in no case, except official traffic and street signs, shall signs be placed within the clear sight triangle as set forth in§ 500-94A of this chapter.
(2)
No signs, except those of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, shall be allowed within a street right-of-way. This provision may be waived for parallel and projecting signs in areas where no setback is required.
(3)
Freestanding signs. No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer to any lot line than one-half the required setback for the district in which it is located, nor shall it exceed six feet in height. If this requirement cannot be met, then freestanding signs shall be prohibited on such properties.
(4)
Projecting signs. Projecting signs shall not project more than three feet from the wall or surface to which they are mounted nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(5)
Parallel signs. Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted and shall not project more than 12 inches from its surface. In addition, parallel signs or portions of such signs shall not be located above the ceiling of the ground floor of any building or more than 12 feet above the upper surface of the official street grade, whichever is less, unless otherwise required by this chapter.
(6)
No person shall paint, paste, brand, stamp, or in any manner whatsoever place on or attach to any tree, or to any utility, streetlight, or other pole, on any street in the Township any written, printed, or painted advertisement, bill, notice, sign, card, or poster.
C.
Prohibition.
(1)
Projecting signs, roof signs, flashing signs, and festoon lighting shall not be permitted in any district, unless otherwise specified. Reflecting signs, other than those used for traffic direction and information, are also prohibited.
(2)
No sign shall be erected containing information on which it states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter in the zoning district in which the property to which the sign relates is located.
D.
Holiday decorations. Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter, except as they may interfere with glare, traffic safety or in any other way become a public safety hazard.
E.
Permit required. Except for signs of a duly constituted governmental body, all on-premises signs over six square feet in area and all off-premises signs regardless of size shall require the issuance of a zoning permit before erection or replacement. All signs must comply with all of the regulations contained herein, regardless of whether a permit is required.
F.
Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Zoning Officer finds that any sign regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall give written notice to the permittee thereof in accordance with the requirements of § 500-130C of this chapter. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign may be removed or altered to comply with this chapter by the Zoning Officer at the expense of the owner of the property on which it is located. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is in immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
§ 500-103 Signs in Resource Protection Districts and Residential Districts.
A.
On-premises signs. In C, A, ROS, and R Districts, only the following on-premises signs shall be permitted. These same signs may also be permitted as off-premises signs by special exception of the Zoning Hearing Board if, in the opinion of the Board, such sign cannot reasonably be placed upon the premises in question and other applicable size and location provisions are met.
(1)
One nonilluminated sign advertising agricultural produce or livestock raised on the premises, where such sale is permitted, not to exceed 12 square feet in area.
(2)
Nonilluminated signs displayed strictly for the direction, safety, or convenience of the public, including signs which identify rest rooms, telephone booths, parking area entrances or exits, freight entrances or the like, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(3)
Parallel, projecting, and freestanding flags representing governmental, educational, or religious organizations.
(4)
One nonilluminated sign posted in conjunction with doorbells or mailboxes, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 36 square inches.
(5)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign displaying only the name and address of the occupant of a premise, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 200 square inches.
(6)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign for a home occupation or bed-and-breakfast inn indicating only the names of persons and their occupations, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(7)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign for a permitted nonresidential building or use, other than a home occupation or bed-and-breakfast inn, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(8)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(9)
One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises on which the sign has been erected or one sign indicating that said premises have been sold or rented, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet and shall be removed within 20 days after an agreement of rental has been entered into or legal title has been transferred.
(10)
One temporary nonilluminated sign erected in connection with the development or proposed development of the premises by a builder, contractor, developer, or other persons interested in such sales or development, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet and shall be removed within 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied or upon expiration of the building permit, whichever is sooner.
(11)
Temporary nonilluminated sign of a mechanic or artisan may be erected and maintained during the period such person is performing work on the premises on which such sign is erected, provided such signs shall be removed upon completion of the work by the mechanic or artisan. The total area of all such signs on a particular parcel shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(12)
Nonilluminated signs announcing no trespassing; signs indicating the private nature of a street, driveway, access drive, or premises; and signs controlling fishing or hunting on the premises, providing the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(13)
Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated memorial signs or historical signs or tablets not exceeding 12 square feet, except larger signs may be permitted by special exception if, in the opinion of the Board, such sign is in keeping with the scale and character of the premises in question.
(14)
Permanent nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs erected in connection with a residential development located in the Township are permitted, provided that:
(a)
Special exception approval is obtained from the Zoning Hearing Board.
(b)
No more than one sign per perimeter street entrance is erected.
(c)
There is no interference with sight distance requirements.
(d)
The construction of such signs is generally of weather resistant materials, preferably masonry.
(e)
A specific property owner or property owners association, with permanent maintenance responsibility, is identified and suitably recorded.
(f)
Landscaping is provided in the area surrounding such signs.
(g)
Such sign is limited to the identification of the associated development, specifically excluding any sales or marketing information.
(h)
The area of any single sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
B.
Off-premises signs. In C, A, ROS, and R Districts, off-premises signs are permitted as follows (signs permitted within this section may also be on-premises signs):
(1)
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic; street name signs; legal notices; warnings at railroad crossings; and other official signs which are similarly authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body. Such signs may be illuminated only as necessary or customary for traffic control or safety.
(2)
Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for election may be erected or displayed and maintained, provided:
(a)
The size of any such sign is not in excess of 16 square feet.
(b)
The signs shall not be erected or displayed earlier than 70 days prior to the election to which they pertain.
(c)
Such signs may only be erected on private property and then only with the approval of the landowner. In no event may such signs be erected or placed on nonprivate lands or rights-of-way in favor of any governmental unit, including, but not limited to, streets, roads, alleys or other cartway.
(d)
All such signs will be removed promptly within five days after the date of the election to which such signs relate.
(e)
Enforcement proceedings hereunder shall include sign removal by the Township with payment of the cost of same and/or civil fines as provided in § 500-130. In the absence of compelling evidence otherwise, the candidate and such candidate's political party shall be jointly and severally liable for any enforcement proceeding and/or fine.
(3)
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows, or events located in the Township or contiguous Boroughs may be erected, subject to the following requirements:
(a)
Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
(b)
Signs shall not be posted earlier than two weeks before the occurrence of the event to which it relates and must be removed within one week after the date of the exhibit, show, or event. When related to a proposed development, such signs must be removed immediately upon sale or rental of the final unit in such development.
(4)
Nonilluminated signs used for directing patrons, members, or an audience to service clubs, churches, or other nonprofit organizations, provided such signs shall indicate only the name of the facility and the direction to the facility and shall not exceed four square feet in area.
(5)
Temporary nonilluminated signs erected in connection with the development or proposed development located in the Township by a builder, contractor, developer, or other persons interested in such sales or development, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be removed within 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied or upon expiration of any building permit, whichever is sooner.
§ 500-104 Signs in Village Center Districts.
A.
On-premises signs in Village Center Districts. In VC Districts, only the following on-premises signs shall be permitted, except as provided for in § 500-49C of this chapter:
(1)
All signs permitted in § 500-103A of this chapter at the standards prescribed therein, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2)
Each lot shall be permitted one freestanding, one parallel, one projecting, or one painted window or door sign per street frontage. The aggregate area of the sign(s) shall not exceed 10 square feet.
(3)
In the case of a freestanding business sign, the height of the sign shall not exceed 10 feet as measured from the official street grade to the top of the sign, or of any posts, brackets, or other supporting elements.
(5)
In the case of a projecting business sign:
(a)
The distance from the ground to the lower edge of the sign shall be a minimum of eight feet.
(b)
The distance from the building wall to the sign shall not exceed six inches.
(c)
The height of the top edge of the sign shall not extend above any portion of the roof of the building if affixed to a single story building, or extend above the sill or bottom of any second story window if affixed to a multistory building.
(6)
Only nonilluminated and indirectly illuminated business signs are permitted.
§ 500-105 Signs in Highway Commercial Districts.
A.
On-premises signs in Highway Commercial Districts. In HC Districts, only the following on-premises signs shall be permitted, except as provided for in § 500-49 of this chapter:
(1)
All signs permitted in § 500-103A of this chapter at the standards prescribed therein, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2)
Parallel business signs are permitted, provided:
(a)
The total area of all parallel signs for each establishment shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of length of the front building wall or length of that portion of such wall devoted to such establishment.
(b)
If such establishment does not occupy any floor area on the ground level of the building other than an entryway, the maximum permitted sign area shall not exceed one square foot of length of the front building wall (or portion).
(c)
Signs painted on or affixed to the inside or outside of windows shall be included in this computation if their combined area exceeds 50% of the area of the window which they occupy.
(d)
In no case, however, may the total area of parallel signs exceed 10% of the area of the wall (including windows, door area, and cornices) to which they are attached.
(3)
Freestanding business signs are permitted, provided:
(a)
Only one such sign shall be permitted on each property, except as provided in § 500-102A(4) of this chapter.
(b)
The area of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot for each two feet of lot frontage or 60 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(c)
The maximum height of a freestanding business sign shall be 20 feet.
(4)
Projecting business signs are permitted by special exception as a substitute for either parallel or freestanding signs, provided such sign shall not conflict with signs on neighboring properties, shall not visually interfere with the view to and from adjacent properties, shall not extend above any portion of the roof of the building to which such sign is affixed, shall have its lower edge at least eight feet above any sidewalk or pedestrianway, shall in most cases have a vertical alignment, and in general shall be appropriate to and in scale with the building to which it is affixed.
(5)
Nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated, or directly illuminated business signs are permitted.
B.
Off-premises signs in Highway Commercial Districts. In HC Districts, only the following off-premises signs shall be permitted:
§ 500-106 Signs in Industrial Districts.
A.
On-premises signs in Industrial Districts. In CI and I Districts, only the following on-premises signs shall be permitted:
(2)
Parallel business signs, subject to the following provisions:
(a)
The total area of any parallel sign shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of length of the front building wall or length of that portion of such wall devoted to such establishment or 150 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(b)
No parallel business sign shall be painted on or affixed to the inside or outside of windows in such districts.
(3)
Freestanding business signs, provided:
(a)
The area of all such signs shall not exceed one square foot for each two feet of lot frontage or 60 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(b)
Signs mounted or otherwise affixed to the roof of a building are permitted on one story buildings, provided such signs do not extend more than four feet above the roofline.
(c)
The maximum height of a freestanding business sign shall be 20 feet.
(d)
Nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated, or directly illuminated business signs shall be permitted.
B.
Off-premises signs in Industrial Districts. In CI and I Districts, only the following off-premises signs shall be permitted:
(1)
All off-premises signs permitted in § 500-103B of this chapter at the standards prescribed therein.
(2)
Advertising signs, subject to the provisions of § 500-103B(2) of this chapter, are permitted in I Districts only.