Straban Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Sign Regulations
§ 140-53 General regulations for all signs.
A.
Sign area.
(1)
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed. One freestanding sign or monument sign may include several signs that are all attached to one structure, with total sign area being the total area of all signs on the structure.
(2)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting framework, bracing or clearly defined wooded framing if such area does not include any display, lettering or sign and if such area is clearly incidental to the sign itself.
(3)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the smallest geometric configuration that includes all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two sides, the permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign area of only one side (the larger of any two if they differ). If the interior angle formed at the inside of the two sides of a two-sided sign is greater than 60°, then the total area of both sides shall not be greater than the permitted sign area. No sign shall have more than two sides or faces.
(5)
Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs are maximum sizes.
B.
Location and placement.
(2)
No sign shall be located within a street right-of-way, with the exception of those signs of a governmental body, including traffic signs and other regulatory notices.
(3)
Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet from the wall or surface to which they are mounted nor be less than eight feet high at the lower edge of the sign and shall not in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(4)
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.
(5)
No person shall paint, paste, brand, stamp or in any manner place on or attach to any tree or to any utility, streetlight or other street pole any written, printed or painted advertisement, bill, notice, sign, card or poster.
(6)
All awning signs shall be made of weather-resistant materials and be located above access doors or storefront windows and may contain the business name only. Multiple but consistent awnings may be used if several storefront windows are present. Such awnings shall only be designed to reflect the size and shape of the storefront windows.
(7)
Signs attached to a trailer or a vehicle, where any such trailer or vehicle is allowed to remain parked in the same location or in the same vicinity at frequent times, or for extended periods of time (longer than one week), and is exposed to view from a public road, shall be considered a sign subject to the provisions of this chapter. This provision does not restrict the identification signing on vehicles actively used for delivery service, interstate commerce, or any bona fide transportation activity, or which are parked within an enclosure or screened area blocking them from view from a public road.
C.
Illumination of signs.
(1)
Flashing, rotating, festoon lights, message boards and any signs with intermittent lights are not permitted, except for public service information only, including time, date, temperature, weather or traffic conditions.
(2)
Signs may be interior-lighted with nonglaring lights or may be illuminated by floodlights or spotlights shielded so there is no direct light transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way.
D.
Construction and maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition, and shall not be allowed to become dilapidated.
E.
Termination of enterprise. Upon termination or abandonment of a use, all signs pertaining to the enterprise shall be removed.
G.
The height of all signs shall be determined as follows.
(1)
The height of a sign erected within 30 feet of a road right-of-way line shall be measured from the grade level of the nearest edge of the travel way of the adjacent road to the top of the sign or sign structure including any permanent decorative attachments.
(2)
The height of all signs erected beyond 30 feet from a road right-of-way line shall be the measured from the natural grade level immediately adjacent to where the sign is erected to the top of the sign or sign structure including any permanent decorative attachments.
§ 140-54 Permitted permanent signs.
C.
The following off-premises permanent signs shall be permitted in all districts:
(1)
Signs for direction, regulation and control of traffic; street names; legal notices; railroad crossings; and official signs authorized by a duly constituted governmental body.
(2)
Signs used for directing patrons, members or an audience to service clubs, churches or other nonprofit organizations and not exceeding four square feet in area.
D.
Advertising signs shall be permitted along U.S. Route 15, not to include U.S. Business 15, and in accordance with the following regulations:
(1)
No structure shall contain more than one advertising sign per facing.
(2)
Only one advertising sign shall be permitted per lot.
(3)
No advertising sign shall exceed 10 feet in vertical measurement or 30 feet in horizontal measurement and an overall size of 300 square feet in area.
(4)
No advertising signs shall exceed 40 feet in height.
(5)
No advertising sign shall be permitted to be erected upon the roof of any building.
(6)
The advertising sign shall be set back 30 feet from the front lot line or to the established front setback line, whichever is greater, and shall be set back 50 feet from the side and rear property lines.
(7)
One linear mile shall separate one advertising sign from another advertising sign or freestanding business identification sign. No sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of a residential use, residential district or mixed-use district which permits residential uses.
(8)
No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device or signal.
(9)
No advertising sign shall obstruct the vision of motorists or adjoining commercial or industrial uses which depend on visibility for identification.
E.
Wall signs.
(1)
Each commercial, industrial or other business structure shall be permitted to install a wall sign. Where a commercial, industrial or other business structure has more than one tenant, each tenant within that structure may have a wall sign based on the linear feet of primary building facade length of the space it occupies.
(2)
The total amount of wall sign area permitted on commercial, industrial, or other business structure shall be based on the linear feet of primary building facade length and calculated based on the chart below. This total amount is cumulative and not per wall sign.
Primary Building Facade Length (feet) | Sign Area per Linear Foot of Primary Building Facade (square feet) | Maximum Wall Sign Area (square feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
501 and over | 1.00 | None | |
201 to 500 | 1.25 | 300 | |
200 and lower | 1.50 | 150 |
(3)
Where a commercial, industrial, or other business structure is located on a lot with multiple exterior road frontages, the total amount of wall sign area authorized by § 140-54E(2) above may be increased by 0.25 square foot/linear foot and calculated based on the chart below.
Primary Building Facade Length (feet) | Sign Area per Linear Foot of Primary Building Facade (square feet) | Maximum Wall Sign Area (square feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|
501 and over | 1.25 | None | |
201 to 500 | 1.50 | 400 | |
200 and lower | 1.75 | 250 |
(4)
When calculating the maximum wall sign area using the above charts, all primary building facade length measurements shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number (ex. 199.6 feet = 199 feet).
(5)
Where a commercial, industrial, or other business structure is located on a property with a single road frontage, the total wall sign area shall be located on the primary building facade of the structure.
(6)
Where a commercial, industrial, or other business structure is located on a property with frontage on more than one exterior road, the total amount of wall sign area shall be calculated based on the primary building facade length only. The sign area may be placed on all building facades that front an exterior road. However, in this case a maximum of 75% of the total wall sign area shall be placed on the primary building facade.
(7)
In the case of structures and/or properties subject to § 140-54E(6) above and the US Route 30 streetscape enhancements per § 140-12H, the total wall sign area may be split over multiple building facades. However, a minimum 50% of the total wall sign area shall be placed on the primary building facade. The remaining 50% may be placed on a maximum of one building facade other than the primary building facade.
(8)
The total wall sign area may be composed of multiple signs, provided the cumulative sign area does not exceed the amount authorized by § 140-54E(2) or (3) above. When the § 140-12H U.S. Rte. 30 streetscape enhancements apply, they will take precedence.
(9)
Multiple storefronts within one building, and multiple buildings located along a section of an internal street shall coordinate on the design and alignment of signs and awnings to achieve a cohesive appearance.
F.
Regulatory signs. All regulatory vehicular signs shall conform to all applicable federal, state and local regulations, and the requirement of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
G.
Drive-through menu boards.
(1)
The drive-through menu board must be located adjacent to the drive-through lane.
(2)
All drive-through menu boards shall have a maximum sign area of 32 square feet, with no dimension longer than 12 feet. However, drive-through menu board signs may increase the maximum permitted area by 50% if the height of the freestanding sign, including support structure, is no greater than eight feet.
(4)
The height of all drive-through menu boards shall be no greater than 15 feet as measured from the average existing grade directly below the sign.
(5)
The drive-through menu boards shall only be used to display those products and services offered at the on-site drive-through.
§ 140-55 Permitted temporary signs.
C.
The following off-premises temporary signs shall be permitted in all districts:
(1)
Political signs meeting the sign description and requirements of Sign Category Table 140-55, excluding banners.
(2)
Nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows or events located in the Township or contiguous municipalities are subject to the following requirements:
(3)
Nonilluminated signs directing persons to real estate open houses shall not exceed six square feet.
(4)
Nonilluminated signs directing persons to an approved development to be constructed in the Township by a builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested in such sales or development are subject to the following requirements:
§ 140-56 Convention and visitors center development overlay regulations.
The following regulations apply to convention and visitors center developments:
A.
Signs permitted.
(1)
Site permanent; standards for signs that provide information about the project site. The site permanent category includes five types of designated uses:
(a)
Project identification: signs that may be individually designed for their specific location. They may be placed at strategic locations on the periphery of the project site, along each road frontage and at each entrance. The main project identification sign may have a maximum height of 40 feet and a total sign area of 800 square feet. Other project identification signs may have a maximum height of 10 feet and a total sign area of 200 square feet. These signs may incorporate panels bearing the name and logo of the project and may be internally illuminated or externally illuminated with ground-mounted lights.
(b)
Street name: signs that are necessary for several reasons, including orienting first-time visitors, postal service, UPS and FedEx deliveries and other purposes. Street name signs shall be located at intersections within the project site as needed and where required by applicable regulations. Street name signs may have a maximum total area of five square feet and may be mounted on poles not to exceed 12 feet in height.
(c)
District entry: signs that are intended to announce arrival to various districts within the project site. The signs may contain information relating to the various services, amenities and businesses located within the convention and visitors center development. They may display certain themes or features of the development in which they are located to contribute to the sense of place, and as such may be unique and distinct in character. Development entry signs may be double-sided, may have a maximum height of eight feet and may have a maximum total sign area of 45 square feet. Signs may be internally illuminated or externally illuminated with ground lights.
(d)
Vehicular directory. Signs shall be used to direct vehicular flow to destinations within the project site, including hotels, movie theaters, various commercial uses and services, including parking facilities and loading docks. Vehicular directory signs may be located near entrances to the project site and at internal circulation drive locations, where appropriate. Vehicular entry signs may be double-sided, may have a maximum height of eight feet and may have a total sign area of 45 square feet. Signs may be internally illuminated or externally illuminated with down lights.
(e)
Pedestrian directory. Pedestrian directory signs may be located, as needed, at pedestrian walkways, avoiding interference with pedestrian circulation. The signs may be single-, double- or multiple-sided directory kiosks. The kiosks may contain display and informational panels, directory maps and poster cases for temporary signs for changing events or information. Pedestrian directory signs shall have a maximum height of eight feet and a total sign area of 50 square feet per side. Signs may be internally illuminated or externally illuminated with down lights.
(2)
Building use; standards for signs according to the type of use (e.g., hotel, retail, other commercial, movie theaters, etc.). The building type/use category includes four types of designated uses:
(a)
Hotel. Each hotel building may have a maximum total of two facade-mounted building signs which shall have a maximum width of 25 feet and a maximum total sign area of 150 square feet and two facade-mounted building signs which shall have a maximum width of nine feet and a maximum total sign area of 140 square feet. Additionally, each hotel building shall be allowed one freestanding sign with a maximum height of 10 feet and a maximum sign area of 140 square feet.
(b)
Movie theater. Movie theaters shall be allowed a maximum of three types of signs under the following:
[1]
A maximum of two wall-mounted business identification signs. Each of the signs may have a total sign area of 800 square feet.
[2]
A maximum of two changeable text signs to provide information on the movie schedule. Each of these signs may have a maximum total sign area of 200 square feet.
[3]
A maximum of 20 exterior-mounted poster cases to identify the current movie selection. Each of these signs may have a maximum total of 20 square feet of sign area.
(c)
General commercial (retail and commercial).
[1]
Each building within the general commercial uses areas of the development shall be allowed a maximum of two wall-mounted signs to be placed on the front and back of the building. Each of these mounted signs shall be allowed a maximum sign area of 150 square feet. Each building shall also be allowed one freestanding nonmobile sign, with a maximum sign area of 45 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet, to assist visitors in identifying and locating buildings. Mounted signs may be flush flat building-mounted or may project out from the building wall. Projecting signs may be flat or three-dimensional signs. The building-mounted and freestanding signs may display information for multiple services or businesses.
[2]
Additionally, each tenant within a building shall be allowed a maximum of 1.5 square feet of sign area per linear foot of each tenant's retail frontage. "Frontage" shall be defined as the linear measurement of a tenant's building facade that faces upon a road or primary customer parking area. Multiple signs may be permitted for each tenant, including marquee sign awning graphics, window, arcade, building-mounted at pedestrian level.
[3]
Multiple storefronts within one building, and multiple buildings located along a section of an internal street should coordinate on the design and alignment of signs and awnings to achieve a cohesive appearance. The size and lettering of signs and awnings shall be in adequate proportion to the overall building facade and should be in scale and proportion to the space in which they are located.
[4]
Colors and details of the sign, awning or canopy should complement the colors and architectural details of the facade on which it is mounted or from which it extends.
(d)
Convenience retail. Buildings within the project site containing a single tenant or use shall be allowed a maximum of two wall-mounted building signs with a maximum total area of 150 square feet and one freestanding nonmobile sign with a maximum area of 100 square feet and a maximum height of 15 feet.
(3)
Regulatory signs. All regulatory vehicular signs shall be provided according to all applicable federal, state and local regulations, and the requirement of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
(4)
Special use and artistic signs. Project sites may include signs to inform and educate visitors. These types of signs can add to the overall visual interest and character of the project site and/or its districts. They shall not be included as part of the total area of signage allocated for any building type or for any tenant as long as they do not contain any advertising. These signs include, but shall not be limited to:
(a)
Flags and banners. Flags and banners displayed within the project site may inform visitors of upcoming events or for seasonal celebrations. They may also be used to add color to the streetscape and may contain the site logo. Flags may be flown from flagpoles or mounted directly to buildings. Banners may be mounted on streetlight poles or on freestanding poles that reach a maximum height of 25 feet.
(b)
Artistic works. Artistic works include murals, pictorial presentations, illustrations and/or decorations that can serve to inform visitors about unique history, culture, environmental resources and other features of the project site and its surroundings. They may display informational text and/or a graphic image or may consist of a three-dimensional display. Possible allowed locations may include, but shall not be limited to, building facades and building entryways.
B.
Sign area calculation.
(1)
Height of sign. Where any sign is limited to a maximum height, that height shall be in vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign structure.
(2)
Measurement of sign area.
(a)
The sign area shall include all lettering, wording and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed, except as provided in Subsection B(2)(c) below. One freestanding nonmobile sign may include several sign panels that are all attached to the one structure, with the total sign area being the total area of all sign panels on the structure.
(b)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supported framework, bracing or framing, or any area which does not include lettering if such area is incidental to and not an integral part of the sign area.
(c)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building, window or other surface which is not an integral part of the sign panel, the sign area shall be the actual area of the lettering.
(d)
In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two or more sides, the permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign area of only one side (using the larger of any two sides or the larger of more than two sides, if the size of the sides differs).
§ 140-56.1 Planned center sign performance standards.
The following regulations shall apply to all properties containing shopping centers, mixed use development or business/industrial parks. Unless otherwise noted, all signs shall meet the requirements of Table 140-54.[1]
A.
Individual tenants and/or uses. All tenants, whether in a multi-use structure or standalone structure within a shopping center or business/industrial park shall be limited to a wall sign in accordance with § 140-54E and Table 140-54 below[2] and shall not be allowed a freestanding nonmobile sign.
[2]
Editor's Note: Said table is included in an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Freestanding planned center signs. These signs shall consist of panels bearing text, logos and other graphics depicting any or all of the following: 1) the name and logo of the project; 2) panels bearing the names, logos and other graphics of businesses within the center, and shall be subject to the following standards.
(1)
Freestanding nonmobile signs/monument signs.
(a)
The combined number of freestanding nonmobile signs and monument signs on a specific planned center site shall not exceed the number of exterior roads on which the property fronts.
(b)
Freestanding nonmobile signs and/or monument signs shall be located only along the exterior road frontage of a property. These signs shall consist of panels bearing the name and logo of the project as well as panels bearing the names, logos and other graphics of businesses within the project.
(2)
Pedestrian directory signs.
(a)
The signs shall be located only along pedestrian walkways, provided they avoid interference with pedestrian circulation.
(b)
The signs may be single-, double- or multiple-sided.
(c)
Such signs shall be uniform in size, color, and height and shall contain display and informational panels, directory maps and poster cases for temporary signs for changing events or information. The text on such signs shall be sized so that individual business name and logo information cannot be read from a moving vehicle.
(d)
Each side of these signs shall be a maximum of eight feet in height and four feet in width and shall be mounted on a pole or support base of no higher than 24 inches from the sidewalk or other paved surface surrounding the sign.
(3)
Internal directional signs.
(a)
The signs shall be located at internal circulation drive intersections. They shall not be located where vehicle parking lot aisles intersect the internal circulation drive network of a site.
(b)
Such signs shall be uniform in size, color, and height and shall contain business name and directional information only. Business name and directional information may be shown on both sides of the sign.
(c)
All such signs shall be a maximum of 18 square feet in size and shall have a maximum width-to-height or height-to-width ratio of 2:1 (e.g., three feet by six feet, six feet by three feet, etc.). Such signs may be mounted on a pole or a support base, provided that the pole or support base is no higher than 12 inches from the average ground level surrounding the sign.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said table is included in an attachment to this chapter.
§ 140-57 Electronic message centers.
A.
Purpose of regulation of electronic message centers. Electronic message centers (EMCs), due to their ability to attract attention to the exclusion of other visual objects, create special concerns for the safety of the motoring public, which necessitate additional regulations. Because of their ability to stand out, such devices are also inconsistent with the atmosphere and theme that is being developed along the western end of Route 30.
B.
Permitted locations. Any other provision of this chapter notwithstanding, EMCs shall only be permitted in the following areas of the Township:
(1)
The EC-1 District east of Coleman Road;
(2)
Within commerce/business parks in the EC-1 District west of Coleman Road; and
(3)
Along U.S. Route 15, under and subject to the siting requirements for advertising/billboard signs. An EMC shall, for the purpose of siting along U.S. Route 15 (excluding Business Route 15), be deemed an advertising/billboard sign and shall be placed in accordance with the requirements for advertising/billboard signs.
C.
Dimensional and setback requirements.
(1)
Height. The maximum height of any sign that includes an EMC shall be 10 feet above grade.
(2)
Setback. The minimum setback of any sign that includes an EMC shall be 75 feet from any and all street lines.
(3)
Size. The size requirements generally applied to signs in the district in which an EMC is permitted shall apply to any sign that includes an EMC.
D.
Operation.
(1)
EMCs shall not utilize animation, chasing, flashing, scintillation, scrolling or running messages, fade or any other effect which depicts movement.
(2)
Each display of copy or an image/message shall be lit, illuminated or otherwise visible for a period of no less than five seconds, whether it is part of a sequential message or not. One message shall be stated and illuminated in its entirety. A period of one second of total extinguishment shall occur between each message display.
(3)
The illumination of an EMC at the closest street line shall not exceed 0.1 vertical footcandle measured at said line.
E.
The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all electronic message centers and to any and all signs that include an electronic message center. With the exception of the overall size, number and siting of signs, this section shall supersede any other provision of this chapter with respect to signs that are or that include electronic message centers.