Tredyffrin Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXV
Signs
[Amended 1-5-1981 by Ord. No. HR-54; 2-27-1984 by Ord. No. HR-80; 5-1-1989 by Ord. No. HR-124; 8-16-2004 by Ord. No. HR-329; 12-2-2013 by Ord. No. HR-399; 8-17-2020 by Ord. No. HR-437]
§ 208-123 Purpose and intent.
A.
The purpose of this article is to develop a comprehensive system of sign regulations to:
(1)
Promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:
(a)
Do not create traffic hazards by distracting or confusing motorists, or impairing motorists' ability to see pedestrians, other vehicles, obstacles or to read traffic signs.
(b)
Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay or abandonment.
(c)
Promote the aesthetic quality, safety, health, and general welfare and the assurance of protection of adequate light and air within the Township by regulation of the posting, displaying, erection, use and maintenance of signs.
(2)
Promote the efficient transfer of information through the use of signs and to permit such use, but not necessarily in the most profitable form or format available for such use.
(3)
Protect the public welfare and enhance the overall appearance and economic value of the landscape, and to preserve the unique natural and historic environment that distinguishes the Township in accordance with Article I, § 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The protection of the Township's historic resources, environment and aesthetics from the impacts of signage is a matter of critical importance to all residents and businesses in the Township.
B.
It is further declared that these regulations are minimum standards provided to safeguard the life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design quality, materials, construction, size, illumination, location and maintenance of all signs and sign structures while at the same time attempting to provide functional flexibility, encourage variety, and to create an incentive to relate signage to the basic principles of sound planning, development and use of residential, commercial and industrial properties.
§ 208-123.1 Signs in general.
Any sign hereafter erected in the Township which is exposed to public view shall conform with the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or regulation of the Township or the state or federal government relating to the erection, alteration or maintenance of signs. In the event of conflicting regulations, the most restrictive regulation shall prevail.
A.
No sign, other than exempt signs, shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. Permit applications for signs in special development districts and signs larger than six square feet in area in other districts shall be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing details of the sign, its size and location on the building and/or lot. Permits for window signs and manual changeable-copy signs shall be valid as long as there is no change in the area, location and type of such signs which have been authorized by permit. Fees for sign permits and deposits for temporary signs shall be paid in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by resolution by the Board of Supervisors.
B.
All signs shall be kept in a proper state of repair, in accordance with the requirements of the Township's Building Code, Property Maintenance Code[1] and other pertinent regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 80, Building Construction, and Ch. 149, Property Maintenance, respectively.
C.
No sign other than official signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, except as hereafter provided.
D.
No sign shall be erected that is of such character, form, shape or color that it imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device or that has any characteristics which are likely to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street.
E.
No freestanding or projecting sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets improved for vehicular traffic within the triangular areas formed by the right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points 25 feet from their intersection unless the topmost portion of said sign is less than two feet or the bottommost portion of said sign is more than eight feet above curb grade; and provided, further, that no part of its means of support has a single or combined horizontal dimension exceeding eight inches. In no case shall any sign be so erected that it impedes the vision of motorists or pedestrians or otherwise endangers their safety.
F.
No mobile signs, bench signs, vehicle signs, permanent sidewalk, sandwich or A-frame signs, animated signs, or signs that emit smoke, vapor or noise shall be permitted. No signs which flash, move, rotate or oscillate shall be permitted. No sign, banner, pennant, streamer or similar device constructed of cloth, light fabric, cardboard or other like material or no whirling or similar lighting device shall be displayed outside a building, except where the Zoning Hearing Board shall authorize such a use on a temporary basis as a special exception.
G.
Awning and canopy signs, when permitted, are subject to the following: (See Figure 123.1: Awning/Canopy Signs.)
(1)
A minimum vertical clearance of eight feet is required.
(2)
Projection limited to 18 inches from the curbline, when a structure is constructed at the right-of-way line, or 18 inches from the edge of any adjoining walkway.
(3)
Any support posts must maintain a minimum separation of five feet between posts, and between the posts and any building wall.
(4)
Signs must be made of a durable, weather-resistant material like canvas, canvas-like material, nylon, vinyl-coated fabric, or metal.
(5)
Printing is limited to 30% of each surface area.
(6)
Lettering attached to and erected above the top of a solid awning is permitted to a maximum height of 24 inches.
(7)
The printed area may be illuminated with external illumination, which must be focused on the printed area. Backlit awnings are prohibited.
Figure 123.1: Awning/Canopy Signs |
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H.
Under-awning/walkway signs, when permitted, are subject to the following: (See Figure 123.2: Under-Awning/Walkway Signs.)
(1)
Must be attached to the underside of an awning, canopy, arcade, or covered walkway and may not project beyond such structure.
(2)
A minimum vertical clearance of eight feet is required.
(3)
Under-awning/walkway signs must be made of wood, metal or plastic, and may not be illuminated by any means.
Figure 123.2: Under-Awning/Walkway Signs |
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 |
I.
Projecting signs, when permitted, are subject to the following:
(1)
A minimum vertical clearance of eight feet is required.
(2)
No part of any projecting sign may be more than 12 feet above ground or walkway level.
(3)
Projecting signs must be spaced 25 feet apart.
(4)
Projecting signs may be internally illuminated or externally illuminated, which must be focused on the sign face.
J.
The total area of all window signs, unless further restricted by district regulations, shall not exceed 25% of the glass area of the window in which placed, provided that glass area coverage may be increased to 50% for a total of not more than seven days in any three-month period.
K.
No roof sign shall be permitted, and no sign shall project above the main cornice line of the building to which a sign is affixed, except in O, LI or PIP Districts, in which case a sign with a solid back may project not more than 24 inches above such cornice line.
L.
Super graphics, when permitted, shall be the sole sign or graphic permitted on a given wall and shall not be used in conjunction with any other sign on the same facade.
M.
All temporary signs, other than marquee signs, manual changeable-copy signs and exempt signs and signs defined in Subsection O below, shall require a permit valid for a specified period not exceeding 30 days. Not more than one temporary sign shall be authorized for any property during any twelve-month period, except that up to four temporary signs, that individually do not exceed six square feet, may be placed on any privately owned property for a period of 45 days before and seven days after any primary, general, special or municipal election.
N.
The following temporary signs may be permitted when authorized as a special exception subject to the following criteria and the general standards prescribed in § 208-150:
(1)
Signs on property owned or leased by a not-for-profit youth recreational league or leagues, provided that:
(a)
The signs are not erected within any required yard as defined by the zoning district governing the location of the property where the signs are to be erected.
(b)
Sign content is not visible from any street or adjacent property.
(c)
The signs individually shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
(d)
The signs shall not exceed four feet in height.
(e)
The signs shall not be illuminated.
(f)
The signs are erected and maintained only during a period that shall not exceed the lesser of the league playing season or five months of one calendar year.
(g)
Not more than 20 signs may be erected on or adjacent to each playing field.
O.
The following signs are exempt from the need to secure permits:
(1)
Decorations for a recognized, officially designated holiday, provided that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard, and provided that provision is made for their removal within 30 days after the holiday.
(2)
Official signs.
(3)
Markers erected at a memorial or historic location when not more than six square feet in area when authorized by the federal, state, or county government or Township Board of Supervisors.
(4)
Change in the copy of a changeable-copy sign, once a permit for that sign has been issued.
(5)
Temporary signs not exceeding four square feet may be erected within a one-mile radius of and on a property where a yard or garage sale is being held, not more than seven days prior to such yard or garage sale; and must be removed within 48 hours after the sale.
(6)
Temporary signs not exceeding six square feet may be erected on a lot which is for sale or rent, or where contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers and/or artisans are performing work, during the period that the lot or structure on the lot is for rent or sale or until the contracting work is complete.
§ 208-124 Signs in Residence and Rural-Conservation Districts.
In RC, R-1/2, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zoning Districts, signs are permitted for the following purposes only and only under the following conditions:
A.
General provisions.
(1)
No freestanding sign shall exceed four feet in height.
(2)
No freestanding sign shall be erected within the side yard required in the district in which it is located.
(3)
Only the following signs may be externally illuminated and then only in such a manner that the source of light shall not be visible from the street or from any normal vantage point:
(a)
A sign erected on the same property as a physician, dentist, District Justice, a hospital, or such other persons or establishments whose services in an emergency are considered essential to public health, safety and welfare.
(b)
A sign erected on the same property as a school, church, club, multifamily use or other permitted nonresidential use, provided that said sign is illuminated only between the hours of dusk and 12:00 midnight, prevailing time.
(4)
Internally illuminated signs are prohibited.
B.
Identification signs.
(1)
Wall signs or freestanding signs erected on the same lot as a permitted home occupation or use accessory to a dwelling is located, provided that only one such sign is erected on, adjacent to or facing each street frontage of any property in single or separate ownership and that it does not exceed two square feet in total area. Such sign shall not be illuminated except as provided in § 208-124A(3) above.
(2)
Wall signs or freestanding signs erected on the same property as a school, college, church, hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, farm, club or other permitted use other than a dwelling or a use accessory to a dwelling, provided that such signs whether erected as wall signs or freestanding signs do not exceed a total area along any one street equal to one square foot for every 10 linear feet of street frontage or 24 square feet, whichever is less.
C.
Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs may be erected on the same property as a school, college, church, hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, farm, club or other permitted use other than a dwelling or use accessory to a dwelling, provided that such sign does not exceed four square feet in area, except those signs erected within a unified development area in accordance with § 208-130 hereof.
D.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Signs erected on a property that is for sale or rent, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement of real estate sale or rental.
(2)
Signs erected on a property where contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers or artisans are performing work, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are erected and maintained only during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises upon which the sign or signs are erected.
§ 208-125 Signs in R-4 Residence and PA Planned Apartment Districts.
In R-4 Residence and PA Planned Apartment Districts, signs are permitted for the following purposes only and only under the following conditions:
A.
General provisions.
(1)
No freestanding sign shall exceed six feet in height.
(2)
No wall sign or projecting sign may be placed above the first floor of the building upon which it is attached.
(3)
No freestanding sign shall be erected within the side yard required in the district in which it is located.
(4)
Signs permitted in these districts may only be internally illuminated and only between dusk and 12:00 midnight, prevailing time, except that signs erected on the same property as a physician, dentist, District Justice, hospital and such other persons or establishments whose services in an emergency are considered essential to public health, safety and welfare may be illuminated without time restriction.
B.
Identification signs.
(1)
Wall signs or freestanding signs erected on the same lot as a permitted home occupation or use accessory to a dwelling is located, provided that only one such sign is erected on, adjacent to or facing each street frontage of any property in single or separate ownership and that it does not exceed two square feet in total area. Such sign shall not be illuminated except as provided in § 208-125A(4) above.
(2)
Wall signs or freestanding signs erected on the same property as a school, college, church, hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, farm, club or other permitted use other than a dwelling or a use accessory to a dwelling, provided that such signs whether erected as wall signs or freestanding signs do not exceed a total area along any one street equal to one square foot for every 10 linear feet of street frontage or 24 square feet, whichever is less.
(3)
Signs at a residential use.
(a)
Freestanding signs erected on the same property as a residential complex, limited to one such sign placed on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts, and provided that no such sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area.
(b)
Wall signs or projecting signs erected and attached to a building, provided that not more than one such sign is placed upon any building and that the total area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet.
C.
Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs may be erected on the same property as a school, college, church, hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, farm, club or other permitted use other than a dwelling or use accessory to a dwelling and may be erected only on the lot to which it relates, provided that such sign does not exceed four square feet in area, except those signs erected within a unified development area in accordance with § 208-130 hereof.
D.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Signs erected on a property that is for sale or rent, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement of real estate sale or rental.
(2)
Signs erected on a property where contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers or artisans are performing work, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are erected and maintained only during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises upon which the sign or signs are erected.
§ 208-126 Signs in C-1 and C-2 Districts.
In the C-1 and C-2 Districts the following signs are permitted:
A.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
No more than one freestanding sign is permitted per street frontage. One additional freestanding sign is permitted along any street frontage of 300 feet or more.
(2)
Freestanding signs are limited to the following dimensions:
(a)
In the C-1 District, freestanding signs are limited to 20 feet in height and 40 square feet in area.
(b)
In the C-2 District, freestanding signs are limited to 25 feet in height and 50 square feet in area.
(3)
A manual changeable-copy or digital changeable-copy sign is permitted as part of or in conjunction with a freestanding sign and may be no more than 10 square feet of the total permitted sign area.
(4)
Freestanding signs must be installed at least 10 feet from any lot line.
B.
Wall signs. One square foot of sign area is permitted per linear foot of the building facade where the sign is to be installed, with a maximum of 40 square feet permitted.
C.
Projecting signs.
(1)
One projecting sign is permitted per establishment with frontage on the right-of-way.
(2)
Projecting signs are limited to the following dimensions:
(a)
In the C-1 District, projecting signs are limited to 12 square feet in area.
(b)
In the C-2 District, projecting signs are limited to 20 square feet in area.
D.
Awning and canopy signs. Awning and canopy signs are permitted for all ground floor establishments.
E.
Under-awning/walkway signs.
(1)
One sign is permitted per business establishment with frontage on the right-of-way or walkway.
(2)
Under-awning/walkway signs are limited to a maximum of six square feet in sign area.
F.
Residential/noncommercial uses. Signs erected on the same property as a residential or other noncommercial use are subject to the provisions of § 208-125B.
G.
Internal lot signs.
H.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Signs erected on a property that is for sale or rent, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement of real estate sale or rental.
(2)
Signs erected on a property where contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers or artisans are performing work, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are erected and maintained only during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises upon which the sign or signs are erected.
I.
Permitted illumination.
(1)
Freestanding, wall, and projecting signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(2)
Awning and canopy signs may only be externally illuminated, and all lighting shall be directed onto the printed area of the awning or canopy.
(3)
No light from an internally or externally illuminated sign may project more than 0.10 footcandle of light into a street or onto a neighboring property.
§ 208-127 Signs in O, LI, and PIP Districts.
In the O, LI, and PIP Districts, the following signs are permitted:
A.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
No more than one freestanding sign is permitted per street frontage. One additional freestanding sign is permitted along any street frontage of 300 feet or more. However, in the case of a complex of three or more office buildings constructed, operated, and identified as a unified project, one additional freestanding sign may be erected at each entrance to the complex.
(2)
Freestanding signs are limited to six feet in height and 32 square feet in area.
(3)
Freestanding signs must be installed not less than 10 feet from any lot line.
B.
Wall signs. One square foot of sign area is permitted per linear foot of the building facade where the sign is to be installed, with a maximum of 40 square feet permitted.
C.
Building skyline wall sign. (See Figure 127.1: Building Skyline Identification Sign.)
(1)
Building skyline wall signs are permitted only for structures of 40 feet or more in height.
(2)
The size of the building skyline wall sign is limited to one square foot per linear foot of the facade where it is mounted, to a maximum size of 150 square feet.
(3)
The building skyline wall signs must be placed within the top 15 feet of the structure and cannot cover any fenestration or architectural features. Such signs must be designed as a wall sign and cannot be mounted on the roof.
(4)
Additional sign area from general wall sign permissions cannot be added to the permitted sign area for building skyline identification wall signs.
Figure 127.1: Building Skyline Identification Sign  |
D.
Awning and canopy signs. Awning and canopy signs are permitted for any ground floor retail or restaurant establishment.
E.
Residential/noncommercial uses. Signs erected on the same property as a residential or other noncommercial use are subject to the provisions of § 208-125B.
F.
Internal lot signs.
G.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Signs giving notice of the sale or rental of the property on which the sign is located, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement of real estate sale or rental.
(2)
Signs of contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers or artisans performing work on the property upon which the sign is erected, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are erected and maintained only during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises upon which the sign or signs are erected.
H.
Permitted illumination.
(1)
Freestanding, wall, and building skyline signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(2)
Awning and canopy signs may only be externally illuminated, and all lighting shall be directed onto the printed area of the awning or canopy.
(3)
No light from an internally or externally illuminated sign may project more than 0.10 footcandle of light into a street or onto a neighboring property.
§ 208-128 Signs in TD Transit Districts and TCD Town Center Districts.
In TD Transit Districts and TCD Town Center Districts, signs are permitted for the following purposes only and only under the following conditions:
A.
Signs at businesses.
(1)
Freestanding signs. Not more than one freestanding sign may be placed on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts. In the case of a shopping center or group of four or more commercial uses on a single lot with more than 300 linear feet of frontage on a street, two freestanding signs may be placed on, adjacent to or facing said street. In no case shall the total area of all such signs on any single sign pylon exceed 40 square feet.
(a)
No freestanding sign may be erected closer than 10 feet to any side property line.
(b)
The topmost edge of freestanding signs shall not be more than 15 feet above ground level. All other signs, including facade-mounted signs, shall not be more than 18 feet above ground level or not more than 24 inches above the main cornice line of the building on which erected, whichever is the lesser distance.
(2)
Wall signs. The total area of all wall signs placed on or facing any one street frontage on any lot shall not exceed 10% of the facade area of the ground floor of the portion of the building which it occupies or 100 square feet, whichever is less.
(3)
Projecting signs. The total area of all projecting signs erected on a single commercial use or establishment shall not exceed six square feet.
(4)
Sign design. Signs shall be compatible with conforming signs of contiguous establishments.
(5)
Special signs. Special signs other than those set forth may be permitted as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors.
B.
Residential/noncommercial uses. Signs erected on the same property as a residential or other noncommercial use shall be ground-mounted (monument signs) and shall be subject to the provisions of § 208-125B hereof.
C.
Internal lot signs.
D.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Signs giving notice of the sale or rental of the property on which the sign is located, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are removed within 30 days of the signing of an agreement of real estate sale or rental.
(2)
Signs of contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers or artisans performing work on the property upon which the sign is erected, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to or facing each street upon which the property fronts.
(c)
Such signs are erected and maintained only during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises upon which the sign or signs are erected.
§ 208-130 Signs in unified development area.
In order to facilitate the movement of traffic within a unified development area, signs may be permitted within such development areas in addition to any other signs allowed by other sections of this chapter in accordance with the following:
A.
General provisions.
(1)
The signs, except those permitted by other sections of this chapter, may be erected and/or replaced by only the overall developer of the unified development area or his successor.
(2)
The location, size, design and maintenance responsibility of such signs shall be shown in a master sign plan prepared by the overall developer (or his successor) and approved by the Planning Commission pursuant to the general provisions of § 208-136 (Special site plan review and procedural requirements). Applications for revisions to the master sign plan may be made by only the overall developer (or his successor) and shall be processed as prescribed in § 208-136 as for revised development plans.
B.
Internal lot signs.
(1)
Signs may be erected at the intersections of intercommunity service roads within the unified development area. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and shall be limited to one at each corner of the intersection.
(2)
Signs erected at various locations within the unified development area. No such sign shall exceed 60 square feet in area and shall be limited to a total of two signs plus one additional sign per 150 acres (to a maximum of six such signs).
(3)
Internal lot signs shall be at least 10 feet from any lot line.
C.
Identification signs.
(1)
One freestanding sign, not to exceed 75 square feet in area, may be erected at not more than three major entrances to the unified development area.
(2)
A freestanding sign, not exceeding 50 square feet in area, may be erected in a planned office park within the unified development area at not more than three locations within the overall boundaries of the office park.
§ 208-131 Billboards.
The erection of a billboard shall be permitted by conditional use only in the C-1, C-2, O, and LI Districts, subject to the following:
A.
Billboards shall be subject to the general standards prescribed in § 208-117 and the regulations of § 208-123.1. In the event of a conflict among § 208-117, § 208-123.1 and this § 208-131, the most restrictive regulation shall prevail.
B.
The applicant for conditional use approval for a billboard shall have the burden of proving compliance with all applicable criteria and regulations. Documents and plans necessary to establish compliance shall be submitted to the Township with the conditional use application.
C.
A billboard shall be subject to the following size restrictions according to the posted speed limit of the road abutting the lot on which the billboard is located.
Billboard Size Restrictions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Posted Speed Limit (miles per hour) | |||||
<35 | 36 to 45 | 46 to 55 | 56 to 65 | Limited access | |
Maximum sign area (square feet) | 60 | 100 | 150 | 300 | 300 |
D.
Height and location of a billboard.
(1)
The height of a billboard shall be measured from the average grade based on the area found within a fifty-foot radius of the outer limit of the sign structure.
(2)
The lowest edge of a billboard shall be at least seven feet above the finished grade.
(3)
Billboards shall have a maximum height of 24 feet.
E.
Billboard setbacks.
(1)
Billboards shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the ultimate street right-of-way.
(2)
Billboards shall be set back a minimum of 40 feet from any abutting lot boundary measured linearly along the nearest street frontage from the nearest point of the billboard to the closest abutting lot boundary.
(3)
Billboards shall be located not less than 50 feet from any building or structure located on the same lot, as measured linearly between the nearest points between the billboard, including the support structure, and the building or structure.
(4)
Billboards shall be located not less than 500 feet from any residential use, as measured linearly in all directions from the nearest points between the billboard, including support structures, and the structure containing the residential use.
(5)
Billboards shall be located not less than 500 feet from any other billboard on either side of the road measured linearly between the nearest points of each billboard, including support structures.
(6)
Billboards shall not be attached to the external wall or otherwise affixed to any part of any building and shall not extend over any public property or right-of-way.
(7)
Billboards shall not be located on sewer rights-of-way, or water, electric, or petroleum pipelines and set back a minimum of 24 feet from any easement.
(8)
Billboards shall not be located on a bridge.
F.
There shall be no more than one billboard per lot. Vertically or horizontally stacked billboards shall not be permitted.
G.
Billboards may be double-faced, provided that the two faces are the same size and are positioned as mirror images that are parallel and not offset from each other in any direction.
H.
Construction and maintenance.
(1)
All plans for billboards shall be certified by a licensed engineer registered in Pennsylvania.
(2)
All billboards shall be constructed in accordance with industry-wide standards established by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and the Institute of Outdoor Advertising, or their successor organizations. All billboards shall be structurally sound and maintained in good condition and in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
(3)
The rear face of a single-face billboard shall be painted and maintained with a single neutral color.
(4)
Every three years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a licensed engineer registered in Pennsylvania and shall provide to the Township a certificate certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
(5)
All maintenance, cleaning and repair, including repair of torn or worn copy and removal of paint or other material used to deface the sign shall be performed promptly. In the event the Township notifies the owner or lessee of any damage, vandalism, or graffiti on the billboard, the owner or lessee shall repair or correct the problem within 48 hours of such notification. If repairs and corrections are not timely, the Township shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make repairs or corrections and be reimbursed the cost thereof by the owner or lessee.
(6)
A billboard shall be properly and adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access.
(7)
A bond or other security, in the form and amount satisfactory to the Township, shall be posted with the Township to ensure that the billboard will be properly removed after the termination of use.
I.
All billboards shall be identified on the structure with the name, address, and phone number of the owner of such sign.
J.
Landscaping and screening requirements.
(1)
Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all newly constructed billboards. Trees and shrubbery, including evergreen and flowering trees, of sufficient size and quantity shall be used to achieve the purpose of this section.
(2)
Trees having a breast height diameter ("BHD") greater than four inches, which are removed for construction of the sign shall be replaced on-site at a ratio of one replacement tree for each removed tree using native species with a BHD of no less than three inches.
(3)
Billboards shall be screened from any abutting property used or zoned for residential use. Such screening shall consist of evergreen trees of at least 15 feet in height at the time of planting that form a continuous visual buffer along or near the property line abutting the residential use or lot.
(4)
If at the time of planting the evergreens do not provide for adequate screening, a temporary, nonvegetative screen may be required at the discretion and approval of the Township. This screening shall not exceed the height of the existing sign and shall be removed at the expense of the sign owner or lessee owner at such time the evergreens provide for adequate screening as determined by the Township.
K.
All billboards shall comply with any and all applicable state and/or federal regulations. In the event any other applicable regulation is in conflict with the provisions of this section, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
L.
Application/plan requirements. Plans submitted for billboards shall show the following:
(1)
The location of the proposed sign on the lot with the required sign setbacks from the property line and ultimate right-of-way.
(2)
The location and species of existing trees.
(3)
The distance to the nearest existing billboard.
(4)
The distance to the nearest right-of-way, property line, building, structure, nonbillboard, billboard, intersection, interchange, safety rest area, bridge, residential district, or institutional use, sewer rights-of-way, and water, electric or petroleum pipelines.
(5)
Site plan containing all of the applicable requirements set forth in the Township Zoning Code, as amended.
(6)
Certification under seal by a licensed engineer that the billboard, as proposed, is designed in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, codes, and professional standards.
M.
Illumination of billboards. Lighting shall comply with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's (IESNA) recommended practices and criteria in the IESNA Lighting Handbook, including but not limited to criteria for full-cutoff fixtures.
(1)
Billboards may be externally illuminated, provided that:
(a)
All light sources are designed, shielded, arranged, and installed to confine or direct all illumination to the surface of the billboard and away from adjoining properties.
(b)
Light sources shall not be visible from any street or adjoining properties.
(c)
All lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as not to present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians by impairing their vision and ability to safely traverse the road or sidewalk.
(d)
If adjacent to residential zoning districts, the billboard shall be illuminated only from dusk to 12:00 midnight. All lighting fixtures shall be equipped with devices which automatically extinguish the lighting at 12:00 midnight.
(2)
Internally illuminated and digital changeable-copy sign billboards are prohibited.
N.
In applying for conditional use, the applicant bears the burden of proof to establish that the proposed billboard will not project more than 0.10 footcandle of light into a street or onto a neighboring property, and create a public health or safety hazard in the manner and location that it is proposed and in the manner by which it is to be operated.
§ 208-132 Nonconforming signs.
A.
All signs erected prior to the enactment of this chapter or subsequent amendments, which are not in conformity with the use provisions thereof, shall be deemed legally nonconforming signs.
B.
All signs erected prior to the enactment of this chapter or subsequent amendments, which are not in conformity with the dimensional, setback or lighting provisions thereof, shall be deemed legally nonconforming signs.
C.
The erection or replacement of any sign that is legally nonconforming under this section, including change in copy or their structural supports and mechanical facilities, shall be made in strict compliance with the provisions of this chapter, including the requirement of seeking conditional use in the case of a billboard.
D.
For the purpose of regulation and enforcement, the Code Enforcement Officer shall make and maintain a list of all nonconforming signs in the Township together with the date of the sign permit issued for the erection of a sign. If no permit was issued for a sign four square feet or larger in area, a registration fee as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors shall be charged. This list shall be filed in the office of the Code Enforcement Officer and used to assure proper abatement of nonconforming signs as provided herein.
§ 208-132.1 Maintenance, cleaning and repair of signs.
All maintenance, cleaning and repair, including repair of torn or worn copy and removal of paint or other material used to deface the sign, shall be performed promptly. In the event the Township notifies the owner or lessee of any damage, vandalism, or graffiti on the billboard, the owner or lessee shall repair or correct the problem within 48 hours of such notification. If repairs and corrections are not timely, the Township shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make repairs or corrections and be reimbursed the cost thereof by the owner or lessee.
§ 208-132.2 Removal of unsafe, unlawful or abandoned signs.
A.
Unsafe or unlawful signs.
(1)
Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe and/or poses a potential threat to the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public safety, and such condition becomes known to the Zoning Officer, he/she shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which the sign is located that such sign must be made safe within five days, unless the Zoning Officer shall deem appropriate a more extended period for compliance.
(2)
Where, in the opinion of the Zoning Officer and the Township building official, any sign as described above constitutes an imminent hazard to public safety necessitating immediate action, the Zoning Officer shall be empowered to take those measures he/she deems appropriate to secure, stabilize, or remove such sign without the written notice to the owner of the premises otherwise required by that section. Any expense directly incurred to secure, stabilize, or remove such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the Township may file a lien upon the property on which such sign was situated in the amount of the costs incurred by the Township to secure, stabilize, or remove the sign.
(3)
Failure of the Zoning Officer to remove, or require the removal of, any unsafe sign as described in this section shall create no liability upon, nor any cause of action against, the Zoning Officer or any other Township official or employee for damage or injury that may occur as a result of such sign.
B.
Abandoned signs.
(1)
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property upon which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within 180 days of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this section. Removal of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign, including the sign face, supporting structure, structural trim, and all associated electrical components, when applicable.
(2)
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located fails to remove such sign in 180 days, the Township may remove such sign after the Zoning Officer gives written notice to the sign owner. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the Township may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Township, associated with the removal of the sign.
