Upper Gwynedd Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Sign Regulations
§ 195-35 Regulations pertaining to all districts.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of these regulations shall be as follows:
(1)
To control the quantity, size, location and illumination of signs in the Township in order to permit only those signs that will not, by reason of their size, location, construction or manner of display, endanger the safety of, confuse or mislead pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
(2)
To permit and regulate signs in such a way so as to support and complement land use objectives set forth in the statement of community objectives in this chapter.
(3)
To alleviate the growth of sign usage that is detrimental to the Township, which is to recognize that economic factors, such as the right to advertise, must be balanced with the public interest to maintain the quality of the appearance of the Township, which is to enhance the economic value as well.
(4)
To prevent an overabundance of signs causing clutter and to prevent lack of quality in design and construction and to provide for the removal of signs which constitute a hazardous or blighting influence.
B. SIGN SIGN, LED SIGN, OFFICIAL TRAFFIC AND HIGHWAY SIGN, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any letter, number, symbol, figure, character, mark, plane, design, picture, stroke, stripe, trademark or combination of these which is constructed, placed, attached, painted, erected, fastened or manufactured in any manner whatsoever; which is used for the attraction of the public to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public performance, article or merchandise; and which is displayed in any manner whatsoever so that it can be seen from the exterior of a building, the property line of a lot or the right-of-way of a public street or highway, including permanent window signs placed inside windows to attract attention of those outside in the public right-of-way.
Light-emitting diode (LED) sign utilizing technology of diodes arranged in pixels to create messages changeable by electronic means. Said signs are sometimes referred to as "electronic message centers" and shall include other similar signs such as liquid crystal display signs, fiber-optic signs, plasma display screen signs, incandescent signs, time-temperature-date signs or any other such sign using similar technologies.
[Added 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-10]
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional signs and other traffic signs erected and maintained on public highways and roads in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of traffic.
A type of freestanding sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession, commodity, service or entertainment not necessarily sold or offered on the premises where the sign is located.
C.
Area of signs.
(1)
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, including any frame but not including any supports and bracing incidental to the display itself. If the sign consists of more than one section, all areas will be totaled.
(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 square-foot area of a double-face sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that 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.
D.
Illumination of signs. Designation of signs based on illumination shall be as follows:
(1)
Internally illuminated sign: a sign designed to give forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a source of light within such sign, including, but not limited to, neon and exposed lamp signs. Illumination shall only be of an even intensity.
(2)
Externally illuminated sign: a sign illuminated with a light source of an even intensity and so shielded that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination occurs.
(3)
Flashing sign: an illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained in a satisfactory position and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
(4)
Nonilluminated sign: a sign which is not illuminated, either directly or indirectly, by an internal or external light source.
E.
Placement of signs. Designation of signs based on placement shall be as follows:
(1)
On-premises sign: a sign which directs attention to an activity conducted on the same lot.
(2)
Off-premises sign: a sign which directs attention to an activity not conducted on the same lot.
(3)
Advertising sign: an off-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation or other similar activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which a sign is located.
(4)
Business sign: an on-premises sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted other than incidentally on the premises upon which such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
F.
Types of signs. Types of signs shall be as follows:
(1)
Ground sign: a self-supporting freestanding sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards in the ground. The height of freestanding signs shall be measured from the official street grade at a point nearest to the position of the sign.
(2)
Facade sign: a sign attached, painted or otherwise mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface. Facade signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface on which it is mounted and shall not project more than 12 inches from its surface.
(3)
Projecting sign: any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical building surface other than a parallel sign. 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.
(4)
Roof sign: a sign erected on or above the roof or parapet of a building.
(5)
Portable sign: any sign used for a short duration of time, including sandwich boards, posters, bunting and signs on wheels, and not permanently attached to the ground or to a building.
G.
Sign height.
(1)
The maximum height of a permitted sign shall be as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is attached to this chapter.
(2)
A ground sign shall be measured from an elevation equal to the official street grade at a point nearest to the position of the base of the sign in vertical height to the top of the sign or structural support, whichever is higher.
(3)
A facade sign, projecting sign or roof sign shall be measured vertically from the outside ground elevation at the base of the building to the highest point of a letter or symbol or the top of the frame or structural support, whichever is higher.
(4)
A portable sign, when permitted, shall be measured and conform to the specifications and standards established for ground signs.
H.
Exempted signs. The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
(1)
An official governmental agency: highway route number, street name, directional or other traffic signs, including those on private or public property.
(2)
A sign indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting, trespassing or signs indicating the private nature of a road, provided that the area of any such sign does not exceed one square foot and they are spaced no less than 100 feet apart along a street frontage and 50 feet apart along other boundaries.
(3)
A sign with an area not exceeding one square foot, bearing only property number, street address, post box numbers or the names of the occupants in residential districts.
(4)
A governmental flag or insignia, public monument, historic identification signs or plaques, and municipal identification signs erected by or with the permission of a government agency.
(5)
A legal notice.
(6)
One or more signs applied to a windowpane giving store hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions, when the total area of all such signs does not exceed two square feet.
(7)
A sign which is a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure on the State or National Register of Historic Buildings or Places, such as a cornerstone or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are not made of a reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.
(8)
An emblem, logo, insignia or badge only when displayed on a building to signify membership of or affiliation with any trade association, craftsman group, labor union, civic or fraternal group or similar organizations and not to exceed a total of one square foot on each facade of a building.
I.
Prohibited signs. The following signs, because of their inherent characteristics, could threaten the health, safety or welfare of persons in the Township and are prohibited:
(1)
A sign that uses any method of illumination that can cause glare.
(2)
Any sign erected within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, which:
(3)
Any banner or sign hung across a public street or private property, except for such signs which are deemed to be of general benefit to the municipality or for public convenience, necessity or welfare.
(4)
A pennant which blows in the wind or a spinner which spins in the wind, except when located inside a temporary fairground or when used in conjunction with a special event.
(5)
Any sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, hung, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, light stand, fence or other object.
(6)
Any sign or object with flashing or intermittent lighting, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, with the exception of signs that display time and/or temperature exclusively, barber poles, and LED signs in accordance with the regulations of § 195-35J(2)(l).
[Amended 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-10]
(8)
Advertising vehicles. This section shall not prohibit any form of vehicle signage, such as a sign attached to a bus or a lettered motor vehicle where the vehicle is not used for the basic purpose of providing advertisement or direction as set forth above.
(9)
Roof signs.
J.
Permitted signs.
(1)
Permitted signs may only identify the person, establishment, the principal product and/or price thereof and/or service available on the premises which contains the sign.
(2)
The following on-premises signs are permitted in the zoning districts subject to and as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations [2] and in conformance with all other provisions of this article.
(a)
Address: a sign identifying the house number and/or name of the occupant of a property.
(b)
Public interest: a sign containing a cautionary message, such as "Beware of Dog" or "No Trespassing," or an informational message, such as "Exit" or "Parking."
(c)
Home occupation: a sign which identifies only the name and/or occupation of a practitioner or one conducting a permitted home occupation/professional office in a dwelling, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected for each dwelling.
(d)
Place: a sign identifying a public facility or a historic facility.
(e)
Institutional: a sign identifying a club, association, school, hospital, church, synagogue or other house of worship and their adjunct facilities, firehouse, nursing home, care facility, boardinghouse, institution or cemetery.
(f)
Real estate: a sign indicating exclusively the sale, rental, lease or development of the premises upon which it stands. Such signs shall be removed from property upon the sale, rental or lease of the property and shall not be permitted in addition to a contractor sign in the case of development.
(g)
Contractor: a sign identifying the contractor or contractors doing work on the premises or building which contains the sign. Such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work.
(h)
Industrial, office and business: signs identifying establishments for offices, retail sales, service centers, production or warehouse facilities and other uses as permitted in this chapter.
(i)
Multiple directory: a sign identifying five or more persons, agencies or establishments located in a place or location common to all and erected primarily as a service to the motoring or pedestrian traffic.
(j)
Special event: a sign identifying a grand opening, parade, festival, fund drive or similar occasion.
(k)
Billboards, when authorized by special exception, are permitted in the I Industrial Zone.
(l)
Light-emitting diode signs, or LED signs, are permitted under the following conditions:
[Added 10-22-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-10]
[1]
LED signs are permitted in the B, BP, C, SC and IN Zoning Districts and in the R-2 Residential Zoning District for the uses permitted by special exception per § 195-12A(3)(a).
[Amended 6-25-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-002]
[2]
LED signs are only permitted as part of a ground sign that complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter and the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
The copy area of any LED message screen shall be no greater than 50% of the allowable sign area per sign face. Said LED copy area applies toward the maximum amount of signage copy area permitted per each site regardless of whether the LED portion of the sign is illuminated or utilized.
[Amended 6-25-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-002]
[4]
LED lines for messages shall not exceed three lines of LED text per each sign face.
[5]
LED signs are restricted to one color of LED for the entire message screen.
[6]
Messages displayed through an LED message screen shall not blink, flicker, flash, scroll, scintillate or be otherwise animated.
[7]
Message changes shall be accomplished immediately. Each message shall be displayed for a minimum period of four hours.
[8]
The intensity of the LED display shall not exceed the levels specified in the chart below:
Intensity Level (NITS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Color | Daytime | Nighttime | |
Red | 3,150 | 1,125 | |
Green | 6,300 | 2,250 | |
Amber | 4,690 | 1,675 | |
[9]
For LED signs in the R-2 Residential District, the following additional conditions apply:
[Added 6-25-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-002]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is attached to this chapter.
K.
General sign regulations for all districts. In all districts the following general sign regulations shall apply:
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring view or by confusion with official street signs or traffic signals by virtue of position, color, shape, glare or other characteristics.
(2)
No sign, other than official traffic and highway signs, shall be erected or maintained within the legal street right-of-way.
(3)
No sign shall project more than 24 inches over a public walkway, and the lower edge of a projecting sign shall be not less than 10 feet above the walkway level.
(4)
No sign shall project above the building height restriction of the area.
(5)
Blinking or flashing signs or lights shall not be permitted within any lot in any district.
(6)
Only on-premises signs which promote, identify or draw attention to a product, article of business, name of business or operation, or service offered, sold or rendered at or in the place or premises where such sign is located shall be permitted within the Township. The address of the property, when identified, shall be included within the area assigned for each use on each property in all districts.
(7)
Zoning information. No sign shall be erected containing information which 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.
(8)
Moving signs. Any sign or object intended to attract attention, which is capable of free movement or oscillation or which is designed to rotate or otherwise move, is not permitted.
(9)
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.
(10)
Temporary signs.
(a)
Special sales, reconstruction, etc. Not more than one temporary sign, in addition to the number specified for each lot on a permanent basis, may be erected at two interspersed times during the calendar year, provided that such sign shall be displayed not more than a total of 15 consecutive days each time. Such signs may be used for special sales, openings, product introductions, anniversaries and similar occasions. Signs may also be used during the construction, reconstruction or remodeling of an existing or new building. Such signs shall comply with all zoning regulations for the zoning district in which they are located.
(11)
A projecting sign may be erected in lieu of a permitted ground sign and shall be subject to all other regulations applicable to facade signs as provided in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[4]
[Amended 12-19-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-19]
[4]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(12)
Billboards and off-premises signs shall be prohibited from all zoning districts within the Township except for the I Industrial District, and in such district only when authorized as a special exception. Any such billboards or off-premises signs shall not exceed 672 square feet in size and 20 feet in height as measured from the center line of the adjoining highway. No two billboards may be located less than 200 feet between each other. Billboards may be illuminated, and interchangeable copy may be allowed thereon, but a copy may be changed no more frequently than once every 10 seconds and must be changed instantly so as to prohibit flashing or scrolling.
[Amended 7-23-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04]
(13)
Maintenance. Every sign shall be constructed of durable materials using noncorrosive fasteners, shall be structurally safe and erected or installed in strict accordance with the Township Building Code, and maintained in a safe condition and good repair at all times.
L.
Removal of signs.
(1)
Abandoned signs. Any sign that is located on and/or related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of six months or more, or any sign which was erected for an occupant or business unrelated to the present business, or any sign which relates to a time, event or purpose which is past shall be deemed to have been abandoned. An abandoned sign is prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the property.
(2)
Once an existing sign is removed for any reason other than maintenance or repair, including repair as a result of an act of God or an accident beyond control of the owner, the replacement sign must comply with all the provisions of these regulations. Modernization and/or changes in graphics, format or copy in the signs shall constitute a replacement of the sign.
(3)
Immediate removal. A sign and/or its supports shall be immediately removed from a premises upon notification and as directed by the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer for the following reasons:
(4)
Nonconforming signs. Certain existing signs which do not conform to the requirements of this article, but which have valid permits issued by the Township, shall be nonconforming and shall be made to conform as follows:
(a)
Signs which are nonconforming by reason of their prohibition under § 195-35I shall be removed within two years following enactment of this chapter or from any other date of the establishment of their nonconformity.
(b)
Signs which are nonconforming by reason of dimensions alone or for any reasons other than nonconformity with § 195-35I may continue in their present location until replacement or rebuilding becomes necessary, at which time a zoning permit will be required and the sign brought into conformity with this chapter.
M.
Permits and fees for signs.
(1)
Permits are required for all signs except as otherwise indicated in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. No signs shall hereafter be erected or altered or the content changed (except directory and bulletin boards at churches, synagogues, schools and government buildings) until a permit authorizing the same is issued by the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer. Such permit shall be valid for the length of time set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. [5]
[5]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(2)
Applications for sign permits shall be filed on forms furnished by the Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied by detailed plans and specifications necessary to determine the location and details of construction of such sign.
(3)
No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until the required fee has been paid to the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer, which fee shall be established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
(4)
After installation, the Zoning Officer shall inspect the sign to ensure that the installation has conformed to the regulations set forth in this article.
(5)
A permit may be revoked by the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer for any of the following violations, if the owner of the sign neglects to comply with the Building Code Official/Zoning Officer's directives to correct the violations:
(a)
If the sign constitutes a hazard to the public health or safety.
(b)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which requires a new permit.
(c)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which would render the sign prohibited.
(d)
If a sign has been erected in a manner which violates the regulations set forth in this article.
N.
Special regulations for illuminated signs.
(1)
Illumination is to be controlled by a timer which shall turn off sign light not later than 10:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour following closing of the premises, whichever is later, every night. Directional signs and physicians providing emergency care upon the premises, as well as governmental signs, shall be exempted.
(2)
The light source shall be shaded, hooded or otherwise screened to prevent the direct rays of the light from shining on adjacent property or causing glare to traveling motorists on a public street or access drive used by the public.
(3)
Brilliance of internally illuminated signs shall be controlled as follows:
(a)
When illuminated, the sign background shall be muted with a colored filter or be of an opaque material such that the color emitted shall be ivory, cream or a dark color; bright white is not permitted.
(b)
When illuminated, light or pale colors and the color white shall not exceed 50% of the sign area.
(4)
Internally illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., label of approval.