Upper Moreland Township
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XXVII

Signs

§ 350-184 Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the article to regulate signs to ensure that they are appropriate for their respective principal uses and in keeping with the appearance of the affected property and surrounding environment. It is the intent of this section to:

Allow adequate signage for the economic vitality of businesses and the appropriateness of use while minimizing clutter, confusion, and the unsightliness of excessive signage.

Establish criteria designed to encourage signs that are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type and activity to which they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual properties and legible in the environment in which they are seen.

Enhance the appearance of the commercial district and ensure visual compatibility with their surroundings by virtue of the size, type, location and number of signs permitted.

§ 350-185 Scope and applicability.

No sign for which a permit fee is required shall be erected or altered unless the fee has been paid and a permit has been issued for such erection or alteration.

Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform with the following regulations:

Signs in R, R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential, M Multiple Dwelling, and HR High-Rise Districts. The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted in R, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential, M Multiple Dwelling and HR High-Rise Overlay Districts:

Official traffic signs.

Professional name signs indicating the name and profession of the occupant of a dwelling, trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot.

Identification signs for schools, churches, hospitals, or similar institutions and for clubs, lodges, farms, estates or similar uses, provided that the size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.

Roadside stand signs advertising the sale of farm products when permitted by this chapter, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.

Temporary signs, as follows:

Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected or the fact that the premises has been sold or rented, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet until after development, when such sign shall not exceed six square feet.

Signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans erected during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which the signs are erected, provided that the size of any such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet.

An additional sign, temporary in nature, and no larger in area than any single sign permitted in the applicable district, to be erected for a temporary period not in excess of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period to advertise a special event. Prior to the erection of such sign, a special permit for such shall be obtained from the Department of Code Enforcement. On sites having more than one occupant, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of three temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-month period. On retail sites in excess of 35 acres and with 15 or more tenants, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of 20 temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period. Any such retail site may have a maximum of four such temporary signs on such retail site at any one time.

The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted in the CC Commercial Core Districts:

Any sign permitted in § 350-185B(1)(a) and (e) for any of the uses permitted in accordance with § 350-43.

Any sign permitted in § 350-185B(1) for any use permitted in accordance with § 350-43A.

One sign, identifying the premises as an office and setting forth the names and professions of the occupant or similar information, not exceeding 25 square feet in size shall be permitted for any professional office use permitted.

A sign, not exceeding one square foot in size, to identify the place of residence of any resident.

Signs in CC Commercial Core, CMU Corridor Mixed Use, and SC Shopping Center Districts. The following types of signs and notices shall be permitted in CC Commercial Core, CMU Corridor Mixed Use, and SC Shopping Center Districts:

Any sign permitted in § 350-185B(1).

Signs advertising a business conducted on the premises, provided that:

If the sign is fixed to the building, it shall have a size which does not exceed 1/4 of the area of the wall of the building to which the sign is attached, facing the same direction of the sign; or

If the sign is freestanding, it shall not exceed 40 square feet on one side.

Temporary signs. In addition to the temporary signs provided under Subsection B(1)(e), a portable A-frame sign, commonly referred to as a "sandwich board sign," shall be permitted under the following conditions:

Such sign shall not exceed four feet in height and two feet in width and shall not be illuminated. Such sign shall be constructed so as to be stable and self-supporting.

Such sign shall not be located as to create an obstruction to pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk, with a minimum four feet of unobstructed sidewalk width beside such sign being maintained at all times.

Such sign shall not be located as to create an obstruction to vision for motor vehicle sight lines at the intersections of public streets or where a driveway enters a public street or any other area for motor vehicle traffic, such as interior driveways of any place of business.

There shall be no more than one sign for each place of business, and such sign may only be placed during the hours of operation of the business or during daylight hours, whichever is less, and must be removed and stored either after daylight hours or upon the close of business.

A person employing a temporary sign under the terms of § 350-185B(1)(e)[3], relating to temporary signs for special events, also may not use simultaneously a portable A-frame sign at the same location.

Any person desiring to use such sandwich board sign must obtain an annual permit from the Township's Department of Code Enforcement and shall agree as a condition of the issuance of such permit to comply with the requirements of this subsection and to assume liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of such sign.

One internally illuminated LED and digital sign per property is permitted for properties with a street frontage of at least 150 feet along Blair Mill Road, Terwood Road, Davisville Road, Old York Road, Moreland Road or Routes 63 or 611 only, and also permitted for properties with any street frontage on Easton or County Line Roads, but no flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, moving pictures or animated graphics are permitted. Copy that changes no more frequently than once every eight seconds is permitted. The LED output shall be automatically reduced to a brightness level that does not create glare during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. For properties located on the designated roadways as listed above and without the required 150 feet of street frontage as required above, one such sign, not to exceed 25 square feet, parallel to the street frontage on one of the permitted streets noted above and wall mounted, is permitted.

Signs in I Limited Industrial District and BC Business Center District. The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted in I Limited Industrial Districts:

Any signs permitted in CMU Corridor Mixed Use District.

No more than one sign shall be erected on any lot or premises; excepting, if any lot or premises fronts on more than one street, one sign may be erected facing each street frontage, and excepting, further, that one additional sign may be erected on any building facing a parking lot situate on the said lot or premises, and excepting, further, that in any SC Shopping Center District one additional sign shall be permitted in each shopping center to designate the name of the shopping center.

No sign shall be placed in such a position that will cause danger to traffic.

No sign shall be erected in a public right-of-way or overhang by more than 24 inches any public right-of-way.

Any sign which is not kept in good condition and repair or which no longer serves a useful purpose shall be removed.

No movable or swinging sign shall be erected within two feet of any public right-of-way.

All electrical signs shall conform to the requirements of the National Electrical Code currently in effect in the Township.

Provided that the edge of the sign is not located within 100 feet of a property zoned R-2, R-3, R-3A, or R-4, then one internally illuminated LED and digital sign per property is permitted for properties with a street frontage of at least 150 feet along Easton Road, Blair Mill Road, County Line Road, Davisville Road, Old York Road, Moreland Road, Terwood Road or Routes 63 or 611 only, but no flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, moving pictures or animated graphics are permitted. Copy that changes no more frequently than once every eight seconds is permitted. The LED output shall be automatically reduced to a brightness level that does not create glare during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

No sign shall be painted directly on the surface of any building or wall.

Billboards.

It is the intent of these billboard provisions to:

Provide suitable areas within the Township to accommodate billboard signs;

Provide design and regulatory standards for billboard signs which will ensure the compatibility of adjacent uses and which will minimize any adverse impact on neighboring uses, as well as the traffic and the health, safety and welfare of the community; and

Reduce visual clutter and driver distractions.

Establishment of district.

The Billboard Overlay District shall be an overlay to the existing or hereafter created underlying districts, as shown on the Zoning Map, being:

One overlay zone which is 200 feet wide on the southerly side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike center line extending from a point being 1,600 feet east from the intersection of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Pioneer Road for a distance of approximately 750 feet to the common boundary line with Lower Moreland Township; and

A second overlay zone which is 200 feet wide on the northerly and southerly sides of the center line of the Pennsylvania Turnpike extending 4,000 feet from Welsh Road along the center line in an easterly direction.

The following provisions shall also apply to the Billboard Overlay District:

Provisions of the Billboard Overlay District shall serve as a supplement to the underlying district provisions. Billboards, where allowable, may exist in conjunction with another lawful land use on the same lot.

In case of a conflict between the provisions or requirements of the Billboard Overlay District and those of any underlying district, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.

A change in the underlying zoning shall not affect the classification of any land zoned as the Billboard Overlay District.

Whenever the Billboard Overlay District is declared inapplicable to any land by administrative or judicial action or whenever the Township deletes land from the district, the underlying zoning classification for the subject land shall apply.

Use regulations for the Billboard Overlay District. A building, structure or combination of buildings may be erected, altered or used and a lot may be used or occupied for any of the following purposes, and no other:

Billboards; and

Any single use permitted in the underlying zoning classifications.

Billboard standards. The following dimensional standards for billboards shall apply:

Billboards shall have a maximum single-faced sign area of 360 square feet, with a horizontal length no greater than 30 feet and a vertical width no greater than 12 feet.

A double-faced sign is permitted with a maximum of 360 square feet per face, provided the sign faces are back to back or separated by an angle of no more than 20°.

Billboards shall not be closer than 750 feet from another billboard on the same side of the Turnpike.

The bottom of the sign area of the billboard shall be located a minimum of 10 feet above the road surface of the Turnpike, and the top of the sign structure shall be a maximum of 35 feet above the road surface of the Turnpike or, when permitted by conditional use, a freestanding sign may exceed 35 feet in height but shall be no more than 60 feet in height where the topography of the site makes a lower sign not visible to drivers along the Turnpike.

The following lighting standards shall apply:

For the lighting of billboards and externally illuminated signs, fixtures shall be designed, fitted and aimed to limit the light pattern to the sign or billboard, so as not to project their output into the windows of neighboring properties, adjacent uses, past the face of the billboard or sign, skyward or onto a public roadway.

Billboards and externally illuminated signs shall be lighted by fixtures mounted at the top of the billboard or sign and aimed downward.

Billboards and signs, whether on or off premises, shall be automatically extinguished between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The maximum initial illumination on the face of an externally illuminated billboard or sign shall not exceed 30 vertical footcandles and shall have a maximum-to-minimum uniformity ratio not to exceed 6:1.

The lamp rating for internally illuminated signs shall not exceed 1,000 initial lumens per square foot of sign.

The use of highly reflective signage that creates nuisance glare or a safety hazard shall not be permitted.

A billboard shall comply with all other requirements for a principal use within the district in which it is located except as otherwise stated herein.

Any lot upon which a billboard is located must be adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with the billboard oriented to traffic along the Turnpike.

No such billboard shall be erected within 500 feet of any land zoned as a residential R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3A, R-4 or M Multiple Dwelling District.

Any such billboard shall be constructed with durable, fireproof materials, and maintained in good condition.

Any billboard which is not kept in good condition and repair or which no longer serves a useful purpose shall be removed.

No billboard shall be placed in such a position that will cause danger to traffic.

No billboard shall be erected in a public right-of-way.

All electrical signs shall conform to the requirements of the National Electrical Code currently in effect in the Township.

Internally illuminated, LED and digital billboards are permitted, but no flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, moving pictures or animated graphics are permitted. Copy that changes no more frequently than once every 12 seconds is permitted. The LED output shall be automatically reduced to a brightness level that does not create glare during hours of darkness.

No billboard shall be painted directly on the surface of any building or wall or located on a rooftop of a building.

All billboards shall comply with any applicable regulations of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

All billboard structures shall be screened with appropriate landscaping.

All billboards shall be constructed so as to prevent climbing on the structure by unauthorized personnel.

Stability. Signs shall be so constructed to comply with the current AASHTO standard specification for structural supports for highway signs, luminaires and traffic signals. All signs must be securely anchored or otherwise fastened, suspended or supported so that they will not be a menace to persons or property.

Development requirements. An applicant for billboard use under this chapter shall submit a billboard permit application to the Zoning Officer for review. Each application shall include:

A plot plan drawn to a scale of not less than one inch equals 50 feet, showing the location, dimensions and height of all existing and proposed buildings, structures, and uses, including the relationship to all property and street lines.

The location, dimensions and arrangements of all open space, yards and buffer yards, including methods and materials being employed for screening.

The dimensions, location, type and method of illumination for all signs, in addition to the billboard sign proposed.

Plans indicating that the billboard signs are designed in accordance with the Township building code chapter on structural design. The design parameters shall be provided and the design certified by a Pennsylvania-registered professional structural engineer.

Plans depicting the proposed landscaping for the billboard structure.

Applications for the lighting or relighting of signs and billboards shall be accompanied by a point-by-point plot of initial vertical illuminance on the sign or billboard face, catalog cuts of proposed fixtures and any glare-reduction devices, and a description of lamps, mounting location, aiming angles and proposed hours of operation and method for automatically extinguishing the lighting by the required hour.

Any other data or information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to enable him to determine the compliance of the proposed billboard with the terms of this chapter.

Annual registration and inspection required.

No later than January 15 of each year, all billboard owners must apply for a billboard permit.

The Board of Commissioners shall set an annual permit fee by resolution to cover the Township's costs to inspect each billboard for compliance.

Inspections which reveal billboards not in compliance with this chapter shall require permit holders to remediate the noncompliant billboards at no expense to the Township.

§ 350-186 Signs in Town Center Districts.

Only on-premises signs are permitted in the TC District. "On-premises signs" are defined as those signs whose message and design relate to an activity, business, product, etc., conducted on the same property where the sign is located.

Maximum signage area and number of signs.

A maximum of two signs are permitted per nonresidential occupied unit.

A maximum of three signs are permitted per nonresidential occupied unit with more than one street frontage, provided that not more than two signs are permitted per street frontage.

The maximum total permanent sign area permitted is 20% of the primary building frontage (the applicant can determine which frontage of the building is the primary frontage) or 5% of street frontage, whichever is greater.

Signs requiring permits.

Parallel wall signs.

No parallel wall sign shall project more than 12 inches beyond the building.

Parallel wall signs shall not exceed 15% of the front first-story facade. Individual parallel wall signs are allowed for each separate business or tenant; however, the total parallel wall sign area shall not exceed 15% of the front first-story facade.

Parallel wall signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Projecting signs.

Projecting signs shall be no lower than eight feet above grade.

The maximum projecting sign area shall not exceed 10 square feet.

The maximum height of the projecting sign shall not exceed the eave line or top of the parapet wall of the principal building, whichever is lower.

Projecting signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Window signs.

Permanent window signs shall not exceed 15% of the total glass area of the window.

Awning signs.

Awnings shall be fabric awnings and not plastic or backlit awnings.

Sign lettering and/or logo shall be limited to 10% of the awning area.

The awning shall maintain a vertical clearance of seven feet above the sidewalk.

Freestanding signs.

Freestanding sign supports shall be made of wood or metal.

Freestanding signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.

Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.

No more than one freestanding sign is permitted per property.

Freestanding signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Marquee signs.

Marquee signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.

Marquee signs shall maintain a vertical clearance of 10 feet above the sidewalk.

The definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Monument signs.

Monument signs should be constructed out of materials that complement the building structure.

Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.

Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.

Monument signs shall have landscaping around the sign base.

Monument signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Sandwich board signs.

Signs shall not exceed eight square feet.

Signs are permissible along the sidewalk, provided that a minimum walking distance of five feet shall be maintained to allow for a pathway for pedestrians.

Signs shall be taken indoors at the close of each business day.

Sandwich boards shall be weighted at the base so that the sign cannot be moved by strong winds; however, no sign shall be chained, tied, or otherwise affixed to any object, structure, or the ground.

Only one sandwich board sign will be permitted in front of the business it advertises.

Any person desiring to use such sandwich board sign must obtain an annual permit from the Township's Department of Code Enforcement and shall agree as a condition of the issuance of such permit to comply with the requirements of this subsection and to assume liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of such sign.

Temporary signs.

Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected or the fact that the premises has been sold or rented, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet until after development, when such sign shall not exceed six square feet.

Signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans erected during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which the signs are erected, provided that the size of any such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet.

An additional sign, temporary in nature, and no larger in area than any single sign permitted in the TC District to be erected for a temporary period not in excess of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period to advertise a special event. Prior to the erection of such sign, a special permit for such shall be obtained from the Department of Code Enforcement. On sites having more than one occupant, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of three temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-month period. On retail sites with 15 or more tenants, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of 20 temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period. Any such retail site may have a maximum of four such temporary signs on such retail site at any one time.

Signs not requiring permits.

Building identification signs.

Building identification signs shall not exceed two square feet, bearing only the building name, property number, and/or street address.

Directional signs.

Directional signs shall not contain advertising, not exceed four square feet, and not obstruct the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises.

Community banner signs.

Banners across streets, alleys and other public rights-of-way shall be permitted to promote community events. Banners shall remain for no more than four consecutive weeks.

No banner may hang below 15 feet over the street or public right-of-way.

Menus and signs indicating business hours.

Signs shall not exceed two square feet.

Signs shall be located in a permanently mounted display box on the facade of the building adjacent to the entrance, displayed within a window adjacent to the entrance, or at a podium that will be placed inside the restaurant upon closing.

Signs shall not be affixed with adhesive tape or other semipermanent mounting technique.

Electronic message display signs.

The following guidelines apply to any and all signs operating as electronic message display signs, as defined and regulated below:

Definition: signs capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means.

Of the sign types defined in § 350-186C above, parallel wall signs, projecting signs, freestanding signs, marquee signs, and monument signs are permitted to be erected as electronic message display signs, provided that they follow the design and programming guidelines described in this and all subsequent sections pertaining to electronic message display signs (§ 350-186E, F, G and H). No other sign types are permitted as electronic message display signs.

Electronic display message signs, not including billboards, shall be permitted in the TC-1 District only, according to the guidelines of § 350-186F, G and H below. Billboards and off-premises signs are not permitted in the TC Districts and are governed separately by § 350-185C of this Code.

Sign types permitted as electronic message display signs may contain both static and electronic message display sections in any proportion or combination, provided that the sum total sign area, height, and size do not exceed the standards of § 350-186H (i.e., signs permitted to utilize electronic message display technology may be entirely static, entirely electronic, or any combination thereof).

Signs shall be considered electronic message display signs if any portion of the display area utilizes electronic message display technology or techniques described within this chapter.

When any discrepancy arises between the requirements of § 350-186C and H with regards to height, size, and location of electronic message display signs, § 350-186H shall govern.

Applications for any sign that gives rise to questions of interpretation of the regulations of this chapter and of § 350-186E, F, G and H specifically may be referred by Township staff to the Zoning Hearing Board for the purpose of interpretation by the Board and recommendation for action on the application. The Zoning Board shall consider the safety of drivers and pedestrians in the vicinity in reviewing any sign application, as well as the character of the neighborhood impacted by any proposed sign.

Sign illumination.

No flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching," or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, or animated graphics are permitted, except as regulated under the provisions of Subsection G, Sign programing and animation, below.

Backlit, halo-lit illumination, or reverse channel letters with halo illumination are recommended.

External illumination should be unobtrusive (i.e., gooseneck lighting).

External lighting should be shielded to avoid glare.

Backlit box signs shall be prohibited.

Barbershop poles shall be permitted with rotating pole and lighting.

Sign programming and animation.

The standards of this subsection apply to any and all signs operating in whole or in part as electronic message display signs, as defined above in § 350-186E.

Permitted frame display time. Individual messages or images (herein described as "frames") must be displayed for a minimum of 15 seconds (a maximum of four frames per minute) to minimize distractions for passing motorists for the safety of pedestrians and other motorists.

Message display hours. Signs must be turned off or set to a default or static design or message between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Message transition. The following guidelines shall govern what effects LED and other electronic message display signs may employ to transition between frames consisting of messages or images:

Static display only (messages that change with no transition effects) are permitted on all LED signs in all locations.

Static display with "fade" or "dissolve" transitions shall be permitted on all LED signs in all locations, as defined herein, provided that the "fade" or "dissolve" effect does not last more than one second.

Fade: signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases in intensity to the point of legibility.

Dissolve: signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity or pattern, where the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneous to the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent message.

Static display with "travel" or "scrolling" transitions shall be permitted, provided that the "travel" or "scrolling" effects, as defined herein, do not take more than one second to complete. Signage intending to utilize this effect may be subject to review by the Zoning Hearing Board, which shall consider compatibility with surrounding land uses and may attach conditions on the rate and nature of message changes as it sees fit.

Traveling: signs where the message is changed by the apparent horizontal movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.

Scrolling: signs where the message is changed by the apparent vertical movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.

Full animation, flashing, and video signs shall be prohibited.

The sign shall contain a default design which shall freeze the sign message in one position if a malfunction should occur.

Frame effect. The following guidelines shall govern what effects LED and other electronic message display signs may employ in a single frame (not during transitions) to attract the attention of viewers:

No flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, or moving pictures are permitted.

Displays containing text shall contain static text only for the duration of the frame itself, changed only through dissolve, fade, travel, or scrolling transitions as defined and regulated above.

Any text contained within a frame shall be a lighter color than its surrounding images or background (e.g., no white or yellow backgrounds behind black text).

Frames containing images without text are permitted, provided that they employ subtle animation effects that do not provide the appearance or optical illusion of rapid movement or movement of any part of the sign structure. Subtle animation effects shall include slow or moderate movement, such as traveling or scrolling, of background images or graphics behind or adjacent to static text displays; traveling or scrolling graphic elements behind static text displays; or other moderately paced and uniformly bright effects.

Any question of interpretation of animation effects will be referred to the Zoning Hearing Board for final interpretation and action, in accordance with the standards noted herein.

All messages and displays shall be of uniform brightness to prevent distracting and sudden changes in lighting intensity from any sign.

Community and public messages. The following guidelines shall apply to any electronic message display signs that include messages for public and community benefit, including information on the time of day, temperature, current weather, upcoming Township events, traffic advisories, or other unpaid messages unrelated to the owner of the sign in question:

The permitted frame display time, as defined in § 350-186G(1)(a) above, may be reduced from 15 seconds to 12 seconds, provided that the community and public messages are included in every full rotation of messages (e.g., if a sign displays four messages related to the establishment on-site every minute, the community or public message must be included as a fifth message every time the messages complete a cycle).

Sign spacing, siting, and sizing of electronic message display signs.

The following guidelines apply to electronic message display signs only:

Electronic message display signs are permitted within the TC-1 District only along parcel frontages facing Route 611 and Route 63, York Road, and Davisville Road.

When permitted, one electronic message display sign is permitted per property.

Any property seeking to erect an electronic message display sign must have a minimum linear frontage of 250 feet on a single block face.

Except for marquee signs, electronic message display signs shall not exceed 35 square feet in overall size, not including support structures, regardless of the location.

Electronic message display signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height, including any base, support column, or sign framing.

Electronic message display signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet between the base of the sign and the ground surface on which the sign is installed.

Upper Moreland Township
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XXVII

Signs

§ 350-184 Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the article to regulate signs to ensure that they are appropriate for their respective principal uses and in keeping with the appearance of the affected property and surrounding environment. It is the intent of this section to:

Allow adequate signage for the economic vitality of businesses and the appropriateness of use while minimizing clutter, confusion, and the unsightliness of excessive signage.

Establish criteria designed to encourage signs that are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type and activity to which they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual properties and legible in the environment in which they are seen.

Enhance the appearance of the commercial district and ensure visual compatibility with their surroundings by virtue of the size, type, location and number of signs permitted.

§ 350-185 Scope and applicability.

No sign for which a permit fee is required shall be erected or altered unless the fee has been paid and a permit has been issued for such erection or alteration.

Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform with the following regulations:

Signs in R, R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential, M Multiple Dwelling, and HR High-Rise Districts. The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted in R, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential, M Multiple Dwelling and HR High-Rise Overlay Districts:

Official traffic signs.

Professional name signs indicating the name and profession of the occupant of a dwelling, trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot.

Identification signs for schools, churches, hospitals, or similar institutions and for clubs, lodges, farms, estates or similar uses, provided that the size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.

Roadside stand signs advertising the sale of farm products when permitted by this chapter, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.

Temporary signs, as follows:

Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected or the fact that the premises has been sold or rented, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet until after development, when such sign shall not exceed six square feet.

Signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans erected during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which the signs are erected, provided that the size of any such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet.

An additional sign, temporary in nature, and no larger in area than any single sign permitted in the applicable district, to be erected for a temporary period not in excess of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period to advertise a special event. Prior to the erection of such sign, a special permit for such shall be obtained from the Department of Code Enforcement. On sites having more than one occupant, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of three temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-month period. On retail sites in excess of 35 acres and with 15 or more tenants, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of 20 temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period. Any such retail site may have a maximum of four such temporary signs on such retail site at any one time.

The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted in the CC Commercial Core Districts:

Any sign permitted in § 350-185B(1)(a) and (e) for any of the uses permitted in accordance with § 350-43.

Any sign permitted in § 350-185B(1) for any use permitted in accordance with § 350-43A.

One sign, identifying the premises as an office and setting forth the names and professions of the occupant or similar information, not exceeding 25 square feet in size shall be permitted for any professional office use permitted.

A sign, not exceeding one square foot in size, to identify the place of residence of any resident.

Signs in CC Commercial Core, CMU Corridor Mixed Use, and SC Shopping Center Districts. The following types of signs and notices shall be permitted in CC Commercial Core, CMU Corridor Mixed Use, and SC Shopping Center Districts:

Any sign permitted in § 350-185B(1).

Signs advertising a business conducted on the premises, provided that:

If the sign is fixed to the building, it shall have a size which does not exceed 1/4 of the area of the wall of the building to which the sign is attached, facing the same direction of the sign; or

If the sign is freestanding, it shall not exceed 40 square feet on one side.

Temporary signs. In addition to the temporary signs provided under Subsection B(1)(e), a portable A-frame sign, commonly referred to as a "sandwich board sign," shall be permitted under the following conditions:

Such sign shall not exceed four feet in height and two feet in width and shall not be illuminated. Such sign shall be constructed so as to be stable and self-supporting.

Such sign shall not be located as to create an obstruction to pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk, with a minimum four feet of unobstructed sidewalk width beside such sign being maintained at all times.

Such sign shall not be located as to create an obstruction to vision for motor vehicle sight lines at the intersections of public streets or where a driveway enters a public street or any other area for motor vehicle traffic, such as interior driveways of any place of business.

There shall be no more than one sign for each place of business, and such sign may only be placed during the hours of operation of the business or during daylight hours, whichever is less, and must be removed and stored either after daylight hours or upon the close of business.

A person employing a temporary sign under the terms of § 350-185B(1)(e)[3], relating to temporary signs for special events, also may not use simultaneously a portable A-frame sign at the same location.

Any person desiring to use such sandwich board sign must obtain an annual permit from the Township's Department of Code Enforcement and shall agree as a condition of the issuance of such permit to comply with the requirements of this subsection and to assume liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of such sign.

One internally illuminated LED and digital sign per property is permitted for properties with a street frontage of at least 150 feet along Blair Mill Road, Terwood Road, Davisville Road, Old York Road, Moreland Road or Routes 63 or 611 only, and also permitted for properties with any street frontage on Easton or County Line Roads, but no flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, moving pictures or animated graphics are permitted. Copy that changes no more frequently than once every eight seconds is permitted. The LED output shall be automatically reduced to a brightness level that does not create glare during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. For properties located on the designated roadways as listed above and without the required 150 feet of street frontage as required above, one such sign, not to exceed 25 square feet, parallel to the street frontage on one of the permitted streets noted above and wall mounted, is permitted.

Signs in I Limited Industrial District and BC Business Center District. The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted in I Limited Industrial Districts:

Any signs permitted in CMU Corridor Mixed Use District.

No more than one sign shall be erected on any lot or premises; excepting, if any lot or premises fronts on more than one street, one sign may be erected facing each street frontage, and excepting, further, that one additional sign may be erected on any building facing a parking lot situate on the said lot or premises, and excepting, further, that in any SC Shopping Center District one additional sign shall be permitted in each shopping center to designate the name of the shopping center.

No sign shall be placed in such a position that will cause danger to traffic.

No sign shall be erected in a public right-of-way or overhang by more than 24 inches any public right-of-way.

Any sign which is not kept in good condition and repair or which no longer serves a useful purpose shall be removed.

No movable or swinging sign shall be erected within two feet of any public right-of-way.

All electrical signs shall conform to the requirements of the National Electrical Code currently in effect in the Township.

Provided that the edge of the sign is not located within 100 feet of a property zoned R-2, R-3, R-3A, or R-4, then one internally illuminated LED and digital sign per property is permitted for properties with a street frontage of at least 150 feet along Easton Road, Blair Mill Road, County Line Road, Davisville Road, Old York Road, Moreland Road, Terwood Road or Routes 63 or 611 only, but no flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, moving pictures or animated graphics are permitted. Copy that changes no more frequently than once every eight seconds is permitted. The LED output shall be automatically reduced to a brightness level that does not create glare during the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

No sign shall be painted directly on the surface of any building or wall.

Billboards.

It is the intent of these billboard provisions to:

Provide suitable areas within the Township to accommodate billboard signs;

Provide design and regulatory standards for billboard signs which will ensure the compatibility of adjacent uses and which will minimize any adverse impact on neighboring uses, as well as the traffic and the health, safety and welfare of the community; and

Reduce visual clutter and driver distractions.

Establishment of district.

The Billboard Overlay District shall be an overlay to the existing or hereafter created underlying districts, as shown on the Zoning Map, being:

One overlay zone which is 200 feet wide on the southerly side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike center line extending from a point being 1,600 feet east from the intersection of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Pioneer Road for a distance of approximately 750 feet to the common boundary line with Lower Moreland Township; and

A second overlay zone which is 200 feet wide on the northerly and southerly sides of the center line of the Pennsylvania Turnpike extending 4,000 feet from Welsh Road along the center line in an easterly direction.

The following provisions shall also apply to the Billboard Overlay District:

Provisions of the Billboard Overlay District shall serve as a supplement to the underlying district provisions. Billboards, where allowable, may exist in conjunction with another lawful land use on the same lot.

In case of a conflict between the provisions or requirements of the Billboard Overlay District and those of any underlying district, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.

A change in the underlying zoning shall not affect the classification of any land zoned as the Billboard Overlay District.

Whenever the Billboard Overlay District is declared inapplicable to any land by administrative or judicial action or whenever the Township deletes land from the district, the underlying zoning classification for the subject land shall apply.

Use regulations for the Billboard Overlay District. A building, structure or combination of buildings may be erected, altered or used and a lot may be used or occupied for any of the following purposes, and no other:

Billboards; and

Any single use permitted in the underlying zoning classifications.

Billboard standards. The following dimensional standards for billboards shall apply:

Billboards shall have a maximum single-faced sign area of 360 square feet, with a horizontal length no greater than 30 feet and a vertical width no greater than 12 feet.

A double-faced sign is permitted with a maximum of 360 square feet per face, provided the sign faces are back to back or separated by an angle of no more than 20°.

Billboards shall not be closer than 750 feet from another billboard on the same side of the Turnpike.

The bottom of the sign area of the billboard shall be located a minimum of 10 feet above the road surface of the Turnpike, and the top of the sign structure shall be a maximum of 35 feet above the road surface of the Turnpike or, when permitted by conditional use, a freestanding sign may exceed 35 feet in height but shall be no more than 60 feet in height where the topography of the site makes a lower sign not visible to drivers along the Turnpike.

The following lighting standards shall apply:

For the lighting of billboards and externally illuminated signs, fixtures shall be designed, fitted and aimed to limit the light pattern to the sign or billboard, so as not to project their output into the windows of neighboring properties, adjacent uses, past the face of the billboard or sign, skyward or onto a public roadway.

Billboards and externally illuminated signs shall be lighted by fixtures mounted at the top of the billboard or sign and aimed downward.

Billboards and signs, whether on or off premises, shall be automatically extinguished between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The maximum initial illumination on the face of an externally illuminated billboard or sign shall not exceed 30 vertical footcandles and shall have a maximum-to-minimum uniformity ratio not to exceed 6:1.

The lamp rating for internally illuminated signs shall not exceed 1,000 initial lumens per square foot of sign.

The use of highly reflective signage that creates nuisance glare or a safety hazard shall not be permitted.

A billboard shall comply with all other requirements for a principal use within the district in which it is located except as otherwise stated herein.

Any lot upon which a billboard is located must be adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with the billboard oriented to traffic along the Turnpike.

No such billboard shall be erected within 500 feet of any land zoned as a residential R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3A, R-4 or M Multiple Dwelling District.

Any such billboard shall be constructed with durable, fireproof materials, and maintained in good condition.

Any billboard which is not kept in good condition and repair or which no longer serves a useful purpose shall be removed.

No billboard shall be placed in such a position that will cause danger to traffic.

No billboard shall be erected in a public right-of-way.

All electrical signs shall conform to the requirements of the National Electrical Code currently in effect in the Township.

Internally illuminated, LED and digital billboards are permitted, but no flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, moving pictures or animated graphics are permitted. Copy that changes no more frequently than once every 12 seconds is permitted. The LED output shall be automatically reduced to a brightness level that does not create glare during hours of darkness.

No billboard shall be painted directly on the surface of any building or wall or located on a rooftop of a building.

All billboards shall comply with any applicable regulations of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

All billboard structures shall be screened with appropriate landscaping.

All billboards shall be constructed so as to prevent climbing on the structure by unauthorized personnel.

Stability. Signs shall be so constructed to comply with the current AASHTO standard specification for structural supports for highway signs, luminaires and traffic signals. All signs must be securely anchored or otherwise fastened, suspended or supported so that they will not be a menace to persons or property.

Development requirements. An applicant for billboard use under this chapter shall submit a billboard permit application to the Zoning Officer for review. Each application shall include:

A plot plan drawn to a scale of not less than one inch equals 50 feet, showing the location, dimensions and height of all existing and proposed buildings, structures, and uses, including the relationship to all property and street lines.

The location, dimensions and arrangements of all open space, yards and buffer yards, including methods and materials being employed for screening.

The dimensions, location, type and method of illumination for all signs, in addition to the billboard sign proposed.

Plans indicating that the billboard signs are designed in accordance with the Township building code chapter on structural design. The design parameters shall be provided and the design certified by a Pennsylvania-registered professional structural engineer.

Plans depicting the proposed landscaping for the billboard structure.

Applications for the lighting or relighting of signs and billboards shall be accompanied by a point-by-point plot of initial vertical illuminance on the sign or billboard face, catalog cuts of proposed fixtures and any glare-reduction devices, and a description of lamps, mounting location, aiming angles and proposed hours of operation and method for automatically extinguishing the lighting by the required hour.

Any other data or information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to enable him to determine the compliance of the proposed billboard with the terms of this chapter.

Annual registration and inspection required.

No later than January 15 of each year, all billboard owners must apply for a billboard permit.

The Board of Commissioners shall set an annual permit fee by resolution to cover the Township's costs to inspect each billboard for compliance.

Inspections which reveal billboards not in compliance with this chapter shall require permit holders to remediate the noncompliant billboards at no expense to the Township.

§ 350-186 Signs in Town Center Districts.

Only on-premises signs are permitted in the TC District. "On-premises signs" are defined as those signs whose message and design relate to an activity, business, product, etc., conducted on the same property where the sign is located.

Maximum signage area and number of signs.

A maximum of two signs are permitted per nonresidential occupied unit.

A maximum of three signs are permitted per nonresidential occupied unit with more than one street frontage, provided that not more than two signs are permitted per street frontage.

The maximum total permanent sign area permitted is 20% of the primary building frontage (the applicant can determine which frontage of the building is the primary frontage) or 5% of street frontage, whichever is greater.

Signs requiring permits.

Parallel wall signs.

No parallel wall sign shall project more than 12 inches beyond the building.

Parallel wall signs shall not exceed 15% of the front first-story facade. Individual parallel wall signs are allowed for each separate business or tenant; however, the total parallel wall sign area shall not exceed 15% of the front first-story facade.

Parallel wall signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Projecting signs.

Projecting signs shall be no lower than eight feet above grade.

The maximum projecting sign area shall not exceed 10 square feet.

The maximum height of the projecting sign shall not exceed the eave line or top of the parapet wall of the principal building, whichever is lower.

Projecting signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Window signs.

Permanent window signs shall not exceed 15% of the total glass area of the window.

Awning signs.

Awnings shall be fabric awnings and not plastic or backlit awnings.

Sign lettering and/or logo shall be limited to 10% of the awning area.

The awning shall maintain a vertical clearance of seven feet above the sidewalk.

Freestanding signs.

Freestanding sign supports shall be made of wood or metal.

Freestanding signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.

Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.

No more than one freestanding sign is permitted per property.

Freestanding signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Marquee signs.

Marquee signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.

Marquee signs shall maintain a vertical clearance of 10 feet above the sidewalk.

The definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Monument signs.

Monument signs should be constructed out of materials that complement the building structure.

Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.

Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.

Monument signs shall have landscaping around the sign base.

Monument signs are permitted to be installed as electronic message display signs, provided that they meet the definition and follow the guidelines and requirements described in § 350-186E through H below.

Sandwich board signs.

Signs shall not exceed eight square feet.

Signs are permissible along the sidewalk, provided that a minimum walking distance of five feet shall be maintained to allow for a pathway for pedestrians.

Signs shall be taken indoors at the close of each business day.

Sandwich boards shall be weighted at the base so that the sign cannot be moved by strong winds; however, no sign shall be chained, tied, or otherwise affixed to any object, structure, or the ground.

Only one sandwich board sign will be permitted in front of the business it advertises.

Any person desiring to use such sandwich board sign must obtain an annual permit from the Township's Department of Code Enforcement and shall agree as a condition of the issuance of such permit to comply with the requirements of this subsection and to assume liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of such sign.

Temporary signs.

Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected or the fact that the premises has been sold or rented, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet until after development, when such sign shall not exceed six square feet.

Signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans erected during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which the signs are erected, provided that the size of any such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet.

An additional sign, temporary in nature, and no larger in area than any single sign permitted in the TC District to be erected for a temporary period not in excess of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period to advertise a special event. Prior to the erection of such sign, a special permit for such shall be obtained from the Department of Code Enforcement. On sites having more than one occupant, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of three temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-month period. On retail sites with 15 or more tenants, such temporary signs shall be limited to a maximum of 20 temporary signs for the said temporary period of 28 days in any twelve-consecutive-month period. Any such retail site may have a maximum of four such temporary signs on such retail site at any one time.

Signs not requiring permits.

Building identification signs.

Building identification signs shall not exceed two square feet, bearing only the building name, property number, and/or street address.

Directional signs.

Directional signs shall not contain advertising, not exceed four square feet, and not obstruct the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises.

Community banner signs.

Banners across streets, alleys and other public rights-of-way shall be permitted to promote community events. Banners shall remain for no more than four consecutive weeks.

No banner may hang below 15 feet over the street or public right-of-way.

Menus and signs indicating business hours.

Signs shall not exceed two square feet.

Signs shall be located in a permanently mounted display box on the facade of the building adjacent to the entrance, displayed within a window adjacent to the entrance, or at a podium that will be placed inside the restaurant upon closing.

Signs shall not be affixed with adhesive tape or other semipermanent mounting technique.

Electronic message display signs.

The following guidelines apply to any and all signs operating as electronic message display signs, as defined and regulated below:

Definition: signs capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means.

Of the sign types defined in § 350-186C above, parallel wall signs, projecting signs, freestanding signs, marquee signs, and monument signs are permitted to be erected as electronic message display signs, provided that they follow the design and programming guidelines described in this and all subsequent sections pertaining to electronic message display signs (§ 350-186E, F, G and H). No other sign types are permitted as electronic message display signs.

Electronic display message signs, not including billboards, shall be permitted in the TC-1 District only, according to the guidelines of § 350-186F, G and H below. Billboards and off-premises signs are not permitted in the TC Districts and are governed separately by § 350-185C of this Code.

Sign types permitted as electronic message display signs may contain both static and electronic message display sections in any proportion or combination, provided that the sum total sign area, height, and size do not exceed the standards of § 350-186H (i.e., signs permitted to utilize electronic message display technology may be entirely static, entirely electronic, or any combination thereof).

Signs shall be considered electronic message display signs if any portion of the display area utilizes electronic message display technology or techniques described within this chapter.

When any discrepancy arises between the requirements of § 350-186C and H with regards to height, size, and location of electronic message display signs, § 350-186H shall govern.

Applications for any sign that gives rise to questions of interpretation of the regulations of this chapter and of § 350-186E, F, G and H specifically may be referred by Township staff to the Zoning Hearing Board for the purpose of interpretation by the Board and recommendation for action on the application. The Zoning Board shall consider the safety of drivers and pedestrians in the vicinity in reviewing any sign application, as well as the character of the neighborhood impacted by any proposed sign.

Sign illumination.

No flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching," or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, or animated graphics are permitted, except as regulated under the provisions of Subsection G, Sign programing and animation, below.

Backlit, halo-lit illumination, or reverse channel letters with halo illumination are recommended.

External illumination should be unobtrusive (i.e., gooseneck lighting).

External lighting should be shielded to avoid glare.

Backlit box signs shall be prohibited.

Barbershop poles shall be permitted with rotating pole and lighting.

Sign programming and animation.

The standards of this subsection apply to any and all signs operating in whole or in part as electronic message display signs, as defined above in § 350-186E.

Permitted frame display time. Individual messages or images (herein described as "frames") must be displayed for a minimum of 15 seconds (a maximum of four frames per minute) to minimize distractions for passing motorists for the safety of pedestrians and other motorists.

Message display hours. Signs must be turned off or set to a default or static design or message between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Message transition. The following guidelines shall govern what effects LED and other electronic message display signs may employ to transition between frames consisting of messages or images:

Static display only (messages that change with no transition effects) are permitted on all LED signs in all locations.

Static display with "fade" or "dissolve" transitions shall be permitted on all LED signs in all locations, as defined herein, provided that the "fade" or "dissolve" effect does not last more than one second.

Fade: signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases in intensity to the point of legibility.

Dissolve: signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity or pattern, where the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneous to the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent message.

Static display with "travel" or "scrolling" transitions shall be permitted, provided that the "travel" or "scrolling" effects, as defined herein, do not take more than one second to complete. Signage intending to utilize this effect may be subject to review by the Zoning Hearing Board, which shall consider compatibility with surrounding land uses and may attach conditions on the rate and nature of message changes as it sees fit.

Traveling: signs where the message is changed by the apparent horizontal movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.

Scrolling: signs where the message is changed by the apparent vertical movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.

Full animation, flashing, and video signs shall be prohibited.

The sign shall contain a default design which shall freeze the sign message in one position if a malfunction should occur.

Frame effect. The following guidelines shall govern what effects LED and other electronic message display signs may employ in a single frame (not during transitions) to attract the attention of viewers:

No flashing elements, rotating, pulsing, "marching" or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, strobe lighting, video, streaming video, or moving pictures are permitted.

Displays containing text shall contain static text only for the duration of the frame itself, changed only through dissolve, fade, travel, or scrolling transitions as defined and regulated above.

Any text contained within a frame shall be a lighter color than its surrounding images or background (e.g., no white or yellow backgrounds behind black text).

Frames containing images without text are permitted, provided that they employ subtle animation effects that do not provide the appearance or optical illusion of rapid movement or movement of any part of the sign structure. Subtle animation effects shall include slow or moderate movement, such as traveling or scrolling, of background images or graphics behind or adjacent to static text displays; traveling or scrolling graphic elements behind static text displays; or other moderately paced and uniformly bright effects.

Any question of interpretation of animation effects will be referred to the Zoning Hearing Board for final interpretation and action, in accordance with the standards noted herein.

All messages and displays shall be of uniform brightness to prevent distracting and sudden changes in lighting intensity from any sign.

Community and public messages. The following guidelines shall apply to any electronic message display signs that include messages for public and community benefit, including information on the time of day, temperature, current weather, upcoming Township events, traffic advisories, or other unpaid messages unrelated to the owner of the sign in question:

The permitted frame display time, as defined in § 350-186G(1)(a) above, may be reduced from 15 seconds to 12 seconds, provided that the community and public messages are included in every full rotation of messages (e.g., if a sign displays four messages related to the establishment on-site every minute, the community or public message must be included as a fifth message every time the messages complete a cycle).

Sign spacing, siting, and sizing of electronic message display signs.

The following guidelines apply to electronic message display signs only:

Electronic message display signs are permitted within the TC-1 District only along parcel frontages facing Route 611 and Route 63, York Road, and Davisville Road.

When permitted, one electronic message display sign is permitted per property.

Any property seeking to erect an electronic message display sign must have a minimum linear frontage of 250 feet on a single block face.

Except for marquee signs, electronic message display signs shall not exceed 35 square feet in overall size, not including support structures, regardless of the location.

Electronic message display signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height, including any base, support column, or sign framing.

Electronic message display signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet between the base of the sign and the ground surface on which the sign is installed.