Upper Uwchlan Township
City Zoning Code

To control the size, location, and illumination of signs in the Township in order to reduce hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

To encourage signs that are well-designed and pleasing in appearance, and to provide latitude for variety, in order to enhance the economic value as well as the visual character of properties within the Township;

To establish standards designed to encourage signs that are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors, and legible in the circumstances in which they are seen; and to prohibit the erection of signs that do not meet these criteria;

To prohibit the construction of, and require the removal of, signs which constitute a hazard or a blighting influence; and

To eliminate signs that demand, rather than invite, public attention.

No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.

No sign shall be erected or maintained within the lines of, or project over, any public street or public sidewalk, or shall be closer to a street or sidewalk surface than five feet, unless said sign is a street sign or attached to a building.

No stringing of light bulbs, no animated sign, nor signs that revolve, swing, or have movable parts, or have reflectors, nor inflatable signs, tethered balloons, bicycles, boats, kayaks, etc., shall be permitted after the effective date of this article. No sign that emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor shall be permitted after the effective date of this article. No advertising sign, banner, pennant, valance, spinners or display constructed of cloth, canvas, wall board, or other like materials shall be erected, suspended or hung on any property, except as allowed by § 200-96G(4) of this article. See also the other subsections of § 200-96G of this article.

Each sign shall be maintained in safe condition and in good repair. Signs determined by the Zoning Officer to be unsafe or not in good repair or condition shall be repaired within a reasonable time, such time period not to exceed 90 days.

(Reserved)

(Reserved)

(Reserved)

All signs shall be made a part of the architectural design of new commercial or retail construction or, of major alterations of existing buildings, and shall comply with any additional criteria which may be stipulated for the zoning district applicable to the construction or buildings. See also § 200-98 of this article. Drawings submitted for sign permits shall show pertinent information such as size, location, illumination, etc., in sufficient detail and pursuant to § 200-99 of this article. No sign shall protrude above or next to the building, unless allowed by this article or in the underlying base zoning district of the use to which the sign is accessory to.

Signs on vehicles denoting a business-related activity are business signs. Vehicles containing a business sign and parked in a residential district shall be permitted provided the vehicle is parked on the driveway or within a garage. This prohibition shall not apply where the vehicle owner is actually engaged in authorized repairs or construction at the location where the vehicle is parked.

For the purpose of ascertaining whether any sign is no more than the dimensions permitted by this article, the gross sign area shall be the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign, and in no case passing through or between adjacent elements of the same. For measurement of gross sign area, such perimeter shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. In the case of an open sign, made up of individual letters, figures or designs, the space between such letters, figures, or designs shall be included. The total area of both sides of a double-sided sign, including V-type signs, shall be included in the computation of gross sign area. Signs which are composed of letters, words, or representations only and which do not form a square or rectangular pattern shall be considered to include in gross sign area a square or rectangle as drawn at the outer limits of the letters, words, or representations.

Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway shall comply with any more restrictive requirements which may be applicable.

All distances provided in this article shall be measured along straight lines between signs and from the near edge to the near edge of the sign or sign structure, including the location of new signs relative to currently existing conforming and nonconforming signs.

No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape. No signs shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

No business sign may be located nearer to a residence or a residential district lot line than permitted for buildings on the lot. If located nearer than 30 feet and facing into a residence or a residential zoning district, such sign may be illuminated only in accordance with this article and such illumination shall be so designed as not to shine or reflect light upon such residence or district.

Any sign which no longer advertises an existing use conducted on the premises shall be removed by the owner of the property within 30 days. The Zoning Officer, upon determining that a use has ceased while a sign remains, shall notify the owner of the premises, in writing, to remove said sign within 30 days from the date of such notice. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the prescribed period, the Zoning Officer may remove or cause the removal of such sign and collect the cost of such removal, together with any penalties, from the owner in a manner provided by law.

All signs shall be securely mounted or fastened to the building upon which they are erected or, if freestanding, shall be securely and safely installed in the ground. The installation of all signs shall be approved by the Zoning Officer, pursuant to § 200-99 of this article.

Off-premises directional signs, as defined by this chapter, shall indicate only the name of the facility, organization or site, including location of meetings, and the direction in which it is located or approximate distance. Such sign shall not exceed three square feet in area. No more than two such signs per permitted use shall be permitted within the Township, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Vehicular service establishments, in addition to satisfying § 200-94A, B, and C of this article, shall be permitted one sign for each street frontage, provided the following are met:

No sign shall have flashing lights, nor shall artificial light or any reflecting device interfere with or compete for attention with a traffic signal or create a visual nuisance. All illuminated signs as allowed by this article shall be consistent with the lighting requirements of § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances.

No sign shall be erected that contains information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district in which the property is located, unless such purpose is consistent with an otherwise nonconforming use pursuant to Article XVII of this chapter or as otherwise approved by the Township (e.g., variance).

No sign shall be erected in any zoning district without a sign permit (§ 200-99 of this article), unless so exempted in § 200-95 of this article.

Readerboard signs shall not be permitted unless specifically allowed or exempted by this article.

(Reserved)

(Reserved)

Signs that do not conform to the requirements of this article shall be subject to the requirements of § 200-105 of this chapter.

For any sign subject to this article, such sign shall include the extreme limits of such sign (used to calculate its area pursuant to § 200-94J), together with all moldings, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached and are part of the sign proper and/or forming an integral part of the display.

No sign with more than two faces or sides shall be permitted by the Township.

No storage tank or structure, as defined in this chapter, shall be used for off-premises advertising. One sign identifying the installer, owner, and/or use of the storage tank or structure shall be allowed, unless applicable regulation deem otherwise. If no other size criteria apply, the allowed sign shall have an area of greater than four but not to exceed 15 square feet, and shall not be illuminated.

Signs of a duly constituted governmental body.

Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organization not exceeding 12 square feet. Exempt temporary signs for civic events such as a community fair or theater production shall be removed within the applicable time frame as specified in this section or § 200-96 of this article. In addition, permission shall be obtained from the landowner or utility to post said temporary signs.

Traffic signs, including street signs, or other directional, information, or public service signs such as those advertising availability of restrooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs or organizations may be erected and maintained, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods, or services except those of public utilities. Directional and information signs provided for the safety and/or convenience of the public within commercial establishments may be erected. Signs erected under this provision shall not exceed four square feet.

Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises. Signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling hunting or fishing upon particular premises, and signs indicating ownership of a property, provided sign area does not exceed three square feet. Signs otherwise exempted under this section shall be posted no closer than 50 feet to one another.

Legal notices.

Permanent window signs shall not be included in the computation of total permitted sign area and shall not require a sign permit. The total area of all window signs, including both temporary and permanent window signs, shall be limited to 25% of the glass area and shall not obscure views from the outside to the interior of the commercial use.

Vending machine signs bearing the brand name of the product being sold and/or the price of such product.

Memorial signs or historical tablets, provided that such a sign or tablet does not exceed four square feet.

Signs that are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, 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.

Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 36 inches in height.

The following temporary signs:

Identification signs that indicate the name and street address of the occupant of a residential dwelling, provided that:

Professional or accessory use signs indicating the name, street address, and profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:

Signs for permitted uses other than dwellings, provided that:

Real estate signs, including:

One subdivision entrance sign (i.e., that identifies the subdivision's name and developer) per each new road that enters the residential subdivision, provided that such sign is a monument sign (see § 200-98C) no larger than 40 square feet in total area. Subdivision entrance signage and landscaping shall reasonably reflect traditional use of materials and plantings typical to Upper Uwchlan Township and its environs. The height, scale, surface, and coloration of any such signs, supporting materials, and landscaping shall complement the immediate landscape context and shall not appear disjunctive in comparison with existing or planned signage or landscaping on any neighboring tract. No such sign shall be illuminated except by concealed or indirect nonglare lighting attached to the sign itself. Any illumination shall further meet the lighting requirements of § 200-79 of this chapter, § 162-58 of Chapter 162, Subdivision and Land Development, and all other applicable ordinances.

Off-premises directional signs, as allowed by § 200-94Q of this article.

Any sign permitted in residential districts which relates to a use permitted in the commercial, limited industrial, or planned industrial/office district.

Real estate signs, including:

Freestanding signs.

Wall-mounted signs.

Projecting signs.

In addition to the readerboard signs specifically allowed or exempted in this article, readerboards are allowed subject to the following conditions:

Off-premises directional signs, as allowed by § 200-94Q of this article.

For permitted commercial and professional uses in the C-1 District, as shown on the Zoning Map, only freestanding signs, wall-mounted signs and projecting signs will be permitted, provided that the signs comply with Subsection C (freestanding signs), Subsection D (wall-mounted signs) or Subsection E (projecting signs) of this section, and to the requirements of this Subsection H. For residential uses in the C-1 District, the residential sign provisions of this article shall apply.[1] No outdoor advertising billboard signs shall be permitted for any use in the C-1 District. The Township reserves the right to require review of all sign permit applications within the C-1 District by its planning consultant in order to ensure compliance with the following requirements:

In only the Limited Industrial or Planned Industrial/Office Zoning Districts (LI and PI, respectively), outdoor advertising billboard signs are permitted.

A sign permit shall be required for all signs unless specifically exempted by this article. All permitted signs shall be subject to annual inspection, unless otherwise provided. Any illuminated signs shall, be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with the National Electrical Code, in addition to meeting all applicable requirements of this chapter and other ordinances. Satisfactory evidence to structure durability shall be provided to the Township.

Any of the following changes to a sign shall not require a permit: changing of only the advertising message; regular maintenance of the sign, including electrical, repainting, or cleaning of a sign; and, the repair of an existing, lawful sign.

Application for sign permits shall be filed in duplicate and on forms furnished by the Township. One copy of said complete application package shall be returned to applicant after the Zoning Officer shall have marked such copy either approved or disapproved, and attested to same. Applications shall be accompanied by detailed plans, specifications, and such other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to determine whether the proposed sign meets the requirements of this and any other applicable ordinances, including, but not limited to:

No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until a fee has been paid to the Township in such amount as the Board of Supervisors shall establish by resolution.

All applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by the property owner's written consent, if the property owner is not the owner of the sign.

Signs deemed by the Zoning Officer to be illegal or without permit, shall be removed within three days of written notification by the Zoning Officer. Any recurrence of a similar infraction on the premises by the owner or lessee shall be in violation of this article and shall be punishable as per Article XIX.

The Zoning Officer shall process applications for sign permits within 30 calendar days from the date of the filing of two copies of the complete application with the required fee.

No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with the regulations of this article, or except after written order from the Zoning Hearing Board, or the courts.