Promote and maintain overall community beautification.

Establish reasonable time, place and manner regulations on the exercise of free speech, without regulating content of signs.

Promote traffic safety by avoiding distractions and sight distance obstructions.

Protect property values; and ensure compatibility with the character of existing and planned land uses.

Carry out the goals of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Advertising Act, as amended.[1]

Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other traffic signs may be erected on the public roads and highways in the interest of public safety.

Address signs displaying the name or address of the occupant of the premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet and not more than one such sign shall be erected for each occupant of a premises, unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.

Security signs, signs indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting, etc., or private drive signs, provided that the area of any such sign does not exceed 1.5 square feet.

Government/regulatory signs, governmental flags or insignias.

Legal notices.

Public service and information signs.

Temporary window signs, including community special event signs less than four square feet placed in store windows.

Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone, or identifying letters carved into or enclosed on a building, provided that the letters are not made of a reflective material or contrast in color with the building facade material.

Holiday/seasonal decorations.

Bunting, pennants, and similar materials are permitted to announce the opening of a new business or industry and must be removed no more than seven days after opening.

A sign that is integrated into a coin-operated machine, vending machine, or gasoline pump.

Human billboard.

Flags. See § 370-708, Regulations by sign type for permanent signs.

Memorial signs, public monument or historical identification sign, including historical plaque signs.

Incidental signs, including incidental window signs. Incidental signs shall be a maximum size of 1.5 square feet.

Art or mural sign, provided that such signs do not contain any commercial messaging.

Abandoned signs.

Any banner type sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights; any sign suspended between poles, which is either a pennant which blows in the wind or a spinner which spins in the wind.

A sign that uses any method of illumination that can cause glare is prohibited, except in accordance with the following:

No sign may use the words "Stop," "Look," "Danger," or any other word or character which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interferes with or resembles any official traffic sign, signal, or device within 75 feet of a street line or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.

Except for traffic control signals, red or green lights are prohibited within 75 feet of a street line or 200 feet of a traffic control device signal, whichever is greater.

Snipe sign, including signs on benches or other street furniture.

Any banner sign or any other type is prohibited across a public street, except for such signs which are approved by the Board of Supervisors to be of general benefit to the Township or for public convenience, necessity, or welfare.

Any sign is prohibited which does not conform to the requirements of this article which was in effect when the sign was erected.

Any flashing light or other flashing part of a sign, moving, or intermittent light or lights that are visible from the street line throughout the Township. This provision supersedes any contradictory provision elsewhere in this chapter.

Novelty signs, including but not limited to objects (i.e., tires, automobiles, food products, animals etc.), pennants, balloons, animated signs, and inflatable signs.

Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, odor, or open flames.

Signs which are flashing, moving, animated, coursing, blinking, intermittent, rotating, spinning, moving, or revolving. Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors and streamers are included.

Vehicular signs. This regulation does not include the use of business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.

Signs containing information on which it 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.

Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs.

Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

Interactive signs.

Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting.

Signs erected without the permission of the property owner, with the exception of those authorized or required by local, state, or federal government.

Signs that exhibit statements, words, or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects as determined by Warrington Township.

Feather flag sign.

Message sequencing.

Any sign that promotes illegal activity.

Above-roof sign.

Signs on bollards.

Lies within or projects out over the street line of any street or within 10 feet of the shoulder or curb, whichever is greater.

Lies within the clear-sight triangle as set forth in this chapter and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[1]

Obscures a motorist's view of traffic signals, stop signs, or other warning devices as viewed from a distance of 500 feet along established thoroughfares.

Obscures a motorist's view of roadway or intersections ahead as viewed from a distance of 500 feet along established thoroughfares.

Limits a pedestrian's view of vehicular traffic to less than 500 feet while they stand inside the curbline at an intersection or other established crossing point.

Lies within a distance of 15 feet from either side yard property line.

Lies within a parking space or fire lane.

Blocks the movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares.

Blocks the exit fire escape or fire lane to a building.

Uses the words "Stop," "Look," "Danger," or any other word or character which attempts or appears to direct traffic movement, or which interferes with or resembles an official traffic sign, signal, or device.

Uses red, green, or yellow lights within 75 feet of a street line or within 300 feet of a traffic control device signal, whichever is greater.

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, but not to include any supporting framework, bracing or decorative trim which is not incidental to the copy content of the display itself. The area shall be the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters, designs and symbols.

Multisided sign area determination.

If an establishment has walls fronting on two or more streets or if the property fronts on more than one street, the sign area for each building wall or property frontage shall be computed separately.

A sign supported by more than one means (and therefore may be defined as a freestanding, wall, roof, or projecting sign) shall have its area and height calculation determined by the type of sign which has the most restrictive standards.

Signs that consist of, or have attached to them one or more three-dimensional or irregularly shaped objects shall have a sign area of the sum of two adjacent vertical sign faces of the smallest cube encompassing the sign or object.

If elements of a sign are movable or flexible, such as a flag or banner, the measurement is taken when the elements are fully extended and parallel to the plane of view.

The permitted maximum area for all signs is determined by the sign type and the zoning district in which the sign is located.

The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the elevation of the shoulder of the road to the highest point of the sign structure. In the case where there is a sidewalk, the height of the sign shall be measured from the mean height between the elevation of the road and the elevation of the grade upon which the sign base is located.

For projecting or wall signs, the maximum height shall not exceed the height of the facade of the building.

Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other structural elements. The minimum clearance shall be eight feet.

Every permanent sign permitted by this chapter must be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair.

When any sign becomes insecure, is in danger of falling, or is otherwise deemed unsafe by the Township or if any sign shall be unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the owner thereof or the person or firm maintaining same shall, upon written notice by the Township, forthwith in the case of immediate danger and in any case within not more than 30 days, make such sign conform to the provisions of this chapter or shall remove it. If within 30 days the order is not complied with, the Township may remove or cause to be removed such sign at the expense of the owner or lessee.

Should the landowner object to the Zoning Officer's determination, said landowner shall appeal the Zoning Officer's decision to the Zoning Hearing Board with 30 days of receipt of the notice. Failure of a landowner to either rectify the condition of a sign within 30 days or to appeal the decision of the Zoning Officer to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

The indirectly illuminated signs shall shine with white or clear light only.

Fully shielded fixtures shall be used, and the source of illumination shall not be visible for any adjoining property or roadway. The planting of vegetation shall not be considered as a replacement for this requirement.

The internal light source of directly illuminated signs shall be white or clear light only. Illuminated signs with any form of exposed neon or other tubes are prohibited.

Illuminated signs shall not operate one-half hour after business closing or 12:00 a.m. (midnight), whichever is later.

External. Externally illuminated signs, where permitted, are subject to the following regulations:

Internal. Internally illuminated signs, where permitted, are subject to the following regulations:

Halo illumination. Signs that are back lit in such a way to create a halo effect are permitted.

Direct. Illumination of a sign designed to give forth artificial light directly through transparent or translucent materials from a source of light within such sign. The internal light source shall be a white or clear light only.

Indirect. Illumination of a sign from an exterior source. It shall produce no direct rays that are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination occurs. The light source shall shine with white or clear light only. The planting of vegetation, while a desirable additional means to reduce the impact of the light source, shall not be considered as a replacement for this requirement. All light shall be directed at the sign and no horizontal or vertical light trespass as defined in § 370-814, Environmental performance standards., shall be permitted.

No light shall produce light trespass off the premises by illumination originating on the premises. Illumination from light originating on the site shall not exceed 0.25 footcandle at the lot line or street line.

During daylight hours between sunrise and sunset, illuminance shall be no greater than 464 footcandles (464 cd/ft2).

At all other times, illuminance shall be no greater than 23 footcandles (23cd/ft2).

Each sign must have a light-sensing device that will automatically adjust the brightness of the display as the natural light conditions change.

Ambient conditions adjustment. All signs installed after the adoption of this chapter that will have illumination by a means other than natural light must be equipped with a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness in response to ambient conditions.

Be aimed away from the property line, residential use, or zoning district, or street line.

Be shielded on the side closest to the property line, residential use, zoning district, or street line.

Not produce a strong light or a reflection of a strong light greater than 0.25 footcandle beyond the lot lines.

It is not firmly attached to the ground or some other object and can be easily moved.

It becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication and is a nuisance as determined by the Township.

If the copy of a sign is changed for a change of business or ownership, the sign must comply with this chapter.

Application form. An application for a permit for the erection, construction, or alteration of a sign shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the Township. The application shall contain the full names and addresses of the applicant, the owner of the premises where a sign is to be erected, constructed, or altered, and the person or firm engaged to erect, construct, or alter the sign. The application shall contain the affidavits of the owner of the premises authorizing the application and a description of the work to be completed. A site plan, drawn at a scale deemed suitable by the Zoning Officer must accompany the application. The site plan must accurately depict all property lines with bearings and distances, street lines, easements, and sight triangles. The proposed location of the corners of the signs and/or foundation must be dimensioned from the property lines in a manner satisfactory to the Zoning Officer.

Fees. All applicants for permits for the erection, construction, or alteration of signs shall, at the time of making such application, pay a fee to the Township in accordance with the effective fee schedule adopted by annual resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The current fee schedule is on file in the office of the Township Manager.

Canopy or awning signs.

Directional signs.

Projecting sign.

Wall signs.

Window signs.

Marquee signs.

Freestanding signs.

Changeable copy sign.

Electronic message center signs.

Time and temperature signs.

Public service and information signs.

Flags.

Memorial signs, public monument or historical identification sign erected by the Township or commonwealth, including plaque signs up to seven square feet in area.

Pole banner.

Upper-level building identification signs.

Menu sign.

General regulations.

Outdoor advertising sign (billboards).

All building-mounted signs shall be consistent and compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors and details of the building and the purposes of this section.

The applicant shall comply with all applicable sign regulations of the underlying zoning district except as modified or supplemented by these regulations.

Rotating or revolving signs, pennants, flags, banners, balloons, and objects, such as tires, automobiles, food products or other items designed to draw attention to the product or business must be approved by the Board of Supervisors prior to installation. This does not apply to registered trademarks, service marks and similar corporate logos.

Permitted on-premises signs.

Off-premises signs (none).

Permitted on-premises signs.

Permitted on-premises signs.

Permitted on-premises signs.

Off-premises (none).

Permitted on-premises signs.

Permitted on-premises signs.

Off-premises signs (none).

Permitted on-premises signs.

Permitted off-premises signs.

Permitted on-premises signs.

Calculation for sign area.

Calculation for sign height.

Limited duration signs may be permitted for a period not to exceed 30 days per year unless an extended period of authorized by the Township. Only one limited duration sign is permitted per tenant. The applicant may receive no more than one permit a year.

The size of any limited duration sign may not exceed the size permitted for any permanent sign of similar type in the district, but in any event shall be no larger than 10 square feet on one side.

Any limited duration sign which is illuminated, or which contains any digital display must conform to the same requirements and standards which address illumination and electronic messaging center.

Limited duration signs may not revolve, be animated or have flashing lights, or be affixed to or painted on a vehicle.

In residential zoning districts or on properties with residential uses in nonresidential zoning districts the following standards apply:

In nonresidential zoning districts with nonresidential uses the following standards apply:

General provisions.

Portable signs. Sandwich board signs that comply with the requirements in this subsection shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or area of signs allowed on the property.

No such signs shall exceed 16 square feet in area per side.

Signs shall not be posted earlier than four weeks before the occurrence of the exhibit, show, or event and shall be removed within five days after the termination of the exhibit, show, or event.

A maximum of 10 such signs may be permitted within the Township for any one exhibit, show, or event.

No permit shall be issued for the erection of such signs until a deposit in an amount to be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors shall be made with the Township. If such signs are not removed at the end of the ten-day permit period, the Township may have them removed and keep the full sum deposited to reimburse the expense incurred by it and for general purposes.