Washington Township Franklin County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Signs
§ 360-34 Purpose and intent.
A.
The purpose of this article is to provide sign standards and regulations which allow for the legitimate needs for identification of residential, office, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other activities while at the same time to maintain and enhance the environment; promote signs which do not unduly detract from the overall character and aesthetics of the community; encourage signs which are compatible with adjacent land uses; provide for a reasonable system of control of signs; promote effective use of signs as a means of communication and economic growth through the regulations of such things as size, location, design, and illumination of signs; and to advance the safety and welfare of the community as it relates to signs.
B.
If any portion of this article is found to be in conflict with any other provision of any Township ordinance, the provision that establishes the higher standard shall prevail.
§ 360-35 Applicability and scope.
[Amended 12-21-2020 by Ord. No. 280]
The following regulations shall govern the placement and construction of all outdoor advertising display signs within Washington Township. For purposes of this chapter, the term "commercial and industrial districts" shall mean the Commercial, Commercial-Neighborhood, Commercial-Neighborhood (Restricted), and Industrial Districts; the term "noncommercial districts" shall include the Forest-Conservation, Agricultural, Low-Density Residential (R-1), Medium-Density Residential (R-2), Medium-Density Residential Manufactured Home (R-3), and Historic (H) Districts.
§ 360-36 General provisions.
A.
Sign heights and types.
(1)
No person, organization, business, firm or corporation shall construct a sign that exceeds the maximum sign height permitted in the specific zoning district where the sign is located. Sign height shall include the supporting structure and is measured from ground level.
(2)
A pole sign is a sign supported by one or two poles/beams made of material of sufficient strength to carry the weight and wind load of the attached sign. A pole sign shall not be more than 25 feet in height in any district. Maximum height shall be measured from the ground level at the base of the pole/beam.
B.
Location of signs. No signs shall be permitted to be located in any district other than Commercial, Industrial, Commercial Neighborhood, Commercial Neighborhood (Restricted), except as permitted in this article.
(1)
Signs shall not be placed so as to impair the corner visibility of intersections of streets, driveways and alleys.
(2)
Signs shall not be affixed to utility poles or official signs.
(3)
Signs shall not be placed on Township or public property, parks, public facilities, and public open spaces.
(4)
Signs shall not be placed on Township or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rights-of-way except official traffic, street name signs and other similar signs required for the public welfare and safety.
C.
Material. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and kept in good condition. Permanent signs shall be constructed to resist the wind load and weather in this area without damage.
D.
Nuisance signs. No signs with moving parts, animated features, or audible features that could cause a distraction to drivers shall be allowed.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
E.
Illegal or unlawful signs. Any sign that shall be considered unlawful or illegal by this chapter includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following signs, which shall be prohibited:
(1)
Signs containing obscene, indecent or immoral words, pictures, descriptions or other matter.
(2)
Signs imitating governmental signs, including traffic control signs.
(3)
Signs blocking or obstructing public access, fire escapes, intersection visibility, traffic visibility, utilities, etc.
(4)
Signs placed on or attached to other signs, utility poles, fire hydrants, trees, flag poles, street lamps or other means of support of an outdoor advertising display.
(5)
Any painting, marking, or attachment of a sign to the street, sidewalk or building, other than house numbers or occupant names or as provided by this article.
(6)
Any sign, permanent or temporary, in violation of this article.
(7)
Any sign that is unsafe or insecure, abandoned or in a dilapidated condition.
F.
Double-faced signs. A sign with a sign face message on both sides shall be counted as a single sign.
G.
Commercial and industrial land developments. Any signs that are part of an application for commercial and industrial land development plans are a conditional use and will require a conditional use application at the same time as land development application. The Township Supervisors may require additional restrictions on signage as part of the land development and conditional use process for such developments.
H.
Construction code. Signs that come under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code will be required to acquire a construction permit in addition to the land use/sign permit.
I.
Pole and ground signs. Pole and ground signs are in addition to awning/canopy and wall signs.
§ 360-37 Permanent signs.
[Amended 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 231]
Permanent signs are all signs that are not temporary or prohibited and shall comply with the following requirements:
A.
Commercial District/Commercial Neighborhood District/Industrial District: single lot, single building, multiple tenants; single lot, multiple buildings, multiple tenants; and single lot, single building, single tenant.
(1)
Sign height shall be no more than 25 feet for a pole sign, or 10 feet for a ground sign, measured from the ground level of the sign location. The bottom of a ground sign shall be no more than 12 inches from above the ground.
(2)
Only one property lot pole sign or ground sign is permitted. On lots with multiple buildings and/or tenants, an additional 18 square feet of the total sign size as set forth in § 360-37A(3) per tenant is permitted.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(3)
Sign size shall be no more than 40 square feet with an additional 24 square feet maximum for a message board.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(a)
A message board may be part of or separate from the main sign but must be on the same pole or ground sign.
(b)
Electronic message boards shall be permitted in the Commercial and Industrial Districts only.
(c)
Nonelectric message boards shall be designed and constructed in a manner capable of changing messages through a system of removable characters or panels attached to the face of the sign and are permitted in the Commercial, Commercial Neighborhood, or Industrial Districts.
(4)
Wall signs shall cover no more than 10% of the building facade upon which they are installed. A single electric or nonelectric message board may be incorporated as part of the allotted 10% of facade space.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(5)
One roof sign per building shall be permitted. Roof signs shall be no more than 40 square feet and shall not exceed the highest peak of the existing roofline and shall be no more than four feet higher than the highest eave of the roof.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(6)
Projecting signs shall be permitted and shall be attached to a wall and project no more than six feet from the building wall and shall be securely supported and fastened to the wall. These signs shall be a minimum of eight feet from ground level. The maximum size for a projecting sign is 12 square feet.
(7)
[1] Off-premises signs shall be permitted in the Commercial and Industrial Districts only, and be subject to the following conditions:
(a)
Sign size shall be no more than 16 square feet.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(b)
Sign height shall be no greater than 10 feet from ground level.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(c)
Signs shall be located on private property.
(d)
Consent from the landowner shall be obtained.
(e)
Municipal and nonprofit organizations shall not be subject to § 360-37A(8)(a)(b)(c) and (d) above.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection A(7), regarding awning signs and canopy signs, was repealed 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245. This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection A(8) as A(7).
B.
Agricultural district.
(1)
Permanent signs are permitted for farm name signs, advertising produce, crops or animals, corporate or co-op affiliation and shall be farm related.
(2)
Sign height shall be no more than 10 feet.
(3)
Aggregate size of permanent signs shall be no more than 40 square feet.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(4)
Signs for agricultural products or crop identification signs are permitted. Signs for agricultural products or services shall be displayed only when products or services are offered.
(5)
Crop identification signs shall be one sign for each crop being tested or grown.
C.
Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3 and F-C Districts).
(1)
One residence identification sign is permitted per single-family dwelling to identify family name, property name, and/or street address. Signs shall be located at the end of the driveway or at the mailbox not to exceed four square feet and shall not be illuminated.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(2)
Residential subdivisions (single-family or multifamily). Each residential subdivision shall be permitted one ground sign of 20 square feet or less for identification of development on each street frontage. Lighting is permitted.
(3)
Schools, churches, hospitals, medical facilities and similar uses located in these districts are permitted one pole or ground sign of no more than 20 square feet on each street frontage. Lighting is permitted.
(4)
Sign height shall not exceed eight feet.
§ 360-38 through § 360-39. (Reserved) [1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 360-38, Awning or canopy signs, was repealed 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245. Former § 360-39, Projecting signs, was repealed 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 231.
§ 360-40 Temporary signs.
Any sign intended to be displayed for 30 days or less, including, by way of example, but not limited to, any inflatable devices, banner, pennant, valance for advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without frames. Temporary signs are permitted in all districts with the exception of Coming Soon/Now Open, Grand Opening, Now Hiring, Change of Business/Ownership signs which are only permitted in nonresidential districts. In addition, temporary agricultural signs are only permitted in the Agricultural District. Temporary signs shall be subject to the following:
A.
Temporary noncommercial signs. Signs utilized for supporting, encouraging, expressing or identifying a philosophy, theory, belief, view, principle, concept, insight or opinion, political posture, position or event, public services or civic announcement or advisory event and/or personal or individual use without a commercial intent. Such signs may include but are not limited to political signs, ideological signs, special event and public services announcements. The sign shall be a maximum height of 10 feet and shall meet size requirements as set forth in this article.
B.
Specific requirements for temporary noncommercial signs.
(1)
[1]Special event or public announcement signs. A sign or notice posted to announce public information concerning special events, bazaars, rallies, or other similar activities sponsored by charitable, religious, philanthropic, educational or civic institutions shall be allowed as temporary signs, provided:
(a)
Such signs shall be allowed up to 30 days prior to such event, and shall be removed within two days after the scheduled event.
(b)
All signs shall be on-premises only, except that nonprofit organizations, upon proof of tax-exempt status under federal or state laws, shall be allowed temporary off-premises special event signs provided that the organization shall have permission from the property owner to place the sign on their property.
(c)
No sign shall be over 20 square feet.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(1) was repealed 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 231. This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection B(2) as Subsection B(1).
C.
Temporary commercial signs. Signs utilized for the purpose of benefiting a for-profit enterprise, person or activity and/or advertising the sale of a product, good or service, or other similar venture with an economic purpose. Such signs may include, but are not limited to, real estate signs, weekend real estate directional signs, special event signs, and personal or incidental use signs such as garage sale signs and work-in-progress signs. All temporary commercial signs shall be subject to the following:
D.
Specific requirements for temporary commercial signs.
(1)
Balloons, inflatable devices, pennants, bunting or banners:
(a)
Installed not more than 30 days before event.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(b)
Does not include balloon signs for birthdays and special events, provided they do not exceed six cubic feet.
(c)
Shall be removed within 48 hours after the event.
[Amended 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
(d)
Does not include display of national, state, local, religious, institutional, or registered corporate logo flag or emblem.
(2)
For sale signs for residential structures or lots on small tracts less than two acres. Real estate signs, weekend real estate signs, open house signs, personal and/or incidental use signs:
(a)
One regular sign per property. An additional Open House sign is permitted only during an open house period.
(b)
Sign no more than eight square feet and no more than five foot in height.
(c)
All signs shall be on-premises only, except directional signs.
(d)
Personal and/or incidental use signs shall be placed no more than 72 hours prior to the commencement of the event, work, or sale and removed within 24 hours after the conclusion of the work, sale or event.
(e)
Weekend real estate directional signs are permitted to be placed out only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and 8:00 a.m. the following Monday except when there is a three-day holiday that includes Monday; then it shall be removed before noon of the following day. Signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way.
(f)
Real estate directional signs shall be limited to off-premises directional signs and shall contain no advertising. The sign shall be solely utilized as a directional sign for public viewing and sales of a particular home or development.
(g)
Real estate signs, as defined, shall only be displayed for the period the unit is actually offered for sale.
(3)
For sale signs for nonresidential structures or large tracts over two acres, model home signs, coming soon or now open signs, change of ownership or business signs, special event signs:
(a)
All signs shall be on-premises only.
(b)
No sign can exceed 20 square feet in size or eight feet in height.
(c)
Signs shall be a minimum of 15 feet from the right-of-way line.
(d)
For tracts of land over two acres, one sign per five acres is permitted with a maximum of two signs. Signs shall be a minimum of 500 feet from any other real estate sign on the same property.
(e)
Special event signs may be placed 30 days prior to the event and shall be removed no later than three days after the event.
(f)
Coming soon signs are for no more than 30 days if a structure exists, or up to a year, pending construction.
(g)
Now open signs are permitted for a maximum of 30 days.
(4)
Grand opening signs. Permitted one time for four weeks for each new business, or when 20% of the building has been renovated.
(5)
Development or on-premises project signs. On-premises signs identifying residential, retail, office, commercial, industrial, mixed land use or planned developments shall be permitted, but limited by the following conditions:
(a)
The maximum sign area of such a sign shall be 48 square feet.
(b)
The height of the sign shall not exceed eight feet in height, including the supporting structure.
(c)
Only one sign shall be permitted for tracts up to five acres. Additional signs shall be permitted for each additional five acres up to a maximum of two signs.
(d)
No signs shall be placed closer than 500 feet to any other real estate sign advertising the sale of the same property, unless it is attached to such sign. The attachment of two such signs will be permitted only once for each tract of land for sale.
(e)
All signs shall be set back at least 15 feet from the public right-of-way.
(f)
Permits for on-premises development or project signs shall be for a period of one year from the date of issuance and shall be renewable by the building official for additional one-year periods, until the development is ninety-percent sold. The sign shall be removed once these criteria are met.
(g)
The sign permit fee for on-premises development or project signs initially erected without a permit shall be triple the amount set forth in the permit fee resolution.
E.
Portable signs.
[Added 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
§ 360-41 Conditional use signs.
[Amended 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 231; 1-20-2014 by Ord. No. 245]
The following signs are permitted as a conditional use and shall be accompanied by a conditional use application and fee. The Board of Supervisors may impose any reasonable conditions the Board deems necessary in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the resident of the Township.
A.
Billboards. Billboards, advertising signboards or other signs advertising businesses other than those located on the same lot as the sign, including poster panels, bulletins and the like, shall be permitted only in the Commercial and Industrial Districts along SR0016 (Buchanan Trail East), SR0997 (Anthony Highway), and SR0316 (Wayne Highway). Said signs shall be allowed as conditional uses and shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1)
No billboard shall be located in a residential district.
(2)
Billboard signs shall not be illuminated in any manner.
(3)
Billboard total sign face shall not be greater than 128 square feet, and shall not be higher than 25 feet in height measured from the ground.
(4)
The written consent of the property owner shall be obtained.
(5)
Billboard signs shall not contain changeable messages.
(6)
No such sign shall be permitted upon the roof of any building.
(7)
All signs shall be required to be set back 30 feet from the front lot line and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all other property lines and shall be located on private property.
(8)
Signs shall not be erected or maintained within a five-hundred-foot radius of any other off-premises advertising signs or within a five-hundred-foot radius of any residential zone or existing residential use.
(9)
Signs shall not be erected in or encroach over public easements or public rights-of-way.
(10)
Any new advertising sign constructed shall be a unipole or bipole construction.
(11)
There shall be no stacking of such signs.
(12)
A permit shall be obtained every year, and a fee established by resolution of Supervisors shall be paid in order to ensure compliance.
(13)
Any such sign that does not have advertising for more than a year shall be removed.
B.
Nonclassified outdoor display. Any form of monument, statue or art work not specifically defined in this article as either permanent, temporary or prohibited signs shall be permitted, provided they are approved by the Township through the conditional use process as set forth in this chapter.
§ 360-42 (Reserved) [1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 360-42, Electronic and nonelectronic message boards, was repealed 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 231.
§ 360-43 Sign illumination.
Signs may be lighted by internal lighting from a light source entirely within the sign, or by external lighting as long as no distraction to motorists, adjoining properties or glare occurs, subject to the following:
A.
The light source shall be continuous and uninterrupted so as not to be flashing or blinking.
B.
All electrical wiring shall conform to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The sign shall be in good repair such that wording on the sign is complete and no electrical problems are noted.
C.
Lighting shall not be exposed to combustible materials, such as untempered glass, wood, cloth or waxy surfaces and shall not interfere with, or be a nuisance to traffic.
D.
No sign shall be illuminated to such intensity or in such a manner as to cause glare brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance to traffic. Indirect lighting for signs shall not overshoot the facade of the sign.
§ 360-44 Sign permit requirements and exemptions.
No sign shall hereafter be erected, constructed, altered or maintained except as provided by this article, until a permit for the same has been issued by the Township Zoning Officer. Pursuant to this section, no permit shall be required for the erection or alteration of the following types of signs, providing such signs are in complete compliance with all other applicable provisions of this chapter:
A.
No permit is required for:
(1)
Official signs required or authorized by the local, state or federal government or a governmental agency.
(2)
On-site real estate signs eight square feet or less in sign area and three feet in height advertising the sale, lease or rental of real estate.
(3)
Open house signs advertising the display of a unit for sale, lease or rent.
(4)
Political signs supporting, encouraging or identifying any candidate.
(5)
Personal or incidental use signs for personal or individual use to identify the sale of personal property or advertise garage, yard or estate sales and/or incidental private signs identifying private ownership or a danger to the public. All signs shall be removed within 24 hours after the sale has concluded.
(6)
Name plates: wall or monument signs showing only the name and address of the owner or occupant of the premises on which it is erected or placed not exceeding a total sign area of four square feet.
(7)
Memorial signs, markers, plates, plaques, etc. when deemed an integral part of a structure, building or landscape.
(8)
Flags: public and/or private flag poles for the public display of a state, national, local, religious, institutional flag or emblem or a registered corporate logo.
(9)
Holiday decorations: materials displayed in a temporary manner on or before traditional civic, patriotic, religious holidays or other special events such as birthdays and weddings.
(10)
Signs displayed for the convenience of the public, including signs to identify entrance and exit drives, location of drive-up windows, directions to parking areas, one-way drives, rest rooms, freight entrances and the like of such places. These signs shall be directional only and may contain a registered corporate logo.
(11)
Signs advertising community organizations, including, but not limited to Rotary, Lions Club, etc.
(12)
Point of sale and window signs.
(13)
No hunting and no trespassing signs.
B.
Nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be maintained, provided that such signs shall conform to this article when replaced, restored or structurally altered.
§ 360-45 Maintenance and removal of signs.
A.
All signs and all components thereof, including supports, braces and anchors, shall be kept in a state of good repair. The area within 10 feet in all directions of any part of a pole or ground sign shall be kept clear of all debris and all undergrowth more than five inches in height other than ornamental plantings.
B.
If a sign advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodations, attraction or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed within 30 days of such abandonment. It shall be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.
C.
If the message portion of a sign is removed, leaving only the supporting structure, including the supporting braces, anchors, or similar components, the owner of the sign or the owner of the property where the sign is located or any other person having control of such sign shall, within one year, either replace the entire message portion of the sign or remove the remaining components of the sign. This subsection shall not be construed to prevent the changing of the message of a sign.
D.
Should any sign become dilapidated, deteriorated, abandoned, unsafe or in any way pose a public danger in the opinion of the Zoning Officer, the owner thereof or the person(s) or firm responsible for the maintenance of the sign shall, upon written notice of the Zoning Officer or his designee, forthwith in the case of immediate danger and in any case within 10 days, secure the same in a manner to be approved by the Zoning Officer in conformity with the provisions of this section or remove such sign. If such order is not complied with within 10 days, the Zoning Officer shall remove such sign at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof.
(1)
Dilapidated or deteriorated condition. "Dilapidated or deteriorated condition" shall include, but not be limited to instances where:
(a)
Elements of the surface or background can be seen, as viewed from a normal viewing distance (i.e., the intended viewing distance), to have portions of the finished material or paint flaked, broken off, missing and/or otherwise not in harmony with the rest of the surface; or
(b)
The structural support or frame members are visibly bent, broken, dented or torn; or
(c)
The sign panel is visibly cracked or, in the case of wood and similar products, splintered in such a way as to constitute an unsightly or harmful condition; or
(d)
The sign and/or its elements are twisted or leaning or at angles other than those at which it was originally erected (such as may result from being blown by high winds or from the failure of a structural support); or
(e)
The message or wording can no longer be clearly read by a person with normal eyesight under normal viewing conditions.
§ 360-46 Sign permits.
A.
Sign permit application. Application for a sign permit, where such permit is required by this article, shall include the following information:
(1)
A drawing of the proposed sign, including dimensions, and all existing signs located on the premises, visible to the public.
(2)
A drawing to scale of the site plan or building facade showing the proposed location of the sign.
(3)
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(4)
Name, address and telephone number of the owner.
(5)
Name, address and telephone number of the person or firm responsible for the erection of the sign.
(6)
Location of the building, structure or tract to which, or upon which, the sign is to be attached or erected.
B.
Sign permit fees and procedures. No sign permit shall be issued until all appropriate sign permit fees have been paid to the Township as provided herein.
(1)
Initial permit fee. Permit fees shall be set by resolution by the Board of Supervisors.
(2)
No permit fee. There shall be no permit fee for special event or public announcement signs for bona fide charitable and other nonprofit organizations upon proof of tax exempt status under federal or state law.
(3)
Renewal. A renewal permit fee shall be required for all on-premises project or development signs.
(4)
Sign repair permit. Any repair or alteration to a sign shall require an additional repair permit obtained from the Township upon application and payment of fee. The applicant will be exempt from this fee if the sign was destroyed during a state of emergency and is not electrically wired, or being altered. No repair permit is required for routine maintenance.
(5)
Building permit. All signs over 20 square feet or using electric power for lighting or any other such use of electricity at the sign shall obtain a building permit and comply with the building permit and Uniform Construction Code. This permit is in addition to the sign permit and any other permits required by the Township.[1]
(6)
Identification of signs. All off-premises signs erected, constructed or maintained that require a permit shall be plainly marked with the name, address and phone number of the owner, firm or corporation erecting and maintaining such sign and shall have the sign permit number plate, provided by the Township at the time a sign permit is issued securely attached to the sign or structure. This information shall be in a readily visible location.
(7)
Township identification. The Township will furnish a metal tag containing the permit number, and this shall be affixed to the sign structure and is nontransferable.
(8)
Annual inspection. The Zoning Officer or his authorized agent shall inspect all permanent signs requiring a sign permit at least once annually, under this chapter.
(9)
Expiration. Every sign permit issued under the provisions of this article shall expire and become null and void if the work authorized by such sign permit is not commenced within 120 days from the date of such sign permit, or if the work authorized by such sign permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of more than 120 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new sign permit shall be first obtained.
(10)
Failure to pay permit fees. If a sign is installed, erected, replaced, altered, or relocated without a sign permit, the permit fee shall be tripled.
§ 360-47 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign that no longer directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor or owner, project or activity conducted or a product available on the premises where the sign is displayed.
A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion. Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as defined and regulated by this chapter, include the following types:
ENVIRONMENTALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes, or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, revolving signs, pennant strings, and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
MECHANICALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical, or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:
FLASHINGAnimated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of nonillumination. For the purposes of this chapter, "flashing" is defined as a cyclical period less than five seconds.
PATTERNED ILLUSIONARY MOVEMENTAnimated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
Any projection that is not intended for occupancy and that extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building but that does not include signs as defined herein.
A temporary or permanent sign advertisement produce, crops or animals shall be permitted in any zoning districts that permit agricultural uses, and farm name signs.
An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of rigid or nonrigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable.
A sign displayed on single surfaces of an awning.
The entire area of a sign on which copy and/or graphics could be placed.
An awning whose covering material exhibits the characteristic of luminosity obtained by means of a source of illumination contained within its framework.
Any sign or advertisement on the device surface of or attached to a balloon or other inflatable, inflated or floating device.
See "pennant."
A sign utilizing a banner as its display surface.
See "off-premises sign" and "commercial outdoor advertising sign."
That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending vertically from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation.
See "pennant."
A multisided structure or architectural projection supported by attachment to a building on one or more sides and either cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional points. The surface(s) and/or soffit of an attached canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light. This definition may be applied to a marquee.
A multisided structure supported by columns. The surface(s) and/or soffit of a freestanding canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light.
A sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or freestanding canopy. May be internally or externally illuminated. This definition may be applied to a marquee sign.
A temporary sign advertising a new business/ownership of an existing building while a new sign is being made.
A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or electrically activated input, including the following types:
MANUALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually on a display surface.
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also "electronic message board."[1]
A permanent off-premises sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of providing copy area for commercial or noncommercial messages.
The graphic content or message of a sign.
The actual area of the sign copy as applied to any background. Copy area on any individual background may be expressed as the sum of the geometrically computed area(s) encompassing separate individual letters, words, or graphic elements on that background.
Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
A sign with two faces, commonly back to back.
Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical energy.
An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed.
Any sign placed outside a building.
See "building facade."
See "wall sign."
See "animated sign, electrically activated."
Real estate signs advertising the sale, lease or rent of any nonresidential structure.
Real estate signs advertising the sale, lease or rent of individual housing units on less than two acres.
Real estate signs advertising the sale or lease of undeveloped land or developed land of two acres or more.
The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.
The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a single premises along either a public way or other properties that it faces.
A sign supported by poles or foundation, the bottom of the sign being no more than 12 inches from ground or foundation level at the location of the sign. Maximum height shall be measured from the ground level at the base of the sign.
A sign characterized by the use of light fixture, either projecting through its surface(s) (internally illuminated); or reflecting off its surface(s) (externally illuminated).
Any sign placed within a building, but not including window signs as defined by this chapter. Interior signs, with the exception of window signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
A roof-like facade comparable to an exterior building wall.
See "canopy (attached)"; definition is similar.
See "canopy sign"; definition is similar.
An electric or nonelectric changeable sign whose message can be changed manually or programmed electronically.
A metal tag issued by the Township with the sign permit number inscribed on it. This tag shall be mounted on the lower-right side of the sign or structure and remain readily visible for annual inspections.
Signs identifying model homes, and model home centers, including sales offices.
A sign containing three or more faces.
A sign announcing the employment opportunity.
A sign whose message content may not necessarily bear any relationship to the activities conducted on the premises on which it is located, or to the expression of commercial or noncommercial speech by the owner or bona fide user of the premises on which it is located.
A sign whose message content bears a direct relationship to the activities conducted on the premises on which it is located, or to the expression of any commercial or noncommercial speech by the owner or bona fide user of the premises on which it is located.
Signs advertising the display of a unit for sale.
Any sign on the property or building facade for the purpose of advertising products, services and/or business name.
The extension of a building facade above the line of the structural roof.
Any pole, mounted flag, banner, or material of cloth, vinyl, plastic, canvas, leather or other similar material used for the express purpose of attracting attention to a place of business or location, which does not change on a regular basis.
A permanent or temporary sign for personal purposes or used to identify the sale of personal property; garage, yard or estate sales; and/or incidental private signs identifying work in progress (including but not limited to small subcontractors such as roofing repair, landscaping, pools, painting, etc.).
Any sign advertising a particular seasonal or time limited product.
A sign principally supported by one or more columns, poles, or braces placed in or upon the ground.
A temporary sign intended to influence and advance a political statement, cause, or candidate for office.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building or building surface. Signs mounted on portable or movable frames or structures, including signs placed on, but not affixed to or attached to the ground.
[Amended 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 231]
A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects more than 12 inches from a building face or wall or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign.
A directional sign placed for off-premises directions or to call attention to a real estate project, development or subdivision. The signs are solely utilized as off-premises directional signs and contain no advertising.
An on-premises sign advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the property or premises upon which it is located.
A sign that revolves 360° about an axis. See "animated sign."
The uppermost line of the roof of a building or, in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
A sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the topmost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves, and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be roof signs.
Any device visible from a location whose essential purpose and design is to convey either commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations, excluding noncommercial flags or any flags displayed from flagpoles or staffs.
Any structure designed for the support of a sign.
A sign or notice posted to announce public information concerning a for-profit special event including but limited to a circus, carnival, haunted house or fair.
A sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature.
A sign attached to the underside of a canopy or marquee.
A sign containing two faces of equal size, positioned at an interior angle subtending less than 179° at the point of juncture of the individual faces.
A sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure and that projects not more than 12 inches from the building or structure wall. Also includes signs affixed to architectural projections that project from a building, provided the copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade or to the face or faces of the architectural projection to which it is affixed.
A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to the exterior environment.