701. PURPOSES AND APPLICABILITY.
A. Purposes. This Article is intended to: promote and maintain overall community aesthetic quality; establish reasonable time, place and manner of regulations for the exercise of free speech, without unreasonably regulating content; promote traffic safety by avoiding distractions and sight distance obstructions; and protect property values and ensure compatibility with the character of neighboring uses.
B. Permit Required. A zoning permit shall be required for any free standing sign with an area of 50 or more square feet, except for that the following types of signs shall not need a permit and shall not be regulated by this Ordinance provided they are not a prohibited type of sign: a) signs meeting Section 703 shall also not need a permit, b) window signs of any size shall not need a permit and are not regulated, and c) wall signs of any size shall not need a permit. For signs with a sign area of 50 or more square feet, only types, sizes and heights of signs that are specifically permitted by this Ordinance within the applicable District shall be allowed.
1. State Permits. Note: The applicant is also responsible to obtain any required PADOT approvals or permits for a sign located along a State highway.
C. Changes on Signs. Any lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in logo or message without a new permit under this Ordinance provided that the changes do not increase the sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or an increased non-conformity with this Ordinance.
D. Nonconforming Signs.
1. Signs legally existing at the time of enactment of this Ordinance and which do not conform to the requirements of the Ordinance shall be considered nonconforming signs.
2. An existing lawful non-conforming sign that was lawful when it was initially placed may be replaced with a new sign, provided the new sign is not more nonconforming in any manner than the previous sign. A non-conforming sign shall not be expanded in a manner that does not conform to this Ordinance.
A. The following definitions shall also be used in determining whether signs meet the measurement and type requirements of this Article:
1. Abandoned Sign. A sign which identifies something that is no longer a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner or product, or advertises an event or activity that is not longer occurring, and/or for which no legal owner can be found. This term shall also include a structural support for a sign if the sign has been removed.
2. Awning. A non-illuminated sign painted on or attached to a fabric or vinyl cover on a rigid frame. All or part of the allowed wall sign area may be placed on an awning.
3. Building Face. The vertical area of a particular side of a building, but not including the area of any slanted roof.
4. Changeable Message Sign. A sign that is designed to vary from message to message by means of electronic lights, movable panels and/or movable letters.
5. Freestanding Sign. A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily supported by a building.
6. Height of Sign. The vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting structure. Religious symbols, when not accompanied by lettering, shall not be restricted by the sign heights of this Article when attached to a tower or spire of a place of worship.
7. Illuminated Sign, Internally. A sign illuminated by light from within the sign rather than a source adjacent to or outside of the sign. A sign within a display case with lights only shining onto the front of the sign shall be considered to be "externally" illuminated.
8. Non-conforming Sign. A sign which was lawful when it was installed, but which would not meet current sign regulations of this Ordinance.
9. Off-Premise Sign. A sign which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business that is primarily offered or located at a location other than the lot upon which the sign is located.
10. On-Premises Sign. A sign that is not an off-premises sign, such as a sign that advertises a business or service offered on the premises.
11. Political Sign. A sign that advertises a candidate for election or an opinion on a current political issue.
12. Portable Sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed to the ground or to a building, and which is not listed by this Article as an allowed temporary sign, and which is attached to a chassis, wheels or legs that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another.
13. Projecting Sign. A sign that is attached to a building and that extends perpendicular from the building and which meets requirements of the Construction Code for secure construction and minimum clearance over a sidewalk, and which does not extend over a street.
14. Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign advertising the availability of land or building space for sale, lease or auction.
15. Sign. Any physical device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of attracting attention from the public and that is visible from beyond an exterior lot line, including all symbols, words, models, displays, banners, flags, devices or representations. This shall not include displays that only involve symbols that are clearly and entirely religious in nature, and which do not include advertising.
16. Wall Sign. A sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building. A Wall Sign may also be displayed upon an awning or canopy, provided other requirements of this Ordinance are met.
17. Window Sign. A sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent door.
703. MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS.
A. The following are not regulated by this Ordinance:
1. Holiday Decoration Sign-commemorates a holiday recognized by the Federal, State, County, Township/Borough or other legally constituted governmental body that does not include advertising.
2. Not Readable Sign- not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line.
3. Official Sign- erected by the Federal, State, County, Township/Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Federal, State, County, Township/Borough action, and which exists for public purposes.
4. Political Sign. – temporary political signs.
5. Required Sign- only includes information required to be posted outdoors by a government body or agency.
6. Right-of-Way Sign- posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by PennDOT, the Township/Borough or the County, including but not limited to decorative banners hung from street lights that are authorized by the Township/Borough.
7. Contractor(s) or Financing Entity Sign-listing the name of the contractor(s) or financing entity involved with an active building site; to advertise the availability of land or building space for sale or lease, to advertise charitable events; and to allow temporary banners advertising lawful principal commercial businesses. Such signs shall not need a zoning permit.
704. FREESTANDING SIGNS (On-Premises Signs).
A. The following are the on-premises freestanding signs permitted on a lot within the specified districts and within the following regulations, in addition to "Exempt Signs" and "Temporary Signs" permitted in all districts by other provisions of this Article. The sizes and numbers of wall and window signs are not regulated by this Ordinance provided that they do not exceed the height of the building to which they are attached by more than 10 feet. See definitions of the types of signs in Section 702.
|
ZONING DISTRICT OR TYPE OF USE |
TOTAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FREESTANDING SIGNS |
TOTAL MAXIMUM AREA AND NUMBER OF FREESTANDING SIGNS |
|
A, CR and Residential Districts, with signs in this table limited to allowed principal non-residential uses, nursing homes and personal care centers. |
10 feet |
1 sign on each street the lot abuts, each with a maximum sign area of 60 sq. ft. |
|
C-1 and T-C Town Center Commercial District. |
10 feet |
1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area of 60 sq. ft. * In addition, a maximum 12 square feet projecting sign is allowed. See also banners in Section 703. |
|
C-3, C-4, I-C, CM districts and any other district not listed above |
20 feet. |
1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area of 60 sq. ft. * In addition, a 12 square feet projecting sign is allowed. See also banners in Section 703. |
* If a lot includes 2 or more distinct principal non-residential uses, the maximum freestanding sign area may be increased by 15 square feet for each principal non-residential use beyond the first non-residential use. For example, in the C-1 district, if a lot includes 3 such uses, the maximum freestanding sign area shall be 60 plus 30 equals 90 square feet. A movie theater freestanding sign may have a sign area of 200 square feet. One freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of 60 square feet each shall be allowed for each new motor vehicle franchise on the lot.
B. Portable Signs (Including "Signs on Mobile Stands").
1. Purpose. These standards recognize portable signs as a particular type of sign that has the characteristics of a temporary sign but that has been inappropriately used as a permanent sign. This Section is based on the policy that if a use desires to regularly display a sign for regularly changing messages, that it erect a permanent sign within all of the requirements of this Ordinance.
2. Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary Charitable Event sign.
3. Businesses are encouraged to provide an area on a permanent sign that displays changeable messages, as opposed to using a separate sign for such purpose.
C. Signs on Freestanding Walls. A freestanding sign may be attached to a decorative masonry or stone wall, provided it does not obstruct safe sight distances.
The following prohibitions on signs shall apply in all zoning districts:
A. Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited. However, certain flags and banners may be allowed as provided in Section 703.
B. Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, or moving signs of any type are prohibited. Signs may change their message from time to time provided that each message is visible for a minimum of 6 seconds, except as follows: a) time and temperature signs may change more frequently, and b) a sign with a sign area greater than 100 square feet shall not change its message more frequently than once every 20 seconds.
1. In addition, flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas season lighting or displays.
C. Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
D. Signs that are of such form, shape or color that they resemble an official traffic sign, signal or device or that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent use of the words "Danger") are prohibited.
E. Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
F. Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
706. OFF-PREMISE SIGNS (Including Billboards).
A. Purposes. These provisions are intended to: ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is attractive to desirable types of development; prevent visual pollution and protect property values, especially in consideration of the fact that many commercial areas are within close proximity to existing residences; prevent glare on adjacent property and streets; avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists, especially along busy arterial streets that involve complex turning movements and numerous traffic hazards; recognize the numerous alternative forms of free speech available in the Township/Borough, including existing nonconforming off-premise signs, on-premise signs and temporary signs and printed and electronic media; carry out the purposes of Section 701.
B. Nonconforming Off-Premise Signs. This section is not intended to require the removal of an existing lawfully-placed off-premise sign that is in structurally sound condition.
C.. Permitted Off-Premise Signs. Except for other types of signs that are specifically allowed by this Section to be off-premises, an off-premise sign is only permitted if it meets the following requirements:
1. District. An off-premise sign is permitted in the A, C-3, C-4, I-C and CM Districts.
2. Location. An off-premise sign shall be setback a minimum of 25 feet from all lot lines and street rights-of-way.
3. Maximum Total Sign Area on Each of 2 Sides. 300 square feet, except 674 square feet shall be allowed within 600 feet from an interstate highway right-of-way.
4. Spacing. Any off-premise sign shall be separated by a minimum of 500 feet from any other off-premise sign with a sign area greater than 20 square feet, including signs on either side of a street and including existing signs in other municipalities. No lot shall include more than 1 off-premise sign structure.
5. Maximum Height. 40 feet above the elevation of the adjacent street or highway, measured at the street or highway centerline that the sign faces onto.
6. Attached. No off-premise sign or sign face shall be attached in any way to any other off-premise sign, except that a sign may have two sign faces provided the angle between the signs does not exceed 45 degrees.
7. Setbacks. No off-premise sign greater than 60 square feet in sign area shall be located within 200 feet from any of the following: a) an existing dwelling or b) a residential district.
8. Condition. The sign shall be maintained in a good and safe condition, particularly to avoid hazards in high winds.
D. Additional Off-Premise Signs. Up to 2 off-premises signs may be placed if needed to direct motorists to a principal business use within a municipality that is not adjacent to an arterial road. Such signs shall only be posted with permission of the owner of the land upon which the signs will be placed. Each sign shall not exceed 10 square feet and shall not exceed 8 feet in height. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
E. Industrial Park Signs. Off-premises signs shall be allowed that are necessary to direct traffic to principal industrial uses. Each such sign shall have a maximum sign area of 60 square feet and a maximum height of 15 feet.
707. GENERAL DESIGN, LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF SIGNS.
A. Right-of-Way. Official signs are allowed within an existing street right-of-way. The Borough Council or Board of Supervisors or their designee may approve other signs within a street right-of-way, without needing zoning approval.
B. Sight Clearance. No sign shall be so located that it interferes with the sight clearance requirements of Section 803.
C. Off-Premises. No signs except permitted Off-Premise, Official, Political or Public Service Signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate. A Major Development Sign may be located on one lot in a subdivision to advertise uses throughout the subdivision.
D. Permission of Owner. No sign shall be posted on any property or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner of such land or pole.
E. Utility Poles. No sign shall be attached to a utility pole using metal fasteners, except by a utility or government agency.
F. Construction of Signs. Every permanent sign permitted in this section shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair.
708. VEHICLES FUNCTIONING AS SIGNS.
Any vehicle, trailer or structure to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign(s) no longer is incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle, trailer or structure but instead becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be considered a freestanding sign and shall be subject to all of the requirements for freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle, trailer or structure is located.
709. ABANDONED OR OUTDATED SIGNS.
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than a sign relating to a building that is clearly temporarily vacant and being offered to new tenants or for purchase) shall be removed within 180 days of the cessation of such use.
A. Measurement of Sign area.
1. Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed. One "freestanding sign" may include several signs that are all attached to one structure, with the total "sign area" being the area of a common geometric form that could encompass all signs.
2. The sign area shall not include any structural supports that do not include a message.
3. Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle that includes all of the letters and symbols.
4. The maximum sign area of sign shall be for each of two sides of a sign, provided that only one side of a sign is readable from any location.
5. Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs are maximum sizes.
A. If a subdivision or land development is approved to include 15 or more dwelling units or 5 or more principal non-residential uses, then an additional sign shall be permitted up to 2 vehicle entrances to the project from exterior public streets. Such sign may have two sign faces on one structure, or one sign face on each structure on each side of the entrance.
1. Each such sign shall have a maximum sign area of 60 square feet. Such signs shall have a maximum total height of 6 feet. The sign may be attached to a stone or decorative masonry wall or fence constructed of weather-resistant wood or materials with a similar appearance. In such case, the wall or fence shall have a maximum total height of 6 feet and a maximum length of 20 feet.
B. Such signs should be of durable construction that requires little maintenance. Such sign shall not be illuminated. Attractive low-maintenance landscaping should surround the sign