The regulations contained in this article shall apply to all
signs in all zoning districts.
Signs in all zoning districts shall be categorized according
to the types and classes described below and shall comply with the
requirements for those types and classes in this section:
A.
Classes. Signs are classified by physical attributes into the following
categories:
(1)
Freestanding: a sign supported on a foundation or by one or
more uprights, poles or braces permanently affixed to the ground and
not attached to any building or other structure, including:
(a)
Pole sign: a freestanding sign which is supported by one or
more poles, uprights or braces and which has a minimum clearance between
the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level, as specified
by this chapter.
(b)
Ground sign: a freestanding sign which is affixed to the ground
by means of a permanent foundation and which provides a maximum clearance
of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent
ground level.
(2)
Wall sign: a sign attached to and erected parallel to the face
of an outside wall of a building, projecting outward no more than
18 inches from the wall of a building.
(3)
Arcade sign: a sign suspended beneath a ceiling of an arcade,
a roof or marquee containing only the name of a business for the purpose
of assisting pedestrian traffic traveling under the arcade, roof or
marquee to identify the location of establishments within a shopping
center or similar building.
(4)
Bulletin: a type of changeable copy sign constructed to allow
letters or symbols to be changed periodically, such as those used
by churches and schools to announce events.
(5)
Roof sign: a sign which is erected on a flat roof or which projects
above the ridgeline of any roof of a building.
(6)
Overhanging: a sign, other than a wall sign or arcade sign,
affixed to a building or wall, whose leading edge extends beyond such
building or wall more than six inches, including awnings, marquees
or similar structures used for business identification.
(7)
Billboard: an off-premises sign which advertises an establishment,
activity, person, product or service which is unrelated to or unavailable
on the premises where the billboard is located.
(8)
Changeable copy: a sign that is designed so that characters,
letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged without altering
the face or surface of the sign.
(9)
Indirectly illuminated: a sign which is lighted by means of
lamps or lighting devices external to and reflected on the sign, which
lighting is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all
times and which is shielded so that the illumination is concentrated
on the face of the sign and there is no spillover of the illumination
or glare beyond the face of the sign.
(10)
Internally illuminated: a sign which is lighted by means of
lamps or lighting devices internal to the sign, which lighting is
either behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign
structure and the advertising effect.
B.
Types. Signs are categorized by use, function or purpose into the
following types:
(1)
Residential identification: a sign containing only the name
and address of the occupant of the premises.
(2)
Home occupation or home office identification: a sign containing
only the name and address of the occupant of the premises and his
or her occupation. No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.
(3)
Residential plan identification sign: a permanent wall or freestanding
ground sign containing only the name and address of a plan of subdivision
or a multifamily building development.
(4)
Real estate: a temporary sign advertising the sale or rental
of premises. The signs may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending"
or "rented" across their faces.
(5)
Development: a temporary sign erected during the period of construction
and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or
their agent.
(6)
Construction: a temporary sign announcing the name of contractors,
mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
(7)
Notification: signs bearing legal and/or property notices such
as "No Trespassing," "Private Property," "No Turnarounds," "Safety
Zone," "No Hunting" and similar messages and signs posted by a governmental
agency for traffic control or the safety of the general public.
(8)
On-premises directions: a sign which directs and/or instructs
vehicular or pedestrian traffic relative to parking areas, proper
exits, loading areas, entrance points and similar information for
the premises on which it is located.
(9)
Temporary political sign: a temporary, freestanding sign constructed
of durable material erected for a period not to exceed 60 days, which
indicates the name, cause or affiliation of anyone seeking public
office or which refers to an issue concerning which a public election
is scheduled to be held.
(10)
Business identification sign: a sign which contains the name,
address and goods, services, facilities or events available on the
premises.
(11)
Temporary special event display sign: a temporary, freestanding
banner, flag, pennant or similar display constructed of durable material,
which is erected for a period of not exceeding 30 days, whose sole
purpose is to advertise a special event.
(12)
Memorial/historical plaques: commemorative plaques placed by
a recognized agency of the Township, county, state or federal government.
(13)
Window display: a sign or group of signs affixed to the inside
of a display window in a commercial establishment which advertises
a product or service available on the premises or which announces
or promotes a special sale or special event.
The following regulations shall apply to all zoning districts:
A.
Restricted signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any
zoning district:
(1)
A-frame or sandwich board signs, except when authorized as temporary
special event displays.
(2)
Portable or wheeled signs, except in the C2 and C3 Districts,
provided that the surface area of such signs is included in the maximum
allowable for the property.
(3)
Banners and pennants, other than temporary special event displays
authorized by this chapter.
(4)
Inflatable structures of any kind, except in the C2 and C3 Districts,
provided the surface area of such structures is included in the maximum
allowable for the property.
(5)
Moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of a permitted
sign which indicates time or temperature.
(6)
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices
or signs.
(7)
Signs which imitate traffic control devices.
(8)
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences
or walls, other than murals or similar decorative displays or public
art on building walls which do not contain any advertising other than
the name of the artist and a small acknowledgment of the sponsor of
the display.
(9)
Overhanging signs, as defined herein.
B.
Exempt signs. The following signs shall be exempt from these regulations:
(1)
Residential identification signs, as defined herein.
(2)
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state
holidays, provided that they do not interfere with traffic safety
or do not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard.
(3)
Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein.
(4)
Window displays, as defined herein, provided that they shall
not exceed 20% of the gross surface area of all windows in an establishment.
(5)
Signs erected by a governmental agency, including street signs and official traffic signs, but not including off-premises directional signs regulated by § 250-135H.
(6)
Off-premises real estate directional signs.
C.
Lots with multiple street frontage. In all zoning districts, lots
fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one sign
which is authorized per lot on each street frontage.
D.
Temporary real estate construction and development signs. In all zoning districts where authorized by § 250-135, real estate, construction and development signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.
E.
Notification signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location
and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall
be in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth. In all zoning
districts, legal notification signs posted on private property by
property owners, such as "No Trespassing," "No Hunting" and the like
shall be limited to a surface area not to exceed two square feet.
The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along road frontage
shall be one sign for every 75 feet of frontage.
F.
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will
cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or
obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign,
other than official traffic signs and off-street premises directional
signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any
street.
G.
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall
be directed upon the sign face and not toward adjoining properties
or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall not be permitted,
and lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color
at all times, except when electronic changeable copy signs are authorized.
The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect
or internal, shall be controlled so as not to create glare and to
be compatible with the intensity of ambient light and illumination
on surrounding properties.
H.
Maintenance and inspection. All signs must be constructed of a durable
material and maintained in good condition. Any sign found to be in
an unsafe condition upon inspection shall be declared to be a public
nuisance and the Zoning Officer shall give notice to the owner in
writing to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure
of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the
owner's expense.
I.
Removal of signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated,
all signs relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be
removed within 30 days of the date when the business is vacated or
discontinued. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall
remove the sign at the owner's expense.
J.
Permits required. No permit shall be required for the following types of signs, as described in § 250-133B, above: notification, real estate, political and construction signs and off-premises directional signs erected by a governmental agency. Permits shall be required for all other signs authorized by §§ 250-134 through 250-137. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Township Supervisors. If the Zoning Officer determines a sign is in a state of disrepair or dangerous condition, the permit shall be revoked.
K.
Expiration of permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for
erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall
expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if
work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently
pursued.
L.
Sign location. Except for billboards, political signs and off-premises
directional signs, as defined herein, where authorized by this chapter,
all signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended
to serve.
The following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:
A.
Bulletin signs. One bulletin sign, which is nonilluminated or indirectly
or internally illuminated and which does not exceed 24 square feet
in surface area, shall be permitted in connection with any church,
school, library or similar public or semipublic building.
B.
Real estate sign. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall
be permitted on each lot, provided that the surface area of the sign
shall not exceed six feet in height. The real estate sign shall not
exceed 12 square feet in surface area when located in any residential
zoning district and shall not exceed 32 square feet in any other zoning
district. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or
rental of the property on which it is located.
C.
Development sign. One nonilluminated temporary development sign shall
be permitted in each lot, provided that the surface area of the sign
shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. The development sign
shall not exceed six feet in height when located in any residential
zoning district and shall not exceed 10 feet in height in any other
zoning district. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the
sale or rental of the last lot or completion of the proposed construction
in the development.
D.
Construction sign. One nonilluminated temporary construction sign
announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged
in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided
that the signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be
removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.
E.
Temporary special event sign. One nonilluminated temporary special event display sign, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted to be erected, provided that it is not of the type restricted by § 250-134A of this chapter and provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet and provided that it is removed within five days following the event that it was erected to promote.
F.
Home occupation identification sign. One nonilluminated home occupation
identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation,
provided that the surface area of the sign does not exceed two square
feet and the sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation
of the resident and shall not contain any logo or other advertising.
G.
Temporary political signs. Nonilluminated temporary political signs erected during a political campaign shall be permitted, provided that they are not of a type restricted by § 250-134A of this chapter and provided that the area of the signs shall not exceed 16 square feet.
H.
Off-premises directional signs. A maximum of four off-premises directional
signs shall be permitted to be erected by any agency or business other
than a governmental agency. The off-premises directional signs shall
be nonilluminated and shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area.
Such signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way only if permission
is granted by the owner of the right-of-way. Evidence of permission
from the landowner shall be required for signs that are proposed to
be erected on property by an owner other than the owner of the building
or use the sign is intended to serve. Signs located outside the public
right-of-way shall be located no more than 10 feet from the edge of
the right-of-way.
I.
On-premises directional signs. On any lot which contains two or more
multifamily or nonresidential buildings and/or on any lot which provides
more than 100 parking spaces, on-premises directional signs shall
be permitted, provided that the surface area of any one sign shall
not exceed four square feet. On lots with areas of one acre or less,
a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises
directional signs shall be permitted. On lots with areas of more than
one acre, two additional nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
on-premises directional signs shall be permitted for each additional
acre or fraction thereof over one acre.
The following signs shall be permitted in all residential zoning
districts:
A.
Residential plan identification sign: one nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated permanent wall or freestanding ground residential plan
identification sign containing only the street address and/or name
of a residential subdivision plan or multifamily building or development
which shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. A sign identifying
the name of a residential subdivision may be affixed to a freestanding
decorative wall rather than to a building wall, provided that the
decorative wall meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does
not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the plan.
B.
Business identification sign: one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
wall or freestanding ground identification sign for any business use,
other than a home occupation, which is a legal nonconforming use or
which is authorized as a conditional use or use by special exception
in a residential zoning district which shall not exceed 12 square
feet in area.
The following signs shall be permitted in a commercial and industrial
districts:
A.
Temporary special event display. Temporary special event displays,
as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted in conjunction with
special sales promotions, introduction of new products or services
for sidewalk sales, grand openings, going-out-of-business sales and
similar events, provided that:
(1)
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any
establishment at any one time.
(2)
The temporary special event display signs or banners shall be
securely attached to the building or to the supporting structure of
a freestanding pole business identification sign, except that one
freestanding A-frame or sandwich board sign no larger than six square
feet in surface area may be placed on private property, provided that
it shall not obstruct the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic
and shall not be placed in any public right-of-way.
(3)
Temporary special event display signs shall be displayed for
a period not to exceed 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively,
in any twelve-month period, unless extended by permission of the Township
Supervisors for a specified period of time.
(4)
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event display
signs shall not exceed 40 square feet per establishment. In the event
that there is more than one establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate
surface area of all temporary special event display signs on the site
at any one time shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(5)
Portable or wheeled signs or a freestanding A-frame or sandwich board signs authorized in Subsection A(2), above, may be permitted to be used as temporary special event signs.
(6)
Temporary special event display signs may be illuminated for
special events, with the permission of the Township Supervisors.
B.
Changeable copy signs.
(1)
In addition to the authorized business identification signs,
one nonilluminated or internally illuminated manual changeable copy
sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses
on the lot, which shall not exceed 30 square feet in area and which
shall be permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to the
supporting structure of an authorized freestanding sign on the lot.
(2)
In the case of a shopping center or other commercial development
in excess of 100,000 square feet of gross floor area of building(s),
one freestanding electronic changeable copy pole sign shall be permitted
on the lot which shall not exceed 60 square feet in area, provided
that the sign is used solely for advertising products, services and
activities available on the site, as well as community and public
service announcements.
C.
Business identification signs.
(1)
Wall signs. Each business establishment shall be permitted to
have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. The aggregate
area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet for each linear
foot of width of the front wall of the building, or portion of the
building, occupied by the business or a maximum of 100 square feet,
whichever is less. The wall identification sign shall not be located
on the roof nor extended above the height of the building.
(2)
Ground signs. In addition to the wall signs, one freestanding
ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(b)
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed
24 square feet in the C1, C2 and C3 Districts and shall not exceed
64 square feet in the I1 and I2 Districts.
(c)
The height and location of the signs shall be designed so as
not to interfere with visibility for vehicular traffic entering or
leaving the lot or traveling on any street, and in no case shall the
total height exceed six feet.
(d)
Ground signs shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
only. Internally illuminated ground signs shall not be permitted.
(e)
All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet
from any property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way,
the ground sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way.
(3)
Pole signs. In addition to the authorized wall signs, one freestanding
pole sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding ground sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(b)
The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated
or internally illuminated.
(c)
The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 20 feet.
(d)
The minimum height of the bottom edge of the sign shall be eight
feet.
(e)
The maximum surface area of the freestanding pole sign shall
not exceed 40 square feet if there is only one business on the lot
and shall not exceed 64 square feet if there is more than one business
on the lot. Neither dimension of such signs shall be less than five
feet.
(f)
No portion of any sign shall project over any public right-of-way.
(g)
All freestanding pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet
from every property line, except where property abuts on a public
right-of-way, the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the
right-of-way.
(4)
Roof signs. Roof signs shall be permitted only in the C3, I1
and I2 Districts. One roof sign shall be permitted per building, regardless
of the number of establishments in the building. Roof signs may be
illuminated or nonilluminated. Roof signs shall be permitted only
in place of a wall sign. The surface area of a roof sign shall not
exceed two square feet for each linear foot of width of the front
wall of the building or a maximum of 200 square feet, whichever is
less. Roof signs shall not project more than six feet above the highest
point of the roof on which they are erected.
(5)
Arcade signs. In shopping centers or office complexes which
have pedestrian accessways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior
arcade, one arcade sign, as defined herein, shall be permitted for
each business in the building, provided that the maximum surface area
of each sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
Billboards shall not be permitted in any residential zoning
district or in any commercial zoning district. Billboards shall be
permitted only as conditional uses on property located in the I1 or
I2 Districts following recommendation by the Planning Commission and
a public hearing by the Board of Supervisors, provided that all of
the following requirements are met:
A.
Location. Billboards may be authorized as a conditional use only
in the I1 or I2 Districts, provided that all of the following requirements
are met:
(1)
Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of the boundary
line of any R District or within 500 feet of any public or private
school, church or cemetery, said 500 feet being measured along the
radius of a circle from the centermost point of the billboard structure
extending in all directions.
(2)
On interstate and limited access highways, billboards shall
not be erected within 500 feet of an interchange or safety rest area
measured along the interstate or limited access highway from the beginning
or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to
the main traveled way.
(3)
Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between
any existing or proposed billboard structure of 1,000 feet. Required
spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage
from the centermost point of the building structure along a line extending
from the centermost point of the billboard which is parallel to the
center line of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.
(4)
All billboards shall be located at least 10 feet back from the
edge of the public street right-of-way.
(5)
The minimum side and rear yard requirements applying to the
principal structures as set forth within the zoning district in which
the billboard is to be located shall apply to each billboard structure.
(6)
No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the
view from the road or street of any existing business identification
sign, residential or nonresidential structure or as to limit or reduce
the light and ventilation requirements for any existing building.
(7)
No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle
of the public street or road on which it is situated, and a billboard
shall not, in any case, obstruct or impede traffic safety.
(8)
No sign shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
(9)
Billboards shall not be part of a roof or wall nor shall they
be mounted on the roof, wall or other part of a building or any other
structure.
B.
Size and height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross
surface area of 300 square feet per sign face. This gross surface
area shall be permitted, provided that all of the following additional
requirements are met:
(1)
A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard
structure, which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration
having an interior angle of 90° or less.
(2)
The dimensions of the gross surface area of the billboard's
sign face shall not exceed 20 feet in total height or 25 feet in total
length, provided that the total allowable gross surface area for the
sign face is not exceeded.
(3)
A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the
curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 40 feet.
C.
Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance
with all of the following additional requirements:
(1)
A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support,
being a maximum of three feet in diameter or width, and without additional
bracing or vertical supports.
(2)
A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have
vertical supports of metal which are galvanized or constructed of
approved corrosive-resistant, combustible materials. Structures constructed
with galvanized metal shall be painted.
(3)
The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire
sign face to be able to withstand a minimum wind load of 100 miles
per hour . Structural design computations shall be made and certified
by a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the Township with
the application for conditional use.
(4)
The base shall be installed using a foundation and footing approved
by the Township Engineer for the type of construction proposed.
(5)
The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign
face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or
bushes of a minimum height of three feet placed in such a manner as
to screen the foundation of the structure.
(6)
Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive
and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.
(7)
No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.
(8)
All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.
(9)
A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that
it does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum
footcandle of 1.5 upon the adjoining property.
(10)
Display lighting shall not operate between 12:00 midnight and
5:00 a.m., prevailing local time.
(11)
No billboard structure, sign face or display lighting shall
move, flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions,
confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.
(12)
The use of colored lighting shall not be permitted.
D.
Maintenance.
(1)
A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every three
years, unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.
(2)
Every 10 years the owner of the billboard shall have a structural
inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered
engineer and shall provide to the Township a certificate from the
engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
(3)
Billboards using removable paper or other materials shall be
maintained in such a condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material
protruding or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste
materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly
whenever any sign face is changed.
E.
Liability insurance. The applicant for a sign permit to erect a billboard
shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and
property damage which holds the Township harmless. The amount of insurance
to be maintained shall be determined and adjusted from time to time
by resolution of the Township Supervisors. The insurance certificate
shall contain a clause stating that the insurance shall not be canceled
or reduced without first giving 10 days' notice to the Township.
F.
Permits.
(1)
Prior to submission of an application for a sign permit, the
applicant for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application
approvals from the Westmoreland County Department of Aviation or the
United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.
(2)
Approval of the conditional use shall be valid for six months
from the date of action by the Board of Supervisors granting the conditional
use. If the applicant fails to obtain a sign permit for the approved
billboard within the six-month period, approval of the conditional
use shall expire automatically without written notice to the applicant.
(3)
The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard which has been
granted approval of a conditional use shall be conditioned upon the
approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
for billboards along state highways. If the applicant fails to submit
evidence of the required approval by PennDOT within 30 days of the
issuance of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be
revoked by the Township Zoning Officer, who shall provide written
notice to the applicant.
(4)
The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit upon
submission of evidence of PennDOT approval without payment of any
additional sign permit fee, provided that the application is filed
within the six-month period during which the conditional approval
is valid.
G.
Application fees. Said application shall be accompanied by an application
fee in an amount equal to that set from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Supervisors.
H.
Nonconforming billboards. Any billboard which does not conform to
the requirements of this section shall not be enlarged or moved unless
the billboard complies with all provisions of this section. Any billboard
which is damaged or destroyed by more than 51% of its replacement
value at the time of damage or destruction shall be reconstructed
only in compliance with all provisions of this section.
