[Ord. No. 840, § 1, 9-8-1980; Ord. No. 1048, § 5, 11-29-1990; Ord. No. 1293, § 8, 6-15-1999; Ord. No. 1382, §§ 3-4, 8-12-2002; Ord. No. 1568, § 2, 4-9-2012]
In all residential districts, the following signs shall be permitted, and no other:
A. 
Official street and traffic signs, and any signs required by law.
B. 
Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs on the same lot with and indicating the name, profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling; provided, that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed on hundred twenty-five (125) square inches, and provided that not more than one (1) such sign shall be erected for each dwelling.
C. 
Sign for a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution of a similar nature, on the same lot therewith, for the purpose of displaying the name of the institution and its activities or services; provided, that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet; and provided, that not more than one (1) such sign shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
D. 
Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways or other property, on the same premises therewith; provided, that the total area for every one hundred fifty (150) feet of any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed four (4) square feet.
E. 
Temporary real estate signs as follows:
1. 
For advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is erected, provided that the total sign area on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed five (5) square feet per side.
2. 
For advertising the sale or development of homes on the premises upon which the sign is erected within a subdivision the recorded plot of which contains less than ten (10) lots; provided, that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet; and provided, that not more than one such sign shall be erected within any such subdivision.
3. 
For advertising the sale or development of homes on the premises upon which the sign is erected within a subdivision the recorded plot of which contains ten (10) or more lots; provided, that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) square feet; and provided, that not more than two (2) such signs shall be erected within any such subdivision.
4. 
Directional signs to real estate developments within the township being sold by a subdivider or developer in connection with a recorded subdivision plan but not the resale of existing dwellings are permitted; provided, that such signs are set back fifteen (15) feet behind a curb; the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet; such signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less than five hundred (500) feet of street frontage; such signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days after the sale of all lots within the subdivision; and, provided further, that the subdivider or developer pay a fee for each direction sign established by resolution by council from time to time.
F. 
Signs in connection with the identification, operation or protection of any public utility or municipal activity on the same lot therewith; provided, that the total sign area on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed eight (8) square feet.
G. 
For any lawful nonconforming use of a commercial or industrial nature, signs on the same lot therewith indicating the name of the owner or occupant and the product sold or services or activities performed on the promises; provided, that the requirements for the district in which such use would be permitted are fully complied with.
H. 
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed during the period in which such work is being performed, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed five (5) square feet, that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any property in single and separate ownership, and that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the work.
I. 
Not more than one entrance sign at the entrance to a subdivision or townhouse development; provided, that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet.
1. 
When there is more than one entrance to a subdivision or townhouse development in a MUV Mixed-Use Village Residential development, additional entrance signs identifying the community, not to exceed twelve (12) square feet at each additional entrance, may be authorized as a conditional use by Township Council.
[Ord. No. 601, § 2, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 735, § 1, 12-29-1975; Ord. No. 793, § 1, 8-13-1978; Ord. No. 840, § 1, 9-8-1980; Ord. No. 1355, § 6, 9-10-2001; Ord. No. 1497, § 1, 4-14-2008; Ord. No. 1527, § 1, 9-14-2009; Ord. No. 1552, §§ 1, 2, 3-14-2011; Ord. No. 1574, § 1, 10-8-2012]
A. 
In Residential Special, Office-Laboratory, Commercial, Limited Commercial, Shopping Center, High Rise and Open Space Recreation districts the following signs shall be permitted, and no others:
(1) 
Any sign permitted in any residential district, provided the use to which it refers is permitted in residential special, office-laboratory, commercial, limited commercial, shopping center, high rise or open space recreation district.
(2) 
Signs in connection with tourist homes, apartment houses or roominghouses on the same lot therewith, provided that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet, except by special exception, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
(3) 
Signs within a display window shall not be considered a part of the permitted sign area unless such signs area self-illuminating, in which case the area thereof shall be considered a part of the permitted sign area.
(4) 
Roof signs shall not be permitted.
(5) 
Sign area shall be defined, in all instances, as the total area of all permitted signs and in the case of double-faced signs, sign area shall be the combined area of both sides of such signs.
B. 
Signs in connection with apartment houses or rooming houses, on the same lot therewith, provided that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet, except by special exception, and provided that not more than one (1) such sign shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1665, 12-14-2020]
C. 
In commercial districts, the following signs shall be permitted and no others on the lot as the use which it refers:
(1) 
The total sign area on any one street frontage of a property in single and separate ownership involving a single business use shall not exceed sixty-five (65) square feet.
(2) 
The total sign area on any one street frontage on any property in single and separate ownership involving two (2) or more business uses on the property shall be permitted one sign not exceeding forty (40) square feet for each store or business on the property, but in no event shall the total sign area on any lot exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet of sign area.
(3) 
A sign of larger size may be authorized as a special exception by the zoning hearing board on lots with a street frontage in excess of one hundred ten (110) feet as follows:
(a) 
When there is a single business use, by allowing one square foot of sign area for every two (2) feet of street frontage in excess of one hundred (100) feet, but in no event shall the total sign area on any lot exceed one hundred thirty-five (135) square feet.
(b) 
When there are two (2) or more business uses on the property, by allowing one square foot of sign area for each foot of street frontage in excess of one hundred (100) feet, but in no event shall the sign area for any one business use exceed sixty-five (65) square feet nor shall the total sign area on any lot exceed one hundred ninety-five (195) square feet.
(4) 
When not attached to a building, a sign shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height in Commercial Districts or fifteen (15) feet in height in Limited Commercial Districts. When attached to a building, no sign may exceed the height of the building to which it is attached.
[Ord. No. 1600, § 2, 5-11-2015]
D. 
Shopping center districts.
1. 
Shopping centers containing fewer than five (5) contiguous acres. There shall be permitted one sign indicating the name of the shopping center on any one street frontage, provided that the location and orientation of such sign shall be designated upon the required development plan; and, provided further, that the total sign area shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet on each of not more than two faces. Additionally, signs will be permitted for individual establishments located within the shopping center, with each individual establishment permitted one sign not exceeding forty (40) square feet for each store frontage of twenty (20) feet, to a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) square feet per separate business. When not attached to a building, a sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.
2. 
Shopping centers containing between five and 50 acres.
(a) 
Street entrance signs.
(1) 
One (1) entrance sign per street frontage but in no event more than two (2) per center displaying the name of the shopping center, developer, owner or operator, and building tenants shall be permitted; provided that the following regulations are met:
[a] 
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed three hundred fifty (350) square feet on any one face.
[b] 
The maximum height shall not exceed forty (40) feet.
[c] 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five (5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(b) 
For anchor tenants. Wall signs equal to the maximum of ten percent (10%) of each customer entrance wall but not greater than two hundred (200) square feet of total signage per wall, whichever is smaller. For purposes of this section, an anchor tenant shall be a tenant having at least twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet gross floor area and having direct outdoor entrances.
(c) 
For other tenants having fewer than twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer use, and for individual freestanding uses and buildings: two square feet of sign area for each linear foot of front building wall to a maximum of 120 square feet per individual tenant.
(d) 
Directory signs. Signs for the direction of traffic to or identification of individual buildings or tenants having at least fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet of gross floor area and paving direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer use within the development shall be permitted, provided that the following regulations are met.
(1) 
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet on any one face.
(2) 
The maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet, except that the height may be increased to twelve (12) feet, provided that the lowest edge of the sign is a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade.
(3) 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the curbline or edge of paving of any public or private drive or collector drive, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway or be installed in sight triangle necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(4) 
Any directory sign may identify only the development's sub-area name, building number, building name and/or manor tenant, along with a directional arrow and/or turning message such as "left turn ahead."
(5) 
The total number of directory signs shall be subject to the review and approval of Township Council.
(e) 
Traffic-control and directional signs. Signs for the control of vehicular traffic shall be permitted, provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet on any one face. Excerpt for street signs approved for use on public roads by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, no sign shall exceed three (3) feet in height.
(f) 
Calculation of sign size. For signs permitted under this subsection, sign area shall be calculated in accordance with Section 1602.2G of this ordinance.
(g) 
Changeable-copy signs;
(1) 
Changeable-copy signs shall be allowed only when part of the street entrance signs permitted by Section 1601.D.2(a). A maximum of two changeable-copy signs shall be permitted per center.
(2) 
Total sign area shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet on any one face.
(3) 
The sign area for the changeable-copy signs shall be included in the calculation of the maximum surface display area as set forth in Subsection 2(a)(1)[a] above.
(4) 
The maximum height shall not exceed ten (10) feet.
(5) 
Illumination shall be internal LED (light-emitting diodes) or plasma style or similar illuminance and subject to the following:
[a] 
Static images only.
[b] 
Frequency of image change- no greater frequency than one (1) time per sixty (60) seconds.
[c] 
Time taken to change image- instantly.
[d] 
White or light background at one time-fifty percent (50%) maximum.
[e] 
Municipal and community service messages shall be permitted as may be directed by Plymouth Township council, up to fifteen percent (15%) of the time period that the sign is illuminated.
3. 
Shopping centers containing fifty (50) or more contiguous acres.
(a) 
Street entrance signs.
(1) 
One (1) entrance sign at each driveway displaying the name of the shopping center, developer, owner or operator, but not building tenants, shall be permitted, provided, that the following regulations are met:
[a] 
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet on any one face.
[b] 
The maximum height shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet.
[c] 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five (5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(2) 
In addition to the above, one (1) street sign displaying the name of the shopping center, developer, owner or operator, but not building tenants, shall be permitted at not more than one (1) location, provided, that the following regulations are met:
[a] 
The maximum sign area shall not exceed four hundred eighty (480) square feet on any one face and may be internally illuminated.
[b] 
The maximum height shall not exceed fifty (50) feet. For signs having a height of greater than thirty-five (35) feet, then no more than one-third (33 1/3%) of the area of the sign shall extend above an elevation of thirty-five (35) feet above ground level.
[c] 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five (5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(b) 
Building entrance signs: which shall be limited to only the name of the shopping center shall be permitted within one hundred fifty (150) feet of a main building entrance, provided that the following regulations are met:
(1) 
There shall be no more than two (2) signs at any one building entrance with a combined total maximum surface display area for such signs not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
(2) 
The maximum height of the sign above ground elevation shall be six (6) feet if ground mounted or twenty (20) feet if placed on a building wall.
(3) 
Signs shall be either attached to an ornamental base, such as a stone wall or a fence, or attached to the building wall of the shopping center.
(4) 
Signs which are not attached to the building wall of a shopping center shall be located not more than seventy-five (75) feet from a building wall of the shopping center.
(c) 
For anchor tenants: Wall signs equal to the maximum of ten percent (10%) of each building wall but not greater than four hundred (400) square feet of total signage per wall, whichever is smaller. For purposes of this section, an anchor tenant shall be a tenant having at least sixty thousand (60,000) square feet gross floor area and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer use.
(d) 
For other tenants having less than sixty thousand (60,000) square feet gross floor area and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer use, and individual freestanding uses and buildings: wall signs equal to the maximum of fifteen percent (15%) of the wall area of tenant's longest building wall but not greater than three hundred (300) square feet of total signage per tenant, whichever is smaller, provided that no individual sign shall exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
(e) 
Directory signs: Signs for the direction of traffic to or identification of individual buildings or tenants having at least 20,000 square feet gross floor area and having direct outdoor entrance(s) for customer use within the development shall be permitted, provided that the following regulations are met:
(1) 
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet on any one face.
(2) 
The maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet, except that the height may be increased to twelve (12) feet, provided that the lowest edge of the sign is a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade.
(3) 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the curbline or edge of paving of any public or private drive or collector drive, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway or be installed in sight triangle necessary for the clear view of traffic.
(4) 
Any directory sign may identify only the development's sub-area name, building number, building name and/or major tenant, along with a directional arrow and/or turning message such as "left turn ahead."
(5) 
The total number of directory signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township Council.
(f) 
Traffic-control and directional signs: Signs for the control of vehicular traffic shall be permitted, provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet on any one face. Except for street signs approved for use on public roads by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, no sign shall exceed three (3) feet in height.
(g) 
Calculation of sign size: For signs permitted under this subsection, sign area shall be calculated in accordance with Section 1602.2.G of this Ordinance.
(h) 
Changeable-copy signs:
(1) 
One (1) per street frontage but in no event more than two (2) per center.
(2) 
Total sign area shall not exceed two hundred eighty (280) square feet on any one face. The portion of the sign which consists of changeable-copy including changeable background shall not exceed one hundred seventy (170) square feet on any one face. The balance of the sign area not used for changeable copy shall be limited to permanent images only.
(3) 
The maximum height shall not exceed twenty-one (21) feet.
(4) 
Illumination shall be internal LED, light emitting diodes, or plasma style or similar illuminance and subject to the following:
[a] 
Static images only.
[b] 
Frequency of image change. No greater frequency than one (1) time per sixty (60) seconds.
[c] 
Time taken to change image: instantly.
[d] 
White or light background at one time: fifty percent (50%) maximum.
[e] 
Municipal and community service messages shall be permitted as may be directed by Plymouth Township Council, up to fifteen percent (15%) of the time period that the sign is illuminated.
[f] 
There shall be no audio messaging or noise permitted.
(5) 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five (5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
E. 
Signs within a display window shall not be considered a part of the permitted sign area, provided that such signs shall be limited to twenty-five (25) percent of the total glazed area visible from the street or forty (40) square feet, whichever is less.
F. 
In Shopping Center, Commercial, Limited Commercial, and Office Laboratory Districts, roof signs shall not be permitted.
G. 
Sign area shall be defined, in all instances, as the total area of all permitted signs and in the case of double-faced signs, sign area shall be the combined area of both sides of such signs.
[Ord. No. 379, § 9, 11-13-1961; Ord. No. 601, § 3, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 793, § 1, 3-13-1978; Ord. No. 1133, §§ 12, 13, 9-27-1993; Ord. No. 1382, § 5, 8-12-2002; Ord. No. 1493, § 2, 3-10-2008]
In the Campus Industrial, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial and Heavy Industrial Districts, the following signs shall be permitted, and no other:
A. 
Any sign permitted in any other district, provided that the use to which it refers is permitted in the Campus Industrial, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial or Heavy Industrial Districts.
B. 
In Campus Industrial and Industrial Park Districts there shall be permitted a sign to display the name of the owner or the occupant of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot therewith. The total sign area of all signs located on the lot shall be as follows:
1. 
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is one thousand (1,000) feet or less, the total sign area shall not exceed one square foot for each one lineal foot of street frontage, or one hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less, provided that such a sign shall not be larger than ten (10) feet in height and shall not be larger than thirty (30) feet in length unless a sign of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing.
2. 
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is in excess of one thousand (1,000) feet, the sign area may be increased by one square foot for each one lineal foot of street frontage owned or occupied or an additional one hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less, for each one thousand (1,000) lineal feet in excess of one thousand (1,000) feet, provided that such sign shall not be larger than ten (10) feet in height and shall not be larger than thirty (30) feet in length unless a sign of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing.
C. 
In Industrial Park Districts, in addition to signs permitted for individual establishments, there shall be permitted one sign indicating the name of the Industrial Park, which will be the only sign permitted within the Industrial Park, provided that such sign shall not be larger than ten (10) feet in height, thirty (30) feet in length and fifteen (15) square feet in area unless a sign of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing. The location and orientation of such sign shall be approved by the Zoning Officer of Plymouth Township.
D. 
In Limited Industrial and Heavy Industrial Districts there shall be permitted a sign to display the name of the owner or the occupant of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot therewith. The maximum height of any permitted sign when not attached to a building shall be thirty-five (35) feet and when mounted on a building roof, the maximum height of any permitted sign shall be twelve (12) feet above the main roof level of the building on which the sign is erected. The total sign area of all signs located on the lot shall be as follows:
1. 
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is one thousand (1,000) feet or less, the total sign area shall not exceed two (2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage, or three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, unless a sign of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing.
2. 
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is in excess of one thousand (1,000) feet, the sign area may be increased by two (2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage or an additional three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, for each one thousand (1,000) lineal feet in excess of one thousand (1,000) feet unless a sign of larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after public hearing.
E. 
In Campus Industrial and Industrial Park Districts the maximum height of any permitted sign when not attached to a building shall be twenty-five (25) feet and roof signs shall not be permitted in such districts.
F. 
A business or commercial use permitted in Campus Industrial, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial, Heavy Industrial, or Resource Recovery Districts shall be regulated by the sign regulations of Section 1601C.
[Ord. No. 892, § 1, 2-14-1983; Ord. No. 1493, § 2, 3-10-2008]
In the Planned Office Park District, signs shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
A. 
Office park identification signs displaying only the names of the office park, developer, owner or operator, but not building tenants, shall be permitted on any street frontage in excess of 500 feet subject to the following regulations:
1. 
Along any road except limited access highways, the total sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet on each face, provided that such sign shall not be greater than 35 feet in height and shall not be greater than 20 feet in length. Where the office park is located at the corner of two roads (not including limited access roads), the sign area permitted along both roads may be combined and the sign may be placed at the corner, provided it shall not exceed 35 feet in height and shall not be more than 35 feet in length.
2. 
When the office park abuts a limited access highway, an office park identification sign shall be permitted along street frontage, provided that such sign is primarily oriented toward that road and visible only incidentally from other roads, and further provided the sign may be double-faced and does not exceed 200 square feet on either face.
B. 
Entry signs displaying the name of the office park and tenants shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
1. 
An entry sign shall be permitted at each entrance to the office park.
2. 
The maximum size shall not exceed 150 square feet for multifaced signs with no one face exceeding 75 square feet.
C. 
Wall-mounted signs shall be permitted on any wall of a building subject to the following regulations:
1. 
Wall-mounted signs shall be installed parallel to the supporting wall and project no more than 18 inches from the face of such wall and shall not extend above the roof line of such building.
2. 
The maximum display area shall not exceed two square feet per lineal foot of length of wall on which it is mounted or a maximum of 200 square feet, whichever is less, and to a maximum of 400 square feet per building.
3. 
One sign per building wall identifying the name of the building or a principal user of the building shall be permitted above the first floor level. Signs identifying other users within the building are permitted only at the first floor level.
4. 
Where multiple signs are to be located on a wall, their combined display area shall not exceed the maximum permitted in Subsection C2 above.
D. 
Signs of larger size than permitted by Subsections A, B, and C hereof may be authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing.
E. 
Directional signs identifying the location of buildings or individual uses within the office park shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
1. 
Directional signs shall be set back at least five feet from the curb or edge of pavement and shall not extend over either.
2. 
Each sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
F. 
Flags of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Plymouth Township and corporate flags of the office park or its tenants shall be permitted.
[Ord. No. 1019, § 6(A), 11-13-1989; Ord. No. 1268, § 1, 8-17-1998; Ord. No. 1320, §§ 8 and 9, 4-10-2000; Ord. No. 1353, §§ 1 and 2, 6-11-2001; Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 9-14-2009; Ord. No. 1534, §§ 1 and 2, 11-9-2009]
In any Mixed Use Planned Development or Business Park District, signs shall be permitted to display the name of the owner or the occupant of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot therewith, subject to the following regulations:
A. 
Entrance Signs: Entrance signs displaying the name of the mixed use development, developer, owner or operator, and building tenants, shall be permitted at the intersection of an entrance drive and a public right-of-way or two (2) public rights-of-way, provided that the following regulations are met:
1. 
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet on any one (1) face.
2. 
The maximum height shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet.
3. 
The sign shall be setback a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public roadway (not right-of-way), measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, drive or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than five (5) feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
4. 
In no event shall more than four (4) entrance signs per mixed use planned development be permitted.
B. 
Wall Signs: Signs mounted on the walls or facades of a building shall be permitted, provided that the follow regulations are met:
1. 
Wall signs for enclosed shopping centers. Enclosed shopping centers shall be permitted only the following wall signs:
a. 
Signs identifying entrances to the shopping center shall be permitted; provided, that each sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in surface display area, except that one such sign not exceeding 100 square feet shall be permitted at the main entrance to the shopping center. Entrance signs shall be excluded from the calculation of the total sign square footage permitted per building wall.
b. 
Signs identifying anchor tenants shall be permitted provided that the measurement of building wall area shall only include the space occupied by the anchor tenant; provided, that the total surface display area of signs on any one building wall shall not exceed 300 square feet.
c. 
Signs identifying service entrance doors for individual tenants shall have a surface display area no greater than one square foot.
2. 
Wall signs for all other uses. In a one-story building, the total surface display area of all wall signs on any one building facade shall not exceed 10% of the total facade area of the wall to which it (they) is (are) attached or 400 square feet, whichever is smaller. In a building having more than one story, only one sign per building wall with a surface display area not to exceed 10% of the total facade area of the wall, or 300 square feet, whichever is smaller, identifying the name of the building, the name of the development, owner, operator or principal user of the building shall be permitted above the first floor level. Such identification signage may be located either above or below the first floor level, but not in both locations. Signs identifying other users within the building are permitted only below the first floor level, but in no event shall the total square footage of all signs on any one building wall exceed 10% of the total facade area of the wall or 400 square feet, whichever is smaller. For purpose of this subsection, the first floor level shall mean the horizontal plane or line between the first and second floor or story of a building or structure. In a building having 300,000 square feet or more of floor area, the total surface display area of all wall signs on any one building facade shall not exceed six (6) percent of the total facade area of the wall to which it (they) is (are) attached.
3. 
Additional permitted wall signs for hotels. Uses located in and an integral part of any hotel shall be permitted one wall sign not to exceed 20 square feet of surface display area; provided, that the use has a separate and distinct entrance from the main entrance to the hotel, provided that the total surface display area shall not exceed that permitted in Section 1602.2.B.2. above.
4. 
Wall sign installation. Wall signs shall be installed parallel to the supporting wall and project no more than 18 inches from the face of such wall and shall not extend above the roof line of such building. Chimneys, spires, towers, elevator penthouses and similar projections shall be considered above the roof line of buildings.
C. 
Parking Structure Signs: No exterior signs identifying or advertising the name of the building, the name of the development, owner, operator or principal user of the building shall be permitted on any parking structure, excepting directional signs for traffic control.
D. 
Directory Signs: Signs for the direction of traffic to or identification of individual buildings within the development shall be permitted, provided that the following regulations are met:
1. 
The maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet on any one (1) face.
2. 
The maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet, except that the height may be increased to twelve (12) feet, provided that the lowest edge of the sign is a minimum of seven (7) feet above grade.
3. 
The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the curbline or edge of paving of any public or private drive or collector drive, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
4. 
Any directory sign may identify only the development's sub-area name, building number, building name and/or building tenants.
5. 
Directory signs shall not be visible from a public street.
6. 
The total number of directory signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township Council.
E. 
Traffic-Control and Directional Signs: Signs for the control of vehicular traffic shall be permitted; provided, that the area of the sign shall not exceed four square feet in size. Except for street signs approved for use on public roads by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, no sign shall exceed three feet in height.
F. 
Flags: Flags of the United States of America, other sovereign nations, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Plymouth Township and the corporate flags of the owner or its tenants shall be permitted; provided that the total number and location of such flags shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township Council.
G. 
Calculation of Sign Size: For the purposes of this section, "surface display area" of a sign shall mean the area expressed in square feet, within a maximum of three contiguous rectangles enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representations, emblems or figures of a similar character, together with all material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed, provided that:
1. 
The supports, uprights, or structure on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the surface display area unless such supports, upright or structure is designed in such a manner as to form an integral background of the display or conveys meaning; and
2. 
The areas of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination on walls of any structure shall be counted as part of the total allowable sign area (see illustration).
B-1602-2G.tif
H. 
Illumination of Signs: The illumination of signs shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1604 of this article, provided during the time when at least one (1) use in a building to which said sign or signs are attached or associated is open to the public, such sign or signs permitted under this subsection may be illuminated.
I. 
Changeable-copy signs.
1. 
One (1) per street frontage but in no event more than two (2) per center.
2. 
Sign area shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.
3. 
The maximum height shall not exceed twelve (12) feet.
4. 
Illumination shall be internal LED, light emitting diodes, or plasma style or similar illuminance and subject to the following:
a. 
Static images only.
b. 
Frequency of image change: two (2) times/hour.
c. 
Time taken to change image: instantly.
d. 
White or light background at one time: fifty percent (50%) maximum.
e. 
Municipal and community service messages shall be permitted as may be directed by Plymouth Township Council, up to fifteen percent (15%) of the time period that the sign is illuminated.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 1602.3, Off-site outdoor advertising signs, as amended 4-24-1995 by Ord. No. 1171, § 2, was repealed 8-13-2012 by Ord. No. 1572, § 2. See now Art. XXVI, Off-Site Outdoor Advertising Sign Overlay District.
[Ord. No. 1382, § 6, 8-12-2002; Ord. No. 1493, § 2, 3-10-2008]
In the Resource Recovery District, there shall be permitted a sign to display the name of the owner or the occupant of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, on the same lot therewith. The maximum height of any permitted sign when not attached to a building shall be thirty-five (35) feet and when mounted on a building roof, the maximum height of any permitted sign shall be twelve (12) feet above the main roof level of the building on which the sign is erected. The total sign area of all signs located on the lot shall be as follows:
A. 
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is one thousand (1,000) feet or less, the total sign area shall not exceed two (2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage, or three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, unless a sign of a larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after a public hearing.
B. 
When the lineal feet of street frontage owned or occupied is in excess of one thousand (1,000) feet, the sign area may be increased by two (2) square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage or an additional three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less, for each one thousand (1,000) lineal feet in excess of one thousand (1,000) feet unless a sign of larger size is authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board after public hearing.
[Ord. 1558, § 4, 8-8-2011]
A. 
Any sign permitted in any residential district, provided the use to which it refers is permitted by the regulations for mid-rise apartment developments.
B. 
Signs advertising the initial development of the apartment project and/or the sale or rental of units within the apartment project, provided that the sign shall not exceed 35 square feet in area on any one face or 8 feet in overall height, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be permitted per street frontage.
C. 
Two identification signs shall be permitted at each entrance to the development.
(1) 
The area of any one side of any entrance sign shall not exceed 25 square feet for the main entrance to the development.
(2) 
The area of any one side of any entrance sign shall not exceed 15 square feet for any secondary entrances to the development.
(3) 
The overall height of any permitted entrance sign shall not exceed 10 feet.
(4) 
Entrance signs shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the existing curbline or edge of paving of the entrance drive or public roadway, measured from the vertical plane established by the leading edge of the sign. In no event shall the sign overhang any parking area, driveway, or pedestrian walkway, or be closer than 5 feet to a public street right-of-way or be installed in sight triangles necessary for the clear view of traffic.
D. 
Building entrance signs limited to the name and/or number of the building shall be permitted within the general area of the building entrance; such signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in area, and when not attached to the building may not exceed 6 feet in height.
E. 
Directory signs for the direction of traffic to or identification of individual buildings within the development shall be permitted, providing the maximum surface display area of the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet on any one face, and the maximum height shall not exceed 5 feet. Such signs shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from the curbline or edge of paving.
F. 
Roof signs shall not be permitted.
[Ord. No. 601, § 4, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 793, § 1, 3-13-1978; Ord. No. 1019, § 6(B), 11-13-1989; Ord. No. 1320, §§ 10 and 11, 4-10-2000; Ord. No. 1355, § 7, 9-10-2001; Ord. No. 1382, §§ 7-9, 8-12-2002]
In all districts, the following general sign regulations shall apply:
A. 
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official street signs or signals, by virtue of position or color.
B. 
No sign other than official street signs, shall be erected or maintained within the street right-of-way line and in no case closer than 15 feet to the curbline.
C. 
No sign shall project over a public walkway or public right-of-way nor shall any sign extend beyond any property line.
D. 
All signs exposed to public view, together with all of their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be constructed or durable materials and shall be kept in repair.
E. 
A lawful nonconforming sign shall not be changed, modified, reconstructed or changed in overall dimensions except so as to make such sign conform to the provisions of this ordinance. However, a nonconforming sign may be repaired or repainted if the same wording, design and format is used.
F. 
When computing a sign area, both faces of a double-faced sign shall be counted and a total thereof shall not exceed the maximum permissible under this ordinance, except as otherwise permitted by this article.
G. 
All signs or devices must be stationary and may not move, rotate, oscillate, vibrate, shimmer, wave, flap, animate or have flashing lights or reflectors. The functioning parts of clocks, barber poles, thermometers or barometers are not prohibited hereby and are permissible.
H. 
The stringing of light bulbs, advertising signs, banners, pennants or spinners is prohibited except that the Zoning Hearing Board may permit as a special exception the use of such items for a period of not more than 30 days in any one calendar year.
I. 
The erection, maintenance or use of curb, sidewalk and balloon signs is prohibited.
J. 
Temporary signs advertising an event of public interest such as fairs, social events, nonpartisan election notices, and the like may be erected on a thirty-day nonrenewable permit in any zone upon approval of the Zoning Officer. Approval of the Zoning Officer shall be given after determining that such sign shall be placed in such a position that it will not cause danger to traffic on a street by obstructing the view.
K. 
No sign or other device shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape or any window, door or opening used as a means of egress or for fighting purposes or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape or be so placed as to interfere with an opening used or intended to be used for ventilation.
L. 
When this ordinance provides that a use of a more restrictive classification is also a permitted use in a less restrictive classification, the sign regulations governing the more restrictive classification shall be complied with by such restrictive classification.
M. 
Unless otherwise provided in this ordinance, the sign area shall mean the area expressed in square feet within one (1) rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representations, emblems or figures of a similar character, together with all material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed; provided that:
1. 
The supports, uprights or structure on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the surface display area unless such supports, uprights or structure is designed in such a manner as to form an integral background of the display or contains meaning.
2. 
The areas of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination on walls of any structure shall be counted as part of the total allowable sign area.
N. 
The areas of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination on walls of any structure shall be counted as part of the total allowable sign area.
O. 
Signs within a display window shall not be considered a part of the permitted sign area, provided that such signs shall be limited to twenty-five (25) percent of the total glazed area visible from the street or forty (40) square feet, whichever is less.
P. 
Except in a residential zoning district, a temporary real estate sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is erected shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet per side on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
Q. 
In all nonresidential districts, temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed during the period in which such work is being performed, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet, that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any property in single and separate ownership, and that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the work.
R. 
There shall not be more than two (2) directional signs per street frontage and directional signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet per side. A directional sign shall not contain the name of the business or describe any products of the business conducted on the premises.
S. 
For properties subject to review and approval of the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), all freestanding signs shall be constructed as monument signs and may not exceed ten (10) feet in height.
[Ord. No. 1600, § 3, 5-11-2015]
[Ord. No. 601, § 5, 11-9-1970; Ord. No. 793, §§ 1, 2, 3-13-1978]
A. 
In all Residential Districts, the following permitted signs may be illuminated and no other:
1. 
Professional sign of a physician, dentist, justice of the peace, and such other person whose services in emergency are customarily considered essential to the public health, safety and welfare, provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by a twenty-five-watt incandescent light source.
2. 
Sign of a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution of similar nature, or municipal building, provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by a sixty-watt incandescent light source.
B. 
In High Rise Districts, Commercial Districts, Shopping Center Districts, Office Laboratory Districts, Campus Industrial Districts, Industrial Park Districts, Limited Industrial and Heavy Industrial Districts any permitted sign, building, structure or use may be illuminated.
C. 
Any permitted illumination of signs, buildings or structures in any district shall be subject to the following locations:
1. 
All outside lighting, including sign lighting, shall be arranged, designed, shielded, directed and maintained so as to protect an adjoining property or street from direct glare so that the light does not constitute a nuisance to an adjoining property or a hazardous condition on a street.
2. 
No outside illumination by bare bulb shall be permitted and floodlighting shall be so shielded that the source of the light shall not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign, building, structure or area being illuminated is erected. Lights permitted in conjunction with signs shall be equipped with restraining hoods to concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign and to prevent glare upon a street or adjoining property.
3. 
Illuminated signs or devices must be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use. No open spark or flame may be used for sign or display purposes.
4. 
No sign shall be illuminated by any type of illumination, whether internal or external, before 7:00 a.m. local time not later than 11:00 p.m. local time or one-half hour after the time at which the premises is closed to the public, whichever is later, except when authorized as a special exception by the zoning hearing board in any case where, in its judgment, such illumination is necessary for public safety and the protection of property.
5. 
No electrical equipment or apparatus of any kind which causes interference with radio or television reception shall be used in the operation of illuminated signs or for any other purpose and whenever the said interference is caused by any unfiltered, improperly filtered or otherwise defective equipment, upon notice from the zoning officer, the owner or operator shall have the interference eliminated immediately.
6. 
Illuminated signs must bear the Underwriter Laboratory's seal of approval and this seal shall be placed on the sign in such a location as to be readily visible to the zoning officer.
D. 
Such other signs as may be authorized by special exception.
[Ord. No. 793, § 1 3-13-1978; Ord. No. 1171, § 3, 4-24-1995]
A permit shall be obtained from the office of the zoning officer for each of the following type signs and a fee paid in accordance with Article XXIII, section 2303 herein.
A. 
Directional sign;
B. 
Temporary sign of contractors performing services;
C. 
All business or commercial signs excepting real estate for sale sign not exceed 15 square feet;
D. 
All off-site outdoor advertising signs.