[Added 3-8-1993 by Ord.
No. 834]
This article is adopted for the following purposes:
A.
To preserve and protect the public safety, comfort and welfare of
users of streets and sidewalks in the municipality by regulating signs
of all types.
B.
To enhance community appearance, to reduce visual clutter and blight
and to promote the recreational value of public travel and the economic
development of the municipality.
C.
To limit the size, number and location of signs which may obstruct
the vision of motorists, create distractions and increase traffic
accidents.
D.
To maintain the right of residences and businesses to reasonably
identify their location, products and services.
E.
To acknowledge the appropriate display of signs as necessary to public
service and to the conduct of competitive commerce.
For the purposes of this article, the following words and terms
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
A sign which identifies, describes, directs attention to
or gives directions for locating any business or establishment no
longer in operation or advertises any product or service no longer
being marketed or any sign structure lacking sign face or sign copy.
[Added 7-11-2005 by Ord.
No. 971]
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting, either
natural or artificial, to depict action or create a special effect
or scene.
[Added 7-11-2005 by Ord.
No. 971]
A street classification which includes highways that provide
intracounty or intermunicipal traffic of substantial volumes where
the average trip lengths are usually five miles or greater. Generally,
these highways should accommodate operating speeds of 35 to 55 miles
per hour.
[Added 9-13-2010 by Ord.
No. 1007]
A pennant, flag, valance, banner (except when a banner is
used as a temporary sign), propeller, spinner, streamer, searchlight,
balloon or similar device or ornamentation which is designed or used
for the purpose of promoting, advertising or attracting attention.
[Amended 9-25-2000 by Ord. No. 931]
A type of sign, display or device, usually freestanding,
having a minimum surface area of 35 square feet, that is affixed to
the ground or to a building, the primary purpose of which is to display
advertising posters. Such signs commonly referred to as "billboards"
are generally designed so that the copy or poster on the sign can
be changed frequently, and the advertising space is for lease. The
definition applies to signs advertising both on-site and off-site
products, goods and services.
A sign which appears on a roof-like shelter, either permanent,
retractable, or removable, which is made of canvas or other material
that is affixed to a building or is self-supporting and provides protection
from sun, rain, snow and other elements.
A sign, or portion of a sign, wherein provision is made for
the manual change of letters or characters in or upon the surface
area of the sign. Electronic moving message board signs are not changeable
copy signs.
[Amended 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 971]
The triangular area formed by a diagonal line connecting
two points located on intersecting right-of-way lines (or a right-of-way
line and a driveway), each point being that distance from the intersection
and the two intersecting right-of-way lines (or a right-of-way line
and a driveway) specified in the table following the graphic below.
 |
|
"B" (distance in feet)
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
"A" (distance in feet)
|
Local Street
|
Arterial Street
| |
|
30
|
Local street and collector street
|
30
|
130 to 150
|
|
130 to 150
|
Arterial street
|
30
|
130 to 150
|
A street classification which is intended to include those
highways which connect local access highways to arterial highways.
They may serve intracounty and intramunicipal traffic. They may serve
as traffic corridors connecting residential areas with industrial,
shopping and other services. They may penetrate residential areas.
Generally, these highways will accommodate operating speeds of 35
miles per hour.
[Added 9-13-2010 by Ord.
No. 1007]
A sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic
image or video, which may or may not include text. This definition
includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat
screens, LED screens, video boards and holographic displays.
[Added 7-11-2005 by Ord.
No. 971]
Any sign, or portion of a sign, that uses changing lights
to form a sign message or messages in text form wherein the sequence
of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and
can be modified by electronic processes. These signs do not incorporate
any mechanical movement of the sign itself or any use of pulsating
or undulating copy message.
[Added 7-11-2005 by Ord.
No. 971]
A group of two or more light bulbs of more than 20 watts
each hung or strung overhead, not on a building or structure, which
are exposed to persons on a public right-of-way or which are not shaded
or hooded to prevent the direct rays of light from being visible from
the property line. This shall not include the temporary erection of
lights as part of a holiday celebration or small lights of less than
20 watts each.
A sign, the illumination of which is intermittently on and
off so as to flash or blink or the intensity varies so as to appear
to flash or blink.
[Added 7-11-2005 by Ord.
No. 971]
A sign which is completely or principally supported by one
or more posts or other supports which are not attached to the principal
building on the property but which are anchored in or upon the ground,
including pole signs (as shown on the left below) and ground signs
(as shown on the right below). Signs attached to inoperative vehicles
shall also be deemed "freestanding signs." Freestanding signs shall
not include billboards, outdoor advertising structures or canopy or
awning signs.
 |
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATEDA light source that is concealed or contained within the sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface.
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATEDA sign illuminated by an artificial source of light which is cast upon or intentionally falls upon the surface or face of the sign.
A street classification intended to include streets and roads
that provide direct access to abutting land and connections to higher
classes of roadways. Traffic volumes will be low and travel distances
generally short. These streets and roads should be designed for operating
speeds of 25 miles per hour or under.
[Added 9-13-2010 by Ord.
No. 1007]
A sign made with a series of triangular sections that rotate
and stop, or index, to show three images or messages in the same area
at different times.
[Added 7-11-2005 by Ord.
No. 971]
Any combination of multifamily dwellings and/or nonresidential
establishments in one or more buildings under single ownership or
management with common parking facilities. This shall include but
not be limited to a shopping center, multitenant office building,
apartment complex or townhouse development.
Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior
to the adoption and effective date of this article and any amendments
hereto, which fails to conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions
of this article, or a sign previously deemed to be nonconforming for
which a special permit has been issued.
Any sign announcing political candidates seeking public office,
political parties, and/or political and public issues contained on
an upcoming ballot.
[Added 11-14-2016 by Ord.
No. 1065]
A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, a structure
or the ground or which is designed to be moved from place to place.
This includes but is not limited to signs attached to wood or metal
frames designed to be self-supporting and movable; paper, cardboard
or canvas signs wrapped around supporting poles; sandwich signs; and
trailer- or boat-mounted signs.
Any sign that is attached to a wall in a perpendicular manner.
A sign of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest,
erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance
of any public duty, such as official signs and notices of any public
or governmental agency, or erected by or on the order of a court or
public officer, including official traffic signs, public notices,
government flags and other signs warning of hazardous or dangerous
conditions.
A sign erected on or above a roof or parapet of a building.
Any object, device, display or structure or part thereof
which is used primarily to advertise, identify, display or direct
or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization,
business, project, service, event or location by any means, including
words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, motion,
illumination or projected images. This includes but is not limited
to wall signs, freestanding ground signs, freestanding pole signs,
window signs, canopy or awning signs, suspended signs, changeable
copy signs, illuminated signs, temporary signs and any other type
of sign defined herein and any other attention-getting device, flag
or banner.
The smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which
encompasses all of the letters, symbols and accompanying designs,
together with the background on which they are displayed, but not
including any supporting structures (see illustration below). In computing
the area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered.
If a sign is comprised of more than two sides, the area of each side
shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
 |
Two sign faces of identical size and dimensions placed back
to back and secured or attached to a single support structure. It
shall not include signs comprised of two or more sign faces attached
at an angle.
A temporary, nonilluminated sign made of flexible, nonreflective
material, or solid metal, or wood, secured by grommets, nails, ropes,
cords, stakes or other temporary means to buildings, structures or
the ground, that announces a special event or sale, including real
estate sales and leases, or the names of contractors, mechanics or
artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
[Added 9-13-2010 by Ord.
No. 1007]
A sign which is suspended over a pedestrian walkway from
the marquee, overhang, soffit, or similar feature of a building.
A sign which is erected for a limited time period, including
garage sale signs, grand opening signs, celebration signs and political
campaign signs.
[Amended 9-13-2010 by Ord. No. 1007]
Signs attached to any operative vehicle that relate to the
purpose or use of the vehicle, such as taxi signs and delivery vehicle
signs.
A sign which is mounted on, attached to, carved or integrated
into or applied to the exterior wall of a building or structure or
to the lower slope of a mansard roof.
A temporary, nonilluminated "special advertising and real
estate sign" which has two sign faces of identical size and dimension
placed at an angle which is greater than 45° and secured or attached
to more than one support structure. A wedge-shaped sign with identical
copy on both sides shall be deemed to be one sign. A wedge-shaped
sign with different copy on each side shall be deemed to be two signs.
[Added 9-13-2010 by Ord.
No. 1007]
A sign which is painted on, affixed to or placed against
any window or which is placed in a display case for view from the
outdoors through a window.
A.
Applications for a sign permit shall be made, in writing, to the
Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied by such information as may
be required to assure compliance with this article and all other appropriate
ordinances and regulations of the municipality. No application shall
be filed or considered unless the application fee designated by resolution
of the Board of Commissioners is paid upon presentation of the application.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee resolution is on file in the
office of the Township Manager.
B.
Applicants for new or replacement signs shall apply for approval
as part of an application for land development approval or as a separate
application if no other approval is necessary.
C.
Sign permits shall be issued for the life of the sign or any shorter
period as stated on the approved permit application by the Zoning
Officer. However, any permit may be revoked at any time by the Zoning
Officer upon finding that the sign violates any provision of this
article or that the permittee made false representations in securing
the sign permit.
D.
No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any property,
structure or building without the prior written consent of the owner
or person entitled to possession of the property, structure or building
or his or her authorized representative. The written consent must
accompany the sign permit application.
E.
Except as provided in § 450-31, below, it is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the municipality or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the Zoning Officer.
F.
No new sign permit is required for signs which have previously been
issued valid permits and which conform with the requirements of these
regulations on the date of their adoption unless the sign is hereafter
altered, relocated or reinstalled.
G.
Every sign permit issued shall become null and void if installation
is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit.
The following signs shall be exempt from the permit requirements
of this article, except as they may interfere with traffic safety
or in any other way become a public safety hazard:
A.
Memorial plaques or historic markers or other similar signs which
are engraved or a permanent component of a building, monument, tombstone
or other similar structure.
B.
Signs erected by the municipality.
C.
Street number signs indicating the address of a building or structure.
E.
Pennants for model homes.
F.
"No trespassing" signs, warning signs (such as "beware of dog") and
notification signs for emergency personnel, provided that the sign
does not exceed two square feet in sign surface area and there are
no more than two such signs on the lot.
G.
Temporary political signs. Temporary political signs announcing political
candidates seeking office, political parties and/or political and
public issues contained on a ballot shall be subject to the following:
[Amended 6-7-1999 by Ord.
No. 921; 9-13-2010 by Ord. No. 1007]
(2)
Public property.
(a)
No sign shall be erected on public property which:
[1]
Obstructs the sight triangle distance at an intersection along
a public right-of-way.
[2]
Tends by its location, color, shape, message or nature to be
confused with or obstruct the view of traffic signs or traffic signals
by motorists or pedestrians; no red, green or yellow illuminated signs
shall be permitted within 300 feet of any traffic signal.
[3]
Uses admonitions such as stop, go, slow, danger, etc., which
might be confused with traffic signals.
[4]
Exceeds an aggregate gross surface area of 20 square feet.
[5]
Temporary political signs shall not project higher than four
feet, as measured from base of sign or grade of the nearest adjacent
roadway, whichever is higher.
[6]
No temporary political sign shall be erected in any public park
or land which is part of the Township Municipal Building site.
(b)
Special conditions as to all temporary political signs on public
property.
[1]
Timing. Temporary political signs may be erected or maintained
for a period not to exceed 30 days prior to the date of the election
to which such signs are applicable and shall be removed within seven
days following such election. The candidate is responsible for all
political signs of the candidate.
[2]
Permit.
[a]
To prevent the proliferation of signs and pollution within the
public right-of-way; to protect automobile drivers from unnecessarily
dangerous distractions; to uphold the property values of the community
by prohibiting obtrusive political signs and to uphold the dignity
and impartial, nonpartisan manner of public institutions, the erector
of such signs or an authorized agent of the political party or candidate
shall apply for and obtain a permit from the Township Zoning Officer
and deposit with the Township at the time of the application a fee
in an amount established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners
as a guarantee that all such signs shall be removed promptly within
seven days after the date of the election to which such signs relate.
If such signs are not removed at the end of the seven-day period,
the Township will then have them removed and keep the full sum deposited
to reimburse the expense incurred by the Township. The Township Commissioners
shall determine by resolution the amount of deposit which shall be
returned upon the satisfactory removal of such signs with the seven-day
period.
[Amended 11-14-2006 by Ord. No. 1065]
[b]
All signs erected without a permit shall be removed
forthwith by the Township and, if not claimed by the owner within
10 days of removal, disposed of. If claimed by the owner, the permit
fee due shall be paid.
H.
Vehicle signs.
The height of a sign shall be measured from the ground elevation
nearest to the sign to the highest elevation of the sign. Signs shall
not exceed the height limits in Table 1,[1] but in no event shall any portion of any sign exceed the
height limit established for structures in the applicable zoning district
or the lowest point of the roofline of an existing principal building
within 100 feet of the sign, whichever is lower.
Signs shall be subject to the placement requirements in Table
1,[1] but in no event shall any sign be placed in a position
that will obstruct the view of motorists or cause any other danger
to motorists or pedestrians within a public right-of-way or on adjoining
lots, nor shall any sign be placed within the clear-sight triangle
required to be maintained at all street intersections and driveway
and accessway entrances onto public streets.
All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and shall
be kept in good repair at all times. All parts and supports shall
be painted or maintained as necessary to prevent rusting, rotting,
illegibility or other determination. All broken or missing parts shall
be promptly replaced. All seams between panels or other components
of the sign shall be maintained in a sealed condition. If a sign is
damaged, destroyed or becomes dilapidated to the extent of 50% or
more of its replacement value (based on current costs), the municipality
may remove the sign at the expense of the owner of the sign or the
owner of the property on which it is located.
[Amended 1-27-1997 by Ord. No. 895]
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this section, the
following signs shall be strictly prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
Streamers, posters, ribbons, light strings, light bands, spinners, attention-getting devices that move, except for temporary signs that are subject to the regulations set forth in § 450-31D.
B.
Signs which exhibit changing natural or artificial light or color
effects and signs (other than neon signs) which contain bare unshielded
light or tubes which are visible from a private residence.
C.
Blinking, flashing, animated and electronic display screen signs,
except for time, date and temperature signs.
[Amended 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 971]
D.
Portable signs.
E.
Roof signs or any sign erected upon, against or directly above a
roof or on top of or above the parapet of a building, whichever forms
the top line of the building silhouette.
F.
Signs attached to trees, fences, public utility poles, standpipes,
gutter drains or fire escapes, other than warning signs issued by
government officials or public utilities.
G.
Signs which by reason of their size, location, movement, content,
coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed
to be a traffic control sign, signal or device or the light of an
emergency or road equipment vehicle except where such sign is accessory
to a parking area and gives directions or instructions to drivers
and pedestrians.
H.
Signs that move, rotate, change position, have moving parts or create
the illusion of movement, whether the movement is created by the wind
or mechanically, including multi-prism signs.
[Amended 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 971]
I.
Signs in public rights-of-way which are not public signs.
J.
Abandoned or obsolete signs.
[Amended 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 971]
(1)
Abandoned or obsolete signs or sign structures, including any nonconforming
signs or sign structures, shall be removed within 90 days. The nonuse
of a sign or a period of six months shall create a presumption of
abandonment.
(2)
Any obsolete sign panel or sign copy which identifies, describes,
directs attention to or gives directions for locating any business
or establishment no longer in operation, or advertises any product
or service no longer being marketed, shall be removed within 90 days
after becoming obsolete. Covering obsolete sign panels or sign copy
with any material is specifically prohibited.
(3)
The owner or lessee of the property upon which the sign is located
shall be responsible for its removal and shall be subject to the general
penalties clause of this zoning chapter for failure to comply with
the provisions stated herein.
L.
Sign which the Zoning Officer determines to be unsafe or insecure
or that is erected in violation of the provisions of this article.
M.
Signs which indicate a location in a municipality other than Wilkins
Township or which could reasonably confuse the public into believing
that the business is located in a municipality other than Wilkins
Township.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 986; 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 971; 9-13-2010 by Ord. No. 1007; 11-14-2016 by Ord. No. 1065; 11-9-2020 by Ord. No. 1091]
The signs listed in Table 1 shall be permitted in individual
zoning districts, subject to any requirements listed in the table
and in each subsection.
NOTE: E = Exempt, subject to § 450-31.
|
Table 1
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Type of Sign
|
Zoning District
|
Type of Zoning
| |||
|
Attention-getting device
|
Residential/Residential -Commercial-1
|
Commercial
|
Manufacturing
|
GPTOZ
| |
|
Permitted
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
| |
|
Billboard
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
See § 450-37
|
No
| ||
|
Maximum number
|
—
|
See § 450-37
| |||
|
Maximum surface area
|
—
|
See § 450-37
| |||
|
Maximum height
|
—
|
See § 450-37
| |||
|
Maximum length
|
—
|
See § 450-37
| |||
|
Minimum setback
|
See § 450-37
| ||||
|
Canopy or awning sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
| |
|
Maximum letter size (inches)
|
—
|
6
|
6
| ||
|
Changeable copy sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Gas stations only
|
No
| |
|
Electronic message center sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Gas stations only
|
No
| |
|
Festoon lighting
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
No
|
No
| ||
|
Freestanding sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
| |
|
Maximum number
|
1 per lot or parcel, all districts
|
1 per lot or parcel
| |||
|
Maximum surface area (square feet)
|
15
|
72
|
72
|
15
| |
|
Maximum height (feet)
|
See § 450-39
|
4
| |||
|
Maximum length (feet)
|
4
|
10
|
10
|
4
| |
|
Minimum setback from property line (feet)
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
| |
|
Historic markers
|
E
|
E
|
E
|
Exempt
| |
|
Illuminated sign
|
See § 450-40
| ||||
|
External permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
| |
|
Internal permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
| |
|
Memorial plaques
|
E
|
E
|
E
|
Exempt
| |
|
Official government sign
|
E
|
E
|
E
|
Exempt
| |
|
Portable sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
| |
|
Roof sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
| |
|
Street number sign
|
E
|
E
|
E
|
Exempt
| |
|
Suspended/projecting sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
| |
|
Maximum surface area (square feet)
|
—
|
6
|
6
|
6
| |
|
Minimum clearance above ground or sidewalk (feet)
|
—
|
9
|
9
|
9
| |
|
Maximum height of sign surface (feet)
|
—
|
3
|
3
|
3
| |
|
Maximum number
|
—
|
1 per establishment
|
1 per lot
| ||
|
Minimum spacing between signs (feet)
|
—
|
20
|
20
| ||
|
Setback
|
—
|
Building setback minus 4 feet
| |||
|
Temporary signs
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
| |
|
Maximum number
|
2 per lot
|
2 per public street front
|
2 per lot
| ||
|
Maximum surface area (square feet)
|
6
|
Building mounted, see § 450-42C
Ground mounted, see "NOTES"
|
Same as Wall sign in GPTOZ
| ||
|
Maximum height
|
4 feet
|
Building mounted, see § 450-42E
Ground mounted, 8 feet
|
Same as Wall sign in GPTOZ
| ||
|
Maximum length
|
—
|
Building mounted, see § 450-42C
Ground mounted, see "NOTES"
|
Same as Wall sign in GPTOZ
| ||
|
Maximum spacing between signs
|
—
|
None
|
None
|
—
| |
|
Illumination
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
| |
|
Setback
|
—
|
Building mounted, same as building setback
Ground mounted, see "NOTES"
| |||
|
Placement
|
See § 450-31D
|
—
|
—
| ||
|
Time limit
|
30 days
|
30 days
|
30 days
| ||
|
Vehicle sign
|
E
|
E
|
E
|
Exempt
| |
|
Wall sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
| |
|
Maximum number
|
—
|
1 per lot or establishment
|
1
| ||
|
Maximum surface area
|
—
|
See § 450-42C
|
6 square feet
| ||
|
Maximum height
|
—
|
See § 450-42E
|
3
| ||
|
Maximum length
|
—
|
See § 450-42
|
2
| ||
|
Minimum spacing between signs
|
—
|
None
|
None
| ||
|
Setback
|
—
|
Same as building setback
| |||
|
Window sign
| |||||
|
Permitted
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
| |
|
Maximum surface area
|
—
|
See § 450-43
|
See 173-42
| ||
|
NOTES: Ground-mounted temporary signs shall have
a maximum allowable sign surface area as follows:
| |||||
|
Minimum distance of sign from road right-of-way line
(feet)
|
Maximum sign size
(square feet)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
20 to 75
|
32
| |
|
75 to 250
|
90
| |
|
250 or more
|
140
| |
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] all new billboards or outdoor advertising structures shall
comply with the following limitations and requirements:
A.
Billboards or other outdoor advertising structures may be allowed
within commercial or industrial districts only, except they shall
be prohibited within the following portions of such districts:
(1)
Within 660 feet of the right-of-way of an interstate, primary or
federal-aid highway or within 20 feet of the right-of-way of any other
highway.
(2)
On any property occupied by or located immediately adjacent to a
public or private school, playground or recreation center or community
center or within 500 feet of the property line of any public or private
school property.
(3)
No billboard or advertising structure may be placed within 1,500
feet of any other billboard or advertising structure located within
the municipality or within 200 feet of any residential district zone
line. If a billboard faces a residential district, the minimum distance
shall be increased to 300 feet. Official government signs, owned and
maintained by a governmental entity, shall not be counted nor shall
measurements be made from them for purposes of determining spacing
requirements. The distance between sign structures shall be measured
along the pavement between points directly opposite the signs along
both sides of the roadway.
(4)
References to residential lines and school property lines shall include
properties in abutting municipalities.
(5)
Advertising signs may not be mounted on the roof, wall or other part
of a building or any other structure.
B.
The following standards shall apply to billboards or outdoor advertising:
(1)
Size. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable sign surface area
as follows:
|
Minimum Distance of Sign From Road Right-of-Way Line
(feet)
|
Maximum Sign Size
(square feet)
|
|---|---|
|
20 to 250
|
150
|
|
250 to 350
|
250
|
|
350 or more
|
350
|
(2)
A billboard structure may have sign faces placed back to back or
in a V-shaped configuration on a single billboard structure.
(3)
The dimensions of the sign face of a billboard shall not exceed 15
feet in total height or 25 feet in total length.
(4)
An advertising sign structure shall have a maximum height above the
curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 35 feet.
(5)
The minimum front, side and rear yard requirements applying to a
principal use as set forth within a zoning district in which the billboard
is to be located shall apply to each billboard structure.
(6)
The maximum lot coverage as specified in the zoning district in which
the billboard is to be located shall apply to any lot upon which a
billboard structure is located and shall be cumulative, including
any other structures and buildings on the same lot therewith.
C.
Lighting of signs shall be subject to the general standards for illuminated signs in § 450-40 below.
D.
The Municipal Zoning Officer shall issue a license tag for each billboard
containing a license number readable from the ground. The Zoning Officer
shall inspect each billboard annually and, if it complies with requirements
of this section and Table 1,[3] shall issue a renewal sticker to be affixed to the license
tag. Renewal sticker colors shall be changed each year to simplify
visual inspection.
E.
When approval for placement of a billboard is required by any agency
of the federal, commonwealth or county government and approval is
granted by the municipality for a billboard, a temporary building
permit may be granted, conditioned upon approval of the other government
agency. If the holder of the temporary building permit fails to submit
evidence of the required approval by such agency within 30 days, the
temporary building permit shall be revoked by the Zoning Officer,
who shall provide written notice to the applicant.
F.
Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the Municipal Building Code. In
addition:
(1)
An advertising sign structure shall have a maximum of one vertical
support being a maximum of four feet in diameter or width and without
bracing or vertical supports.
(2)
An advertising sign face shall be independently supported and have
vertical supports of metal which are galvanized or otherwise treated
to prevent rust and corrosion.
(3)
The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire
sign face to be able to withstand a minimum 80 miles per hour wind
load. The applicant shall provide a certificate by a registered engineer
or architect certifying to the compliance with this subsection.
(4)
The entire base of the advertising sign structure 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.
(5)
Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive
and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.
(6)
Permanent landscaping shall form a base and/or backdrop to the billboard
sign when practical in the opinion of the Zoning Officer.
(7)
All curbs and grading shall be in accordance with municipal ordinances.
(8)
No bare cuts are permitted on a hillside.
(9)
All cuts or fills are to be permanently seeded or planted.
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] letters or characters of the sign shall appear only on
the apron of the canopy or awning.
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] all freestanding signs except for temporary signs shall
comply with the following limitations and requirements:
A.
A freestanding sign shall have no more than two sign faces.
B.
The area immediately surrounding the base and support structure of
the sign shall be landscaped with evergreen vegetation.
C.
Freestanding ground signs are preferred and shall be used instead
of pole signs to the maximum extent practicable or feasible.
D.
Freestanding sign height.
[Added 9-13-2010 by Ord.
No. 1007]
(1)
The maximum permitted height of a freestanding sign in Residential
Zoning Districts (R-1 through R-4) is five feet.
(2)
The maximum permitted height of a freestanding sign in Residential-Commercial
(R-C-1), Commercial (C-1) and Manufacturing (M-1) shall be determined
based upon street classification, as follows:
|
Street Classification
|
Maximum Height of Freestanding Sign
(feet)
|
|---|---|
|
Arterial
|
16
|
|
Collector
|
8
|
|
Local
|
6
|
[Amended 7-11-2005 by Ord. No. 971]
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] all internally or externally illuminated signs and electronic
message center signs shall meet the following requirements:
A.
Limits on degree of internal illumination. Any sign located adjacent
to a dwelling unit or lot zoned for residential use shall be located,
shielded and screened to prevent direct light or glare onto a dwelling
unit or residential lot.
B.
External illumination. Whenever external illumination is used for
a sign, the source of light shall be located, shielded, screened and
directed in such a manner that the light source is not visible.
C.
Hours of illumination. No sign shall be illuminated between the hours
of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the establishment displaying the
sign is open for business during those hours.
E.
An electronic message center shall have a black background/face with
amber tone changeable copy.
F.
Character height shall not exceed eight inches in height, with no
more than three lines of copy per electronic message center sign.
G.
Each message displayed on an electronic message center must be static
or depicted for a minimum of 24 hours. Scrolling, flashing, fading,
dissolving or fluttering of messages or images is strictly prohibited.
H.
Time, date and temperature signs are exempt from this requirement.
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] all suspended signs shall comply with the following limitations
and requirements:
A.
The sign shall be located in front of the establishment it serves
and shall be of a similar size, color and design as other suspended
signs.
B.
There shall be no more than one such sign per establishment fronting
on the marquee, overhang or other building feature from which the
sign is suspended.
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] all wall signs shall comply with the following limitations
and requirements:
A.
The sign shall extend no further than 12 inches from the wall to
which it is attached.
B.
The sign shall be attached to the wall so that the face of the sign
is substantially parallel to the wall.
C.
The maximum sign area shall be 7.5% of the area of the first two
stories of building elevation on which it is placed, or, in the case
of a multitenant retail commercial building or multi-owner office
condominium, each tenant or owner may have a sign area not to exceed
7.5% of the area of its leased exterior storefront.
E.
Wall signs shall be no higher than the height of the building and
if the sign projects further than three inches from the wall, no lower
than 10 feet above the ground level.
In addition to the regulations in Table 1,[1] all window signs shall comply with the following limitations
and requirements. The total area of all window signs on display at
any one time, including temporary window promotional signs, shall
not exceed 33% of the total area of the window in which they are located.
A series of windows which are separated by frames less than six inches
in width shall be considered as a single window for the purposes of
this computation.
A.
No sign permit shall be issued for a shopping center or other multioccupant
land use or for any individual establishment or occupant therein unless
a uniform sign plan has been submitted and approved for the entire
development.
B.
The Zoning Officer shall approve the uniform sign plan only upon
finding that:
(1)
The sizes of signs and the materials used in the signs shall be consistent
throughout the property or shall establish a hierarchy of different
types of signs, with the size and materials of the signs in each category
being consistent for all signs in that category.
(2)
The design of and materials used for the structural elements of the
signs shall be consistent with the design of and materials used for
the building or buildings which the signs serve.
(3)
The signs shall conform to all other requirements of this article.
(4)
The sign plan has been reviewed by a qualified municipal consultant.
In addition to other signs permitted under this article, automobile
service stations may erect changeable copy signs advertising the prices
of different grades of gasoline or other fuels, provided that:
A.
Such signs are permanently mounted either to the fuel pumps or to
the supports of a canopy covering the fuel pumps.
B.
Such signs shall not be erected higher than 12 feet above the ground.
C.
There shall be no more than four sign faces per pump island.
D.
The combined surface area of all such signs at each pump island shall
not exceed 24 square feet.
E.
Such signs shall not be internally illuminated.
Any nonconforming sign may be continued only as provided in
this section.
A.
Normal maintenance of a nonconforming sign may occur, including any
necessary repairs and alterations which do not enlarge, extend or
intensify the nonconformity.
B.
No structural alteration, enlargement or extension shall be made
of a nonconforming sign, except when the alteration is required by
law or will eliminate the nonconforming condition.
C.
No conforming sign shall be erected on the same premises as an existing
nonconforming sign until the nonconforming sign has been removed or
changed to a conforming sign. However, for multioccupant land uses,
the fact that one particular establishment therein has a nonconforming
sign will not prohibit a different establishment therein from erecting
a conforming sign on the same premises.
D.
A nonconforming sign shall be made to conform with the requirements
of this article whenever there is a change in the use or occupancy
of the building which the sign serves or whenever the building or
structure which the sign serves is externally expanded or remodeled.
E.
Whenever the use of a nonconforming sign or the use which the sign
serves has been abandoned for a period of six consecutive months,
the sign thereafter shall be made to conform with the provisions of
this article. Non-use for a period of six months shall create a presumption
of abandonment.
F.
If a nonconforming sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to the
extent of 50% or more of its replacement value at the time of the
damage or destruction (based on prevailing costs), then the sign thereafter
shall be made to conform to the provisions of this article. However,
if the damage or destruction is less than 50% of the replacement value,
then the sign may thereafter be restored to its original condition.
In either event, restoration or repair of the sign must begin within
six months after the date of damage or destruction and diligently
pursued to completion, and the repaired or reconstructed sign shall
be made to conform to the Municipal Building Code and Municipal Electrical
Code in force at the time of the repair or reconstruction.[1]
G.
Any sign that was not previously approved by the municipality and
that does not conform to these regulations (illegal signs) shall be
immediately removed at the expense of the owner.
