[Amended 1-5-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-05]
A.
Sign area.
(1)
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs
and symbols, together with related background areas on which they
are displayed. One freestanding sign or monument sign may include
several signs that are all attached to one structure, with total sign
area being the total area of all signs on the structure.
(2)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting framework,
bracing or clearly defined wooded framing if such area does not include
any display, lettering or sign and if such area is clearly incidental
to the sign itself.
(3)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated
background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the
smallest geometric configuration that includes all of the letters
and symbols.
(4)
In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two sides, the
permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign area of only
one side (the larger of any two if they differ). If the interior angle
formed at the inside of the two sides of a two-sided sign is greater
than 60°, then the total area of both sides shall not be greater
than the permitted sign area. No sign shall have more than two sides
or faces.
(5)
Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs
are maximum sizes.
B.
Location and placement.
(2)
No sign shall be located within a street right-of-way, with the exception
of those signs of a governmental body, including traffic signs and
other regulatory notices.
(3)
Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet from the wall
or surface to which they are mounted nor be less than eight feet high
at the lower edge of the sign and shall not in any way interfere with
normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(4)
Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other
surface to which they are mounted and shall not project more than
12 inches from its surface.
(5)
No person shall paint, paste, brand, stamp or in any manner place
on or attach to any tree or to any utility, streetlight or other street
pole any written, printed or painted advertisement, bill, notice,
sign, card or poster.
(6)
All awning signs shall be made of weather-resistant materials and
be located above access doors or storefront windows and may contain
the business name only. Multiple but consistent awnings may be used
if several storefront windows are present. Such awnings shall only
be designed to reflect the size and shape of the storefront windows.
(7)
Signs attached to a trailer or a vehicle, where any such trailer
or vehicle is allowed to remain parked in the same location or in
the same vicinity at frequent times, or for extended periods of time
(longer than one week), and is exposed to view from a public road,
shall be considered a sign subject to the provisions of this chapter.
This provision does not restrict the identification signing on vehicles
actively used for delivery service, interstate commerce, or any bona
fide transportation activity, or which are parked within an enclosure
or screened area blocking them from view from a public road.
C.
Illumination of signs.
(1)
Flashing, rotating, festoon lights, message boards and any signs
with intermittent lights are not permitted, except for public service
information only, including time, date, temperature, weather or traffic
conditions.
(2)
Signs may be interior-lighted with nonglaring lights or may be illuminated
by floodlights or spotlights shielded so there is no direct light
transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way.
D.
Construction and maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable
materials, maintained in good condition, and shall not be allowed
to become dilapidated.
E.
Termination of enterprise. Upon termination or abandonment of a use,
all signs pertaining to the enterprise shall be removed.
G.
The height of all signs shall be determined as follows.
(1)
The height of a sign erected within 30 feet of a road right-of-way
line shall be measured from the grade level of the nearest edge of
the travel way of the adjacent road to the top of the sign or sign
structure including any permanent decorative attachments.
(2)
The height of all signs erected beyond 30 feet from a road right-of-way
line shall be the measured from the natural grade level immediately
adjacent to where the sign is erected to the top of the sign or sign
structure including any permanent decorative attachments.
C.
The following off-premises permanent signs shall be permitted in
all districts:
(1)
Signs for direction, regulation and control of traffic; street names;
legal notices; railroad crossings; and official signs authorized by
a duly constituted governmental body.
(2)
Signs used for directing patrons, members or an audience to service
clubs, churches or other nonprofit organizations and not exceeding
four square feet in area.
D.
Advertising signs shall be permitted along U.S. Route 15, not to
include U.S. Business 15, and in accordance with the following regulations:
(1)
No structure shall contain more than one advertising sign per facing.
(2)
Only one advertising sign shall be permitted per lot.
(3)
No advertising sign shall exceed 10 feet in vertical measurement
or 30 feet in horizontal measurement and an overall size of 300 square
feet in area.
(4)
No advertising signs shall exceed 40 feet in height.
(5)
No advertising sign shall be permitted to be erected upon the roof
of any building.
(6)
The advertising sign shall be set back 30 feet from the front lot
line or to the established front setback line, whichever is greater,
and shall be set back 50 feet from the side and rear property lines.
(7)
One linear mile shall separate one advertising sign from another
advertising sign or freestanding business identification sign. No
sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of a residential use, residential
district or mixed-use district which permits residential uses.
(8)
No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner that it interferes
with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device
or signal.
(9)
No advertising sign shall obstruct the vision of motorists or adjoining
commercial or industrial uses which depend on visibility for identification.
E.
Wall signs.
(1)
Each commercial, industrial or other business structure shall be
permitted to install a wall sign. Where a commercial, industrial or
other business structure has more than one tenant, each tenant within
that structure may have a wall sign based on the linear feet of primary
building facade length of the space it occupies.
(2)
The total amount of wall sign area permitted on commercial, industrial,
or other business structure shall be based on the linear feet of primary
building facade length and calculated based on the chart below. This
total amount is cumulative and not per wall sign.
|
Primary Building Facade Length
(feet)
|
Sign Area per Linear Foot of Primary Building Facade
(square feet)
|
Maximum Wall Sign Area
(square feet)
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
501 and over
|
1.00
|
None
| |
|
201 to 500
|
1.25
|
300
| |
|
200 and lower
|
1.50
|
150
|
(3)
Where a commercial, industrial, or other business structure is located on a lot with multiple exterior road frontages, the total amount of wall sign area authorized by § 140-54E(2) above may be increased by 0.25 square foot/linear foot and calculated based on the chart below.
|
Primary Building Facade Length
(feet)
|
Sign Area per Linear Foot of Primary Building Facade
(square feet)
|
Maximum Wall Sign Area
(square feet)
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
501 and over
|
1.25
|
None
| |
|
201 to 500
|
1.50
|
400
| |
|
200 and lower
|
1.75
|
250
|
(4)
When calculating the maximum wall sign area using the above charts,
all primary building facade length measurements shall be rounded down
to the nearest whole number (ex. 199.6 feet = 199 feet).
(5)
Where a commercial, industrial, or other business structure is located
on a property with a single road frontage, the total wall sign area
shall be located on the primary building facade of the structure.
(6)
Where a commercial, industrial, or other business structure is located
on a property with frontage on more than one exterior road, the total
amount of wall sign area shall be calculated based on the primary
building facade length only. The sign area may be placed on all building
facades that front an exterior road. However, in this case a maximum
of 75% of the total wall sign area shall be placed on the primary
building facade.
(7)
In the case of structures and/or properties subject to § 140-54E(6) above and the US Route 30 streetscape enhancements per § 140-12H, the total wall sign area may be split over multiple building facades. However, a minimum 50% of the total wall sign area shall be placed on the primary building facade. The remaining 50% may be placed on a maximum of one building facade other than the primary building facade.
(8)
The total wall sign area may be composed of multiple signs, provided the cumulative sign area does not exceed the amount authorized by § 140-54E(2) or (3) above. When the § 140-12H U.S. Rte. 30 streetscape enhancements apply, they will take precedence.
(9)
Multiple storefronts within one building, and multiple buildings
located along a section of an internal street shall coordinate on
the design and alignment of signs and awnings to achieve a cohesive
appearance.
F.
Regulatory signs. All regulatory vehicular signs shall conform to
all applicable federal, state and local regulations, and the requirement
of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
G.
Drive-through menu boards.
(1)
The drive-through menu board must be located adjacent to the drive-through
lane.
(2)
All drive-through menu boards shall have a maximum sign area of 32
square feet, with no dimension longer than 12 feet. However, drive-through
menu board signs may increase the maximum permitted area by 50% if
the height of the freestanding sign, including support structure,
is no greater than eight feet.
(4)
The height of all drive-through menu boards shall be no greater than
15 feet as measured from the average existing grade directly below
the sign.
(5)
The drive-through menu boards shall only be used to display those
products and services offered at the on-site drive-through.
C.
The following off-premises temporary signs shall be permitted in
all districts:
(1)
Political signs meeting the sign description and requirements of
Sign Category Table 140-55, excluding banners.
(2)
Nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows
or events located in the Township or contiguous municipalities are
subject to the following requirements:
(3)
Nonilluminated signs directing persons to real estate open houses
shall not exceed six square feet.
(4)
Nonilluminated signs directing persons to an approved development
to be constructed in the Township by a builder, contractor, developer
or other persons interested in such sales or development are subject
to the following requirements:
The following regulations apply to convention and visitors center
developments:
A.
Signs permitted.
(1)
Site permanent; standards for signs that provide information about
the project site. The site permanent category includes five types
of designated uses:
(a)
Project identification: signs that may be individually designed
for their specific location. They may be placed at strategic locations
on the periphery of the project site, along each road frontage and
at each entrance. The main project identification sign may have a
maximum height of 40 feet and a total sign area of 800 square feet.
Other project identification signs may have a maximum height of 10
feet and a total sign area of 200 square feet. These signs may incorporate
panels bearing the name and logo of the project and may be internally
illuminated or externally illuminated with ground-mounted lights.
(b)
Street name: signs that are necessary for several reasons, including
orienting first-time visitors, postal service, UPS and FedEx deliveries
and other purposes. Street name signs shall be located at intersections
within the project site as needed and where required by applicable
regulations. Street name signs may have a maximum total area of five
square feet and may be mounted on poles not to exceed 12 feet in height.
(c)
District entry: signs that are intended to announce arrival
to various districts within the project site. The signs may contain
information relating to the various services, amenities and businesses
located within the convention and visitors center development. They
may display certain themes or features of the development in which
they are located to contribute to the sense of place, and as such
may be unique and distinct in character. Development entry signs may
be double-sided, may have a maximum height of eight feet and may have
a maximum total sign area of 45 square feet. Signs may be internally
illuminated or externally illuminated with ground lights.
(d)
Vehicular directory. Signs shall be used to direct vehicular
flow to destinations within the project site, including hotels, movie
theaters, various commercial uses and services, including parking
facilities and loading docks. Vehicular directory signs may be located
near entrances to the project site and at internal circulation drive
locations, where appropriate. Vehicular entry signs may be double-sided,
may have a maximum height of eight feet and may have a total sign
area of 45 square feet. Signs may be internally illuminated or externally
illuminated with down lights.
(e)
Pedestrian directory. Pedestrian directory signs may be located,
as needed, at pedestrian walkways, avoiding interference with pedestrian
circulation. The signs may be single-, double- or multiple-sided directory
kiosks. The kiosks may contain display and informational panels, directory
maps and poster cases for temporary signs for changing events or information.
Pedestrian directory signs shall have a maximum height of eight feet
and a total sign area of 50 square feet per side. Signs may be internally
illuminated or externally illuminated with down lights.
(2)
Building use; standards for signs according to the type of use (e.g.,
hotel, retail, other commercial, movie theaters, etc.). The building
type/use category includes four types of designated uses:
(a)
Hotel. Each hotel building may have a maximum total of two facade-mounted
building signs which shall have a maximum width of 25 feet and a maximum
total sign area of 150 square feet and two facade-mounted building
signs which shall have a maximum width of nine feet and a maximum
total sign area of 140 square feet. Additionally, each hotel building
shall be allowed one freestanding sign with a maximum height of 10
feet and a maximum sign area of 140 square feet.
(b)
Movie theater. Movie theaters shall be allowed a maximum of
three types of signs under the following:
[1]
A maximum of two wall-mounted business identification signs.
Each of the signs may have a total sign area of 800 square feet.
[2]
A maximum of two changeable text signs to provide information
on the movie schedule. Each of these signs may have a maximum total
sign area of 200 square feet.
[3]
A maximum of 20 exterior-mounted poster cases to identify the
current movie selection. Each of these signs may have a maximum total
of 20 square feet of sign area.
(c)
General commercial (retail and commercial).
[1]
Each building within the general commercial uses areas of the
development shall be allowed a maximum of two wall-mounted signs to
be placed on the front and back of the building. Each of these mounted
signs shall be allowed a maximum sign area of 150 square feet. Each
building shall also be allowed one freestanding nonmobile sign, with
a maximum sign area of 45 square feet and a maximum height of eight
feet, to assist visitors in identifying and locating buildings. Mounted
signs may be flush flat building-mounted or may project out from the
building wall. Projecting signs may be flat or three-dimensional signs.
The building-mounted and freestanding signs may display information
for multiple services or businesses.
[2]
Additionally, each tenant within a building shall be allowed
a maximum of 1.5 square feet of sign area per linear foot of each
tenant's retail frontage. "Frontage" shall be defined as the linear
measurement of a tenant's building facade that faces upon a road or
primary customer parking area. Multiple signs may be permitted for
each tenant, including marquee sign awning graphics, window, arcade,
building-mounted at pedestrian level.
[3]
Multiple storefronts within one building, and multiple buildings
located along a section of an internal street should coordinate on
the design and alignment of signs and awnings to achieve a cohesive
appearance. The size and lettering of signs and awnings shall be in
adequate proportion to the overall building facade and should be in
scale and proportion to the space in which they are located.
[4]
Colors and details of the sign, awning or canopy should complement
the colors and architectural details of the facade on which it is
mounted or from which it extends.
(d)
Convenience retail. Buildings within the project site containing
a single tenant or use shall be allowed a maximum of two wall-mounted
building signs with a maximum total area of 150 square feet and one
freestanding nonmobile sign with a maximum area of 100 square feet
and a maximum height of 15 feet.
(3)
Regulatory signs. All regulatory vehicular signs shall be provided
according to all applicable federal, state and local regulations,
and the requirement of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD).
(4)
Special use and artistic signs. Project sites may include signs to
inform and educate visitors. These types of signs can add to the overall
visual interest and character of the project site and/or its districts.
They shall not be included as part of the total area of signage allocated
for any building type or for any tenant as long as they do not contain
any advertising. These signs include, but shall not be limited to:
(a)
Flags and banners. Flags and banners displayed within the project
site may inform visitors of upcoming events or for seasonal celebrations.
They may also be used to add color to the streetscape and may contain
the site logo. Flags may be flown from flagpoles or mounted directly
to buildings. Banners may be mounted on streetlight poles or on freestanding
poles that reach a maximum height of 25 feet.
(b)
Artistic works. Artistic works include murals, pictorial presentations,
illustrations and/or decorations that can serve to inform visitors
about unique history, culture, environmental resources and other features
of the project site and its surroundings. They may display informational
text and/or a graphic image or may consist of a three-dimensional
display. Possible allowed locations may include, but shall not be
limited to, building facades and building entryways.
B.
Sign area calculation.
(1)
Height of sign. Where any sign is limited to a maximum height, that
height shall be in vertical distance measured from the average ground
level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign structure.
(2)
Measurement of sign area.
(a)
The sign area shall include all lettering, wording and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed, except as provided in Subsection B(2)(c) below. One freestanding nonmobile sign may include several sign panels that are all attached to the one structure, with the total sign area being the total area of all sign panels on the structure.
(b)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supported framework,
bracing or framing, or any area which does not include lettering if
such area is incidental to and not an integral part of the sign area.
(c)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted directly on a building, window or other surface which
is not an integral part of the sign panel, the sign area shall be
the actual area of the lettering.
(d)
In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two or more
sides, the permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign
area of only one side (using the larger of any two sides or the larger
of more than two sides, if the size of the sides differs).
The following regulations shall apply to all properties containing
shopping centers, mixed use development or business/industrial parks.
Unless otherwise noted, all signs shall meet the requirements of Table
140-54.[1]
A.
Individual tenants and/or uses. All tenants, whether in a multi-use structure or standalone structure within a shopping center or business/industrial park shall be limited to a wall sign in accordance with § 140-54E and Table 140-54 below[2] and shall not be allowed a freestanding nonmobile sign.
[2]
Editor's Note: Said table is included in an attachment to
this chapter.
B.
Freestanding planned center signs. These signs shall consist of panels
bearing text, logos and other graphics depicting any or all of the
following: 1) the name and logo of the project; 2) panels bearing
the names, logos and other graphics of businesses within the center,
and shall be subject to the following standards.
(1)
Freestanding nonmobile signs/monument signs.
(a)
The combined number of freestanding nonmobile signs and monument
signs on a specific planned center site shall not exceed the number
of exterior roads on which the property fronts.
(b)
Freestanding nonmobile signs and/or monument signs shall be
located only along the exterior road frontage of a property. These
signs shall consist of panels bearing the name and logo of the project
as well as panels bearing the names, logos and other graphics of businesses
within the project.
(2)
Pedestrian directory signs.
(a)
The signs shall be located only along pedestrian walkways, provided
they avoid interference with pedestrian circulation.
(b)
The signs may be single-, double- or multiple-sided.
(c)
Such signs shall be uniform in size, color, and height and shall
contain display and informational panels, directory maps and poster
cases for temporary signs for changing events or information. The
text on such signs shall be sized so that individual business name
and logo information cannot be read from a moving vehicle.
(d)
Each side of these signs shall be a maximum of eight feet in
height and four feet in width and shall be mounted on a pole or support
base of no higher than 24 inches from the sidewalk or other paved
surface surrounding the sign.
(3)
Internal directional signs.
(a)
The signs shall be located at internal circulation drive intersections.
They shall not be located where vehicle parking lot aisles intersect
the internal circulation drive network of a site.
(b)
Such signs shall be uniform in size, color, and height and shall
contain business name and directional information only. Business name
and directional information may be shown on both sides of the sign.
(c)
All such signs shall be a maximum of 18 square feet in size
and shall have a maximum width-to-height or height-to-width ratio
of 2:1 (e.g., three feet by six feet, six feet by three feet, etc.).
Such signs may be mounted on a pole or a support base, provided that
the pole or support base is no higher than 12 inches from the average
ground level surrounding the sign.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said table is included in an attachment to
this chapter.
A.
Purpose of regulation of electronic message centers. Electronic message
centers (EMCs), due to their ability to attract attention to the exclusion
of other visual objects, create special concerns for the safety of
the motoring public, which necessitate additional regulations. Because
of their ability to stand out, such devices are also inconsistent
with the atmosphere and theme that is being developed along the western
end of Route 30.
B.
Permitted locations. Any other provision of this chapter notwithstanding,
EMCs shall only be permitted in the following areas of the Township:
(1)
The EC-1 District east of Coleman Road;
(2)
Within commerce/business parks in the EC-1 District west of Coleman
Road; and
(3)
Along U.S. Route 15, under and subject to the siting requirements
for advertising/billboard signs. An EMC shall, for the purpose of
siting along U.S. Route 15 (excluding Business Route 15), be deemed
an advertising/billboard sign and shall be placed in accordance with
the requirements for advertising/billboard signs.
C.
Dimensional and setback requirements.
(1)
Height. The maximum height of any sign that includes an EMC shall
be 10 feet above grade.
(2)
Setback. The minimum setback of any sign that includes an EMC shall
be 75 feet from any and all street lines.
(3)
Size. The size requirements generally applied to signs in the district
in which an EMC is permitted shall apply to any sign that includes
an EMC.
D.
Operation.
(1)
EMCs shall not utilize animation, chasing, flashing, scintillation,
scrolling or running messages, fade or any other effect which depicts
movement.
(2)
Each display of copy or an image/message shall be lit, illuminated
or otherwise visible for a period of no less than five seconds, whether
it is part of a sequential message or not. One message shall be stated
and illuminated in its entirety. A period of one second of total extinguishment
shall occur between each message display.
(3)
The illumination of an EMC at the closest street line shall not exceed
0.1 vertical footcandle measured at said line.
E.
The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all electronic
message centers and to any and all signs that include an electronic
message center. With the exception of the overall size, number and
siting of signs, this section shall supersede any other provision
of this chapter with respect to signs that are or that include electronic
message centers.
