Township of Upper Burrell, PA Signs

Freestanding. A sign supported on a foundation or by one or more uprights, poles or braces permanently affixed to the ground and not attached to any building or other structures, including:

Pole sign. A freestanding sign that is supported by one or more poles, uprights, braces or pylons and that has a minimum clearance between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level, as specified by this chapter.

Ground sign. A freestanding sign that is affixed to the ground by means of a permanent foundation and that provides a maximum clearance of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level or, in the case of an elevated foundation, from the top of the foundation.

Monument sign. A sign supported on two posts or uprights located at the entrance to a planned shopping center, planned office park, planned industrial park or planned research or technology park that identifies the name of the development and that may include the names of one or more of the businesses in the development.

Wall sign. A sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of a building projecting outward from the wall of the building no more than 18 inches.

Canopy or awning sign. A sign that also functions as a roof-like shelter, either permanent, retractable or removable, made of canvas or other durable material that is affixed to a building or is self-supporting and provides protection from sun, rain, snow and other elements.

Arcade sign. A sign suspended beneath a ceiling of an exterior covered walkway, roof or marquee containing only the name of a business for the purpose of assisting pedestrian traffic traveling under the arcade, roof or marquee to identify the location of establishments within a shopping center or other multi-tenant building.

Bulletin sign. A type of manual changeable copy sign constructed to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically, such as those used by churches and schools to announce events.

Roof sign. A sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building that projects no more than six feet above the highest point of the roof.

Overhanging sign. A sign, other than a wall sign or arcade sign, affixed perpendicular to a building or wall whose leading edge extends beyond such building wall, but not including awnings, canopies or marquees otherwise authorized by this chapter.

Billboard. An off-premises sign that advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises where the sign is located.

Changeable copy sign. A commercial sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be manually or electronically changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.

Portable sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, a structure or the ground and that is designed to be moved from place to place, including, but not limited to: signs attached to wood or metal frames designed to be self-supporting and movable; sandwich board signs; and trailer-mounted signs.

(11)

Attention-getting device. A pennant, flag, valance, banner, propeller, spinner, streamer, search light, balloon or other inflatable device, or similar object or representation of a product, vehicle, equipment or other advertising image or any ornamentation that is designed or used for the purpose of promoting, advertising or attracting attention.

(12)

Indirectly illuminated. A sign that is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices external to, and reflected on, the sign, which lighting is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times and which is shielded so that the illumination is concentrated on the face of the sign and there is no spillover of illumination or glare beyond the face of the sign.

(13)

Internally illuminated. A sign that is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices internal to the sign, which lighting is either behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign structure and the advertising effect.

(14)

Festoon lighting. A group of two or more light bulbs of more than 20 watts each hung or strung overhead, not on a building or structure, that are exposed to view by persons on a public right-of-way, or that are not shaded or hooded to prevent the direct rays of light from being visible from the property line, but not including the temporary erection of lights as part of a holiday celebration, or small lights of less than 20 watts each.

Types. Signs are categorized by use, function or purpose into the following types:

Agricultural sales sign. A temporary sign announcing the seasonal sale of agricultural products raised and sold on a farm, as defined herein.

Residential identification sign. A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises.

Home occupation identification sign. A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises and their occupation. No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.

Residential plan identification sign. A permanent wall or freestanding ground sign containing only the name and address of a plan of subdivision or a multifamily building or development.

Real estate sign. A temporary sign advertising the sale or rental of premises. The sign may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending" or "rented."

Development sign. A temporary sign erected during the period of construction and/or development of a property by the developer, contractor or their agents.

Contractor sign. A temporary sign announcing the name of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.

Public sign. 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.

Notification sign. Signs bearing legal and/or property notices such as: no trespassing, private property, no turnaround, safety zone, no hunting and similar messages and signs posted by a landowner or governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general public.

On-premises directional sign. A sign that directs and/or instructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic relative to parking areas, proper exits, loading areas, entrance points and similar information on the premises on which it is located.

(11)

Business identification sign. A sign that contains the name, address and goods, services, facilities or events available on the premises.

(12)

Temporary special event sign. A banner, flag, pennant, portable sign or similar display constructed of durable material and affixed to the wall of a building or the supporting structure of an approved freestanding pole business identification sign or, if a portable sign, adequately affixed to the ground or some permanent structure, erected for a period not exceeding 30 days whose sole purpose is to advertise a special event or promotion.

(13)

Window signs. A sign or group of signs affixed to the inside of a display window in a commercial establishment that advertises a product or service available on the premises or that announces or promotes a special sale or special event.

(14)

Memorial/historical plagues. A commemorative plaque recognized by an agency of the Township, county, commonwealth or federal government or a nonprofit historical or veteran's organization.

§ 350-114 General regulations.

The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning districts:

Restricted signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district:

Attention-getting devices;

Portable signs in all districts, except where authorized as a temporary special event sign;

Festoon lighting;

Moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of an authorized sign that indicates time or temperature or an authorized electronic changeable copy sign;

Signs attached to trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs within the public right-of-way;

Signs that imitate traffic control devices;

Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or freestanding walls;

Overhanging signs, as defined herein;

Roof signs, as defined herein;

Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, or on any public property or private property other than the site of the business it advertises, except for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on nearby property, but not including temporary construction trailers authorized by this chapter.

Exempt signs. The following signs are exempt from these regulations and the requirement to obtain a permit:

Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not, in any way, become a public safety hazard;

Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein;

Public signs, as defined herein.

Surface area of sign. The surface area of a sign shall be measured as described below. For two-sided signs, only one sign face is counted in computing the surface area.

In the case of an advertising panel, the surface area of the sign shall be the total area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points or edges of the advertising panel containing letters;

In the case of freestanding letters mounted on a wall or other surface, the surface area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of each individual letter calculated by measuring the distance between the highest and lowest points of each letter and multiplying that distance by the distance between the extreme horizontal distance across the letter;

In the case of freestanding ground or pole signs, the area shall not include the main supporting structure; however, logos, ornamental attachments and framework around or connections between advertising panels shall be included;

In the case of letters that are painted on or affixed to an awning, canopy or marquee, the surface area of the sign shall be the area of the geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width of all the letters, including free space between the letters.

Lots with multiple street frontage. In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one of each type of sign that is authorized for the lot on each street frontage only on the street address frontage.

Temporary signs. In all zoning districts where authorized by § 350-115, real estate, contractor and development signs shall be considered temporary signs that shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.

Notification signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall be in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth. In all zoning districts, legal notification signs posted outside the public street right-of-way on private property by property owners such as "no trespassing," "no hunting" and the like shall be limited to a surface area not exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along road frontages shall be one sign for every 30 feet of road frontage.

Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs and authorized temporary off-premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street. No sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle defined by § 350-97D of this chapter.

Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall be directed upon the sign face and not towards adjoining properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall not be permitted. Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times, except that electronic changeable copy signs, where authorized, may have a changing message, provided each message is stationary for at least three seconds. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as to not exceed a maximum of 0.2 footcandle at the property line.

Design, construction, maintenance and inspection. All signs shall be designed to be compatible with the architecture of the principal use to which they are accessory. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and shall be maintained in good condition. All freestanding signs shall be designed to withstand a sustained 100 mile-per-hour wind load. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection shall be declared to be a public nuisance and the Zoning Officer shall give notice to the owner, in writing, in accordance with § 350-138B of this chapter, to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Township may lien the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.

Removal of signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated with no intention to reopen under the same name, all sign advertising panels containing the name of the discontinued or vacated business shall be removed within 30 days of the vacation or discontinuance of the business. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township may remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Township may lien the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.

Permits required.

No permit shall be required for the following types of signs as described in § 350-113B above: residential identification, notification, real estate, contractor and window signs.

Permits shall be required in accordance with § 350-143 of this chapter for all other signs authorized by §§ 350-115 through 350-118. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

Expiration of permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance, if work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently pursued.

Sign location. Except for billboards, as defined and authorized by this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises that they are intended to serve.

§ 350-115 Signs authorized in all zoning districts.

In addition to the signs authorized by §§ 350-116 through 350-118 in specific zoning districts, the following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:

Bulletin signs. One bulletin sign that is nonilluminated or indirectly or internally illuminated shall be permitted in connection with any church, school, library or similar public or semipublic building. If the bulletin sign is a wall sign, the surface area shall not exceed 15 square feet. If the bulletin sign is a freestanding ground sign, the surface area shall not exceed 30 square feet.

Real estate signs. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall be permitted on each lot, provided the sign shall not exceed six feet in height. The real estate sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area when located in any Residential Zoning District and shall not exceed 32 square feet in any other zoning district. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the property on which it is located.

Development signs. One nonilluminated temporary development sign shall be permitted on each development site, provided the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. If the development is phased, the development sign shall be located in the phase that is currently under construction. A second nonilluminated temporary development sign shall be permitted at the entrance to the development, provided the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet. The development sign shall not exceed eight feet in height. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the last lot or completion of the proposed construction in the development.

Contractor signs. One nonilluminated temporary contractor sign announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area nor six feet in height and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.

Temporary special event signs for public and nonprofit organizations. One nonilluminated temporary special event sign, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public building, church or building housing a nonprofit organization, provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet, and provided the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 30 days and is removed within five days following the event that it is erected to promote. Each organization may display a temporary special event sign a maximum of three times in any twelve-month period for a maximum of 30 days each time.

Home occupation identification signs. One nonilluminated home occupation identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed two square feet and the sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation of the resident and shall not contain any logo or other advertising. The sign shall be wall mounted or affixed to the structure supporting the mailbox.

On-premises directional signs.

On any lot that contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential buildings and/or on any lot that provides more than 100 parking spaces, on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.

On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted. On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted on the first acre and for each additional acre or fraction thereof over one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.

Agricultural sales signs. In those districts where agricultural sales are authorized or may exist as a legal nonconforming use, one nonilluminated freestanding agricultural sales sign shall be permitted to announce the agricultural sales, provided the maximum surface area of the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet, the height of the sign shall not exceed eight feet and the sign shall be located no closer than 10 feet to any property line or street right-of-way.

Residential identification signs. One nonilluminated residential identification sign shall be permitted on each lot, provided the sign shall not exceed one square foot in surface area and the maximum height of any freestanding sign shall be two feet. The residential identification sign may be affixed to the mailbox or to the wall of the dwelling or may be a freestanding ground sign located in the front yard.

§ 350-116 Signs authorized in community center and residential zoning districts.

In addition to the signs authorized in all zoning districts by § 350-115, the following signs shall be permitted in all CC Community Center and R Residential Districts:

Residential plan identification sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated permanent wall or freestanding ground residential plan identification sign containing only the street address and/or name of a residential subdivision plan or multifamily building or development shall be permitted, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. The residential plan identification sign may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall, rather than to a building wall, provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the plan in compliance with the clear sight triangle required by § 350-97D. Such signs shall not be located in any public street right-of-way without the permission of the owner of the right-of-way and an agreement for maintenance of the sign by a homeowners' association or similar private organization.

Business identification sign for authorized conditional uses, uses by special exception or legal nonconforming uses. If a legal nonconforming use exists in a CC, R-A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 District, or if a business identification sign is not otherwise authorized and regulated by § 350-93 of this chapter for a legal nonconforming use or a conditional use or use by special exception in a CC, R-A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 District, such business may have one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated business identification sign that is either a wall or freestanding ground sign, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and the maximum height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed six feet.

On-premises directional signs.

On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted. On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted on the first acre, and for each additional acre or fraction thereof over one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.

§ 350-117 Signs authorized in commercial and industrial districts.

In addition to the signs authorized by § 350-115 in all districts, only the following signs shall be permitted in all C-1, C-2, C-3 and I Districts:

Temporary special event signs for businesses. Temporary special event signs, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted, provided that:

No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any establishment at any one time;

The temporary special event signs shall be securely attached to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding pole business identification sign;

Temporary special event signs shall be displayed no more than three times in any twelve-month period, provided each display shall not exceed 30 days;

The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs shall not exceed 24 square feet per establishment. In the event that there is more than one establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs on the site at any one time shall not exceed 70 square feet.

Portable signs may be used as temporary special event signs, provided they are securely anchored, are located outside any public street right-of-way, do not obstruct any existing parking spaces and do not constitute a hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Temporary special event signs may be illuminated, but the message shall remain stationary at all times.

Changeable copy signs. One nonilluminated or internally illuminated manual or electronic changeable copy sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot. The changeable copy sign shall be permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to the supporting structure of an authorized freestanding sign on the lot, or in the case of an automobile service station, on the canopy over the gas pumps. The surface area of the changeable copy sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.

Business identification sign.

Wall signs.

In the C-1, C-2, C-3 and I Districts, each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs that may be illuminated or nonilluminated. No wall sign shall be located on the roof nor shall any portion of the wall sign extend above the height of the building.

In the C-1 District, the aggregate surface area of all wall signs shall not exceed one square foot for each two lineal feet of width of the front wall of the building or portion of the building, occupied by the business or a maximum of 64 square feet, whichever is less.

In the C-2, C-3 and I Districts, the aggregate surface area of all wall signs for each business shall not exceed one square foot for each one lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building, or portion of the building, occupied by the business, or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less. In the case of a shopping center where buildings are set back from the public street a distance in excess of 500 feet, the aggregate surface area of all wall signs for a business shall not exceed 200 square feet.

Ground signs. In addition to the wall signs authorized by Subsection C(1), one freestanding ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:

No freestanding pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected on the lot and the lot is not located in a planned shopping center, planned industrial park, planned office park or planned research or technology park that has a monument sign.

The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in the C-2 District and shall not exceed 64 square feet in the C-3 and I Districts.

The height and location of the sign shall be designed so as to not interfere with visibility for vehicular traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling on any street and in no case shall the total height exceed eight feet above the adjacent ground level on which it is located. The sign shall comply with the visibility requirements of § 350-97D.

(d)

Ground signs may be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.

(e)

All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 15 feet from any property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way, the ground sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way.

Pole signs. In addition to the wall signs authorized by Subsection C(1), one freestanding pole sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:

No freestanding ground sign exists or is proposed to be erected on the lot and the lot is not located in a planned shopping center, planned industrial park, planned office park or planned research or technology park that has a monument sign.

The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.

The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 25 feet above the adjacent street level from which the sign is to be viewed.

(d)

The minimum height of the bottom edge of the sign shall be 14 feet if traffic circulates under the sign. The minimum height of the bottom edge of the sign shall be eight feet if traffic does not circulate under the sign.

(e)

The maximum surface area of the freestanding pole sign shall not exceed 40 square feet if there are fewer than three businesses on the lot and shall not exceed 64 square feet if there are three or more businesses on the lot. Neither dimension of such sign shall be less than five feet.

(f)

No portion of any pole sign shall project over any public right-of-way, nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection as defined by § 350-97D of this chapter.

(g)

All freestanding pole signs shall be set back a distance equivalent to the height of the sign from every property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way, the sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way.

Monument signs.

One illuminated or nonilluminated monument sign shall be permitted at the main entrance to a planned shopping center, planned industrial park, planned office park or planned research or technology park, provided a ground sign or pole sign does not exist and is not proposed at that entrance. Outparcels in a planned shopping center and lots fronting on a public street in a planned industrial park, planned office park or planned research or technology park owned in fee simple may have a ground sign or pole sign authorized by Subsection C(2) and (3). No other businesses within a planned shopping center, planned industrial park, planned office park or planned research or technology park shall be permitted to have a ground sign or pole sign; however, each business shall be permitted to have the wall signs authorized by Subsection C(1).

The maximum surface area of a monument sign shall be 150 square feet. The maximum height of the monument sign shall be 25 feet. The monument sign shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line or street right-of-way line. The monument sign shall comply with the visibility requirements of § 350-97D. The base of the sign shall be landscaped with shrubs, perennials and annuals for a minimum distance of three feet from the base of the sign.

Arcade signs. In planned shopping centers or planned office parks that have pedestrian accessways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior arcade, one arcade sign, as defined herein, shall be permitted for each business in the building, provided that the maximum surface area of each sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

Canopy signs. Canopy signs may be erected at the street level entrance to a building. In the case of multitenant buildings, each business with a street-level entrance may have a canopy sign. Canopy signs shall not be illuminated. The maximum height of the letters on a canopy sign shall be six inches.

Window signs. The total area of all window signs on display at any one time, including temporary promotional window signs, shall not exceed 25% of the total area of the display window in which they are located. A series of windows that are separated by frames less than six inches in width shall be considered as a single window for the purpose of this computation.

On-premises directional signs.

§ 350-118 Billboards.

Billboards shall be permitted only as a conditional use in the I Industrial District, provided all of the following requirements are met:

Location.

Billboards shall not be erected within 300 feet of the boundary line of any R-A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 District or within 300 feet of any public or private school, church or cemetery, said 300 feet being measured along the radius of a circle from the centermost point of the billboard structure extending in all directions.

Billboards shall not be erected within 300 feet of an interchange or safety rest area measured along the interstate or limited-access highway from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled way.

Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed billboard structure of 1,000 feet. Required spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the centermost point of the billboard structure along a line extending from the centermost point of the billboard that is parallel to the center line of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.

No part of the billboard shall be located closer than 15 feet to the limited access federal highway right-of-way.

For all other billboards not located along a limited access federal highway right-of-way, the minimum front, side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal structure as set forth within the zoning district in which the billboard is to be located shall apply to all parts of each billboard structure.

No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road or street, of any existing business identification sign, residential or nonresidential structure, or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements.

No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street or road on which it is situated, as defined by § 350-97D, of this chapter, and shall not in any case obstruct or impede traffic safety.

No billboard shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.

Billboards shall not be part of a roof or wall nor shall they be mounted on the roof, wall or other part of a building or any other structure.

Size and height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 300 square feet per sign face. This gross surface area shall be permitted, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:

A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard structure, which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90° or less.

Neither dimension of the billboard's sign face shall exceed 20 feet in total height or 20 feet in total length, provided the total allowable gross surface area for the sign face is not exceeded.

A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 40 feet.

Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), as now or hereafter amended, and shall meet all of the following additional requirements:

A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support being a maximum of three feet in diameter or width and without additional bracing or vertical supports.

A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal that are galvanized or constructed of approved corrosive-resistant, noncombustible materials. Structures constructed with galvanized metal shall be painted.

The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face to be able to withstand a minimum 100 mile-per-hour wind load. Structural design computations shall be made and certified by a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the Township with the application for conditional use.

The base shall be installed using a foundation and footings approved by the Township Engineer for the type of construction proposed.

The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of three feet placed in such manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.

Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.

No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.

All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.

A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum of 1.0 footcandle upon the adjoining property.

Display lighting shall not operate between 12:00 Midnight and 5:00 a.m., prevailing local time.

(11)

No billboard structure, sign face or display lighting shall flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.

Maintenance.

A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every three years, unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.

Every 10 years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered engineer and shall provide to the Township a written report and certification from that engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.

Annual visual inspections of the billboard may be conducted by the Township to determine continuing compliance with this chapter. Upon such inspection, the owner shall pay an annual inspection fee, as established from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

Billboards found to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days upon proper notification by the Township issued in accordance with § 350-138B of this chapter.

Billboards using removable paper or other materials shall be maintained in such condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material protruding or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any sign face is changed.

Liability insurance. The applicant for a sign permit to erect a billboard shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and property damage that holds the Township harmless in an amount no less than $500,000 or as may be adjusted, from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The insurance certificate shall contain a clause stating that the insurance shall not be canceled or reduced without first giving 10 days' notice to the Township.

Permits.

Prior to submission of an application for a sign permit, the applicant for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application, approvals from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.

Approval of the conditional use shall be valid for six months from the date of action by the Board of Supervisors granting the conditional use. If the applicant fails to obtain a sign permit for the approved billboard within the six-month period, approval of the conditional use shall expire automatically, without written notice to the applicant.

The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard that has been granted approval of a conditional use shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for billboards proposed to be located along state highways. If the applicant fails to submit evidence of the required approval by PennDOT within 30 days of the issuance of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the Township Zoning Officer, who shall provide written notice to the applicant.

The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit, upon submission of evidence of PennDOT approval, without payment of any additional sign permit fee, provided the application is filed within the six-month period during which the conditional use approval is valid.

Application fees. Said application shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount equal to that set, from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

Nonconforming billboards.

Any billboard that does not conform to the requirements of this section shall not be enlarged or moved unless the billboard complies with all provisions of this section.