The purposes of this article are to regulate the type and dimensions
of signs in the various zoning districts of Upper Chichester Township,
to recognize the commercial communication requirements of all sectors
of the business community, to protect the public from damage or injury
caused or attributable to distractions and obstructions caused by
improperly designed or located signs, to safeguard property values
and to assure that signs are consistent and harmonious in relation
to the buildings and areas where they are placed.
A.
Any sign hereafter erected shall conform to the provisions of this
article and any other ordinance or regulations of the Township relating
thereto. Any sign not specifically authorized by the provisions of
this article shall not be erected in the Township.
C.
No sign shall hereafter be erected or attached to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure, and no display sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated until a permit for the same has been obtained, except those listed specifically hereafter in § 600-149.
D.
Nonconforming signs. Signs and their respective illumination existing
at the time of the passage of this chapter and which do not conform
to the requirements of this article shall be considered nonconforming
signs and once discontinued for 60 days, or damaged more than 50%
of their market value, or removed for any reason, shall be replaced
with conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be painted, repaired
(including lighting) and altered in their wording, provided such modifications
do not exceed the dimensions of the existing signs.
E.
Abandoned signs. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained
on any premises owned or controlled by him, a sign that has been abandoned.
An abandoned sign for the purpose of this article is a sign erected
on and/or related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and
unoccupied for a period of 60 days or more; or any sign which was
erected for a prior occupant or business; or any sign which relates
to a time, event or purpose which is past. And such abandoned sign
and support structure(s) shall be removed by the landowner or person
controlling the property within 10 days of the abandonment as described
above.
F.
The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke
any permit issued by the Township, upon failure of the holder thereof
to comply with any provision of this article.
G.
The provisions of this article shall not apply where signage is erected
and maintained by the Township for Township purposes, provided that
all other required governmental permits are obtained by the Township
prior to such Township use.
The size of any sign shall be determined in accordance with
the provisions of this article and the following:
A.
When a sign consists of letters, numbers and/or logos and not a lettered
board and such sign is erected on or attached to a building wall or
other similar surface, the size of such sign shall be measured by
the geometric shape formed by the extreme outside edge of the largest
letters, numbers or logos contained in the sign.
B.
When a sign consists of a lettered board and such sign is erected
on or attached to a building wall or other similar surface, the size
of such sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered
board.
C.
When a sign is a freestanding sign or ground sign, the size of such
freestanding sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the
lettered board or the area of the combination of letters, numbers
and/or logos without a lettered board, as the case may be.
A.
Prohibited signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following
signs:
(1)
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated, inflatable,
aerial, crane signs or lighted moving signs including automatic color
changing and rotating lamps and other moving objects that call attention
to the sign. The use of rotating search lights for advertising is
allowed.
(2)
Advertising cloth, paper banner or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property are temporary banners. Temporary banners may be permitted through special permission of the Township to be determined by the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Officer and shall comply with the provisions of § 600-149F regarding temporary signs.
(3)
Wall bulletins or any other signs painted or adhered directly
on the facade of a building or other structure.
(4)
Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted; attached or suspended
from any outdoor bench, chair or other structure.
(5)
Swinging and hanging signs.
(6)
Signs, letters, posters and advertisements which are tacked,
pasted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences
or other structures located on public or private property or within
public right-of-way in the Township of Upper Chichester.
(7)
No sign shall be temporarily or permanently placed, erected,
attached or painted on any vehicle if such sign identifies, advertises
or gives information with respect to premises or parts thereof, or
any sale or special event or other circumstances.
(a)
A sign is permitted on a vehicle when:
[1]
Such sign is required by law.
[2]
Such sign is in transit from one location to another, for permanent
installation, for a time not to exceed three days.
[3]
The sign which is permanently painted or affixed to a vehicle
and is incidental to the use of a currently licensed vehicle when
that use is a means of transportation.
[4]
The vehicle, capable of sheltering a use or occupancy, is used
as a construction shed or is used and occupied for a purpose permitted
by the zoning regulation. In such a case, the sign shall otherwise
comply with relevant provisions of this article.
[5]
Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the roofline or any
structure, which extends above the roofline of any building.
B.
Projecting signs prohibited. No new projecting signs shall be erected after the date of enactment of this chapter. Projecting signs in existence at the enactment of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs and shall be allowed to continue, subject to the provisions of § 600-153 of this chapter.
C.
Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Building Inspector shall find that
any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe
or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or
erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this
chapter, he shall give written notice thereof to the permittee. If
the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply
with the standards set forth herein within 10 days after such notice,
such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered
to comply by the Building Inspector at the expense of the permittee
or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Building Inspector
shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses
to pay costs so assessed. The Building Inspector may cause any sign
or other advertising structure, which is immediate peril to persons
or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
D.
General restrictions and standards. The following restrictions shall
apply to all permitted signs:
(1)
No sign shall be located, arranged or placed in a position where
it will cause danger to traffic or will interfere with traffic through
glare; blocking of required sight lines for streets, sidewalks or
driveways; confusion with a traffic control device by reason of color,
location, shape or other characteristics; or through any other means.
(2)
All signs constructed or erected under the provisions of this
article shall comply with the standards set forth in the latest applicable
version of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
(3)
No sign shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any
public street, nor shall any such sign be closer than five feet to
the right-of-way line of a public street, unless specifically authorized
by other ordinances and regulations of Upper Chichester Township or
other governmental bodies or agencies having jurisdiction or regulatory
authority in the matter.
(4)
No sign shall be designed or lighted in such a manner or placed
in such a position or location that it will cause danger or traffic
on the street by obstructing or hindering the view.
(5)
No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
Electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with
the requirements of the National Electrical Code. All electrical signs
components, connections and installation shall conform to the specifications
of the National Electrical Code.
(6)
No sign shall be designed or lighted in such a manner or placed
in such a position or location where it will present an unreasonable
risk of injury to persons or damage to property.
(7)
Every sign must be constructed of durable materials and shall
be solidly and firmly attached, supported and/or anchored to the supports
or framework.
(8)
Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign
which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by and at
the expense of the landowner or lessee of the property on which it
is located.
E.
Double-faced signs.
(1)
A sign may be double-faced, providing it has two parallel surfaces
that are directly opposite and matching in size and shape and are
not over 24 inches apart. Should the two surfaces deviate from being
parallel, the sign shall be considered as two signs.
(2)
Should the faces of a double-faced sign be parallel, the sign
shall be considered as one sign and only one face shall be used to
calculate the total size of the sign.
(3)
Each face of a double-faced sign shall be equal in size. Should
the faces of a double-faced sign differ in size, then the area of
both faces shall be used to calculate the size of the sign.
F.
Multi-faced signs. A freestanding sign may be multi-faced beyond
two faces, provided that:
G.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
The bottom or lowest edge of any freestanding sign shall be
no closer to the ground than seven feet. At least five feet of the
upper portion of the seven-foot space shall be open and unobstructed.
No more than two feet above the ground level can be devoted to and
maintained for flowers, ground covers and low spreading shrubs. If
such plantings are installed, they shall be maintained at the maximum
height of two feet and shall be free of weeds, debris and other undesirable
material.
(2)
All single-post freestanding signs shall be made of metal, except
for those used in residential districts which may be made of pressure-treated
timbers. All such posts shall be embedded in the ground at least three
feet six inches unless otherwise so directed by the Zoning Officer.
(3)
Freestanding signs will be permitted in residential areas only
when set back a minimum distance of 10 feet from the front property
line.
(4)
Freestanding signs shall be illuminated only by concealed or
indirect lighting attached to the sign itself.
H.
Ground signs.
(1)
The top edge of a ground sign shall be a maximum of five feet
above ground level and shall have an area of not more than 36 square
feet.
(2)
Ground signs shall be supported and permanently placed by embedding,
anchoring or connecting the sign in such a manner as to incorporate
it into the landscape or architectural design scheme.
I.
Each sign shall be removed within 10 days of the time when the circumstances
leading to its erection no longer apply, or as provided otherwise
herein.
J.
All sign provisions of this article shall apply to smokestacks, water
towers, silos and other similar structures.
The following signs as described exactly below are exempt from the need to secure a permit and are allowed within all zoning districts of the Township but are subject to the provisions of §§ 600-146 and 600-147 and those below.
A.
Real estate signs. Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises
or lot upon which they are erected, provided that:
(1)
No more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises
or lot held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises
fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be
erected on each street frontage.
(2)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(3)
All such signs must be removed on or before the date of settlement.
(4)
All real estate signs which do not exceed six square feet do
not require a permit.
(5)
All real estate signs from six square feet to 20 square feet
do require a permit pursuant to this article.
B.
Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday, provided
they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
C.
Official and governmental signs which shall include safety signs,
trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of
interest and traffic signs.
F.
Temporary signs announcing a political, public, educational, charitable,
civic, religious or similar campaign or event, provided:
(1)
Such sign may be erected for a period not to exceed 30 days
nor more than six times in any calendar year.
(2)
Such sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
(3)
Such sign shall not be placed in such a position that it will
cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
(4)
Such sign shall be no closer than five feet to the right-of-way
line of a public street, unless specifically approved by the Township.
(5)
Such sign shall not be posted on Township property, except a
political sign at polling places on the day of an election.
(6)
Such sign shall be removed within 10 days after the conclusion
of the event for which they were posted.
G.
Window signs. Such signs shall be used to serve as an accessory sign
to the sign associated with the principal use.
H.
Official traffic signs.
I.
Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway
or premises, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed
six square feet.
J.
Signs of contractors, mechanics and artisans, provided that:
(1)
Such signs shall be erected only on the premises or lot where
such work is being performed.
(2)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in
a nonresidential district. The size of any such sign shall not exceed
six square feet in a residential district.
(3)
No such signs shall be illuminated except that all signs for
detours may be illuminated and flashing amber.
(4)
Such signs may be posted from the day a permit is issued until
the Building Codes Official determines the job has been completed.
K.
Signs advertising sale of farm products grown on the premises, provided
that:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(2)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises,
unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case
one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(4)
Such signs shall be displayed only when farm products are on
sale.
L.
Informational signs such as: "entrance," "exit," "no parking," "visitors
parking," "no hunting," "no trespassing," "keep off the grass," and
the like, on the same lot as the use to which the sign relates or
the prohibition of the use to which the sign relates, provided that:
The following signs are permitted, provided a sign permit has
been obtained for such sign.
A.
Signs in residential and similar districts. The following types of
signs and no others shall be permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3, Apartment,
Townhouse, Mobile Home and Planned Residential Development District
(PRD), Planned Retirement Community District (PRC) and the Continuing
Care Retirement Community District (CCRC).
(1)
Professional, accessory use or name signs indicating the name,
profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:
(2)
Identification signs for residential subdivisions, apartment
complexes, schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, and other permitted
uses other than dwellings, provided that:
(3)
Signs advertising the development of the premises upon which
they are erected, provided that:
(a)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises
or lot unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which
case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(c)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(d)
All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots
on the premises in all approved phases of the development.
(4)
Signs indicating the location and direction of premises in the
process of development, provided that:
B.
Signs in nonresidential districts.
(1)
General provisions. The following types of signs shall be permitted
in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, C-2 Highway Commercial, I-C Industrial
Commercial, and I Industrial Districts.
(a)
Any sign permitted in a residential district.
(b)
Real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises
upon which they are erected, provided that:
[1]
Not more than one such sign shall be erected for any premises
held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises fronts
on more than one street in which case one such sign may be erected
on each street frontage.
[2]
The size of any such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.
[3]
No such sign shall be illuminated.
[4]
All such signs shall be removed on the date of settlement.
(2)
Freestanding signs. Except where specifically noted otherwise,
not more than one freestanding sign shall be erected for each building
or group of buildings. However, one additional freestanding sign may
be erected in the case of a property with more than one street frontage.
(b)
Size of freestanding signs.
[3]
Industrial Commercial District.
[a]
One freestanding sign listing all establishments
in a development shall be erected at the main roadway and one such
sign in the interior of the development.
[b]
The size of the roadway sign shall not exceed 70
square feet while that in the interior of the development shall not
exceed 50 square feet.
[4]
Industrial District.
[a]
For industrial parks, freestanding signs may be
located as per subsection above. The size of such signs shall not
exceed 80 feet at the exterior road and 60 feet within the industrial
park.
[b]
For individual industrial buildings, there shall
be one freestanding sign for each road frontage. The size of such
sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.
(3)
Freestanding signs at drive-through restaurants. A restaurant
with drive-through service may erect one additional freestanding sign,
which shall be a menu sign, provided that such sign shall not exceed
25 square feet.
(4)
Temporary mobile signs.
(a)
Signs on mobile stands, which can be moved from place to place
and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground and other portable
signs, be they freestanding, on the ground or temporarily attached
to a building or other support. Said signs shall require a permit
and a permit fee of $25. Such temporary signs may be erected for a
period not to exceed 30 days nor more than three times in any calendar
year. Only one sign per business shall be permitted.
(b)
Temporary mobile signs cannot be converted to permanent signs.
(5)
Wall signs.
(a)
Not more than one wall sign shall be permitted for every establishment
with direct access to a parking area, unless such establishment is
a corner property, in which case one such sign may be erected on each
wall with access to said parking area.
(b)
Size of wall signs.
[1]
Attached establishments in Neighborhood Commercial District
and Highway Commercial District. One wall sign not to exceed one square
foot of sign area for each one lineal foot of building frontage on
that portion of a building facing the right-of-way, or 100 square
feet, whichever is smaller.
[2]
Detached building in Neighborhood Commercial District and Highway
Commercial District. One wall sign not to exceed one square foot of
sign area for each one lineal foot of building frontage on that portion
of a building facing the right-of-way, or 100 square feet, whichever
is smaller.
[3]
Industrial Commercial District. One wall sign not to exceed
one square foot of sign area for each one lineal foot of building
frontage on that portion of a building facing the right-of-way, or
100 square feet, whichever is smaller.
[4]
Industrial District. One wall sign not to exceed one square
foot of sign area for each one lineal foot of building frontage on
that portion of a building facing the right-of-way, or 100 square
feet, whichever is smaller.
[5]
Establishments with no direct access to parking area (establishments
in interior of building) shall be permitted one wall sign, which shall
be no larger than six square feet.
[6]
Establishments on second or upper floors shall be permitted
one wall sign, the size of which shall not exceed 10 square feet.
A.
Billboards, as defined in Article II. shall be permitted only in the C-2 Highway Commercial District, the I-C Industrial Commercial District and the I Industrial District.
B.
No billboard shall be erected within 500 feet of another.
D.
The minimum distance from a street right-of-way shall be 35 feet.
E.
The maximum height of billboards shall be 35 feet.
Except as otherwise provided in § 600-149, no sign shall be erected in the Township until a permit has been obtained in the following manner:
A.
An application in writing shall be made to the Township's Zoning
Officer by the person desiring a permit.
B.
The application submitted to the Township's Zoning Officer shall
give full particulars regarding the size, shape, material and supports
of the sign as well as a sketch or sketches showing the location of
the sign on the building or lot, the distance from the curbline and
the height of the sign. The application shall be sufficiently specific
to enable the Zoning Officer to determine if the sign complies with
this chapter as well as any other ordinance or regulation of the Township
relating thereto. Such application shall be accompanied by a fee as
the Township Commissioners may establish from time to time by resolution.
C.
If the person submitting the application is not the owner of the
property upon which the sign is to be erected, the written consent
of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected shall
accompany the application.
D.
Except as otherwise provided in § 600-149, whenever any sign is replaced by another sign, enlarged in any manner or altered, dismantled, damaged or otherwise destroyed to the extent of more than 50% of its value, a permit shall be required as provided in this section above before the sign is replaced, enlarged, altered, or repaired.
E.
Application for such permits shall be made in writing to the Township in accordance with this § 600-152. All applications shall be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale, showing the sign, its size and its location with respect to the building and to the boundaries of the lot upon which it is situated.
Signs, which are nonconforming, and signs which identify nonconforming
uses shall be permitted in accordance with the following regulations,
except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
A.
A sign which is nonconforming at the effective date of this chapter
may be continued although such sign does not conform with the provisions
of this article, but the size of any such nonconforming sign shall
not be enlarged.
B.
A nonconforming sign may be changed to or replaced by another nonconforming
sign, when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing
Board. Whenever a nonconforming sign has been changed to a more-restricted
nonconforming sign, such sign shall not thereafter be changed to a
less-restricted nonconforming sign.
C.
No nonconforming sign which has been dismantled, damaged or otherwise
destroyed to the extent of more than 50% of its value shall be repaired
or rebuilt except as a conforming sign except when authorized to be
repaired or rebuilt as a nonconforming sign as a special exception
by the Zoning Hearing Board.
D.
If a nonconforming use of a building ceases or is discontinued for
a continuous period of one year or more and such nonconforming use
is deemed to be abandoned by virtue of the applicable provisions of
other ordinances and regulations of the Township of Upper Chichester,
any nonconforming sign on the premises shall also be considered abandoned
and any subsequent signs erected or maintained on the premises shall
be in conformity with the provisions of this article.
