ARTICLE XV:
SIGNS
Section
15.01 Purpose
The purpose of these
requirements is to provide a framework within which the identification and
informational needs of all land uses can be harmonized with the desires and
aesthetic standards of the general public. It is intended through the
provisions contained herein to give recognition to the legitimate
identification and informational needs of business, industry and other
activities. It is a basic tenet of this Article that unrestricted signage does
not benefit either private enterprise or the community-at-large as it creates
traffic safety hazards, visual clutter, confusion for vehicle drivers, and
visual blight.
Section
15.02 Signs in Residential Districts
A
single sign in accordance with the definition set forth in Article
A. Signs
no larger than twelve (12) square feet in area shall be permitted for any of
the following purposes:
1.
2. Political
advertising related to a candidate running for office or a proposition up for
public vote, except that there is no limit on the number of political
advertising signs; provided, all political advertising signs must be removed
within ten (10) days of an election.
3. Identification
of a use permitted by right (except for dwellings, see Section 15.02.D. below),
special use permit or a nonconforming nonresidential use.
4. Identification
for a temporary use allowed pursuant to Section 6.06 except as provided for
temporary real estate offices in subsection B. following.
B. Signs
advertising a new subdivision or major residential development may be permitted
by the Planning Commission for no more than one (1) year, provided such sign
does not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area per sign face and that
there not be more than (2) sign faces.
C. Public
institutions permitted in residential districts shall comply with regulations
for commercial uses.
D. Identification
signs for residences and for Home Occupations Class I & Class II shall not
exceed four (4) square feet in area nor shall they be illuminated. Such signs shall be mounted flat against the
wall of the principal building.
Section
15.03 Signs in Commercial or Industrial
Districts
Signs shall be permitted in
the Highway Service and Light Industrial District subject to the following
restrictions:
A. Usage:
Signs shall pertain exclusively to the business carried on within the building.
B. Placement:
Signs shall be placed flat against the main building or more or less parallel
to the building on a canopy and may face only the pubic street or parking areas
as part of the development. Signs shall not project above the roof line or
cornice nor extend farther than fifteen (15) inches from the wall, nor be less
than eight (8) feet above ground level.
C. Vehicular
Safety: Signs may be illuminated, but no flashing or moving illumination
shall be permitted. The source of illumination shall be shielded from traffic
and adjacent properties and shall not be visible beyond the property line of
the parcel on which the sign is located.
D. Wall
Signs: No more than two (2) signs painted or affixed to a building are
permitted provided they shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of the surface
area of the building face to which it is attached or forty-eight (48) square
feet, whichever is smaller. The maximum height of any single sign shall not
exceed ten (10) feet and the maximum width shall not exceed ninety (90) percent
of the width of the wall to which it is attached.
E. Free-Standing
Signs: No more than one (1) free-standing sign is permitted per property,
regardless of the number of businesses. Such signs shall not exceed forty-eight
(48) square feet in area or twenty-five (25) feet in height. Such signs shall
be set back at least ten (10) feet from the road right-of-way line as measured
from the leading edge of the sign. Free-standing signs shall not obstruct a
clear view of traffic. Nor shall such signs advertise products or services not
available on the premises unless authorized by special use permit pursuant to
Section 17.06.
F. Changeable
Message Boards: Are permitted in place of an identification sign or a
freestanding sign, but the total area allotted to signs shall remain the same
whether a wall sign or a freestanding sign. (See Section 15.03.D. and 15.03.E.)
Section
15.04 Moving or Revolving Signs
Any sign which revolves or
has any visible moving parts, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical
movement of any type, or other apparent visible movement achieved by
electrical, electronic or mechanical means, excepting those actions associated
with time-temperature signs, shall be prohibited.
Section
15.05 Signs Not to Constitute a Traffic
Hazard
No sign shall be erected at
the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear
vision; or at any location where by reason of the position, shape or color, it
may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic
sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "stop",
"look", "danger" or any word, phrase, symbol or character
in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
Section 15.06 Portable or Movable Signs
Portable signs shall be
permitted only in the Highway Service District and only in accordance with the
following provisions:
A. Use:
Portable signs are permitted for grand openings, advertising charitable or
community-related events and the like. Being temporary in nature, such portable
signs may be permitted for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days per year.
B. Lighting:
All illuminated portable signs shall comply with the requirements of Section
15.03.C.
C. Placement:
All portable signs shall be located no closer to the road right-of-way line
than one-half the setback distance for a principal building.
D. Area:
Any portable signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in surface display
area.
E. Number:
Only one (1) portable sign may be established on a property.
F. No
vehicles shall be parked or displayed in such a way in the front yard so as to
be used as a sign.
Section
15.07 Outdoor Advertising Structures and
Billboards
Outdoor advertising
structures and billboards other than those signs which exclusively advertise
businesses on the premises on which they are located, may be permitted by
Special Use Permit in the Highway Service and Light Industrial District
pursuant to Section 17.06. Billboards are not permitted in any other district.
Land may not be rezoned to permit erection of a billboard as a principal use or
accessory use.
Section
15.08 Existing Nonconforming Signs
It is the intent of this
Section to permit the continuance of a lawful use of any sign or outdoor
advertising structure existing at the effective date of adoption of this
Section, although such sign or outdoor advertising structure may not conform to
the provisions of this Section. It is also the intent that nonconforming signs
and outdoor advertising structures shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or
extended. Further, it is the intent that nonconforming signs and outdoor
advertising structures shall be gradually eliminated and terminated upon their
natural deterioration or accidental destruction (except in the Light Industrial
District). The continuance of all nonconforming signs and outdoor advertising
structures within the Township shall be subject to the conditions and
requirements set forth herein.
A. Structural
Changes: The faces, supports, or other parts of any nonconforming sign or outdoor
advertising structure shall not be structurally changed, altered, substituted,
or enlarged unless the resultant changed, altered, substituted, or enlarged
sign or outdoor advertising structure conforms to the provision of this Article
for the use it is intended, except as otherwise provided for.