The following signs, exactly as described under each specific district, are permitted, provided a sign permit has been obtained for such sign.
(a) Signs in residential 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 Districts:
(1) Professional, accessory use or name signs indicating the name, profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:
A. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 288 square inches;
B. Not more than one such sign shall be erected for each permitted use or dwelling; and
C. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(2) Identification signs for apartment complexes, schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, sanitariums and other permitted uses other than dwellings, provided that:
A. The size of any such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet;
B. Not more than one such sign shall be erected on the premises; and
C. No such sign shall be illuminated, except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(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; and
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:
A. The size of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet;
B. Not more than one such sign shall be erected on each 500 feet of street frontage;
C. No such sign shall be illuminated; and
D. All such signs shall be removed upon settlement of all lots in all approved phases of development.
(b) Signs in the Commercial, Limited Industrial, Shopping Center, Planned Business Campus, Freestanding Business and Institutional Districts.
(1) General provisions. The following types of signs shall be permitted in the Commercial, Limited Industrial, Shopping Center and Planned Business Campus Districts:
A. Any sign permitted in a residential district which relates to a use permitted in such 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 not later than on the date of settlement; and
5. Any such sign, less than six square feet, shall require no permit pursuant to this Zoning Code.
C. Real estate development signs advertising the development of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that:
1. Not more than one such sign shall be erected on any premises held in single and separate ownership, unless such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 48 square feet nor be more than six by eight feet;
3. No such sign shall be illuminated; and
4. All such signs shall be removed when all the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold or within one year from the date the application for such signs was approved, whichever occurs first. Such signs shall be permitted for additional periods of six months upon application to the CEO provided that at the time said application is filed not more than 90% of the buildings, stores or lots on the premises have been rented or sold.
(2) Signs in the Commercial District.
A. The following signs, in addition to those in subsections (b)(1)A., (b)(1)B. and (b)(1)C. above, shall be permitted in the C Commercial District:
1. Signs permitted in residential districts; and
2. Freestanding signs, ground signs, wall signs, awning or canopy signs, projecting signs, window signs, and freestanding digital signs that meet the size, setback and other requirements for signs in the district and comply with the provisions of § 1282.09(d)(4) relating to digital signs.
B. Except as provided in subsections (b)(2)C. and (b)(2)D. below, not more than one freestanding or ground sign for each building or combination of buildings on the premises held in single and separate ownership shall be erected regardless of the number of uses or businesses in each building or combination of buildings, provided that:
1. No freestanding sign shall be less than seven feet or more than 15 feet in height above the grade of the centerline of the nearest public roadway. Nor shall such sign exceed 25 square feet;
2. No ground sign shall be more than four feet in height nor shall the sign area exceed 32 square feet;
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
4. No projecting sign shall have an area in excess of six square feet.
C. 1. Signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and which are therefore 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, shall be permitted. Said signs shall require a permit, and a permit fee shall be established in an amount which shall be determined by the Board of Commissioners from time to time by resolution. Such temporary mobile signs may be erected for a period not to exceed seven days in succession and must be removed from the premises for a period of at least 30 days prior to applying for a new and subsequent permit for said temporary mobile signs. The permit for such signs shall be limited in issuance to no more than six times in any calendar year. In addition, only one temporary mobile sign per business shall be permitted in addition to those signs already permitted in this section.
2. Said temporary mobile signs shall be permitted pursuant to these provisions only in Commercial, Limited Industrial, Planned Business Campus and Institutional Districts and may not be erected or installed in any other district.
D. A restaurant with drive-through service may erect one additional freestanding sign which is a menu sign provided that:
1. Such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and
2. Directional signs are not included.
E. Each occupant in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with a direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:
1. Such sign shall be a wall sign;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
F. All occupants in the building or combination of buildings on the premises with no direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants, provided that:
1. Such sign shall be a wall sign attached to a building or combination of buildings on the premises and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance of the building or combination of buildings;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
(3) Signs in the Shopping Center District. The following signs, in addition to those in subsections (b)(1)A., (b)(1)B. and (b)(1)C. above, shall be permitted in the Shopping Center District:
A. Freestanding signs, ground signs, wall signs, awning or canopy signs, projecting signs and window signs;
B. Not more than one freestanding sign advertising and identifying each shopping center held in single and separate ownership shall be erected for each street upon which the shopping center has frontage, provided that:
1. No such freestanding sign shall be less than seven feet nor more than 15 feet in height above the grade of the centerline of the nearest public roadway;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet;
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
4. 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, are prohibited within this district.
C. Each occupant in the shopping center with a direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, provided that:
1. The sign shall be a wall sign attached to a building or combination of buildings on the premises;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
D. Each occupant in the shopping center with no direct public entrance to a parking lot or street shall be permitted one sign, which sign shall identify all such occupants, provided that:
1. Such sign shall be a wall sign attached to a building or combination of buildings on the premises and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the shopping center;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 15 square feet;
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
4. No projecting sign shall have an area in excess of six square feet.
E. Each occupant of a multi-occupancy building occupying 2,000 square feet or less of floor space and having direct public access to a parking area shall be permitted one sign on the exterior of said building, provided that:
1. Such sign shall be wall signs;
2. Such sign shall be located in the immediate vicinity of said occupant’s direct public access to the parking area;
3. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet; and
4. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
F. Each occupant in a multi-occupancy building occupying in excess of 2,000 and up to 30,000 square feet or more of floor space, shall be permitted one sign on the exterior of said building, provided that:
1. Such sign shall be a wall sign;
2. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 30 square feet; and
3. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
G. Each occupant of a multi-occupancy building occupying in excess of 30,000 square feet of floor space shall be permitted signs on the exterior of said building, provided that:
1. Not more than two such signs shall be permitted for any one occupant;
2. Such signs shall be wall signs;
3. No sign shall exceed 50 square feet; and
4. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed of indirect, attached to the sign itself.
H. All occupants in a multi-occupancy building which do not have a direct public access to a parking area shall not be permitted an exterior sign. The township may permit such an occupant to have an exterior sign upon the showing by such occupant of undue hardship and special need.
I. The principal occupant in a multi-occupancy building as described in subsection (b)(3)G. above shall be permitted signs on the exterior of said building, provided that:
1. Not more than one sign shall be permitted on each of three sides of said building;
2. Such signs shall be wall signs;
3. The size of any such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet;
4. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
5. In the case of a movie theater or auditorium, the township may, as a conditional use, authorize the number and size of signs per building wall to be modified to reduce the number of walls utilized for signage, so long as the total square footage for signage on the building does not exceed 300 feet.
J. At each public entrance to a multi-occupancy building as described in subsection (b)(3)F. above, there shall be permitted one sign on the exterior of the building identifying the occupants of said building, provided that:
1. Such sign shall be a wall sign;
2. Such sign shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to said building;
3. The size of any such sign shall allow each occupant of the building not more than six square feet; and
4. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself.
K. Exterior signs are permitted on a single occupancy building with 50,000 square feet or more of floor space, provided that:
1. Not more than one sign shall be permitted on two sides of the building;
2. All signs shall be wall signs;
3. No sign shall exceed 50 square feet;
4. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
5. No sign may be used to advertise any goods, businesses or services which are not sold in or conducted in the building to which the sign is attached.
L. Where “entrance”, “exit”, “pick-up” and “loading area” signs are desired, such signs shall be permitted by the Building Inspector if shown to be necessary for the safety and protection of the public. No such sign shall be greater than six square feet in area, and no such sign shall contain any advertising.
M. Signs shall be permitted on the interior of any single or multiple occupancy building.
N. Exterior signs are permitted on a single occupancy building with floor space of at least 10,001 square feet but not more than 99,999 square feet, provided that:
1. Not more than two signs shall be permitted on any such building;
2. All signs shall be wall signs;
3. The total size of all signs shall not exceed 50 square feet;
4. No sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
5. No sign may be used to advertise any goods, businesses or services which are not sold in or conducted in the building to which the sign is attached.
O. Exterior signs are permitted on a single occupancy building with floor space of 10,000 square feet or less, provided that:
1. Not more than one sign shall be permitted on each side of the buildings;
2. No more than two such signs shall be permitted on any such building;
3. Such signs shall be wall signs;
4. The total size of all signs shall not exceed 50 square feet;
5. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting, concealed or indirect, attached to the sign itself; and
6. No such sign may be used to advertise any goods, businesses or services which are not sold in or conducted in the building to which the sign is attached.
(4) Signs in Freestanding Business District.
A. Ground signs. Whenever a site is established as a freestanding business establishment, as further explained and regulated in Chapter 1277, no more than one ground sign may be erected for each building to advertise and identify the business for such building, or in the case of a multi-occupancy building, the principal occupant for such building. Such sign shall be erected not less than five feet from the right-of-way line and shall otherwise be governed by § 1282.04.
B. Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs are prohibited in this district. Additionally, signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground and other portable signs, whether they are freestanding, on the ground or temporarily attached to a building or other support, are prohibited within this district.
C. Exterior wall signs.
1. In the case of a single occupancy building, exterior wall signs may be erected on no more than two sides of the main building, the size of which shall not exceed 50 square feet.
2. No portion of any wall sign shall extend above the wall or roof of any building. No other wall signs shall be erected on any wall or other surface of the building except that a sign shall be erected indicating entrances or exits or other service areas of the building. Such signs shall not exceed two feet by two feet or be higher than six feet from the ground.
3. For multi-occupancy buildings, each occupant in a building with direct public entrance from a parking lot or street shall be permitted one exterior wall sign, provided that:
a. Such sign shall be a wall sign;
b. The size of the sign shall not exceed 25 square feet; and
c. No such sign shall be illuminated except by lighting concealed or indirect attached to the sign itself.
4. Occupants in a multi-occupancy building which do not have a direct public access to a parking area, shall be permitted one sign, which shall identify all such occupants, provided that:
a. Such sign shall be a wall sign and shall be in the immediate vicinity of the public entrance to the building;
b. The size of such sign shall not exceed 15 square feet;
c. No such sign shall be illuminated except by indirect or concealed lighting attached to the sign itself; and
d. Exterior signs are not permitted. The township may permit an exterior sign upon showing by such occupant of undue hardship and special need.
D. Where “entrance”, “exit” and “pick-up” and “loading area” signs are desired, such signs shall be permitted by the Building Inspector if shown to be necessary for the safety and protection of the public. No such sign shall be greater than six square feet in area, and no such sign shall contain any advertising.
E. Signs shall be permitted on the interior of any single or multiple occupancy building.
F. Window signs are permitted and shall comply with § 1282.06.
(5) Signs in the Planned Business Campus District, Limited Industrial District, and Institutional Districts.
A. Planned Business Campus District.
1. Freestanding signs. Whenever a site is established as an industrial park containing not less than three separate offices, shops, warehouses or other buildings permitted in accordance with Chapters 1272 and 1278, a sign may be erected at the main entrance of such site. Such sign shall designate the name of the park or site and the names of all tenants or owners within the site. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height and shall be of sufficient length or width to permit the listing of all tenants or owners. The area of each sign shall not exceed one foot by two feet for each tenant or owner and plus the name of the park which may extend the full width of the sign but not over three feet high.
2. Ground signs. Ground signs shall be erected not less than five feet from the right-of-way line. Such signs shall not exceed four in height and 32 square feet in area.
3. Wall signs. Wall signs may be erected on the front of the main building, the size of which shall not exceed 48 square feet. No portion of any wall sign shall extend above the wall or roof or any building. No other wall signs shall be erected on any wall or other surface of the building, except that a sign may be erected indicating entrances or exits or other service areas of the building. Such signs shall not exceed two feet by two feet or be higher than seven feet from the ground.
4. Illumination. Illumination for freestanding signs and ground signs shall be by indirect lighting. Any illuminated sign shall be wired in accordance with applicable regulations and provided with non-glare style illumination.
B. Limited Industrial District.
1. Freestanding signs. The lowest edge of a freestanding sign shall be no closer than seven feet from the ground and such a sign shall not exceed 48 square feet in area.
2. Ground signs. Ground signs shall be erected not less than 15 feet from the curb line and shall not exceed four feet in height and 32 square feet in area.
3. Wall signs. See subsection (b)(5)A.3. above, relating to Limited Industrial District and Planned Business Campus District.
4. Illumination. See subsection (b)(2)B.3. above.
5. Digital freestanding signs. Digital, freestanding signs that meet the size, setback and other requirements in the district and comply with the provisions of § 1282.09(d)(4) relating to digital signs.
6. Billboards. Billboards that meet the requirements of § 1282.09.
C. Signs in the Institutional District.
1. Freestanding signs. Whenever a site is designated for an institutional or quasi-public use, as regulated in Chapter 1279, a sign may be erected at the main entrance of such entrance of such establishment. Such sign shall designate the name of the business or entity occupying the site. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height.
2. Ground signs. Ground signs shall be erected not less than five feet from the right- of-way line. The size of such signs is governed by § 1282.04.
3. Wall signs. See subsection (b)(5)A.3. above relating to Limited Industrial District and Planned Business Campus District.
4. Illumination. See subsection (b)(2)B.3. above.
5. Mobile stands. Signs in mobile stands are prohibited in the Institutional District.
6. Digital freestanding signs. Digital, freestanding signs that meet the size, setback and other requirements for signs in the district and comply with the requirements of § 1282.09(d)(4) relating to digital signs.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011; Ord. 916, passed 10-16-2013; Ord. 924, passed 3-19-2014; Ord. 943, passed 1-20-2016; Ord. 1015, passed 7-21-2021)