1. General Regulations for All Signs.
A. Determination of Size. The size of the sign shall refer to the area of the sign facing, including any border framing or decorative attachments. In the case of open signs made up of letters, figures and designs, the space between such letters, figures and designs shall be included. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and at no point more than three feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of one face if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal size.
B. Prohibited in Right-of-Way. Signs shall not be erected within or extend into the public right-of-way, which for the purpose of this Part shall be construed to extend to and include, at a minimum, the sidewalks on both sides of every street.
C. Measurement Not to Include Base. The base of any freestanding sign shall not be included in the measurement for determining the area of the sign. However, the base shall not be used for any portion of the message, whether verbal or pictorial, nor shall it be used for the placement of any future signs, whether permanent or temporary.
D. Two-Sided Signs. In computing the total permitted square foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are parallel and not more than 12 inches apart. Otherwise, all sides shall be considered in calculating the total permitted square foot area.
E. Location/Projection of Signs.
(1) Signs must be located so that they do not interfere with proper sight distances.
(2) For all uses, no sign exceeding 32 square feet in area may be located within 75 feet of a residential use.
(3) No sign may project over a public sidewalk area or over a public highway or street unless specifically authorized by other Township or State regulations.
(4) Projecting signs shall be no less than eight feet high at the lower edge of the sign.
F. Illumination of Signs.
(1) Flashing, rotating, and intermittent lights are not permitted.
(2) A sign may be illuminated only if the lighting is so screened that it is not directed or reflected toward any residence within 100 feet or so it does not obstruct the vision of motorists.
(3) Signs which are illuminated in the colors red, green, or amber, either by colored bulbs or tubing, or in high reflection by the use of special preparations such as fluorescent paint or glass, may not be located within a radius of 200 feet of a highway traffic light or similar safety device or from the center of any street intersection.
(4) Freestanding internally illuminated signs shall be dimmable at night so as not to cause an objectionable glare to adjacent residential uses or motorists along a roadway.
G. Signs Painted on Buildings. Advertising painted upon, or displayed upon, a barn or other building or structure shall be regarded as wall sign and the regulations pertaining thereto shall apply.
H. Signs Within a Building. Nothing in these regulations shall be construed as prohibiting signs intended for viewing principally from within a building or signs temporarily attached to the inside face of a display window, announcing a sale or similar feature, provided that the latter shall not occupy more than 33-1/3% of the total display window area for a period not to exceed ten days. Such signs shall be permitted in addition to any of the specific sign types designated on the charts to follow.
I. Construction and Maintenance. Signs must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
J. Termination of Enterprise. Upon termination or abandonment of a commercial or industrial use, all signs pertaining to the enterprise must be removed.
(Ord. 2024-01, 5/13/2024)