No person may erect, install or maintain any sign visible from the exterior of any property or structure in the Township if prohibited by this chapter or Chapter 255, and unless specifically permitted by Chapter 255. The following regulations shall apply to all signs in the Township. Where another chapter of this Code contains a more restrictive provision relating to the same sign, the more restrictive provision shall govern.
A. No sign, other than official Township street or directional signs or street banner signs, shall be erected or maintained within the sign setback area.
B. No sign shall project over any public sidewalk or street right-of-way, nor shall any sign extend beyond any property line; except, when a permit is issued by the Building Department, banners displaying a logo, slogan or design associated with an educational, religious, civic organization or similar noncommercial organization may be erected above a sidewalk in such uniform size and subject to such regulations as the Department of Building Regulations shall promulgate. [Amended 12-10-2002 by Ord. No. 1100]
C. No sign or advertising structure shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view or at any location where, by reason of position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
D. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
E. No signs shall be placed on utility poles without the permission of the owner of the pole or in violation of state statute. [Amended 5-13-2003 by Ord. No. 1107]
F. No freestanding sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
G. A parallel wall sign shall not be attached to a wall of a height less than 10 feet above the ground level, shall not be permitted to extend beyond the edge of any wall, roofline or other surface to which it is mounted, and may not project more than 18 inches from the surface to which it is mounted.
H. A projecting sign shall not be permitted to project above the wall, roofline or surface to which it is mounted nor to interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
I. No window sign shall exceed 25% of the total window area.
J. A monument sign shall not exceed four feet in height.
K. No sign shall be erected or painted on the roof of any building, nor shall it project above the height of the wall of the building to which it pertains.
L. Property owners shall assume the cost of relocating any sign erected or placed within the sign setback area upon request of the Township.
M. Every sign shall be constructed of durable materials, using non-corrosive fastenings; shall be structurally safe and erected or installed in strict accordance with the PA Uniform Construction Code; and shall be maintained in safe condition and good repair at all times so that all sign information is clearly legible. No sign shall be constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other like materials unless a sign permit is obtained from the Zoning Officer. [Amended 5-13-2003 by Ord. No. 1107; 8-13-2019 by Ord. No. 19-1355, § 3]
N. Temporary signs shall not be erected in the sign setback area or on Township property. Tacking, posting or otherwise affixing temporary signs upon poles, trees, buildings, fences or other structures shall be prohibited without the consent of the property owner. [Amended 5-13-2003 by Ord. No. 1107]
O. Temporary business signs, such as special event signs, banners, portable signs and commemorative flags, containing commercial speech, including the announcement of a grand opening, going-out-of-business sale or other special promotional event, shall comply with the following additional standards: [Amended 5-13-2003 by Ord. No. 1107]
(1) The area of the temporary business sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(2) The property or business shall display only one temporary business sign at any one time.
(3) The following display frequencies for temporary business signs shall be observed:
(a) Portable signs may be displayed only once during the calendar year for a period of time not exceeding 14 calendar days.
(b) All other temporary business signs, such as special event signs, banners or commemorative flags, may be displayed no more than two times during the calendar year for periods of time not exceeding 14 calendar days.
(4) The property or business owner shall obtain a permit from the Township to display a temporary sign and shall deposit with the Township the sum of $100, which sum shall be returned to the owner upon removal of the sign or shall be retained by the Township upon the failure to remove within the time limits prescribed herein.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, "commercial speech" is that which does no more than propose a commercial transaction, e.g., an undertaking intended for profit, directly or indirectly, in connection with any business.
P. Public use areas. No freestanding sign can occupy a designated parking area or intended parking area, walkway, cartway, driveway or area designated for any other use.
Q. Removal of signs: [Amended 8-13-2019 by Ord. No. 19-1355, § 3]
(1) The Township shall have the authority to remove and dispose of signs under the following circumstances:
(a) When it is determined that the sign has deteriorated to the point of becoming a danger to the public.
(b) When the sign is erected in the sign setback area.
(2) The Township shall have the authority to require the removal and/or demolition of signs under the following circumstances:
(a) When a sign is erected without an approved sign permit.
(b) When a sign permit has expired.
(c) When a sign is erected which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter and/or Chapter 255.
(3) Where the Township seeks to require the removal of a sign, the removal procedure will be initiated by a letter to the owner or lessee by the Code Enforcement Officer requiring the removal of such sign within seven days.
(4) Owner or lessee's remedial action for each circumstance:
(a) Deteriorated sign: rehabilitation/repair of sign within 15 days.
(b) No sign permit: obtain permit within seven days.
(c) Prohibited signs shall conform to this Chapter and Chapter 255 within 30 days.
(d) Nonconforming signs shall be brought into conformity with the provisions of this Chapter and Chapter 255 within 90 days.
(e) Expired permit: remove within seven days.
R. Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications lines or equipment. [Added 8-13-2019 by Ord. No. 19-1355, § 3]