Source: https://www.ecode360.com/8451275
Timestamp: 2020-08-08 15:05:17
Document Index: 560870538

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 118', '§ 131', '§ 131']

Township of Unity, PA Signs
Ch 118 Art IX Signs
§ 118-26 Signs.
§ 118-27 Definitions.
§ 118-28 Types and classes.
§ 118-29 General sign regulations.
§ 118-30 Signs authorized in all zoning districts.
§ 118-31 Signs authorized in residential zoning districts.
§ 118-32 Signs authorized in commercial, industrial and institutional districts.
§ 118-33 Billboards.
§ 118-34 Revocation of permits.
The regulations contained in this article, §§ 118-26 through 118-34 shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts. With the exception of outdoor advertising signs as set forth herein, all signs shall be treated as accessory to the principle use of the property.
For the purposes of this article, the definitions set forth below shall apply unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the event a term is not specifically defined herein, then the general definitions set forth in this chapter shall apply.
Illumination by means of lamps or external lighting devices reflected on a sign. Indirect illuminated lighting must be:
[Amended 5-14-2015 by Ord. No. O-2-2015]
Constant in intensity and color at all times;
Concentrated on the face of the sign; and
Shielded so there is no illumination or glare beyond or outside the face of the sign.
Lighting by means of lamps or lighting devices internal to the sign, which is either behind the face of the sign or an integral part of the sign structure.
Any surface, fabric device or display which bears lettered, pictorial or sculpted matter, including forms shaped to resemble any human, animal or product, designed to convey information visually or attract the attention of the general public, except official flags of governmental jurisdictions or public or charitable or nonprofit organizations which do not exceed 50 square feet in area. The term "sign" as used herein shall include the frame and any supporting structure to which the display area is affixed.
That area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. The area includes all lettering, wording or accompanying design or symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed. The area of the sign does not include minimal supporting framework or bracing, but all other ornamental attachments or decorative structure shall be included in determining the area of a sign.
SIGN, ARCADE
A sign suspended beneath a ceiling of an arcade, a roof or marquee containing only the name of a business for the purpose of assisting pedestrian traffic traveling under the arcade, roof or marquee to identify the location of establishments within a shopping center or similar building.
See "sign, outdoor advertising structure."
A type of manual changeable copy sign used by churches and schools to announce events and constructed to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically.
A fixed, nonchangeable copy sign which contains only the name and/or address of a single business located on a premises or of the plaza or other commercial development in which a business is located and a description of the goods, services, facilities or events available on the premises.
A fixed, nonchangeable copy, business identification sign containing only the name of the business on the premises, located on a canopy, overhang or other structure, regardless of whether the canopy is attached to the principal structure in which the business is located or is freestanding, designed to provide cover over gasoline pumps or fueling island.
[Added 5-14-2015 by Ord. No. O-2-2015]
A temporary sign erected during the work period announcing the name of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
SIGN, DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION
A permanent wall or freestanding ground sign containing only the name and address of a plan of subdivision, commercial site or a multifamily building development.
SIGN, DIGITAL PRICE PANEL
An electronic sign used by gasoline stations to identify the price of gasoline for sale on the premises upon which the sign is located.
A changeable copy sign capable of displaying a message in pictures or other photographic images, symbols, numbers and/or text which may be changed electronically, mechanically or rearranged automatically by computer or other form of programming.
[Amended 5-14-2015 by Ord. No. O-2-2015[1]]
A freestanding sign which is affixed to the ground by means of a permanent foundation and which provides a maximum clearance of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level.
SIGN, HOME OCCUPATION OR HOME OFFICE IDENTIFICATION
A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises and his occupation.
SIGN, MANUAL CHANGEABLE COPY
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged manually without altering the face or surface of the sign.
SIGN, MEMORIAL/HISTORICAL PLAQUES
Commemorative plaques placed by a recognized agency of the Township, county, state or federal government, or historical society or community organization recognized by the Township.
Signs displaying the location of or direction to of a business or event which is not on the premises or site where the business is located or event is occurring.
[Amended 5-14-2015 by Ord. No. O-2-2015[2]]
SIGN, ON-SITE DIRECTIONAL
An on-site sign which directs vehicular or pedestrian traffic to parking areas, proper exits, loading areas, entrance points and similar areas within the site on which it is located.
SIGN, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURE
An off-premises sign which directs attention to a person, business, commodity, service, activity or establishment which is unrelated to the principal use of the land or not available on the land on which the sign is located.
A sign, other than a wall sign or arcade sign, affixed to a building or wall whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall more than six inches, including awnings, marquees or similar structures used for business identification.
A freestanding sign which is supported by one or more poles, uprights or braces having a minimum clearance between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level and a maximum height as specified herein.
A temporary sign which indicates the name or affiliation of anyone seeking public office or which refers to an issue concerning which a public election is scheduled to be held.
SIGN, PRIVATE NOTIFICATION
Signs bearing legal and/or property notices such as "No Trespassing," "Private Property," "No Turnarounds," "Safety Zone," "No Hunting" and similar messages.
A temporary sign advertising the open house, sale or rental of premises. The signs may also bear the words "Sold," "Sale Pending" or "Rented" across their face or by means of an attached sign.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE DIRECTIONAL
A real estate sign having an area not greater than 216 square inches or 1 1/2 square feet located off the premises subject to sale and intended to direct the public to the premises subject to sale. Any sign used by a developer, or agency working for such developer, to advertise a development or subdivision, or any lot contained therein, shall not be considered under this section.
SIGN, RESIDENTIAL IDENTIFICATION
A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises.
A sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building which projects no more than six feet above the highest point of the roof.
SIGN, TEMPORARY BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION
A temporary banner, flag, pennant or similar display constructed of durable material and affixed to the wall of a building or an existing sign frame while a permanent business identification sign is being constructed, procured and/or assembled containing the name, address and a description of the goods, services, facilities or events on the business premises upon which it is located.
SIGN, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT DISPLAY
A banner, flag, pennant or similar display constructed of durable material and affixed to the wall of a building or over a public right-of-way or an A-frame or sandwich board sign whose sole purpose is to advertise a special event.
SIGN, TEMPORARY STEP-IN
A sign having an area not greater than four square feet used to advertise a business, event, product, service or other commercial activity, capable of being inserted into the ground either manually or by foot. Any sign used by a real estate developer, or any agency working for such developer, to advertise a development or subdivision, or any lot contained therein, shall be considered under this definition.
SIGN, TEMPORARY SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION
A temporary sign erected during the period of construction and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or their agent.
A sign attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of a building, projecting outward no more than six inches from the wall of the building.[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former definitions "sign, electronic rolling," "sign, electronic streaming" and "sign, freestanding," which immediately followed this definition.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former definition "sign, on premises directional," which immediately followed this definition.
Editor's Note: Former definition "sign, window display, which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 5-14-2015 by Ord. No. O-2-2015.
Signs in all zoning districts shall be categorized according to the types and classes described below and shall comply with the requirements for those types and classes in this section.
Classes. Signs are classified by physical attributes into the following categories:
Freestanding, including pole sign and ground sign;
Arcade sign;
Roof sign;
Billboard; and
Changeable copy (manual and electronic).
Residential identification;
Home occupation or home office identification;
Development identification;
Private notification;
On-site directional;
Temporary special event display signs; and
Memorial/historical plaques.
The following regulations shall apply to all zoning districts:
A-frame or sandwich board signs, except when authorized as temporary special event displays;
Portable or wheeled signs;
Banners and pennants, other than temporary special event displays and temporary business identification signs authorized by this article;
Balloons or inflatable structures of any kind, except when authorized as temporary special event displays;
Moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of a permitted sign which indicates time or temperature;
Signs which imitate or have features similar to traffic control devices;
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or walls, other than murals or similar decorative displays on building walls which do not contain any advertising other than the name of the artist and a small acknowledgment of the sponsor of the display;
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety nor do not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard;
Signs erected by a governmental agency, including street signs and official traffic signs, but not including off-premises directional signs regulated elsewhere herein.
Lots with multiple street frontage. In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one authorized sign on each street.
Construction and development signs. In all zoning districts, and where authorized herein, construction and development signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of construction or within six months from the date of placement, whichever occurs last.
Private notification signs. In all zoning districts, legal notification signs posted on private property by property owners, such as "No Trespassing," "No Hunting" and the like shall be limited to a surface area not to exceed two square feet. The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along road frontage shall be one sign for every 75 feet of frontage.
Visibility. No sign shall be located, placed or constructed where it will cause a hazard, obstruct the visibility of traffic exiting or entering a street, or obscure a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs and off-street premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street.
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this article, shall be directed upon the sign face and not toward adjoining properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs, or the flashing or oscillating illumination thereof, is prohibited. All lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall not create glare nor affect or interfere with the intensity of ambient light on surrounding properties.
Maintenance and inspection. All signs must be constructed of a durable material and maintained in good condition. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection shall be declared to be a public nuisance and the Zoning Officer shall give notice to the owner in writing to repair or remove the sign within a time period to be determined by the Zoning Officer. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township may, at its discretion, remove the sign at the owner's expense, or pursue any other remedies available to the Township under this chapter.
Removal of signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated, any sign relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be removed within 30 days of the date when the business is vacated or discontinued. The Zoning Officer shall give notice to the owner in writing to remove any sign found to be in violation of this section within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense. Whenever the use of the property upon which the sign is located has been abandoned for its intended use, then any sign existing on the property, together with its frame and supporting structures, shall also be deemed to be abandoned. Any reuse of the property, and any sign constructed in furtherance thereof, shall thereafter comply with the terms of this chapter.
Permits required. Except as set forth herein, all signs constructed, placed or maintained within the Township shall require a permit. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this article and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Township Supervisors. No permit shall be required for the following types of signs: notification, real estate, political and construction signs and off-premises directional signs erected by a governmental agency. Permits shall be required for all other signs authorized by this chapter or otherwise. This section recognizes the distinction between real estate signs and real estate directional signs. All real estate directional signs (REDS) shall be subject to permitting and regulation as set forth hereafter.
Expiration of permits. Except for temporary step-in signs and real estate directional signs as set forth hereafter, any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for the erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently pursued.
Sign location. Except for billboards, political signs, real estate directional signs and temporary step-in signs, as defined herein, all signs shall be located within the area of the property they are intended to serve.
Owner. For all purposes, the owner of the property upon which a particular sign is located shall be fully responsible for compliance with the terms of this article. Notice issued to the owner of the property shall constitute sufficient notice for enforcement purposes.
Conflict of laws. To the extent that any provision of this article relating to the construction or maintenance of signs shall conflict with the standards of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as now in effect or hereafter amended, then the regulatory provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code shall be deemed controlling.
Permit location. All sign permits issued by the Township shall be kept and maintained on the property on which the sign is located. The approval form for real estate directional signs shall be kept and maintained in the brokerage office to which such permit is issued.
Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, no sign, frame, flag pole or other fixed freestanding structure bearing a sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
Bulletin board signs. One bulletin board sign which does not exceed 24 square feet in surface area shall be permitted only in connection with any church, school, library or similar public or semipublic building.
Temporary development sign. One non-illuminated temporary development sign shall be permitted for each development provided the surface area of each side of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. The development sign shall not exceed six feet in height when located in any residential zoning district and shall not exceed 10 feet in height in any other zoning district. Such sign shall be removed within one year from the date final approval of the subdivision or site development plan is granted by the Township. Any such sign shall be placed not less than 10 feet from the edge of any road surface, and shall not be placed in a location which restricts sight distances.
Temporary construction sign. One non-illuminated temporary construction sign announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided the signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work. Any such sign shall be placed not less than 10 feet from the edge of any road surface, and shall not be placed in a location which restricts sight distances.
Temporary special event sign. One non-illuminated temporary special event display sign shall be permitted to be erected by a public agency, church or nonprofit organization along a public right-of-way with the permission of the owner of the abutting property, or on the face of a building, church or building housing a nonprofit organization, provided that (1) the area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet per side; (2) the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 30 days; and (3) is removed within five days following the end of the event it is erected to promote. The thirty-day period may be extended by permission of the Board of Supervisors. The temporary special event display sign may be illuminated, if approved by the Supervisors. Any such sign shall be placed not less than 10 feet from the edge of any road surface, and shall not be placed in a location which restricts sight distances.
Home occupation identification sign. One non-illuminated home occupation identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that the surface area of the sign does not exceed two square feet, the sign is mounted on the dwelling, the sign contains only the name, address and occupation of the resident and does not contain any logo or other advertising.
Political signs. Non-illuminated temporary political signs erected during a political campaign shall be permitted, provided:
They are not of a type restricted by any other provision of this chapter;
Such signs are not put into place more than 60 days prior to the day of any primary or general election; and
Such signs are removed within seven days following the day of any primary or general election.
Off-premises directional signs. A maximum of four off-premises directional signs shall be permitted to be erected by any agency or business other than a governmental agency. The off-premises directional signs shall be non-illuminated and no individual sign shall exceed six square feet in surface area in the aggregate (three square feet per side). Such signs shall not be permitted within any public right-of-way. Such signs may be permitted on private property abutting a public right-of-way only if permission is granted by the owner of the property abutting that right-of-way. Evidence of permission from the landowner upon which the sign is to be constructed is required. Such signs shall be located not less than 10 feet from the edge of the right-of-way. Temporary off-premises directional signs for purposes of real estate sales shall be governed by and subject to those provisions contained herein relating to real estate directional signs. However, one day signs used to provide directions to real estate open houses and/or auction sales on the day of the open house or auctions shall not require permits under this section.
On-site directional signs. All properties in any form of commercial or industrial use, or which contains two or more multifamily dwellings, shall provide on-site directional signs showing, at a minimum, all points of entry and exit from the site, interior traffic flow patterns, truck and/or loading areas and parking areas. Signs showing the points of entry and exit from the site may be internally illuminated. Directional arrows painted on the paved surface may be used to show interior traffic flow patterns. The size of any above ground sign shall not exceed three square feet on any one side. The number of on-premises directional signs required for any development shall be determined by the Zoning Officer and shall depend on the nature, size and location of the site and the number needed to ensure the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.
Temporary step-in signs. Temporary step-in signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts and shall be subject to the following regulations:
Any person, corporation or firm seeking to place temporary step-in signs in Unity Township shall apply for a permit with the Code of the Township of Unity Enforcement Officer for same.
Any permit issued for a temporary step-in sign by the Code Enforcement Officer shall expire not greater than 14 days from its date of issuance.
The permittee shall remove any temporary step-in sign on the date the permit for same expires. The Township may remove any temporary step-in sign, without notice to the permittee, following the expiration of the permit.
The applicant for a permit to place a temporary step-in sign shall pay a fee to be established by the Board of Supervisors. The initial fee for a permit to install a temporary step-in sign shall be $15 per sign. The permittee shall be entitled a refund of $5 per sign if request for such refund is made to the Code Enforcement Officer within three business days of the date upon which the permit expires and the permittee provides sufficient evidence to the Code Enforcement Officer that the sign has been removed consistent with the terms of this Subsection I. The failure to remove any temporary step-in sign as required by this Subsection I shall be deemed a waiver of the permittee's right to request or receive a refund. The Board of Supervisors may amend the fee and refund amount provisions of this Subsection I by resolution hereafter.
Any corporation that qualifies as tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code advertising an event it is sponsoring shall pay an application fee of $5 per sign and shall be entitled to a refund of its entire permitting fee for up to 20 signs, upon compliance with all other provisions of this subsection, including but not limited to those relating to the removal of those signs permitted hereunder. No refund shall be given for permits in excess of 20.
A permit issued for a temporary step-in sign may be renewed one time for an additional fourteen-day period for a nonrefundable fee of $5 per sign.
Except for a tax exempt organization advertising an event it is sponsoring, no person, corporation, partnership or firm shall be entitled to have more than five active temporary step-in sign permits at one time.
No temporary step-in sign shall be located closer than six feet from the edge of the paved surface of any road, right-of-way or private drive. No temporary step-in sign shall be located within 15 feet of the intersection of the paved surfaces of any two connecting road surfaces, such distance being measured back from the point of intersection along the length of each road. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no temporary step-in sign shall be located in an area which blocks, impairs or otherwise interferes with the sight triangle at any intersection or the view of persons or vehicles entering or exiting any private residential or commercial property.
The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this article and payment of the required fee established by resolution of the Township Supervisors hereafter.
Real estate directional signs. The Board of Supervisors of Unity Township hereby acknowledges that the real estate industry requires special consideration in the issuance of permits for directional signs as the location of its product changes. Accordingly, the following shall be the process through which real estate directional signs are regulated within the Township:
Applications for real estate directional signs (hereinafter, REDS) shall be made by an office manager or director of a licensed real estate brokerage office. For purposes of this subsection, a licensed real estate brokerage office shall include the main office and any home or branch office.
REDS permits shall be issued on an annual basis and may be obtained beginning in January of each year. For all REDS permits obtained between the effective date of this Subsection J and December 31, 2007, the permit fee shall be $10 per sign. Thereafter, beginning January 1, 2008, the annual permit fee for REDS is hereby established at $15 per sign. The annual permit fee may be modified by resolution of the Board of Supervisors hereafter. There shall be no proration of annual permit fees, regardless of the date of application for same, the date such permit is issued or the date such permit is set to expire. There shall be no refund of any portion of any annual permit fee upon removal of any REDS.
All REDS permits shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year. In the event a licensed real estate brokerage office has not purchased more than the office's allocation of REDS permits in January of any year, it may obtain additional REDS permits in subsequent months, up to its permit limit; provided, however, that any additional permit purchased after January shall expire on December 31 of each year it is purchased, regardless of its purchase date.
One permit shall be required for each sign having an area not exceeding 216 square inches (i.e., a twelve-inch by eighteen-inch sign). Each real estate brokerage office shall be entitled to 30 REDS permits for signs not exceeding 216 square inches without a showing of cause. Thereafter, upon good cause shown, each brokerage office may seek up to 20 additional REDS permits from the Code Enforcement Office. Good cause shown shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer and shall be based on the following considerations:
The number of real estate agents working within the brokerage office at the time the request is made;
The number of properties for which listing agreements have been entered with the office at the time the request is made;
The location of properties listed by the office in remote areas of the Township requiring the use of multiple signs; and
Other considerations determined by the Code Enforcement Officer to be good cause for the issuance of such permits.
The office manager or director of a licensed real estate brokerage office shall be responsible for the allocation of REDS among properties listed within his or her office and agents working within his or her office. No property for which a listing agreement has been entered with a brokerage office shall have more than four REDS allocated to it at any one time.
All REDS shall be removed by the licensed real estate brokerage office within five days of closing on the property for which the REDS is used.
One day signs used to provide directions to single-day real estate open houses and/or single-day auction sales on the day of the open house or auctions shall not require permits under this section.
No real estate directional sign shall be located closer than six feet from the edge of the paved surface of any road, right-of-way or private drive. No real estate directional sign shall be located within 15 feet of the intersection of the paved surfaces of any two connecting road surfaces, such distance being measured back from the point of intersection along the length of each road.
Signs used to advertise viewings of model homes, model condominiums or model townhome units shall comply with the provisions of this chapter relating to temporary step-in signs and are not regulated under this subsection.
In addition to those signs referenced in § 118-30 above, only the following signs shall be permitted in any residential zoning districts:
Development identification sign. One permanent freestanding ground sign containing only the street address and/or name of a residential subdivision plan, multifamily building or other development shall be permitted for each site. Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. A sign identifying the name of a residential subdivision may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the plan.
Business identification sign. One non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated wall or freestanding ground sign shall be permitted for the identification of any business use, authorized or otherwise permitted in a residential zoning district. Such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
Home occupation identification sign. One non-illuminated home occupation identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that:
The surface area of the sign does not exceed two square feet,
The sign is mounted on the dwelling,
The sign contains only the name, address and occupation of the resident, and
Does not contain any logo or other advertising.
The following signs shall be permitted in commercial, industrial and institutional districts:
Temporary special event display. Temporary special event displays, as defined in this article, shall be permitted in conjunction with grand openings, going out of business sales and similar events, provided that:
The temporary special event display signs, banners or similar displays shall be securely attached to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding pole business identification sign, except that one freestanding A-frame or sandwich board sign no larger than six square feet in surface area may be placed on private property, provided it shall not obstruct the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic and shall not be placed in any public right-of-way;
Temporary special event display signs shall be displayed for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive days on no more than two occasions in any twelve-month period, unless extended by permission of the Township Supervisors for a specified period of time;
Portable or wheeled signs or a freestanding A-frame or sandwich board sign authorized by this chapter may be permitted to be used as temporary special event signs; and
Temporary special event display signs may be illuminated for special events, with the permission of the Township.
Multi-tenant commercial development identification sign. Either one permanent ground sign or one permanent pole sign, containing only the street address and/or name of a multi-tenant commercial plaza or development shall be permitted for each site. The area of the sign identifying the multi-tenant commercial plaza or development shall comply with the dimensional requirements set forth for ground and pole signs set forth hereafter. A sign identifying the name of a commercial plaza or development may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the development. In addition to the name and/or address of the development or plaza, the identification sign may contain the names of businesses located within the plaza or development, provided the sign for each business does not exceed four square feet in area.
Single-occupant commercial development identification sign. Either one permanent ground sign or one permanent pole sign, containing only the street address and/or name of a single-occupant commercial development shall be permitted for each site. The area of the sign identifying the multi-tenant commercial plaza or development shall comply with the dimensional requirements set forth for ground and pole signs set forth hereafter. A sign identifying the name of the development may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the development.
Changeable copy signs. In addition to the authorized business identification signs, one changeable copy sign shall be permitted per lot regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, which shall not exceed 80 square feet in aggregate area (i.e., the combined area of both sides) and shall be permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to the supporting structure of the authorized freestanding sign on the lot, provided the sign is used solely for advertising products, services and activities available on the site.
Business identification signs:
Wall signs. Each business establishment within a plaza or commercial development, or any business operating in a single-occupant commercial development may have only one wall sign. Such sign may be illuminated or non-illuminated. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building or portion of the building occupied by the business or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less. No wall sign shall be located on the roof nor extended above the height of the building.
Ground signs. In addition to any authorized wall signs, one freestanding illuminated or non-illuminated ground sign shall be permitted per development, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in any commercial district and shall not exceed 64 square feet in any industrial district.
The height and location of the signs shall be designed so as not to interfere with visibility for vehicular traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling on any street and, in no case, shall the total height exceed six feet.
All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line, except, where property abuts a public right-of-way, the ground sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way.
Pole signs. In addition to any authorized wall signs, one freestanding pole sign shall be permitted per development, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:
The pole sign may be non-illuminated or internally illuminated. No pole sign shall be directly illuminated from an external light source;
The surface area of each side of any freestanding pole sign shall bear the exact same information and the maximum surface area of each side shall not exceed:
For one occupant: 60 square feet of display or surface area;
For two occupants: 90 square feet square feet of display or surface area;
For three or more occupants: 120 square feet of display or surface area;
For four or more occupants in a facility or complex having a gross leasable floor area less than 100,000 square feet: 200 square feet of display or surface area; and
For four or more occupants in a facility or complex having a gross leasable floor area of 100,000 square feet or more: 300 square feet of display or surface area.
All freestanding pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from every property line, except, where property abuts on a public right-of-way the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way.
Roof signs. Roof signs shall be permitted only in the industrial zoning districts. One roof sign shall be permitted per building, regardless of the number of establishments in the building. Roof signs may be illuminated or non-illuminated. Roof signs shall be permitted only in place of a wall sign. The surface area of a roof sign shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building or a maximum of 200 square feet, whichever is less. Roof signs shall not project more than six feet above the highest point of the roof on which they are erected.
Arcade signs. In shopping centers or office complexes which have pedestrian access ways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior arcade, one arcade sign, as defined herein, shall be permitted for each business in the building, provided that the maximum surface area of each sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
Temporary business identification signs. A temporary business identification sign as herein defined may be placed on a building or over the standard of any existing sign to identify the business conducted on the premises while a permanent business identification sign is being procured, constructed, repaired or replaced, provided:
Such sign shall not exceed the dimensions permitted for business identification signs in the zoning district in which such sigh is located;
The applicant for a sign permit or owner of the property produces evidence that a permanent business identification sign has been purchased for the premises which meets the requirements of this chapter; and
Such temporary business identification sign remains on the premises for not more than 90 days from the date the permit for same is issued.
Canopy signs. A canopy sign may be placed only on a free or attached canopy over gasoline pumps or gasoline fueling islands. Such signs shall only contain the name and/or trade logo of the entity operating the business on the premises on which the canopy is located. The area of any canopy sign in which name and trade logo is depicted shall be counted against the overall area of wall or pole signage permitted on the property.
Digital price panel signs. The manual changeable price panel of a sign displaying the price of gasoline at a gas station may be changed to a digital price panel, provided the area of the digital price panel does not exceed the area of the existing manual changeable price panel.
Electronic signs shall not be permitted in any residential, conservation or agricultural zoning district.
Electronic signs are permitted in the M-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, I and I-AP Districts, subject to the limitations imposed for each district and the Route 30 and Route 981 corridors as set forth hereafter. Regardless of the area in which it is located:
The display, message or text of an electronic sign shall not change more than once every 10 seconds.
No electronic sign shall have more than two faces. In the event an electronic sign contains two faces, each face of the sign shall be synchronized with the other so that any copy or display changes at the same time on both faces/sides.
The square footage of any electronic sign shall be determined by its aggregate area. The aggregate area of signs having two faces or display areas (i.e., signs having two sides or signs arranged at angles so they may be seen from opposing directions) shall be determined by adding all display areas together. The display area shall be equal on each side. Any electronic sign arranged at an angle shall have an acute angle of not more than 30° between faces at any point.
Except for billboards as set forth hereafter, electronic signs shall only be used to advertise the businesses or business of tenants or occupants of the property and the activities of same which take place on the property upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall not be used to advertise the business of the owners, tenants or occupants of the property, or their events or activities, conducted off the property. Such signs shall not be used to advertise the business, events or activities of any other person, organization, entity, business or firm conducted off the site, except as hereafter provided in the I and I-AP Districts.
Not more than one electronic sign shall be permitted on any property in any zoning district or location regardless of the number of businesses, occupants or tenants occupying or leasing space in same.
The copy on all electronic signs shall be controlled or controllable from the premises upon which the sign is located.
No electronic sign shall have a display or copy which streams, rolls, pulsates, waves, flashes or contains any type of animation, movement, spinning, oscillation, scrolling or "ticker-tape" effect, background movement or any other form of motion of any other nature or kind, other than that necessary to change the fixed display or copy. In addition, the copy on any electronic sign shall not change by any form of "side-to-side," top-to-bottom" or "bottom-to-top" movement.
An electronic sign may only be constructed and maintained on a property in any zoning district if no other changeable copy sign exists. An electronic sign may be substituted for an existing changeable copy sign only if all existing changeable copy signs on the property are removed in their entirety. Electronic signs may not be coordinated with manual changeable copy signs.
An electronic sign must be attached to and be a part of the approved structure for a pole sign or ground sign. No electronic sign shall be permitted as a part of, on in addition to, a wall sign, roof sign or arcade sign.
The display area of any electronic sign shall not exceed five feet in height.
When made part of a pole sign, the display area of an electronic sign shall not be less than eight feet from ground level nor extend higher than 20 feet from ground level.
Requirements for electronic signs by district and use:
In the B-1, B-2 and M-1 Zoning Districts:
No one side shall exceed 40 square feet and the total area of such sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in the aggregate.
In the B-3 Zoning District:
No one side shall exceed 40 square feet and the total area of such sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in the aggregate;
Shopping centers which fall within the definition of large retail sales establishments may have a single electronic sign having a total area not in excess of 120 square feet, with a maximum area of 60 square feet on each side.
In the I and I-AP Districts:
No one side shall exceed 60 square feet and the total area of such sign shall not exceed 120 square feet in the aggregate, in either the I or I-AP Zoning District;
Electronic signs in the I and I-AP Districts and may be used to advertise events, operations, activities or programs conducted or carried out by the owners of the property, or to provide public service announcements. Such signs may also be used to advertise the business of tenants or occupants of the property, but not the events or activities of the tenants or occupants of the property where same are conducted off the site;
For purposes of this section, the term "public service announcement" shall mean emergency alerts or warnings, severe weather warnings or alerts, special events or activities put on or carried out by the Township of Unity or any of its volunteer fire departments, special events or activities put on or conducted by nonprofit organizations having their principal place of operation within the Township, provided such events are (1) carried out for charitable fund-raising purposes; (2) open to the general public for attendance and participation; and (3) conducted solely within the geopolitical boundaries of the Township;
The term "public service announcement" shall not be deemed or construed to mean:
Any activity advertising an event conducted in whole or in part for profit;
The general activities or logo relating to any corporation, business, organization or person, regardless of whether same is for profit or not for profit, not having its principal place of operations within the Township; and/or
An event or activity conducted outside the geopolitical boundaries of Unity Township.
Special exceptions. Electronic signs for commercial properties having frontage along Route 30 and along Route 981 from its intersection with Route 30, travelling north to the Township line, regardless of the zoning district in which it is located, may be permitted to expand the size of their electronic sign by not more than 25% of its permitted size and area by special exception provided the Zoning Hearing Board finds the following to exist:
The sign will not interfere with traffic or traffic patterns on the property;
The sign will not create an undue visual distraction for passing traffic;
The sign will not emit excess light or glare to the extent it affects surrounding property owners or passing traffic;
The sign is located in an area of the property that will not impede ingress, egress or regress to, from or across the property; and
The sign complies in all other respects to the requirements of this section.
Billboards shall not be permitted in any residential zoning district. Billboards shall be permitted only as conditional uses on property located in the following Zoning Districts: B-1, Rural Commercial; B-2, Community Commercial; B-3, Office Commercial; I, Institutional; and M-1, Manufacturing, following recommendation by the Planning Commission and a public hearing by the Board of Supervisors, provided all of the following requirements are met:
Location. Except as set forth in Subsection I hereafter, addressing special regulations for the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway, billboards may be authorized as a conditional use only in the aforesaid zoning districts, provided all of the following requirements are met:
Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of the boundary line of any R District or within 500 feet of any public or private school, church or cemetery, said 500 feet being measured along the radius of a circle from the center-most point of the billboard structure extending in all directions.
On interstate and limited access highways, billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of an interchange or safety rest area measured along the interstate or limited access highway from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way.
Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed billboard structures of 1,000 feet. Required spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the center-most point of the building structure along a line extending from the center-most point of the billboard which is parallel to the center line of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.
All minimum front, side and rear yard requirements applying to principal structures in the particular zoning district in which the billboard is located shall apply to each billboard structure.
No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road or street of any existing business identification sign, residential or nonresidential structure, or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements for any existing building.
No billboard shall be constructed in any fashion which shall obstruct or impede traffic safety.
Size and height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 225 square feet per sign face. This gross surface area shall be permitted, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:
A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard structure, which may be placed back-to-back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90° or less.
Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with all of the following additional requirements:
A billboard structure shall have one vertical support being no more than three feet in diameter or width and without additional bracing or vertical supports.
The vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face to be able to withstand a minimum one-hundred-mile-per-hour wind load. Structural design computations shall be made and certified by a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the Township with the application for conditional use.
The base shall be installed using a foundation and footing designed and certified by a registered professional engineer and shall be submitted to the Township with the application for conditional use.
The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of three feet placed in such a manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.
No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside, and all cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.
Every billboard structure shall be subject to the maintenance standards for signs as generally set forth in this chapter.
In the event that the Township shall determine that a billboard is in such a state of disrepair and/or dilapidation as to no longer be structurally sound, notice of such condition shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter relating to the issuance of notices of violation, revoking the permit for such sign until and unless the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered engineer within the time period prescribed in the notice. The owner of the billboard shall provide the Township a certificate from the engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
Billboards using removable paper or other materials shall be maintained in such a condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material protruding or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any sign face is changed.
Liability insurance. No billboard sign shall be erected unless the applicant shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and property damage which shall hold the Township and third persons harmless for those matters or claims arising out of the erection and maintenance of the billboard. The amount of insurance to be maintained shall be determined and adjusted from time to time by resolution of the Township Supervisors. The insurance certificate shall contain a clause stating that the insurance shall not be canceled or reduced without first giving 10 days' notice to the Township.
Permits. Prior to submission of an application for a sign permit, the applicant for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application approvals from the Westmoreland County Department of Aviation or the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.
Approval of the conditional use shall be valid for six months from the date of action by the Board of Supervisors granting the conditional use. If the applicant fails to obtain a sign permit for the approved billboard within the six-month period, approval of the conditional use shall expire automatically without written notice to the applicant.
The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard which has been granted approval of a conditional use shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for billboards along state highways. If the applicant fails to submit evidence of the required approval by PennDOT within 30 days of the issuance of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the Township Zoning Officer, who shall provide written notice to the applicant.
The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit upon submission of evidence of PennDOT approval without payment of any additional sign permit fee, provided the application is filed within the six-month period during which the conditional approval is valid.
Application fees. Said application shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount equal to that set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
Nonconforming billboards. Any billboard which does not conform to the requirements of this section shall not be enlarged or moved unless the billboard complies with all provisions of this section. Any billboard which is damaged or destroyed by more than 51% of its replacement value at the time of damage or destruction shall be reconstructed only in compliance with all provisions of this section.
Lincoln highway scenic by-way regulations. No billboard or other outdoor advertising device, as defined, may be erected by any owner, person responsible or other person:
Within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of U.S. Route 30 or the Lincoln Highway;
More than 660 feet from the nearest edge of the right-of-way of U.S. Route 30 if the outdoor advertising device is visible from the main traveled way of U.S. Route 30 or the Lincoln Highway and the purpose of the outdoor advertising device is that its message be read from the main traveled way of U.S. Route 30 or the Lincoln Highway, except as follows:
The official signs and notices which are required or authorized by law and which conform to the nation standards promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States pursuant to 232 U.S.C. § 131 (relating to control of outdoor advertising);
Outdoor advertising devices advertising the sale or lease of the real property upon which they are located;
Outdoor advertising devices advertising activities conducted on the property on which they are located, including devices which display a message that may be changed at reasonable intervals by electronic process or remote control; and
Directional signs, including but not limited to signs pertaining to natural wonders, scenic, and historical attractions and other points of interest to the traveling public, which conform to the national standards promulgated by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation of the United States pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 131.
Electronic billboards. No existing billboard may be converted to or replaced with an electronic sign face, nor shall any new billboard be constructed with an electronic sign face, unless it meets the size, dimension, location, construction, maintenance and all other provisions of this chapter relating to and required for new billboards herein, and, provided:
[Added 5-14-2015 by Ord. No. O-2-2015; amended 5-11-2017 by Ord. No. O-5-2017]
The display, message or text of the electronic billboard does not change more than once every 30 seconds;
The electronic billboard does not have more than two faces. In the event an electronic billboard contains two faces, each face of the sign shall be synchronized with the other so that any copy or display changes at the same time on both faces/sides;
The square footage complies with the square footage required for standard billboards as determined by its aggregate area. The aggregate area of signs having two faces or display areas (i.e., signs having two sides or arranged at angles so they may be seen from opposing directions) shall be determined by adding all display areas together. The display area shall be equal on each side. Any electronic billboard arranged at an angle shall have an acute angle of not more than 30° between faces at any point;
The copy on the electronic billboard is controlled or controllable from a fixed location within the Township;
The electronic billboard does not have a display or copy which streams, rolls, pulsates, waves, flashes or contains any type of animation, movement, spinning, oscillation, scrolling or "ticker-tape" effect, background movement or any other form of motion of any other nature or kind, other than that necessary to change the fixed display or copy. In addition, the copy on any electronic sign shall not change by any form of "side-to-side," top-to-bottom" or "bottom to top" movement;
The electronic billboard is constructed and maintained on a property where no other billboard exists. An electronic billboard may be substituted for an existing billboard only if all existing billboards on the property are removed in their entirety. Electronic billboards may not be coordinated with fixed copy billboards;
No other electronic billboards or electronic signs exist within 1,000 lineal feet in any direction from the proposed billboard;
The billboard has automatic dimming devices and is appropriately dimmed during evening hours; and
Any new billboard must obtain the same conditional use approval as a standard Billboard pursuant to the terms of this chapter.
In the event the Zoning Officer shall determine that a sign was erected in violation of any provision set forth in the permit issued for that sign or if the Zoning Officer shall determine that a sign is in a state of disrepair or dangerous condition, then the following procedures for permit revocation shall apply:
A notice of violation shall be issued to the owner of the property upon which the sign is located and, if known, to the actual owner of the sign specifically identifying the violation and establishing a term of not more than 30 days for the violation to be remedied.
If the owner does not take remedial action within the time period specified in the notice of violation, then the permit shall be revoked by the determination of the Zoning Officer and the sign shall be removed.
The owner may appeal the notice of violation by filing a request for hearing by the Board of Supervisors within the time specified for remedial action and by payment of an application fee equal to the amount then being assessed by the Township for conditional use applications.
In the event of an appeal, the Board of Supervisors shall advertise and hold a hearing under the guidelines set forth for conditional use applications and thereafter issue a written decision.
If the owner fails to take the required remedial action or to file an appeal as permitted herein, the Township may pursue any and all enforcement options available under this chapter, at law or in equity.