MapLink™ | Signs

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ABANDONED SIGN
A sign located on a property or premises which is vacant and/or unoccupied for a period of six months, or a sign which is damaged, in disrepair, or vandalized and not repaired within 60 days of the date of the damaging event and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
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ADVERTISING SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign which conveys a commercial or noncommercial message unrelated to the activity conducted on the lot where the sign is located or a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than on the same lot where the sign is located. A structure intended to support or contain such a sign shall also be considered an off-premises advertising sign.
A-FRAME OR SANDWICH BOARD SIGN
A movable sign consisting of two faces, connected and hinged at the top.
 

A-Frame/Sandwich Board
ANIMATION
The movement or the optical illusion of movement of any part of the sign structure, design or pictorial segment, including the movement of any illumination or the flashing or varying of light intensity; the automatic changing of all or any part of the facing of a sign; the movement of a sign set in motion by the atmosphere. Time-and-temperature devices shall be considered animated signs.
APPLICANT
A person or entity who applies for a sign permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
AREA OF SIGN
See computation of area in individual signs and computation of area of multifaced signs.
COMPUTATION OF AREA IN INDIVIDUAL SIGNS
The area of sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

COMPUTATION OF AREA OF MULTIFACED SIGNS
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
ATTRACTION BOARD
See "changeable panel sign."
CHANGEABLE PANEL SIGN
A sign designed to allow it's informational content to be changed or altered.
AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A traffic directional sign which is used to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a parcel to the location of an automated teller machine.
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AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE SIGN
Any sign located on or architecturally associated with the exterior face of an automated teller machine.
AWNING SIGN
Signs which are placed on or integrated into fabric or other material canopies which are mounted on the exterior wall of a building.

 
Awning Sign
BANNER SIGN
 
A sign intended to be hung either with or without a frame with characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic, fabric or similar material excluding flags, emblems, and insignia or political, professional, religious, education, or corporate organizations providing that such flags, emblems, and insignia are displayed for noncommercial purposes.
 
 
Civic Event Banner
 

 
Banner Sign
BILLBOARD
A type of off-premises advertising sign and which conveys a commercial or noncommercial message unrelated to the activity conducted on the lot where the sign is located, or a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than on the same lot where the sign is located. A structure intended to support or contain such a sign shall also be considered a billboard.
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BUSINESS
Any approved nonresidential use including commercial, manufacturing, and industrial enterprises; public buildings and uses such as public schools, parks, civic centers, municipal buildings; and semipublic buildings and uses such as churches, fire houses, ambulance buildings, private schools, and libraries.
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BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign that directs attention to a business (see definition) conducted, or to a commodity or service sold, offered, or produced, or to an entertainment offered on the premises where the sign is located.
BUSINESS NAME
The name by which a business is commonly recognized and used by the applicant. The applicant shall provide stationary or other supporting documents illustrating the use of the business name or verification of the official business license or tax name. Slogans or product information shall not be considered as the business name.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
 
Canopy Sign on Freestanding Canopy
CHANGEABLE PANEL SIGN
A sign designed to allow it's informational content to be changed or altered.
 

Changeable Panel Sign
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
Any sign wording, logo, or other representations that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
COMPUTATION OF AREA IN INDIVIDUAL SIGNS
The area of sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
COMPUTATION OF AREA OF MULTIFACED SIGNS
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
COMPUTATION OF HEIGHT
The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of: (1) existing grade prior to construction; or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zone lot, whichever is lower.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor, and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property on which the sign is located.
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CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR SIGNS
The temporary signs which identify the contractor or subcontractor engaged in the construction, reconstruction or repair of a building or buildings on a lot or parcel or property.
DEVELOPMENT SIGN
A temporary sign used to identify an approved future development.


Development Sign
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign that provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, including, but not specifically limited to, those signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas, and other similar facilities.
 

Directional Sign
DIRECTORY SIGN
A sign which provides a listing of the names of businesses, activities, addresses, locations, uses or places within a building or complex of buildings for the purposes of giving directions, instruction, or facility information and which may contain the name and logo of an establishment but no advertising copy.
 



Directory Sign
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign with two faces, essentially back to back.
EASEL SIGN
A self-supporting, movable sign consisting of one face with supporting legs or a supporting frame, or a sign displayed on an easel.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN
Any sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image or video, which may or may not include text, where the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes. This definition includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, LED screens, video boards, holographic displays, and other similar media.
EMERGENCY SIGNS
Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.
FACADE
Any exterior wall of a building exposed to public view; and any structure or part of a structure attached to, or otherwise mounted parallel to, an exterior wall or other vertical part of the structure.
FLAG
Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity which is mounted on a pole, cable, or rope at one end.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported permanently upon the ground by poles or braces and that is not attached to any building.
 
 
Common Freestanding Sign Types
GOVERNMENT SIGN
Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the Township, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or any school, hospital, historical site, or public service, property, or facility.
GRAND OPENING
The introduction, promotion or announcement of a new business, store, shopping center or office, or the announcement, introduction or promotion of an established business changing ownership. A business qualifies for a grand opening sign when it has been closed to the public for a period of 30 days.
GROUND LEVEL
The finished grade of the adjacent street curb or where there is no street curb, six inches above street grade. Ground level shall be the existing natural grade.
GROUND SIGN
A freestanding sign that is architecturally integrated with the building with individually mounted letters and/or logos only. This sign shall be built with continuous background surface built from the ground up.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less.
ILLEGAL SIGN
Any sign erected without first obtaining an approved sign permit, other than nonconforming signs, and which does not meet the requirement of this chapter.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
 
 
 
Internal and External Illumination
INCIDENTAL OR INSTRUCTIONAL SIGN
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as "no parking, entrance, loading only, telephone" and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
 
 
       Incidental Sign or Instructional Sign
INDIRECT ILLUMINATION
A source of external illumination located away from the sign, but which is itself not visible to persons viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk or adjacent property.
INDIVIDUAL LETTERS
A cut-out or etched letter or logo which is individually placed on a landscape, screen wall, building wall or ground sign.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATION
A source of illumination entirely within the sign which makes the contents of the sign visible at night by means of the light being transmitted through a translucent material but wherein the source of illumination is not visible.
LOGO
A graphic symbol representing an activity, use or business. Permitted logos shall be registered trademarks or symbols commonly used by the applicant, and may include graphic designs in addition to lettering. The applicant shall provide stationary or other supporting documents illustrating the use of the logo.
LUMINANCE
A measure of the brightness of a surface which is emitting or reflecting light.
The unit of measurement is candelas per square meter or nits (1 nit = 1 cd/m2).
See NIT.
MAINTENANCE
The replacing or repairing of a part or portion of a sign necessitated by ordinary wear, tear or damage beyond the control of the owner or the reprinting of existing copy without changing the wording, composition or color of said copy.
MARQUEE
Any permanent rooflike structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.
 
 
Marquee Sign
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MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding cabinet or panel sign mounted on, or within a base (above grade), which is detached from any building.
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MULTIPLE OCCUPANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING
A commercial development in which there exists two or more separate commercial activities, in which there are appurtenant shared facilities (such as parking or pedestrian mall), and which is designed to provide a single area in which the public can obtain varied products and services. Distinguishing characteristics of a multiple tenant commercial building may, but need not, include common ownership of the real property upon which the center is located, common-wall construction, and multiple occupant commercial use of a single structure.
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NAMEPLATE
A small sign which identifies a resident's or home's name and address or the name of a farm, ranch or commercial stable. Such signs may be shingle, building wall or archway-mounted signs.
NIT
A unit of measure of luminance, based on candelas per meter squared.
NONCOMMERCIAL FREE SPEECH SIGN
A sign with no commercial content which expresses personal ideas and values, advocates a position on an issue, or seeks converts and supporters and which does not meet the definition of a political sign.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which is not allowed under this chapter, but which, when first constructed before this chapter was in effect and for which a sign permit was issued, was legally allowed.
OCCUPANCY
A purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.
OWNER
A person recorded as such on official records. For the purpose of this chapter, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the Zoning Officer.
PANEL
A two-dimensional visual background behind the sign letters and logos which is visually separated from the mounting upon which the sign letters and logos are placed by the presence of a border, different colors, different materials, or other technique of visual framing around the letters or logos.
PARAPET
That portion of a building exterior wall projecting above the plate line of the building.
PENNANT
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
PERMANENT SIGN
Any sign which is intended to be and is constructed as to be in lasting and enduring condition remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear) and position, and in a permanent manner affixed to the ground, wall or building, provided the sign is listed as a permanent sign in the article.
PLATE LINE
The point at which any part of the main roof structure first touches or bears upon an external wall.
POLITICAL SIGN
A temporary sign which supports candidates for office or urges action on any other matter on the ballot of primary, general and special elections.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels, signs converted to A- or T-frames, menu and sandwich-board signs, balloons used as signs, umbrellas used for advertising and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.


Portable Sign
 
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign affixed to a building wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.


Projecting Sign
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PUBLIC PROPERTY
Unless otherwise expressly provided, "public property" means any and all real or personal property over which the Township or other governmental entity has or may exercise control, whether or not the government owns the property in fee, including, sidewalks, rights-of-way and improved or unimproved land of any kind and all property appurtenant to it.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
No commercial sign shall be erected so as to project beyond a property line, over a public sidewalk or over or within a public right-of-way.
ROOF LINE
The uppermost line of the roof of a building or, in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the topmost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves, and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be roof signs. See the following illustration for example of roof signs, and comparison of differences between roof and fascia signs. (See below.)
 
 
Comparison — Roof and Fascia Signs
SHINGLE SIGN
A sign suspended from a roof overhang of a covered porch, walkway or horizontal plane surface which identifies the tenant of the adjoining space.
SIGN
Any device for visual communication which is used or is intended to attract the attention of the public with a purpose of identifying, when the display of the device is visible beyond the boundaries of the public or private property upon which the display is made. The term "sign" shall not include any flag or badge or insignia of the United States, State of Pennsylvania, Monroe County, the Township, or official historic plaques of any governmental jurisdiction or agency.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences or to other objects, the advertising matter appearing on which is not applicable to the present use of the premises upon which such sign is located. (Does not include the exempt signs listing in § 400-111B.)
SPECIAL EVENT
A promotional event such as, but not limited to, grand openings, bazaars, street fairs, shows, exhibitions, sporting events, runs, bicycling events, and block parties. This does not include sidewalk sales occurring on private property where merchandise normally sold indoors is transferred from indoors to outdoors for sale.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign, banner, pennant, or valance of advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, plastic, wallboard or other like materials, with or without frames, attached to the ground, wall or building.
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TRAFFIC DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs used at driveways to improve public safety and to enhance public access to the site from public streets, which provides information to assist the operators of vehicles in the flow of traffic. Such signs may use names, logos, or symbols of buildings, businesses, activities, uses or places as a means of direction.
WALL SIGN
Any sign attached parallel to, but within six inches of, a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.

  Wall Signs
WINDOW SIGN
 
Any poster, cut-out letters, painted text or graphics, or other text or visual presentation affixed to or placed behind a window pane which is intended to be read from the exterior of the building.
 
            Sign Comparison
 
See § 400-108: Administration for detailed information.

Construction requirements.
All signs permitted by this chapter shall be constructed in accord with all construction code requirements and the provisions of this Subsection C.
(1) Obstruction to exit. No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape required exit, window, door opening, or wall opening intended as a means of ingress or egress.

(2) Obstruction to ventilation. No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.

(3) Clearance from electrical power lines and communication lines. All signs shall be located in such a way that they maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all electrical power lines and communication lines in accordance with the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code. However, in no instance shall a sign be erected or constructed within eight feet of any electrical power line, conductor, or service drop, or any communication line, conductor, or service drop.

(4) Clearance from surface and underground facilities. All signs and supporting structures shall maintain clearance and non-interference with all surface and underground facilities and conduits for water, sewage, gas, electricity, or communications equipment or lines. In addition, the placement of all signs and their supporting structures shall not interfere with natural or artificial drainage or surface or underground water.

(5) No obstruction to any existing warning or instructional sign. No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to interfere with any existing warning or instructional sign.

(6) Traffic hazards. No sign shall be erected in such a way as to interfere with or to confuse traffic, to present any traffic hazard, or to obstruct the vision of motorists, and all signs shall comply with the clear sight triangle requirements of this chapter.

(7) Public right-of-way; setback. No sign may be erected or maintained in the public right-of-way unless an encroachment permit has first been obtained for the sign. No signs other than official traffic signs shall be erected or maintained nearer to a curb or shoulder than a distance equaling the height of the sign, unless attached flatly to a building.

(8) Clearance. Clearance beneath overhead signs shall be at least nine feet, measured from the ground or pavement to the bottommost part of the sign.

(9) Height. No portion of a sign shall be positioned in a manner that exceeds the height of the primary structure on the property on which it is located.

Maintenance.
Each sign shall be maintained in good order and repair at all times so that it does not constitute any danger or hazard to public safety, or a visual blight, and is free of peeling paint, major cracks, or loose and dangling materials.
 
Illumination.
All signs permitted by this chapter may be illuminated in accord with the provisions of this Subsection E.
(1) Type of illumination. Illumination may be by internal, internal/indirect or by indirect means.

(2) Flashing. Flashing signs are prohibited in accord with Subsection A(3). (See § 400-116 for permitted electronic signs.)

(3) Glare. All signs shall be so designed located, shielded, and directed so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon adjacent publicly dedicated roadways and surrounding property.

(4) Floodlighting. Floodlighting of signs shall be arranged so that the source of light is not visible from any point of the lot and so that only the sign is directly illuminated.
Removal of certain signs.
A. Abandoned signs.
(1) Removal. Any sign, whether existing on or erected after the effective date of this chapter, which advertises a business or use no longer being conducted or a product or service no longer being offered for sale in or from the premises on which the sign is located, shall be presumed to be abandoned and shall be removed within 18 months upon the cessation of such business or use or sale of such product or service by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial interest in the building or premises on which such sign is located.

(2) Enforcement. Enforcement of a violation of Subsection A(1), above, shall be in accord with § 400-134.
 
B. Nuisance signs.
(1) Violation. The maintenance of any sign which is unsafe or insecure or is a nuisance shall be considered a violation of this chapter.

(2) Enforcement. Enforcement of a violation of Subsection B(1), above, shall be in accord with § 400-134.

(3) Immediate peril. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Zoning Officer is authorized to cause any sign to be removed summarily and without notice, at the expense of the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial interest in the building or premises on which such sign is located, whenever the Zoning Officer determines that such sign is an immediate peril to persons or property.

C. Illegal signs.
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign is displayed in violation of this chapter, he shall proceed with an enforcement action in accord with § 400-134.
A. Prohibited signs.
All signs not expressly permitted or exempted under this chapter from regulation are prohibited. Such prohibited signs include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) "A" frame or sandwich-board signs. "A" frame or sandwich-board and sidewalk or curb signs except as a temporary sign permitted by § 400-112.

(2) Light strings, banners, pennants, and balloons. Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempt under Subsection B, banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, and other inflatable figures, except as a temporary sign permitted by § 400-112.

(3) Animated, moving and flashing signs. Signs which are animated, flash, blink, revolve, rotate, swing, undulate, or move by any means, or otherwise attract attention through the movement or flashing of parts, including, but not limited to, automatic, electronically controlled copy changes (except as permitted in § 400-116), search lights, strobe lights and disco balls; or through the impression of movement or flashing except for time and temperature indicators whose movement is either digital or analog, and flags as permitted by this chapter.

(4) Mirrors. Signs which use a mirror or similar device to attract attention by reflecting images or otherwise reflecting light.

(5) Portable and wheeled signs. Portable and wheeled signs except as a temporary sign permitted by § 400-112.

(6) Projecting signs. Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to a building and project more than 15 inches beyond the wall surface of such building to which the sign is attached or otherwise affixed thereto.

(7) Signs on parked vehicles. Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles, trailers and/or containers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business, organization or activity.

(8) Signs on utility poles or trees. Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to utility poles, or trees or other vegetation.

(9) Signs which imitate or obstruct traffic control devices. Signs which imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with or obstruct any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or other device.

(10) Emissions. No sign shall be permitted to emit any sound, odor or visible matter such as smoke.

(11) Obscene or pornographic. Obscene or pornographic signs or signs advertising obscene or pornographic information or materials. Any sign which exhibits statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic material or information, or contains advertising material or information for obscene or pornographic material or information.

(12) Snipe signs.

B. Exempt signs. See § 400-111B for a list of exempt signs.
A. Legal, nonconforming signs. Any sign lawfully existing or under construction on the effective date of this chapter which does not conform to one or more of the provisions of this chapter may be continued in operation and maintained as a legal nonconforming use.

B. Maintenance and repair of legal nonconforming signs.
(1) Area. The total area of any nonconforming sign shall not be increased.

(2) Removal and reconstruction. The removal and reconstruction of a nonconforming sign shall only be permitted in accord with the requirements of § 400-99E applicable to other nonconforming structures.
 
(3) Damage or destruction. A nonconforming sign which is damaged or destroyed may be rebuilt in a nonconforming fashion only in accord with § 400-99A applicable to other nonconforming structures.
 
(4) Improvements and maintenance. Nonconforming signs may be repainted, repaired or modernized, provided such improvements do not increase the dimensions, height or position of the existing nonconforming sign or change the sign, message or business being advertised.
 
(5) Conversion to electronic message sign.
(a) Any nonconforming sign which is converted to an electronic message sign shall be made conforming to the requirements of this article.
(b) A sign which is nonconforming as to zoning district location shall not be converted to an electronic message sign.
Electronic message signs shall be permitted only in accord with this section.
A. Types of signs.
(1) In the C-1 Convenience Commercial, C-2 Office Park, I Industrial and I-A Industrial Airport Districts, the following types of signs, as otherwise permitted by this chapter, may be in the form of an electronic message sign:
(a) Changeable panel sign (§ 400-114G).
(b) Individual freestanding business identification sign [§ 400-114A(2)].
(c) Shopping center and multiple occupant business freestanding identification sign [§ 400-114B(3)].
(d) A retail fuel sales sign (§ 400-114F).

(2) An off-premises advertising sign or billboard (§ 400-115), as otherwise permitted by this chapter, may be an electronic message sign only adjacent to I-380 in accord with this section and PennDOT requirements.

B. Standards. In addition to the other applicable requirements of this chapter, electronic message signs shall comply with the following:
(1) One sign. Only one electronic message sign shall be permitted per lot. If the sign structure has two sign faces, each sign face may be an electronic message sign.

(2) Size. The electronic message sign shall not exceed 80% of the maximum allowable size of a nonelectronic message sign of the same type.

(3) Message display.
(a) Motion. Electronic message sign motion shall be limited to the transition from one message to another. The image shall be static, with no animation, streaming video, flashing, scrolling, fading, or other illusions of motion.

(b) Transition. Transitions for electronic message signs shall change without any of the following: fading in or out; scrolling; blinking; sudden bursts of light or sound; and/or, the appearance of graphics or animation. The content shall not change more than once every 15 seconds.

(c) Continuation. The images and messages displayed shall be complete on display without continuation in content to the next image or message or to any other sign.

(d) Projection. Images or messages projected onto buildings or other objects shall be prohibited.

(e) No red, green or yellow lights shall be permitted such that the display looks like a traffic signal.

(4) Luminance. Electronic message signs shall not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare, hazard or impair the vision of the motorist, or interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal.
(a) Maximum. Electronic message signs shall have a maximum luminance of 5,000 nits when measured from the sign face at its maximum brightness during daylight hours. During the nighttime, such signs shall be limited to a maximum luminance of 150 nits when measured from the sign face at its maximum brightness.
[1] Definitions. See § 400-116B(4)(a)[1].

(b) Dimmer control. All electronic message signs shall be equipped with both a dimmer control and a photocell that automatically adjusts the display's luminance according to natural ambient light conditions.

(c) Light trespass. Electronic message signs shall comply with the light and glare requirements of § 27-49I. The maximum light trespass limit at the boundary line of R-1, R-2, R-3, SP and W-C Districts and permanent open space shall be 0.1 footcandle, and 1.0 footcandle at the boundary line of C-1, C-2, I and I-A Districts.

(d) Measurement. Surface luminance measurements shall be made directly with a calibrated luminance meter in accord with manufacturer's specifications. Readings shall be taken from the area from which the sign will be visible, usually the road, and which is closest to being directly in front of the sign where the luminosity output is most focused. This reading shall be the measurement of an all-white image display to evaluate the worst-case scenario. With an all-white display, a maximum of 200 nits shall be permitted during nighttime.

(e) Certification. Prior to issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the sign luminance has been factory preset to not exceed 5,000 nits and that the intensity has been protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software.

(5) Height. The electronic message sign shall not exceed the maximum allowable height of a nonelectronic message sign of the same type.

(6) Structural support. No more than one digital sign or billboard may be installed on a single structural support; that is, signs shall not be stacked vertically or horizontally.

(7) Automatic shutoff. The controls for the sign shall include fail-safe programming to freeze the static image or turn off the sign in the case of a malfunction to prevent a violation of ordinance provisions.

(8) Emergency messages. The applicant shall be required to coordinate and permit message access from local, regional, state and national emergency services during emergency situations and such messages shall not be required to conform to the message standards in this section.

(9) No messages shall be displayed that are intended to be and/or that result in a dangerous distraction to drivers.

(10) The sign shall utilize a non-glare face combined with flat-colored borders to minimize reflection of the sun or vehicle headlights. The sign shall have dark backgrounds and light letters, rather than light backgrounds and dark letters, to help reduce glare.

(11) No electronic message sign shall be located within 500 feet of any lot containing a residential use and/or any lot located within a residential zoning district.

(12) No two electronic message signs shall be spaced less than 300 feet apart.
Administration.
A. Administration. The purpose of this article is to establish standards for the regulation of signs in order to safeguard the public interest and:
(1) To preserve the beauty and the unique character of the Township;

(2) To promote and aid in the tourist industry of the Township;

(3) To protect the general public from damage and injury which may be caused by the faulty construction of signs;

(4) To protect pedestrians and motorists from damage of injury caused, or partially attributable to the distractions and obstructions caused by improperly situated signs;

(5) To promote the public safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of travel and the free flow of traffic;

(6) To assure that signs are clear and provide the essential identity or direction to facilities in the community; and

(7) To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of the sign restrictions throughout the Township.

B. Applicability and effect.
A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained in the Township only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exceptions, and other requirements of this chapter. The effect of this chapter as more specifically set forth herein is:
(1) To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in the various zones, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this chapter;

(2) To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this chapter, but without a requirement for permits;

(3) To provide for temporary signs without commercial messages in limited circumstances in the public right-of-way; and

(4) To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.

C. Requirement of conformity. No sign, for which a permit is issued after the effective date of this chapter, may be placed or maintained in the Township except as provided herein. All signs maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter are declared to be nuisances, and as such may be abated as provided by law.

D. Recommended types of signs. It is recommended that signs be:
(1) Wood or simulated wood relief. (See § 400-111M.)
(2) Designed as an integral architectural element of the building and component of the site.
(3) Comprised of restrained colors, materials, and lighting and compatible with the building and site, and rural character of the Township.