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OFFICIAL

PETERS TOWNSHIP

WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ORDINANCE NO. ______________

AN ORDINANCE OF PETERS TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING, IN ITS ENTIRETY, §440-

700 SIGNAGE AND PUBLIC DISPLAY, OF THE PETERS TOWNSHIP CODE

OF ORDINANCE.

WHEREAS, the Township has identified the need to amend the Township’s Sign Ordinance to

comply with the 2015 Supreme Court Ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert.

WHEREAS, the Township has also identified numerous substantive changes to the Sign Ordinance

that will ensure a high-quality aesthetic throughout the Township while also providing sufficient means of

advertising for businesses and others.

NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby ordained and enacted by the Peters Township Council, County

of Washington, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as follows:

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Part 7

Signage and Public Display §440-700 Intent.

The sign regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this section are intended to provide effective and

compatible communication of information regarding public safety, location, streets and street addresses

and basic community identity. Specifically, Part 7, Signage and Public Display, is intended to:

A. Ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained so that public safety and traffic

safety are not compromised.

B. Minimize the distractions and the obstructing of view that contributes to traffic hazards and

endangers public safety.

C. Encourage a high standard for signs in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance and attractiveness

of the community and, further, create an aesthetic environment that contributes to the ability of the

community to attract sources of economic development and growth.

D. Allow for adequate and effective signs for communicating identification while preventing signs

from dominating the visual appearance of the area in which they are located. In the interest of public

safety, the visibility of street address information for use by emergency responders (fire, police and

medical) is of preeminent importance.

E. Guide public safety, area development, preservation of lot values and the general welfare of Peters

Township.

F. To preserve the rights of individuals and businesses to free speech and expression within a uniform

set of regulations without regard to the message’s content.

§440-701 Applicability.

Any sign erected, altered or maintained after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the

following regulations.

§440-702 Illegal Signs.

The Planning Director or their designee shall deem illegal any sign erected in the Township that is not a

permitted sign as defined in this section or is erected without a necessary permit.

§440-703 Definitions.

All words used in this Part 7 shall carry their customary dictionary definitions as provided in the most

recent edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, except where specifically defined herein. For the

purpose of this Part 7, certain words shall have the meaning assigned to them as follows:

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ABANDONED SIGN

A sign which hosts an advertisement that has not been accurate or valid for a period of at least 60

days, is in a state of disrepair, or is located on a vacant or abandoned property.

AWNING

A temporary hood or cover that projects from the wall of a building and which can be retracted,

folded or collapsed against the face of the supporting building.

AWNING SIGN

Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning.

BANNER

Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material attached to any structure, staff, pole,

rope, wire, or framing which is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are

temporary in nature and do not include flags.

BILLBOARD

A type of off-premise sign and structure for the permanent display of advertising of products and

services not offered or conducted on the same property where the sign is located. Off-premises

advertising directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or

offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

CANOPY

A structure other than an awning made of fabric, metal or other material that is supported by

columns or posts affixed to the ground and may also be connected to a building.

CANOPY SIGN

Any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy.

DIRECTIONAL SIGN

Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic into and out of or within a

site.

DRIVE-THROUGH MENU BOARD

A sign oriented to occupants of a vehicle utilizing a drive-through lane at an establishment that has a

drive-through accessory use.

ELECTRONIC DISPLAY

Any portion of a billboard that contains alphanumeric characters, graphics or symbols defined by a

small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LED), fiber

optics, light bulbs or other illumination device within the display area

ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN

An on-premises sign that is a type of illuminated, changeable copy sign that consists of

electronically changing alphanumeric text which, in whole or in part, may be changed by means of

electronic programming.

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FLAG

Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or other like material, with distinctive colors,

patterns or symbols, attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported or

anchored at only two corners.

FREESTANDING SIGN

A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that is

independent and detached from any building or other structure.

HANGING BRACKET SIGN

Any sign that hangs from rope, cable or chain or other flexible means of support to a bracket or

other type of support anchored to a single pole. A hanging bracket sign may be considered one sign

though it may have two faces.

ILLUMINATION

A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly from a source of light incorporated in or

indirectly from an artificial source.

A. EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION: Artificial light, located away from the sign, which lights the

sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons viewing the sign from any

street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.

B. INTERNAL ILLUMINATION: A light source that is concealed or contained within the sign

and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface. Electronic variable message

signs and signs incorporating neon lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the

purposes of this chapter.

C. HALO/BACK-LIT ILLUMINATION: A sign using a three-dimensional message, logo, etc.,

which is lit in such a way as to produce a halo effect.

INCIDENTAL SIGN

A nonelectric sign two (2) square feet or less in size intended primarily for the convenience of the

public while on the premises the sign is located.

LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT

Local unit of government refers to Peters Township, the Peters Township School District and the

local sanitary authorities.

MARQUEE SIGN

A sign located on, or attached to, a permanent structure, other than a roof or canopy, attached to,

supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection from the elements.

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MONUMENT SIGN

A freestanding sign supported entirely by a base structure and not mounted on a pole or attached to

any part of a building. The base is to be constructed of materials used in the main structure. A

monument sign shall be considered one sign though it may have two faces.

PERMANENT SIGN

A sign attached or affixed to a building, window or structure, or to the ground in a manner that

enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or

movement of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.

POLE SIGN

A sign erected and maintained on a freestanding frame, mast or pole and not attached to any

building, but does not include ground-mounted signs. A pole sign may be considered one sign

though it may have two sign faces.

PROJECTING SIGN

A sign, other than a wall sign, which is affixed to, supported by and perpendicular to the exterior

wall of a building or structure.

SIGN

Any material substance or medium that contains graphic content, whether symbolic or alphabetic,

that is intended for the purpose of conveying information, product advertising, services, goods,

activities or directions. This does not pertain to traffic control or directional signs located within a

road right-of-way as placed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Washington County or Peters

Township. The term "placed" shall include erecting, constructing, posting, painting, printing,

tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving, or otherwise fastening, affixing or making visible in any

manner whatsoever.

SIGN AREA

The entire face of a sign, including the advertising surface and any framing, trim, or molding, but

not including the supporting structure for all other signs. If no framing is provided, the sign area is

the smallest rectangle that encloses all lettering and other graphics. The maximum sign area is the

maximum allowable gross surface area in square feet of a sign or signs.

TEMPORARY SIGN

A type of nonpermanent sign that is located on private property that can be displayed for a limited

duration specified in this chapter.

WALL SIGN

A sign which is affixed to the exterior wall of a building and which is parallel to the building wall.

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WINDOW SIGN

A sign affixed to the inside of a window or inside the building within three (3) feet of a window

in view of the general public. This does not include merchandise on display. Window signage

shall include, but is not limited to, business and logo signs.

YARD SIGN

A standalone freestanding sign on a residential property that is no greater than six (6) square feet in

size, located in the property’s front or side yard. These signs are not required to be monument style

freestanding signs.

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§440-704 General Sign Regulations

A. Packages, permits, fees and procedures.

(1) All proposed developments shall be required to submit a sign package to the Township

Planning Department for its approval prior to any sign permits being issued to businesses

within the development. This provision shall apply to new construction after the effective date

of this chapter. "Sign package" shall mean a detailed description, including but not limited to

type, size and location of all signs for each unit within the complex/center, as well as the pole

or monument sign.

(2) A sign permit shall be required in order to erect, install, relocate, modify or change any sign

within the Township unless otherwise indicated in this section. "Modify," as it is used herein,

shall mean cabinet or face replacement because of a change in the nature or name and

ownership of the business.

(3) Failure to conform to the conditions of a sign permit, including any conditions and/or

stipulations attached thereto, shall render such permit void.

(4) Fees for sign permits shall be required and payable in such sums as the Peters Township

Council may from time to time establish by ordinance.

(5) No sign permit shall be valid or effective after six (6) months from the date of issuance thereof

and shall thereafter be void unless the sign is in place as of the expiration date.

(6) To obtain a sign permit, applicants must complete a sign permit application including the

following information:

(a) A drawing prepared to scale of the proposed sign showing all sign dimensions, including the

height of the sign, the grade level of the base of the sign or pole(s) and sign materials and

colors.

(b) Lot plan showing proposed locations of any freestanding sign(s).

(c) Any building elevations showing proposed location of sign.

(d) The sources of sign illumination and applicable details of the fixture and screening.

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B. Design, construction and installation.

(1) All signs shall be installed in accordance with good engineering practice which shall be the

responsibility of the sign owner. Signs shall be constructed of durable materials using

noncorrosive fastenings, shall be structurally safe and shall be installed in strict accordance

with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

(2) All signs shall be designed to be compatible in character and style regarding materials, color

and size of the building, other signs on the building and other adjoining parcels in order to

produce an overall unified effect.

(3) All freestanding signs shall be submitted to the Planning Department for review in all zoning

districts according to the following parameters:

(a) Continuity. Signs shall be considered and reviewed in relation to the zoning district and

shall have a continuity of design.

(b) Style/color. The color of a sign shall be generally consistent with the color of the building

and shall consist of architectural elements that relate the sign to the building.

(c) Materials. All building and freestanding signs shall be fabricated with materials of good

quality, good durability, and that are consistent, with or complementary to the building. The

use of banners unframed or directly attached to the building shall not be considered

compliant with this section.

C. Maintenance.

(1) Every permitted sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to

become dilapidated as determined by the Township Planning Director or their designee may be

removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or person in possession of the lot on

which the sign is located. The Planning Director or their designee will notify the responsible

party with a certified letter prior to any removal action being taken by the Township.

(2) Any damaged sign shall be repaired within 60 days.

(3) Any sign which has been damaged to such extent that it may pose an imminent hazard to

passersby, as determined by the Building Inspector, shall be repaired or removed immediately.

(4) Any internally illuminated sign cabinets or sign panels which have been damaged shall remain

nonilluminated until repaired.

(5) Nonconforming signs shall only be repaired in accordance with this chapter.

(6) Failure to comply with these sign maintenance requirements shall constitute a violation of the

Peters Township Zoning Ordinance.

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D. Dimensions.

(1) Area.

(a) The maximum permitted area for all signs is determined by the sign type and the zoning

district in which the sign is located.

(b) The area of a sign, both illuminated and nonilluminated, shall refer to the square footage of

the sign facing, including any border or framing or decorative attachments, but not including

some architectural or landscaping element that otherwise meets zoning regulations and is

clearly identical to the sign itself.

(c) Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs or symbols attached to a building,

awning, wall or window, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encloses all

the symbols. This includes monument signs mounted as individual letters and/or graphics

against a wall or fence incorporated in the landscaping of a building. See the illustration in

Part 12, Appendixes, of this chapter.

(2) Height.

(a) The permitted maximum height for all signs is determined by the sign type and the zoning

district.

(b) Sign height shall be measured from the top of the sign structure to the mean finished grade

at the base of the sign, provided that the ground level is not deliberately elevated to increase

the height of the sign.

(c) The height of any decorative base or architectural or landscape feature erected to support or

ornament the sign shall be measured at average grade as part of the sign height.

(d) Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical

distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework

or structural elements.

(3) Sign copy mounted or painted on an illuminated surface or illuminated architectural element

of a building shall be measured as the entire illuminated surface or element which contains

sign copy. A nonilluminated sign placed on an awning shall be measured as if placed on any

other architectural element.

E. Illumination.

Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein, consistent with the following standards:

(1) No sign may incorporate any flashing or moving illustration, illumination that varies in

intensity, or visible movement achieved by electric pulsations or by actions of normal wind

currents.

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(2) Where permitted, illumination may be:

(a) External.

[1] The source of the light must be concealed by translucent covers and shall be a steady,

stationary light source shielded and directed solely at the sign. The light source must

be static in color.

[2] Building-mounted signs may be illuminated by ground-mounted lights or building-

mounted light bars. Freestanding signs may be illuminated by ground-mounted lights.

The light source shall be totally screened from view and shall not cause glare

hazardous or distracting to pedestrians, vehicle drivers or adjacent properties.

(b) Internal. Internal illumination, including neon lighting, must be static in intensity and

color.

F. Location.

(1) No sign shall be placed, erected or located so that:

(a) It endangers pedestrians, bicyclists or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by

interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.

(b) It interferes with any surface or underground utility or communications lines or equipment.

(c) It is pasted, stapled or otherwise attached to public utility poles or trees within the street

right-of-way line.

(d) It is on a public lot or public right-of-way or within a sight triangle, unless erected or

required by a governmental body.

(e) It is painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural objects.

(f) It is displayed on a vehicle parked and visible from a public right-of-way unless the vehicle

is used for the normal day-to-day operation of a business on the premises. The intent of this

provision is to prohibit the use of a sign on a vehicle to circumvent sign limits on a lot.

(2) All permanent freestanding signs shall be set back at least 16 feet from the paved cartway of any

street in all districts, unless otherwise approved by Planning Director or their designee.

(3) Signage shall not be lettered or painted directly upon the wall or any other part of the building

except for windows. No more than 50% of the window surface shall be taken up by window

signs.

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G. Removal.

Abandoned signs shall be removed within 90 days. If the sign is a conforming sign in all respects

except for placement, only the letter portions of such signs must be removed.

H. Liability.

The provisions of this section shall not be construed as relieving or limiting in any way the

responsibility or liability of any person, firm or corporation erecting or owning any sign, or resulting

from the negligence or willful acts of such person, firm or corporation, its agents, employees or

workmen, in the construction, maintenance, repair or removal of any sign erected in accordance with a

permit issued hereunder. Nor shall issuance of such permit be construed as imposing on the Township

or its officers or employees, any responsibility or liability by reasons of approval of any signs structural

integrity, construction methods, materials, electrical or mechanical devices or other components which

shall be the sole responsibility of the person, firm or corporation erecting, owning, repairing or

removing such sign.

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§440-705 Master Sign Tables

Figure 700.1

Permanent Signs Allowed in Residential Districts for Uses by Right

Low-Density Residential (LD), Medium-Density Residential (MD), Woodland Protection

(WP), Cluster Residential (CL), Rural Residential (RR), Village Residential (VR)

Sign Types Allowed Regulations

Freestanding Signs - §440-705

Monument Sign Yes 20 sq. ft. - 6' tall. Only at the

entrance to a subdivision.

Pole Sign No ---

Drive-Through Menu Board No ---

Attached Signs - §440-706

Wall Sign (non-residential uses) Varies See §440-707.A

Wall Sign (residential uses) Yes Street # sign, additional 3 sq. ft.

sign

Projecting Sign Yes

Non-res. only. 20 sq. ft. total &

up to 2 per property with non-

residential uses.

Canopy/Awning Sign Yes

Non-res. only. Up to 2

canopy/awning or projecting sign

at properties with non-residential

uses.

Marquee Sign No ---

Window Sign Yes

Non-res. only. Up to 50% of

window area. No permit. Not

counted toward attached sign

area.

Other Signs - §440-707

Electronic Variable Message Sign No ---

Flags Yes

Not in ROW. 24 sq. ft. max. Up

to 15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole,

2 flags.

Hanging Bracket Yes Attached or Freestanding.

Maximum 6 sq. ft.

Billboards - §440-708

Billboards No ---

Certain uses in residential districts (Special Exceptions, Conditional Uses, and otherwise) have

additional regulations and allowance for the different sign types. The remainder of the Sign

Ordinance (§440-700), the supplemental regulations in §440-601, and Figure 700.2 provide these

additional regulations.

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Figure 700.2

Freestanding

Signs §440-

706

Attached Signs §440-

707

Other Signs &

Billboards

§440-708 & §440-

709

Mo

num

ent

Dri

ve-

Th

rou

gh

Men

u

Bo

ard

Wal

l S

ign

Pro

ject

ing

Sig

n

Can

op

y/A

wnin

g S

ign

Mar

qu

ee S

ign

Win

do

w S

ign

Ele

ctro

nic

Var

iable

Mes

sag

e S

ign

Fla

gs

Han

gin

g B

rack

et

Bil

lbo

ard

s

Allowed Permanent Signs for Special Exceptions and

Conditional Uses in Residential Districts

Low-Density Residential (LD), Medium-Density

Residential (MD), Woodland Protection (WP), Cluster

Residential (CL), Rural Residential (RR), Village

Residential (VR)

Special Exceptions

Animal kennel Y N Y1 Y Y N N N Y Y N

Bed-and-breakfast Y2 N Y3 Y Y N N N Y Y N

Cemetery Y N Y1 Y Y N N N Y Y N

Equestrian Facility N N Y3 N N N N N Y Y N

Family day care N N Y3 N N N N N Y N N

Group living facility: Type A Y N Y1 Y Y N N N Y Y N

Home occupation (Single-Family Cluster only) N N Y3 N N N N N Y N N

New tower in the right-of-way N N N N N N N N N N N

Place of Worship/assembly Y N Y1 Y Y N Y Y5 Y Y N

Private club Y N Y1 Y Y N Y Y5 Y Y N

Recreation facility: private Y N Y1 Y Y N Y Y5 Y Y N

School Y N Y Y Y N Y Y6 Y Y N

Conditional Uses

Mobile Home Park Y N Y3 N N N N N Y Y N

Nursing care facility/inpatient rehabilitation Y N Y1 Y Y N N N Y Y N

Solar energy system: large N N Y4 N N N N N Y N N

Transitional Facility N N Y3 N N N N N Y N N

1 Up to 20 sq. ft. in size

2 Not more than one ground sign shall be permitted on the lot. The maximum permitted sign area shall be 20 square feet.

3 Street # sign, additional 3 sq. ft. sign

4 Up to 3 sq. ft. in size. A clearly visible warning sign concerning voltage must be placed at the base of all pad-mounted transformers

and substations.

5 Only along the roadways identified in §440-708.A 6 See §440-708.A for additional information

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Figure 700.3

Permanent Signs Allowed in Non-Residential Districts for Uses by Right

Town Center (TC), Industrial (IN), Village Commercial (VC), General Commercial (GC)



Monument Sign Yes Size varies by district. See figures 700.7

& 700.8.

Pole Sign Yes IN and GC Only. 20’ tall. See figure

700.8

Drive-Through Menu Board Yes Only with drive-through accessory use.


Wall Sign Yes Varies by district. See Figure 700.9.

Projecting Sign Yes 20 sq. ft. per face & up to 2 per property

with non-residential uses.

Canopy/Awning Sign Yes Up to 2 canopy/awning signs at

properties with non-residential uses.

Marquee Sign Yes 1 per building. Not permitted in

Industrial.

Window Sign Yes Up to 50% of window area. No permit.

Not counted toward attached sign area.


Electronic Variable Message Sign Yes Must be monument style; see §440-

708.A for additional regulations.

Flags Yes Not in ROW. 35 sq. ft. max. Up to 15 sq.

ft. no permit. 1 flagpole, 2 flags.

Hanging Bracket Yes Attached or Freestanding. Maximum 6

sq. ft.


Billboards Yes

Only permitted in GC. 750' away from

another billboard. 250 sq. ft. and 35'

from grade to bottom of the sign. See

§440-709.

Certain uses in non-residential districts (Special Exceptions, Conditional Uses, and otherwise)

have additional regulations and allowance for the different sign types. The remainder of the Sign

Ordinance (§440-700) and the supplemental regulations in §440-601 provide these additional

regulations.

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Figure 700.4

Permanent Signs Allowed in Mixed-Use Districts for Uses by Right

Mixed-Use Activity (MA), Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use

Corridor (WV), Valley Brook Road Mixed-Use Corridor (VB)



Monument Sign Yes Size varies, see Figure 700.6.

Pole Sign No ---

Drive-Through Menu Board Yes Only in MA with drive-through

accessory use.


Wall Sign Yes Varies by district. See Figure

700.9.

Projecting Sign Yes

20 sq. ft. in MA/10 sq. ft.

elsewhere per face & up to 2 per

property with non-residential uses.

Canopy/Awning Sign Yes

Up to 2 canopy/awning signs at

properties with non-residential

uses.

Marquee Sign Yes 1 per building.

Window Sign Yes

Up to 50% of window area. No

permit. Not counted toward

attached sign area.


Electronic Variable Message Sign Yes

Must be monument style; see

§440-709.A for additional

regulations.

Flags Yes

Not in ROW. 24 sq. ft. max. Up to

15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole, 2

flags.


Maximum 6 sq. ft.


Billboards No ---

Certain uses in mixed-use districts (Special Exceptions, Conditional Uses, and otherwise) have



regulations.

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Figure 700.5

Permanent Signs Allowed in Residential Districts on Properties Owned by a Local Unit

of Government



Monument Sign Yes Monument only. 50 sq. ft. - 8' tall

Pole Sign No ---

Drive-Through Menu Board No ---


Wall Sign Yes 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of building

frontage.

Projecting Sign Yes 20 sq. ft. per face & up to 2 per

property with non-residential uses.

Canopy/Awning Sign Yes Up to 2 canopy signs at properties

with non-residential uses.

Marquee Sign No ---

Window Sign Yes

Up to 50% of window area. No

permit. Not counted toward

attached sign area.


Electronic Variable Message Sign Yes

Must be monument style; see

§440-709.A for additional

regulations.

Flags Yes

Not in ROW. 24 sq. ft. max. Up to

15 sq. ft. no permit. 1 flagpole, 2

flags.


Maximum 6 sq. ft.


Billboards No ---

Certain uses in residential districts (Special Exceptions, Conditional Uses, and otherwise) have



regulations.

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§440-706 Freestanding Signs.

A. Maximum dimension and number.

(1) No land development shall have more than one (1) monument or pole sign, and none shall

have both, with the following exception. Multiple single tenants comprising a land

development may have one monument sign per parcel.

(2) Freestanding major signs shall conform to the maximum dimensions and permitted types

specified in Figure 700.6. This table summarizes type-specific regulations detailed in this

chapter.

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1. Maximum 80 square feet in size and eight (8) feet tall if located on a property owned by a local

unit of government.

Figure 700.6

Summary of Allowable Types and Dimensions for Freestanding Signs

Zoning District Sign Type Size

TC McMurray Town

Center

Monument Single tenant: 30 square feet maximum

Buildings with multiple tenants: 50 square feet maximum

Maximum 6 feet in height.

IN Industrial Monument or pole 50 square feet maximum

Pole signs shall not measure higher than 20 feet in height

Monument sign shall have a maximum height of 6 feet in height,

except 8 feet along Route 19.

GC General

Commercial

Monument or pole Single tenant: 50 square feet maximum

Single tenant with 200 feet or more of property frontage or 2 to 9

suites or units: 70 square feet maximum

Single tenant with 10+ acres or 10 or more suites or units: 100

square feet maximum

Pole signs shall not measure higher than 20 feet in height

Monument sign shall have a maximum height of 6 feet in height,

except 8 feet along Route 19.

VC Venetia Village

Commercial

Monument 35 square feet maximum


MA Mixed-Use

Activity Center

Monument Single tenant: 50 square feet maximum

Single tenant with 200 feet or more of property frontage or 2 to 9

suites or units: 70 square feet maximum

Single tenant with 10+ acres or 10 or more suites or units: 100

square feet maximum

Maximum 6 feet in height, except 8 feet along Route 19.

VM Village Mixed-

Use



WV West Venetia

Road Mixed-Use

Corridor



VB Valley Brook

Mixed-Use Corridor



Residential Districts Monument 20 square feet maximum 1

Maximum 6 feet in height.1

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B. Monument signs.

(1) General regulations.

(a) All permanent free-standing signs in all Zoning Districts, excluding the General

Commercial (GC) and Industrial (IN) districts shall be monument style signs.

(b) Location. Monument signs shall be set back at least 16 feet from the paved cartway

unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director or their designee. Signs shall not be

located in the right-of-way.

(c) Area. Permanent monument signs installed perpendicular to a street may be double-faced

with the allowable square footage on each face. Double-faced signs which are erected at

an angle to each other will be subject to the interpretation of the Planning Director or

their designee as to whether they are intended as two signs or for all intents and purposes

only constitute one sign for north/south, east/west orientation on the serving street.

(d) Height: shall be a maximum of six (6) feet in height except along Route 19, where they

may reach a maximum of eight (8) feet.

(2) Standards by district. Monument signs on nonresidential properties shall be permitted in

addition to building signs subject to the following regulations.

(a) Up to two (2) signs per land development if comprised of separate parcels or outparcels.

(b) In the General Commercial (GC), Mixed-use (MA), Village Mixed-Use (VM) and

Village Commercial (VC) Districts the following types of illumination shall be permitted:

internal and electronic variable message signs.

(c) Monument signs in all districts, located on a property owned by a local unit of

government, shall be permitted to be eight (8) feet in height and 50 square feet in size.

(d) Monument signs for located on properties with residential uses may only be located at the

entrance to a development or subdivision on a piece of property owned by a common

association (HOA) or in an easement dedicated for signage.

(e) Each sign shall have a maximum area as follows:

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Figure 700.7

Maximum Area for Monument Signs

District Maximum Square Footage

Village Commercial (VC) 35

Mixed-Use Activity (MA) 50 to 100 1

General Commercial (GC) 50 to 1001

Town Center (TC) 30 to 502

Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia

Road Mixed-Use Corridor (WV), and

Valley Brook Road Mixed-Use Corridor

(VB)

25

Residential 20

Industrial (IN) 50

NOTES:

1. A maximum area of 50 square feet applies to single tenants in these districts. However, the

maximum area increases to 70 square feet for single tenants with 200 feet or greater of property

frontage or two (2) to nine (9) suites or units. Single tenants on 10+ acres or with 10 or more

suites or units may have a sign measuring up to 100 square feet.

2. A maximum area of 30 square feet applies to single tenants in this district. However, the

maximum area increases to 50 square feet for buildings with multiple tenants.

C. Pole signs.


(a) Location. Pole signs shall be set back at least 16 feet from the paved cartway unless

otherwise approved by the Planning Director or their designee. Signs shall not be located in

the right-of-way.

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(b) Area.

[1] Signs on poles shall be designed as a single unit with the open spaces between panels

counted as part of the allowable square footage.

[2] The width of supporting poles shall not exceed 25% of the width of the sign and shall

contain no lettering or logo. Greater width or application for lettering or logos shall

qualify the sign as a monument sign subject to all monument sign rules and

restrictions.

[3] Pole signs which are perpendicular to the street may be double-faced with the

allowable square footage on each side. Double-faced pole signs shall not be erected at

angles.

(c) Height: shall be a maximum of 20 feet in height, with the lowest sign edge either less than

four (4) or greater than seven (7) feet above the ground.

(2) Standards by district. Pole signs on nonresidential properties shall be permitted in addition to

building signs subject to the following regulations.

(a) Pole signs shall have a maximum height of 20 feet.

(b) The following types of illumination shall be permitted: internal and electronic variable

message sign.

(c) Each sign shall have a maximum area as follows:

Figure 700.8

Maximum Area for Pole Signs

District Maximum Square Footage

General Commercial

(GC) 50 to 1001

Industrial (IN) 50

NOTE:

1 A maximum area of 50 square feet applies to single businesses in these districts. However, the

maximum area increases to 70 square feet for single businesses with 200 feet or greater of

property frontage or 2 to 9 suites or units. Single tenants on 10+ acres or with 10 or more suites or

units may have a sign measuring up to 100 square feet.

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D. Use-specific allowances.

(1) In residential and agricultural districts, monument signs may be erected at the entrance to a

residential subdivision or on a property owned by a local unit of government, provided that:

(a) Permits are required.

(b) External illumination by white light only.

(c) Maximum size is 20 square feet, or 60 square feet if located on a property owned by a local

unit of government. The maximum height of a monument style sign on a property owned by

a local unit of government is eight (8) feet.

(d) If such signs are erected at a new driveway (local unit of government) or street intersection

(subdivision), the double-faced allotment may be placed one on each side of the intersection.

(e) All electronic signs are limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

(f) Signs at the entrance to residential subdivisions shall not be permitted to have an electronic

variable message sign.

(2) Parcels or tenants with a drive-through accessory use are permitted an additional freestanding

sign near each drive-through lane entrance that is no more than 36 square feet in size. They are

not counted toward total sign allotment.

§440-707 Attached Signs

A. Wall signs


(a) Location. No portion of a wall sign shall be mounted less than eight (8) feet above the

finished grade or extend more than 12 inches from the facade on which it is affixed. If the

wall sign projects less than three (3) inches from the building wall on which it is affixed, the

eight (8) foot height requirement does not apply. Wall signs shall not exceed the width or

height of the front of the building on which they are located.

(b) Height. In no case shall the height of a wall sign exceed the height of buildings allowed in

the zoning district.

(c) Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted: internal, external lit

from above, halo or back-lit letters and neon lighting.

(d) Building signs in nonresidential districts shall be placed on the front face of the building

only, except in instances where the entrance door to the business is on the side or the rear of

the building. However, no signs in nonresidential districts may face an immediately adjacent

residential zoning district.

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(e) Up to two (2) total wall, awning/canopy or projecting signs for properties with non-

residential uses shall be permitted.

(2) Regulations for wall signs in nonresidential districts.

(a) Each tenant may have a maximum of two (2) wall signs, not exceeding the total allowable

square footage allotment. The overall total square footage sign allotment shall be split

between the two (2) signs.

(b) Each sign face in the Town Center (TC), Village Commercial (VC), Village Mixed-Used

(VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor (WV) and Valley Brook Mixed-Use

Corridor (VB) Districts shall have a maximum area of 20 square feet and a maximum height

equal to the eave line.

(c) Each building, lot or tenant space shall have a combined allowable area for wall signs.

When the square footage of all wall signs for a given building, lot or tenant space is added

together, it shall not exceed the combined maximum allowable signage area permitted by

the district. The landowner and/or developer shall be responsible for determining how to

utilize the combined maximum allowable signage area so long as the size restrictions for

individual signs are not exceeded.

[1] The combined maximum allowable area of signage shall be applied on a per lot, per

building or per tenant basis as follows according to land use. A complete listing of

authorized land uses per use category is included within Part 4.

[a] Office: per lot (single tenant); per building (multitenant).

[b] Commercial (non-office): per lot (single tenant); per tenant (multitenant).

[c] Industrial: per tenant.

[d] Other: per lot or per building, whichever is less.

[2] The allowable signage area shall be calculated by multiplying the use category's sign area

ratio, presented in Figure 700.9, by the length of building frontage facing the front yard

setback.

[3] The combined maximum area total of signs shall be as follows:

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Figure 700.9

Combined Maximum Allowable Area for Wall Signs

Zoning District

Sign Area Ration

(square feet per linear foot of building

frontage)

TC McMurray Town Center 2

IN Industrial 1.5

GC General Commercial 2

VC Venetia Village Commercial 1

MA Mixed-Use Activity Center 1.5

VM Village Mixed-Use 1.5

WV West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor 1

VB Valley Brook Mixed-Use Corridor 1

MR: Mixed-Residential Overlay (only for

properties with Multi-Family uses) 1

(3) Regulations for wall signs in residential districts.

(a) Properties with nonresidential uses, excluding those owned by a local unit of government, in

residential districts shall be limited to a single wall sign up to 30 square feet in size.

[1] Properties in a residential district, owned by a local unit of government, shall be permitted

up to two (2) wall signs not to exceed the eave line height of the building with a combined

area of one (1) square foot per linear foot of building frontage.

(b) Properties with dwelling units, in residential districts, shall be required to have/permitted the

following wall signs.

[1] Each single-family dwelling unit shall be clearly identified with an attached sign with the

unit’s street address number, not to exceed three (3) square feet in area, for first responders to

locate the residential unit as necessary to respond to any fire or public safety issue.

[2] Each single-family dwelling unit may have one (1) permanent wall sign up to three (3)

square feet in size in addition to the required street address number sign.

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[3] Each multi-family dwelling unit shall be clearly identified with an attached sign, not to

exceed three (3) square feet in area, with the unit’s street address or unit number as applicable

for first responders to locate the multi-family dwelling unit to respond to any fire or public

safety issue.

[4] Each multi-family dwelling unit may have one (1) permanent wall sign up to (3) square feet

in size in addition to the required street address number/unit number sign.

[5] Individual multi-family structures shall be clearly identified with an attached sign, not to

exceed six (6) square feet with the building number as applicable for first responders to locate

the building as necessary to respond to any fire or public safety issue.

[6] When utilizing the Mixed-Residential Overlay (MR), multi-family structures shall be

permitted two (2) additional wall signs not to exceed the combined area as provided for in

Figure 700.9.

B. Projecting signs.


(a) Location. No portion of a projecting sign shall project more than four (4) feet from the face

of the building. The outermost portion of a projecting sign shall project no closer than five

(5) feet from a curb line or shoulder of a public street.

(b) Height. In no case shall the height of a projecting sign exceed the height of buildings

allowed in the zoning district.

(c) Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted: external lit from above.

(d) Up to two (2) total wall, awning/canopy or projecting, signs for nonresidential uses shall be

permitted.

(e) Projecting signs for properties with nonresidential uses shall be limited to one (1) sign per

ground-floor establishment, plus one (1) sign per building entrance serving one (1) or more

commercial tenants without a ground-floor entrance.

(f) Each sign shall have a maximum area of 20 square feet per sign face (10 square feet per sign

face in the Mixed-Use Activity (MA)), Village Mixed-Use (VM), Village Commercial (VC)

and Town Center (TC)) and a maximum height equal to the eave line.

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C. Canopy/awning signs.


(a) Location. Canopy or awning signs shall be centered within or over architectural elements,

such as windows or doors. The lowest edge of the canopy or awning sign shall be at least

eight (8) feet above the finished grade. Sign copy mounted or painted on an illuminated

canopy or awning shall be measured as the entire illuminated surface which contains sign

copy. A nonilluminated sign placed on an awning shall be measured as if placed on any

other architectural element.

(b) Height. In no case shall the height of an awning or canopy sign exceed the height of

buildings allowed in the zoning district.

(c) Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted: external lit from above

or by building-mounted light bars screened from view.

(d) A canopy or awning without lettering or other advertising shall not be regulated as a sign.

(e) Any ground-floor awning projecting into a street right-of-way must be retractable.

(f) If the awning or canopy sign is mounted on a multitenant building, all awning or canopy

signs shall be similar in terms of height, projection and style across all tenants in the

building.

(g) Up to two (2) total wall, awning/canopy or projecting, signs for nonresidential uses shall be

permitted.

D. Marquee signs.


(a) Location. Such signs shall be located only above the principal public entrance of a building

facing a public street or parking lot.

(b) No marquee shall be wider than the entrance it serves, plus two (2) feet on each side thereof.

(c) No marquee shall extend closer to the curb than three (3) feet.

(d) Height. No part of a marquee sign shall extend vertically higher than three feet above the

eave line. The lowest edge of the marquee sign shall be at least 10 feet above the finished

grade.

(e) Illumination. The following types of illumination shall be permitted: internal and electronic

variable message sign.

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(2) Standards by district.

(a) Residential Districts and Industrial (IN) District: not permitted.

(b) General Commercial (GC), Mixed-Use Activity (MA), Town Center (TC), Village

Commercial (VC), Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor

(WV), Valley Brook Mixed-Use Corridor (VB) Districts.

[1] Marquee signs at nonresidential properties shall be limited to one (1) per building.

[2] The total area of signs on a single marquee shall be counted toward the wall sign

allotment with a maximum of two (2) per business.

E. Window signs.


(a) Location. Window signs shall be located on the interior of the window facing outward.

(b) Illumination. Neon lighting and internal illumination shall be permitted to illuminate

window signs for nonresidential uses.

(c) Window signs displaying pertinent business information such as the business' hours of

operation and credit cards accepted shall be excluded from area calculations for window

signs.

(d) Area. No temporary or permanent window sign or combination of such signs shall cover

more than 50% of the window surface. Temporary or permanent window signs may not

exceed a total area of 16 square feet if illuminated.

(e) Illuminated window signs shall not be placed above the ground floor of the building and/or

more than 10 feet above grade level of the building.

(f) No permit is required for a window sign meeting these criteria. Window signs will not count

toward total sign allotment.

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F. Use-Specific Allowance

(1) In shopping centers which have covered pedestrian walkways in front of units, a sign in front of

each tenant may be erected beneath the canopy for direction for pedestrians. Such signs shall be

perpendicular to the building, may be double-faced, shall be of uniform design and shall not

exceed six (6) square feet. A corner store is permitted one (1) per side.

(2) When a commercial building in a non-residential zoning district is oriented towards an interior

parking lot, each tenant may have one (1) additional wall sign in addition to the allowance listed

above, with the following regulations:

(a) Maximum size is 20 square feet.

(b) A permit is required.

(c) Must be at ground-floor level.

(d) Must be on the side of the building facing the interior parking lot.

§440-708 Other Permanent Signs

A. Electronic Variable Message Signs

(1) In the districts where they are permitted, Electronic Variable Message Signs, except for those

on a property owned by a local unit of government, shall only be permitted on properties that

have frontage along the following roadways:

- Washington Road/Route 19

- East McMurray Road

- Valley Brook Road

- Waterdam Road

- Venetia Road

(2) A sign permit is required for all electronic variable message signs, including conversion from

existing nonelectronic signs. The addition of any electronic variable message sign to a

nonconforming sign is prohibited.

(3) Messages shall not change at a frequency of more than once every 20 seconds, except for time

and temperature signs.

(4) Electronic variable message signs shall be designed and placed so as not to distract or interfere

with operators of motor vehicles or to create glare on adjacent properties, and so that it is

compatible with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding properties.

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(5) Such displays shall be limited to static displays and shall not have messages that appear or

disappear from the display through dissolve, fade, travel or scroll modes or similar transitions

and frame effects.

(6) Text, animated graphics or images that appear to move or change in size or be revealed

sequentially rather than all at once are not permitted.

(7) No portion of any image may flash, scroll, twirl or in any way imitate movement.

(8) Transition. In instances when the message changes, the change sequence must be

accomplished by means of instantaneous pixelization of less than one (1) second.

(9) All electronic variable message signs must be monument style signs and conform to the size

requirements of this chapter.

(10) If a property, development, or multi-tenant center has an electronic variable message sign,

temporary signs, except for those during a political season per figures 700.10 and 700.110, are

not permitted.

(11) The electronic variable message signs shall be internal illumination only which includes, but is

not limited to, light emitting diode (LED) signs.

(12) Electronic variable message signs may be double-sided. The sign structure may have sign faces

placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration on a single sign structure. The intersecting

angle of a V-shaped configuration shall not exceed 30°.

(13) Only one (1) contiguous electronic variable message sign is allowed on a single face. Multiple

electronic variable signs are not permitted within the maximum allowable signage area. The

total surface area of the electronic variable message sign shall not exceed 50% of the allowable

area of the freestanding sign.

(14) Dimmer control. Electronic graphic display signs must have an automatic dimmer control to

produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level with

the result being the appearance of the electronic variable message sign will be no greater than a

conventional sign externally illuminated. No electronic variable message signs shall be erected

without a light detector/photocell, a scheduled dimming timer, or a manual control by which

the sign's brightness can be dimmed when ambient light conditions darken.

(15) Public service announcements. The owner of every message center sign shall coordinate with

local authorities to display, when appropriate, emergency information important to the

traveling public.

(16) Glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as cutoff fixtures,

shields, baffles and appropriate application of fixture mounting height, wattage, aiming angle

and fixture placement. Vegetation screens shall not be used as the primary means to control

glare.

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B. Flags.


(a) Flags up to 15 square feet in area do not require a permit but shall comply to the all the

appropriate regulations in this chapter.

(b) Location. Flags and flagpoles shall not be located within any right-of-way.

(c) Area. The maximum flag size is 24 square feet in residential districts and 35 square feet in

all other districts.

(d) Height. Flags and flag poles shall have a maximum height of 30 feet.

(e) Number: Each property shall be limited to one (1) flagpole with up to two (2) total flags.

C. Hanging bracket.


(a) Illumination. Hanging bracket signs may incorporate external illumination subject to the

regulations in §440-704.E.

(b) Location. Hanging bracket signs shall be set back at least 16 feet from the paved cartway

unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director or their designee. Signs shall not be

located in the right-of-way.

(c) Area. Hanging bracket signs shall have a maximum area of six (6) square feet.

(d) Height: shall be a maximum of five (5) feet in height.

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§440-709 Billboards.

A. Location.

Billboards shall be erected as a principal use only in the General Commercial (GC)- District.

B. Spacing.

Billboard signs shall be:

(1) Limited to a maximum of one (1) two-sided billboard per property.

(2) Not mounted on a roof, wall or other part of a building or any other structure.

(3) Erected in such a manner as not to block the view from the road or street of any existing

business sign, residential or nonresidential structure.

(4) Set back from the ultimate right-of-way a distance equal to the height of the billboard sign or

16 feet, whichever is greater.

(5) Set back 10 feet from each side property line and 25 feet from the rear property line.

(6) Located no closer than 50 feet from any building, structure or freestanding sign located on the

same property.

(7) Located no closer than 750 feet from another billboard sign on either side of the road,

measured linearly.

(8) Not attached to the external wall or otherwise affixed to any part of any building and shall not

extend over any public property or right-of-way.

(9) Not located on utility rights-of-way or pipelines.

(10) Not located on a bridge.

C. Size and height.

(1) A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 250 square feet per sign. A

billboard shall have a maximum of two (2) sign faces per structure. However, the gross area of

each sign face shall not exceed the maximum of 250 square feet.

(2) The billboard structure may have sign faces placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration

on a single billboard structure. The intersecting angle shall not exceed 30°.

(3) There shall be a maximum height of 35 feet from the finished grade to top of sign, measured at

the center of the sign. The lowest sign edge shall be at least seven (7) feet above the finished

grade.

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D. Illumination.

(1) Any billboard utilizing an electronic display in whole or in part must meet the following

operational standards:

(a) Duration. The full billboard image or any portion thereof must have a minimum duration of

30 seconds and must be a static display. No portion of the image may flash, scroll, twirl or

in any way imitate movement.

(b) Transition. In instances where the full billboard image or any portion thereof changes, the

change sequence must be accomplished by means of instantaneous pixelization of less than

one (1) second.

(c) Dimmer control. Electronic graphic display signs must have an automatic dimmer control to

produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level with

the result being the appearance of the billboard will be no greater than a conventional

billboard externally illuminated. No billboard sign shall be erected without a light

detector/photocell, a scheduled dimming timer, or a manual control by which the sign's

brightness can be dimmed when ambient light conditions darken.

(d) Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics are prohibited in

association with billboards.

(e) Fluctuating or flashing illumination. No portion of any billboard may fluctuate in light

intensity or use intermittent, strobe or moving light or light that changes in intensity in

sudden transitory bursts, steams, zooms, twinkles, sparkles, or in any manner creates the

illusion of movement.

(f) Video display. No portion of any billboard may change its message or background in a

manner or by a method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery, or depict

action or a special effect to imitate movement, or the presentation of pictorials or graphics

displayed in a progression of frames that give the illusion of motion or the illusion of

moving objects, moving pattern or bands of light or expanding or contracting shapes.

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(2) Illumination of conventional billboards shall be effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or

rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled rights-of-way or which are of such

intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of the vehicle, or which

interfere with any driver's operation of a vehicle, and illumination shall not be permitted that

interferes with the effectiveness or obscures an official traffic signal, device or signal. Advertising

signs shall not be permitted that contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent

or moving lights except those giving public service information, such as time, date and

temperature or weather.

E. Permit requirements.

A sign permit application must be submitted to the Peters Township Planning Department in

accordance with the general sign regulations of this Part 7 in addition to the following requirements:

(1) Engineered structure.

(a) A billboard structure shall be entirely painted a single neutral color every three (3) years.

(b) Every 10 years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the

billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered engineer and shall provide a certificate to

the Township Engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.

(c) Annual inspections of the billboard shall be conducted by the Township to determine

compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Landscape plan.

(a) The entire base of the billboard structure on the side of the sign face shall be permanently

landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes a minimum of three (3) feet placed in

such manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.

(b) Permanent landscaped trees (minimum three (3) feet in diameter) shall form a base and/or

backdrop to the billboard sign when practical in the opinion of the Planning Director or their

designee.

(3) Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The issuance of a permit for a

billboard by Peters Township shall be conditioned upon the approval of permit by PennDOT

within 30 days of the issuance of the permit by Peters Township.

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§440-710 Temporary Signs

A. Temporary signs are those intended for short-term display. They are regulated as to height, setback,

fixed location, stability, measurement, etc., the same as other signs in this section. The following

regulations apply generally, in addition to the more specific provisions contained in Figures 700.10

and 700.11.

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Figure 700.10

Temporary Sign Regulations by Type: Commercial, Mixed-Use and Industrial Districts

Applies in Town Center (TC), General Commercial (GC), Industrial (IN), Mixed-Use Activity (MA), Village

Commercial (VC), Village Mixed-Use (VM), West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor (WV), Valley Brook Mixed-Use

Corridor (VB) Districts

If a property, development, or multi-tenant center has an electronic variable message sign, temporary signs, except

for those during a political season, are not permitted.

Temporary signs located at new land developments and construction sites

Number of signs 1 per site maximum; building permit or approved site plan required

Maximum size 20 square feet

Maximum height 6 feet

Duration Permitted until construction operations cease or final occupancy is issued.

Illumination None permitted

Permit Required

Temporary signs at all Commercial, Mixed-Use and Industrial Properties

Maximum size GC and MA 36 square feet

LI, TC, VC, VM, WV, and

VB 20 square feet


Frequency/duration Permitted for 14 days from the date of the permit being received. Cannot be issued at

intervals of less than 4 weeks. Cannot exceed 6 permits per year per property.

Number 1 per property


Permit Required

Temporary signs located on properties that are for sale.

Maximum size 20 sq. ft.


Number/Duration 1 per property or multi-parcel development. May remain until the property is sold.


Permit None required

Temporary signs located on properties that are for lease

Location Only permitted if incorporated into an existing monument or pole style freestanding

sign.

Maximum Height/Width 1 foot tall, width of the existing monument or pole sign.

Number/Duration 1 per monument or pole sign. May remain until all available on-site units are leased.



Temporary signs during a political season (in addition to any electronic variable message signs)




Quantity 2 additional temporary per property

Frequency/duration May be placed 3 months in advance of a primary or general election. Shall be removed

within 1 week of election day


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Figure 700.11

Temporary Sign Regulations by Type: Residential Districts

Applies in Rural Residential (RR), Woodland Protection (WP), Low-Density Residential (LD), Single-Family Cluster

Residential (CL), Medium-Density Residential (MD), Conservation Residential (CR), Mixed-Residential Overlay (MR)

Districts

If a property, development, or multi-tenant center has an electronic variable message sign, temporary signs,

except for those during a political season, are not permitted.

Temporary signs located on properties that are for sale or for lease

Number of signs 1 per property or lot maximum



Maximum setback 6 feet from curb or pavement



Temporary signs during a political season (in addition to any electronic variable message signs)


Minimum setback 6 feet from curb or pavement


Quantity 2 additional temporary signs per property

Frequency/duration May be placed 3 months in advance of a primary or general election. Shall be removed

within 1 week of election day


Temporary signs attached to scoreboards of Township and School District ballfields

Maximum size Combined maximum 160 square feet

Duration

Signs will be hung at the beginning of the season and removed at the end of the season.

Illumination Shall not be internally illuminated.

Other requirements Print on 1 side only, facing into ball field. Signs shall not include fluttering appurtenances.

Permit Required

Temporary signs at the entrance to a new subdivision or multi-family development



Minimum setback No closer than 16 feet from cartway unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director

or their designee.


Other requirements Development has received Township approval. Realtor's sign must be removed when "for

sale" signs are placed on lots. Developer's sign can remain up until permanent signs are

erected identifying the plan.


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(1) Not more than one temporary sign per property will be permitted at any one time, except as

provided otherwise herein.

(2) The minimum distance from the cartway is 16 feet unless otherwise specified in Figures

700.10 and 700.11, or otherwise approved by the Planning Director or their designee.

(3) Temporary signs must be anchored or secured in their designated location so as not to be

portable or affected by winds.

(4) Temporary signs on wheels or with changeable letters are permitted.

(5) Applicants found violating the provisions set forth within this part will forfeit their right to be

issued a temporary sign permit for a period of one year, commencing from the date said

violation is found to have occurred.

(6) No sign in any district shall be attached to outdoor displays.

(7) Temporary, nonilluminated window signs may be displayed only on the inside of the window,

no more than 50% of the surface of which shall be covered. No permit shall be required for

such signs.

(8) Temporary signs shall not include waving banners, fluttering appurtenances and balloons or

other special devices. Banners used as temporary signs are permitted if they are secured and

not waving or fluttering and comply with maximum size permitted. Flags shall not be

considered as banners.

(9) If a property, development, or multi-tenant center has an electronic variable message sign,

temporary signs, except for those during a political season per figures 700.10 and 700.110, are

not permitted.

§440-711 Exemptions

The following signs are exempt from the permit standards of this section and are permitted in any district:

A. Signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities, such as traffic, utility, safety, railroad

crossing and identification or directional signs for public facilities.

B. Signs inside an enclosed facility which are located more than three (3) feet from the window and are

not meant to be viewed from the outside.

C. One (1) "private drive" sign per driveway entrance, not to exceed two (2) square feet in area.

D. Incidental Signs no more than two (2) square feet in size shall be exempt from permit requirements

in all nonresidential districts.

E. Certain temporary signs in accordance with this chapter.

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F. Residentially zoned properties with single-family dwelling units shall be permitted to have one (1)

Yard Sign not to exceed six (6) square feet in size, and six (6) feet in height, that shall be exempt

from all permit requirements. This sign shall be located in the property’s front or side yard and is not

required to be a monument style sign.

§440-712 Nonconforming Signs

A. Nonconforming signs and signs for nonconforming uses.

(1) Any nonconforming sign shall not be moved to another position on the building or lot on

which it is located or modified in size or shape after the effective date of this chapter or

amendment thereto.

(2) Whenever the nature of the business conducted on the premises changes, and the signs are

modified in size, shape or location, the sign shall then be brought into conformance with

current regulations.

(3) Whenever the ownership and the name of a business changes and signs are modified in size,

shape or location, the sign shall then be brought into conformance with current regulations.

(4) A sign on a nonconforming use may be continued, but the size, shape, or location of such a

sign shall not be modified, except to bring it into compliance with the current regulations for

that sign.

(5) A sign which is nonconforming as to location on a lot or building shall not be enlarged or

modified in any way.

(6) In the event that any nonconforming advertising sign, billboard, nonresidential advertising

structure or statuary is damaged by casualty to the extent of 75% of its cost of replacement

at the time of destruction, or becomes dangerous, dilapidated or an imminent hazard, such

sign shall not be restored or replaced except in conformity with the regulations of this

chapter.

(7) Whenever any use of a building, structure or land ceases, all nonconforming signs may be

removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or person in possession of the lot on

which said sign is located after official notification.

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§440-713 Prohibited Signs

A. Signs prohibited by this chapter include any that do not conform to its provisions, including but not

limited to the following:

(1) Signs that by reason of size, location, or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers or

obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on

public streets and roads.

(2) Signs that prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape or that prevent free

access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached

to a standpipe or fire escape.

(3) Signs that make use of words such as "Stop," "Look," "One-Way," "Danger," "Yield," or any

similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with,

mislead or confuse traffic.

(4) Signs containing statements, words or images of obscene or pornographic subjects, as determined

by the Planning Director or their designee.

(5) Abandoned signs.

§440-714 Severability Clause Should any article, section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance, for any reason, be

held unconstitutional or invalid, such decision or holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining

portions hereof. It being the intent of the Township of Peters to enact each section and portion thereof,

individually, and each such section shall stand alone, if necessary, and be in force regardless of the

determined invalidity of any other section or provision.

ORDAINED AND ENATED by the Council of Peters Township this ______ day of ____________, 2020

ATTEST PETERS TOWNSHIP

_________________________ _________________________

Paul F. Lauer David M. Ball

Township Manager Chairman of Council

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