Construction and Design Guidelines.
1. Every sign permitted in this section must be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be repaired or removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located, after consultation with the Township Solicitor.
2. Individually cut or channel letters are required on all signs in all districts. Cabinet wall and freestanding signs are prohibited in all commercial and industrial districts and in the East Texas Village (ETV-1, ETV-2 and ETV-3) Districts.
3. Business logos are permitted, when combined with the business names, but shall not occupy more than 25% of the sign copy area and shall be made an integral part of the sign design and requirements.
4. Wall signs may have individual, illuminated channel letters or solid, individual, illuminated channel letters, or solid individual letters that are backlit (halo-lit). External and indirect lighting consistent with the Lighting Ordinance is permitted in lieu of individually illuminated letters.
5. All freestanding signs, including monument signs, if illuminated, must be a router and pushed through face type design or individual channel letters mounted to a face structure or body in which only the letters may be lit. The sign must also contain address numbers placed in position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with the background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numeral or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of six inches in height.
6. Any type of sign regulated in this section that is abandoned and not advertising or announcing an active use or business, etc., for a period of more than three months shall be deemed not in compliance with this chapter and require adherence with all provisions of this Part for any future sign permit. This may include the replacement of existing signs with new signs, replacement or modification of lighting, etc., to the satisfaction of the Township.
Permit Requirements for Signs.
1. Permit Required. A zoning permit shall be required for all signs allowed in any zoning district except for signs listed in §
27-2209, Exempt Signs. All signs shall comply with the regulations of this chapter.
2. Temporary Permit Required. A temporary zoning permit will be required for any sign erected and maintained by a developer on a tract of ground. Permits will be valid for six months, but may be renewed one time by the Zoning Officer. Such a sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall comply with §
27-1703.5, and all applicable provisions of this Part, to the extent not inconsistent with this section.
3. Official Signs. Official signs utilized by governmental entities in the furtherance of their legitimate governmental functions are specifically exempt from the requirement of this Part.
Location.
1. The location for signs shall be governed by the following location requirements:
A. No sign except official signs, name plate signs, public service signs (i.e., telephone), and directional signs shall be erected within two feet of, or project over, an existing street right-of-way.
B. Freestanding business signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the existing street right-of-way.
C. No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with the sight distance requirements of §
27-1703, Subsection
5.
D. No sign except advertising, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
E. No sign shall be placed on any tree, public utility pole, official sign, rocks or other natural features.
F. All signs erected in any zoning district except C-Commercial District shall comply with the side yard requirements for the district. A freestanding sign may be erected one foot from the side property line in the C-Commercial District if the abutting use is a commercial use. If not, the side yard requirement must be respected.
Area of Signs.
1. The following regulations shall be used in computing the area of signs:
A. The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background whether open or enclosed on which they are displayed but not including any supporting framework and bracing, which are incidental to the display itself.
B. Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular shape, including the sign background, which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
C. No Sign May Exceed Two Faces. In computing square foot area of a double-face sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical in size. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
Height of Signs.
1. Height of signs shall conform to attachment Exhibit B: Sign Height Table.
Approval of Signs Associated With Proposed Conditional Uses and Special Exception Uses.
Any of the signs in §§
27-2206 through and including
§ 27-2219: Advertising Signs (Including Billboards) that are to be associated with a proposed conditional or special exception use shall be reviewed and either be approved or denied at the same time that the conditional or special exception use is being reviewed. A condition of such approval shall be compatibility with adjacent land uses.
