ARTICLE V  -  SIGNS 

Section 501 - Erection and Maintenance of Signs

Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this Article and any and all other ordinances and regulations relating to the erection, alteration, or maintenance of signs and similar devices.

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Section 502 - Signs in Residential Districts

Unless otherwise provided for in this Ordinance, the following types of signs and no other shall be permitted in the R-1 Low Density Residential Districts. All signs shall be subject to all General Regulations specified in Section 506.

502.1  Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, when erected by the owner or broker or any other person interested in the sale or rental of such premises, may be erected and maintained, provided: (1) the size of any such sign is not in excess of six (6) square feet; and  (2) not more than two signs are placed by any broker/realtor (including the owner) upon any property in single and separate ownership, with a maximum of four (4) such signs per property.

502.2  Signs bearing the word "sold" or the word "rented" with the name of persons effecting the sale or rental may be erected and maintained provided the conditions in subsection 502.1 hereof are complied with and such signs are removed within thirty (30) days after erection.

502.3  Signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided: (1) the size thereof is not in excess of twelve (12) square feet; and  (2) such signs are removed promptly upon completion of the work.

502.4  Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property provided that the size of any sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet provided that tresspassing signs related to private roads and driveways may be increased to sixteen (16) square feet.

502.5  Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, sanitariums, or other institutions of a similar nature may be erected and maintained on the same premises to which the signs refer provided:  (1) the size of any such sign is not in excess of fifty (50) square feet; and (2) not more than two signs are placed on a property in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event two (2) such signs may be erected on each frontage. Directional signs stating the name and location of such institutions may be erected within the Township as permitted as a conditional use. No such signs  shall be greater than six (6) square feet. One changeable message sign for purposes of advertising sermons, activities, events and the like at such institutions, which may be up to thirty-two (32) square feet shall also be permitted. 

502.6  Signs advertising home occupations may not be larger than four (4) square feet, and may include the name, occupation, and logotype or trademark, if appropriate, of the practitioner. This size may be increased to eight (8) square feet along Routes 6 and 739.  Such signs shall not be illuminated.

502.7  On-site signs advertising the sale of farm products at an on-farm stand, provided:  (1) the size of any such sign is not in excess of six (6) square feet; and (2) not more than two signs are used; and (3) the signs shall be displayed only when such products are on sale.

502.8  Nameplates and Identification signs. Signs indicating the name and address of the occupant shall be no larger than two (2) square feet in area.

502.9  Signs erected by a government entity to identify a Public Park or Playground as defined in this ordinance which signs shall not exceed such size and number as approved by the Dingman Township Board of Supervisors.

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Section 503 - Signs in Rural and Limited Neighborhood Development Districts

Unless otherwise provided for in this Ordinance, the following types of signs and no other shall be permitted in RU Rural and ND2 Limited Neighborhood Development  Districts.  All signs shall be subject to all General Regulations specified in Section 506:

503.1  All signs permitted in Section 502 for Residential District, and those further provided for herein.

503.2   Signs advertising  the sale and rental of the premises on which located provided they do not exceed  the limits of Section 502.1 hereof for dwellings or fifty (50) square feet per entrance to a mobile home park.

503.3  Signs advertising or identifying a business or trade, provided they do not exceed three (3) per property and thirty-two (32) square feet each in area.

 

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Section 504 - Signs in Conservation and Parks Districts

Unless otherwise provided for in this Ordinance, the following types of signs and no others shall be permitted in the Conservation and Parks CP District.  All signs shall be subject to all General Regulations specified in Section 506:

504.1  Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which located, provided they do not exceed one sign by any broker/realtor (including the owner) upon any property in single and separate ownership with a maximum of four (4) such signs per property.

504.2  Name plates not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and one (1) per property. 

504.3  Signs for the purposes of identifying the location of a non-residential use, other than Inns, provided such signs are located on the subject premises and relate only to the use of that particular property.  Such signs shall meet the requirements for signs as set forth in Section 505.

504.4   Signs erected by a government entity to identify a Public Park or Playground as defined in this ordinance which signs shall not exceed such size and number as approved by the Dingman Township Board of Supervisors.

504.5  Signs for the purpose of identifying the location of an Inn, provided such signs are located on the business premises and relate only to the use of that particular property and further provided that such signs do not exceed one (1) double-sided sign per property along a public street and sixteen (16) square feet each side in area.

504.6  Signs for purposes of identifying the location of a public or semi-public use shall be allowed, provided that such signs are located on the subject property and relate only to the use of the property, and shall not exceed two signs per road frontage, with no individual sign exceeding 32 square feet in area.

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Section 505 - Signs in Neighborhood Commercial and Resort Commercial Districts

Unless otherwise provided for in this Ordinance, the following types of signs and no others shall be permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial NC and Resort Commercial RC Districts. All signs shall be subject to all the General Regulations specified in Section 506:

505.1  All signs permitted in Residential, Rural, and Limited Neighborhood Developmen Districts except as further provided for herein.

505.2  Signs advertising or identifying business or trade located on the lot upon which the business or trade is located, provided that each sign is no larger than fifty (50) square feet and that there are no more than three (3) signs per property.

505.3  Signs erected by a government entity to identify a Public Park or Playground as defined in this ordinance which signs shall not exceed such size and number as approved by the Dingman Township Board of Supervisors.

505.4 Signs for Multiple Use Sites.   The following regulations shall apply with respect to sign requirements within an office complex, shopping center, shopping plaza or mall, or a vehicle dealership of cars, trucks, farm equipment, recreational vehicles, motorcycles or ATV's that have more than one franchise.  The sign requirements are as follows:

            a.         Free Standing Sign

            Free standing commercial signs for office complexes, shopping centers, shopping plazas or malls or vehicle dealerships of cars, trucks, farm equipment, recreational vehicles, motorcycles or ATV's that have more than one franchise are permitted but shall be limited to one (1) sign per street frontage which identifies the entire complex.  Individual offices, stores or franchises within the site are prohibited from having individual free standing signs.  Free standing signs shall not exceed 100 square feet in area; shall be set back not less than twenty (20) feet from the street right-of-way; and shall not exceed the height of thirty-five (35) feet above the highway grade. Signs under this subsection shall be exempt from Section 506.6 of the Ordinance.

            b.         Attached Commercial Signs for Individual Stores within a Shopping Center, Shopping Plaza or Mall

           One (1) wall sign per business or franchise shall be permitted, except that corner businesses may provide an additional business sign on a second wall.  Corner businesses shall be defined as businesses on a corner of a multi-occupant building where two sides face one exterior public roadway.  Each business sign shall be attached to the wall of the building and shall project horizontally not more than 12 inches therefrom:  shall have not less than nine (9) feet of clearance underneath and shall not be more than twenty (20%) percent of the total area of the portion of any street-facing building face assigned to the business or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is less.  All such signs must be set back at least 50 feet from the property line.  An applicant may increase the size of any sign under this section under the following formula:  for every additional ten (10) feet of set back beyond the first fifty (50) feet, the size of any sign may increase by five (5%) percent up to a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet.  Such attached commercial signs shall not be higher than the top of the building fascia, roof line or parapet upon which they are placed.  Signs under this subsection shall be exempt from Section 504.4 (a) and 506.6 of the Ordinance.

            c.         Computation of Sign Area

            In computing square foot area of a double-faced sign under this section, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical.  If the interior angle formed by the two (2) faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45 degrees, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.  Signs under this subsection shall be exempt from Section 506.11 of the Ordinance.

505.5  Signs advertising  the sale and rental of the premises on which located provided they do not exceed  one (1) per property road frontage and thirty-two square feet per sign in the Neighborhood Commercial District and sixty-four (64) square feet per sign in the Resort Commercial District.  Such signs shall require permits from the Township if intended for the purpose of continually advertising rentals on the premises.

505.6 Signs listing  the developer, general contractor, major subcontractors, financial partners and similar firms on the premises on which commercial development is taking place provided they do not exceed  one (1) per property road frontage and do not exceed thirty-two square (32) feet per sign.  Such signs shall require a zoning permit which may only be issued after zoning approval and subdivision and land development plan approval have been granted by the Township for the project.  Such signs must be removed within 60 days of completion of the project.

505.7 Signs announcing the name and nature of a proposed commercial development on the premises on which commercial development is taking place provided they do not exceed  one (1) per firm per property road frontage and do not exceed fifty (50) square feet per sign.  Such signs shall require a zoning permit which may only be issued after zoning approval and subdivision and land development plan approval have been granted by the Township for the project.  Such signs must be removed within 60 days of completion of the project.

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Section 506 - General Regulations for all Signs

The following regulations apply to all permitted sign uses:

506.1  Signs must be constructed of durable material, maintained in good condition and not allowed to become dilapidated.

506.2  No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by light strobing  obscuring the view or otherwise causing a distraction due to the intensity of the color, lighting or design as shall be determined by the Zoning Officer based on industry and planning best practices related to sign construction and placement.

506.3  No sign, other than an official traffic sign, shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any public street, unless authorized by the Township Board of Supervisors for a special purpose except as provided for in Section 513 herein. Traffic and directional signs on private streets shall be subject to the regulation of the owners of such streets.

506.4  No sign shall project over a public sidewalk area more than eighteen (18) inches.

506.5  Overhead signs shall be at least nine (9) feet high, measured from the ground or pavement to the bottom-most part of the sign.

506.6  No sign shall exceed the height of twenty (20) feet as measured from the ground or pavement of the immediately adjoining street to the top-most part of the sign.

506.7  No permit shall be required for the erection, alteration or maintenance of any signs as permitted in  Sections 502 and 504 in Residential District

506.8  A permit is required for all other signs unless otherwise exempted by this ordinance.

506.9  Each sign shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.

506.10  Signs located on the interior of a property and not visible in any way from a State or Township Highway or adjacent property shall not be regulated by this Article.

506.11  Each side of a two sided sign shall be considered to be a separate sign for purposes of calculating sign numbers. Notwithstanding this, Section 505.4.c shall apply with respect to sign area calculations.

506.12 The area of the sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols together with the background whether opened or enclosed of which they display, but not including any subordinate framework or bracing incidental to the display itself.

506.13  Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to the building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of a smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.

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Section 507 - Lighting and Electronic Messaging

No flashing or oscillating light shall be permitted that by reason of intensity, color, location or movement or direction of its beam may interfere with or abrogate public safety.  Business, advertising and other signs may include electronic messaging subject to conditional use review and approval and the following:

 

507.1  Electronic message signs shall not display animation, flash or blink, scroll or have intermittent or full motion video. Motion shall be limited to the transition from one message to another.

 

            507.2   Electronic message signs of more than twenty (20) square feet in sign area shall be equipped with light sensors capable of measuring ambient light levels and dimming devices that shall lower the brightness of the sign based on the measured ambient light to minimize the brightness level required to make the sign visible. The dimming device shall minimize the illumination used to the lowest level necessary to make the sign conspicuous and visible during both daytime and nighttime hours. At no time shall the brightness level of any electronic message sign constitute glare.

 

            507.3   No electronic message sign of more than twenty (20) square feet in sign area shall be located within 500 linear feet of any other electronic message sign on either side of a street.

 

            507.4   Electronic message signs of more than twenty (20) square feet in sign area shall be located at least 150 feet from any existing dwelling located in the direct line of sight of the advertising on the same side of a street.

 

            507.5   Transitions for electronic message signs shall fade and content shall not change more than once every ten (10) seconds with a transition time of not more than two (2) seconds.

 

            507.6   No electronic message signs shall display any interactive message such as a message requesting that the viewer call a number for a chance to win a prize or claim a reward. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Amber Alert message or similar message provided by a governmental entity on an electronic message sign shall not be considered an interactive message.

           

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Section 508 - Semi-Public, Historic and Natural Feature Identification Signs

 

            In any zone, semi-public, historic and natural feature identification signs shall be permitted as a conditional use. Non-commercial signs, under this Section, shall be defined as any signs that do not relate to a product, service, attraction or activity that is available to the public, or a portion thereof, for sale or rental. Any such signs shall be no greater than thirty-two (32) square feet in size on any one side.  In determining whether or not the conditional use shall be granted, the governing body shall apply the standards set forth in Section 404.

 

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Section 509 - Off-site Advertising Signs

            Off-site advertising signs shall be permitted as a conditional use along Routes 6 and 739 only in the Neighborhood Commercial and Resort Commercial Districts and in no other locations. Any such signs shall be no greater than four-hundred-fifty (450) square feet in size on one side. They shall be no closer than fifty (50) feet to the street line of any abutting streets and shall be no closer than five hundred (500) feet to any other such sign that is permitted or non-conforming, excepting that double-faced signs shall be permitted and provided no off-site advertising sign shall be placed closer than two-hundred (200) feet from any existing dwelling. In determining whether or not the conditional use shall be granted, the governing body shall apply the standards set forth in Section 404.

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Section 510 - Temporary Signs

510.1  Any sign(s) that refers to a particular and specific event, campaign, promotion or activity may be erected as a permitted use for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, provided that the sign(s) otherwise complies with the provisions of this Article. This Section shall not, however, apply to signs regulated by Sections 502.1,  502.2  and 502.3

510.2  A bond for the timely removal of any temporary sign shall be posted in accordance with a fee schedule established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors from time to time. In the event that temporary sign is not removed as required herein, the Zoning Officer or his or her designate may have it removed, and the reasonable cost of such removal will be deducted from the bond. The applicant will then be required to replenish the amount of bond used for the removal of the sign before any new signs are erected. Before placing any temporary sign on any property not owned by the person  wishing to place the sign, written permission of the property owner must be obtained. No free-standing temporary signs may be illuminated, and all temporary signs must be kept in good repair.

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Section 511 - Multi-Family Dwelling Signs

Two (2) sign identifying a multi-family dwelling project shall be permitted on the premises of the project provided the sign does not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size. One (1) sign identifying each residential building shall also be permitted, provided such sign shall not exceed one (1) square foot in size and shall be attached to the building. One sign for each common recreational building, structure, or area shall be permitted not to exceed six (6) square feet.  "NO TRESPASSING" signs not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet, shall also be permitted on the premises.  All signs allowed under this section shall be a permitted use.

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Section 512 - Private Community Signs

The following signs shall be permitted in Private Community Developments, being any development with ten (10) lots or more and having a private road access:

512.1        Two community entrance signs, which identify the  development, shall be permitted   within the right-of-way of a private development road and shall not exceed thirty-   two (32) square feet.

512.2        No trespassing signs may also be permitted within the right-of-way of a private development road and shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

512.3        One (1) building identification sign for each building in the development showing the building name, number or letter shall be permitted and shall not exceed one (1) square foot.

512.4        One (1) identification sign per recreational building shall be permitted and shall not exceed six (6) square feet.

512.5       All signs allowed under this section shall be a permitted use.

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Section 513 - Attraction Signs

The Dingman Township Zoning Ordinance hereby incorporates into this ordinance PennDOT Traffic Engineering and Operations Manual, Chapter 1, Section 7 “Tourist Oriented Directional Signing (TODS) Policy”, and any future amendments thereto, by reference thereto.  A copy of that manual is attached hereto, made a part hereof and is marked Appendix “A”.   Attraction signs, for which a permit is previously obtained from PennDOT, are hereby permitted subject to the following conditions:

 513.1   No sign shall exceed 48” by 16”.

513.2   No attraction signs shall relate to locations outside of the Dingman Township, other than neighboring municipalities with which Dingman Township has a reciprocal agreement.

513.3   The location of all signs, as permitted by PennDOT, shall be subject to the approval of the Road Master of Dingman Township.

513.4     Attraction signs will only be permitted on state highways.

513.5   All costs associated with such signs including, but not limited to, construction of the sign, installation, maintenance, replacement, state permit fees and township fees shall be paid by the applicant.  The Township will not be obligated to pay any fees or costs for signs erected under this provision.

 

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Section 514 - Public Interest, Political and Religious Signs

The following section is intended to provide for political and religious signs pursuant to Pennsylvania and U.S. Supreme case law:

514.1   Public interest, political and religious signs designed for permanent placement shall be permitted subject to this chapter pertaining to other signs. Political and religious signs designed for temporary placement relating to an event, or a political or religious issue of concern to the general public shall be governed by this Section 514.1. The person, organization, party or entity responsible for any such signs is encouraged to  complete and file with the Township a disclosure form, as provided by the Township, which gives the name, address, telephone number and/or e-mail address of such responsible person, party or entity. If no disclosure form is filed, the Township will send any notices to the candidate or the candidate's election committee if it can be readily determined. Temporary public interest, political and religious signs shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this ordinance, provided that no sign shall be displayed for more than twenty-one (21) days following the event for which it is erected, if applicable. Such signs may not:

a.              a.  Be placed inside the curb line or edge of pavement, or within the shoulder of the road, as applicable..

 

b.              b.  Be placed in a location where they block or obstruct the view of traffic so as to be hazardous..

 

c.              c.  Exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size.

 

d.              d.  {subsection deleted]

 

e.              e.  Be placed on any on any utility pole, streetlight pole, traffic or parking sign or device, including any post to which such sign or device is attached, historical marker, or tree in the public right-of-way.

 

            514.2   Violation of any provision of this section shall subject the responsible person, party or entity to the enforcement powers of this ordinance including, but not limited to, the removal cost provisions of 510.2, Section 706 and Section 707.