1. Intent.
Buffers are intended to augment required setbacks from streets and from the perimeter of a tract where it adjoins a district boundary line by providing additional means of physical, visual, and acoustical separation between uses. Landscaped strips, screening, and shade trees required by this article are also intended to promote:

A. Harmony between land uses.
B. Reduction of glare, noise, and pollution levels.
C. Reduction of stormwater runoff volume.
D. Areas of shade that reduce temperature and energy costs during hot weather.
E. Natural windscreens that protect from exposure and reduce energy costs during cold weather.
F. Protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
G. Maintenance of some land on most tracts in a landscaped state to help offset the monotony of widespread pavement and buildings.
H. Privacy and property rights.
I. Attractive, shaded streets that contribute to the maintenance of an appealing community in which to live, work, and visit.
J. Safer means of controlling access to and from public streets.

2. Applicability and scope.
This article regulates the circumstances in which buffers are required. When buffers are required, they shall be installed as specified, either as part of setbacks from the perimeter of a tract where it adjoins a district boundary line, as specified in § 200-62: Required buffer types for setbacks adjoining district boundary lines, or as part of setbacks from street ultimate rights-of-way, as specified in § 200-63: Required buffer types for setbacks from streets. Classification of buffers is specified in § 200-61: Classification of buffers. Recommended trees, hedges, and shrubs are specified in § 200-68: Recommended buffer plantings.
3. Classification of buffers.
Required buffers shall be one or more of the following types, in accordance with § 200-62: Required buffer types for setbacks adjoining district boundary lines and § 200-63: Required buffer types for setbacks from streets:

A. Type A:

(1) One canopy tree per 40 linear feet (Type A1).

B. Type B:

(1) One canopy tree per 40 linear feet, plus one flowering tree per 60 linear feet, plus one evergreen planted in a nonlinear format, per 40 linear feet (Type B1).
(2) One canopy tree per 40 linear feet, plus one evergreen per 30 linear feet (Type B2).

C. Type C:

(1) One evergreen per 30 linear feet, plus one hedge (three-foot centers) (Type C1).
(2) One evergreen per 25 linear feet, plus one shrub per eight linear feet (Type C2).

D. Type D:

(1) One hedge (three-foot centers) (Type D1).
(2) Six-foot high solid cedar or spruce fencing (Type D2).
(3) Six-foot high twelve-gauge plastic-coated chain link fence (Type D3).

4. Retention of existing natural buffers.
Wherever buffers are required every effort shall be made to retain existing natural buffers, such as vegetation and topographic features. Buffers shall not include noxious weeds as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
5. Landscaping of setbacks.
All required setbacks, whether or not planted with trees, shrubs, or hedges required by § 200-62: Required buffer types for setbacks adjoining district boundary lines and/or § 200-63: Required buffer types for setbacks from streets, shall, as a minimum, consist of grass, ground cover, and/or similar vegetative material or other natural landscaping materials.
6. Alternative buffers.
As an alternative to the potential for an excessively linear appearance brought about by strict conformance to the minimum requirements of § 200-62: Required buffer types for setbacks adjoining district boundary lines and/or § 200-63: Required buffer types for setbacks from streets, innovative, free-form buffers that may, in some cases, not be located entirely within the minimum required setback and that may include berms, are encouraged. Such alternative buffers may be authorized; the Zoning Officer may seek the advice of technical experts in the review of the alternative plans.
7. Maintenance required.
All buffers shall be maintained by the property owner at his expense, assuring that required trees, plantings, and vegetative materials are kept in good condition. Any such materials that die shall be replaced within six months. Alternative buffers, as defined above, may be authorized in the context of buffer maintenance.
8. See § 200-68: Recommended buffer plantings for a list of plants.

A. Intent. The intent of this article is to establish standards and criteria for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas of the Township, including floodplains, riparian areas, steep slopes and very steep slopes, and historic resources. More specifically, these provisions are designed to:

(1) Preserve natural environmental resources and maintain ecological stability by:

(a) Strictly controlling the use of floodplains.
(b) Sustaining riparian buffers along stream courses.
(c) Promoting the proper development of steep and very steep slopes.
(d) Maintaining groundwater resources through the provision of areas for groundwater recharge.

(2) Preserve historic and cultural resources and the visual character of the landscape by:

(a) Promoting the preservation of significant historical and cultural sites and structures.
(b) Discouraging development in areas that will create significant changes in the visual character of the Township, particularly its stream courses and major drainage swales.
(c) Encouraging the use of natural resource areas to preserve existing environmental quality and amenity values.

(3) Protect the health and safety of all residents and visitors and minimize threats to property through the promotion of sound land development practices.
(4) Aid in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and the attainment of its goals and objectives.

B. Applicability and scope. This article regulates the circumstances in which development, improvements, or demolition may occur on land areas in the Township consisting of or containing the following natural and man-made resources:

(1) Floodplains, in accordance with § 200-55: Flood hazard districts.
(2) Riparian buffers, in accordance with § 200-56: Riparian buffer protection.
(3) Steep slopes and very steep slopes, in accordance with § 200-57: Steep slope protection.
(4) Historic resources, in accordance with § 200-58: Historic resources protection.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the East Whiteland Township. It is not intended to interfere with, abrogate, or annul other rules, regulations, or ordinances of the Township, provided that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of land or buildings or the configuration of improvements than are imposed by such other rules, regulations, or ordinances, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

A. Intent. The intent of this is to regulate the use of outdoor illumination. Where safety and security concerns warrant it, outdoor illumination is required to be installed, operated, and maintained. For commercial, industrial, multifamily residential, recreational, institutional, and public uses, outdoor illumination is required for all off-street parking and loading areas and for all driveways providing access. All outdoor illumination shall avoid producing glare.

B. Illumination levels. All outdoor illumination shall have intensities and uniformity ratios consistent with the standards in the current edition of the Lighting Handbook and/or Recommended Practices of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (ISENA). "Illumination levels" shall be defined as maintained horizontal footcandles on the task, and average illumination values shall not exceed minimum values by more than the product of the minimum value and the specified ISENA uniformity ratio for the activity in question.

C. Control of glare. Glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as fixture cutoffs, shields, and baffles and appropriate application of fixture mounting height, wattage, aiming angle, and fixture placement. Outdoor illumination shall be installed so that the glare or reflection visible from a street or residence adjacent to the property being illuminated shall not be greater than 0.1 footcandle at the property or boundary line, except where the adjacent property is in nonresidential use, in which case the standard shall be 0.2 footcandle.

D. Fixture design. See § 200-10D for details.
 

E. Hours of illumination for floodlighting or high-intensity outdoor illumination. All outdoor illumination, including surveillance, security, or safety outdoor illumination, shall conform to the standards of Subsection C, Control of glare, at all hours.

F. Recreational and sports lighting. See § 200-10F for details.

G. Recreational and sports lighting in Institutional Districts. See § 200-10G for details.
 

H. Temporary outdoor illumination. Temporary floodlighting and spotlighting for such uses as, but not limited to, public festivals, celebrations, sporting and recreation events is permitted, subject to the following conditions:

(1) Illumination shall conform to the standards of Subsection C, Control of glare.
(2) Illumination shall conform to the standards of Subsection E, Hours of illumination for floodlighting or high-intensity outdoor illumination.
(3) Permits issued by the Township for temporary illumination shall be valid for up to seven consecutive days and shall be issued no more than three times for a parcel of land in any calendar year.
 

See § 200-10: Illumination for more detailed information.

See Permit Applications for more information.

General requirements. Off-street parking areas shall be oriented to and within a reasonable walking distance of the buildings the parking areas are designed to serve. Access to parking lots shall be designed so as not to obstruct free flow of traffic. There shall be adequate provision for ingress to and egress from all parking spaces to ensure ease of mobility, ample clearance, and safety of vehicles and pedestrians. Off-street parking areas shall provide paved surfaces for vehicular movement and parking spaces.

Setbacks. Off-street parking areas shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from front lot lines and a minimum of one foot from side and rear lot lines; greater setbacks may be required in accordance with the standards applicable to each district. In cases where parking is shared between two adjacent properties, minimum setbacks from relevant side or rear property lines may be reduced to zero feet.

Off-street parking dimensions. See § 200-69C for detailed information.

Parked vehicle overhang. Parking areas shall be designed so as to prevent parked vehicles from overhanging or extending over sidewalks or required landscaped areas.

Perimeter landscaping. See § 200-69F for details.
Interior (nonperimeter) landscaping. See § 200-69G for details.

 

Parked vehicle registration. All vehicles parked outdoors must be registered, with current, valid, state motor vehicle plates and safety and emission inspection credentials plainly visible.

Recreational vehicle and boat parking in Residential Districts. See § 200-69I for details.
 

Parking in residential zoning districts. All off-street parking accessory to residential uses and developed in any residential district in accordance with the requirements of this section shall be used solely for the parking of passenger automobiles owned and operated by the permanent occupants, guests or visitors of the dwellings to which they are accessory. Further, the parking of not more than one truck of not more than 1 1/2 ton capacity used by occupants of the dwelling structures to which such facilities are accessory shall be permitted. Under no circumstances shall parking facilities accessory to residential structures be used for the storage of commercial vehicles, or for the parking of automobiles belonging to non-occupants of the residential structure. For purposes of this section, commercial vehicles shall be defined to include trucks in excess of 1 1/2 ton capacity, and construction vehicles and equipment. Temporary parking of these types of vehicles shall be allowed provided the vehicles are engaged in the delivery of goods and services, the parking occurs overnight or over a weekend and the vehicle is driven by an occupant of the residential structure or the vehicle is used for the construction of improvements on the premises as may be necessary from time to time. In addition, the outdoor storage, parking, repairing or maintaining of race cars or similar vehicles shall be prohibited in all residential zoning districts.
 

Required parking for specific uses.
Except as provided for in other articles, any building or structure erected, altered, or used and any lot used or occupied for any of the following purposes, regardless of the zoning district in which the use is located, shall be provided with the minimum number of off-street parking spaces set forth below, together with adequate driveways and street access in compliance with the requirements of § 200-69: General regulations of this article and of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Where a use is not specifically listed below, the requirement of the most similar use shall apply.
See § 200-70: Required parking for specific uses for more detailed information.

Reserve parking.
If the number of spaces required under § 200-70: Required parking for specific uses is substantially greater than the number of spaces anticipated as needed by the applicant, the applicant may, as part of a land development plan application, request that the number of spaces required be reduced by up to 35%. Upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission and the Township Engineer, the Board of Supervisors may reduce the required number of parking spaces in accordance with the following criteria:
 

A. The applicant shall provide evidence of reduced parking needs to the Planning Commission and Township Engineer for their review and recommendation.

B. Sufficient area shall be set aside for construction of the remainder of the required spaces, if and when they are deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors.

C. All stormwater engineering shall be designed based on total parking requirements, including the reserve.

D. Parking capacity shall be re-evaluated by the Zoning Officer should any change occur in the use, ownership, size of building, or number of residents or employees and, following such reevaluation, the Board of Supervisors may require the construction of additional parking spaces, up to the maximum required by this chapter, upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission and Township Engineer.

E. The Zoning Officer may deny or revoke the certificate of occupancy permit of any use that fails to comply with the provisions of this section and § 200-70: Required parking for specific uses.

F. If determined necessary by the Board of Supervisors, the applicant shall provide a financial guaranty to cover the cost of installation of the reserve parking spaces for a period of one year following installation of the initially constructed spaces, in a manner approved by the Board of Supervisors upon the recommendation of the Township Solicitor and the Township Engineer.
 

A. Requirement for loading and unloading areas. Whenever the normal operation of any business, enterprise, or use requires that goods, merchandise, or equipment be routinely delivered to or shipped from that business, enterprise, or use, a sufficient paved off-street loading and unloading area must be provided in accordance with this section to accommodate the delivery or shipment operations in a safe and convenient manner.

B. Specifications for loading and unloading areas. The loading and unloading area must be of sufficient size to accommodate the numbers and types of vehicles that are likely to use this area given the nature of the business, enterprise, or use in question.

(1) Loading and unloading areas shall be so located and designed that the vehicles intended to use them can maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way and complete loading and unloading operations without obstructing or interfering with any public right-of-way or any parking space or parking lot aisle.

(2) No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking, nor shall any portion of any off-street parking area be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading and unloading facilities.

(3) All loading and unloading areas shall be landscaped and screened sufficiently to obscure the view of the loading and unloading vehicles and platforms from any public street and adjacent residential districts or uses. Such screening shall be an extension of a building, a fence, planting, or combination thereof, and shall be a minimum of six feet in height.

See Article XII: Off-Street Parking and Loading for complete, detailed information.

(1) Permanent open space: design standards. Permanent open space to be provided in accordance with certain sections of this article shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:

(a) Permanent open space shall be so designated on the submitted plans, and the plans shall contain a notation stating, "Permanent Open Space shall not be separately sold and shall not be further developed or subdivided."
(b) Permanent open space shall be contiguous to the development, not separated by existing streets, and shall not be a part of any lot within the development, except as a conditional use, permanent open space may be separated from the development by existing streets.
(c) Each area of permanent open space shall contain not less than 10,000 square feet.
(d) Permanent open space areas shall be designed as a continuous system of open space and shall be interconnected with open space areas on abutting parcels whenever possible.
(e) Permanent open space shall be provided with safe and convenient access to the residentially developed area of the tract by adjoining frontage on streets or easements capable of accommodating pedestrian, bicycle, and maintenance vehicle traffic. The permanent open space shall contain appropriate access improvements and shall be provided with perimeter parking areas where appropriate.
(f) Permanent open space shall predominantly consist of natural environmental features or planted and maintained vegetation that may contain walking, biking, or equestrian trails. Permanent open space may also contain impervious surface areas, such as tennis courts, clubhouses, or other active recreation facilities, but such active recreation facilities shall consist of less than 25% of the permanent open space.
(g) Permanent open space shall be configured so as to create areas of adequate size and shape to permit a variety of uses, active or passive, throughout the system.

(2) Permanent open space: environmentally sensitive area. The environmentally sensitive area of a tract or portions thereof may be counted toward permanent open space to be provided in accordance with certain sections of this article, provided that the following criteria are met:

(a) Active recreational facilities to meet the needs of the residents or users of the development are provided outside of the environmentally sensitive area of the tract.
(b) Use of environmentally sensitive areas for passive recreation shall not include structures and shall not conflict with the primary purpose of environmentally sensitive areas to conserve and protect specific natural resources.
(c) Any use of environmentally sensitive areas complies with regulations contained in Article X of this chapter.

(3) Permanent open space: offer of dedication. Permanent open space to be provided in accordance with certain sections of this article shall be offered for dedication to the Township, although the Township need not accept any such offers.
(4) Permanent open space: ownership and maintenance. Provision for ownership and maintenance of the permanent open space shall be made in a manner so as to ensure its preservation. This shall be accomplished in one of the following manners:

(a) The Township may accept dedication of the permanent open space or any interest therein for public use and maintenance, but the Township need not accept a dedication of the permanent open space if offered.
(b) With permission of the Township, and with appropriate deed restrictions in favor of the Township and in language acceptable to the Township Solicitor, the developer may transfer the fee simple title in the permanent open space or a portion thereof to a private, not-for-profit organization among whose purposes is the conservation of open space land and/or natural resources, provided that:

[1] The organization is acceptable to the Township and is a bona fide conservation organization with a perpetual existence;
[2] The conveyance contains appropriate provision for proper retransfer or reverter in the event that the organization becomes unable or unwilling to continue to carry out its functions; and
[3] A maintenance agreement acceptable to the Township is entered into by the developer, the organization and the Township.

(c) The developer shall provide for and establish an organization for the ownership and maintenance of the permanent open space consistent with the requirements for unit owners' associations found in the Pennsylvania Uniform Planned Community Act or Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act. If such an organization is created, the deeds for the permanent open space and for all individual lots within the development shall contain the following requirements in language acceptable to the Township Solicitor:

[1] Such organization shall not dispose of the permanent open space by sale or otherwise except to the Township or other government body unless the Township has given prior approval. Such transfer shall be made only to another organization that shall maintain the permanent open space in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[2] The organization and all lot owners within the development shall agree to maintain the permanent open space. If private ownership fails to do so, the Township may proceed to maintain deteriorating open space and may assess and lien the properties within the development accordingly.
[3] All lot owners shall be required to become members of the organization and pay assessments for the maintenance of the permanent open space, which may be increased for inflation and which may provide for professional management.

(1) Permanent open space: design standards. Permanent open space shall be designed in accordance with the standards of § 200-18: General regulations of this article.
(2) Permanent open space: offer of dedication. Open space required as part of any cluster development shall be offered for dedication to the Township, although the Township need not accept any such offers.
(3) Permanent open space: Ownership and maintenance. Provision for ownership and maintenance of the permanent open space shall be made in accordance with § 200-18: General regulations of this article.

Any activity or use shall comply with the following performance standards:

A. Airborne emissions. All matters pertaining to the control of smoke, dust or other pollution of the air shall be in accordance with the regulations and standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) or its successor agency. No activity in any Industrial District shall be reactivated, established, modified, constructed, or operated without having obtained valid permits and/or certificates from PADEP or its successor agency for airborne emissions. Such proof of compliance shall consist of duplicate copies of such permits and/or certificates for the current time period. In addition to the requirements of PADEP or its successor agency, the following requirements shall apply:

(1) Dust. Dust and other similar types of air pollution borne by the wind from storage areas, the removal of natural materials, yards, parking areas, or other open areas shall be minimized by landscaping, sealing, or other acceptable means.
(2) Particulate matter. No use shall exceed the national ambient air quality standards established in the federal Clean Air Act or the requirements of Titles 25 and 35 of the Pennsylvania Code as they are amended and adopted for particulate matter.
(3) Odor. No operation shall release materials capable of becoming odorous, either by bacterial decomposition or chemical reaction, that cause or will cause odorous matter or vapor to be generated so as to be readily discernible without instruments from any point along the boundaries of each property.
(4) Smoke or steam. No use may emit from a vent, stack, chimney, or combustion process any smoke that exceeds a density or equivalent capacity of Ringelmann No. 1, except that an emission that does not exceed a density of equivalent capacity of Ringelmann No. 2 is permissible for a duration of not more than four minutes during any eight-hour period if the source of such emission is not located within 250 feet of a residential district. All measurements shall be taken at the point of emission of the smoke. (For the purpose of determining the density of equivalent opacity of smoke, the Ringelmann Chart, as adopted and published by the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8333, May 1967, shall be used. The Ringelmann number referred to in this section refers to the number of the area of the Ringelmann Chart that coincides most nearly with the visual density of equivalent opacity of the emission of smoke observed. For example, a reading of Ringelmann No. 1 indicates a twenty-percent density of the smoke observed.)
(5) Toxic matter and hazardous material. Emissions of chemicals, gases, components, or elements listed as being toxic matter or hazardous material by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or its successor agency, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, shall not exceed any stated threshold limit value in any district. No emission of toxic matter shall exceed 50% of the threshold limit value in any adjacent residential or commercial district.

B. Electricity. Electric or electronic equipment shall be shielded such that no interference of radio and television broadcasts shall be discerned beyond the operator's property.
C. Glare. No activity or use shall produce a strong, dazzling light or reflection of this light beyond its property lines. Outdoor illumination shall be shielded, buffered, and directed so that glare, direct light, or reflection will not be a nuisance to adjoining properties, dwellings, streets, or districts and shall comply with the regulations of § 200-10: Illumination.
D. Heat. No activity or use shall produce heat perceptible beyond its property lines and no use shall be permitted that would cause the ambient water temperature, as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or its successor agency, to rise or fall more than 5° F. (2.8° C.) during the ten-year, seven-day low flow in any natural pond, stream, river, or other watercourse.
E. Noise. No activity or use shall produce a sound pressure level on adjacent property in excess of the levels permitted by the East Whiteland Township Noise Ordinance, adopted April 17, 2001, and as may be amended by the Board of Supervisors.
F. Storage and waste disposal. All materials or wastes shall be deposited upon a site in such a form or manner that prevents contamination of surface or groundwater resources. All waste products shall be disposed of in accordance with regulations as they are adopted and amended by county, state, and federal agencies.
G. Vibration.

(1) No activity or operation shall produce at any point along the property line continuous earthborne vibrations greater than the maximum displacement as permitted in the following table:
 

Frequency (Hz)	Residential District Displacement (inches)	Nonresidential District Displacement (inches)
0 greater than, but less than or equal to 10	.0004	.0020
10 greater than, but less than or equal to 20	.0002	.0010
20 greater than, but less than or equal to 30	.0001	.0006
30 greater than, but less than or equal to 40	.0001	.0004
40 greater than, but less than or equal to 50	.0001	.0003
50 or greater	.0001	.0002

(2) Discrete pulses that do not exceed 100 impulses per minute may not produce more than twice the displacement specified in the table.

Vehicles and trailers as accessory uses.
No vehicle trailer shall be parked on any lot and used as an accessory building or storage shed. No recreational vehicle, boat, camper, or pickup component shall be used for living or sleeping quarters on any lot in the Township.

A. Projections into front yard. No building or structure and no part of a building or structure shall be erected within or shall project into the required front yard that falls between the street and the foremost portion of a principal use building, except:

(1) Cornices, eaves, gutters;
(2) Chimneys, projecting not more than 18 inches;
(3) Bay windows not extending through more than story and not projecting more than three feet;
(4) One-story open porches projecting not more than five feet;
(5) Steps, projecting not more than five feet;
(6) Balconies, projecting not more than four feet;
(7) In the FC, ROC, O/BP, O/BPS, PO, ROC/R and I Districts only, entrance doorway overhangs and trailer loading overhangs projecting not more than 48 inches from a building used for a commercial and/or industrial use.

B. Projections into side yards. No principal use building and no part of a principal use building shall be erected within or project into a required side yard, except:

(1) Cornices, eaves, gutters;
(2) Chimneys, projecting not more than 18 inches;
(3) Steps, projecting not more than 36 inches;
(4) In the FC, ROC, O/BP, O/BPS, PO, ROC/R and I Districts only, entrance doorway overhangs and trailer loading overhangs projecting not more than 48 inches from a building used for a commercial and/or industrial use.

C. Projections into rear yard. No principal use building and no part of a principal use building shall be erected in or shall project into a required rear yard, except:

(1) Cornices, eaves, gutters;
(2) Chimneys, projecting not more than 18 inches;
(3) Bay windows not extending more than one story and not projecting more than three feet;
(4) One-story, open porches projecting not more than five feet;
(5) Steps, projecting not more than five feet;
(6) Balconies, projecting not more than four feet;
(7) In the FC, ROC, O/BP, O/BPS, PO, ROC/R and I Districts only, entrance doorway overhangs and trailer loading overhangs projecting not more than 48 inches from a building used for a commercial and/or industrial use.

D. Projections into yards; obstruction of views. No wall, fence, or other structure shall be erected or altered and no hedge, tree, shrub, or other growth shall be maintained that may cause danger to traffic on a street, sidewalk, or public way by obscuring the view.

Intent. See § 200-73: Intent for details.
 

Applicability and scope.
This article regulates the number, size, placement, and physical characteristics of signs. The regulations are not intended to, and do not, restrict, limit, or control the content or message of signs. The regulations of this article apply to all districts in the Township.

Conformance required.
No sign may be erected unless it conforms to the regulations of this article. Sign permits must be approved prior to erection of the sign.

Exempt signs. See § 200-76: Exempt signs for details.

Prohibited signs. See § 200-77: Prohibited signs for details.

See § 200-77J for terms associated with Signs.

 

A. Sign face area.

(1) The area of sign faces enclosed in frames or cabinets shall be determined based on the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face. Sign area shall not include foundations, supports, and other essential structures that do not serve as a backdrop or border to the sign. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be counted in the calculation of sign face area.

(2) When a sign shall be on a base material and attached without a frame, such as a wood or plastic panel, the dimensions of the base material shall be used unless it is clear that part of the base contains no sign, related display, or decoration.

(3) When signs shall be constructed of individual pieces or letters attached to a building wall, sign area shall be determined by a perimeter drawn around all the pieces or letters.

(4) For sign structures containing multiple modules oriented in the same direction, the modules taken together shall be counted as one sign face.

(5) The maximum surface area visible at one time of a round or three-dimensional sign shall be calculated to determine total sign area.
 

B. Height of signs. The overall height of a sign or sign structure shall be measured from the grade directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or sign structure.
 

Nonconforming signs. See § 200-79: Nonconforming signs for details.

General design criteria.

A. Where more than one sign is permitted for the same activity, all signs should be coordinated with respect to color, letter style, illumination, and other graphic features.

B. In multiple owner/tenant occupancies, the various signs required for identification of different activities should be coordinated with respect to placement on the building facade, legibility, and illumination, and should express integration of design and a harmonious appearance.

C. All signs should be legible and visible for the purpose and circumstances in which they are used.

D. Sign(s) shall be considered a site plan and architectural feature of the proposed development, and as such, should be coordinated in size, height, color, illumination, location, graphic design, and finish detailing with the building(s), landscaping, area lighting, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and shall be shown on drawings with and considered in conjunction with uses where land development approval is required.

E. Where different uses are permitted side by side or on adjoining properties, signs permitted for one property or tenancy should not adversely affect the identification and reasonable use of the neighboring property or tenancy.

F. Where signs are to be placed near residential uses, sign height, size, location, and illumination shall be adjusted to ensure minimum impact on the residential uses.

G. Illumination. Where illumination of signs is permitted, such illumination shall be in conformance with Article I of this chapter. Illumination shall be of an even intensity at all times. Illumination may be direct (giving forth light from the interior of the sign) or it may be indirect (when the light source is not visible from any adjoining property or street and is directed upon the sign). Direct lighting shall illuminate the letters, characters, or graphics on the sign, but not its background. In addition:

(1) Illumination should be appropriate to the character of the sign and its surrounding, and shall not adversely illuminate or shadow surrounding properties, uses or streets and roads;
(2) No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner so as to diminish or detract in any way from the effectiveness of any traffic signal or similar safety or warning device; and
(3) The illumination shall be directed downward onto the sign to avoid sky glow.
 

A. All nontemporary signs installed after the effective date of this article shall have attached to the sign a durable metal nameplate giving the sign permit number and the name and address of the owner, person, or corporation responsible for the general requirements and maintenance as outlined herein.

B. All internally illuminated signs shall be constructed in conformance with the Standards for Electric Signs (U.L. 48) of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and bear the seal of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. If such a sign does not bear the Underwriters Laboratories label, the sign shall be inspected and certified by a fire underwriting agency.

C. All transformers, wires, and similar items shall be concealed. All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.

D. All signs, including attached wall, projecting, and suspended wall signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.

E. All signs, sign finishes, supports, and electric work shall be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from all hazards, such as, but not limited to, faulty wiring, and loose supports, braces, guys, and anchors.

F. All signs shall be painted and/or fabricated in accordance with generally accepted sign industry standards.

G. All signs and sign structures shall be erected and attached totally within the site.

H. Sight triangle area. No sign may be located within a sight triangle area. No support structure(s) for a sign may be located in a sight triangle area unless the combined cross-sectional area is 36 square inches or less.

I. Vehicle area clearances. When a sign shall extend over an area where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the sign shall be at least 14 feet above grade. Vehicle areas shall include, but are not limited to, driveways, alleys, parking lots, and loading and maneuvering areas.

J. Pedestrian area clearances. When a sign shall extend over sidewalks, walkways, or other spaces accessible to pedestrians, the bottom of the sign shall be at least 8.5 feet above grade.
 

Signs in nonresidential districts; exceptions. See § 200-82: Signs in nonresidential districts; exceptions for details.

Signs permitted in all districts; exceptions. See § 200-83: Signs permitted in all districts; exceptions for details.
 

Signs permitted in residential districts.
The following signs shall be permitted within any residential district in the Township:

A. One nonilluminated attached wall, suspended, or freestanding sign identifying a professional office may be placed on the premises subject to the following conditions:

(1) Such sign shall not exceed two square feet in total area; and
(2) If freestanding, such sign shall not exceed four feet in height.
 

Off-premises signs. See § 200-85: Off-premises signs for details.
Review of existing signs. See § 200-87: Review of existing signs for details.
Remedies for signage violations. See § 200-88: Remedies for signage violations for details.
 

Signs in ROC/R Regionally Oriented Commercial-Residential District developments. See § 200-89.1: Signs in ROC/R Regionally Oriented Commercial-Residential District developments for details.
 

Signs in Turnpike Interchange Overlay District developments. See § 200-89.2: Signs in Turnpike Interchange Overlay District developments for details.

See Article XIII: Signs for complete, detailed information.