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MapLink™ Signs

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ABANDONED SIGN

A. Any sign that does not display a well-maintained message for a consecutive one-hundred-twenty-day period;

B. Any sign the owner of which cannot be located at the owner's last address as reflected on the records of the department; or

C. Any sign no longer fully supported by the structure designed to support the sign for a consecutive one-hundred-twenty-day period.
AREA OF A SIGN
The area of one side of a sign is calculated from the smallest rectangle that encompasses all the exposed face that could be filled with a message or graphics.
BANNERS
Sign placed without a permanent structure containing a time bound message and used in aggregate no more than seven days in any calendar on any private parcel.
DOUBLE FACED SIGN
Sign with a message on both sides of a support structure, thus counting as two sign faces.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
A sign authorized by this municipality, another governmental agency, the State or Pennsylvania, or the federal government.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Any sign advertising activities, services, products or uses not located, made, sold, used or served on the premises displaying such sign.
PUBLIC CONVENIENCE
A structure maintained by the Township or other authorized governmental entity which provides a service to the public such as public bus shelters, public trash receptacles, and other similar structures.
SIGN
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, inclusive of but not limited to flags, banners or whirligigs or any device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly on a structure or other surface that shall display or include any letter, word, insignia, flag or representation used as or that is in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual communication, direction or is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to the attention of the public. Flags of any governmental unit or branch of any charitable or religious organization, interior signs not visible from a public right-of-way or adjoining property and cornerstones built into or attached to a wall of a building shall not be construed to be signs.
SIGN
An object, including a structure, wall, image, or movable device, displaying any message visible to the public.
Conformance.
No sign may be erected unless it conforms with the regulations of this article. Sign permits must be approved prior to erection of the sign.

Sign measurement.
 
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.

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 only be between sundown and 11:00 p.m. (or later as permitted under § 300-10B of Article I). Illumination shall be of an even intensity at all times. Illumination may be direct (giving forth light from the interior of the sign through translucent material) or it may be indirect (when the light source is not visible form 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 surroundings 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.

See § 300-95: General construction and placement criteria for more detailed information.
The following signs are prohibited and shall be removed:
 
A. Signs placed or painted on a vehicle or vehicle trailer and parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign for a business, use, event or similar function.

B. A sign that copies or imitates or in any way approximates an official highway sign or carries the words "STOP," "DANGER," "GO SLOW," "CAUTION," "WARNING" or similar terms.

C. Any sign in or projecting into a public right-of-way.

D. A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any building or street, other than the building to which the sign may be accessory.

E. Abandoned signs, defined as those on-premises signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted or available on the premises.

F. Any off-premises sign advertising activities, services, products or uses not located, made, sold, used or served on the premises displaying such sign unless permitted under § 300-95.1 of this chapter.

G. Roof signs or signs on dormers or balconies.

H. Inflatable signs.
I. Strobe lights and signs containing strobe lights.

J. Animated signs, defined as having moving parts or lighting that creates the illusion of moving parts, except those portions of a sign indicating time and/or temperature.

K. Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odors.

L. Signs consisting of pennants, spinners or streamers, except as short-term temporary on-site commercial event signs as permitted in this article.

M. Any sign that impairs or causes confusion to vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement, as determined by the Police Department of Marple Township.

N. Any sign mounted or attached to a tree or utility pole in the public right-of-way.

O. Any sign within 500 feet of an interstate highway.
P. Any sign located in a rear yard.

Q. Any sign that is not included under the types of signs permitted in specific district regulations or in this article.
 
For a list of exempt signs, see § 300-90: Exempt signs.


 
A. The lawful use of a sign or signs existing at the time of adoption of this article may be continued, even though the sign does not conform to the regulations and limitations of this article, until one or more of the following occurs:
 
(1) The structure, size, location, advertising display matter or accessories of any or all signs previously granted approval and permits are altered, modified, changed, reconstructed or moved;

(2) The structure, size, location, advertising display matter, lettering, color scheme or accessories of any or all signs on the property for which approval and/or permits have not been granted are altered, modified, changed, reconstructed or moved;

(3) Buildings, structures or site improvements on the property upon which the sign is placed are altered in such a way as to require subdivision or land development plan approval;

(4) Any or all signs on the property are damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion or act of God to the extent of more than 60% of the actual value thereof;

(5) Any or all signs on the property are abandoned; or

(6) Any or all signs on the property fall into a state of disrepair and/or become unsafe.

B. Ordinary maintenance and repairs may be made to any nonconforming sign, provided that the structure, advertising display matter, lettering, color scheme or accessories are not altered, modified, changed, reconstructed or moved and provided that such ordinary maintenance and repairs do not exceed 20% of the value of the sign in any one year period.

C. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to require any change in the plans or construction of any sign upon which actual construction was lawfully initiated prior to the effective date of this article. Actual construction is hereby defined as the actual placing of the sign and/or structure materials in their permanent position in compliance with the previously obtained approval and permits.
This article regulates signs that are visible from the right-of-way and from beyond the property where erected. These regulations balance the need to protect the public safety and welfare, the need for a well-maintained and attractive community and the need for adequate identification, communication and advertising for all land uses. In addition, these regulations for signs are intended to:
 
A. Ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised.

B. Allow and promote positive conditions for meeting sign users' needs while, at the same time, avoiding nuisances to nearby properties and promoting an attractive environment.

C. Reflect and support the desired character and development patterns of the various districts.

D. Allow for adequate and effective signs in commercial and industrial districts while preventing signs from dominating the visual appearance of the area.

E. Allow for adequate and multiple types of signs for a site, although the provisions do not necessarily assure or provide for a property owner's desired level of visibility for the signs.