A. Permit required. Except for the following, no person may erect, alter or relocate within the Township any sign without first obtaining a sign permit:

(1) Exempt signs as specified in § 300-90.

(2) Routine maintenance or changing of the parts of a sign, provided that the maintenance or change of parts does not alter the surface area, height, message copy or otherwise render the sign nonconforming.

B. Permit applications. Each sign being applied for shall require the filing of a separate permit application. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer on forms prescribed and provided by the Township and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

(1) The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the applicant, the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed and the person or company to be erecting or affixing the sign.

(2) The location of the building, structure or lot on which the sign is to be erected or affixed.

(3) A site plan of the parcel involved, showing all structures and the exact location of the proposed sign.

(4) Two sets of plans and specifications of the sign to be erected or affixed and its method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground. Such plans and specifications shall include details of dimensions, materials, color and weight.

(5) If necessary, a certification from a professional engineer or architect, indicating the sign is designed to withstand winds of at least 100 miles per hour.

(6) The written consent of the owner of the building, structure or property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed.

(7) The method of illumination, if any and the position of lighting or other extraneous devices and a copy of the electrical permit related to the electrical connection.

(8) Such other information as the Code Enforcement Officer may require to determine full compliance with this and other applicable ordinances and regulations of the Township.

C. Issuance of permits. Upon the filing of an application for a sign permit, the Code Enforcement Officer shall examine the plans, specifications and other submitted data and the premises upon which the sign is proposed to be erected or affixed. If it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this article and other applicable ordinances of the Township and if the appropriate permit fee has been paid, the Township shall, within 30 days, issue a permit for the proposed sign. The issuance of a permit shall not excuse the applicant from conforming to the other laws, ordinances or regulations of the Township. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within 90 days after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void, but may be renewed within 15 days prior to the expiration, for good cause shown, for an additional 90 days, upon payment of 1/2 of the original permit fee.

D. Permit fees. At the time of filing a sign permit application, it shall be accompanied by an appropriate application fee. Application fees shall be in accordance with the Fee Schedule established by the Board of Commissioners.

A. Nonrequested inspections. The Code Enforcement Officer or his authorized representative shall have the authority, without a formal request, to inspect any sign for the purpose of identifying those signs that are not in compliance with the provisions of this article.

B. Requests for inspections. Any person may file a written request with the Code Enforcement Officer requesting an inspection of one or more existing signs as identified in the request. In each such instance, the Code Enforcement Officer shall promptly inspect such sign(s) to determine compliance with the provisions of this article. Following the inspection, the Code Enforcement Officer shall make a written report indicating the findings of the inspections to both the owner of the inspected sign and to the person filing the request for inspection.

C. Notice of violation. The Code Enforcement Officer shall notify in writing each owner of an existing sign found to be in violation of any provision of this article pursuant to inspections made under Subsections A and B above. The notice shall specifically refer to each section of this article under which a violation has been found to exist and thereupon describe the features of the inspected sign found to be deficient.

D. Effect of notice. Upon receipt of a notice of violation for an existing sign, the owner of said sign shall have 15 days to correct the violation(s). If the violation(s) is not corrected after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to cause the sign to be removed or repaired forthwith at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located.

 

A. Nonconforming signs. If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that any nonconforming sign, except for those legal nonconforming signs as specified in § 300-93, is displayed, he shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which such sign is located. Removal of the sign shall be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such sign is not removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to cause the sign to be removed forthwith at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located.

B. Obsolete signs. A sign, whether existing on or erected after the effective date of this article, that advertises a business no longer being conducted or a product no longer being offered for sale in or from the premises on which the sign is located shall be removed within 120 days upon cessation of such business or sale of such product by the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located. The sign in this case shall include the sign face or message area but may exclude the standard, frame or cabinet, which may remain provided that they are in good repair. Any electrical components, including but not limited to ballasts, sockets and lamps that may become exposed as a result of removal of the message area, shall be concealed by means of an opaque insert installed in the frame or cabinet.
 

(1) If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that any such obsolete sign has not been removed within 120 days upon cessation of such business or sale of such product, he shall give written notice to the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located. Removal of the sign shall be effected within 15 days after receipt of the notice. If such sign is not removed after the conclusion of such fifteen-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to cause the sign to be removed forthwith at the expense of owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located

(1) Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to cause any sign to be removed summarily and without notice, at the expense of the owner of the building or premises on which such sign is located, whenever he determines that such sign is an immediate peril to persons or property.

Violations and penalties.
Any person who violates a provision of this article is guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion of a day that the violation is committed, continued or permitted and each offense is punishable by a fine in accordance with the schedule of fines established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.