A. No sign shall be placed, erected, altered, enlarged or relocated until a permit for doing so has been issued by the Zoning Officer. A construction permit shall also be required unless the sign proposal satisfies exemption criteria listed in
Chapter 70: Building Construction and Safety Standards. Signs listed in
§ 220-251: Exceptions to permit requirements. herein are exempt from zoning permit requirements, provided that the use of such signs is in accordance with other provisions of this article. Applications shall be submitted on forms provided by the Township, shall indicate consent of the owner of the premises upon which the sign is to be located and shall be accompanied by supporting information that is sufficient to determine compliance with this article and any other relevant ordinances. Examples of supporting data that may be required include a scale drawing with relevant dimensions noted to illustrate the proposed height, area, size and sign copy; a plot plan of the property on which the sign will be located to illustrate the position of proposed signs relative to buildings, structures, lot lines and rights-of-way; illumination method and materials; and support systems, structural loads, stresses and anchoring details. Compliance with performance criteria may require certification by a registered design professional.
B. Signs and sign components may be removed for repair and maintenance, provided that they are restored to the same height, size, area and location authorized by permit. Repair and maintenance activities that do not affect the height, size, area or location of a sign do not require a zoning permit; however, if these activities affect structural or electrical components of the sign, a construction permit may be necessary.
C. No sign may be erected or maintained that may be confused with any authorized traffic control device.
D. Animated signs are not permitted in any district.
E. Changeable message signs are permitted in all zoning districts, subject to limitations contained in
§ 220-252D herein.
F. Every sign permitted by this article shall be kept in good condition and repair. When the Code Official determines that a sign is unsafe, unsecured, is a menace to the public or has been installed, erected or maintained in violation of any provision of this chapter, written notice shall be given to the owner of the sign, in accordance with
§ 220-268: Violations and penalties. herein. Said notice shall set forth a reasonable time period in which violation(s) shall be corrected. Immediate action may be required in the case of imminent danger to the public.
G. Any off-premises directional sign associated with a use that is no longer active, and any on-premises sign copy that no longer relates to a use conducted at the property on which it is located, except memorial signs, shall be covered or removed by the sign owner or property owner within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the Code Official, in accordance with
§ 220-268: Violations and penalties herein. Any obsolete sign structure that is not reused for a new sign within one year of such notice shall be deemed abandoned. Any abandoned sign and structure, and any temporary sign that is displayed beyond the permitted time limit, shall be removed by the sign owner or property owner within 30 days of receipt of written notice from the Code Official, in accordance with
§ 220-268: Violations and penalties herein. Upon failure to comply with a notice regarding an obsolete or abandoned sign, or a temporary sign that remains in place after expiration of the display time period, the Code Official is hereby authorized to cause removal or covering of obsolete sign copy, or removal of temporary and abandoned signs. Any expense incident thereto shall be assessed to the property. When an obsolete or abandoned wall sign is removed, the wall of the building or structure on which it was attached shall be restored to resemble the appearance of the wall surrounding the sign location.