Boston Township

1202.01 Sign Area a. The area of a sign is the entire area within a regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), comprising all display area of the sign and including all elements of the matter displayed. b. Sign area shall not include the frame and structural support unless the frame or support is determined to constitute an integral part of the sign design. c. For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted, or otherwise prepared and intended to provide a background for sign display, the area of the sign shall be the area of one (1) rectangular shape that encompasses the entire background or frame. d. For a wall sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of the building or structure, or for an irregularly shaped ground sign, the area and dimensions of the sign shall encompass a regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes, which form, or approximate, the perimeter of all elements in the display. When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but are separated by open space, the sign area and dimensions shall be calculated by determining the geometric form, or combination of forms, which comprises all of the display areas, including the space between different elements. Minor appendages to a particular regular shape, as determined by the Zoning Inspector, shall not be included in the total area of a sign. e. For ground signs: 1. Where a ground sign has two (2) or more display faces, the area of all faces of the sign shall be included in determining the area of the sign unless two (2) display faces are joined back- to-back, are parallel to each other, and are not more than twelve (12) inches apart or form a V-angle equal to or less than thirty (30) degrees. 2. No more than two (2) display faces shall be permitted. 3. The portion of a solid sign base that is mostly screened by landscaping, up to a maximum height of two (2) feet, shall not be calculated as sign area. 1202.02 Sign Height a. The height of a sign shall be measured from the base of the sign or support structure at its point of attachment to the ground at the natural grade to the tallest element of the sign structure. b. The height of a ground sign on a man-made base or graded earth mound shall be measured from the grade of the nearest road pavement or the top of any road curb. 1202.03 Sign Setback The required setback for a ground sign or other freestanding sign shall apply to all elements of the sign including its frame and base and shall be measured from the right-of-way line or other property line as applicable. 1202.04 Wall Signs a. Signs on buildings shall be displayed only on the wall or walls facing a public street and shall not project more than two (2) feet from the wall of the building. b. Wall signs shall not extend above the top of the building wall. c. A wall sign mounted on a parapet wall shall not extend higher than four (4) feet above the elevation at which the parapet and the building roof join. 1202.05 Temporary Signs Any sign constructed of materials such as paper, cardboard, cloth, soft wood, or other materials unsuitable for extended outdoor use, or erected or installed in a manner which is clearly unsuitable for long-term use, shall be removed when the earliest of the following events occurs: a. At the time any parts of the sign have apparently deteriorated in a manner which makes the sign illegible, causes it to fall or be in danger of falling, exhibits wind or water damage, causes a public hazard or nuisance, or otherwise does not comply with the requirements of this Resolution; or b. Upon receipt of notice from the Zoning Inspector that the that the sign has deteriorated and must be removed or replaced, or that the sign otherwise does not comply with the requirements of this Resolution. c. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated. d. A temporary sign may be installed in place of a permitted permanent wall or ground sign for a period of time not longer than sixty (60) days (which may be extended for one additional sixty e. (60) days). The sign shall comply with all standards applicable to a permanent sign. 1202.06 Illumination of Permanent Signs a. Permanent signs may be illuminated by means of permanent electrical installations. b. Signs shall only be illuminated by means of an external light fixture(s) mounted to the sign or sign support structure and mounted above the sign onto which it is directed. The light source shall be shielded and oriented so that the light is directed downward or horizontally onto the sign and so that direct view of the light source is not visible from off site. c. Wall signs may be externally illuminated or illuminated by means of back-lit channel lettering in which the source of illumination is not visible. d. Sign lighting shall not be from a colored light source. e. Internal Sign Illumination. A sign may be illuminated by an internal source only by approval of a conditional use permit and only in the EAD, BC and SRB Districts. In addition to the standards applicable to all conditional use permits, the following standards shall be applied: 1. Signs may only be illuminated internally by means of a light source inside the sign, provided that the brightness and intensity shall not be greater than necessary to make the sign legible at night from a distance of 200 feet. 2. Wall signs may also be illuminated by means of back-lit channel lettering in which the source of illumination is not visible. 3. Internal illumination of a sign shall not be permitted closer than three hundred (300) feet to an R or VR Residential District. 4. Sign lighting shall not be from a colored light source. f. Illuminated signs shall be equipped with functioning automatic shutoffs or dimmers operating between 10 pm and 6 am daily. 1202.07 Maintenance a. Signs, supports, and attachments shall be maintained to prevent peeling paint, wearing of surface materials, rust, other corrosion, staining, fading and other deterioration of original surfaces. b. All sign parts shall be maintained in a manner which is structurally sound and sufficient to ensure that the sign remains securely in place and does not pose a hazard to persons on or near the sign. c. All electric elements shall be maintained in working and safe order. d. Signs shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm, or corporation responsible for maintenance. e. The Zoning Inspector shall be authorized to enforce these maintenance requirements in the same manner as all other provisions of this Resolution. 1202.08 Nonconforming Signs Any sign lawfully erected or displayed prior to the effective date of this Zoning Resolution or of subsequent amendments that is no longer in conformity with the provisions pertaining to signs contained in this Resolution shall be considered a legal-nonconforming sign and shall be subject to the standards below. a. Any legal-nonconforming sign that is damaged or destroyed to the extent that there is loss of more than fifty percent (50%) of its value at the time of damage or destruction shall only be replaced by a sign in conformity with the provisions pertaining to signs contained in this Resolution. b. All legal-nonconforming signs shall be brought into compliance with the provisions pertaining to signs contained in this Resolution no later than ten (10) years from the effective date of this Resolution or no later than ten (10) years after the effective date of an amendment which creates the nonconformity. c. Legal-nonconforming signs shall be required to be brought into compliance in less than ten (10) years under either of the conditions below: 1. The Zoning Inspector determines that a legal-nonconforming sign is a nuisance or unsafe. 2. The use of the property associated with the sign has been discontinued for a period of two (2) years. d. No legal-nonconforming sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, reduced, or relocated except in conformity with the provisions pertaining to signs contained in this Resolution; however, changing the message displayed on a Legal-Nonconforming sign shall not be considered an alteration within the meaning of this section. e. Existing illegal-nonconforming signs must be removed upon receipt of notice to the property owner issued by the Zoning Inspector. f. Nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to Section 1202.04 and may continue until such sign is required to be removed as set forth in this Article. g. A nonconforming sign shall not be structurally altered, relocated or replaced unless it is brought into compliance with the provisions of this Article, except as otherwise permitted in this Article. h. If a sign face and/or its support is damaged, but the repair costs do not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the sign, the sign may be repaired provided all repair work is completed within sixty (60) days of the date the damage occurred. 1202.09 Administration and Enforcement a. Permits Required; Permits Not Required 1. Permits shall be required prior to the installation of any permanent wall or ground sign or part thereof. 2. Permits shall be required for any change, replacement, enlargement, reduction, or reconstruction of the support structure, cabinet, frame, lighting, or sign panels of a previously permitted conforming sign. 3. A permit is not required for change of copy or message of a previously permitted conforming permanent sign provided the change does not involve alteration of the other physical elements of the sign. 4. Permits shall be required prior to the installation of any temporary sign having an area greater than six (6) square feet. 5. Permits shall not be required for any temporary sign having an area of six (6) square feet or less. The sign shall comply with all requirements of this Resolution. 6. Permits shall not be required for any sign specifically exempted from regulation by this Chapter. b. Application Requirements; Review; Approval or Denial 1. An application for a zoning certificate/sign permit shall be made to the Township Zoning Inspector on the form provided. The application shall be submitted with exhibits and other information required by the Zoning Inspector to determine application completeness and compliance with this Chapter. 2. The Township Zoning Inspector shall review applications for signs for which permits are required and within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a complete application either approve and issue the permit or deny the permit in writing stating the cause for denial. 3. Fees for zoning certificates for signs shall be as determined by the Township Trustees in the Schedule of Fees. Fees shall be submitted at the time of application submittal and refunded if permit is denied. 4. Any application submitted by a person other than the property owner shall bear the signature of the owner of the property or a designated agent for the owner.