As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix
and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
When a new business holds its initial opening; or when an
existing business comes under new management.
Includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof
sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, marquee,
awning and canopy containing lettering or other advertising and shall
include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display illustration,
or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person,
firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization
of any kind when the same is placed out of doors in view of the general
public. The term "sign" shall further include all articles, matters
or devices, whether or not containing lettering or advertising material,
which have as their major purposes the attraction of patrons or calling
attention to the business premises. When such articles are arranged
in a series of strings, such as strings of pennants, each of such
articles or pennants shall be treated as a separate sign.
GROUND SIGNA sign placed on the ground with main supports planted firmly into the ground, and not attached to any building.
WALL SIGNA sign placed against and permanently attached to, or painted directly on, the wall surface of a building.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign attached to a building and extending away or hanging from the surface or portion of the building to which it is attached at a ninety-degree angle.
WALL PLAQUEA wall sign protruding no more than 1 1/2 inches from the surface to which it is attached and having no sharp edges which may be hazardous to pedestrians.
ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes either as a part of the sign proper or directed at the sign.
TEMPORARY SIGNAny sign, banner, pennant, valance, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wall board, or other light material, with or without frame, displayed for a period not exceeding one week excluding signs for businesses permitted under § 185-92B(1)(a). Temporary signs shall be permitted to advertise grand openings, distress sales, change in ownership, or temporary businesses which have been approved by the Borough Council or the Zoning Hearing Board.
OFF-SITE DIRECTIONAL SIGNA ground sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises where the signs are displayed. Directional signs are limited to those businesses having 50 or more on-site employees, or groups of 10 or more businesses having a common name, i.e., shopping centers, industrial parks. Where a business is part of a shopping center, or an industrial park, containing three or more businesses, directional signs shall be limited to the common name of the overall development.
MARQUEE SIGNSSigns placed on the edge of any hood or awning of permanent construction projecting from the wall of a building above an entrance to the building, and not having supports to the ground or sidewalks.
AWNING OR CANOPY SIGNSAny structure made of cloth, fiberglass, or metal frame attached to a building and containing lettering or other advertising material; or any structure made of cloth, fiberglass, or metal frames attached to a building, and carried by a frame supported by the ground or sidewalk and containing lettering or other advertising matter.
Shall be computed as rectangular area including all portions
of the face of the sign.
The molding, battens, cappings, latticing and platforms which
are attached to the sign structure.
Includes the parapet above any wall of a building; and the
term "roof" shall include the upper surface of building extensions
of permanent construction having structural supports to the ground
and protruding over pedestrian cartways. The above may be used as
a sign base provided their structural strength can be clearly demonstrated.
In the S Conservancy District and the R1 Residence
District, only the following exterior signs shall be permitted:
B.
A sign not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area, used
to display and identify only the name of the individual, profession,
organization, or institution occupying the premises.
C.
A bulletin board for each street frontage not exceeding
30 square feet in area, indicating the services of an educational,
philanthropic or religious institution including the institution name,
if desired.
D.
A sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area, unlighted,
appertaining only to the rental, lease, or sale of the property on
which it is displayed.
In the R2, R3 and P/PRD Districts, only the
following exterior signs shall be permitted:
A.
Signs permitted in the S and R1 Districts.
B.
A sign for each street frontage not exceeding 12 square
feet in area in connection with a multiple-family dwelling, a hospital
or sanitarium, a funeral home, or a tourist home, used to identify
only the name of the structure.
C.
A wall sign on R2, R3, and P/PRD structures over four
stories in height which is limited to displaying the name of the development
only. Said permanent wall signs shall be limited to a maximum area
not exceeding 33 1/3% of the total square foot area of the exposed
wall surface of one story of the building on the side to which the
sign is to be affixed; but in no case shall the sign exceed 225 square
feet in area.
In the C2 Residential Service District and the
C1 Community Business District, only the following exterior signs
shall be permitted:
A.
Signs permitted in S and R Districts.
B.
A sign which directs attention to a business commodity,
service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered upon the premises,
including ground signs, wall signs, wall plaques, roof signs, projecting
signs, temporary signs, marquees, and awnings and canopies as described
in this article.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Subsection 1803.3,
regarding signs in the I1 District, which immediately followed this
subsection, was deleted 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 3-2002.
A.
Wall signs.
(1)
Wall signs shall be attached to a wall of a building
at a height of not less than eight feet above the sidewalk or ground
nor shall any wall sign cover wholly or partially any wall opening,
nor project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached.
(2)
In the case of illuminated wall signs with integral
illumination and/or electrical fixtures the minimum height above sidewalk
or ground shall be 10 feet.
(3)
The exterior face of any wall sign shall not protrude
more than 12 inches from the wall to which it is attached.
B.
Wall plaques.
(1)
Wall plaques shall be wall signs extending no more
than 1 1/2 inches from the walls to which they are attached. The edges
of wall plaques shall be rounded, tapered, or treated in any other
manner, satisfactory to the Zoning Officer, that will render them
harmless to pedestrians.
(2)
There shall be no minimum height above ground level
for wall plaques.
(3)
Wall plaques shall have a maximum size of 12 square
feet.
C.
Roof signs.
(1)
No roof sign shall be placed in such manner as to
prevent free passage from one part of said roof to any other part
thereof or interfere with openings in said roof.
(2)
Roof signs shall not be higher than 15 feet from the
roof level (average height).
(3)
The maximum area of a roof sign shall be not more
than that permitted for a ground sign on the site, but in no case
greater than 225 square feet.
(4)
Roof signs fabricated from individual letters placed
independently without background shall have their square foot area
tabulated on the actual face surface of the letters.
D.
Permanent ground signs.
(1)
The installation of all permanent ground signs shall
be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission.
The building setback line shall be the location standard for ground
signs. In reviewing ground sign locations the Planning Commission
may allow lesser setbacks provided it is necessary in order to insure
an adequate line of sight from the highway to the ground sign. In
no case shall a setback of less than 10 feet from the street right-of-way
line be permitted. Ground signs shall also be located a minimum of
five feet from any building and 10 feet from any side property line.
For signs over 10 square feet in area an additional one foot of separation
from adjacent side property lines shall be required for every 10 square
feet of sign area.
(2)
Ground signs shall not be higher than 24 feet from
the street level upon which the sign faces.
(3)
The square foot area of ground signs shall be limited
to one square foot of sign area for every one lineal foot of property
frontage on a public right-of-way; but no ground sign shall be permitted
to exceed an area of 225 square feet.
(4)
The square foot of ground sign area permitted above
may be divided between a maximum of two ground signs. The distance
in lineal feet separating the two signs being a minimum distance equal
to the square foot area of the larger sign.
(5)
Properties having a fraction of one foot over 300 feet in frontage may apply Subsection D(3) to the additional 100-plus feet.
(7)
Rotating ground signs may be permitted on corner properties
in lieu of other permitted ground signs on either street frontage.
They shall be limited to one rotating sign per corner not greater
in size than 150 square feet and subject to all other requirements
for ground signs.
E.
Projecting signs.
(1)
Projecting signs shall be attached to a building not
less than eight feet above ground level, or a pedestrian cartway.
(2)
When extending over a vehicular cartway, the minimum
height above ground or cartway shall be 15 feet. In the case of illuminated
projecting signs with integral illumination and/or electrical fixtures
the minimum height shall be 10 feet above ground level when not over
a vehicular cartway.
(3)
Projecting signs shall not protrude more than six
feet beyond the building line.
(4)
Projecting signs shall be limited to a maximum area
of 30 square feet.
F.
Directional signs.
(1)
Directional signs shall be located only at, or near,
the intersections of public streets.
(2)
They shall be limited to a standard white on blue
design, each approximately four feet in length and eight inches in
height, bolted to permanent metal posts.
(3)
Only one set of posts shall be permitted on each approach
to the intersection of public streets, and a maximum of six signs
shall be attached to each set of posts.
(4)
The directional signs shall be located on public right-of-way,
or private property where necessary and with the written consent of
the property owner, and shall not be placed in a manner obstructing
the view of vehicular traffic, on the public right-of-way, or traffic
attempting to gain access on said right-of-way from abutting private
properties.
(5)
All directional signs shall be owned and maintained
by the Borough.
(6)
The Borough shall not erect signs on an intersection
approach if it is deemed a traffic hazard, or if existing signs make
it impractical.
G.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Temporary signs shall be located a minimum of 10 feet
from any property or right-of-way lines, and shall comply with all
other height and location requirements of the category of permanent
signs which they emulate. Temporary signs must be located on the same
lot as the use which they advertise.
(2)
All temporary signs shall be attached to a building
or the ground in a manner satisfactory to the Zoning Officer.
(3)
A maximum of five temporary signs may be permitted
on a property.
(4)
Temporary signs shall be a maximum of 32 square feet
in area.
(5)
The sign permit shall be attached to temporary signs
for the duration of the permitted use and easily visible from the
street.
H.
Awnings and canopies.
(1)
Advertising on awnings and canopies shall be limited
to the name of the owner and the business, industry, or pursuit conducted
therein, painted or otherwise permanently placed in a space not exceeding
eight inches in height on the front and side portions thereof.
(2)
No illuminated sign and/or electrical fixtures shall
be permitted in awnings or canopies.
I.
Marquee signs. Signs shall be attached to the front
and sides of marquees and shall not project beyond the edges of the
marquee, not extend more than 10 inches horizontally from the surface
of the marquee.
All signs shall be securely built, constructed
and erected:
A.
On the ground with posts sunk at least three feet
below the surface of the surrounding ground and grouted with concrete
for its full depth, and shall be supported and braced by metal rods
extending from the top thereof to a point in the ground at least a
distance equal to 1/2 of the height of the sign, measured from the
base of the sign on the ground, or by some other method which provides
equivalent support.
B.
On a wall by noncorrosive metal anchors, bolts, or
expansion screws at least 1/2 inch in diameter and sunk into the wall
at least five inches. In no case shall any wall sign be secured with
wire, strips of wood or nails.
C.
On a roof the sign shall be thoroughly secured to
the building by iron or other metal anchors, bolts, supports, rods
or braces. The bearing plates of the sign shall bear directly upon
masonry walls and intermediate steel columns of the building. No roof
sign shall be supported or anchored to the wooden framework of a building.
D.
As a projecting sign it shall be attached to masonry
walls with noncorrosive expansion bolts of the proper size, the bolts
to be extended through the wall with a proper size metal washer or
plate on the inside of the wall. Signs not exceeding 10 square feet
in area on the one side, or 50 pounds in weight may be attached to
the wooden framework of the building but in no circumstances is it
permitted to hang a sign by cables, wires or strings on the building.
E.
As a temporary sign it shall be made of rigid material
or other light materials securely attached to the building or ground,
and the erection should be in accordance with the above requirements,
depending on the type of the temporary sign.
F.
The Zoning Officer may require calculations by an
architect or engineer certifying the stability of a sign, with reference
to dead load and wind stress capabilities when a sign is over 25 square
feet in area, or in the case of a ground sign, whose height is greater
than 10 feet; or a sign which weighs in excess of 100 pounds.
A.
All illuminated signs shall be inspected by the authorized
electrical inspection agency of the Borough during construction to
verify compliance with the adopted Electrical Code of the Borough.
B.
Signs may not be illuminated by gooseneck reflectors
which are attached to the sign.
C.
Illuminated signs shall be nonflashing and nonglaring,
and shall be illuminated in a manner to prevent glare and reflection
to a public street, or adjacent properties.
D.
All signs shall be nonanimated with no exterior moving parts with exception of rotating signs as provided in § 185-77D(7).
A.
Any sign regulated by this chapter shall be maintained
in the proper structural and aesthetic condition by the owner or tenant.
B.
If a sign no longer advertises a bona fide business
or other activity conducted on the premises, it shall be taken down
and removed be the owner, tenant or by the person having the beneficial
use of the sign and the building within 90 days of the departure of
the premises. After written notification from the Zoning Officer and
upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified
in the order, the Borough will cause the removal of the subject sign,
and any expense incidental thereto will be charged to the owner of
the building or structure to which the sign is attached.
C.
Notice and removal.
(1)
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign or
other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe, insecure,
dilapidated, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed
or erected or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, he
shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee
fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards
herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign or other
advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply with the
zoning administration at the expense of the permittee or owner of
the property upon which it is located. The Zoning Officer shall refuse
to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs
so assessed. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or other advertising
structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be
removed summarily and without notice. In the case of illegally erected
temporary signs the Zoning Officer may remove said signs after one
calendar day's notice.
(2)
Temporary signs erected within the limits of a public
right-of-way may be removed immediately without notice by the Zoning
Officer.
D.
The cost of maintenance work on directional signs
shall be borne by the applicant who had initially requested the directional
sign. Notice of intent to repair will be sent to the applicant for
his review of the sign and his decision on having the sign removed
or repaired.
It shall be unlawful to display upon any sign
or other advertising any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter. This
shall include the nonrepair of illegal acts of vandalism.
A.
An erection permit shall be secured for the establishment,
major alteration, or moving of any exterior sign (except real estate
signs) 1 1/2 square feet or more in area.
B.
Alteration of existing signs.
(1)
No exterior sign established before the effective
date of this chapter shall be (except when ordered by an authorized
public officer as a safety measure) altered in any respect, or moved,
unless it be made to conform with the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
Maintenance and replacement of parts of frames on such signs may be permitted upon application to an authorized public officer provided, however, that the size of the sign may not be increased, and for purposes of § 185-84 the value of the sign for amortization purposes shall be that value placed upon the sign prior to such maintenance or replacement of parts or frames.
C.
Any glass forming a part of any sign shall be safety
glass or plate glass at least 1/4 inch thick.
D.
Signs of architects, contractors, engineers, mechanics,
painters, not exceeding 12 square feet in area may be erected and
maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the
premises on which such signs are erected, but shall be removed promptly
upon completion of the work. In the R Districts, signs posted under
this article shall be in place for no more than 90 days, unless permitted
extension is granted by the Zoning Officer, in writing.
E.
The requirements of this article shall not be held
to prohibit the erection of a marquee or canopy, provided it bears
no sign other than an identification sign which does not project above
or below the marquee or canopy, or project more than four inches horizontally
from the surface of said marquee canopy.
F.
Signs not to constitute traffic hazard. No sign or
other advertising structure as regulated by this chapter shall be
erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct
free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the
position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view
of or be with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which
makes use of the words "Stop," "Look," "Drive-In," "Danger," or any
other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere
with, mislead or confuse traffic so that adequate sight distance should
be preserved.
G.
A sign not expressly permitted is prohibited.
H.
On-site directional signs shall not require a permit
provided they do not contain advertising, and do not obstruct the
line of vision of traffic entering or leaving a public street.
The following signs are permitted in any district
and no erection permit is required, provided that the rules of location
and material as applicable to the type of sign are obeyed:
A.
Real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet in
area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon
which the said sign is located.
B.
Professional name plates, not exceeding one square
foot in area.
C.
Bulletin boards not over 12 square feet in area for
public, charitable or religious institutions on their own property.
D.
Political campaign signs not exceeding 18 square feet
in area and in place not sooner than three weeks before election day
or longer than one week after election day.
E.
Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor
in work upon the same property on which the construction is done not
exceeding 12 square feet in area and for the period of construction
daily.
F.
Memorial signs and tablets when cut into any masonry
surface or when constructed of bronze or other sculptured materials.
G.
Traffic and other governmental signs, legal notices,
danger, and other nonadvertising signs if they are approved by the
Borough Council.
It is the intent of this section to recognize
that the eventual elimination, as expeditiously as is reasonable,
of existing signs that are not in conformity with the provisions of
this article is as much a health, safety and welfare concern as is
the prohibition of new signs that would violate the provisions of
this article.
A.
Within five years of the date of the passage into
law of this section of the chapter, all nonconforming signs shall
be removed or made to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
B.
The owner of a sign, however, shall file a certificate of nonconformance with the Planning Commission stating the assessed valuation of his sign as verified by a company in the business of fabricating and erecting signs. The value of the sign may be amortized at the rate of $200 per year. When the value of the sign under the above noted schedule is zero, the owner must remove or alter the sign to conform to the requirements of this chapter. Certificates of nonconformance are to be filed within one year from the date of notification of nonconformance by the Zoning Officer. Failure to comply with the above will result in only Subsection A being applicable.
C.
The Borough may require an independent assessment
of the sign value by its own representative. Any discrepancies between
the two assessments amounting to more than one year of amortization
will be presented to the Zoning Hearing Board and a decision rendered.
When the discrepancy amounts to less than one year, the longer period
of time shall apply.
D.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to tabulate,
within one year of the date of this chapter, all signs in the Borough
which are nonconforming under the terms of this chapter. He shall
then notify the concerned property owner, by the mailing of a certified
letter to his last known address, of the provisions of this section
of the chapter and the nature of the nonconformance of his sign.
The Zoning Hearing Board shall have the power to vary the provisions of Article XI of this chapter. A variance may be granted when the Board has determined to its satisfaction that:
A.
A/the sign could not be constructed elsewhere on the property or structure in a manner complying with the requirements of Article XI;
B.
A hardship exists, and the hardship is unique to the
instant property and not found to be commonly applied to other properties
in the general area;
C.
The variance will not adversely affect adjacent properties
in their right to adequate light and air;
D.
The variance would not affect the health, safety and
general welfare of pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic;
E.
The variance considered is the minimum deviation from
the chapter required to grant relief to the applicant.
