The purposes of this section are to promote
aesthetic objectives, provide a mechanism through which property owners
may erect adequate signage for legitimate businesses, and to improve
safety by eliminating visual clutter and distractions along the Borough
public rights-of-way. A secondary purpose is to relate permitted sign
size, number and type to size and use of structure rather than to
street frontage or lot size so as to promote a more consistent visual
relationship between the two.
[Amended 7-11-2017 by Ord. No. 17-12]
Signs are not considered accessory structures or uses within the scope of § 106-107 of this chapter, but are regulated through this section. No sign shall be erected, placed, hung, painted, or otherwise located in any zone district unless a zoning permit is obtained. All signs must be properly maintained and no sign shall be displayed which shall be dilapidated or otherwise in disrepair.
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 94-14]
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a structure in
such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for,
or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not project
more than twelve inches from such building or structure. Such a projection
into the public right-of-way shall be permitted.
Any nonmovable sign not affixed to a structure.
A sign that can be single or double faced that is not permanent
or affixed to a building or structure or the ground.
[Amended 7-11-2017 by Ord. No. 17-12]
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a structure
for support and which projects more than 12 inches from a structure.
The entire face of a sign, including the advertising surface
and any framing, trim or molding, but not including the supporting
structure. Where there is no framing, the sign area shall be deemed
to be the area of the smallest rectangular figure which can encompass
all of the letters, and their supporting logos, or elements, if any.
A sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas,
fabric, plywood, or other light material and designed or intended
to be displayed for a short period of time.
[Amended 2-25-1997 by Ord. No. 97-03]
A.
Only the following signs are permitted in the residential
zones:
(1)
One freestanding temporary sign related to construction
activity ongoing on the lot, or a real estate announcement subject
to the following restrictions:
(a)
Size: four square feet maximum.
(b)
Height: five feet maximum.
(c)
Setback: five feet minimum.
(d)
Display time period. Sign shall only be displayed
during the time the construction is ongoing, or the real estate remains
on the market. All such signs are to be removed within one week of
the construction completion or real estate closing.
B.
The freestanding sign may be double-faced. One face
only shall be counted toward maximum size requirement. The freestanding
sign may be internally illuminated. Lighting of the sign shall not
be permitted between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 94-14; 2-25-1997 by Ord. No. 97-03; 7-11-2017 by Ord. No. 17-12]
Only the following signs are permitted in the Central Business,
General Business and Community Commercial Zones:
A.
Residential uses shall be allowed to utilize all of the signs that
are permitted for residential uses in residential zones.
B.
Signs for nonresidential uses are regulated as follows:
(1)
Commercial uses shall be allowed to utilize all of the signs
that are permitted in the residential zones.
(2)
Structures which have less than a four-foot front yard setback
shall be permitted to have one wall or facade sign for each tenant
in the structure; the total sign area for all signs shall not exceed
two square feet for each foot of building frontage, but in no circumstances
shall total sign square footage exceed 40 square feet. In multi-tenanted
structures, the individual tenant sign shall be part of one sign structure.
(3)
Structures which have a front yard setback equal to or greater
than four feet shall be permitted to have, in addition to the above
wall signs, one six-square-foot sign projecting not more than three
feet from the structure, but not into the public right-of-way, with
signage on both sides of the sign.
(4)
Multiple retail/commercial use structures (those with more than
two tenants) with front yard setbacks equal to or greater than 10
feet shall be permitted the following signage:
(a)
One double-sided projecting or freestanding directory sign not
to exceed 40 square feet, which maintains a minimum five-foot setback
from all lot lines, does not project more than five feet from the
structure, has a maximum fifteen-foot height, and is a minimum of
10 feet high at its lowest point. This sign may be utilized for a
listing of all tenants in the structure, or for the name of the development.
(b)
One wall/facade sign for each tenant not to exceed two square
feet for each foot of front facade of the tenant space or a maximum
of 40 square feet, whichever is less.
(c)
In the Community Commercial Zone only, a double-faced freestanding
sign of 60 square feet may be utilized in place of above, provided
that it is no higher than five feet at its highest point.
(5)
Portable signs shall be permitted for retail trade, retail services
and eating and drinking establishments, subject to the following regulations:
(a)
No such sign shall exceed 48 inches in height or width or eight
square feet.
(b)
Signs may be constructed of only the following materials: painted
wood, painted metal (with professional-quality painted message), heavy
plastic, chalkboard or dry-erase board. They may not be lighted or
flashing.
(c)
Portable signs may be constructed only as follows: two sandwich
boards that support each other (A-frame) or easel-type or T-type frame.
(d)
Signs may be displayed only within the side property lines,
as extended, of the business advertised. No sign shall be permitted
other than one which advertises such business. No more than one sign
shall be permitted for each business. Signs may be displayed only
during hours when the business is actually in operation and must be
stored inside when not on display and when the business is not in
operation.
(e)
Signs may be displayed only in the following locations: adjacent
to the building, in an entrance alcove, or adjacent to the curb. No
such sign shall block pedestrian movement, access to benches, access
to parking meters or access to motor vehicles. Signs may not be placed
in the public right-of-way without a sign permit from the Zoning Officer,
which permit may be revoked at any time for noncompliance with this
section.
(f)
No such sign shall block the five-foot passage required by the
Americans with Disabilities Act for pedestrians.
(g)
No such sign shall block access to benches, motor vehicles or
pose sight/view obstructions to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
(h)
The Zoning Officer may direct that any sign which, in the discretion
of the Zoning Officer, violates this section or creates a safety hazard
be removed, modified or relocated. Additionally portable signs shall
be removed by the owner when high winds or other inclement weather
affecting the sign shall occur.
(i)
The Chief of Police may direct that any sign which, in the discretion
of the Chief of Police, creates a safety hazard or causes a sight
obstruction to pedestrians or vehicular traffic be removed, modified
or relocated.
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 94-14; 2-25-1997 by Ord. No. 97-03; 7-11-2017 by Ord. No. 17-12]
Only the following signs are permitted in the Light Industrial
and Industrial/Commercial Zones:
A.
Commercial uses that are permitted in the Central Business and General Business Zones but not in the Industrial Zone shall be permitted to have signage as per § 106-141B above.
B.
Industrial uses which are permitted in the Industrial Zone only shall
be permitted to have the following signage:
(1)
One facade sign not to exceed 5% of the total facade area of
the principal structure that is parallel to the street, or a maximum
of 100 square feet.
(2)
One double-sided projecting or freestanding sign not to exceed
40 square feet, maintaining a minimum five-foot setback from all lot
lines, a projection from the structure of no more than five feet,
and a maximum twenty-foot height, with its lowest point being a minimum
of 10 feet above ground level.
C.
Signs permitted by § 106-141B(5).
A.
One double-sided freestanding sign not to exceed 40
square feet, with a five-foot minimum setback from all property lines,
and a maximum height of 20 feet. A double-sided reader board, not
to exceed 36 square feet (total of both sides), indicating prices
of various types of gasolines sold on site, may be installed under
this sign on the same pole, but it shall be at least 10 feet above
the ground at its lowest point.
B.
One facade sign not to exceed 5% of the total front
facade area of the principal structure, but not to exceed a maximum
of 40 square feet. This sign is to be located on the principal structure;
it cannot be located on the canopy area.
C.
Signs indicating pump prices are required to be located
on each pump, but shall not exceed one square foot in size.
[Amended 2-25-1997 by Ord. No. 97-03; 7-11-2017 by Ord. No.
17-12]
All signs shall comply with the following regulations, unless
otherwise specifically stated in this chapter:
A.
Each nonresidential structure/use may display, in a consolidated
space on a facade or window area not exceeding five square feet, a
sign bearing the name, street number and/or type of business of the
principal tenant, credit card signs, and special signs serving the
public convenience such as "notary public," "public telephone," etc.,
or words or directions of similar import. This sign area is not counted
within total sign area calculations.
B.
Temporary signs promoting grand openings, special sales, or other
special events shall be permitted on all nonresidential structures
or uses, provided they are limited to three in number, a total of
50 square feet in total area, are not within a public right-of-way,
do not exceed the maximum height permitted in the zone in which the
structure is located, and are displayed for a maximum of two-week
periods, or a total of 28 days a year. Lighted or flashing temporary
signs are not permitted.
C.
All loading and shipping docks may be identified through the installation
of one sign for each dock not exceeding five square feet in total
area.
D.
The installation of on-site directional signs for the public such
as entrance, exit, one way, stop, truck entrance, visitor parking,
etc., shall be unregulated other than subject to site plan review
by the approving authority, provided that they are no larger than
two square feet in total sign area.
E.
One double-faced sign of a maximum six square feet total sign area
may be installed on each vacant lot in nonresidential zones, provided
it is set back a minimum of 10 feet from each lot line, and does not
exceed a ten-foot height.
F.
Not more than two window signs promoting sales or products are permitted,
provided that no more than 25% of the window space of any window is
covered by such signs. These signs are not calculated within total
sign square footage.
G.
All wall, projecting, and freestanding signs permitted by this chapter,
except those that are temporary and those that are permitted in residential
zones, may be illuminated, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
No illuminated sign shall be of such a color or located in such
a manner so as to diminish or detract in any way from the effectiveness
of any traffic signal or similar official safety or warning device.
(2)
No illuminated sign shall be of the flashing or moving type.
(3)
All illuminated signs shall be lit from behind or within the
structure and the source of illumination shall not be exposed to view.
All such light shall be shielded so that the light produced by them
shines only on the premises where they are located. All such light
sources shall be directed away from rights-of-way and residential
properties and shall be screened from residential zones.
H.
No sign shall be permitted which does not pertain to an occupant,
service or product actually occupying or provided on the premises
where such sign is located.
Signs prohibited in all zones shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
A.
Signs which are placed on, or extend above, the roofline
of any structure.
B.
Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles or trees,
or standing, installed or painted on curbs, retaining walls or sidewalks
unless permitted under other Borough ordinances.
C.
Signs of the moving or revolving type.
D.
Portable signs.
E.
Flashing signs.
F.
Intermittent
signs, or signs in which the message changes.
[Added 3-24-2009 by Ord. No. 09-07]
G.
Liquid
crystal display signs.
[Added 3-24-2009 by Ord. No. 09-07]
[Amended 3-24-2009 by Ord. No. 09-07]
A.
Signs
of a political nature or signs advertising a community event are exempt
from these regulations except as to sign size and location in applicable
zones. All such signage is to be removed within one week of the date
of the final decision or event in such matter.
B.
Subject
to the landowner’s consent, a noncommercial message of any type
may be substituted for any duly permitted or allowed commercial message
or any duly permitted or allowed noncommercial message, provided that
the sign structure or mounting device is legal without consideration
of message content. Such substitution of message may be made without
any additional approval or permitting. This provision prevails over
any more specific provision to the contrary within this chapter. The
purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of
commercial speech over noncommercial speech or favoring of any particular
noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message. This provision
does not create a right to increase the total amount of signage on
a parcel, nor does it affect the requirement that a sign structure
or mounting device be properly permitted.
