As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, or
any device attached, painted, or represented directly or indirectly
on a structure intended to attract the attention of those outside
in the public right-of-way, that displays or includes any letter,
word, insignia, flag, object, device, or representation used as an
advertisement or announcement. Signs may be of the following types:
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign permanently supported by upright or uprights which are permanently anchored into the ground. This may have two display sides.
WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to the face of a building or wall, which does not project above the eaves of the structure and is not more than 12 inches from the plane or facade of the building or wall.
WINDOW SIGNA sign permanently affixed to a storefront window containing only the name of the establishment and the type of establishment. A storefront window shall be defined as and limited to a ground floor or first-story window which is located in the main door to an establishment or on the same side of the building where the main door to the establishment is located, or in the side of a building which faces a public street, right-of-way, or public parking lot.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign advertising a group of establishments occupying one property, with the name of the property and the names of the individual establishments located within the property or building.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign that is dependent on a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from the building, including an awning sign. Whenever a canopy or awning is affixed with any lettering, design, symbol, or made from any special material, which is intended to be or by its nature is an identification of a business, the applicable measurable area of the awning or canopy is a projecting sign. The lowest edge of a projecting sign shall not be less than 7 1/2 feet above the sidewalk or ground level elevation. A projecting sign shall not project above the eave of a structure. Any nonparallel wall sign is a projecting sign.
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign used, or intended to be used, for a short period of time and which is not affixed to a location on a building, structure or the ground. A portable sign includes, but is not limited to, sandwich boards, signs on wheels, buntings, and A-frame signs.
ANNOUNCEMENT BOARDA sign on which the message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters, numerals, or graphics or through the use of electronic switching of lamps or other illuminated devices. This includes public service information, such as time and temperature displays, or any sign that features automatic or manual switching or changing of its message content, except animated signs that involve motion, flashing lights, or color changes requiring electrical energy or electronic or manufactured sources of supply.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC)A sign, or portion thereof, that displays animated images, moving video images, graphics, or scrolling messages, electronic images, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without textual information. EMCs are capable of change or alteration by electronic means on a fixed display screen composed of a series of lights including light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), digital light processing (DLPs), plasma, fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the area where the message is displayed. EMCs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays. EMCs include signs that utilize technology not listed in this definition and shall include similar technology which may be developed in the future, or the use of which may become widespread in the future.
[Added 1-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02]
A.
The erection or placement of a sign is regulated and
requires a permit unless a sign is specifically exempt from regulation.
The erection shall include any building, construction, attachment,
hanging, suspension, alteration, repair, repainting, removal, relocation,
or demolition of a sign of any type.
C.
The Borough Zoning Officer will provide applications
for sign permits, fee information, inspection requirements, and application
requirements dealing with submission of drawings and construction
information.
A.
Area of a sign.
(1)
The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording,
and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background,
whether open or enclosed, on which it is displayed. The area shall
not include any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative trim,
which may be incidental to the copy content of the display itself.
(2)
In the computation of the area of a double-faced sign,
only one side shall be considered, provided all faces are identical
in size and content and are parallel to each other. No signs with
more than two faces are permitted.
(3)
Where a sign is supported by more than one means and
could be construed as being more than one sign type (projecting, wall,
freestanding, or window), the area and height restrictions for the
most restricted type of sign shall apply.
(4)
Total sign area permitted may be divided among different
types of signs, provided that the total sign area allowed for each
use is not exceeded. All tenants occupying the same building shall
be limited to the total sign area permitted for the building. The
building owner, or his or her designee, shall be responsible for the
proportional allocation of the total allowable sign area among the
various tenants; however, each tenant may select a sign option with
the individual sign area limited in size to the assigned proportional
areas.
B.
Height of a sign.
(1)
The maximum height to the top of a freestanding sign
shall be measured from the ground level where the sign is mounted.
The height of an earth mound on which a sign is mounted shall be included
in the allowable height. No freestanding sign shall exceed a height
of six feet.
(2)
No sign or part of a sign may extend above the eaves
of a sloping roof or the roofline of a flat roof.
C.
Location of signs.
(1)
A sign located along the right-of-way of a state or
federal highway shall comply with all requirements of the state or
federal government relating thereto, in addition to all requirements
of this chapter.
(2)
No sign or portion of any sign shall project into
or over a cartway.
(3)
No overhanging and projecting signs shall be less
than 7 1/2 feet above any walkway.
(4)
Obstruction. No sign shall be located or arranged
so that it interferes with traffic through glare or blocking of sight
lines of streets, sidewalks or driveways, or conflicts with a traffic
control device by color, location, shape or any other characteristic.
No sign shall violate the corner visibility restrictions of this chapter.
(5)
Yard requirements. No portion of a freestanding sign
shall be located closer to any street line than 1/3 the required yard
for the HC District and 1/2 the required yard for all other districts
in which the sign is located. If this requirement cannot be met, then
freestanding signs shall not be permitted on such properties.
D.
Illumination of signs. Only the following types of
illumination are permitted:
(1)
Internally illuminated sign: a sign designed to give
forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent
material) from a source of light within the sign. Internally illuminated
signs shall have dark backgrounds and light letters, rather than light
backgrounds and dark letters, in order to reduce glare.
(2)
Indirectly illuminated sign: a sign illuminated with
a light external to the sign, which shall be shielded so that no direct
rays are visible elsewhere. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an
outdoor advertising sign shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure
only and shall be shielded to prevent or control glare.
(3)
Nonilluminated sign: a sign that is not illuminated
either internally or indirectly.
E.
Construction of signs.
(1)
Supports for a sign or sign structure shall conform
to the requirements set forth in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction
Code, as amended.
(2)
Signs using electricity shall be installed in conformance
with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as amended.
(3)
Every sign permitted in this chapter must be constructed
with durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair
or must be removed.
F.
Zoning information. No sign shall be erected that
contains information which states or implies that a property to which
the sign relates may be used for any purpose not permitted under the
provisions of this chapter in the zoning district in which the property
is located.
G.
Permit required. All signs over two square feet in
area shall require the issuance of a zoning permit before erection,
placement, construction, or alteration. All signs must comply with
all other regulations regardless of whether a permit is required.
Multiple signs totaling more than two square feet shall require issuance
of separate zoning permits.
H.
All valid nonconforming signs and all signs granted
a sign permit prior to the adoption of this chapter (except illegal
signs) may be continued. All new signs shall meet the terms of this
chapter.
I.
Signs in the Historic District. In the Historic District,
the following regulations shall apply in addition to all other regulations
herein.
(1)
A certificate of appropriateness shall be obtained
from the Borough Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Borough
Council for the erection, structural repair, alteration, moving, removal,
or demolition of any sign-mounting device for any sign in the Historic
District, provided that the sign-mounting device is visible from a
public right-of-way, as defined by the HARB Ordinance.[1]
(2)
A sign permit application shall be made to the Zoning
Officer. The application shall be reviewed by the HARB, if a new sign-mounting
device is visible from a public right-of-way, prior to the issuance
of a sign permit.
A.
No sign permit or HARB approval shall be required
for exempt signs.
B.
The following signs are exempt from the requirement
of obtaining a sign permit. Exempt signs shall be erected only in
accordance with the standards set for these signs.
(1)
Street sign: official highway street name, directional,
or other traffic sign erected in accordance with the Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Code.
(2)
No trespassing sign: a sign not exceeding two square
feet, indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting, trespassing,
etc., or a sign indicating a private road.
(3)
Residential identification sign: a sign, not exceeding
two square feet, and not more than five feet in height bearing only
the property number, street address, and/or names of the occupants
of the residence, or the name of the dwelling. The sign shall not
be illuminated.
(4)
Governmental flag or insignia: flags, other than those
flown by local, state or federal governments, are permitted, provided
that they do not exceed a size of six feet by 10 feet, are affixed
to a pole no higher than 25 feet, and meet the requirements of the
Flag Code, Public Law 94-344.
(5)
Legal notices.
(6)
Information sign: an information or public service
sign indicating hours of operation, availability of a public telephone,
or directions to an entrance or parking area is permitted, provided
that the sign area does not exceed one square foot and that there
shall be no more than two signs of this type per property.
(7)
Cornerstones.
(8)
Temporary professional signs: a temporary advertising
sign for mechanics, contractors, architects or realtors. Such a sign
may be maintained only during the duration of the work being done
at the property, or during the duration of the sale and/or lease.
No sign shall exceed six square feet. Only one sign may be installed
for each professional, and no more than four such signs on any property
at any one time. No illumination is permitted.
[Amended 8-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
(9)
Temporary window sign: a sign or signs displayed on
the inside surface of a window for the purpose of advertising a sale,
grand opening, new products or services. Temporary window signs may
have a total combined sign area of no more than four square feet.
The sign may be in place no longer than 15 days. The applicant shall
inform the Zoning Officer of the time period during which a grand
opening sign will be in place.
(10)
Yard sale sign: an on-site sign advertising
a yard sale. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in area and
may remain up only during the sale but in no case longer than five
days. No more than two yard sales shall be permitted per year per
property. One sign only shall be permitted per property. No illumination
is permitted.
(11)
Official and governmental signs including safety
signs; signs indicating points of interest, historical plaques, public
parks or recreation facilities; and signs identifying official Borough
buildings or facilities: Signs identifying Borough buildings, police
stations, or other Borough facilities may be internally or indirectly
illuminated.
(12)
Decorative flags: Flags that are decorative
and contain designs marking seasons, holidays, or the general nature
of a business are permitted, provided that they contain no lettering,
no advertising, no company or business logos, and no names of businesses.
Flags may be no larger than two feet by three feet and shall be hung
7 1/2 feet above walkways.
(13)
Political signs.
(a)
Temporary signs advertising political parties
or candidates for public office may be erected or displayed and maintained,
provided that:
[1]
The signs are erected or displayed by the owner
or lessee of the parcel of real property on said parcel or by the
candidate, political party or other authorized agent of either of
them, with the express permission of the owner or lessee of the parcel
of real property;
[2]
The size of any sign is not in excess of six
square feet; and
[3]
The signs shall not be erected or displayed
earlier that 60 days prior to the election to which they pertain.
(b)
Nothing contained herein shall be construed
to permit the placing or erecting of any such signs within a street
right-of-way or within or on any public alley, sidewalk, parking lot
or other public place, which placement is hereby prohibited.
(c)
The erection of temporary political signs permitted
by this section by the owner or lessee of the parcel of real property,
candidate, political party or other authorized agent shall not require
a permit or other approval; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful
for any such owner or lessee of the lot, candidate, political party
or other authorized agent to permit such signs to remain erected more
than 10 days after the date of the election to which they relate,
and failure to remove such signs as required hereby shall subject
such offenders to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
(d)
No illumination is permitted.
(14)
Activity signs for community groups and special
events: a sign advertising a temporary civic, social, community or
fund-raising gathering or activity, including, but not limited to,
exhibits, shows, sales, or specials events, provided that:
(a)
The applicant shall obtain written permission
to erect such signs from all property owners involved and from the
Borough Council;
(b)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 24
square feet;
(c)
No more than one sign shall be permitted on
a single property;
(d)
Such signs shall not be posted earlier than
14 days before the occurrence of the activity or event to which they
relate and must be removed within two days after the date of the event;
and
A.
The following signs are prohibited:
(1)
Any sign that states that a property may be used for
a nonpermitted use.
(2)
Any sign that flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates.
(3)
Any animated signs, movable message signs or signs
with internally generated messages or symbols; no sign shall consist
of any moving, rotating, or otherwise animated part or message.
(4)
Any sign that is animated or illuminated by the use
of neon or any form of exposed tubes or bulbs, including LED displays.
(5)
Any novelty sign, including but not limited to an
object (e.g., tire, automobile, food product, etc.), unless the novelty
object or item is part of a sign that otherwise complies with this
chapter and represents 20% or less of the total sign area.
(6)
Any roof sign, i.e., any sign placed above the roofline
of a flat roof or the lowest point of eaves of a sloping or mansard
roof.
(7)
Any sign placed or maintained in such a manner as
to interfere with any electric light, power, telephone or cable wires
or the supports thereof.
(8)
Any banner sign (cloth or plastic or other flexible
material sign which is suspended on a building, window, or other supports)
except for a temporary sign approved by the Borough Council to identify
a Borough, community, public service, or other special event.
(9)
Any suspended or attached pennant that blows in the
wind or a spinner which spins in the wind.
(10)
Any portable sign of any kind is prohibited,
including any signs on wheels.
(11)
Any vehicle or trailer which is parked on a
public right-of-way or on public or private property so as to be visible
from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located
thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing
advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity
located on the same or on another property.
(12)
Any sign nailed or in any way attached to a
tree, utility pole, streetlight pole, street identification sign,
another sign, mailbox, fence, rock or natural features, traffic signal
device, or other regulatory device, such as stop signs, yield signs,
etc.
(13)
Any changeable copy sign.
(14)
Special promotional devices. Temporary signs or spectacular displays, such as floodlights, banners, pennants, etc., which are not readily measurable for the purpose of determining compliance with the size or area limitations for signs contained in this article, shall be considered as § 275-22D temporary structures or uses and shall comply with the requirements of Article IV, § 275-22D of this chapter.
(15)
Signs, which by reason of their size, location,
movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused
with traffic control signs or signals, including, but not limited
to, signs containing words such as "stop," "look," or "danger."
(16)
Signs erected at or near the intersections of
any streets in such a manner as to materially obstruct free and clear
vision.
(17)
Signs not properly maintained, showing neglect,
or in a dilapidated or hazardous condition so as to violate the purpose,
intent and objective of this chapter are required to be repaired or
removed.
(18)
Abandoned signs.
(19)
Signs placed on benches bearing advertising
matter.
(20)
Snipe signs or any other sign made of any material
when such sign is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, or other objects, and the
advertising matter appearing thereon is not applicable to the use
of the premises upon which such sign is located.
[Added 8-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
(21)
Any off-premises sign, except as provided in § 275-53 of this chapter.
[Added 8-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09;
amended 1-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02]
(22)
Any electronic message center (EMC).
[Added 1-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02]
[Amended 8-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
Off-premises signs are prohibited except as
set forth in this section.
A.
An off-premises sign is any sign designed for identifying
or advertising a specific establishment, merchandise, service, product,
or entertainment, which exists or is sold, produced, manufactured,
and/or furnished at a place other than on the property on which the
sign is located.
B.
Off-premises signs are permitted only upon special
exception approval in accordance with this section and all other applicable
provisions of this chapter.
C.
Off-premises signs are permitted as the single principal
use of a lot, and shall not be located on a lot with any other principal
use. Only one off-premises sign shall be permitted on a single lot.
D.
Off-premises signs are only permitted on properties
with frontage on U.S. Route 202. Such signs must be located within
200 feet of the U.S. Route 202 legal right-of-way.
E.
Off-premises signs shall not be erected upon or within
any protected natural resource.
F.
The total area of any off-premises sign shall not
exceed 150 square feet, including border and trim but excluding supports.
G.
The maximum height of any off-premises sign measured
from the average grade around the sign base shall not exceed 20 feet.
H.
All off-premises signs shall be permanent freestanding
signs erected upon the ground. No off-premises sign shall be erected
upon, painted on, applied to, attached to and/or supported by a building,
vehicle or other structure.
I.
Off-premises signs shall not be illuminated. Off-premises
signs shall not flash, rotate, revolve, oscillate, be animated or
have any type of internally generated character, message or symbol.
A.
Residential signs in all districts.
(2)
Number: no more than one sign shall be installed or
erected on a single lot.
(3)
Types permitted: freestanding, projecting, or wall.
(4)
Size: maximum area no larger than two square feet.
(5)
Height of freestanding sign: maximum three feet.
(6)
Illumination: Residential signs may not be illuminated,
either internally or indirectly.
B.
Signs in RC Districts; individual buildings containing
apartments of multifamily dwelling units: a sign which identifies
an individual building containing multiple dwelling units. The sign
may identify only the property number, street address and/or the name
of the building for a multiple-family dwelling development.
C.
Religious, educational, recreational, and institutional
uses in any district.
(2)
Number: no more than one sign except for corner properties
where one sign is permitted along each street frontage.
(3)
Types permitted: freestanding, projecting, or wall.
(4)
Size: 16 square feet maximum for buildings located
35 feet or more from the cartway of the street; 12 square feet maximum
for buildings located less than 35 feet from the cartway of the street.
(5)
Height of freestanding sign: five feet maximum.
(6)
Temporary announcement board. In addition to the provisions for signs above, one temporary announcement board may be placed on the property for the purpose of announcing events. An announcement board is permitted for the following uses only: place of worship, school, library or museum, and emergency services. The size shall not exceed 12 square feet. The announcement board may be placed at the site for a period of 14 days prior to the event and must be removed by the second day following the event. The placement of such signs shall comply with the requirements of § 275-50C herein. No such sign may be illuminated.
D.
Office, retail, service, and other commercial uses
in the CC, HC, SC, LC, LI and MU Districts.
[Amended 11-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-04]
(1)
Sign options for the uses. The following sign options
are permitted:
(a)
One wall sign with a total sign area equal to
no more than one square foot of sign area for each two linear feet
of building width measured along the front of the building, but not
exceeding a maximum of 30 square feet; or
(b)
One wall sign plus one projecting sign. The
projecting sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. The total area of
both signs together shall not exceed a total of one square foot for
each two linear feet of building width measured along the front of
the building. No wall sign shall exceed 30 square feet; or
(c)
One freestanding sign plus one wall sign. The
maximum area of a freestanding sign is 12 square feet; the maximum
height of a freestanding sign is five feet. The maximum size of the
wall sign under this option is 12 square feet; or
(d)
One freestanding sign plus window sign(s). The
maximum area of the freestanding sign is 12 square feet; maximum height
is five feet. The maximum size of a window sign, or of two window
signs combined, if the window signs are split between two windows,
is 12 square feet. Window signs shall be painted on the window and
shall contain only the name of the establishment and type of establishment.
The area devoted to window signs may be split evenly between two storefront
windows; or
(e)
One projecting sign plus window sign(s). The
maximum size of a projecting sign is 12 square feet. Maximum size
of a window sign or of two window signs combined, if the window signs
are split between two windows, is 12 square feet. Window signs shall
be painted on the window and shall contain only the name of the establishment
and type of establishment. The area devoted to window signs may be
split evenly between two storefront windows; or
(f)
One wall sign plus window sign(s). No wall sign
shall exceed 30 square feet. The window sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet. If window signage is split between two windows, the total square
footage on both windows combined shall not exceed 12 square feet.
The total area of all signs together shall not exceed a total of one
square foot for each two linear feet of building width measured along
the front of the building. Window signs shall be painted on the window
and shall contain only the name of the establishment and type of establishment.
The area devoted to window signs may be split evenly between two storefront
windows.
(2)
(Reserved)
(3)
If a property is a corner lot or has frontage on a
street or a public parking lot, one additional wall sign may be erected
on the side street frontage or the building facade facing the parking
lot. The size shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(4)
Directory sign for group of establishments.
[Amended 3-15-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-01]
(a)
Number: Except for the use set forth in § 275-17T, market, of this chapter, no more than one directory sign shall be placed for the joint use, unless it fronts on a corner lot or parking lot, in which case one additional sign may be erected on the side street frontage or the public parking lot side. Two directory signs are permitted for a market use (§ 275-17T), either of which may be a wall sign or a freestanding sign, with only one erected on the street side frontage and the other on the side or rear of the use.
E.
Industrial, automobile sales, and utility uses in
HC and LI Districts.
(1)
Sign options. The following signs options are permitted:
(a)
One wall sign with a total sign area equal to
no more than one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of
building width measured along the front of the building, but not exceeding
a maximum of 40 square feet; or
(b)
A combination of no more than two signs, the
total combined area of which does not exceed one square foot of sign
area for each linear foot of building width measured along the front
of the building, but not exceeding a maximum combined area of 40 square
feet.
(2)
(Reserved)
F.
Accessory uses.
(2)
Number: No more than one sign shall be placed on a
property containing an accessory office.
(3)
Types permitted: freestanding, projecting, or wall.
(4)
Size: three square feet maximum.
(5)
Height of freestanding sign: three feet maximum.
(6)
Illumination: Accessory office signs may be indirectly
illuminated during hours of office operation only.
The following regulations shall apply to signs
legally existing at the time of passage of this chapter that do not
conform in use, location, type, illumination, height or size with
the regulations of the district in which the sign is located.
A.
Any sign existing at the time of the passage of this
chapter that does not conform in use, location, illumination, height
or size with the regulations of the district in which the sign is
located shall be considered a nonconforming sign and may continue
in such use in its present location, subject to the following caveats:
(1)
If a new use or occupancy is established, all new
signs or replacement signs must comply with this chapter in terms
of quality, type, and dimensional requirements.
(2)
A sign not complying with this chapter may continue
if a building or structure is renovated. If a building or structure
is demolished and rebuilt, all signs must be made to conform to this
chapter in terms of quality, type, and dimensional requirements.
