As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AREA OF SIGN
The area included within the frame or edge of a sign, including the frame. Where the sign has not such frame or edge, the area shall be computed as specified by §
165-104 herein.
AWNING
Any structure made of cloth or metal with a metal frame attached
to a building, projecting over a thoroughfare and so erected as to
permit its being raised to a position flat against the building when
not in use.
BANNER
Any temporary sign applied to paper, plastic or fabric of
any kind, which shall be permitted by the Mayor and Council by permit,
above a public right-of-way.
BILLBOARD
Any sign erected or maintained for the purpose of displaying
outdoor advertising for products or services provided off-premises.
CANOPY
Any structure other than an awning, made of cloth or metal
with metal frames, attached to a building, projecting over a thoroughfare
and carried by a frame supported by the ground or sidewalk.
ERECT
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix;
also includes the painting of wall signs.
FACING or SURFACE
The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the
message is displayed or illuminated on the sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on or anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building
or other structure.
GROUND SIGN
A freestanding sign in which the entire bottom is in contact
with or close to the ground.
HALO-LIT SIGN
Any illuminated sign with opaque channel letters and elements
mounted away from the wall that contain concealed light sources that
project illumination to the wall surface, giving the sign a halo effect.
HANGING SIGN
A freestanding sign supported by an extended arm from a single
post.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs
or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part
of the sign proper.
ILLUMINATED SIGN, EXTERNALLY
A sign illuminated with a light that is directed primarily
toward the sign, and so shielded that no illumination is cast onto
adjacent lots.
ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLY
A sign designed to emit artificial light directly (or through
transparent or translucent material) from a source within the sign.
MAINTENANCE
Includes replacement, without substantial change, of any
parts or support of any sign, and the painting, without change of
text, design or size of any sign, without removal of the sign from
the wall or structure supporting it.
MARQUEE
Any hood or awning of permanent construction projecting from
the wall of a building above an entrance and extending over a thoroughfare,
including signs attached thereto, the supports of which are an integral
part of the original structure and which is not retractable.
PENNANT
Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire
or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
PLAQUE SIGN
A small version of a wall sign that is attached to the building
wall surface adjacent to the front entry doors.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other
permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including
but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels;
signs converted to A- or T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs;
balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs
attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public
right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day
operations of the business.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that
its leading edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of
such building or wall.
RESTAURANT MENU SIGN
A sign that incorporates a menu containing a listing of products
and prices offered by the eatery.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon
or over the roof of any building, with the principal support on the
roof structure.
SIGN
Includes any device, either freestanding or attached to a
building or structure or erected, painted, represented or reproduced
upon or in (to the extent provided herein) any building or structure,
which displays, reproduces or includes any letter, word, name, number,
model, insignia, emblem, design, device or representation used for
one or more of the following purposes: to identify the premises or
occupant or owner of the premises; to advertise any trade, business,
profession, industry, service or other activity; to advertise any
product or item; to advertise the sale or rental or use of all or
part of the premises, including that upon which it is displayed; to
direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, other than state, county or
municipal highway and roadway markers; and shall include any announcement,
declaration, demonstration, display, illustrations, insignia or any
representation used to advertise or intended to advertise or promote
the interests of any person. In no event shall the word "sign" be
construed to mean any sign in the interior of any structure except
as specifically set forth in this chapter.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign that is not permanently mounted as specifically
permitted by this article.
WALL SIGN
All flat signs of solid-face construction which are placed
against a building or other structure and attached to the exterior
front, rear or sidewalk of any building or other structure so that
the display surface is parallel with the plane of the wall. Signs
painted on an exterior or a wall shall be deemed to be "wall signs"
subject to this chapter.
WINDOW
Includes any opening in the exterior wall or roof of any
structure for the purpose of admitting air or light, whether or not
covered with glass, plastic or other covering.
WINDOW DISPLAY SIGN
Includes all signs defined herein which are situated within 12 inches of the window surface, and such signs shall be as regulated in §
165-105B.
WINDOW SPACE
Includes the aggregate square footage of all windows on any
given story of any structure, regardless of the angle or angles at
which they are set. In computing window space there shall be included
all portions of any door which contains a window.
Residential signs, including name and address plates, professional nameplates, real estate signs and contractor signs as provided herein, are permitted in accordance with the size limitations as set forth in §
165-103C. Signs not otherwise in compliance with these provisions or as permitted and regulated in §
165-107 are prohibited.
Temporary signs shall comply with the following:
A. All temporary signage, except as specifically exempted under this
article, shall require a permit. Said permit shall be valid for a
period not to exceed 30 days from the issuance thereof and may be
renewed for a period not to exceed 60 days.
B. No temporary sign shall exceed an area of 12 square feet, provided
that temporary signs, such as banners, which are permitted by permit
by the Mayor and Council within the public right-of-way, may exceed
12 square feet in size.
C. Insurance for temporary signs may be required by the Mayor and Council.
Any person obtaining a permit for the erection of a temporary sign
where the Mayor and Council requires insurance shall provide proof
to the satisfaction of the Housing and Zoning Officer that the person,
firm or corporation actually doing the erection shall have in force
a public liability insurance policy with limits of no less than $100,000
for property damage and $300,000 for bodily injury per occurrence.
D. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to permit the erection or
installation of any political signs upon any pole or tree located
on public property or within the public right-of-way within the Borough
of Wharton, and their erection or installation is hereby specifically
prohibited. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit temporary
lawn signs or street banners as set forth elsewhere in this chapter.
E. Streamers of flags or pennants and banners shall be permitted as temporary signs in accordance with the permit requirements and time restrictions set forth in §
165-107A.