[Amended 8-24-2011 by Ord. No. 1605]
The regulations contained in this article shall apply to all
signs in all zoning districts.
Signs in all zoning districts shall be categorized according to the types and classes described below and shall comply with the requirements for those types and classes described in Article II.
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning
districts:
A.
Restricted signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any
zoning district:
(1)
Portable or wheeled signs, unless authorized as part of a temporary
special event display;
(2)
Banners, other than temporary special event displays authorized
by this chapter;
(3)
Inflatable display devices of any kind, unless authorized as
part of a temporary special event display;
(4)
Searchlights, oscillating, moving or flashing signs, except
for that portion of a permitted sign which indicates time or temperature
which changes at intervals no less frequently than every five seconds;
(5)
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices
or signs;
(6)
Signs which imitate traffic control devices;
(7)
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences
or walls;
(8)
Strings of lights, flashers, flags, pennants or other display
paraphernalia, except those displays specifically authorized by this
article;
(9)
Overhanging signs, as defined herein;
(10)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked
on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, other
than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or
for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service
at any location, which are visible from the public right-of-way and
where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people
to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
B.
Exempt signs. The following signs shall be exempt from these regulations:
(1)
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state
holidays, provided that they do not interfere with traffic safety
or do not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard;
(2)
Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein;
(3)
Window displays, as defined herein, provided that they shall
not exceed 20% of the gross surface area of all display windows at
ground level on the street side or sides of the building;
C.
Lots with multiple street frontages. In all zoning districts, lots
fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have any sign
authorized on the lot on each street frontage, provided that the street
frontage does not face residential property.
D.
Temporary signs. In all zoning districts where authorized by § 225-110, real estate, construction and development signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.
E.
Notification signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location
and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall
be in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth. In all zoning
districts, legal notification signs posted on private property by
property owners, such as "no trespassing," "no hunting" and the like,
shall be limited to a surface area not exceeding two square feet.
The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along road frontages
shall be one sign for every 100 feet of road frontage.
F.
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs and off-premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within the clear sight triangle defined in § 225-12 of this chapter.
G.
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, may
be either indirect or internal as defined in § 225-108A(10)
and (11).[1] Such illumination shall be directed upon the sign face
and not towards adjacent properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating
signs shall not be permitted. Lighting shall be stationary and constant
in intensity and color at all times. The intensity of any source of
illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled
so as to not create glare and to be compatible with the intensity
of ambient light and illumination on surrounding properties.
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original.
H.
Maintenance and inspection. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and maintained in good condition. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection shall be declared to be a public nuisance, and the Zoning Officer shall give notice as provided for in § 225-144B to the owner in writing to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Borough shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
I.
Removal of signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated,
all signs relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be
removed within 30 days of the vacation or discontinuance of the business.
Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Borough shall remove the
sign at the owner's expense.
J.
Permits required. No permit shall be required for off-premises directional signs erected by a governmental agency, notification, real estate, political and construction signs, as defined by § 225-12. Permits shall be required for all other signs authorized by § 225-110A through H. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council.
K.
Expiration of permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for
erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall
expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if
work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently
pursued.
L.
Sign location. Except for billboards, political signs and off-premises
directional signs, as defined herein, where authorized by this chapter,
all signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended
to serve.
The following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:
A.
Bulletin sign. One bulletin sign which is nonilluminated or indirectly
or internally illuminated and which does not exceed 24 square feet
in surface area shall be permitted in connection with any church,
school, library or similar public or semipublic building.
B.
Real estate sign. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall
be permitted on each lot, provided that the sign shall not exceed
six feet in height. The real estate sign shall not exceed six square
feet in surface area when located in any S Conservancy or R Residential
Zoning District and shall not exceed 12 square feet in any other zoning
district. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or
rental of the property on which it is located.
C.
Development sign. One nonilluminated development sign shall be permitted
on each lot, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not
exceed 32 square feet. The development signs shall not exceed six
feet in height when located in any residential zoning district and
shall not exceed 10 feet in height in any other zoning district. Such
sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the
last lot or completion of the proposed construction in the development.
D.
Construction sign. One nonilluminated temporary construction sign
as defined by this article shall be permitted on a lot, provided that
the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed
within 30 days of the completion of the work.
E.
Temporary special event sign:
(1)
One nonilluminated temporary special event sign, as defined
by this article, shall be permitted to be erected on any lot containing
a public building, church or building housing a nonprofit organization,
provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 20 square feet
and provided that the sign is displayed for a period no longer than
30 days and is removed within five days following the event that it
is erected to promote.
(2)
The temporary special event display sign shall be either securely
affixed to the building or to an existing freestanding sign or, if
freestanding on the lot, shall be securely anchored and shall be located
outside the public street right-of-way, behind any sidewalk and in
a location which does not constitute a public safety hazard for pedestrian
or vehicular traffic.
F.
Home occupation identification sign. One nonilluminated home occupation
identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation,
mounted on the wall of the dwelling, provided that the surface area
of the sign shall not exceed one square foot and the sign shall contain
only the name, address and occupation of the resident and shall not
contain any logo or other advertising.
G.
Political signs. Nonilluminated temporary political signs erected during a political campaign shall be permitted, provided that they are not of a type restricted by § 225-12 and provided that the surface area of such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
H.
Off-premises directional signs.
(1)
A maximum of four off-premises directional signs shall be permitted
to be erected by any agency or business other than a governmental
agency. The off-premises directional signs shall be nonilluminated
and shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area. Off-premises
directional signs shall be permitted only along an arterial or collector
street, as defined by this chapter.
(2)
Such signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way only
if permission is granted by the owner of the right-of-way. Evidence
of permission from the landowner shall be required for signs that
are proposed to be erected on property owned by an owner other than
the owner of the building or use the sign is intended to serve. Signs
located outside the public right-of-way shall be located no more than
10 feet from the edge of the right-of-way or no more than 15 feet
from the edge of the cartway, if the right-of-way is not contiguous
with the front lot line.
I.
On-premises directional signs.
(1)
On any lot which contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential
buildings and/or on any lot which provides more than 100 parking spaces,
on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the
surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(2)
On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted
on the first acre, and two additional on-premises directional signs
shall be permitted for each additional acre.
J.
Residential identification signs. One nonilluminated residential
identification sign shall be permitted to be mounted on the wall of
a single-family or two-family dwelling, provided that the dimensions
of the sign shall not exceed one foot in length by six inches in height.
One nonilluminated residential identification sign shall be permitted
to be mounted on the wall of a multifamily residential building, provided
that the dimensions of the sign shall not exceed one foot in length
by one foot in height.
K.
Public park identification signs. One nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated freestanding ground sign shall be permitted at each entrance
to a public park which shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
The following signs shall be permitted in all S Conservancy
and R Residential Zoning Districts:
A.
Residential plan identification sign. In plans containing 20 or more
dwelling units, one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated permanent
wall or freestanding ground residential plan identification sign containing
only the street address and/or name of a residential subdivision plan
or multifamily building or development which shall not exceed six
square feet in area. A sign identifying the name of a residential
subdivision may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall, rather
than to a building wall, provided that the decorative wall meets all
applicable ordinance requirements and does not interfere with the
clear sight triangle and does not obstruct visibility for traffic
entering or leaving the plan.
B.
Business identification sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
wall or freestanding ground identification sign for any business use,
other than a home occupation, which is a legal nonconforming use or
which is authorized as a conditional use or use by special exception
in a residential zoning district which shall not exceed 12 square
feet in area.
The following signs shall be permitted in all C-1 and C-2 Commercial
Districts:
A.
Temporary special event display. Temporary special event displays,
as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted, provided that:
(1)
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any
establishment at any one time;
(2)
The temporary special event display signs shall be securely
attached to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding
pole business identification sign or, if freestanding on the lot,
shall be securely anchored to the ground, provided that it is not
located in any public street right-of-way or on any sidewalk and does
not create a public safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(3)
Temporary special event display signs shall be displayed for
a period not exceeding 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively,
in any twelve-month period;
(4)
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event display
signs shall not exceed 20 square feet per establishment. In the event
that there is more than one establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate
surface area of all temporary special event display signs on the site
at any one time shall not exceed 100 square feet; and
(5)
Temporary special event display signs shall be nonilluminated.
B.
Changeable copy signs.
(1)
In addition to the authorized business identification signs, one nonilluminated or internally illuminated changeable copy sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, which shall not exceed 30 square feet in area and which shall be permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to the supporting structure of an authorized freestranding pole sign on the lot. Any wall-mounted changeable copy sign shall be included in the aggregate area of all wall signs authorized by § 225-112C(1).
(2)
Electronic changeable copy signs shall not be permitted. Changeable
copy signs shall be permitted to have copy changed manually only.
C.
Business identification signs. Each business establishment shall
be permitted no more than an aggregate of three of the following types
of signs:
(1)
Wall signs.
(a)
Each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building or portion of the building occupied by the business or a maximum of 100 square feet for each business, whichever is less. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall apply to business identification signs, any changeable copy sign affixed to the wall of the building, any canopy sign and any other legal sign affixed to the wall of the building. The number and location of wall signs shall be further subject to § 225-109C. Wall signs shall not be permitted on side or rear walls of the building, unless the side or rear wall fronts on a street which does not face residential property as provided in § 225-109C.
(b)
The wall sign shall not be located on the roof nor extend above
the height of the building.
(2)
Window signs. A business which is located above the street floor shall be permitted to have one window sign which shall not be counted in the maximum aggregate area authorized for all wall signs for all businesses in § 225-112C(1), provided that the total area of the window sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(3)
Ground signs. In addition to the wall signs, one freestanding
ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(b)
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed
24 square feet.
(c)
The height and location of the ground sign shall be designed
so as to not interfere with the clear sight triangle nor obstruct
visibility for vehicular traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling
on any street, and in no case shall the total height exceed six feet.
(d)
Ground signs may be nonilluminated, internally illuminated or
indirectly illuminated. The maximum illumination of the ground sign
shall not exceed 1.5 footcandles on the sign face.
(e)
All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet
from any property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way;
the ground sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way
or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the right-of-way
is not contiguous with the front lot line.
(4)
Pole signs. In addition to the authorized wall signs, one freestanding
pole sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding ground sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(b)
The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated
or internally illuminated.
(c)
The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 20 feet.
(d)
The minimum height of the bottom edge of the pole sign shall
be eight feet.
(e)
The maximum surface area of the freestanding pole signs shall
not exceed 40 square feet if there is only one business on the lot
and shall not exceed 64 square feet if there is more than one business
on the lot. Neither dimension of such sign shall be less than five
feet.
(f)
No portion of any sign shall project over any public right-of-way, nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection as defined in § 225-12 of this chapter.
(g)
All freestanding pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet
from every property line; except where property abuts on a public
right-of-way, the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the
right-of-way or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the
right-of-way is not contiguous with the front lot line.
(5)
Canopy signs. Each business establishment shall be permitted
to have one canopy sign, provided that:
(a)
The maximum surface area of the canopy sign shall not exceed
32 square feet.
(b)
If there are other wall signs on the building, the canopy sign shall be included in the aggregate area of all wall signs authorized by § 225-112C(1).
(6)
Arcade signs. In the C-1 District, each business establishment
shall be permitted to have one arcade sign, provided that:
(a)
The maximum surface area of the arcade sign is 12 square feet.
(b)
If there are other wall signs or canopy signs on the building, the arcade sign shall be included in the aggregate area of all wall signs authorized by § 225-112C(1).
(7)
A-frame (sandwich board signs). Commercial businesses may have
one such sign, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
A permit is required for the sign. Such permit will need to
be renewed annually.
(b)
Design materials shall be made of aluminum, heavy-gauge plastic
or metal and may include chalkboard.
(c)
The maximum allowable dimensions shall not exceed six square
feet.
(d)
The sign shall not be used during inclement weather conditions
such as high winds or heavy snowfall when the sign could create a
hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic or snow removal.
(e)
The sign shall be removed from sidewalk and stored inside a
completely enclosed building when the business is closed.
(f)
Placement of the sign on a sidewalk shall not restrict the unencumbered
width of the sidewalk to less than four feet, except that where business
entry doors swing out over a continuous sidewalk which runs perpendicular
to the path of egress, the unencumbered width shall be at least five
feet.
(g)
When such sign extends past the property line, proof of liability
insurance must be provided to the Borough, and an indemnity waiver
agreement must be filed with the Borough indicating the entity that
has jurisdiction of the rights-of-way is held harmless.
A.
Business identification signs. Each business establishment shall
be permitted no more than an aggregate of three of the following types
of signs:
(1)
Wall signs. Each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building or portion of the building occupied by the business or a maximum of 100 square feet for all businesses, whichever is less. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall apply to business identification signs and any other legal sign affixed to the wall of the building. The number and location of wall signs shall be further subject to § 225-109C. Wall signs shall not be permitted on side or rear walls of the building, unless the side or rear wall fronts on a street which does not face residential property as provided in § 225-109C. The wall sign shall not be located on the roof nor extend above the height of the building.
(2)
Ground signs. In addition to the wall signs, one freestanding
ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(b)
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed
60 square feet.
(c)
The height and location of the ground sign shall be designed
so as to not interfere with the clear sight triangle nor obstruct
visibility for vehicular traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling
on any street, and in no case shall the total height exceed six feet.
(d)
Ground signs may be nonilluminated, internally illuminated or
indirectly illuminated. The maximum illumination of the ground sign
shall not exceed 1.5 footcandles on the sign face.
(e)
All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet
from any property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way;
the ground sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way
or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the right-of-way
is not contiguous with the front lot line.
(3)
Pole signs. In addition to the authorized wall signs, one freestanding
pole sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of
businesses on the lot, provided that:
(a)
No freestanding ground sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(b)
The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated
or internally illuminated.
(c)
The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 20 feet.
(d)
The minimum height of the bottom edge of the pole sign shall
be eight feet.
(e)
The maximum surface area of the freestanding pole sign shall
not exceed 40 square feet if there is only one business on the lot
and shall not exceed 64 square feet if there is more than one business
on the lot. Neither dimension of such sign shall be less than five
feet.
(f)
No portion of any pole sign shall project over any public right-of-way, nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection as defined by § 225-12 of this chapter.
(g)
All freestanding pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet
from every property line; except where property abuts on a public
right-of-way, the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the
right-of-way or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the
right-of-way is not contiguous with the front lot line.
(4)
Roof signs.
(a)
Roof signs shall be permitted only in the I Industrial District.
One roof sign shall be permitted per building regardless of the number
of establishments in the building. Roof signs may be illuminated or
nonilluminated. Roof signs shall be permitted only if there is no
existing or proposed wall sign.
(b)
The surface area of a roof sign shall not exceed two square
feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building
or a maximum of 200 square feet, whichever is less. Roof signs shall
not project more than six feet above the highest point of the roof
on which they are erected.
(5)
A-frame (sandwich board signs). Commercial businesses may have
one such sign, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
A permit is required for the sign. Such permit will need to
be renewed annually.
(b)
Design materials shall be made of aluminum, heavy-gauge plastic
or metal and may include chalkboard.
(c)
The maximum allowable dimensions shall not exceed six square
feet.
(d)
The sign shall not be used during inclement weather conditions
such as high winds or heavy snowfall when the sign could create a
hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic or snow removal.
(e)
The sign shall be removed from sidewalk and stored inside a
completely enclosed building when the business is closed.
(f)
Placement of the sign on a sidewalk shall not restrict the unencumbered
width of the sidewalk to less than four feet except that where business
entry doors swing out over a continuous sidewalk which runs perpendicular
to the path of egress, the unencumbered width shall be at least five
feet.
(g)
When such sign extends past the property line, proof of liability
insurance must be provided to the Borough, and an indemnity waiver
agreement must be filed with the Borough indicating the entity that
has jurisdiction of the rights-of-way is held harmless.
Billboards shall not be permitted in any S or R Zoning Districts. Billboards shall be permitted only as conditional uses on property located in the I Industrial District following a public hearing by Borough Council, provided that all of the requirements in § 225-118E are met.
