The purposes of this article are to regulate
the type and dimensions of signs in the various zoning districts of
Eddystone Borough, to recognize the commercial communication requirements
of all sectors of the business community, to protect the public from
damage or injury caused by improperly designed or located signs, to
safeguard property values and to assure the orderly development of
signs in keeping with the architecture and design in the Borough.
A sign is hereby defined to include the area
on which the main advertising material and/or logo is located. The
area of any single-faced sign shall be determined as follows:
A.
When a sign consists of letters, numbers and/or logos
and is not a lettered board, the size of such sign shall be measured
by the geometric shape formed by the extreme outside edge of the largest
letters, numbers or logos contained on the sign.
B.
When a sign consists of a lettered board, the size
of such sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered
board.
C.
When a sign has more than one face, the area shall
be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible
from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back
to back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the
same time and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure
and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed
by the measurement of one of these faces.
D.
Except where specifically stated otherwise, lots fronting
on two or more streets are allowed the permitted sign area for each
lot frontage. However, the total sign area that is oriented toward
a particular street may not exceed the total sign area allocation
that is derived from the lot, building or wall area frontage on that
street.
E.
The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance
from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest
attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to
be the lower of the existing grade prior to construction, or the newly
established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming,
mounding or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined,
sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation
of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation
of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade
of the lane at the principal entrance to the main structure on the
lot, whichever is lower.
It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following
signs:
A.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated,
inflatable, aerial, crane or lighted moving signs including automatic
color changing and rotating lamps and other moving objects that call
attention to the sign.
B.
Signs, letters, posters and advertisements which are
tacked, posted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings,
fences or other structures located on public property, except for
election-related signs.
C.
Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid
background, except those exhibited during the period between November
1 and January 15 of the following year.
D.
Advertising cloth or paper banners or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary banners. Temporary banners shall be allowed only for the duration of the event, situation or circumstances in connection with which they are to be used and must otherwise comply with § 295-64E relating to temporary signs.
E.
Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked
or located for the primary purpose of displaying the signs. This does
not apply to lettering on buses, taxis or vehicles operating in the
normal course of business.
A.
No sign shall be located, designed, lighted, arranged
or placed in a position where it will cause danger to traffic or will
interfere with traffic through glare; block required sight lines for
streets, sidewalks or driveways; or create confusion with a traffic
control device by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristics
or through any other means.
B.
Except for traffic signs, no sign shall be erected
within the right-of-way of any public street or public sidewalk or
be closer than six feet to the right-of-way line.
C.
With the exception of billboards, the content of permanent
signs shall refer to a use, business, service or activity conducted
on the same lot or premises on which the sign is located.
D.
Every sign shall be removed within 30 days of the
time when circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply, unless
specifically stated otherwise in this chapter.
E.
Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair.
Any sign which has been allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed
by and at the expense of the landowner or lessee of the property on
which it is located.
F.
All signs shall be securely mounted or fastened to
the building upon which they are erected or, if freestanding, the
sign must be securely and safely installed in the ground. The installation
of all signs must be approved by the Building Inspector.
G.
If a use ceases for a period of six months, signs
advertising the ceased business must be removed by the owner of the
property. Such signs may be removed by the Borough at the expense
of the owner of the property on which the sign is located.
A.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
The lowest edge of any freestanding sign shall be
no closer to the ground than eight feet. No more than two feet above
ground level shall be devoted to and maintained for flowers, ground
covers and low spreading shrubs.
(2)
All applications for freestanding signs must include
an accurate, scaled, current plot plan and site survey that shows
legal rights-of-way, building locations and proposed location of the
sign.
(3)
All freestanding signs shall have a setback of not
less than six feet from the street right-of-way line.
(4)
There shall be a distance of not less than 75 feet
between freestanding signs.
B.
C.
Projecting signs. No projecting signs shall be allowed
within the Borough.
D.
Window signs. A maximum of 25% of the total window
area may be used for permanent signs that are etched, painted or permanently
affixed to the window.
E.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Temporary signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct
vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.
(2)
Such signs shall not obstruct access to or from any
door, window, fire escape or ventilating equipment, nor be attached
to any standpipe or fire escape.
(3)
Temporary signs shall be removed within seven days
after completion of the event, situation or circumstance for which
they are used.
(4)
The size of these signs shall not exceed one square
foot of sign area for each linear foot of building width or 50 square
feet, whichever is less.
F.
Sales or price change signs.
(1)
The size of sales or price change signs combined shall
not exceed 50% of the area of the door or window to which they are
affixed.
(2)
All sales or price change signs shall be affixed to
the inside of a window or door.
(3)
Sales or price change signs shall not be attached
to fences or exterior walls.
No permit need be obtained before erecting any
of the following signs in any district. Exempt signs, except those
installed by a governmental body to serve a public purpose, shall
conform to all other regulations set forth herein.
A.
Public notice, warning or official traffic signs required
by federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
B.
Signs of a duly constituted governmental body.
C.
Signs or emblems of a religious, political, civil,
philanthropic, historical or educational organization, not exceeding
four square feet in area.
D.
Temporary signs for political campaigns, civic events
or elections, provided that permission is obtained from the landowner
or utility to post said temporary signs.
E.
Directional, incidental or public service signs such
as those advertising availability of telephones or similar public
conveniences and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit
service or charitable clubs or organizations may be erected and maintained,
provided that such signs do not significantly advertise any commercial
establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services
except those of public utilities. Directional and informational signs
provided for the safety and/or convenience of the public within commercial
establishments may be erected. Signs erected under this provision
shall not exceed four square feet in area.
F.
Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private
nature of a road, driveway or premises. Signs prohibiting or otherwise
controlling particular premises and signs indicating ownership of
a property, provided that the sign area does not exceed four square
feet.
G.
Signs offering individual properties for sale or rent
or signs indicating that a property has been sold, provided that such
signs shall be located entirely within the lot lines of the particular
property to which they refer, and provided further that such signs
shall not exceed six square feet in area in residential districts,
20 square feet in commercial districts and 50 square feet in industrial
districts. All such signs shall be removed on or before the date of
settlement.
H.
Signs advertising the development of the premises
where they are erected. Such signs shall not exceed 10 square feet
in residential districts, 20 square feet in commercial districts and
50 square feet in industrial districts. All such signs shall be removed
on or before the date of settlement.
I.
Nameplate signs on private residences, provided that
they do not exceed 144 square inches.
J.
Decorations for a recognized officially designated
holiday, provided that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
K.
Yard sale or garage sale signs, provided that they
do not exceed four square feet and shall be removed within 24 hours
after such sales.
L.
Changeable copy signs shall be permitted for churches,
schools and other uses which by their nature require changeable copy
signs. Not more than one sign per property shall be permitted. However,
in the case of a corner lot with more than 100 feet of lot frontage
on each of two major roads, an additional sign may be permitted at
the second frontage. The area of such sign shall not exceed 16 square
feet.
The following signs, as described under each zoning district or group of districts, are allowed, provided that they comply with the standards and conditions set out in § 295-64 and a sign permit has been obtained:
A.
Signs in residential districts. The following types
of signs and no other shall be permitted in residential districts:
(1)
Nameplate signs greater than 144 square inches but
not more than 288 square inches.
(a)
Not more than one such sign per dwelling shall
be allowed.
(2)
Identification signs for apartment buildings or complexes,
schools, churches, hospitals and similar allowed uses other than individual
dwellings, provided that:
(a)
Such signs shall be freestanding, ground or
wall signs only.
(b)
Not more than one wall sign and one freestanding
or ground sign shall be allowed for each lot frontage.
(c)
The size of freestanding, ground and wall signs
shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(d)
No such sign shall be illuminated except by
concealed or indirect nonglare lighting attached to the sign itself.
(3)
Signs indicating nonresidential uses allowed as valid nonconforming uses, provided that they meet the same requirements as set out in Subsection A(2) above.
(4)
Signs indicating home occupations, home professional
offices and day-care facilities, provided that such signs comply with
the following standards:
B.
Signs in commercial districts. The following signs
and no others shall be permitted in commercial districts:
(1)
Any sign permitted in a residential district.
(2)
Signs identifying a commercial or office establishment
at individual buildings.
(a)
The types of signs permitted shall be wall signs,
freestanding signs, ground signs, canopy signs, awning signs, window
signs and sales or price change signs.
(b)
Wall signs.
[1]
There shall be not more than one wall sign for
each frontage.
[2]
The size of the wall sign shall not exceed one
square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building width.
[3]
In the case of a corner property, the size of
the wall sign on the long side shall not exceed 50% of the area of
the wall sign permitted at the front of the building.
(3)
Freestanding signs and ground signs.
C.
Signs identifying commercial and office establishments
in shopping centers, planned commercial developments and uses in the
IHCO District.
[Amended 11-13-2006 by Ord. No. 614, approved 11-13-2006]
(1)
Permitted signs shall include all signs permitted for individual establishments in Subsection B above and overhang signs.
(2)
Freestanding or ground signs.
(a)
The freestanding or ground sign identifying
the shopping center or planned commercial development shall have an
area not exceeding 60 square feet. The same sign structure may contain
signs identifying individual establishments in the shopping center
or planned commercial development. The area allotted for each individual
establishment shall not exceed 10 square feet. The sign for individual
establishments is permitted in addition to that identifying the shopping
center or planned commercial development.
(b)
Signs identifying individual establishments
may be placed on a separate freestanding or ground sign from that
identifying the shopping center or planned commercial development.
(3)
Wall signs at individual establishments in a shopping
center or planned commercial development shall not exceed one square
foot of sign area for each linear foot of building width.
D.
Signs in industrial districts. The following types
of signs and no other shall be allowed in industrial districts.
(2)
Signs advertising or identifying an industrial use
or activity.
(a)
The types of signs allowed shall be freestanding,
ground and wall signs.
(b)
Freestanding signs and ground signs.
[2]
The size of these signs shall not exceed two
square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building width.
[3]
In the case of an industrial park, one freestanding
sign identifying the development shall be permitted at each frontage.
[4]
The names of individual establishments may be
placed on the same sign structure which supports the sign identifying
the development as a whole or on a separate freestanding or ground
sign placed not less than 50 feet from the exterior road.
[5]
The size of the sign identifying the development
shall not exceed 100 square feet. In addition, each establishment
shall be permitted a sign on the same or on a separate freestanding
or ground sign which shall not exceed 15 square feet.
E.
Signs in the Institutional District. The following
types of signs and no other shall be allowed in the Institutional
District:
(1)
Any sign permitted in a residential district.
(2)
Signs advertising or identifying an institutional
use or activity.
(a)
The types of signs allowed shall be freestanding,
ground and wall signs.
(b)
Not more than one wall sign and one freestanding
or ground sign shall be allowed for each lot frontage.
(c)
The size of the wall sign shall not exceed 1 1/2
square feet of sign area for every linear foot of building width.
(d)
The size of the freestanding or ground sign
shall not exceed 24 square feet for each individual establishment.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or individual to erect signs listed in § 295-66 without first obtaining a permit from the Borough.
B.
No sign shall hereafter be erected or attached to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure, and no sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated, until a permit for the same has been obtained, except those specifically listed in § 295-65 pertaining to exempt signs.
C.
An application for a sign permit shall be filed on
forms furnished by the Borough and shall be accompanied by detailed
plans and specifications and such other information deemed necessary
by the Building Inspector to determine the location and details of
construction of such sign.
D.
All applications for sign permits shall be accompanied
by the property owner's written consent if the property owner is not
the owner of the sign.
E.
Signs deemed by the Building Inspector to be illegal
or obtained without a permit shall be removed within three days of
written notification by the Building Inspector.
[Amended 1-13-1997 by Ord. No. 568, approved 1-13-1997]
Existing sandwich or A-frame signs, movable
freestanding signs, banners, pennants, signs on benches and similar
types of inexpensive signs which do not conform to this article shall
be abated, removed or brought into compliance within 90 days after
the enactment of this chapter.
Signs which are nonconforming or which identify
nonconforming uses shall be governed by the following requirements:
A.
A sign which is nonconforming at the effective date
of this chapter may be continued although such sign does not conform
with the provisions of this chapter, but the size of any such nonconforming
sign shall not be enlarged.
B.
A nonconforming sign may be changed to or replaced
by another nonconforming sign, provided that the degree of nonconformity
is not greater than that of the original sign. Whenever a nonconforming
sign has been changed to a more restricted nonconforming sign, such
sign shall not thereafter be changed to a less restricted nonconforming
sign.
C.
Where the name of the establishment is changed, any
nonconforming sign at such establishment must be removed, and any
new sign must conform to the provisions of this chapter.
D.
No nonconforming sign which has been damaged to more
than 50% of its value or has been removed or discontinued for 90 days
shall be repaired, rebuilt or replaced, except as a conforming sign.
E.
If a nonconforming use of a building ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of six months or more and such nonconforming use is deemed to be abandoned as per § 295-116 of this chapter, any nonconforming sign on the premises shall also be considered abandoned, and any subsequent signs erected or maintained on the premises shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
