§ 225-97Intent.
§ 225-98Permit requirements.
§ 225-99Definitions.
§ 225-100Permitted signs.
§ 225-101Prohibited signs.
§ 225-102Exempt signs.
§ 225-103Legal nonconforming signs.
§ 225-104Placement, design and illumination of signs.
§ 225-105Maintenance requirements.
§ 225-106Removal.
The Borough recognizes that signs perform an important function in identifying properties, business, services, residences, events, and other matters of public interest. It is the intent of this article to set standards that permit the reasonable use of signs.
Other than exempt signs, no sign may be constructed, erected, installed, or otherwise placed on a building or property except as authorized by a zoning permit, a building permit and, in the case of an illuminated sign, an approved electrical permit. No permit is required for the maintenance of or a change in copy on a legally existing sign.
To obtain a permit, the applicant must provide such information as is required by the Zoning Officer to show full compliance with this chapter and all other ordinances of the Borough.
"Sign," "sign area" and "sign height," as used in this article, shall have the following meanings:
- SIGN
- A name, identification, image, description, display, or illustration visible from any street, alley, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or other public property that directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, facility, service, event, attraction, person, institution, organization, or business.
- SIGN AREA
- The area of lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed, but not including the supporting framework. Sign area shall be computed as a square or rectangle drawn at the outer limits of the sign face. Where the sign consists of a double face, only one side shall be considered for the purpose of calculating total sign area.
- SIGN HEIGHT
- The distance from the highest portion of the sign, including all structural elements, to mean grade.
The following signs are permitted, so long as permits otherwise required by this chapter have been obtained:
On-premises signs, defined as a sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity on the same lot where the sign is located, including:
Freestanding sign, either ground or pole, so long as it does not exceed a sign height greater than the height of the building facade below the eave line.
Wall sign, so long as it does not extend above the eave line.
Window sign.
Awning or canopy sign.
Roof sign, so long as it does not extend above the roofline, so long as the sign area meets the following sign area standards:
For a single-frontage lot, the total square footage of sign area shall not exceed one square foot for every 10 feet of lot frontage, as shown in the illustration below:
| Single-Frontage Lot | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sign area | = | 1 square foot per 10 linear feet of frontage |
| Sign area | = | 7.5 square feet for Lot A | |
For a lot with frontage on two public streets or public alleys, the total square footage of sign area on each frontage shall not exceed one square foot for every 10 feet of lot frontage, as shown in the illustration below:
| Double-Frontage Lot | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sign area | = | 1 square foot per 10 linear feet of frontage for each frontage |
| Sign area for Lot B, Frontage 1 | = | 5.0 square feet | |
| Sign area for Lot B, Frontage 2 | = | 10.0 square feet | |
Off-premises signs, defined as a freestanding sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located, so long as the off-premises sign is the principal use of the lot on which it is placed, and so long as the sign does not exceed a sign height of 22 feet and sign dimensions of 12 feet by 24 feet.
The following signs are prohibited:
The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit and shall not be included in the calculation of the sign area for permitted signs. However, such signs must not be erected more than 10 days before the commencement of the activity identified in the sign and must be removed within 10 days of the cessation or termination of the activity identified in the sign. Such signs otherwise shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
Any business, institution, or organization sign existing as of the date of this chapter that is not in conformance with this chapter shall be considered a legal nonconforming sign. Such signs must comply with all safety/hazard and good repair provisions of this chapter.
No sign shall be placed within a public street, alley, or right-of-way or attached to a rock, tree or shrub, utility pole, parking meter, traffic signpost, traffic signal, street sign, or historical marker, except directional signs for institutions, such as the Borough offices, churches, parks, etc.
No sign shall be designed, illuminated, or placed on a building or property in a manner that resembles or conflicts with a traffic signal or sign or creates a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles and pedestrian traffic.
Light sources for illumination of signs shall be fully shielded from all adjacent properties, public streets, public alleys, and public walkways and sidewalks.
No illumination of signs shall be of such intensity as to cause glare to pedestrians, motorists, or nuisance to occupants of adjacent property owners or property owners located opposite a public street, public alley, or public walkway or sidewalk.
All signs and sign structures shall be kept in good repair.
Signs shall be removed within 30 days after a business, institution, organization, or activity has closed or ceased.
