The Borough recognizes that signs perform an important function
in identifying properties, businesses, services, residences, events,
and other matters of public interest. It is the intent of this article
to:
A. Protect the general public health, safety, welfare, and aesthetics
of the community.
B. Encourage sign design that builds on the traditional town image and
visual environment the Borough seeks to promote.
C. Implement community design standards consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
D. Promote the community's appearance by regulating the design, character,
location, type, quality of materials, scale, color, illumination,
and maintenance of signs.
E. Avoid excessive competition for large or multiple signs, so that
permitted signs provide identification and direction while minimizing
clutter, unsightliness, confusion, and hazardous distractions to motorists.
F. Reduce possible traffic and safety hazards through good signage.
From the effective date of this chapter, any sign erected shall
conform to the provisions of this article and any other ordinance
or regulations of the Borough of Lansdowne that relate to it.
Words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings
defined in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this article
but defined elsewhere in this chapter shall be given the meanings
set forth in the Definitions Section.
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which no longer identifies or advertises an existing
business, leased, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for
which no legal owner can be found (Prohibited).
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign with two identical faces of equal sign area, which
are back to back.
LEGALLY NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any existing sign:
A.
Located on a premises in the Borough with a permitted use; and
B.
Legally erected prior to the adoption of this article; and
C.
Not meeting the provisions of the current ordinance.
SIGN
Any advertisement, announcement, direction, picture or informational
material attached to, painted or otherwise on or forming a part of
any building, structure, awning, marquee or surface or erected on
any real property. The word "sign" shall include the framework, the
supports and attachments.
SIGN AREA
The area of all lettering, wording and accompanying designs
and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed.
"Sign area" excludes any supporting framework and bracing, provided
that it does not contain any lettering, wording, symbols or designs.
For the purpose of this article, "sign area" shall be computed as
a square or rectangle drawn at the outer limits of the sign face.
In the case of cylindrical signs, signs in the shape of cubes, or
other signs which are essentially three-dimensional with respect to
their display surfaces, the entire display surface or surfaces is
included in the computation of area.
A.
Where the sign consists of a double face, only one side shall
be considered for the purpose of calculating total sign area. Where
both sides are not identical or where the interior angle formed by
the faces of a sign is greater than 45°, all faces shall be considered
in calculating total sign area.
B.
Any spacing between signs designating different or separate
occupants or uses of a building shall not be counted as sign area.
SIGN FACE
The part of a sign that is or can be used to identify, advertise
and communicate information for visual representation, which attracts
the attention of the public for any purpose. This definition shall
include any background material, panel, trim and color used that differentiates
the sign from the building or structure on which it is placed. The
sign structure shall not be included, provided that no message, display
or symbol is designed and included as part of the structure.
SIGN HEIGHT
The distance from the highest portion of the sign, including
all structural elements, to mean grade.
SIGN STRUCTURE
A supporting structure erected and used for the purpose of
physically supporting a sign, situated on any premises where a sign
may be located. This definition shall not include a building, fence,
wall or earthen berm.
TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL PROMOTION SIGN
Any sign, object or device placed out of doors which advertises
or draws attention to a commercial establishment or product which
is not permanently fixed to a building or property, including, without
limitation, banners, inflatable signs, wind feather blade signs, or
any other type of sign temporarily erected, installed, hung, flown
or supported by any means.
[Added 4-15-2015 by Ord.
No. 1295]
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction
projects, real estate for sale or lease, or other special events on
a temporary basis.
TYPES OF SIGNS
Signs are defined by form and by purpose.
[Amended 4-15-2015 by Ord. No. 1295]
A.
"Purpose" refers to the type of message contained in the sign.
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Signs as defined by purpose: The type of message contained
in the sign.
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Temporary Commercial Promotion Sign
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B.
"Form" refers to the physical sign itself.
[Amended 4-5-2017 by Ord.
No. 1306]
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Signs as defined by form: The physical structure of the
sign.
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Temporary Commercial Promotion Sign
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It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
erect any sign in the Borough unless it is specifically permitted
in this article. Unlawful signs include, but are not limited to:
A. Any sign which by color, shape or location conflicts with or resembles
a traffic signal device.
B. Signs attached to rocks, utility poles, parking meters, traffic signposts,
traffic signals or control devices, street signs, or historical markers.
C. Signs attached to trees, shrubs or any living vegetative matter.
D. Any sign, outside of the General Business District, which advertises
or publicizes an activity or business not conducted on the premises,
except civic/church event signs.
E. Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized
agent.
F. Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles
and pedestrian traffic.
G. Animated signs, except time and temperature signs.
H. Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required
door, window, fire escape or other required exit.
K. Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic
subjects.
L. Flashing signs, except for the time and temperature portion of a
sign; beacon lights.
O. Tethered balloons, filled either by gas or heated air.
Q. Wall signs that cover windows or architectural detail.
R. Pennants longer than 150% of the street frontage of the premises.
S. Signs with reflective backgrounds.
The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit and shall not be included in the determination of the number or sign area of other signs allowed within a zoning district, subject to the restrictions in §
330-44:
A. Government/regulatory signs.
H. Civic/church event signs on premises.
I. Pennants as permitted in this article. Pennants may only be used
on a nonresidential premises.
K. Home occupation signs smaller than two square feet.
Signs on the premises of legally nonconforming uses, such as
an office in a residential area, may remain until the existing use
of the premises is discontinued. If a sign wears out or is damaged,
or is changed for any other reason, the number, size and area of all
signs relating to the premises shall not be increased beyond the size
they were at the time this article was adopted.
In addition to all other requirements of this article, the following
regulations shall be applicable to any sign placed in an historic
district:
A. No sign shall be erected or altered until an application for a certificate
of appropriateness has been reviewed and approved by the Lansdowne
Historic Architectural Review Board and after Borough Council has
issued a certificate of appropriateness. The Review Board shall ensure
the proposed sign is appropriate:
(1) To the style, period, type, size and scale of the building for which
it is proposed.
(2) With other signs in the district.
B. In addition to all other applicable requirements of this article,
the following regulations shall apply to any sign placed in an historic
district:
(1) All applications for a certificate of appropriateness must contain
the following information:
(a)
A current color photograph of the property.
(b)
An illustration of the building facade showing the proposed
sign.
(c)
A scaled drawing showing the sign itself and including the size,
materials, colors, lighting, lettering and method of attachment. Material
samples may be required.
(d)
For ground signs, a site plan indicating the location of the
sign.
(e)
The type of illumination.
See the Uses and Restrictions tables.
How to use the
Uses and Restrictions tables:
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1.
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Determine what kind of sign you would like to erect in terms of its PURPOSE (see Definitions, § 330-34).
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2.
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Look for that particular sign in the second column.
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3.
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The third column shows what FORM (physical structure) is permitted for each type of purpose sign (see Definitions, § 330-34).
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4.
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The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh columns show restrictions
applicable with each type of sign. The restrictions include maximum
number, height, and sign area and additional requirements where necessary.
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EXAMPLE: An artisan sign is permitted in all zoning
districts, on any kind of premises, in the form of a freestanding
or wall sign. The maximum area of the sign is 12 square feet and the
maximum height is 6 feet. It may not be illuminated, may not be erected
until work begins and must be removed when work ends.
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