A.Â
No sign hereafter shall be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged,
illuminated or substantially altered except in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter and any other Borough ordinances or regulations.
B.Â
General repair and maintenance of any sign shall not, in and
of itself, be considered a substantial alteration.
Words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings
set forth in this section.
A sign or sign structure on a site which identifies a business
that is not operating or does not offer services on the premises on
which the sign is located.
A sign indicating the number or other designation assigned
to a dwelling, business or other structure for all purposes of location,
mail delivery, and emergency services.
Any vehicle and/or trailer which has affixed to it any sign
or advertising device which is parked on public or private property
and visible from the public right-of-way, where the apparent purpose
is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity
located on the same or nearby property.
An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and
supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering
of rigid or nonrigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework
that may be either permanent or retractable.
A building sign that is mounted, painted or attached to or
integral to an awning.
A method of internal illumination whereby the light sources
is contained within the sign structure. Illumination is directed towards
the building facade, thereby backlighting or silhouetting the sign
itself.
A sign with or without characters, letters, or illustrations
applied to cloth, paper, fabric or other nonrigid material.
A signaling or guiding device, typically characterized by
a beam of light designed to attract attention from long distances.
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service
or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than
the premises on which the sign is located.
A sign attached to or supported by a building.
Any on-premises sign that assists the flow or circulation
of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
A multisided overhead structure or architectural projection
supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either
cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional
points.
A multisided overhead structure supported by columns, but
not enclosed by walls.
A building sign that is mounted, painted, attached to or
integral to a canopy.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged manually to change the message on the
sign without altering the face or surface of the sign.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged remotely by electronic or other means
to change the message on the sign without altering the face or surface
of the sign.
A luminaire in which the light source consists of or is contained
in an uncovered extruded cylinder or other shape which may be formed
into geometric patterns, lettering, logos or emblems. This may include,
but not be limited to, LEDs, exposed glass tube lighting, neon or
rope lighting. This shall not include strings of incandescent bulbs.
A sign lighted by a source outside the sign.
A directly illuminated sign, including a group of incandescent
light bulbs either hung or strung overhead, located to attract attention
or used to outline a sign or other structure, but not including festive
lighting.
Any fabric containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols,
used as a symbol of the United States of America, the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, or the local municipality. A flag is not a sign.
A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing
light source or has a light source which is not stationary, varies
in illumination intensity, or contains elements which give the appearance
of any of the aforementioned.
A self-supporting sign detached from any building and which
is supported by poles, posts, braces or other type of base on the
ground.
A sign which is owned, installed and maintained by the Borough
of Franklin Park.
A freestanding sign which is completely self-supporting,
has its sign face or base on the ground, and has no air space, columns
or supports visible between the ground and the bottom of the sign.
A ground/monument sign placed at the entrance of a housing
development.
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either
by lights on or in the sign or directed toward the sign.
A sign that holds its shape by receiving a one-time or continuous
supply of air or other gas, including balloons.
A sign containing a source of light contained within the
sign structure.
A sign consisting of three to five sides that list names
of businesses or other directional information located on a property
or in a building.
An integral part of the building consisting of a roof, which
is supported by the building and may also be supported by columns
or piers, and includes porches, porticos and porte chocheres, but
does not include canopies or awnings.
A wall sign attached to a marquee.
Any sign or part of a sign that changes physical position
by any movement or rotation or that depicts motion through the change
of position of text, images or graphics. Such motion shall include,
but not be limited to, visual effects such as dissolving and fading
text and images, running sequential text, graphic bursts, lighting
that resembles zooming, twinkling or sparkling, changes in light or
color, transitory bursts of light intensity, moving patterns or bands
of light, expanding or contracting shapes, and similar actions. "Moving
or animated sign" may include a flashing sign or electronic changeable-copy
sign.
A nonresidential building which provides occupancy for two
or more tenants.
A lawfully existing sign that complied with the Zoning Ordinance
at the time the sign permit was issued but does not meet the current
zoning requirements.
A sign not located on the premises where a business, person,
activity or service is located.
A municipally owned and maintained sign directing traffic
to, from or within a region within a municipality or providing information
for a commercial, residential or industrial development.
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 a series and designed to move in the wind.
A freestanding sign erected on a pole, poles, pylon or pylons,
where the bottom edge of the sign face is five feet or more above
the ground.
Any sign that advertises a candidate or an issue which is
to be voted on in a local, state or federal election process.
A sign that is intended to be moved easily and is not designed
to be permanently affixed into the ground or to a structure.
The contiguous land in the same ownership or control, which
is not divided by a street.
A building sign that is projecting perpendicularly from the
facade of a building more than 12 inches from the face of the wall.
A sign which reproduces a remote image, by optical or any
other means, on any surface.
Any corridor designed for vehicular or pedestrian use that
is maintained with public funds.
A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the
sign is located as being for rent, lease or sale.
A building sign that is erected on or attached to a roof
or signs attached to a building that project above the highest point
on the roofline.
A public safety sign pursuant to federal, state or local
public safety regulations.
Signs which provide a menu option for a particular use and
which are displayed only during normal business hours.
The smallest quadrangle encompassing the entire face of a
sign, including the advertising surface and any framing, trim, molding,
background and the supporting structure situated above the lowest
edge of the sign face.
The support on which a sign face stands.
The area or display surface, including the advertising surface
and any framing, trim or molding, used for the message on a single
plane.
The vertical distance measured from the lowest finished grade
elevation directly beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign,
including all decorative embellishments.
Any writing, printing, painting, display, emblem, drawing,
graphic, electronic display, computerized display or other device
designed to be viewed by the public, designed and intended for advertising,
and the structure supporting the display.
A nonresidential building that provides occupancy for one
tenant.
A sign indicating that the premises is in the process of
being subdivided and/or developed for the construction of dwellings
or other buildings.
Any sign erected for a limited time for a specific promotion.
A sign having length, width and depth and including spheres.
Rectangular or square signs with a thickness of less than 13 inches
are not considered three-dimensional signs.
A sign regulating traffic.
A building sign that is painted on, attached to or affixed
to a building or structure, flat against the wall surface, in such
a way that only one face of the sign is visible.
A building sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof,
designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale or service that is permanently affixed inside a window
or upon the windowpanes or glass and is visible from the exterior
of the window.
The following signs shall meet the requirements of the chapter
but do not require permits or fees:
A.Â
Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable
federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
B.Â
Any sign outside or inside a structure and not attached to a
window or door that is not legible from a distance of more than three
feet beyond the lot line of the lot or site on which such sign is
located.
C.Â
Flags, as defined herein.
D.Â
Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, but
only between November and January.
E.Â
Memorial signs or tablets denoting the date of erection of a
building.
F.Â
Auction, garage or yard sale signs, provided that they do not
exceed five square feet and are removed as soon as the event or activity
has occurred, and provided that they shall not be permitted to be
erected more than seven days prior to the event and only permitted
at the site where the event will take place.
G.Â
Banners erected by a governmental body or under the direction
of such body.
H.Â
Temporary event signs and banners announcing a nonprofit event
of a civic organization for noncommercial purposes, where such sign
does not exceed 32 square feet in area and for a period not to exceed
30 days prior to the start of the event and removed within three days
after the conclusion of the event.
I.Â
Address signs.
J.Â
Traffic control signs meeting federal, state and/or local regulations.
K.Â
Safety control signs meeting federal, state and/or local regulations.
L.Â
Governmental signs, including pathfinder signs.
M.Â
Political signs, provided that such signs are located outside
of the public right-of-way, on private property, and do not block
a motor vehicle driver's visibility.
N.Â
Signs erected on agricultural land to promote the raising and
selling of crops, vegetables or fruits or to promote other agricultural
functions by the property owner directly to the public. Said signs
must be located on the landowner's property and must not block a motor
vehicle driver's visibility.
A.Â
All signs not expressly authorized under this chapter or exempt
from regulations hereunder in accordance with previous sections are
prohibited in the Borough. Prohibited signs shall include, but are
not limited to:
(1)Â
Beacons.
(2)Â
Moving or animated signs.
(3)Â
Flashing signs.
(4)Â
Portable signs.
(5)Â
Marquee signs.
(6)Â
Roof signs.
(7)Â
Pennants.
(8)Â
Strings of light, except those exempt under § 212-2303D.
(9)Â
Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.
(10)Â
Temporary signs, except those otherwise permitted
under provisions of this chapter.
(11)Â
Projecting signs.
(12)Â
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a
hazard to public safety or health.
(13)Â
Signs which, by reason of size, location, coloring
or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers, either
when leaving a roadway or a driveway, or obstruct or detract from
the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device
on public streets.
(14)Â
Any abandoned sign which no longer identifies
a bona fide business.
(15)Â
Signs painted on or attached to or supported by
a tree, utility pole, stone cliff, or other natural object.
(16)Â
Banners, except as provided for in § 212-2303G.
(17)Â
Festoon lighting.
(18)Â
Awning signs.
(19)Â
Canopy signs.
(20)Â
Advertising vehicle.
(21)Â
Projection signs.
(22)Â
Sandwich board signs.
(23)Â
Three-dimensional signs.
(24)Â
Traffic-control signs not meeting federal, state
and/or local regulations.
(25)Â
Electronic changeable-copy signs, except as provided
for in § 212-2309.
B.Â
Except as specifically permitted elsewhere in the Borough's
codified ordinances, no sign shall be erected:
(1)Â
In the public right-of-way or public easement, except for those
placed by an authorized governmental agency.
(2)Â
At any location where, by reason of position, shape, wording
or color, it interferes with or obstructs the view and/or movement
of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3)Â
Which may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal
or device.
(4)Â
In a yard and/or parking lot area of a business establishment
other than those specifically permitted under the provisions of this
chapter.
C.Â
No sign shall project into or over any public right-of-way or
easement, except as specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
A.Â
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering,
wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background,
whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including
any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display
itself.
B.Â
The area of a sign painted upon or applied to a building shall
be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs
or symbols, together with any backing associated with the sign.
C.Â
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall
be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular
geometric shape that can enclose such letters or symbols.
D.Â
In computing square foot area of a double-faced sign, only one
side shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical.
If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced
sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be
considered in calculating the sign area.
A.Â
The illumination from any sign may not cause any reflection
or glare upon a public way, street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent
property.
B.Â
Sources of illumination shall be hidden from view.
C.Â
If a sign is internally illuminated, at least 75% of the sign
face must be opaque.
D.Â
Signs consisting of individual letters that are internally illuminated
must be illuminated through backlighting or silhouette lighting.
E.Â
No illuminated sign, whether internally or externally illuminated,
shall cause glare or other disturbance which would be incompatible
with the nature of the surrounding area.
F.Â
All lighting shall be effectively shielded to avoid impairing
the vision of passing motorists.
A.Â
The height of freestanding signs shall be measured from the
average grade at the sign to the top of the sign. Freestanding signs
shall not overhang sidewalks.
B.Â
Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall
or other surface to which they are mounted or shall not project more
than six inches from its surface.
C.Â
Wall-mounted signs shall not project more than two feet from
the wall or surface to which they are mounted, shall not extend beyond
the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted, shall
be at least eight feet to the bottom of the sign above the ground
level immediately below, and shall not in any way interfere with normal
pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
A.Â
All signs in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Residential Districts shall
be reviewed and approved by the Building Inspector/Zoning Officer
based upon the following criteria:
(1)Â
Residential developments shall be permitted to have one housing
development sign per entrance to the development.
(a)Â
A housing development sign shall be limited in
height to not more than six feet above the natural grade and shall
be limited to 32 square feet in area. Housing development signs shall
be located within a sign easement and outside the triangle of sight.
Housing development signs shall be subject to the criteria and standards
of this chapter and additional standards of the governing body.
(b)Â
Housing development signs shall be indirectly illuminated
or lighted by the general lighting of the area. The area around the
housing development sign shall be landscaped and maintained by the
developer or the homeowners' association in accordance with the standards
of this chapter. Any such signs shall be erected in a permanent easement.
(2)Â
Nonilluminated signs displayed strictly for the direction, safety
or convenience of the public, including signs which identify restrooms,
telephone booths, parking area entrances or exits, freight entrances
or the like, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign
shall not exceed two square feet.
(3)Â
On a residential property, one nonilluminated sign may be posted
in conjunction with doorbells or mailboxes, provided that the area
on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 36 square inches.
(4)Â
On a residential property, one sign for home occupation may
be posted, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed
200 square inches.
(5)Â
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign may be posted
on a property for a permitted institutional use (per § 212-404),
provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not
exceed 20 square feet. Electronic changeable-copy signs are not permitted.
(6)Â
On a residential property, one nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming
use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall
not exceed 12 square feet.
(7)Â
One nonilluminated real estate sign may be posted on a property,
provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed six square
feet and such sign shall be removed upon settlement or rental of the
property.
(8)Â
On a residential property, one temporary nonilluminated site
development sign, provided that the erection of any such sign shall
not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall be removed not more than
20 days after the sale or lease of the last unit.
(9)Â
Signs announcing no trespassing; signs indicating the private
nature of the road, driveway or premises; and signs controlling the
fishing or hunting on the premises may be posted on a property, provided
that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 200
square inches.
(10)Â
Temporary nonilluminated off-premises signs shall
be subject to the following requirements:
(a)Â
Permission is granted by a property owner, in writing,
that a sign shall be erected.
(b)Â
Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(c)Â
Signs shall not be posted earlier than four weeks
before the occurrence of the subject exhibit, show or event and shall
be removed within one week after the termination of the exhibit, show
or event.
(11)Â
Temporary off-premises real estate signs shall
be permitted on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and weekends
beginning 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning and ending 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening.
These signs shall not exceed six square feet in area. Multiple posting
of the same sign is prohibited at any given location.
A.Â
All signs permitted in § 212-2308A shall follow the
standards prescribed therein except as otherwise provided in this
section.
B.Â
All signs in M-1, M-2 and M-3 Mixed-Use Districts shall be reviewed
and approved by the Building Inspector/Zoning Officer based upon the
following criteria:
(1)Â
Single-tenant commercial buildings shall be permitted to have
one building sign per street frontage. Multitenant buildings shall
be permitted to have one building sign per tenant.
(a)Â
The total area of the building sign(s) shall not
exceed one square foot for each foot of length of the front building
wall or length of that portion of such wall which is devoted to such
establishment. The total area of building sign(s), however, shall
not in any case exceed 60 square feet.
(b)Â
If such an establishment does not occupy any floor
area on the ground level of the building other than the entranceway,
the maximum sign area per foot length of the front building wall or
portion shall only be 1/2 square foot.
(2)Â
Single-tenant buildings shall be permitted to have one freestanding
sign. Multitenant buildings shall be permitted to have one freestanding
sign.
(a)Â
Freestanding ground/monument signs shall not exceed
32 square feet in area and five feet in height.
(b)Â
A multitenant building shall be permitted, by conditional
use, one additional freestanding sign. The sign permits shall be issued
in the name of the lot owner or his agent rather than the name of
the individual business enterprise requesting a particular sign. The
sign shall be a ground/monument sign. The area of said sign shall
not exceed 32 square feet, and the height shall not exceed five feet.
(c)Â
"Office Space Available" or "For Rent" signs shall
not exceed 10 square feet in size.
(3)Â
Automotive service stations are permitted one pole/pylon sign
at a height not to exceed 15 feet from the top of the sign to the
curb, which may include an electronic changeable-copy sign to display
current prices. Such stations shall be permitted, by conditional use,
one additional ground/monument sign not to exceed 20 square feet in
area and not to be higher than five feet in height.
(4)Â
Signs for multitenant buildings located within 500 feet of an
interstate interchange shall be permitted, subject to the following
conditions:
(a)Â
One ground/monument sign not to exceed five feet
in height from the top of the sign to the curb;
(b)Â
Each interior business shall be permitted one illuminated
building sign, the total area of which shall not exceed 1.6 square
feet per one foot of length of the front building wall or length of
the portion of such wall which is devoted to such establishment. Corner
buildings shall be divided by the total square feet of the signage
permitted by the two sides. The total surface area of said signs shall
not, however, exceed 60 square feet; and
(c)Â
One additional building sign for the overall development
is permitted, provided that it shall not exceed 25 square feet in
area.
(5)Â
Governmental signs are permitted in M-1, M-2 and M-3 Mixed-Use
Zoning Districts and are subject to the following criteria:
(6)Â
Billboards shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following
requirements:
(a)Â
No billboard sign shall exceed 250 square feet
in area. Billboards with electronic changeable copy shall not exceed
100 square feet in area;
(b)Â
All illuminated billboard signs shall be indirectly
illuminated;
(c)Â
Billboard signs are permitted in the M-3 Mixed-Use
District only;
(d)Â
No billboard shall be erected or maintained on
a zoning lot abutting or on a zoning lot opposite a frontage in an
R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 District;
(e)Â
The average measurement from the bottom of the
sign face to the ground level immediately below the billboard shall
not exceed 25 feet;
(f)Â
No billboard shall in any way interfere with normal
pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(g)Â
All billboards shall be approved by the Zoning
Officer in compliance with the provisions of this article;
(h)Â
No billboard's sign face shall be located closer
than five feet from a street or property line; and
(i)Â
No billboard shall be erected within 500 feet of
an existing billboard in the same direction of travel along a public
way.
All signs, except those included in the exempted section,[1] require a sign permit in accordance with the Borough's
permit application requirements and will include at least the following
standards:
A.Â
A scaled site plan;
B.Â
Sign illumination plan;
C.Â
Colored, scaled construction drawings of the proposed sign and
all its elements; and
D.Â
A digital photograph depicting the proposed sign location, with
the proposed sign depicted in the photograph.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 212-2303, Signs exempt from
regulations.
Maintenance standards.
Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter and which
do not conform to the requirements of the chapter shall be considered
nonconforming signs and once removed shall be replaced only with conforming
signs; however, nonconforming signs shall be repainted or repaired
or poster panels may be changed, provided that such repainted or repaired
sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
A.Â
No signs, except those of a duly constituted governmental body,
including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, shall be allowed
within public rights-of-way.
B.Â
No portion of any freestanding or projecting sign shall be located
over the public right-of-way. If this requirement cannot be met, then
freestanding or projecting signs shall be prohibited on such properties.
All signs over six square feet in overall area shall require
the issuance of a zoning permit before erection or replacement.
A sign face must be removed within 15 calendar days of final
closure of the business, loss of lease, the vacating of the premises,
or any event where the services are discontinued, or any event where
the subject, business or service ceases to operate or occupancy is
terminated on the premises on which the sign is located.
