Signs may be erected and maintained only in compliance with
this chapter and any and all regulations of the City of Lock Haven
relating in any way to the erection, location, size, height, use,
number, lighting, operation, alteration or maintenance of signs.
The sign regulations,
controls and provisions set forth in this article are made in accordance
with an overall plan and program for the public safety, area development,
preservation of property values and the general welfare of the City
of Lock Haven and are intended to aid in traffic control and traffic
safety; preserve and protect property values, lessen congestion of
land and air space; provide against undue concentrations of signs
which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow; establish
reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising through
the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity
and area development; avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs; recognize
the rights of the public in roads, streets, highways; preserve the
wholesome and attractive character of the City of Lock Haven and to
recognize that the general welfare includes a community plan that
shall be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean and
well balanced in its growth and development.
Signs listed in this §
410-97 of this chapter are permitted in all zoning districts and shall not require permits and shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs on a premises. Such signs must conform with the general regulations for signs enumerated hereafter.
A. Signs placed on premises where construction, repair, or renovation
is in progress which shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area.
Such signs shall be removed within 10 days after final inspection.
B. Signs indicating the occurrence of an event which is limited in duration.
The sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet with no more than two
signs per premises. Such signs shall be removed at the completion
of the event.
C. Government signs or signs erected under the direction of a governmental
body such as traffic signs, safety signs, approved kiosk or trash
receptacle signs and public area identification signs.
D. Traffic, pedestrian or property functional on-premises signs such
as parking, no parking, entrance, exit, telephone, rest rooms, etc.,
when the sign area is less than five square feet and bearing no commercial
advertising. For sight distance situations, these signs shall be erected
to a height either less than three feet or greater than eight feet
from ground grade.
The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained
in any district:
A. Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health by interfering with the clear sight triangle as defined in Article
XIX of this chapter.
B. Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner
of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract
from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control
device. Signs which contain or are an imitation of an official traffic
signal.
C. Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape,
door, window or other required exitway.
D. Signs incorporating misleading or confusing words to traffic. Such
words, symbols, or phrases shall include "Stop," "Look," "Danger,"
etc., or hide from view any traffic street signal or sign.
E. Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff
or other natural object.
F. String lights or bare bulb illumination of signs other than temporary
holiday decorations. New and used car lots are exempt from this regulation.
G. Search lights, banners, streamers or balloons except for events pursuant to the requirements of §
410-97C. Automobile sales lots shall be exempt from the forty-five-day time period on banners and streamers, provided they are maintained in a safe condition.
H. No loud, indecent, or obscene advertising matter shall be displayed
in any manner.
The following signs may be permitted in Commercial and Industrial Districts with approval of a special exception and must adhere to the general and specific sign regulations of §§
410-100 and
410-101 of this chapter:
A. Flashing signs. Signs which flash, have moving illumination or which
vary in intensity or which vary in color except for digital time and
temperature devices and variable message boards.
B. Portable signs (larger than eight square feet). Signs constructed
on a movable or portable base, sled, trailer vehicles or devices of
any type where the principal use of the base, sled, trailer vehicle
or device is for the purpose of displaying a sign which is capable
of being moved or transported from one location to another.
C. Off-premises signs. Signs which are related to a business, use or
product not on the property or in a structure on the property. Except
as otherwise provided herein, such signs are limited to a maximum
sign area of 32 square feet; must be either freestanding or wall type;
and only one is permitted for every 60 feet of lot frontage; provided,
however, every lot with less than sixty-foot frontage shall be allowed
one sign. Off-premises signs located on buildings and above the first
floor shall be permitted a sign area of 55 square feet. In the Industrial
District, the sign area shall not exceed 672 square feet.
D. Signs which have any visible moving part, visible revolving parts
or visible mechanical movement.