To meet the legitimate demands for signage in the Borough of
West Grove without the intrusion and potential public safety problems
caused by an unlimited type and quantity of signs, any sign erected
or maintained after the effective date of this chapter shall conform
to the regulations herein and the following goals:
A. To provide general standards for all signs within the Borough and
specific standards for signs in various zoning districts and for various
uses.
B. To establish procedures for the review and approval of sign permit
applications.
C. To regulate the location, size, construction, alteration, use and
maintenance of signs.
D. To protect the safety and general welfare of the community through
the proper use, design and construction of signs for graphic and written
communication purposes.
E. To promote the use of well-crafted signs in harmony with the scale
and character of the Borough.
F. To manage the size, location, and number of signs to promote orderly
signage and prevent visual blight that may negatively affect public
safety in vehicular and pedestrian circulation.
G. To develop a consistent and appropriate level of signage for a small
Borough to assist in economic development by providing clear signage
for local businesses.
H. To develop signage appropriate for the Borough that will provide
appropriate controls while incorporating flexibility for different
types of signs appropriate for a borough.
The following regulations shall be observed in all districts:
A. A sign permit in accordance with §
400-113 shall be obtained before erection, alteration or enlargement of any sign, sign structure or any portion thereof under these regulations except as hereinafter provided.
B. No sign shall be erected within a street right-of-way, except traffic
signs and similar regulatory notices of a duly constituted governmental
body unless otherwise specifically permitted herein. Where such signs
are erected within the street right-of-way, the required sight distances
shall be maintained.
C. No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger on a street by obscuring view and, in no case, except traffic signs, shall signs be placed within the required clear sight triangle in accordance with §
400-70.
D. No sign shall be placed where it obscures a motorist's view
of traffic signals or traffic signs or interferes with vehicular traffic
or pedestrian safety.
E. No moving, flashing, or rotating signs which may distract motorists
on Borough streets or adjacent highways shall be permitted.
F. No sign which emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor
shall be permitted.
G. No sign shall be erected containing information which states or implies
that a property may be used for any purpose other than the use or
uses permitted for the property on which the sign is located.
H. No sign shall be erected advertising a business, articles, or merchandise for sale other than on the same premises, except for billboards where permitted in accordance with §
400-115G(6).
I. Every sign shall be constructed of a durable material and kept in
good condition, repair, and safe from collapse.
J. No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or other public infrastructure
or hung across a public street except as placed or permitted by the
Borough.
K. No sign shall be painted on or affixed to a fence, utility pole or
structure, or tree, shrub, rock, or natural object.
L. Signs shall not be mounted on roofs or extend above the roof line.
M. No sign together with any supporting framework shall extend to a
height above the maximum building height permitted in a district.
N. No signs, other than traffic signs, shall be erected or maintained
nearer to a street line than a distance equaling the height of the
sign, unless attached parallel to and flat against the building face.
O. The outdoor storage or parking of a vehicle on a property shall not
be used as a sign for a business, home occupation, or any other use.
No vehicle which contains advertising on its exterior shall park in
a location visible from a public right-of-way continuously for more
than two weeks.
P. All distances provided for in this article shall be measured along
straight lines between signs from their near edge to the near edge
of another sign or sign structure. This subsection shall apply in
all cases, including locating new signs in relationship to current
nonconforming signs.
Q. Sign area. For the purposes of calculating any sign area, the following
shall apply:
(1)
Sign area. See Figure 18-1.
(a)
Sign area includes the face of a sign, including all letters,
words, numbers, characters, designs, or symbols, together with background,
whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including
the supporting framework and bracing or decorative trim which is incidental
to the copy content of the display itself.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(b)
Where a sign consists of individual letters, numbers, characters
or symbols, the area of the sign shall be considered the smallest
rectangle, square, circle or other geometric shape which encompasses
all of the letters, numbers, characters or symbols.
Figure 18-1: Sign Area
|
(2)
Double-faced signs. Double faced signs shall be permitted when
in accordance with the following:
(a)
In computing the area of a double face, only one side shall
be considered, provided that both faces are identical and not greater
than 18 inches apart.
(b)
In "V" type signs or structures not meeting the above requirement,
both sides shall be considered in computing the sign area.
Signs shall be permitted as designated in §
400-114, as follows:
A. Address signs. A sign limited to the provision of the official numerical
identification address of the property on which it is located.
(1)
One sign shall be permitted per official address for a property.
Where more than one address is located on a property, each address
may have one sign or all of the address signs may be placed on one
sign totaling the combined sign area for all of the applicable uses.
(2)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed two square
feet.
B. Traffic signs. A sign including but limited to those regulating traffic,
naming roads, describing conditions, or providing directions, which
are officially erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the
Borough of West Grove, or other official agency with jurisdiction.
C. Traffic direction signs. A sign which is designed and erected solely
for the purpose of traffic or pedestrian direction for visitors on
a property, including but not limited to exit and entrance signs,
circulation direction, safety or warning signs, and information or
public services signs such as those advertising the availability of
rest rooms, telephone or similar public conveniences, but shall not
be used for advertisement.
(1)
Signs shall be on the same lot as the use to which the sign
relates.
(2)
Signs are limited to appropriate information such as that listed in §
400-115C above, the definitions herein and in Article
II, and shall not contain any advertising.
(3)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed four square
feet.
D. Identification signs. A sign which displays the name of a particular
noncommercial or nonindustrial development, building, or use, such
as an institutional use, place of worship, educational use, or residential
development.
(1)
One freestanding ground sign for each street frontage or at
each access to a use, subdivision, development, or complex shall be
permitted which may indicate the name and address, provided the sign
shall not exceed 15 square feet.
(2)
Multifamily uses may have, in addition to or in replacement of signs in §
400-115D(1) above, one development identification sign mounted as a wall sign that shall not exceed nine square feet, on a multifamily building for identification purposes displaying the name and/or address of the building.
E. Home occupation signs. A sign used to indicate a home occupation
where permitted as an accessory use to a single-family detached dwelling
in a residential district.
(1)
One sign per use shall be permitted in all residential districts.
(2)
Dimensional requirements:
(a)
Nonintensive home occupation. Sign area shall not exceed two
square feet.
(b)
Intensive home occupation. Sign area shall not exceed four square
feet.
(3)
Signs shall be a minimum of five feet from any lot line or street
cartway (edge of pavement).
F. Temporary signs. A sign that is not permanently affixed to the ground
or a structure and/or which is intended to be displayed for a limited
time. Temporary signs typically are mounted in a standard metal or
wire frame with legs that may be pressed into the ground. Such signs
may include specific types of temporary signs or temporary signs to
be placed at the property owners' discretion for personal expression
or interest.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
Temporary signs shall be placed a minimum of five feet from
any lot line or street cartway (edge of pavement).
(b)
Signs shall be removed immediately upon completion of the active
work or any special event.
(c)
Temporary signs shall be firmly anchored into or secured to
the ground either by posts to be pressed into the ground or other
similar method, but shall not be permanently affixed.
(2)
Real estate signs. A temporary sign which advertises the sale,
rental, or lease of the property on which it is placed.
(a)
Not more than two real estate signs shall be permitted for each
street a lot fronts upon.
(b)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed six square
feet.
(c)
All such signs shall be removed within five business days of
the sale or rental of the premises.
(3)
Garage sale/yard sale signs. A temporary sign which directs
attention to the sale of personal goods on the premises on which the
sign is located.
(a)
Signs may be placed not more than seven days prior to the sale
and shall be removed before the end of the day of the sale.
(b)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed six square
feet.
(c)
No off-premises signs shall be permitted.
(4)
Trespassing signs. A temporary sign indicating the private nature
of property, a road or driveway, or restricting or prohibiting access,
hunting, fishing, or some other activity. Sign area shall not exceed
two square feet.
(5)
Temporary professional signs. A temporary sign of a contractor,
architect, mechanic, artisan, or similar profession displayed on a
temporary basis on the premises at which the services are being performed.
(a)
Signs shall be erected only on the premises where such work
is being performed.
(b)
Not more than one such sign per contractor shall be placed on
a premises.
(c)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed six square
feet.
(d)
Such signs shall be removed upon the completion of active work.
(6)
Temporary new construction signs. A temporary sign indicating
that the premise is in the process of being subdivided and/or developed
for the construction of dwellings or other buildings and/or uses that
may include the name of the subdivision, development, or developer.
(a)
One temporary ground sign shall be permitted for each street
the subdivision, development, or property fronts upon.
(b)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed 15 square
feet.
(c)
Such signs shall be removed within five days after dedication
of streets to the Borough or upon substantial improvement of the project.
(7)
Portable signs. A temporary sign that is not fixed, attached,
or anchored in a permanent position, that is capable of being readily
moved or relocated, including but not limited to sandwich boards,
placards, or other similar signs mounted on a frame or chassis on
wheels or supported by legs but not pressed or extended into the ground
or other surface.
(a)
Portable signs shall be placed on the same lot as the use for
which the sign is associated.
(b)
The sign area of a portable sign shall not exceed nine square
feet and shall not exceed four feet in height.
(c)
Not more than two such signs shall be placed on a premises.
(d)
Signs shall be located a minimum of five feet from any lot line
or street cartway (edge of pavement).
(e)
Portable signs shall comply with all other applicable regulations
of this chapter, and shall not be placed to impede pedestrian traffic
or constitute a hazard to or impede pedestrians or automobile circulation.
(f)
Such signs shall be permitted to be placed for viewing during
the regular business hours of the associated use, and shall be removed
from public view and placed indoors or in a secure location when the
associated business is closed.
(8)
Political signs. A temporary sign pertaining to political views,
an individual seeking election or appointment to a public office,
or a forthcoming public election or referendum.
(a)
Signs shall be approved by the property owner on which the signs
are placed.
(b)
Such signs may be placed 60 days prior to and shall be removed
within five days after the event or election for which the sign is
intended has occurred.
(c)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed six square
feet.
(9)
Temporary signs; all other temporary signs not specifically
defined.
(a)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed six square
feet.
(b)
In addition to specific temporary sign types listed under this §
400-115F, temporary signs shall be permitted for each use and shall be approved by the owner of the property on which the signs are placed at the owner's discretion. Not more than one undefined temporary sign shall be permitted on a lot at any given time.
G. Business, commercial, or industrial signs. A sign used to advertise for and attract attention to a permitted use on the same premises. Such signs normally include the identifying name, type of business, and trademark of the establishment. The following signs are permitted for nonresidential uses in the Borough in accordance with the following provisions and §
400-114:
(1)
Wall-mounted signs. A sign attached, applied, or mounted to
a building in a plane parallel to the face of said wall and mounted
at a distance not greater than 10 inches measured perpendicular from
the wall to which the sign is attached, applied or mounted. No wall
sign shall project more than 18 inches from the face of the wall it
is mounted upon. A sign mounted on a building shall not exceed 20%
of the wall area to which it is attached or painted or 20 square feet,
whichever is less. Where a lot fronts on more than one street, the
aggregate sign area facing each street frontage shall be calculated
separately and the sign area for each shall apply only to the wall
the sign is mounted upon. Wall signs may be applied in one of two
ways depending on the number of uses in a building as follows:
(a)
Multiple uses, one sign. Where more than one use is carried
on in a single structure, the sign may indicate the presence of all
uses in the structure. An additional five square feet may be added
to the sign for each additional use above the base sign area for the
first use; however, no sign shall exceed 35 square feet. See Figure
18-2.
Figure 18-2: Multiple Uses, One Sign
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(b)
Multiple uses; multiple signs. If more than one use is carried
on in a single structure or where there are attached structures with
a contiguous facade, where tenants have individual exterior entrance(s),
each use with an individual exterior entrance may have its own wall
sign. The sign size for each use shall be calculated upon the individual
building frontage for each tenant which shall be the discernible architecturally
designed wall that contains that tenant's main entrance for use by
the general public, calculated by the width between the exterior walls
of that use within the structure. See Figure 18-3.
Figure 18-3: Multiple Uses, Multiple Signs
|
(2)
Freestanding signs: a permanent, detached sign not attached
to any building, erected as signage for the associated use or uses
on the same parcel within the limits of the front yard of the property
to which they pertain.
(a)
Sign area and number of signs. Freestanding signs shall not
exceed 12 square feet and the sign face shall not exceed four feet
in height or five feet in width, except where more than one use is
carried on in a single structure or on a lot, the sign may indicate
the presence of all uses in the structure or on the lot. Individual
signs for each use in a single structure or on a lot shall not be
permitted where there is more than one use. Where more than one use
exists in a structure or on a lot, an additional five square feet
may be added to the sign for each additional use; however, no sign
shall exceed 35 square feet.
(b)
Type. Two types of freestanding signs are permitted as follows.
Where both ground signs and pole signs are permitted for the same
use, only one of either type of sign shall be permitted for each street
frontage:
[1]
Ground sign: a freestanding sign, other than a pole sign, placed
directly on the ground with no gaps or space between the ground and
the sign, and permanently attached thereto, without supports or pylons,
independent from any building or structure.
[a] Ground signs shall be supported and permanently
placed by embedding, anchoring, or connecting the sign to the ground.
[b] Ground signs shall not exceed four feet in height
to the top of the sign from the average ground level at the base of
the sign.
[2]
Pole sign: a freestanding sign, other than a ground sign, including
any sign supported by poles, uprights, or braces placed upon, or in,
or supported by the ground independent from any building or structure.
[a] Pole signs shall be supported and permanently placed
by embedding, anchoring, or connecting the sign to the ground by one
or more poles, posts, or other similar structure.
[b] Pole signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height to
the top of the sign.
[c] The height of pole signs shall be measured from
the average ground level at the base of the sign to the highest point
of the sign structure.
(3)
Projecting signs: a sign projected perpendicularly from the
face of the building it is mounted upon.
(a)
Sign area and number of signs. Signs shall have a maximum area
of 12 square feet for a single use. Where more than one use is carried
on in a single structure, a projecting sign may indicate the presence
of all uses in the structure. An additional five square feet may be
added to the sign for each additional use; however, a projecting sign
shall not exceed 27 square feet. Individual projecting signs for each
use within a single structure shall not be permitted.
(b)
The total area of a three-dimensional sign shall be determined by enclosing the largest cross section of the sign in an easily recognizable geometric shape and computing its area which shall not exceed 12 square feet, except where there is more than one use additional area may be permitted in accordance with §
400-115G(3)(a) above.
(c)
The supporting framework shall be in proportion to the size
of such sign.
(d)
Projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet
above grade when located adjacent to or projecting over a sidewalk
and/or right-of-way.
(4)
Window signs: a sign which is visible to persons in vehicles
or to pedestrians on adjoining property or public sidewalks, and located
on the outside or inside of a window in a building or structure, to
direct attention to a use conducted in or product sold in the structure.
For purposes of this definition, "window" means any translucent and/or
transparent surface in a building or structure.
(a)
Permanent window signs: a permanent sign affixed to, etched
or painted upon the interior or exterior surface of a window or otherwise
displayed through or upon a window, including permanent signs hung
directly inside or mounted onto a window pane.
(b)
Temporary window signs: a temporary sign that may be placed
on a window or door or is visible to persons in vehicles or to pedestrians
that may be temporarily affixed by suction cups, adhesives, wires,
or hung from the ceiling, placed on a window sill, or any other temporary
method of placement but not permanently painted, affixed, or otherwise
placed.
(c)
Sign area: a maximum of 25% of the total window area may be
covered by a combination of permanent window signs and temporary window
signs.
(5)
Awning signs: a sign painted, stitched, or otherwise attached
to the cover of an architectural projection from a wall over a window
or entrance.
(a)
Such sign shall be limited to establishment name, logo, and
street number.
(b)
Such sign shall be painted on or attached flat against the surface
of the awning, but not extend beyond the valance or be attached to
the underside.
(c)
Letters shall not exceed 10 inches in height.
(d)
A minimum of eight feet above sidewalk level shall be permitted
for pedestrian clearance.
(6)
Billboard signs: a sign used to direct attention to a business,
commodity, service or entertainment not conducted, sold or offered
upon the premises where such sign is located.
(a)
Location. Billboards shall be permitted within 500 feet of U.S.
Route 1 when approved by conditional use within all applicable zoning
districts.
(b)
Dimensional requirements. Sign area shall not exceed 300 square
feet and in no case shall the face of the billboard exceed 20 feet
in height or 30 feet in length.
(c)
Billboards shall in no case exceed 35 feet in height.
(d)
Billboards shall have a separation distance from any other billboard
a distance of a minimum of 500 feet.
(e)
No billboards shall be located within 100 feet of any property
line or any other structure.
(f)
No billboards shall be located within 500 feet of any street
intersection.
(g)
Such signs may be externally lit, but shall comply with the
lighting provisions of this chapter and shall comply with the IESNA
(Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) recommended practices
and criteria contained in the IESNA Lighting Handbook, including but
not limited to "full-cutoff" fixtures. All lighting fixtures shall
be aimed to illuminate the advertising copy only and so as to not
project or reflect light onto a neighboring use or property.
(h)
Billboards may be a digital sign or an electronically changing message sign, in which case they shall also meet the applicable regulations in §
400-112 of this article.
(i)
Billboards shall meet all other applicable state and federal
regulations.