A. 
It is the purpose of these provisions to place strict limitations on the display of signs as will assure that they will be appropriate to the land, building or use to which they are appurtenant and be adequate, but not excessive, for the intended purpose of identification, protection, or advertisement.
B. 
The regulations of this chapter relating to signs shall be strictly construed, and signs not specifically permitted by the provision of this chapter shall be deemed to be prohibited. Signs shall only be erected and maintained when in compliance with the provisions contained herein.
A. 
It is the intent of these provisions that the sign types listed in § 300-96 and preceded with an asterisk (*) shall be exempt from permitting requirements, provided that they comply with the requirements for that sign type. Such signs are generally for public service purposes or are temporary or minor in nature.
B. 
Regulated signs which are not designated by an asterisk are not exempt from permitting requirements and shall comply with the standards for that sign type in § 300-96.
C. 
Maximum sign area for regulated signs. A lot upon which a building(s) is situated regardless of the number of occupants therein shall be entitled to a maximum sign area of 1 1/2 square feet for each lineal foot of building face parallel or substantially parallel to a street line. See § 300-13 for definition of "sign area."
(1) 
Where a lot fronts on more than one street, the sign area allowed shall be based on the sum of all building faces with street frontage.
(2) 
A lot without a building situated thereon shall be entitled to a maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
(3) 
There shall be no limit on the total number or types of signs, provided that the maximum sign area for the building shall not be exceeded and that the standards for the types of signs found in § 300-96 shall be met.
D. 
Sign application and permit. A sign permit shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer before any sign is erected, displayed or structurally altered so as to change its overall dimension. Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by payment of a permit fee required in accordance with a schedule of fees adopted by the Borough Council and by plans showing: the area of the sign, the size, structure, character and design proposed; the method of illumination, if any, and the exact location proposed for the sign. In the case of a roof sign or outdoor advertising structure, complete specifications and method of anchoring and support are required. Each sign shall have the permit number and date of issuance permanently affixed to said sign.
E. 
Illumination of signs. A sign may be illuminated artificially by means of electricity, gas, oil, or fluorescent paint.
(1) 
All electricity illuminated signs shall conform to the requirements of the latest addition of International Building Code, as amended.
(2) 
Any illumination must be nonglaring or shielded to prevent direct light from shining onto any street or adjacent property.
(3) 
Except for digital and electronic message board signs as defined in this chapter, no forms of illumination that are flashing, moving, animated or intermittent shall be allowed.
(4) 
There must be no exposed connecting wires.
F. 
Setback requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the code, signs are exempt from setback requirements.
G. 
Supports and brackets for a sign shall not exceed above the cornice line of the building to which the sign is attached.
H. 
Table of allowed sign uses by zoning district.
[Amended 6-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-02]
Zoning District
Sign Type
R
S
C
I
A
*Address
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*A-frame/sandwich board sign
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Awning
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Community directory sign
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*Contractor sign
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*For sale/for rent sign
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Freestanding sign C and I Districts (large size)
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Freestanding sign R,S, C, I and A Districts (small size)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Individual letters or symbols
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Off-premises directional sign
N
Y
Y
N
N
Off-premises advertising sign (highway billboard sign)
N
Y
Y
Y
N
*Political signs
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Projecting sign
N
Y
Y
Y
N
*Public service sign
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*Religious, governmental, charitable or fraternal sign
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*Temporary business sign
N
Y
Y
Y
N
*Temporary sign for special events
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Time or temperature sign
N
N
Y
N
N
*Yard sale sign
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Wall sign
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Window sign
N
Y
Y
Y
N
KEY:
Y - Yes
N - No
* No permit required
(Note: No permit required if designated with *.)
A. 
*Address sign. One sign displaying the street number or name of the occupant of the premises, or both.
(1) 
Such sign may include identification of a professional office or home occupation (as defined in Article II of this chapter).
(2) 
Such sign may be attached to the building or may be on a rod or post not more than six feet high, and at least three feet in from the right-of-way line. No portion of the sign shall extend into the right-of-way or over a sidewalk.
(3) 
Such sign may not exceed two square feet in area.
(4) 
Sign must be stationary and not contain any motorized moving parts.
(5) 
Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection of a building are also included in this category.
B. 
Awning sign. A sign painted on or attached to a moveable metallic frame, of the hinged roll or folding type, which may have a covering either combustible or incombustible.
(1) 
Such sign must be painted on or attached flat against the surface of, but not extending beyond or attached to the underside.
(2) 
Letters shall not exceed 10 inches in height.
(3) 
There shall be a minimum clearance of seven feet from the sidewalk to the lowest part of the framework or fixed portion of an awning, except that the bottom of the valance of canvas shall always have a minimum clearance of six feet nine inches above the sidewalk.
C. 
Community directory sign. An accessory bulletin or announcement board describing the location of an event of a community service organization, institution, or public facility.
(1) 
Such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in total area.
(2) 
One such sign for each property street frontage is allowed.
(3) 
Such sign shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
D. 
*Contractor sign. Is an off-premises sign identifying the contractor's name, address, and other pertinent information.
(1) 
Such sign may not exceed 12 square feet.
(2) 
Such sign may be maintained on the lot, building or structure only for the interim of construction and not exceeding 15 days following the completion of said construction.
(3) 
Failure to remove said sign within time period stated shall require the Zoning Officer to remove the sign at the expense of the sign owner.
(4) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
E. 
*"For sale" or "for rent" signs. A sign advertising a property being sold or rented.
(1) 
Such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(2) 
A maximum of two such signs may be maintained for the property being sold or rented.
(3) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
F. 
Freestanding sign - S, C and I Districts (large size). Is a self-supporting sign in a fixed location and not attached to any building or structure.
(1) 
Such sign shall have no more than two faces.
(2) 
The area of each face shall not exceed 30 square feet unless there are three or more uses on the lot, then the area of each face shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(3) 
The top of such sign may not exceed a height of 20 feet above grade.
(4) 
A lot with a frontage of 300 feet or more may have two such signs.
(5) 
Such signs shall be erected so as to not obstruct free egress to or from any building, or public right-of-way. No portion of such signs shall extend into a public right-of-way, and if over a walkway, shall have a minimum of 10 feet clearance.
(6) 
There must be no exposed connecting wires.
G. 
Freestanding sign - R, S, C, I and A Districts (small size). Is a self-supporting sign in a fixed location and not attached to any building or structure.
(1) 
Such sign shall have no more than two faces.
(2) 
The area of each sign face shall not exceed nine square feet.
(3) 
Such sign may extend over a public walkway but shall provide a minimum of 10 feet clearance.
(4) 
Such sign shall be erected so as not to obstruct free egress to or from any building or public right-of-way. No portion of such signs shall extend into a public right-of-way or over a sidewalk.
(5) 
There must be no exposed connecting wires, and shall not be located in the public right-of-way.
H. 
Individual letters or symbols. Which are attached to an awning, marquee, roof, building surface, wall, or signboard.
(1) 
The area to be computed is that of the smallest rectangle or other geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters or symbols.
(2) 
These letters or symbols shall not project more than nine inches from the building surface.
(3) 
Letters and symbols shall not obscure architectural features of the building (including but not limited to cornices, lintels, transoms) to which the letters and symbols are attached.
(4) 
Such letters and symbols shall not extend above the lowest part of the roof, nor beyond the ends of the wall to which they are attached.
I. 
Off-premises direction sign. A sign stating the name(s) and directions to a business located off premises (from the sign location). Requirements are as follows:
(1) 
The maximum sign area for a sign which provides directions to a single business shall be four square feet. The maximum sign area for a sign serving more than one business, regardless of the number of businesses listed on the sign, shall be 20 square feet.
(2) 
The maximum number of off-premises direction signs per business shall not exceed three.
(3) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way, the written permission of the property owner shall be furnished with the permit application.
(4) 
The direction sign shall comply with the visibility of intersection criteria specified in § 300-53 of this chapter and shall not be placed in a location which may obstruct the vision of a vehicle operator at the intersection (see illustration below). Note: The illustration shall reflect measurements of 30 feet as opposed to 35 feet.
[Amended 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-01]
(5) 
Only one off-premises direction sign shall be permitted on a lot, which shall be allowed in addition to any other sign limitations imposed by this chapter.
(6) 
All applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, Act 160, as amended, shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to Federal Aid Primary or Interstate Highways as classified by PennDOT (e.g., Route 220). Any individual desiring to erect a sign in these areas shall contact the PennDOT District 3-0 Highway Beautification Manager.
J. 
Off-premises advertising sign (highway billboard sign). A sign with a fixed message or an electronic graphic display (see § 300-13 for definition) stating the name of an advertised product or name(s), directions to a business and information concerning the business located off premises (from the sign location). Requirements are as follows:
(1) 
The maximum sign area for such signs shall be 300 square feet.
(2) 
For an electronic graphic display sign the minimum message interval shall be seven seconds between the start of displays in series.
(3) 
Off-premises advertising signs shall be allowed only in the Services, Commercial or Industrial Districts.
(4) 
The minimum separation between off-premises advertising signs shall be 500 feet.
(5) 
The top of such signs may not exceed a height of 50 feet above the road grade adjacent to the sign.
(6) 
There must be no exposed connecting wires.
(7) 
All applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, Act 160 as amended, shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to federal aid primary or interstate highways as classified by PennDOT (e.g., Route 220). Any individual desiring to erect a sign in these areas shall contact the PennDOT District 3-0 Highway Beautification Manager.
(8) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
K. 
*Political signs. A sign designed to influence the action of votes for: the passage or defeat of a measure; or the election of a candidate for nomination or election to public office at a national, state, or other local election.
(1) 
Such signs are permitted in any land use district if it is stationary, unlighted, temporary, and is not:
(a) 
Erected earlier than 45 days prior to a primary or election;
(b) 
Maintained for more than five days following the primary or election;
(c) 
Attached to a utility pole, fence, tree or other vegetation;
(d) 
Erected in such a manner that it will or reasonably may be expected to interfere with, obstruct, confuse, or mislead traffic; and
(e) 
Attached to any structure (except that such sign may be displayed in a window).
(2) 
Such signs may not exceed four square feet in area.
(3) 
A maximum of two signs per lot is allowed.
(4) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way, Borough park or other Borough-owned property.
L. 
Projecting sign. A permanent sign that is hung at a ninety-degree angle from the face of and affixed to a building or structure and extends 12 inches or beyond the building wall, structure or parts thereof.
(1) 
If flat, each face shall not exceed nine square feet.
(2) 
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 (rectangle, triangle, parallelogram, circle, etc.) and computing its area, which shall not exceed nine square feet.
(3) 
Such sign must be hung at right angles, and shall not project beyond the face of the building beyond four feet.
(4) 
The bottom of said sign shall have a ten-foot pedestrian clearance from sidewalk level.
(5) 
The top of the sign may be suspended in line with one of the following, whichever is the most successful application of scale, linear continuity and visibility, as determined by the Zoning Officer:
(a) 
Suspended between the bottom of sills of the first level of windows of the first story; or
(b) 
The lowest point of the roof of one-story building.
M. 
*Public service sign. Is a sign located for the purpose of providing a public service message or directions towards or indication of a use not readily visible from a public street (e.g., rest rooms, telephone, parking, shopping district, etc.).
(1) 
Such signs that are necessary for public safety and convenience shall not exceed four square feet.
(2) 
Such signs may bear no commercial advertising. Civic organization sponsored public service signs shall not be considered commercial advertising.
(3) 
Such signs are not included in computing total sign area allowed.
N. 
*Religious, governmental, charitable or fraternal organization signs.
(1) 
May include the flag, pennant or insignia of any government or of any religious charitable or fraternal organization.
O. 
*Temporary business signs.
(1) 
Such signs shall not be used for a period of more than 60 days, except balloons containing advertisement, hot-air balloons or other inflatable objects used as temporary signs which are limited to a maximum of seven calendar days per year.
(2) 
A-frame signs and movable signs are permitted as long as the sign is secured to the ground so as to not become a hazard during wind conditions. The location shall not obstruct pedestrians nor restrict vehicular sight distance.
(3) 
No temporary sign shall be placed so as to impede the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicle traffic, nor shall such signs impede the line of sight of or cover any existing business sign and traffic sign or any entrance or exit to any property or business.
(4) 
No business shall exceed a maximum of 50 square feet of temporary sign area at any time.
(5) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
P. 
*Temporary signs for special events. Temporary signs which are to be erected for a special event or purpose legally permissible in the Borough are permitted in all districts, subject to the following:
(1) 
Signs which refer to any single temporary event or purpose, which do not exceed two in number or eight square feet in area and which are not to be located in any public right-of-way shall not require any zoning permit, provided that such signs shall be removed by the owner within seven days after the circumstances leading to their erection no longer apply.
(2) 
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
Q. 
Time or temperature sign. Includes clocks, time and temperature signs and barber poles.
(1) 
Shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(2) 
Shall not extend into any highway right-of-way.
(3) 
Any commercial advertisements attached to such structure must be permitted or licensed.
R. 
*Yard sale sign.
(1) 
Temporary signs for yard sales may be displayed no more than three times per calendar year per property.
(2) 
Each sign display may last up to three days.
(3) 
See Borough Code § 296-3 for additional signage regulations which shall apply to signs erected for yard sales.
S. 
Wall sign. Is a sign which is attached parallel on the exterior surface of a building or structure.
(1) 
Such sign shall not obscure architectural features of the building (including but not limited to cornices, lintels, transoms) to which the sign is attached.
(2) 
Such sign shall not extend above the lowest point of the roof, nor beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.
T. 
Window sign. Is a permanent nonilluminated sign painted on the inside or outside glass of a window.
(1) 
The total area of a window sign shall not exceed 30% of the total glass area of the ground floor facade of that commercial property.
(2) 
Contents of such sign shall advertise only an on-premises use.
(3) 
Window signs on ground floor levels shall be included in calculating the total area of signs on the building frontage.
U. 
A-frame/sandwich board signs.
[Added 6-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-02]
(1) 
Illumination is prohibited.
(2) 
Signs shall not be displayed on a premises in the Borough or state right-of-way. The signs are permitted only between the time of sunrise and sunset. All such signs shall be taken in during hours of nonoperation.
(3) 
All signs must be taken in during inclement weather which includes but is not limited to snow, ice, rain and high-wind events such that the sign could be moved.
(4) 
Only one sign per establishment is permitted.
(5) 
Each side of the sign may have a maximum area of seven square feet per sign.
(6) 
Each sign may have a maximum height of 3.5 feet.
(7) 
Sign placement.
(a) 
The sign shall be placed in an area where a minimum of 36 inches of unobstructed sidewalk clearance must be maintained between the building, street and any other obstruction.
(b) 
The sign must be within 15 feet of the primary public entrance to the establishment it advertises.
(c) 
Portable signs shall be weighted, temporarily secured or strategically placed so as to preclude being moved by wind.
(8) 
Maneuverable changeable copy is permitted when integrated into the sign.
(9) 
Messages must advertise only the goods and services of the establishment where the sign is located.
(10) 
Signs may not be used for any off-site activities, businesses or purposes.
(11) 
A permit is not required.
(12) 
Jersey Shore Borough does not warrant entitlement to the placement of these signs on roadways within the Borough that are owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(13) 
The Borough reserves the right to order the removal of a sign in a right-of-way, should it be deemed necessary, in its discretion.
Prohibited signs shall include:
A. 
Signs, other than municipal traffic signs, located in a public right-of-way.
B. 
Any sign, as defined in this chapter which flashes, rotates, or has a motorized part that is visible from a public street. Digital and electronic message board signs shall be exempt from this provision.
C. 
Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety in the opinion of the Zoning Officer by obstructing the vision of drivers, or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
D. 
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exitway or which obstructs a window, door or other opening for providing light or air or interferes with proper function of the building.
E. 
Any sign or sign structure which:
(1) 
Is structurally unsafe;
(2) 
Constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment;
(3) 
Is not kept in good repair; or
(4) 
Is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons or animals likely to come in contact with it.
F. 
Signs which make use of words such as STOP, LOOK, DANGER, etc., or any phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
G. 
String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes other than Christmas decorations.
H. 
Spinners and streamers.
I. 
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold: to be removed at owner's expense.
J. 
Any sign affixed to a fence, utility pole or utility structure, light pole, sign post, or tree, shrub, rock or other natural objects.
K. 
Off-premises signs, except off-premises direction sign (see § 300-96I or off-premises advertising sign (see § 300-96J).
L. 
Portable or moveable signs other than as temporary signs [see § 300-96O(2)].
M. 
Signs which depict nudity or sexual conduct (see also § 300-65 for adult entertainment uses).
Each sign shall be maintained in a secure and safe condition. If the Zoning Officer is of the opinion that a sign is not secure, safe or in good state of repair, he/she shall give written notice of this fact to the owner and/or person responsible for the maintenance of the sign. If the defect in the sign is not corrected within the time permitted by the Zoning Officer, the Zoning Officer may revoke the permit to maintain the sign and may remove the sign and keep possession of same until the owner pays the cost of removal.