[Ord. 970, 5/16/2007, § 803; as amended by Ord. 1023, 3/21/2012, § 5]
1. In addition to signs permitted in §§
27-801 and
27-802, the following signs shall be permitted in the following districts upon obtaining a sign permit from the Borough:
A. B-1 and S-2 Districts. In the B-1 and S-2 Districts, except for areas contained in the Town Center Overlay District, signs for business or commercial purposes shall be permitted as follows:
(1) On-Site Signs. Business identification signs are permitted for any lawful commercial establishment, which announce the business conducted on the premises and advertise any services or products sold on the premises, subject to the following:
(a) Sign Content. The signs shall contain no information beyond the name, trademark or symbol and nature of the business conducted on the premises and advertising for any services or products sold on the premises.
(b) Public Right-of-Way. Where the front of an existing building is less than eight inches from the public right-of-way, a building sign mount flat and directly to the facade may project no more than eight inches over such right-of-way. However, one accessory sign shall be permitted on buildings located on streets perpendicular to Ardmore Boulevard (Route 30). These signs shall extend no more than four feet or 2/3 of the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less, from the front of the building; the bottom of the sign shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk, and the top of the sign shall not extend above the level of the second-floor window sills. The sign area shall not exceed four square feet on any individual sign face and eight square feet in aggregate on all sign faces.
(c) Illumination. Illumination of a permitted free-standing sign shall be by internal illumination only. Flashing signs are prohibited. All lighting shall be turned off between the hours of Midnight and 6:00 a.m., except lighting of any on-site sign for a retail business may remain on during the hours of operation of that business.
(d) Sign Area, B-1 District. The sign shall have an area no greater than three square feet for every lineal foot of width of the principal building on said premises.
(e) Maximum Sign Area, B-1 District. No single sign shall exceed 80 square feet in area.
(f) Sign Area, S-2 District. The sign shall have an area no greater than two square feet for every lineal foot of width of the principal building on said premises.
(g) Maximum Sign Area, S-2 District. No single sign shall exceed 40 square feet in area.
(h) Height. The height of a free-standing sign shall not exceed 20 feet, and that of a building mounted sign shall not exceed 25 feet.
(i) Sign Location. The building facade and display windows shall be thought as the best sign available for the business located in that building. Signs for first-floor businesses shall be located below the sills of the second-floor windows, preferably on the lintel over the storefront. No sign shall be placed in such a way as to obscure any architectural feature or ornament.
(j) Sign Design. Wall signs shall be painted onto wood, metal or opaque plastic backboards. Individually applied letters may be used.
(k) Multiple Occupants, B-1 District. Where a multi-story building contains different occupants on several floors sharing the common frontage, the maximum sign area of Subsection
1A(1)(e) may be increased to no greater than 120 square feet, and the total aggregate area shall not exceed the amount established in Subsection
1A(1)(d). Any signage 80 square feet or greater shall not be located lower than the midpoint of the second floor of the building.
(l) Multiple Occupants, S-2 District. Where a multi-story building contains different occupants on several floors sharing the common frontage, the maximum sign area of Subsection
1A(1)(g) may be increased to no greater than 60 square feet, and the total aggregate area shall not exceed the amount established in Subsection
1A(1)(f). Any signage 40 square foot or greater shall not be located lower than the midpoint of the second floor of the building.
(m) Shopping Center Signs. In addition to the signage permitted by Subsection
1A(1)(a) through
(e) and
(h) through
(j) inclusive in any shopping center within the B-1 District, one collective freestanding sign shall be permitted which displays the name of the center and the stores or businesses contained therein, in lieu of all other freestanding signs in the shopping center. Any shopping center sign shall conform to the following requirements:
1) Maximum Sign Area. The sign area of the shopping center sign shall not exceed 200 square feet on any individual sign face and 400 square feet in aggregate on all sign faces.
2) Sign Height. The height of the shopping center sign shall not exceed 25 feet above grade.
3) Design. The shopping center sign shall be attached to the ground by two vertical brick or concrete columns, posts or pillars.
4) Illumination. Illumination of the shopping center sign shall be by either internal or external illumination. Internally lit signs shall only be permitted with illuminated letters and graphics on an opaque background. No direct light shall extend beyond the face of the sign. Flashing signs are prohibited. All lighting shall be turned off between the hours of Midnight and 6:00 a.m., except lighting of any on-site sign for a retail business may remain on during the hours of operation of that business.
5) Landscaped Area. Any sign permitted under §
27-801 shall be landscaped to provide a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment and shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) Decorative landscaping shall be located in the area of land adjoining the sign's supporting structure and extending a minimum of five feet from the sign in all directions.
(b) A hedge or other durable planting, of at least two feet in height, shall extend the entire length and breadth of the required landscaped area.
(c) The rear side of a single-faced sign shall be only one color and screened by existing or natural landscaping materials, or by planting of evergreen trees at least six feet in height at time of planting.
(n) Sandwich Board Signs. Sandwich board signs are permitted, subject to the following:
1) The sandwich board sign may be placed on the lot or on the sidewalk of the immediately adjacent street right-of-way. A sandwich board sign shall not be permitted in the center median of any street.
2) The sandwich board sign shall be a maximum of 24 inches wide by 32 inches in height.
3) The sandwich board sign shall be secured to the building or other fixed object with a chain or other similar device and shall be constructed of such design and materials so as not be easily displaced by normal wind force.
4) A minimum three-foot clearance for pedestrian access shall be maintained.
5) Placement of the sandwich board sign shall be limited to the hours which the business or activity is open to the public and the sign shall be removed daily.
(o) Electronic Variable Message Signs. Electronic variable message signs are a permissible type of on-site business identification sign, and are permitted in the B-1 and S-2 Districts subject to the following:
[Added by Ord. No. 1053, 11/18/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 1079, 1/16/2019]
1) Electronic variable message signs shall not blink, flash, or scroll text and shall otherwise provide the same service as an internally lit sign with letters and graphics on an opaque background.
2) Electronic variable message signs shall have a minimum duration of display of seven seconds.
3) Electronic variable message signs shall have an instantaneous message transition time.
4) Brightness levels shall be automatically adjusted to be 0.3 footcandle above ambient light levels.
(a) This shall be measured at five feet above grade, using all white settings, or the solid color for single-color signs.
(b) Measurements shall be taken at the following distances from the sign:
i) Sign area of less than 300 square feet: 150 feet away.
ii) Sign area of 300 square feet to 400 square feet: 200 feet away.
iii) Sign area of greater than 400 square feet: 250 feet away.
(c) Automatic dimmers to maintain brightness measurements are required.
(d) Light levels shall be confirmed by the applicant and submitted to the Borough in writing prior to approval of any electronic variable message sign.
5) Electronic variable message signs shall be turned off between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
6) Electronic variable message signs shall be available for public emergency use. Examples of this usage include, but are not limited to, Amber Alerts, emergency evacuations and road closures.
(2) Off-Site Signs. Billboards, or outdoor advertising signs, which are not related to the use of the property on which they are located, shall be permitted only in the B-1 District and shall conform to the following requirements:
(a) Maximum Sign Area. The sign area of the off-site sign shall not exceed 40 square feet.
(b) Sign Height. The height of the off-site sign shall not exceed 15 feet above the ground.
(c) Design. All off-site signs shall be attached to the ground by two vertical brick or concrete columns, posts, or pillars.
(d) Illumination. Illumination of off-site signs shall be by external illumination only. However, no direct light shall extend beyond the face of the sign. Internally lit and flashing signs are prohibited. All lighting shall be turned off between the hours of Midnight and 6:00 a.m.
(e) Limitation. No off-site sign shall be located closer than 1,000 feet from any other off-site sign.
(f) Landscaped Area. The off-site sign shall be landscaped to provide a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment and shall comply with the following requirements:
1) Decorative landscaping shall be located in the area of land adjoining the sign's supporting structure and extending a minimum of five feet from the sign in all directions.
2) A hedge or other durable planting, of at least two feet in height, shall extend the entire length and breadth of the required landscaped area.
3) The rear side of a single-faced off-site sign shall be only one color and screened by existing or natural landscaping materials, or by a planting of evergreen trees at least six feet in height.
4) At least two flowering trees, a minimum of six feet in height, shall be planted within the required landscaped area.
B. Town Center Overlay District. The following requirements shall apply to all properties in the Town Center Overlay District in lieu of the regulations in §
27-801, Subsection
1F(1) and Subsection 1A.
(1) On-Site Signs.
(a) Content and Type.
1) Signs shall contain no information beyond the name, trademark/logo or symbol and nature of the business conducted on the premises including advertising for any services, hours of operation or products sold on the premises.
2) Permitted Sign Types.
(c) Awning, canopy or marquee.
(e) Event marker (cornerstone, date stone, memorial plaque and/or historical marker).
(f) Flags and/or decorative flags.
(g) Sandwich board signs that comply with the standards and criteria set forth in Subsection
1A(1)(n).
(h) Electronic variable message signs that comply with the standards and criteria of Subsection
1A(1)(o).
[Added by Ord. 1053, 11/18/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 1079, 1/16/2019]
(b) Illumination.
1) Signs may be directly illuminated with uplighting and/or downlighting.
2) Neon tubing utilized as part of a face of a sign for illumination is permitted.
3) The use of neon shall be permitted but shall not be incorporated into more than 50% of the maximum area for each sign permitted for each occupant.
4) The use of internal illumination shall only be permitted when used in conjunction with an opaque sign face(s) or an electronic variable message sign. Internal illumination shall not be permitted in a sign that utilizes transparent materials.
[Amended by Ord. 1053, 11/18/2015; and by Ord. No. 1079, 1/16/2019]
5) Temporary signs shall not be illuminated. See §
27-805.
(c) Sign Area. Lot with single occupant.
1) For a lot with multiple occupants, see Subsection
1B(1)(d).
2) Sign Dimensions. Dimensions utilized in calculating the area of any sign shall be measured in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
3) Total square footage of signage permitted shall be 1 1/2 square foot for each linear foot of an occupant's building frontage. At no time shall the total square footage of sign area for an occupant exceed 60 square feet. See also subclauses 6) and 7).
4) No more than three types of signs, as authorized by this chapter, shall be permitted.
5) Maximum sign area shall be in accordance with the following:
(a) Wall signs shall not exceed a total area of 40 square feet.
(b) A projecting sign shall not exceed a total sign area of 18 square feet, where each sign face shall not exceed nine square feet.
(c) Total sign area on an awning, canopy or marquee shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(d) Window signs shall not obscure display area and at no time shall exceed 40% of each window area, or a total of 50 square feet (whichever is less). Window signs include any form of advertisement or display related to goods, services or prices thereof within or offered by the subject use (not including actual displays and merchandise).
6) An event marker shall not be included within the calculation of maximum permitted sign area. An event marker shall not exceed six square feet in area.
7) A flag or decorative flag shall not be included within the calculation of maximum permitted sign area. Flag size, content and/or mechanism for display may be subject to Borough review and ensure vehicular and/or pedestrian health, safety and welfare.
(d) Sign Area; Lot with Multiple Occupants.
1) First Floor Occupants.
(a) Sign Dimensions. Dimensions utilized in calculating the area of any sign shall be measured in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Total square footage of signage permitted shall be 1 1/2 square foot for each linear foot of an occupant's building frontage. At no time shall the total square footage of sign area for an occupant exceed 60 square feet.
(c) No more than three types of signs, as authorized by this chapter, shall be permitted for each first floor occupant.
(d) Maximum sign area shall be:
1) Wall signs shall not exceed a total area of 40 square feet.
2) A projecting sign shall not exceed a total sign area of 18 square feet, where each sign face shall not exceed nine square feet.
3) Total sign area on an awning, canopy or marquee shall not exceed 20 square feet.
4) Window signs shall not obscure display area and at no time shall exceed 40% of each window area, or a total of 50 square feet (whichever is less). Window signs include any form of advertisement or display related to goods, services or prices thereof within or offered by the subject use (not including actual displays and merchandise).
(e) Event markers and flags. See Subsection 1B(1)(c)(6) and (7).
2) Upper Floor Occupants.
(a) Upper floor occupants shall be permitted to erect two sign types: projecting and/or window signs.
(b) Maximum sign area for each upper floor occupant shall be:
1) A projecting sign shall not exceed a total sign area of 18 square feet, where each sign face shall not exceed nine square feet.
2) Window signs shall not obscure display area and at no time shall exceed 40% of each window area, or a total of 50 square feet (whichever is less). Window signs include any form of advertisement or display related to goods, services or prices thereof within or offered by the subject use (not including actual displays and merchandise).
(c) The total sign area associated with all upper floor occupants, when combined on a lot, shall not exceed 1 1/2 times the total maximum sign square footage permitted for the first floor occupant. The square footage of signage for each individual upper floor occupant may not exceed the total maximum signage square footage permitted for the first floor occupant.
(d) Event markers and flags. See Subsection 1B(1)(c)(6) and (7).
(e) Height and Width.
1) Wall signs may extend the width of a storefront and/or facade.
2) The maximum height of a sign, including support(s), shall be eight feet.
(f) Sign Location.
1) Signs for uses within the Town Center shall only be located on or attached to the face of a building that fronts a public right-of-way.
2) The Borough encourages the construction of signs on building facades and within windows. At no time shall a sign cover or obscure significant architectural features as defined by the Borough.
3) No signs shall be erected above the cornice of any building.
4) The setbacks for projecting signs shall be defined as those permitted in accordance with paragraph .A(1)(b).
5) No awning, canopy or marquee shall be erected so that the lowest part of the sign is less than eight feet above the sidewalk and should not extend more than two feet inside the curb line.
(g) Sign Design.
1) General Characteristics.
| a) | Signage within the Town Center shall be designed to be primarily oriented and scaled to complement the pedestrian environment. |
| b) | Lettering shall be a maximum of 18 inches high. |
| c) | If a wall, projecting, awning, canopy or marquee sign contains glass, such glass shall be safety glass to maximize safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. |
| d) | Where feasible, the Borough encourages that architectural devices which incorporate and reference a product be incorporated into the signage design. The scale, materials and overall design of such device(s) shall be located and secured to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety. |
| e) | Signs may be painted onto the wall surface if historical evidence of such application can be produced as part of the sign application. |
(h) Free Standing or Ground Signs.
1) Free standing or ground signs may be granted as a sign by special exception.
2) Any permitted free-standing sign shall conform to the following requirements.
| a) | The permitted free-standing sign shall be located at least eight feet from any public right-of-way or property line. |
| b) | If a sign base is constructed as part of the free-standing sign, materials which complement the character of the lot’s structure shall be utilized. If such sign is constructed, the Borough encourages that such sign incorporates natural materials. |
| c) | The area surrounding the base of such sign shall be landscaped with either evergreen ground cover or a combination of deciduous and/or evergreen shrubs and seasonal flowering plants. There shall be one square foot of landscaping per one square foot of signage. The use of turf is not permitted. |
| d) | Only one free-standing sign shall be permitted per lot. |
(2) Off-Site Signs. No off-site signs are permitted in association with any use within the Town Center Overlay District.
C. S-1 and S-3 Districts. In the S-1 and S-3 Districts, signs for business or commercial purposes shall be permitted, subject to the following limitations:
(1) Permitted Sign. One free-standing business identification sign is permitted per zoning lot for any lawful commercial establishment, which announces the business conducted on the premises and advertises any services or products sold on the premises.
(2) Sign Content. The sign shall not contain any information beyond the name, trademark or symbol, and nature of the business conducted on the premises and/or advertising for any services or products sold on the premises.
(3) Sign Height. The height of the permitted sign shall not exceed six feet above the ground.
(4) Design. The background material of the permitted sign shall match the material and architecture of the building to which the sign relates. For example, a sign for a brick colonial building shall be similarly constructed with matching brick in a colonial style. Sign graphics shall consist of individual lettering or an individual logo.
(5) Landscaped Area. A sign not fully extending to grade shall be landscaped with ornamental plantings and shrubs at the base of the sign. The required landscaped area shall be equal to two times the area of the sign.
(6) Public Right-of-Way. No sign shall project over a public right-of-way.
(7) Illumination. Illumination of a permitted sign shall be by either internal or external illumination. Flashing signs are prohibited. All lighting shall be turned off between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
[Amended by Ord. 1053, 11/18/2015]
(8) Sign Area. A sign shall have an area no greater than 2 square feet for every lineal foot of width of the principal building on said premises.
(9) Maximum Sign Area. No single sign shall exceed 40 square feet in area.
(10) Multiple Occupants. Where a multi-story building contains different occupants on several floors sharing the common frontage, the maximum sign area of Subsection
1C(9) may be increased to no greater than 60 square feet, and the total aggregate area shall not exceed the amount established in Subsection
1C(8). Any signage 40 square foot or greater shall not be located lower than the midpoint of the second floor of the building.
(11) Sandwich Board Sign. Sandwich board signs are permitted, subject to the following:
(a) The sandwich board sign may be placed on the lot or on the sidewalk of the immediately adjacent street right-of-way. A sandwich board sign shall not be permitted in the center median of any street.
(b) The sandwich board sign shall be a maximum of 24 inches wide by 32 inches in height.
(c) The sandwich board sign shall be secured to the building or other fixed object with a chain or other similar device and shall be constructed of such design and materials so as not be easily displaced by normal wind force.
(d) A minimum three-foot clearance for pedestrian access shall be maintained.
(e) Placement of the sandwich board sign shall be limited to the hours which the business or activity is open to the public and the sign shall be removed daily.
(12) Electronic variable message signs that comply with the standards and criteria of Subsection
1A(1)(o).
[Added by Ord. No. 1053, 11/18/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 1079, 1/16/2019]
D. Traffic Control Signs. Traffic control signs, including for example, "One Way," "Right Turn Only," "Stop," "No Entry" and "Exit Only" may be permitted in all zoning districts within the boundaries of a lot or parcel upon which traffic problems may exist. No such sign shall have an aggregate area of greater than eight square feet. Such signs shall not contain the name, trademark, symbol, product identification or other advertisement or identification of the nature of the business or businesses conducted on the premises. The size, shape, placement, location, direction, information and color of any traffic control sign shall be determined by the Zoning Officer after consultation with the Borough Manager. The Zoning Officer shall permit and determine the design and use of traffic control signs upon the basis of reasonable necessity for protection of the public and safe control and flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic upon the public streets and within the lot or development. Traffic control signs, as defined and limited herein, shall not be considered signs for business or commercial purposes.
E. Except as here and before provided, no signs of any nature shall be permitted.