A.
Purposes. The purposes of this article are to:
(1)
Promote and maintain overall community aesthetic quality;
(2)
Establish reasonable time, place and manner of regulations for the
exercise of free speech, without regulating content;
(3)
Promote pedestrian and traffic safety by avoiding distractions and
sight distance obstructions; and
(4)
Protect property values and ensure compatibility with the character
of neighboring uses.
B.
C.
Changes on signs. Any lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming
signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in logo or message without
a new permit under this chapter, provided that the changes do not
increase the sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or an
increased nonconformity with this chapter.
A.
Signs legally existing at the time of enactment of this chapter and
which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be
considered nonconforming signs.
B.
An existing nonconforming sign may only be replaced with a conforming
sign, except a lawful nonconforming sign serving a lawful nonconforming
principal use on the same lot may be replaced with a new sign advertising
the nonconforming use if the new sign is not more nonconforming in
any manner than the previous sign.
B.
In addition, the following types of signs are not regulated by this
chapter:
(1)
Historic signs: memorializes an important historic place, event or
person and is specifically authorized by the Borough or a county,
state or federal agency.
(2)
Holiday decorations: commemorates a holiday recognized by the Borough,
county, state or federal government and does not include advertising.
(3)
Not readable sign: not readable from any public street or any exterior
lot line.
(4)
Official sign: erected by the state, county, Borough or other legally
constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough
ordinance or resolution, and which exists for public purposes.
(5)
Required sign: only includes information required to be posted outdoors
by a government agency or the Borough.
(6)
Right-of-way sign: posted within the existing right-of-way of a public
street and officially authorized by the Borough or PennDOT.
A.
The following are the signs permitted on a lot within the specified districts and within the following regulations, in addition to exempt signs and temporary signs permitted in all districts by other provisions of this article. See definitions of the types of signs in § 270-101.
|
Zoning District or Type of Use
|
Maximum Total Height of Freestanding Signs
|
Maximum Area of Wall Signs
|
Maximum Area of Window Signs
|
Maximum Area and Number of Freestanding Signs
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CBD or NC Districts (No new freestanding sign in the CBD District
shall be internally illuminated)3
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8 feet
|
10% of the total area of the building side on which the signs
are attached1
|
Temporary nonilluminated window signs are not regulated; other
window signs are regulated under "wall signs"
|
1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area
of 32 square feet2
|
|
All districts not listed above
|
20 feet in GC District; 12 feet in other districts
|
15% of the area of the building side on which the signs are
attached
|
Temporary nonilluminated window signs are not regulated; other
window signs are regulated under "wall signs"
|
1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area
of 40 square feet2.3
|
|
NOTES:
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
=
|
In the CBD and NC Districts, see Subsection E below for projecting signs.
|
|
2
|
=
|
If the permitted freestanding sign area is not used, such sign
area may be added to the permitted wall sign area.
|
|
3
|
=
|
If a lot includes five or more principal uses or more than 300
feet of frontage along one street, then along one street, one or two
freestanding signs shall be permitted with a maximum total freestanding
sign area of 80 square feet. A sign at an entrance to an industrial
subdivision that lists the name of the subdivision and the uses within
the subdivision may have a maximum total freestanding sign area of
80 square feet, in addition to a freestanding sign for each lot.
|
B.
A freestanding sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the
street right-of-way line.
C.
Portable and sidewalk signs (including signs on mobile stands) and
other temporary signs.
(1)
Purpose. These standards recognize portable signs and sidewalk signs
as particular types of signs that have the characteristics of a temporary
sign but that have been inappropriately used as a permanent sign.
(2)
PORTABLE SIGN
SIDEWALK SIGN
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
A freestanding sign that is attached to a chassis or legs
that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another
and that is not permanently attached to the ground.
A freestanding sign which is attached to a chassis or legs
that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another
and is located between the front wall of a building and the street
cartway. The term shall also include umbrellas which carry advertising
messages.
(3)
Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event or temporary special sale sign as permitted by § 270-93.
(4)
Sidewalk signs are permitted in the CBD and NC Districts subject
to the following requirements:
(a)
Sidewalk signs shall be removed at the end of each business
day.
(b)
Sidewalk signs shall be used for restaurant specials, business
sales or other similar functions which are of a limited duration.
(c)
Sidewalk signs may consist of changeable message panels, flags,
balloons or other objects used for advertising.
(d)
Sidewalk signs may not obstruct the minimum accessible route
required for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
D.
Wall signs.
(1)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which it
is placed.
(2)
If external lighting is used, reflectors must be at least 10 feet
above the surface of the ground level, equipped with wire mesh guards
and no part of the lighting device may project more than two feet
from the wall of the building.
(3)
No wall sign shall extend beyond the left and right extremities of
the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
There shall be no more than two signs per wall on any building or
structure.
(5)
A freestanding sign may be attached to a decorative masonry or stone
wall with a maximum height of six feet and a maximum length of 12
feet without being regulated by the wall setback regulations of this
chapter and with the wall itself not counting towards the maximum
sign area.
E.
Projecting signs. In the CBD and NC Districts, projecting signs are
permitted subject to the following requirements:
(1)
No projecting sign shall project more than five feet beyond the building
line in the direction of the street, nor shall any portion of any
projecting sign be closer than five feet to the face of the street
curb or curb line, or the edge of an alley.
(2)
No portion of any projecting sign shall be located less than eight
feet above the normal grade of the ground or sidewalk.
(3)
No single face or a projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in
sign area.
(4)
No projecting sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than six
feet.
(5)
There shall be no more than one projecting sign for any business
unless the business has public entrances on two or more public ways,
in which case one projecting sign may be erected for and toward each
public way.
(6)
Projecting signs shall be constructed entirely from wood or materials
with an appearance closely similar to wood, in addition to any metal
fasteners, and shall be securely attached to the building.
F.
INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS AWNING SIGN
Individual business awning signs.
A sign painted on or attached to the cover of a metal, wooden,
or canvas frame of a structural overhang, whether movable, hinged,
rolling, folding, stationary or permanent.
(1)
Number. There shall not be more than one awning, canopy or marquee
sign exceeding an aggregated gross surface area 24 square feet for
each principal building. Awning, canopy, and marquee signs which are
four square feet or less are exempt from the provisions of this section.
(2)
Location. Signs may be painted or attached flat against the surface
of an awning, canopy, or marquee and cannot extend beyond the ends
of the awning, canopy or marquee or be attached to its underside.
The height of the sign shall be no higher than the height of the awning.
(3)
Awning signs shall be at least seven feet above the curb or sidewalk.
(4)
Awning signs may include the name, number and/or logo of the business
only. Advertising material of any kind is strictly prohibited on signs
affixed to awnings, canopies and marquees.
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than a
sign relating to a building that is clearly temporarily vacant and
being offered to new tenants or for purchase) shall be removed within
180 days of the cessation of such use.
The following shall regulate the location of signs:
A.
Setbacks.
(1)
A sign shall not project over any existing street right-of-way, except
for permitted projecting signs within the CBD and NC Districts.
(2)
A freestanding illuminated sign for a commercial or industrial business
(except in the CBD or NC District) shall not be located within 10
feet of an abutting lot line of a lot that only includes one dwelling
unit.
(3)
These setbacks shall not apply to official signs, nameplate signs,
public service signs and directional signs.
B.
Sight clearance. No sign shall be so located that it interferes with the sight clearance requirements of § 270-113.
C.
Off-premises. No sign except permitted off-premises, official, political
or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it
does not relate or in the public right-of-way unless specifically
authorized by this chapter.
D.
Permission of owner. No sign shall be posted on any property or sign
pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by
the owner.
E.
Utility poles. No sign shall be attached to a utility pole using
metal fasteners, except by a utility or government agency.
A sign affixed to any vehicle or structure in such a manner
that it is the primary purpose of the vehicle or structure shall be
considered a freestanding sign and shall be subject to requirements
for freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle or structure
is located.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use; flags and banners, except as is permitted by § 270-93 and except for flags or banners meeting the requirements for a particular type of sign.
B.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except time and temperature signs may flash. In addition, flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays within § 270-93.
C.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
D.
Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot
may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions
of this chapter.
E.
Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they
imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or
that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract
the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent
use of the words "danger," "stop," "look," "one-way," and "yield").
F.
Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images
that are obscene or pornographic.
G.
Balloons of greater than 25 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground
or a structure for periods of over a day and that are primarily intended
for advertising purposes.
H.
Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes.
I.
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety
or health.
Every permanent sign permitted in this section shall be constructed
of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair.
The Zoning Officer shall, by written notice, require a property owner
or lessee to repair or remove a dilapidated or unsafe sign within
a specified period of time. If such order is not complied with, the
Borough may repair or remove such sign at the expense of such owner
or lessee.
A.
BUILDING FACE
FREESTANDING SIGN
HEIGHT OF SIGN
ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLY
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
SIGN
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Sign definitions. The following definitions shall be used in determining
whether signs meet the measurement and type requirements of this article:
The vertical area of a particular side of a building, but
not including the area of any slanted roof.
A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which
is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily
supported by a building.
The vertical distance measured from the average ground level
surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting
structure. Religious symbols, when not accompanied by lettering, shall
not be restricted by the sign heights of this article when attached
to a tower or spire of a place of worship.
A sign illuminated by light from within the sign rather than
a source adjacent to or outside of the sign. A sign within a display
case with lights only shining onto the front of the sign shall be
considered to be externally illuminated.
See Article II.
See Article II.
A sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building
and which does not project more than 12 inches from such wall.
A sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially
read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or
transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent
door. Window signs include messages painted on the glass or mounted
or hung inside the building in a manner which is readily visible from
the exterior.
B.
Measurement of sign area.
(1)
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying
designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which
they are displayed. One freestanding sign may include several signs
that are all attached to one structure, with the total sign area being
the area of a common geometric form that could encompass all signs.
(2)
The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting
framework, bracing, or clearly defined wooden framing if such area
does not include any display, lettering or sign and if such area is
clearly incidental to the sign area itself.
(3)
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated
background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the
smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape that includes
all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
The maximum sign area of sign shall be for each of two sides
of a sign, provided that only one side of a sign is readable from
any location.
(5)
Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to
signs are maximum sizes.
A.
Purposes. Off-premises signs are controlled by this article for the
following purposes:
(1)
To ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is
attractive to desirable types of development, especially light industrial
and office parks.
(2)
To prevent visual pollution in the Borough and protect property
values, especially in consideration of the fact that most commercial
areas of the Borough are within close proximity to existing residences.
(3)
To prevent glare on adjacent property and streets.
(4)
To avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists,
especially along busy arterial streets that involve complex turning
movements and numerous traffic hazards.
B.
Nonconforming off-premises signs. This section is not intended to
require the removal of an existing lawfully placed off-premises sign
that is in structurally sound condition.
C.
Permitted off-premises signs. An off-premises sign is only permitted
if it meets the following requirements:
(1)
District. An off-premises sign is only permitted in the GI District.
(2)
Location. An off-premises sign shall be set back a minimum of
25 feet from all lot lines and street rights-of-way.
(3)
Maximum sign area: 300 square feet.
(4)
Spacing. Any off-premises sign shall be separated by a minimum
of 1,000 feet from any other off-premises sign, including signs on
either side of a street and including existing signs in other municipalities.
No lot shall include more than one off-premises sign.
(5)
Maximum height: 25 feet above the elevation of the adjacent
street, measured at the street center line.
(6)
Attached. No off-premises sign or sign face shall be attached
in any way to any other off-premises sign, except that a sign may
have two sign faces of 300 square feet each if they are placed approximately
back-to-back.
(8)
Residences. No off-premises sign greater than 10 square feet
in sign area shall be located within 200 feet of an existing dwelling.
(9)
Condition. The sign shall be maintained in a good and safe condition.
The area around the sign shall be kept free of debris.
[Added 9-13-2021 by Ord. No. 8-21]
A.
SIGN, PERSONAL EXPRESSION
As used in this section, the following term shall have the meaning
indicated:
A sign expressing or communicating a noncommercial message,
opinion, feeling, interest, or point of view, including, but not limited
to, ideological, religious, political, or social messages. A personal
expression sign may convey such message through text, symbols and/or
logos (such as for a sporting team or club). A flag governed by the
American, Commonwealth, and Military Flag Act, Act of July 7, 2006,
P.L. 609, No. 93, 44 P.S. § 50.1 et seq., or Section 1202(3)
of the Borough Code shall not be considered a personal expression
sign and shall not be subject to limitations concerning personal expression
signs. Holiday or seasonal decorations shall not be considered personal
expression signs.
B.
Within all zoning districts the occupant of any lot containing a
dwelling unit shall be permitted to erect personal expression signs
in accordance with the following requirements:
(2)
The total square footage of personal expression signs on the
lot shall not exceed 36 square feet.
(3)
No personal expression sign other than a personal expression
sign made of fabric (i.e. flag) displayed on a flag pole may exceed
five feet in height.
(4)
No single personal expression sign may exceed 12 square feet.
(5)
No personal expression sign may be located within a required
side yard or rear yard setback.
(6)
No permanent structure may be installed to serve as a base or
mount for a personal expression sign other than a flagpole meeting
all setback requirements.
(7)
All personal expression signs shall be set back at least five
feet from the public street right-of-way.
(8)
No personal expression sign may be located within the clear
sight triangle for any driveway serving an adjoining lot.
