[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1100]
1.
In expansion of the Community Development Objectives in Part 1 of this Chapter, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this Part to place reasonable standards on the erection and maintenance of signs within the Borough of New Oxford. Furthermore, it is the intent of this Part to:
A.
Maintain and enhance the aesthetic qualities of the historic, mixed-use
core of New Oxford by requiring signs to be designed of sizes, shapes,
colors and styles complimentary to the historic character of New Oxford.
B.
Allow signs in all zoning districts that balance the needs of individual
landowners with the desire of the community to perpetuate an attractive,
livable environment.
C.
Maintain adequate traffic safety standards by minimizing the negative
sensory impacts of excessive sign age as well as minimizing sign age
conflicts with necessary traffic control signs and equipment.
D.
Encourage sign age that will meet the needs of pedestrians and occupants
of moving vehicles traveling at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.
[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1101]
1.
The following regulations shall govern signs in all districts.
A.
No sign shall be erected, enlarged or relocated until a permit for
doing so, has been issued by the Zoning Officer. Applications shall
be on forms provided by the Borough. All applications shall include
a scale drawing specifying dimensions, materials, illumination, letter
sizes, colors, location on land or buildings, and all other relevant
information.
B.
The following types of signs are exempted from the requirements of
§ 1102(A), provided the sign meets all other applicable
Sections of this Part.
(1)
Official street and traffic signs and any other signs required
by law.
(2)
Trespassing signs, signs indicating private ownership of roads
and/or property, and similar signs, provided that such signs are spaced
at intervals of no less than 100 feet and do not exceed two square
feet in area.
(3)
Temporary, unlighted real estate signs advertising the sale
or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that
the maximum area on any side of the sign shall not exceed six square
feet, that the total area of the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet,
that not more than two signs are placed on a property under single
ownership, and that such signs are removed not more than five business
days following the sale or rental of the premises.
(4)
Temporary, unlighted signs of contractors, painters, or similar
artisans, erected on the premises where the work is being performed,
provided that the maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not
exceed eight square feet, that the total area of the sign shall not
exceed 16 square feet, that not more than one such sign shall be erected
on any property under single ownership, and that the sign shall be
removed within one day of the completion of the work.
(5)
Temporary, unlighted yard or garage sale signs, provided that
such signs shall not be displayed for more than 48 hours of each calendar
month, that the total area of such signs shall not exceed four square
feet, and that not more than two signs shall be displayed for any
sale event.
(6)
Temporary, unlighted political signs, provided that such signs
shall exceed six square feet in area, that such signs shall not be
displayed earlier than 30 days prior to an election, and that such
signs shall be removed within three working days after the said election.
(7)
Freestanding signs designating the "entrances" and "exits" to
commercial and industrial establishments, provided that the signs
be illuminated only be indirect lighting and that each side of the
sign shall not exceed four square feet unless otherwise regulated
by this Chapter.
(8)
Signs displaying the name and street number of the occupant
of a residence, provided that the total area of the sign shall not
exceed two square feet.
C.
Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which
is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is not permitted.
D.
Off-premises directional signs are permitted in all districts by
special exception. The Zoning Hearing Board may authorize the use
of an off-premise directional sign if it conforms, at a minimum, to
the stated standards and criteria. The Zoning Hearing Board may apply
additional standards to specific projects where relevant, to protect
the historic and architectural integrity of New Oxford Borough, and
in the interests of public health, safety, and welfare.
(1)
The maximum area of any one side of a sign shall not exceed
10 square feet.
(2)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed 10 feet.
(4)
Within the TCM, TCR, PO, LDR, and MDR Districts, the sign shall
only be illuminated by shielded lighting. To meet the requirements
of this Section, the light source shall be hidden from vehicular and/or
pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a fixture surrounding the
light source which directs the light to the sign face.
(5)
If three or more off-premises directional signs are proposed
on the same property, the Borough may require the consolidation of
the individual signs on a single off-premises directional sign. Compatibly
designed business logos will be required. In addition, the following
size requirements shall be required.
E.
No sign shall use the words "stop," "caution" or "danger" or shall
use red, yellow and/or green lights resembling traffic signals, or
shall resemble traffic control signs in terms of size, shape or color.
F.
No sign shall be located so as to interfere with the clear sight distance regulations of the New Oxford Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
G.
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise prohibited herein, only
to the extent that is necessary to be seen and read at night at a
distance not to exceed 250 feet for signs of 10 square feet or more
in area, and at a distance not to exceed 125 feet for sings of less
than 10 square feet in area.
[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1102]
1.
The following types of signs and/or sign design features are prohibited
in all districts.
A.
Flashing signs and/or flashing and/or rotating lights.
B.
Revolving, rotating or otherwise moving signs.
C.
Animated signs.
D.
Changeable copy signs except when copy is changed manually. Signs
with the express purpose of displaying the time and temperature are
exempted from this requirement.
E.
Moveable signs, whether mounted on a trailer, vehicle, temporary
base, or similar such device. A vehicle, painted or decorated so as
to display an advertising or related message, and parked in a visible
location, shall be considered a moveable sign.
[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1103]
1.
Within the Low Density Residential (LDR) and the Moderate Density
Residential (MDR) Districts, the following sign regulations shall
apply:
A.
Signs advertising a home occupation are permitted, provided that
the following requirements are met.
(1)
The maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed
four square feet.
(2)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
(3)
The sign shall only be illuminated by shielded lighting. To
meet the requirements of this Section, the light source shall be hidden
from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a
fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the
sign face. In no case shall lighting be permitted that either directly
or indirectly produces glare affecting neighboring residential properties.
(4)
The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed six feet, unless
a wall sigh or projecting sign is used.
B.
Unlighted signs identifying the name and entrances of a residential
development are permitted, provided that the following requirements
are met.
(1)
One free-standing sign may be located at the main entrance to
the residential development. Such a sign shall not exceed 25 square
feet in total area or six feet in height.
(2)
One free-standing sign may be located at each secondary entrance
to the residential development. Such a sign shall not exceed six square
feet in area or five feet in height.
(3)
All signs associated with a residential development shall be
located in a landscaped setting. Acceptable landscaping materials
include grass, mulch, shrubs, and trees. A landscaping sketch shall
accompany the sign permit application.
(4)
Signs may only be illuminated by shielded lighting. To meet
the requirements of this Section, the light source shall be hidden
from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a
fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the
sign face. In no case shall lighting be permitted that either directly
or indirectly produces glare affecting neighboring residential properties.
[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1104]
1.
Within the Professional Office (PO) District, the following sign
regulations shall apply:
A.
Signs advertising a professional office or specialty retail establishment
are permitted, provided that the following requirements are met:
(1)
The maximum are of any one side of a sign shall not exceed 10
square feet.
(2)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(3)
The sign shall only be illuminated by shielded lighting. To
meet the requirements of this Section, the light source shall be hidden
from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a
fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the
sign face. In no case shall lighting be permitted that either directly
or indirectly produces glare on neighboring residential properties.
(4)
The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed six feet, unless
a wall sign or projecting sign is used.
B.
Unlighted signs identifying a commercial daycare or group home facility
are permitted, provided that the following requirements are met:
[Ord. 12/21/1999, § 1105]
1.
Within the Highway Commercial (HC) District, the following sign regulations
shall apply.
A.
A single sign shall be permitted on the same lot as a single business
to which the sign refers, provided that the following requirements
are met.
(1)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet.
(2)
The maximum height of any free-standing sign shall not exceed
15 feet.
(3)
The total area of the sign for a commercial property may be
increased by 20% if the applicant chooses to use a wall sign.
(4)
Any free-standing sign proposed for a commercial use in operation
prior to the enactment of this Chapter for the Borough of New Oxford
shall be located in a landscaped setting. Acceptable landscaping materials
include grass, mulch, shrubs, and trees. A landscaping sketch shall
accompany the sign permit application.
B.
Where a single business has frontage on two public streets, two signs,
meeting the requirements of § 1106(A), shall be permitted.
C.
Signs within a shopping/personal service plaza shall meet the following
requirements:
(1)
A free-standing sign may be erected to identify the name and
entrance to the plaza, provided that the following requirements are
met:
(a)
The maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed
75 square feet.
(b)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 150 square feet.
(c)
The sign shall be located no less than 20 feet from the adjoining
road right-of-way.
(d)
The sign shall be incorporated into the landscaping required
for the site.
(2)
A single wall sign is permitted for each individual establishment
located within the plaza, provided that the following requirements
are met:
D.
Billboards are permitted within the HC District by special exception.
The Zoning Hearing Board may authorize the use of a billboard if it
conforms, at a minimum, to the stated standards and criteria. The
Zoning Hearing Board may apply additional standards to specific projects
where relevant, to protect the historic and architectural integrity
of New Oxford Borough, and in the interest of public health, safety,
and welfare.
(1)
Billboards shall only be proposed for parcels of land in excess
of one acre in size.
(2)
The maximum area of any one side of the billboard shall not
exceed 50 square feet.
(3)
The total area of the billboard shall not exceed 100 square
feet.
(4)
The maximum height of the billboard shall not exceed 20 feet.
(5)
The billboard shall be located at least 100 feet from any principle
structure within the HC District or surrounding zoning district.
(6)
The billboard shall be designed such that the support structure
of the billboard contains no more than two vertically aligned poles.
Signs that require support structure in excess of the two permitted
vertical poles shall not be permitted.
(7)
The land surrounding the base of the billboard shall be planted
with at least two of the following types of vegetation: grass, shrubbery,
evergreen trees, or similar species.
(8)
Any garbage or other waste and/or refuse which accumulates within
the landscaping shall be promptly removed and disposed of by the billboard
owner.
[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1106]
1.
Within the Town Center Mixed Use (TCM) and Town Center Residential
(TCR) Districts, the following sign regulations shall apply:
A.
A maximum of one sign shall be permitted for each nonresidential
use of a structure, provided that the following requirements are met:
(1)
The maximum area of any one side of a sign shall not exceed
12 square feet in the TCM District or six square feet in the TCR District.
(2)
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in
the TCM District or 12 square feet in the TCR District.
(3)
Where wall signs are used, the maximum area of the sign shall
not exceed 24 square feet in the TCM District or 12 square feet in
the TCR District.
(4)
Projecting signs above public sidewalks, driveways, or walkways
shall be located so as to provide for eight feet of clearance beneath
the sign. Such projecting signs shall not exceed 12 feet in height.
(5)
All signs shall be constructed of a durable material, and designed
in such a way to compliment the historic village character of New
Oxford Borough.
(6)
All signs shall be visually compatible, in terms of color, with
the front facade of the structure to which the sign is attached. Dark
backgrounds with light-colored lettering and/or designs are preferred.
(7)
Signs shall only be illuminated by shielded lighting. To meet
the requirements of this Section, the light source shall be hidden
from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a
fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the
sign face. In no case shall lighting be permitted that either directly
or indirectly produces glare affecting neighboring residential properties.
B.
Where the structure is located at the intersection of two public
streets, the Zoning Officer may authorize additional signs, provided
that all additional signs meet the regulations of § 1107(A)
[Ord. 12/21/1998, § 1107]
1.
Within the Light Industrial (LI) District, the following sign regulations
shall apply:
A.
A maximum of one sign shall be permitted that displays the owner/occupant
of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, provided that
the following requirements are met.
B.
A maximum of one sign may be erected at each entrance and/or exit
to or from a public road that identifies the property's activity
and the entrance and/or exit, provided that the following requirements
are met:
C.
On parcels containing multiple activities, a single sign shall be
permitted for each individual activity, provided that the following
requirements are met:
D.
The maximum height of any freestanding sign within the Light Industrial
(LI) District shall not exceed 15 feet. The maximum height of any
wall or projecting sign shall not exceed a height equal to 75% of
the height of the wall upon which the sign is located. The maximum
height of any entrance or exit sign shall not exceed six feet.
E.
For any residential development permitted by special exception in
the Light Industrial (LI) District, the sign regulations of § 1104
shall apply.
F.
Billboards are permitted, provided the following standards are met:
(1)
The maximum area of any one side of the billboard shall not
exceed 150 square feet.
(2)
The total area of the billboard shall not exceed 300 square
feet.
(3)
The maximum height of the billboard shall not exceed 25 feet.
(4)
The billboard shall be located a minimum of 200 feet from any
residentially zoned property or any property within the LI District
where residential development has occurred according to the applicable
standards of §§ 1003(D) or 1004(E).
