Borough of Norristown, PA Signs

The erection or placement of a sign is regulated and requires a permit unless a sign is specifically exempt from regulation. The regulation shall include any building, construction, attachment, hanging, suspension, alteration, repair, repainting, removal, relocation, or demolition of a sign of any type.

All signs in the Municipality fall into one of the following categories:

Signs exempt from the permit requirements.

Prohibited signs.

Temporary and limited duration signs.

Permitted signs:

The Municipal Zoning Officer will provide applications for sign permits, fee information, inspection requirements, and application requirements dealing with submission of drawings and construction information.

§ 320-319 Signs exempt from permit requirements.

Standards. The following signs shall not require permits but shall conform to the requirements set forth below and the tables included in this article.

Address signs.

Flags.

Location: Flags and flagpoles shall not be located within any right-of-way.

Height: Flags shall have a maximum height of 20 feet.

Number: No more than two flags per lot in the R-1, R-2, and MR Zoning Districts, no more than three flags per lot in all other zoning districts.

Size: Maximum flag size is six square feet in the R-1, R-2, and MR Zoning Districts; 40 square feet in all other zoning districts.

Flags containing commercial message may be used as permitted freestanding or projecting signs, and if so used, the area of the flag shall be included in, and limited by, the computation of allowable area for signs on the property.

Flags up to four square feet in area containing noncommercial messages are considered personal expression signs and are regulated in accordance with § 320-319A(7).

Government/regulatory signs and notices.

Home occupation signs.

Home security signs, not exceeding one square foot.

Incidental signs, not exceeding three square feet in area, provided they do not contain commercial advertising (including logos), and do not obstruct the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises.

Personal expression signs, provided that they are not illuminated and are either freestanding, wall or window signs. Such signs may not exceed four square feet and, in the case of freestanding signs, may not exceed four feet in height.

(8)

Public monument, plaque or historic identification marker erected by a government agency.

(9)

Public interest sign, to be of adequate size and located in a prominent location.

(10)

Professional nameplates, not exceeding six inches high by 18 inches wide.

(11)

Temporary signs in accordance with the regulations set forth in § 320-320A.

(12)

Sandwich board signs. Where permitted, sandwich board signs shall be permitted according to the following regulations:

The maximum height of sandwich board signs shall be four feet and the width shall not exceed 30 inches.

Sandwich board signs shall be located either adjacent to the building or adjacent to the curb. In either location, at least three feet of sidewalk shall be left unobstructed.

Only one sandwich board sign will be permitted per building frontage and must be located within 12 feet of the business it advertises.

Sandwich board signs shall be weighted at the base so that the sign cannot be moved by strong winds; however, no sign shall be chained, tied or otherwise affixed to any building, structure, object or tree.

Sandwich board signs shall be made of materials that present a finished appearance.

Sandwich board signs shall be removed from the sidewalk at the close of business hours.

(13)

Pennant: limited to one row per street frontage, and shall be erected for not more than 30 consecutive days unless approval is granted for an additional 30 days.

§ 320-320 Temporary and limited duration signs.

Temporary signs.

General provisions. Temporary signs that are located on private property and comply with all of the requirements in this subsection are permitted in all zoning districts and are exempt from standard permit requirements.

Sign type. All temporary signs are permitted in the following sign types, subject to all additional standards herein.

Freestanding sign.

Window sign.

Wall sign.

Banner sign.

Size and number.

Residential Zoning Districts. The following standards shall apply to temporary signs located in the R-1, R-2, and MR Zoning Districts.

Small temporary signs. One small temporary sign, up to six square feet in area and four feet in height, is permitted per property.

Nonresidential Zoning Districts. The following standards shall apply to temporary signs located in all other zoning districts.

Large temporary signs. One large temporary sign, up to 16 square feet in area and eight feet in height, is permitted per property.

Small temporary signs. One small temporary sign, up to six square feet in area, and six feet in height, is permitted per property.

Banner signs. One banner, up to 24 square feet in area and 10 feet in height, is permitted per property.

[4]

Temporary window signs are permitted in combination with permanent window signs; however, total window coverage shall not exceed 25% of the glass area.

Duration and removal.

Temporary signs may be displayed up to a maximum of 30 consecutive days, two times per calendar year.

The Municipality or property owner may confiscate temporary signs installed in violation of this article. Neither the Municipality nor the property owner is responsible for notifying sign owners of confiscation of an illegal temporary sign.

Permission. The party posting the temporary sign is solely responsible for obtaining the permission of the property owner before posting their temporary sign.

Municipal notification. Temporary signs are exempt from the standard permit requirements but the date of erection of a temporary sign must be written in indelible ink on the lower right hand corner of the sign.

Installation and maintenance.

All temporary signs must be installed such that, in the opinion of the Municipality's Zoning Officer, they do not create a safety hazard.

All temporary signs must be made of durable materials and shall be well-maintained.

Temporary signs that are frayed, torn, broken, or that are no longer legible will be deemed unmaintained and required to be removed.

(8)

Illumination. Illumination of any temporary sign is prohibited.

Limited duration signs.

General provisions. Limited duration signs that are located on private property are permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the requirements in this subsection.

Sign type. Limited duration signs are permitted in the following sign types, subject to all additional standards herein.

Freestanding sign.

Window sign.

Wall sign.

Size and number.

Residential Zoning Districts. The following standards shall apply to limited duration signs located in the R-1, R-2, and MR Zoning Districts.

Small limited duration sign: one small limited duration sign, up to six square feet in area and four feet in height, is permitted per property.

Nonresidential Zoning Districts. The following standards shall apply to limited duration signs located in all other zoning districts.

Large limited duration sign. One large limited duration sign, up to 16 square feet in area and eight feet in height, is permitted per property. If a property is at least five acres in size and/or has at least 10,000 square feet of floor area, one additional large limited duration sign may be permitted per property.

Small limited duration sign. One small limited duration sign, up to six square feet in area and six feet in height, is permitted per property. If a property is at least five acres in size and/or has at least 10,000 square feet of floor area, one additional small limited duration sign may be permitted per property.

Permit requirements.

A permit for a limited duration sign is issued for one year and may be renewed annually.

An application for a limited duration sign permit must include:

A description of the sign indicating the number, size, shape, dimensions, and colors of the sign, and the expected length of time the sign will be displayed;

A schematic drawing of the site showing the proposed location of the sign in relation to nearby buildings and streets; and

The number of signs on the site.

Installation and maintenance.

All limited duration signs must be installed such that, in the opinion of the Municipality's Zoning Officer, they do not create a safety hazard.

All limited duration signs must be made of durable materials and shall be well-maintained.

Limited duration signs that are frayed, torn, broken, or that are no longer legible will be deemed unmaintained and required to be removed.

Illumination. Illumination of any limited duration sign is prohibited.

§ 320-321 Prohibited signs.

Prohibited signs. The following signs are unlawful and prohibited.

Abandoned signs.

Any sign which by reason of its size, shape, location, content, color or manner of illumination may be confused with or resembles a traffic control signs or signals, including but not limited to signs containing words such as "stop," "look," or "danger."

Any sign that flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates.

Any animated or flashing signs or signs with internally generated messages or symbols.

Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a door, window, fire escape or other exitway.

Vehicular signs. This regulation does not include the use of business logos, identification, or advertising on vehicles primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.

Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent.

(8)

Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles and pedestrian traffic.

(9)

Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects, as determined by the Municipality.

(10)

Any novelty sign, including but not limited to an object (e.g., tire, automobile food or beverage product), unless the novelty object or item is part of a sign that otherwise complies with this chapter and represents 20% or less of the total sign area.

(11)

Special promotional devices or displays, such as beacons, floodlights, tethered balloons filled with gas or air.

(12)

Signs with reflective backgrounds.

(13)

Projecting V-shaped signs.

(14)

Snipe signs.

(15)

Signs placed on benches bearing advertising.

(16)

Freestanding sign within 75 feet of the top of the bank of the Schuylkill River, except street identification and directional signs installed by the Municipality, county or commonwealth.

§ 320-322 General regulations.

Location of signs.

No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.

No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.

No sign, except official traffic signs or those approved by the Municipality of Norristown, is permitted within the cartway of the right-of-way.

No projecting sign shall extend into the cartway of the right-of-way or be less than seven feet above a pedestrianway.

No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking, loading, walkways, driveways, fire lane, easement, cartway of the right-of-way or other areas required to be unobstructed.

Signs, not including historical markers and banners approved by the Municipality, shall not be affixed to a utility pole or structure, lighting standard, parking meter, park bench, tree, shrub, rock or natural object, except plaques of a maximum of one square foot.

Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications lines or equipment.

Materials. Sign materials should be consistent with and complement the original construction materials and architectural style of the building facade on which they are to be displayed. All signs, excluding awning signs and interior window signs, shall be constructed only of durable materials with painted, engraved or raised messages. Plastic sign inserts shall be permitted for internally lit signs.

Size of lettering and window graphics.

All window signs shall have letters no larger than 18 inches in height for signs located 30 feet or less above grade; 24 inches in height for signs located 30 to 60 feet above grade; and 36 inches in height for signs located 60 or more feet above grade.

Window graphics shall not exceed 25% of the clear window surface.

Illumination of signs. Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein, consistent with the following standards:

Where permitted, illumination may be:

External. Illumination of a sign with an external light, shielded so that the point source of light is not visible elsewhere than on the lot where said illumination occurs.

Internal. Illumination of a sign designed to give forth an artificial light directly through transparent or translucent materials from a source of light within such a sign. Sign lettering may be backlit (halo) or neon or similar lighting. The text and graphics shall be illuminated with lighter colors, and the background shall be a darker color. This shall not apply to changeable-message outdoor advertising signs, which shall be subject to the provisions of § 320-317.

Illumination shall be permitted only to the extent necessary to allow signs to be seen and read at night at a distance not to exceed 500 feet for signs of 20 square feet or more in area and 150 feet for signs less than 20 square feet in area.

Neon signs, neon lighting, as defined herein, are not permitted in residential districts.

English language. Identification and directional signage containing non-English language shall also include its equivalent in English in order to address the health, safety, and welfare of vehicular and pedestrian customers trying to find the location of said premises, as well as all emergency services personnel responding to said premises.

Construction of signs.

Every sign permitted in this article must be kept in safe condition and good repair at all times as determined by the Municipal Code Enforcement Official. All signs not properly maintained shall be subject to removal.

A sign using electricity shall be installed in conformance with the Chapter 132, Uniform Construction Code, as amended. Signs not attached to a building shall be connected by underground electrical service only. Applications for electrical permits shall be filed at the same time of the sign permit application.

Removal of signs. A sign shall be found to be in violation of this article and may be required to be removed by the Municipality under any of the following circumstances:

The sign has not been maintained in good condition and safe repair and has deteriorated to the point that it cannot perform its intended use or creates a safety hazard. The Code Enforcement Officer shall specify a period of time in which the owner of the sign may repair or rehabilitate the sign, thereby restoring its intended use or correcting the safety hazard.

The sign has been erected without an applicable permit or does not comply with the other requirements of this article.

The sign has become abandoned as defined in this article.

§ 320-323 Illegal, abandoned and nonconforming signs.

Nonconforming signs. Any sign legally existing at the time of the adoption of this article that does not conform to the requirements of this article shall be considered a nonconforming sign and shall be bound by the regulations of this article regarding nonconforming signs.

Any change to the sign face of a nonconforming sign shall meet the requirements of this article, except for replacement of changeable-message outdoor advertising sign display units so long as such replacement shall not result in an enlargement of the dimensions of the display.

A sign, other than off-premises advertising signs, which does not conform to this article shall be removed when the sign requires any structural renovation or the background area of the sign is to be altered.

All nonconforming signs, except those which are painted onto building walls, may be repainted, resurfaced or repaired, provided that they are not substantially destroyed or abandoned, and provided such does not change the dimension of the existing sign.

A nonconforming sign must be removed within 15 days after notification by the Zoning Officer or be made to conform to this article in every respect whenever:

It is not securely attached to the ground, wall or roof and can be easily moved;

It becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication and is a nuisance as determined by the Municipality; or

It is abandoned by the owner or the use is abandoned.

§ 320-324 Permit procedures.

Standards.

It shall be unlawful to erect, alter, repair or relocate any sign within the Municipality without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempt from the permit requirements.

Applications for sign permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Officer and shall contain and/or have attached the following information where relevant:

Name, address and telephone number and signature of the owner or duly authorized agent for the property owner.

Name, address and telephone number and signature of the owner of the sign.

Name, address and telephone number of the sign contractor.

Property address and applicable zoning district.

Two copies of a sketch plan drawn to one-inch-equals-one-foot scale, depicting:

Lot dimensions, building frontage, and existing cartways, rights-of-way and driveways.

The design of each sign face and sign structure, including dimensions, total area, sign height, depth, color scheme, structural details, materials, lighting scheme and proposed location.

Sign message.

[4]

Building elevation, existing and proposed facades, parapet walls, cornices and the location and size of all proposed and existing permanent signage.

[5]

Current photographs showing existing signs on the premises and certifying the date on which the photographs were taken.

A permit fee shall be paid, per the fee schedule established by resolution of Municipal Council.

(g)

Such other information which may be required by the Zoning Officer to show full compliance with this and all other ordinances of the Municipality.

§ 320-325 Annual license fee.

Standards.

The owner of the sign or owner of the property on which the sign is erected or displayed shall pay to the Municipality an annual license fee per fee schedule establish by resolution of Municipal Council.

A fee will be charged annually for permanent signs and on a month-by-month basis for temporary signs for all signs requiring a permit. In calculating the total amount of square feet per sign with or without defined borders, use the guidelines as set forth in this chapter.

All licenses shall expire at 12:00 midnight on June 30 of each year. The license fees shall be due and payable July 1 of each license year. If a license is requested after July 1 of the licensing year, the total annual fee shall be due and payable upon application. The licensing fee shall commence July 6, 1992, and shall continue yearly thereafter unless amended or repealed.

All unpaid sign fees will be assessed a per-month delinquent fee of 11/12%. After December 31 of the current year, if unpaid, delinquent fee charges shall be collected by lien or any action at law.

§ 320-326 Conditional use standards.

Procedure for consideration of a conditional use application. An application for any conditional use, as specified in this article, shall be considered by Municipal Council according to the following procedure.

Application.

The application shall be submitted in writing to the Municipality using approved forms during regular business hours, with a fee as required by the Municipality's fee schedule.

The application shall include the request for approval of a conditional use and sufficient information to document compliance with the applicable standards of this chapter; a tentative sketch plan of the proposed development shall be included.

The Municipal Planning Commission may submit one copy of the application to the Montgomery County Planning Commission for its advisory review, one copy to Municipal Council, and other copies to agencies and/or technical consultants whose review may be relevant.

Public hearing and decision process.

Municipal Council shall schedule a public hearing within 60 days from the date of the applicant's request, pursuant to public notice, unless the applicant has agreed in writing to an extension of this time limit.

Municipal Council shall consider the comments and recommendations of the Municipal and County Planning Commissions, other advisors and those present at the public hearing prior to deciding to approve or deny the proposed use. In allowing a conditional use, Municipal Council may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards, in addition to those expressed in this chapter, as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter.

In deciding all applications for conditional uses, Municipal Council shall be guided by the following standards and criteria:

The proposed use shall be one permitted by conditional use and one that will conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located.

The proposed use shall be considered in light of the general standards for Zoning Hearing Board decisions in Article XXX.

Municipal Council shall render a written decision on the application within 45 days after the last hearing in which the Board considered the application.

Where Municipal Council fails to render a decision within 45 days or fails to hold the required hearing within 60 days from the date of the applicant's request for a hearing, the decision shall be deemed to have been rendered in favor of the applicant unless the applicant has agreed in writing or on the record to an extension of time.

Standards. General standards for permitting a conditional use shall be as follows:

The conditional use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare.

The conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other properties in the immediate vicinity for purposes already permitted, nor substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood.

The applicant shall establish that the conditional use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses permitted in the district.

The applicant shall establish that adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, and/or necessary facilities have been or are being provided.

The applicant shall establish that adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide ingress and egress, designed so as to minimize traffic congestion on public streets.

§ 320-327 Provisions governing off-premises advertising signs.

Intent. The purpose of this section is to provide an area for the placement of off-premises advertising signs in the Municipality, to provide regulations for such signs, and to locate such signs so that they are not adverse to the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Norristown.

Standards.

"Off-premises advertising sign" shall be defined as a sign offering a non-site-specific message and/or advertising a business, product, commodity, industry, home occupation, service, entertainment or similar activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the property upon which the sign is located.

Locations where signs permitted. Off-premises advertising signs are permitted by conditional use in the following locations in the Municipality of Norristown.

On all properties fronting along Markley Street in the LI-MU and TC Districts, provided that all other criteria of this section are met.

Regulations governing off-premises advertising signs.

Size of sign. An off-premises advertising sign may not exceed 300 square feet per side in area, with a maximum length of 25 feet and a maximum width of 12 feet, except for changeable-message outdoor advertising signs along Markley Street in the TC and LI-MU Zoning Districts, which signs shall not exceed 378 square feet in area.

The maximum height of an off-premises advertising sign shall be the minimum necessary in order for the sign to be reasonably viewed by the intended motorists and in no event higher than 30 feet measured from ground level to the top of the sign. Ground level shall be the average grade of the area where the sign is to be located and shall be determined prior to approval of the sign. No mounding, grading or modification shall be permitted that would have the effect of increasing the permitted height of the sign.

Off-premises advertising signs shall be located no closer than 20 feet from any property line, except for off-premises advertising signs on Markley Street in the LI-MU or TC Districts, which shall not extend into any public rights-of-way or beyond any property line.

Spacing. Off-premises advertising signs may not be located closer than 750 feet from another off-premises advertising sign, except that such spacing requirement shall not apply to signs placed, owned and operated by or on behalf of the Municipality.

Each off-premises advertising sign shall be located on a separate lot. There shall be no more than one off-premises advertising sign per lot.

Off-premises advertising signs shall not display any message or graphic that would be considered a public nuisance or that would distract motorists.

(g)

External lighting. Lighting of off-premises advertising signs shall be limited so as not to shine onto other properties, and such lighting shall be turned off between 12:00 midnight and sunrise, except for changeable-message outdoor advertising signs, which shall be subject to the limitations set forth in § 320-326B(3)(h) below. External lighting fixtures must be placed above the sign and directed downward, rather than at the bottom of the sign directed upward toward the sky. All such lighting fixtures must be aimed and controlled so as to place light output only on the face of the sign and not projected past the sign.

(h)

Internal illumination and computer-controlled electronic displays, video signs, LED displays or changing or changeable-copy signs are prohibited, except for time-and-temperature displays and changeable-message outdoor advertising signs, if the lighting of such changeable-message outdoor advertising sign is limited to a level not exceeding 7,500 nits (candelas per square meter), during the period each day from official sunrise until official sunset, and is programmed to automatically dim to a lighting level not exceeding 750 nits from official sunset until official sunrise.

(i)

The minimum lot size for a property on which an off-premises advertising sign may be located is 1/2 acre.

(j)

Construction and maintenance of sign.

All plans for off-premises advertising signs shall be certified by a licensed structural engineer.

All off-premises advertising signs shall be constructed in accordance with industry-wide standards established by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and the Institute of Outdoor Advertising, or their successor organizations. All off-premises advertising signs shall be structurally sound and maintained in good condition. If the signs are not structurally sound or are in poor condition, the signs shall be immediately removed at the sole cost and expense of the owner of the sign. If an off-premises advertising sign is not structurally sound or remains in poor condition, the Municipality of Norristown shall notify the owner of the property on which the sign is located and provide the owner 60 days' written notice, by certified mail sent to the owner's last known address, to remove the sign. If the sign is not removed within 60 days of the date of the notice, the Municipality may remove the sign, and the cost thereof shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located. The Municipality of Norristown may file a lien against the property or take any action authorized by law to collect the cost of removal if it is not paid by the owner of the property.

The rear face of a single-face off-premises advertising sign shall be maintained with a single neutral color acceptable to the Municipality.

(k)

All off-premises advertising signs shall be identified on the structure with the name and address of the owner of such sign. Such signs within any area regulated by Title 67, Chapter 445 of the Pennsylvania Code shall be further identified with a permit number or tag issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

(l)

Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided and maintained at and around all off-premises advertising signs, in accordance with a landscaping plan to be submitted at the time of conditional use application, such that the area in the immediate vicinity of the sign structure presents an appearance that is attractive to passing motorists. Such landscaping plan shall, to the extent practicable, present an attractive and logical scheme which incorporates a variety of low-growing evergreen and deciduous plantings, providing year-round vitality and visual interest. Such landscape plan shall take into consideration the need for access to the sign structure with necessary equipment, as well as visibility of the advertising faces as viewed by the traveling public.

A landscaping plan which meets the following minimum requirements shall be submitted, reviewed and approved by the Municipal Engineer:

[a]

Five evergreen trees with a height of five feet to six feet planted within a forty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign;

[b]

Four flowering trees with a height of eight feet to 10 feet planted within a fifty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign; and

[c]

One shrub tree with a height of three feet to four feet for each three lineal feet of road frontage along the parcel or 40 shrubs, whichever is greater, to be placed in front of the sign.

All trees four inches in diameter or greater that are removed due to the construction or erection of an off-premises advertising sign shall be replaced on site at a ratio of one replacement tree for each tree removed, using native species, no less than two inches in caliper.

(m)

All off-premises signs shall comply with any and all applicable zoning regulations of the Municipality of Norristown, and any and all Municipal, state and/or federal regulations, including, but not limited to, the Norristown Administrative Code and all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations. In the event any other applicable regulation is in conflict with the provisions of this section, the more strict regulation shall apply.

(n)

In addition to the requirements set forth in § 320-192 of this chapter, plans submitted for off-premises advertising signs shall show the following:

The location of the proposed sign on the lot with the required sign setbacks from the property line and ultimate right-of-way;

The location and species of existing trees over four inches in diameter and those that are proposed to be removed.