[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
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.
1.
The regulations of this chapter relating to signs shall be strictly
construed. In addition to the sign specifically prohibited, 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.
2.
It is the intent of these provisions that the signs listed in § 27-1202 shall be exempt from permitting requirements. Such signs are generally for public service purposes or are temporary or minor in nature.
3.
Regulated signs, which are not exempt from permitting requirements,
shall comply with the standards of sections of regulated signs.
4.
Additional sign requirements shall apply to signs erected in the
Borough of Wellsboro Historic Overlay District to ensure that new
signs are harmonious with the general character of the historic district
and the architecture of its important buildings.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
The following sign types do not require a permit or license
and shall not be counted toward the maximum sign area.
1.
Any sign which is less than two square feet in area, or a sign for
a home occupation or home business which shall not exceed four square
feet in area.
2.
Public Service or Highway Sign. A sign located for the purpose of
providing traffic safety or information, a public service message
or directions towards or indication of a use not readily visible from
a public street (e.g. traffic signs, rest rooms, telephone, parking,
office, service bay, shopping district, no trespassing, no fishing
etc.). Such signs may bear no commercial advertising and shall not
exceed nine square feet. Civic organization-sponsored public service
signs shall not be considered commercial advertising.
3.
"For Sale" or "For Rent" Signs. A sign advertising a property being
sold or rented which shall not exceed eight square feet in size and
shall be removed within 10 days of the sale or rental of the premises.
A maximum of two such signs may be maintained for the property being
sold or rented.
4.
Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection
of buildings which shall not exceed four square feet in total area.
5.
Temporary, non-permanent signs, placed so as not 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.
6.
Devices relaying information to the general public (i.e., time, temperature,
etc.)
7.
Construction signs, which shall not exceed 32 square feet, may identify
those involved in design, development, construction, demolition or
financing, when displayed during the activity described. The sign
shall be removed when the project activity has ceased. Only one such
sign per property is allowed.
8.
Signs mounted on interior walls.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
The following specific uses and definitions apply to signs regulated
by this chapter:
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current and/or
operational business, service, owner, product or activity for a period
of at least 365 calendar days.
A sign that designates the street number and/or street name
for identification purposes, as designated by the United States Postal
Service, less than two square feet. The address/name plate sign does
not require a permit.
A sign depicting action, motion, or light or color changes
through electrical or mechanical means.
A sign painted on or attached to a removable frame, of the
hinged, rolled or folding type, that may have a covering, either combustible
or noncombustible.
A lighter-than-air, gas-filled balloon, tethered in a fixed
location, which contains an advertisement message on its surface or
attached to the balloon in any manner.
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar non-rigid
material attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing
which is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners
are temporary in nature and do not include flags.
A type of projecting sign mounted on a building facade or
storefront pole or attached to a surface perpendicular to the normal
flow of traffic.
A sign stating the name(s) of a business located off-premises.
Any sign that is part of, or attached to a canopy.
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change
either automatically through electrical or electronic means, or manually
through placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted in or on
a track system. The two types of changeable copy signs are manual
changeable copy signs and electronic changeable copy signs, which
include: message center signs, digital displays, and tri-vision boards.
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
A sign typically of 10 feet to 20 feet in height, composed
of lightweight fabric on a structure, which may be of the flutter"or
windless variety.
A sign whose artificial illumination is not kept constant
in intensity at all times when in use and which exhibits changes in
light, color, direction, or animation. This definition does not include
electronic message centers signs or digital displays that meet the
requirements set forth herein.
Any non-movable sign not affixed to a building.
A sign identifying an approved and legal home occupation,
not exceeding four square feet.
A sign identifying an approved and legal home occupation,
not exceeding four square feet.
A sign that is an air-inflated object, which may be of various
shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or structure
and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant
flow of air into the device.
An electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior
or electronic signals of motor vehicle drivers, officially used by
the Wellsboro Police Department (WPD) for speed control.
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols are
changed manually through placement or drawing of letters or symbols
on a sign face.
A sign painted on, attached to, or consisting of an interchangeable
copyreader, on the face of a building, or as part of a freestanding
sign.
A sign having parts that physically move rather than merely
appear to move as might be found in a digital display. The physical
movement may be activated electronically or by another means, but
shall not include wind-activated movement such as used for banners
or flags. Mechanical movement signs do not include digital signs that
have changeable, programmable displays.
A type of illuminated, changeable copy sign that consists
of electronically changing alphanumeric text often used for gasoline
price display, time, temperature, special notifications associated
with premises, etc., not exceeding 50% of the sign area.
A directory, on or off premises, used to identify specific
enterprises that are located within a multiple-tenant commercial,
industrial, business or office center.
A sign displaying a message that is temporary in nature and
relates to a specific event or occurrence, which is not intended for
permanent installation.
Examples of non-permanent signs include a banner advertising
a sale or promotion at a retail establishment, or a lawn sign promoting
a particular candidate for an election. There are two types of non-permanent
signs:
Limited duration signs are a type of non-permanent sign that
can be displayed on private property for greater than 30 days, but
are not intended to be displayed for an indefinite period. Limited
duration signs require a sign permit, which is valid for up to one
year, and can be renewed annually.
Temporary signs are a type of non-permanent sign that can be
displayed on private property for not more than 30 consecutive days,
up to twice per calendar year. Temporary signs do not require a permit.
Both limited duration and temporary signs are restricted according
to the type of the sign, with permanent and non-permanent wall/window
signs together covering no more than 20% of the wall or window surface
in the CB District, non-permanent wall/window signs covering no more
that 20% of the wall or window surface in other districts where permitted,
and sandwich board/sidewalk signs not exceeding four feet in height
and two feet in width.
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service
or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than
the premises or land on which the sign is located.
A sign that directs attention to a business or profession
conducted, or to a commodity or service sold, offered or manufactured
or to an entertainment event offered on the premises where the sign
is located.
A sign attached or affixed to a building, window, or structure,
or to the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental
loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement
of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
A sign designed to be transported or moved and not permanently
attached to the ground, a building, or other structure.
A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to and projects
from a face or wall of a building, or from a structure whose primary
purpose is other than the support of the sign.
A building-mounted sign erected upon, against, or over the
roof of a building.
A portable sign having changeable letters or sign face that
may have up to two sign areas for temporary placement on a sidewalk
or other frontage.
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights,
or other objects, or placed on any public property or in the public
right-of-way or on any private property without the permission of
the property owner.
An outdoor sign unit with a slatted face that allows three
different copy messages to revolve at intermittent intervals.
A sign affixed to a vehicle in such a manner that the sign
is used primarily as a stationary advertisement for the business on
which the vehicle sits or is otherwise not incidental to the vehicle's
primary purpose.
A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or
structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure
for, or forms the background surface of the sign and does not project
more than 10 inches from such building or structure.
A sign affixed to the surface of a window, or within the
display area of a window, with its message intended to be visible
to and readable from the public right-of-way, and/or from adjacent
properties.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
The table[1] below summarizes the potential eligibility of the above
sign types in each of the zoning districts, subject to further restrictions
and guidance in this article. The Code used for this description is
as follows:
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Types is included as an attachment
to this chapter.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
1.
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 two square feet for each lineal
foot of building face parallel or substantial parallel to a street
line. See Part 2 for definition of sign area.
A.
Where a lot fronts on more than one street, the sign area allowed
for the smaller building face shall be allowed for each frontage.
B.
A lot without a building situated thereon shall be entitled to a
maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
C.
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 below shall be
met.
D.
Maximum Sign Area for Shopping Centers Not Facing a Public Street
Plaza. The building front facing parallel to the parking lot rather
than the street line shall be utilized to calculate the maximum sign
area for any shopping center with store fronts facing an interior
parking lot rather than a public street.
2.
Standards for Regulated Signs.
A.
Awning Sign RH/CB/HC/H/CM Districts. 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 in combustible.
(1)
Awning signs may be placed anywhere on a structure where such
awning has a ground clearance of 10 feet and extends no more than
five feet from the building facade.
(2)
No back-lit, flat-metal or wood canopies will be permitted.
(3)
Lettering is to be restricted to the name of the business, secondary
description, address and phone number. Lettering will be restricted
to no more than nine inches in height.
(4)
Any logo or graphic design will not exceed 20% of the awning
surface (see Illustration III).
B.
Business Directory Sign. A sign stating the name(s) of a business
located off premises.
(1)
The maximum sign area regardless of the number of businesses
listed on the sign shall be 120 square feet for the CB/HC/CM Districts
and 16 square feet for all other districts.
(2)
Such signs are not included in computing total sign area allowed.
(3)
Such signs shall not be located upon a public right-of-way.
C.
Free Standing Sign. 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)
HC/CM Districts. Free standing signs shall not exceed 30 feet
in height or 100 square feet in area for each face and may be internally
lighted.
(3)
Hospital District: The area of each sign face shall not exceed
36 square feet. Internal lighting is permitted.
(4)
RR/RT/RH/CB Districts: The area of each sign face shall not
exceed 12 square feet, unless a sign for a church, school or government
use which shall not exceed 36 square feet. There shall be no internal
lighting of the sign.
(5)
There must be no exposed connecting wires.
(6)
Such signs shall be erected so as not to obstruct free egress
to or from any building, or public right-of-way. Such signs shall
not be located upon a public right-of-way.
D.
Projecting Sign - CB/HC/H/CM Districts. A permanent sign that is
hung at a 90° 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)
Each face shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(2)
Such sign must be hung at right angles, and shall not project
beyond four feet of the building face.
(3)
The bottom of said sign shall have an eight foot pedestrian
clearance from sidewalk level.
(4)
Banners will be considered as a projecting sign and follow the
same restriction. Banners hung across the street are prohibited.
E.
Flat Facade Sign - CB District. A sign which is attached parallel
on the exterior surface of a building or structure.
(1)
Flat facade signs placed flush with the building, will be placed
below the second floor or lower window sill of a second-story window
and be no larger than 25% of the first-floor facade square footage
(see Illustration I). Square footage is measured by multiplying the
width of the storefront by the height, as determined by the distance
of the lower second-floor window sill to the sidewalk.
(2)
A maximum of one flat, per business, per building will be permitted.
Where a building's side facade faces a side street, rear alley or
parking lot, a maximum of one flat sign per facade will be permitted.
(3)
Flat signs or signboards will have a maximum height of four
feet with sign letters being no larger than 24 inches in height.
(4)
Sign lettering will be restricted to the name of the business,
one secondary description, address and phone number.
(5)
Where two or more businesses occupy one building, on the street
level, the overall sign area for all signs shall be no larger than
25% of the first-floor facade square footage.
(6)
Signs representing businesses on any of the upper floors shall
be limited to one sign per business with each sign being no larger
than 10% of the overall square footage of the upper building facade
of which it is a part.
F.
Wall Sign - CB District. Wall signs, wall murals or wall painted
signs shall occupy no more than 20% of the wall area or facade of
which they are a part and may not exceed an area of 120 square feet.
G.
Wall Sign - HC/H/CM Districts. A sign which is attached parallel
on the exterior surface of a building or structure.
(1)
A wall sign shall not project more than 15 inches from the building
surface.
(2)
The sign shall not obscure architectural features of the building
(including but not limited to cornices, lintels, transoms) to which
the sign is attached.
(3)
Such signs shall not extend above the lowest point of the roof,
nor beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.
H.
Window Sign - CB/HC/H/CM Districts - A permanent non-illuminated
sign painted on the inside or outside glass of a window.
(1)
Window signs on windows shall occupy no more than 20% of window
area and letters no larger than eight inches in height.
(2)
A maximum of three signs will be allowed for any one business.
(3)
Neon signs are permitted only within a store interior and are
restricted to the same size limitation of window signs.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
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 affixed.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
A sign may be illuminated artificially by means of electricity,
gas, oil, or fluorescent paint.
1.
Illuminated signs are permitted as long as the external light sources
are aimed at the sign they are illuminating and not positioned in
such a manner so as to shine onto the adjoining property or into the
eyes of a passing pedestrian or motorist.
2.
Internally lit signs are not permitted except in the case of free
standing and wall mounted signs in HC or CM Districts, provided they
are restricted under the Wellsboro Historic District Ordinance.
3.
There must be no exposed connecting wires.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, signs are exempt
from setback requirements.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
A sign shall not exceed needlessly above the cornice line of
the building to which the sign is attached.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
In addition to and/or as further description of signs specifically prohibited in one or more of the zoning districts as per § 27-1204, the following are also prohibited:
1.
Portable or moveable signs other than as temporary signs.
2.
Signs carried or worn by pedestrians, unless for special occasions.
3.
Any sign which flashes or blinks on and off or contains moving lights
or which is otherwise illuminated on an intermittent basis.
4.
Any neon sign other than a window sign.
5.
Any backlight awning which has lettering on it in the CB District.
6.
Any sign mounted on the rooftop of a building.
7.
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.
8.
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required
door, window, fire escape or other required exit way or which obstructs
a window, door or other opening for providing light or air or interferes
with proper function of the building.
9.
Any sign or sign structure which:
10.
Signs which make use of words phrases, symbols, or characters in
such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
11.
String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial
purposes other than Christmas decorations.
12.
Spinners and streamers.
13.
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.
14.
Any sign affixed to a fence, utility pole or utility structure, or
tree, shrub, rock or other natural objects.
15.
Off premise signs unless a Business Directory Sign (see § 27-1205(2)B).
16.
Signs which depict nudity or sexual conduct.
17.
Feather/swooper flags/signs.
18.
Permanent and non-permanent signs on grassy median strips or gaslights
on the boulevards.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
An application for variance to any sign regulation may be filed with the Zoning Hearing Board as allowed in Part 16 of this chapter.
[Ord. No. 688, 6/4/2018]
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, it shall give written notice of this
fact to the 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.
