[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 700; as amended by Ord. 6-2007, 10/8/2007]
Signage may include a variety of different types of signs, each with unique functions. The following list itemizes and defines the various signs considered under the provisions of this Part:
A. 
Awning Signs. Signs that are mounted or painted on, or attached to, an awning or canopy of a business establishment, i.e., a business identification sign.
B. 
Billboards or Advertising Sign Boards. Signs or boards which direct motorists or pedestrians to a business establishment or call the attention of a motorist or pedestrian to a product, place, or activity that exists or occurs at a location other than the location upon which the board is erected, i.e., an off-premises sign. For the purposes of this chapter, billboards shall be wall signs and shall not include freestanding structures.
C. 
Business Identification Signs. Signs or boards that are directly oriented to activities that occur on the same premises as the sign or board, i.e., an on-premises sign. Such signs may be freestanding or may be attached to a wall or awning and may be either temporary or permanent in nature.
D. 
Freestanding Signs. A self-supporting sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles or standards placed in or on the ground. Such signs may be designed to be movable and shall advertise products or items offered for sale or that are directly related to the premises upon which they are located, i.e., business identification signs.
E. 
Political Signs. Temporary signs announcing or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state or local election.
F. 
Product or Service Advertising Signs. Devices, structures or objects used to advertise a product, service, commodity, or activity available or occurring on the same premises as the sign(s). Such signs shall include but need not be limited to placards, boards, or other devices which are mounted, hung or painted on the inside of windows and faced outward, or are placed outside of a business, either on the building itself or on the same lot as the business, which advertise or are intended to advertise the variety, type, or pricing of available products or services. Flags, pennants, and banners which advertise specific products or services shall also be considered product or service advertising signs for the purposes of this chapter.
G. 
Temporary Signs. Promotional flags, pennants, portable ground signs, temporary business identification signs, political signs, special promotional or advertising devices or banners or temporary event signs intended to be erected for a limited period of time to call attention to a legally permissible special event.
H. 
Traffic or Roadway Signs. Signs erected by or with the approval of the Borough Council which are intended to direct or inform the general public about traffic or roadway conditions.
I. 
Wall Signs. Signs attached or mounted to a wall or part of a wall of a building or structure which advertise products sold or directly related to the premises upon which they are located, i.e., business identification signs, or may advertise products or services offered elsewhere, i.e., advertising sign boards or billboards.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 701; as amended by Ord. 6-2007, 10/8/2007]
The following regulations shall apply to all permitted sign uses:
A. 
Location.
(1) 
The main supporting structure of all signs shall be setback in accordance with the minimum requirements established in this Part for the specific type of sign and the district in which it is to be located. In no case, however, shall any freestanding sign be located closer than three feet to any side or rear property line or be situated within any public right-of-way, except traffic signs or signs that are required in connection with the provision of municipal services.
(2) 
No sign shall be permanently painted, erected, affixed or maintained on any tree, stone or other natural object.
(3) 
No sign shall be located on a sidewalk or other walkway which obstructs or restricts a pedestrian's passage, including temporary or portable signs. In addition, where permitted, portable signs shall not exceed nine square feet per face and shall be removed from the walkway during times that the business is closed.
B. 
Sign Area. Sign area shall include the entire face of a single side of a sign, including all framing, trim and border area, but excluding any supporting framework or bracing. (A double-faced sign shall be considered a single sign.) Where a sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and/or symbols.
C. 
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall not cause excessive glare or other disturbance which would be incompatible with the nature of the surrounding neighborhood or which would in any way impair the vision of passing motorists. Illumination shall be steady in nature, not flashing, animated, moving or changing in brilliance, color or intensity. No flashing or animated signs shall be permitted. The following types of illumination may be permitted as provided in §§ 703, 704, 705, 706 and 707.
(1) 
Direct Illumination. Illumination provided either directly or through transparent or translucent material from a source of light within a sign, including, but not limited to, neon and exposed lamps.
(2) 
Indirect Illumination. Illumination provided by a light which is shielded so that no direct rays are visible from elsewhere on the lot where the sign is located. Where such shielding is incomplete or defective, the illumination shall be deemed to be direct illumination.
D. 
Traffic or Visual Obstruction. No sign shall be erected at the intersection of a street which could obstruct a motorist's clear vision. If located within the direct line of vision of any traffic control signal, no sign shall have red, green or amber illumination. In addition, no sign shall cause a visual obstruction for property owners in the Borough.
E. 
Attachment. All signs shall be constructed and securely fastened in a manner which will prevent their displacement by the elements and prevent collapse. Wall signs may not project more than 12 inches from the surface to which they are mounted or attached nor extend more than 12 inches over a public street or sidewalk. No such wall sign shall extend above the top nor beyond the edge of the wall or surface to which it is mounted. Awning signs shall not project above, below or beyond the awning or canopy to which they are attached. In addition, no signs shall be erected or maintained on the roof or eave of any building.
F. 
Anchoring. All freestanding signs shall be anchored, weighted, springloaded or otherwise designed to minimize wind action. The application for such signs shall indicate the method of anchoring to be employed.
G. 
Access. No sign shall be erected or maintained which prevents free ingress and egress from any door, window or fire escape, or which prevents free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
H. 
Construction and Maintenance. All signs permitted under this chapter must be constructed of durable material and shall be adequately maintained to present a legible appearance and to avoid deterioration, decay or other conditions which could endanger the public health, welfare or safety. In such cases, the sign and all appurtenances shall be removed by the permittee when the circumstances leading to its erection or display no longer apply.
I. 
Landowner's Permission. No sign shall be displayed upon private or public property, other than on that of the applicant, without first being permitted by the owner or agent thereof. Written consent or a copy of the lease shall be presented with an application for a building/zoning permit.
J. 
Nonconforming Signs. Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs, and once removed, shall be replaced with only conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be painted, repaired or maintained, provided such maintenance or repair does not extend the dimensions of the existing sign.
K. 
Temporary Event Signs. (See also Subsections L and M below for specific types of temporary event signs.) Temporary signs which are to be erected for a legally permissible special event or purpose may be permitted in any zoning district, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) 
Temporary event signs may refer to only one event or purpose.
(2) 
No more than two such signs may be permitted on a premises at any one time.
(3) 
The size or area of each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet and such signs shall not exceed six feet above the average grade of the site.
(4) 
Such signs shall not be located within any public right-of-way, without prior approval of the Borough Council.
(5) 
Temporary event signs shall not be displayed for more than 30 days prior to the event.
(6) 
The signs shall be removed by the property owner or applicant within seven days after the event has occurred.
L. 
Garage, Porch or Yard Sale Signs. Signs advertising garage, porch or yard sales or similar periodic events may be permitted subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(2) 
Signs shall not be erected more than two days prior to the sale or activity, without the prior approval of the Borough Council.
(3) 
Signs shall be removed within 24 hours following the date of the sale.
M. 
Political Signs. Political signs may be permitted in any zoning district, subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
A building/zoning permit shall be required for the erection of political signs in the Borough. There shall be no fee, however, for the issuance of such a permit.
(2) 
Political signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area per sign face and shall not have more than two faces.
(3) 
Signs shall not endanger the public nor be located within the right-of-way of any public street.
(4) 
Signs may be erected 60 days prior to the election date and must be removed by the applicant within seven days after the election.
(5) 
Should the applicant fail to remove all such signs within the established time limits, the Borough shall remove them and shall charge the applicant for said removal. In addition, the Borough shall have the right to enter upon any premises and remove signs that are not in compliance with these regulations without notice.
N. 
Building/Zoning Permit Requirements. A building/zoning permit shall be required for the erection or alteration of all signs, with the exception of temporary signs meeting the requirements of subsections (K), (L) and (M) above, and those signs permitted in § 703(A), General Signs in the R-1 and R-3 Residential Districts.
O. 
Fees. Fees for the issuance of building/zoning permits for signs shall be paid to the Borough upon filing of an application for such use and shall be in accordance with the schedule of fees established by resolution of the Borough Council. No fee shall be charged for any permit connected with the erection of a sign necessary for the public welfare.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 702]
The following signs may be placed or located in the R-1 and R-3 Residential Zoning Districts, subject to the specified requirements:
A. 
General Signs. No more than one of the following nonilluminated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time (except trespassing signs), unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
(1) 
Name plates, identification signs or similar signs. (Maximum size — two square feet)
(2) 
Trespassing signs. (Maximum size — two square feet)
(3) 
Sale and rental signs. (Maximum size — six square feet)
(4) 
Signs directing individuals to the location of service clubs, churches or other nonprofit organizations. (Maximum size — eight square feet)
(5) 
Signs of mechanics, painters or other artisans while performing work on same premises. (Maximum size — 12 square feet)
B. 
Specific, Noncommercial Signs. No more than one of the following nonilluminated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time, unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage:
(1) 
Home occupation signs bearing the name and occupation of the practitioner. (Maximum size — four square feet)
(2) 
Development or housing complex name signs located on the premises being identified. (Maximum size — 20 square feet)
(3) 
Development signs, advertising the sale or development of the premises upon which they are located. Such signs may be permitted on the site for no more than one year. (Maximum size — 15 square feet)
C. 
Location. Permitted signs may be located in any portion of a required front yard, but shall be no closer to the adjoining street right-of-way line than 10 feet. (See also § 702, Subsection A.) No sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes and no such sign shall exceed five feet above the average grade of the site.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 703]
The following signs may be placed or located in the R-2 Residential District, subject to the specified requirements:
A. 
General Signs. Those signs permitted in § 703(A), "General Signs in the R-1 and R-3 Residential Districts."
B. 
Specific, Noncommercial Signs. No more than one of the following nonilluminated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time, unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage:
(1) 
Home occupation signs bearing the name and occupation of the practitioner. (Maximum size — four square feet)
(2) 
Day care centers. (Maximum size — four square feet)
(3) 
Signs of schools, churches, governments or similar institutions. (Such signs may also be indirectly illuminated.) (Maximum size — 20 square feet)
(4) 
Development or housing complex name signs located on the premises being identified. (Maximum size — 20 square feet)
C. 
Business Identification Signs (Freestanding or Wall Signs). Where proposed in conjunction with a permissible commercial use or activity in the R-2 Residential District, business identification signs may be erected, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
No more than one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated business identification sign may be erected and maintained on a property in the R-2 Residential District.
(2) 
Business identification signs, either freestanding or wall signs, shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
(3) 
Business identification signs shall not exceed five feet in height above the average grade of the site, unless proposed as wall signs.
D. 
Location. Permitted signs may be placed within any required front yard, but shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way line, or such signs may be attached to a wall of the principal building or structure in accordance with the requirements outlined in § 702, Subsection E. (See also § 702, Subsection A.) No sign shall be erected, however, which would effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 704]
The following signs may be placed or located in the C-1 Commercial Zoning District, subject to the specified requirements:
A. 
General Signs. Those signs permitted in § 703(A), "General Signs in the R-1 and R-3 Residential Districts."
B. 
Specific, Noncommercial Signs. No more than one of the following nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time, unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
(1) 
Home occupation signs bearing the name and occupation of the practitioner. (Maximum size — four square feet)
(2) 
Signs of schools, churches, day care centers, governments or similar institutions. (Maximum size — 20 square feet)
(3) 
Development or housing complex name signs located on the premises being identified. (Maximum size — 20 square feet)
C. 
Business Identification Signs (Freestanding, Wall Signs or Awning Signs). Where proposed in conjunction with a permissible commercial use or activity in the C-1 Commercial District, business identification signs may be erected, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
No more than one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated business identification sign may be erected and maintained on a property in the C-1 Commercial District.
(2) 
Business identification signs, either freestanding, wall signs or awning signs, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3) 
Freestanding business identification signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height above the average grade of the site nor be located closer to the ground than 10 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign) when in a parking, vehicular or pedestrian circulation area, unless they are resting on the ground.
D. 
Location. Permitted signs may be placed within any required front yard, but shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way line. (See also § 702, Subsection A.) No sign shall be erected however which would effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 705; as amended by Ord. 6-2007, 10/8/2007]
The following signs may be placed or located in the C-2 Commercial and I Industrial Zoning Districts, subject to the specified requirements:
A. 
General Signs. Those signs permitted in § 703(A), "General Signs in the R-1 and R-3 Residential Districts."
B. 
Specific, Noncommercial Signs. No more than one of the following nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly illuminated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time, unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
(1) 
Home occupation signs bearing the name and occupation of the practitioner. (Maximum size — 12 square feet)
(2) 
Signs of schools, churches, day care centers, governments or similar institutions. (Maximum size — 20 square feet)
C. 
Business Identification Signs (Wall Signs or Awning Signs). Where proposed in conjunction with a permissible commercial or industrial use or activity in the C-2 Commercial or I Industrial Districts, business identification signs may be erected, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
No more than two nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly illuminated business identification signs, either wall signs or awning signs, may be erected and maintained on a property in the C-2 Commercial or I Industrial District.
(2) 
Business identification signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area. Total sign area per lot shall not exceed 100 square feet.
D. 
Product or Service Advertising Signs. Where proposed in conjunction with a permissible commercial or industrial use or activity in the C-2 or I District, product or service advertising signs may be erected, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
The total amount of permissible product or service advertising signage per commercial or industrial establishment shall not exceed 32 square feet for establishments containing less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area and 75 square feet for establishments containing more than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area.
(2) 
All such signs shall be nonflashing, nonanimated, and nonilluminated and shall be located on the same lot as the business or product they are advertising.
E. 
Billboards or Advertising Sign Boards (Wall Signs Only). Billboards or advertising sign boards may be erected and maintained on a property in the C-2 Commercial or I Industrial Districts, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
No more than one nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or directly illuminated billboard or advertising sign board may be erected and maintained on a property in the C-2 Commercial or I Industrial District.
(2) 
Billboards or advertising sign boards shall not exceed 150 square feet in area.
(3) 
Billboards or advertising sign boards shall be located no closer than 500 feet (measured on the same side of the street) to any other such sign, except for vertically double signs. (See also § 702, Subsection D.)
(4) 
All applicable provisions of the state's Outdoor Advertising Act of 1971, as amended, shall be adhered to where signs are to be erected in areas adjacent to highways in PennDOT's Primary and Interstate Highway System. Any individual desiring to establish a sign in these areas shall contact PennDOT's Division of Outdoor Advertising to determine if the state's regulations will affect his proposal. A copy of PennDOT's determination shall accompany all applications for signs in such areas, and a copy of the state permit, where required, shall be submitted to the Borough prior to initiation of construction or erection of the sign.
F. 
Location. Permitted noncommercial and business identification signs may be placed within any required front yard, but shall be setback a minimum of 35 feet from the center line of the adjoining street. Billboards or advertising sign boards shall be setback at least 40 feet from the adjoining street center line. (See also § 702, Subsection A.) No sign shall be erected, however, which will effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 706]
The following signs may be placed or located in the Open Space District, subject to the specified requirements:
A. 
General Signs. Those signs permitted in § 703(A), "General Signs in the R-1 and R-3 Residential Districts."
B. 
Specific, Noncommercial Signs. No more than one of the following nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs may be permitted on a property at any one time, unless such property is situated on a corner and fronts on two streets, in which case one sign may be erected on each frontage.
(1) 
Mobile home park or campground development name signs. (Maximum size — 12 square feet.)
C. 
Business Identification Signs (Freestanding or Wall Signs). Where proposed in conjunction with a permissible commercial use or activity in the Open Space District, business identification signs may be erected, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
No more than one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated business identification sign may be erected and maintained on a property in the Open Space District.
(2) 
Business identification signs, either freestanding or wall signs, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3) 
Freestanding business identification signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height above the average grade of the site nor be located closer to the ground than 10 feet (measured from the lowest part of the sign) when in a parking, vehicular or pedestrian circulation area, unless they are resting on the ground.
D. 
Location. Permitted signs may be placed within any required front yard, but shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way line. (See also § 702, Subsection A.) No sign shall be erected however which would effectively limit proper sight distance for safety purposes.
[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 707]
Same as the underlying district, except that no sign may impede natural drainage or the flow of water. No signs shall however be permitted in the floodway unless placed by federal, state or local governments to protect the health, safety or welfare of the public.