[Amended 1-6-1992 by Ord.
No. 92-3; 3-11-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-05; 6-29-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-03]
Any sign erected or maintained after the effective date of this
chapter shall conform to the following regulations.
In all residential districts, the following signs shall be permitted
and no other:
A. Official street and traffic signs and any signs required by law.
B. Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs on the
same lot with and indicating the name, profession or activity of the
occupant of a dwelling; provided, that the area of any one side of
any sign shall not exceed two square feet; and provided, that not
more than one such sign shall be erected for each permitted use or
dwelling.
C. Conditional uses pursuant to Article
VII, §
415-27, when authorized by Borough Council, one freestanding or wall-mounted sign on the same lot as the use to which it refers which shall not exceed 16 square feet.
D. Sign for school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution
of a similar nature, on the same lot therewith, for the purpose of
displaying the name of the institution and its activities or services;
provided, that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed
15 square feet; and provided, that not more than one such sign shall
be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership.
E. Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways
or other property, on the same premises therewith; provided, that
the total area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed one square
foot and shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 100 feet of
street frontage.
F. Real estate signs as follows:
(1) For advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which the
sign is erected; provided, that the total area on any one side of
such sign on any one street frontage of any property in single and
separate ownership shall not exceed six square feet.
(2) For advertising, on the premises, the sale or development of homes,
within a subdivision the recorded plat of which contains fewer than
10 lots; provided, that the area of any one side of such sign shall
not exceed 15 square feet; and provided, that not more than one such
sign shall be erected within any such subdivision.
(3) For advertising, on the premises, the sale or development of homes
within a subdivision the recorded plat of which contains 10 or more
lots; provided, that the area of any one side of any such sign shall
not exceed 35 square feet, and provided that not more than two such
signs shall be erected within any such subdivision.
G. Signs in connection with the identification, operation or protection
of any public utility or municipal activity, on the same lot therewith;
provided, that the total sign area on any one street frontage of any
property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed eight square
feet.
H. For the sale of agricultural products, signs on the same lot therewith
indicating the name of the owner or occupant and the product sold
or services or activities performed on the premises; provided, that
the total sign area on any one street frontage of any property in
single and separate ownership shall not exceed 15 square feet.
I. Directional signs; provided, that the area of any one side of any
such sign shall not exceed six square feet; and provided, that such
signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 100 feet of street
frontage.
J. Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed during the period in which such work is being performed. See §
415-89I for standards and restrictions.
In BC Borough Commercial Districts, the following signs shall
be permitted, and no other:
A. Any sign permitted in all residential districts, provided the use
to which it refers is permitted in the BC Borough Commercial District.
B. Signs in connection with tourist homes or rooming houses, on the
same lot therewith; provided, that the area of any one side of such
sign shall not exceed six square feet; and provided, that not more
than one such sign shall be erected on any one street frontage of
any property in single and separate ownership.
C. Business or commercial sign on the same lot as the use to which it
refers; provided, that the total sign area on any one street frontage
of any property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed:
(1) Along Route 29 = 35 square feet.
(2) Along Main Street, other streets = 16 square feet.
In LI Limited Industrial Districts, the following signs shall
be permitted and no other:
A. Any sign permitted in any other district; provided, that the use
to which it refers is permitted in the LI Limited Industrial District.
B. For any commercial or industrial use, a sign to display the name
of the owner or occupant of the premises, the address, and the activity
conducted thereon, on the same lot therewith as follows:
(1) One freestanding sign per lot not to exceed 40 square feet.
(2) One facade sign per use not to exceed 40 square feet.
(3) Building identification sign consisting only of letters and/or numbers:
six square feet per building.
(4) One site directory sign per lot not to exceed 12 square feet.
(5) Non-illuminated directional signs not to exceed two square feet.
C. A billboard not to exceed 300 square feet when authorized by special
exception and subject to the following additional criteria:
(1) The top of the billboard shall not exceed a height of 20 feet from
ground elevation.
(2) The maximum length shall be 30 feet.
(3) No more than one billboard shall be positioned on an individual lot.
(4) The closest edge of the billboard shall be set back a minimum of
25 feet from the street right-of-way line. No billboard shall be positioned
less than 200 feet from an adjacent billboard.
(5) If illuminated, a billboard shall be illuminated by external source of illumination only and shall be subject to all standards of §
415-90 pertaining to illumination of signs.
A sign limited to the name and address of the use or tract on
the same lot as the use to which it refers which shall not exceed
six square feet.
In all districts, the following general sign regulations shall
apply:
A. No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic
on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official
street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
B. No sign, other than the official street signs, shall be erected or
maintained within the street right-of-way.
C. No sign shall project more than 24 inches over a public walkway,
and the lower edge of such projecting sign shall be not less than
10 feet above the walk level.
D. Every sign permitted in this chapter shall be constructed of durable
materials and shall be maintained in good condition and repair at
all times.
E. No freestanding or façade or building-mounted sign shall exceed
a sign height to the highest elevation of the sign of greater than
15 feet, except as may be provided for billboards.
F. No sign shall project above the building height restriction for the
district nor shall any sign be mounted on the roof of any building.
G. Sign area calculations.
(1) The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying
designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or
enclosed, on which they are displayed, including any frame, but not
including any support and bracing incidental to the display itself.
If the sign consists of more than one section, all areas will be totaled.
(2) When the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be
that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which
encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
(3) In computing square feet area of a double-faced sign, only one side
shall be considered; provided, that both faces are identical. If the
interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is
greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered
in calculating the sign area.
H. Prohibited signs. The following signs, because of their inherent
characteristics, could threaten the health, safety or welfare of persons
in the Borough and are prohibited:
(1) Any sign erected within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within
200 feet of a traffic control device which:
(a)
Uses the words "stop," "look" or "danger";
(b)
Contains red or green lights;
(c)
Contains any word, place, symbol or character which interferes
with, initiates or resembles an official traffic sign; or
(d)
Contains a light source visible from the public right-of-way.
(2) Any banner or sign hung across a public street or private property,
except for such signs which are deemed to be of general benefit to
the municipality or for public convenience, necessity or welfare,
subject to PennDOT regulations.
(3) A pennant which blows in the wind or a spinner which spins in the
wind, except when located inside a temporary fairground or when used
in conjunction with a special event.
(4) Any sign, except as specifically permitted in §
415-88 above, tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, hung, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, light stand, fence or other object.
(5) Any sign or part of sign with flashing or intermittent lighting,
sequential lights or revolving, moving, sound-producing or oscillating
parts, or which has movable parts or reflectors; or with changing
colors or intensity of illumination which utilize electrical energy;
or which changes sign image or text more than once every 24 hours;
or which flaps in the wind, with the exception of signs that display
time, date and/or temperature exclusively and barber poles.
(6) Mobile or portable signs.
(7) Advertising vehicles.
(a)
Any vehicle or trailer which is parked on a public right-of-way
or on public or private property so as to be visible from a public
right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign
or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement
of products or directing people to a business or activity or service
of any kind, is hereby deemed to be an advertising vehicle and shall
be prohibited.
(b)
This section shall not prohibit any form of vehicle signage,
such as a sign attached to a bus or a lettered motor vehicle where
the vehicle is not used for the basic purpose of providing advertisement
or direction as set forth above.
(c)
Should the prohibition stated above be overturned by a court
of law or act of legislature, then an advertising vehicle shall be
permitted only so long as it does not interfere with the safety of
the traveling public, and further provided that any signage placed
upon the vehicle in any manner shall constitute a sign as defined
under this article and be subject to all applicable regulations defined
in this article.
I. Temporary signs of contractors. Temporary signs which identify only
the name, address, phone number and specialty of contractors, mechanics,
painters and artisans placed on the premises where the work is performed
shall be permitted in all districts, limited in size and duration
as to the following:
(1) In residential districts:
(a)
For new construction, additions, and renovations of individual
residential properties, one sign per contractor, limited to six square
feet.
(b)
For three or more contractors, signs shall be mounted on a common
surface, each sign not to exceed six square feet, and the total sign
area shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(2) In all other districts:
(a)
For new construction, additions, and renovations of individual,
nonresidential properties, one sign per contractor, limited to 12
square feet.
(b)
For three or more contractors, signs shall be mounted on a common
surface, each sign not to exceed 12 square feet, and the total sign
area shall not exceed 64 square feet.
(3) All such signs shall be unlighted and shall be removed within 30
days from when the contractor has completed or otherwise discontinued
work on the premises.
(4) All signs shall be placed a minimum of 10 feet behind the face of
the curb or edge of pavement in noncurbed areas.
J. Exempted signs. The following signs are exempt from the provisions
of this article:
(1) Official highway route number, street name, directional or other
traffic signs, including those on private or public property.
(2) A sign indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting
or trespassing or signs indicating the private nature of a road; provided,
that the area of any such sign does not exceed one square foot and
that such signs are spaced no less than 100 feet apart on street frontages
and 50 feet apart along other boundaries.
(3) A sign with an area not exceeding one square foot bearing only property
number, street address or post box numbers or the names of the occupants
in residential districts.
(4) Governmental flags or governmental insignias, public monuments, historic
identification signs or plaques and municipal identification signs
erected by or with the permission of a government agency.
(6) A Christmas tree, other holiday display or window display of merchandise,
except as specifically prohibited herein. Holiday or seasonal non-identification
flags without letters, words or numbers are permitted.
(7) Public service signs, signs promoting public safety and information
signs advertising the availability of restrooms, telephones or similar
public conveniences.
(8) A sign on a vending machine advertising the sale of the contents
contained therein.
(9) One or more signs applied to a windowpane giving store hours or the
name or names of credit or charge institutions, when the total area
of all such signs does not exceed two square feet.
(10)
A sign not exceeding four square feet which is a permanent architectural
feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone or identifying
letters carved into or embossed on a building; provided, that the
letters are not made of reflective material nor do they contrast in
color with the building.
(11)
An emblem, logo, insignia or badge displayed to signify membership
or of affiliation with any trade association, craftsman group, labor
union, civic or fraternal group or similar organization, not to exceed
one square foot.
(12)
American flags, not to exceed 40 square feet each.
(13)
On-premises directional signs, devoid of all symbolic or actual
reference to any business activity on the lot and giving only traffic
or pedestrian information, no-parking signs and handicapped parking
signs.
(14)
Religious symbols in conjunction with places of worship in those
districts where permitted.
K. Construction and maintenance. Every sign shall be constructed of durable materials, using noncorrosive fasteners, shall be structurally safe and erected or installed in strict accordance with Chapter
135, Construction Codes, Uniform, and maintained in a safe condition and good repair at all times.
A. In all residential districts, excluding BC Borough Commercial Districts,
the following permitted signs may be illuminated, and no other:
(1) Professional sign of a physician, dentist, healer, Magisterial District
Judge and such other person whose services in emergency are customarily
considered essential to the public health, safety and welfare; provided,
that the illumination is white light only and provided further that
the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent
of that given by a 25 watt incandescent light source.
(2) Sign of a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution
of similar nature, laboratory or municipal building; provided, that
the illumination is white light only and, provided further, that the
total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent
of that given by a 60 watt incandescent light source.
(3) Signs for regulation of traffic, marking of hazards and the like.
(4) Signs greater than two square feet shall be provided with "external
illumination only." External illumination shall not exceed 17 footcandles
at the face of the sign, the light source shall consist only of white
or amber color range, and shall consist of a uniform distribution
of light intensity.
B. In BC Borough Commercial Districts and LI Limited Industrial Districts,
any permitted sign, building or structure may be illuminated. Signs
greater than two square feet shall be provided with "external illumination
only." External illumination shall not exceed 17 footcandles at the
face of the sign. The light source shall consist only of white or
amber color range and shall consist of a uniform distribution of light
intensity. Illumination is to be controlled by a timer which shall
turn off the sign light not later than one hour after the close of
regular business hours. Emergency directional signs and physicians
providing emergency care upon the premises, as well as governmental
signs, shall be exempt.
C. Any permitted illumination of signs, buildings or structures in any
district shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1) Illumination shall be of an even intensity and the light and light
source shall be maintained in a stationary position and constant in
intensity and color at all times when in use.
(2) Flood-lighting shall be so shielded that the source of light shall
not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign, building
or structure being illuminated is erected and so that only the sign,
building or structure is directly illuminated.
(3) The light source for externally illuminated signs shall be shaded,
hooded, or otherwise screened to prevent the source of the light from
being visible on adjacent property or causing glare to traveling motorists
on a public street. Illumination measured at the face of the sign
shall not exceed 17 footcandles.
(4) The intensity of internal illumination shall not exceed six footcandles
at a distance of eight feet from the center line of the sign. When
illuminated, light or pale colors and the color white shall not exceed
60% of the sign area.
(5) Electrical components of illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriter's
Laboratory label.
A. Unless otherwise stated herein, prior to erecting, affixing, attaching, modifying or installing any sign or sign structure on or to any building, structure, or property, an application for permit must be submitted to and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, as set forth in Article
XVII herein.
(1) Permits are required for all signs except as otherwise indicated
herein below. No signs shall hereafter be erected or altered or the
content changed (except directory and bulletin boards at churches,
synagogues, schools and government buildings) until a permit authorizing
the same is issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. Such permit shall
be valid for the length of time set forth in the permit, in this chapter,
or as may be authorized by formal decision of the Zoning Hearing Board.
(2) Applications for sign permits shall be filed on forms furnished by
the Code Enforcement Officer and shall be accompanied by detailed
plans and specifications necessary to determine the location and details
of construction of such signs.
(3) No permit to erect a sign shall be issued until the required fee
has been paid to the Code Enforcement Officer, which fee shall be
established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council.
(4) After installation, the Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect the
sign to ensure that the installation has conformed to the regulations
set forth in this article.
(5) A permit may be revoked or a lawful nonconforming sign may be removed
by the Code Enforcement Officer for any of the following violations
if the owner of the sign neglects to comply with the Building and
Code Enforcement Officers' directives to correct the violations:
(a)
If the sign constitutes a hazard to the public health or safety.
(b)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which requires a new
permit.
(c)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which would render the
sign prohibited.
(d)
If a sign has been erected in a manner which violates the regulations
set forth in this article.
(e)
If a sign is not maintained in a safe condition and good repair
at all times.
B. Signs not requiring a permit.
(1) Temporary signs of contractors (as authorized §
415-89I), erected and maintained on the premises during the period of their work.
(2) Temporary yard or garage sale signs, provided they do not exceed
four square feet in area, are erected no more than two days before
the first day of the sale, and are removed within two days after the
sale. No more than three temporary off-premises signs shall be permitted
and permission shall be obtained from the landowner to post such signs.
(3) A sign, bunting or pennants announcing the opening of a new business
or industry, provided they are removed within seven days of the opening
day or first day of business.
(4) Temporary window signs announcing a drive or event of civic, philanthropic,
educational, or religious organization, not to exceed four square
feet per business, placed in a store or office window. Temporary signs
for such events shall be removed within three days after the event.
Permission shall be obtained from the landowner to post said temporary
signs.
(5) Political signs provided that:
(a)
Signs shall not be erected more than 30 days prior to the election
or referendum.
(b)
Signs shall be removed within seven days after the election
or referendum.
(c)
Permission shall be obtained from the landowner to post said
political signs.
(6) Real estate signs, not greater than six square feet and not more
than one per street frontage indicating exclusively the sale or rent
(lease) of the premises upon which it stands. Such signs shall be
removed 30 days after the property is sold or rented or, in the case
of a subdivision, shall be removed the lesser of one year following
the date of issuance of the sign permit or 30 days after the sale
of the last lot.
C. Temporary special event signs requiring a permit.
(1) Where such signs are in the form of banners proposed to be suspended
across public roads, the following standards shall apply:
(a)
The sign shall not exceed three feet high by 30 feet wide and
the bottom edge of the sign shall be at least 15 feet above the road
surface.
(b)
Where the proposed banner spans a state road, the applicant
shall also comply with PennDOT's procedural requirements for the placement
of signs or banners across state highways. Evidence of such compliance
shall be supplied to the Borough.
(2) Grand opening. On-site signage that does not constitute a safety
hazard for vehicles or pedestrian travel where proposed, not to exceed
100 square feet total, for a period of no more than 14 days, and only
one time for a newly established business within the BC and LI Districts.