[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
As used in this chapter:
DIRECTORY SIGN
Shall mean a ground sign placed at the intersection of an
arterial street and intersecting street in proximity to a commercial
area located off the arterial street, which sign contains the names
of businesses in the commercial area but no advertising or descriptive
material.
ERECT
Shall mean to build, construct, attach, place, suspend or
affix, including the painting of signs or displays on the exterior
surfaces of a structure.
FACING OR SURFACE
Shall mean a wall surface itself and the surface of a sign
upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illuminated
on the sign.
FLASHING SIGN
Shall mean any illuminated sign emitting intermittent, noncontinuous
light.
GROUND SIGN
Shall mean any sign supported by uprights or braces inserted
in or anchored to the ground and not attached to any building. Included
herein are signs known as "freestanding", "pylon" and "pole signs"
used for the purpose of identification, announcement, advertising
and direction.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
Shall mean any material which will not ignite at or-below
a temperature of 1,200° F. and will not continue to burn or glow
at that temperature.
OTHER ADVERTISING STRUCTURE
Shall mean any device, item, structure, fixture, or other
personal property, and including a marquee, canopy, awning, or clock,
bearing advertising which is placed on the property by the owner or
operator, whether placed to attract attention to the business activity
or for any other purpose.
PERSON
Shall mean any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company, or organization.
PORTABLE SIGN
Shall mean any sign, whether or not supported by uprights
or braces, which is not permanently inserted or anchored into the
ground or not permanently attached to any structure.
ROOF SIGN
Shall mean any sign erected, constructed, and maintained
wholly upon or above the roof of any building with the principal support
of the sign on the roof structure.
SIGN AREA AND DIMENSION
Shall include all lettering, wording, coloring and accompanying
designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or
enclosed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing incidental
to the display itself. A freestanding sign with two exposures shall
have a total sign area consisting of the area of one side of the sign,
but both sides may be used.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Shall mean any sign, banner or other advertising device,
with or without structural frame, intended for a limited period of
display, including, but not limited to, decorative displays for holidays
or public demonstrations, signs pertaining to the lease or sale of
real estate on which the sign is situated and construction signs setting
forth information about architects, engineers, contractors and artisans
associated with building, construction or renovation work at the site.
WALL SIGN
Shall mean flat signs placed against the exterior wall of
any structure with the face of the sign not more than 15 inches from
the surface of the wall.
WINDOW SIGN
Shall mean any permanent or temporary sign attached or otherwise
displayed on or through the window or any building.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Application for a sign permit shall be made in duplicate on
forms to be furnished by the Borough and shall be accompanied by a
nonrefundable fee of $25. The application shall contain the following
information:
a. Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant as well as the
owner of the premises upon which the sign is sought to be erected.
b. Name, address and telephone number of the person or firm erecting
the sign.
c. Written consent of the owner of the structure or land to which or
on which the sign is to be erected, if applicant is other than the
owner.
d. Attached to each copy of the application shall be plans prepared
by the applicant or on his behalf, which shall include the following:
1. The location and dimension of all boundary lines of the premises
and all buildings and structures, including existing signs, on said
premises, showing their respective setbacks from the boundary lines.
2. The location of the proposed sign, showing distances for all boundary
lines, sidewalks, streets, buildings, structures and existing signs.
3. A diagram of the proposed sign, showing all dimensions and the heights
above ground with a graphic illustration of the proposed sign content.
4. The method of construction and materials to be used, including the
mode of illumination, if any, and the manner in which it will be connected
to the ground or building.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the lawful use of any sign existing at the date of the adoption of this chapter, which is not a portable or temporary sign as defined in Section
13-1 above, may be continued although such sign does not conform to this chapter, provided that no nonconforming signs shall be enlarged, extended, increased or changed in material, character, location, illumination or message. Signs of a portable or temporary nature existing as of the date of the adoption of this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and as such same shall be removed upon this chapter becoming law.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
A nonconforming sign shall be presumed to be abandoned when there occurs a cessation of any use or activity to which the sign is accessory pursuant to Section
13-8, paragraph h below.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
In the event any nonconforming sign shall be partially destroyed
by reason of windstorm, fire, explosion, or act of God, such sign
may be restored or repaired, provided there is no change in size or
location. In the event a nonconforming sign shall be totally destroyed
by reason of any of the above elements, the sign shall not be rebuilt
or reconstructed except in conformance with the provisions of this
chapter. Totally destroyed for purposes of this subsection shall be
defined as a sign which is more than 70% destroyed.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
No nonconforming sign shall, once it has become a conforming
sign, be changed or altered in any manner so that it again becomes
a nonconforming sign.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
In the event the Code Enforcement Officer shall determine that
any sign, including any nonconforming sign, is unsafe, insecure, in
need of repair, not maintained in proper condition or has been constructed,
erected or installed in violation of any of the provisions of this
chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer shall give written notice of
such violation to the permit holder and owner of the premises. If
the violation(s) is not remedied within 10 days after receipt of the
notice, a complaint shall be filed against the person(s) responsible
for the violation in the Municipal Court. In the event such sign violation
constitutes an immediate danger to the safety of persons or property,
the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the sign removed immediately
at the expense of the person(s) responsible for the violation. In
such event, notice to the person(s) responsible for the violation
shall not be required prior to the ordering of the work.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
All signs in the Borough shall be well maintained, clean and
all painted surfaces shall be repainted as needed.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, all permitted ground
signs in any zone shall be no lower than four feet in height and shall
not exceed 20 feet in height as measured from the average grade at
the base of the sign to the top of the sign. Ground signs shall be
located only in the front yard, shall comply with the side yard requirements
of the zoning regulations and shall be located not less than seven
feet from the street line.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Public and quasi-public signs and historical markers shall be
permitted in all zones and exempt from payment of fee. Signs may be
illuminated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and shall not
exceed 12 square feet in total area. The permit shall be issued only
upon a determination by the approving authority that the sign is necessary
to the public convenience and its erection is in accordance with standards
herein set forth.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
No sign shall be permitted within any sight triangle except
directional signs not exceeding two square feet in area and three
feet in height whose location shall be approved, in writing, by the
approving authority, and also except signs owned or operated by the
Borough, County, State or the United States of America.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets
in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location
where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere
with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic
sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP," "LOOK,"
"DRIVE-IN," "DANGER" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character
in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.