The intent of this article is to provide for the regulation of signs in the Borough of Shippensburg to protect the public health, safety, and welfare in accordance with the following objectives:
A. 
To control the size, location, and illumination of signs in order to reduce hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
B. 
To encourage signs that are well designed and pleasing in appearance, and to provide latitude for variety in order to enhance the economic value as well as the character of the properties within the Borough.
C. 
To establish standards designed to encourage signs that are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain, expressive of the individual proprietors, and legible in the circumstances in which they are seen, and to prohibit the erection of signs that do not meet these criteria.
D. 
To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of identification and communication.
E. 
To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment of the Borough.
F. 
To minimize adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property.
G. 
To preserve the wholesome and attractive character of the Borough.
A. 
Billboard sign: a sign that is freestanding or attached to a building, which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business that is primarily offered or located at a location other than the lot upon which the sign is located. This sign shall not include an official sign or any directional sign specifically permitted by this chapter.
B. 
Business sign: a sign for a permitted use, including a nonconforming use, conducted on the premises, which sign shall identify the written name and/or the type of business and/or an article for sale or rent on the premises or otherwise call attention to a use conducted on the premises.
C. 
Identification sign: a sign for a permitted use, including a nonconforming use, conducted on the premises displaying the name of the premises.
D. 
Instructional sign: a sign conveying instructions with respect to the use of the premises or a portion of the premises on which it is maintained or a use or practice being conducted on the premises.
E. 
Nameplate sign: a sign only indicating the name and/or address of an occupant.
F. 
Political sign: a sign which indicates the name, cause or affiliation of a person seeking public or elected office or on which reference is made to an issue for which a public election or referendum is scheduled to be held.
G. 
Sign size or sign area: the area of the sign facing, including any border, framing or decorative attachments. In the case of freestanding letters, it shall be the area contained between the highest and lowest point of any letters and the extremity points of the first and last letters.
H. 
Portable freestanding signs: a freestanding sign which is readily portable and has no means of attachment to a structure or the ground, but which is held in place solely by gravity.
I. 
Projecting sign: A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and that projects more than 12 inches from the face of such building.
[Added 2-4-2020 by Ord. No. 944, approved 2-4-2020]
J. 
Electronic message board: any sign or portion thereof that displays electronic images, graphics, or pictures with or without textual information, using LEDs, fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices, or combination thereof, within the display area and where a static message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade.
[Added 5-5-2020 by Ord. No. 945, approved 5-5-2020]
A. 
All signs, as the same are defined in §§ 150-64 and 150-134 of this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of this article.
B. 
No neon signs shall be permitted in the Historic Overlay District without approval from the Shippensburg Historical Architectural Review Board.
C. 
Exempt signs. The following signs shall not be considered as subject to these regulations:
(1) 
Official traffic signs.
(2) 
Memorial plaques and historical tablets that have an area of less than one square foot.
(3) 
Signs on mailboxes with printing not exceeding three inches in height.
(4) 
Building cornerstones.
(5) 
Nameplate signs that have an area of less than one square foot.
(6) 
Signs which are placed in the interior of a building, not affixed to or meant for display from a business's front or side window, whether or not visible from a public street.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A. 
Any sign placed over a public sidewalk, except as permitted in § 150-68B(6).
[Amended 2-4-2020 by Ord. No. 944, approved 2-4-2020]
B. 
Any sign that flashes, moves or emits smoke, steam, other visible particulates or odor.
C. 
Any sign that projects above the roofline of the building on which it is mounted.
D. 
Spinners, pennants, streamers and any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes, whether or not any of the aforesaid items contain a message; except that banners and flags are permitted when authorized under any other pertinent provision of this article.
E. 
Flashing, electronically changing messages; blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except those portions of sign that indicate time and temperature changes. This restriction specifically includes window signs and signs on mobile stands. This shall not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays.
F. 
Signs which contain information that states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance in the zoning district in which the property to which the sign relates is located.
G. 
Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street.
H. 
Signs that use reflective materials to give the appearance of flashing, blinking, twinkling or electronically changing messages.
I. 
Signs or displays that include words or images that are obscene, pornographic or highly offensive to public decency.
J. 
Balloons of greater than five cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure and are primarily intended for advertising purposes.
K. 
Signs permanently affixed, placed, maintained, erected, constructed or displayed upon any public property, public street, public sidewalk, public right-of-way, tree, utility pole, stone, cliff and other natural objects; except those signs erected by a governmental body or so placed by order of a governmental body. For purposes of this section, the term "governmental body" shall include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Cumberland, County of Franklin, Borough of Shippensburg and all of their lawfully constituted commissions, authorities, boards and departments.
In all residential and institutional districts, the following signs shall be permitted and no others:
A. 
Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs on the same lot indicating the name, profession or activity of the occupant of the dwelling, provided that the area of any one side of any such 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.
B. 
Institutional signs. Sign for a primary or secondary school, place of worship, hospital, college or university or nursing home, on the same lot therewith, for the purpose of displaying the name of the institution and its activities or services, provided that the area on one side of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected for each 100 linear feet of street frontage.
C. 
No-trespassing signs. Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of streets or other property, on the same premises therewith, provided that the total area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed one square foot and shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 50 feet of street frontage.
D. 
Directional signs. Directional signs for houses of worship when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board, provided that the area of any one such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
E. 
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 of any such sign on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership shall not exceed four square feet in any residential, agriculture/open space or institutional district and shall not exceed 32 square feet in any commercial, industrial or manufacturing district.
(2) 
For advertising, on the premises, the sale or development of homes within a subdivision, the recorded plan of which contains less than 10 lots, provided that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected facing on each street abutting the property.
(3) 
For advertising, on the premises, the sale or development of homes within a subdivision, the recorded plan of which contains 10 or more lots, provided that the area of any side of any such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet, and provided that not more than two such signs shall be erected facing on each street abutting the property.
(4) 
On lots or in subdivisions or portions of subdivisions approved for development only for as long as a lot or lots, dwelling or dwellings are for sale by the developer. All signs must be removed from a lot, development or portion of development in which all lots have been conveyed by the developer.
F. 
Public utility sign. 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. If the public health or safety would require additional or larger signs, the Zoning hearing Board may grant additional sizes or larger size signs.
G. 
Contractor's sign. Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans, erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign for each contractor shall be erected on any property in single and separate ownership, and provided that such sign shall be removed within 30 days after completion of the work.
H. 
Special event sign. Temporary signs advertising fairs, social events, auction sales, yard sales and the like shall be permitted, provided that each such sign shall not consist of more than two sides, with a square footage per side not to exceed 32 square feet, and provided that such sign shall be erected not sooner than 20 days prior to the event advertised, that such sign shall be removed within three days following such event, and provided that in no instance shall any sign be maintained for a period of time in excess of 23 days. One such sign may be erected for each 100 linear feet of lot frontage on a public street; provided, further, however, that nothing herein shall apply to signs respecting public elections or political candidates or issues.
I. 
Rental sign. For multifamily rentals or other rental developments, one sign identifying the name of the development and the name of the owner, manager, realtor or person to contact, telephone number and the number of units available, not exceeding 16 square feet on any one face and 32 square feet total area, may be permitted, but no more than one sign may be erected facing on each street serving the development.
J. 
Apartment building sign. One sign on each separate apartment building identifying the building, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
K. 
Signs for nonconforming businesses. Businesses operating a legal nonconforming use through continual operation prior to zoning or a zoning change may be permitted one sign not to exceed 25 square feet if the lot includes greater than 300 linear feet of street frontage.
[Amended 2-4-2020 by Ord. No. 944, approved 2-4-2020; 5-5-2020 by Ord. No. 945, approved 5-5-2020; 4-6-2021 by Ord. No. 951, approved 4-6-2021; 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. 954, approved 11-4-2021]
In the Commercial (C-1) District, the Neighborhood Commercial (N-C) District, and the Transitional Commercial East (T-C East) and Transitional Commercial West (T-C West) Districts, the following signs shall be permitted and no others, except as otherwise provided for in this article:
A. 
Any sign permitted in any district, provided that the use to which it refers is permitted in the district in which the sign is located.
B. 
Each business or commercial establishment may erect an advertising sign, or a business sign under any of the following provisions:
(1) 
In any commercial district, one sign may be erected, per building, where such a sign is mounted within the setback area and is not connected with the building, except that in the T-C Districts one additional sign may be erected on the lot, provided that the lot is five acres or greater. No sign permitted under this subsection shall exceed 70 square feet per face.
(2) 
One or more signs may be attached to or mounted on a building front, side or rear, provided that the total area of such sign or signs does not exceed one square foot for each one linear foot of the building front, side or rear upon which the sign or signs are erected, except that no building shall be limited to less than 35 square feet in total sign area for each building front, side or rear. In no event shall the total sign area on each building front, side or rear exceed 15% of the area of the building face upon which said sign or signs are mounted.
(3) 
Flags. Flags with commercial advertising shall be permitted as an accessory sign to a principal business or commercial establishment sign authorized by this section. Accessory flags shall be subject to all of the following provisions:
(a) 
Clearly accessory to a permitted business or commercial establishment sign.
(b) 
Limited to one flag per business establishment.
(c) 
No larger than three feet by five feet and in good condition.
(d) 
Displayed only during business hours.
(e) 
Inserted on a wall mount properly affixed to the building within which such use is conducted, with the bottom or lowest portion of the flag projecting or hanging no less than seven feet above the public sidewalk or public street.
(f) 
Do not project greater than six feet over the public right-of-way.
(4) 
Portable freestanding signs. Portable freestanding signs shall be permitted when accessory to a principal business or commercial establishment subject to all of the following provisions:
(a) 
Clearly accessory to, and placed adjacent to, a permitted business or sign.
(b) 
Limited to one portable freestanding sign per business establishment.
(c) 
Contain a total area not exceeding two feet by three feet per sign face.
(d) 
Displayed only during business hours.
(e) 
Placed on private property or placed on the public sidewalk, provided that placement of such sign allows an unobstructed sidewalk for pedestrian use of a width of not less than five feet, and provided, further, that such sign is not placed within a sight distance triangle as defined and established under the provisions of § 137-26J of the Shippensburg Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
(5) 
The following restrictions apply to the Neighborhood Commercial (N-C) Zone:
(a) 
Signs painted on or affixed to the inside or outside of windows shall be included in this computation, if their combined area exceeds 50% of the area of the window which they occupy.
(b) 
In no case may the total area of wall signs exceed 15% of the area of the wall (including windows and door area) to which they are attached.
(6) 
Projecting signs are subject to compliance with § 150-68B(2) and provided, further, that one projecting sign may be erected on each building frontage, where such signs shall be limited to eight square feet per side. Signs must have a clearance limit of eight feet from ground level to the bottom of the sign. Projecting signs shall not extend above the highest point of the building facade on which it is secured. Projecting signs shall not extend into the public cartway.
C. 
C. The following regulation applies to any N-C, C-1, or T-C East/T-C West Zone that is not located in the Historic Overlay Zone:
(1) 
Shopping center signs. In addition to such signs as are permitted for individual establishments, there shall be permitted one freestanding sign on each frontage street, indicating the name of the shopping center, names of various establishments and schedules of events in the shopping center. This sign shall not exceed 150 square feet in size, per face of the sign.
D. 
Auto service station signs. This use will be allowed one sign that shall not exceed 24 square feet, in addition to all other signs allowed in commercial districts, to identify the price and type of fuel sold by the service station. The total area of such sign shall not be included in calculating permitted sign size.
[Added 5-5-2020 by Ord. No. 945, approved 5-5-2020; amended 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. 954, approved 11-4-2021]
A. 
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards, as defined in § 150-64, shall be permitted in the Transitional Commercial East (T-C East) District, subject to the criteria set forth herein.
(1) 
Only one electronic message board may be permitted per lot. If a use spans multiple lots, only one electronic message board shall be permitted.
(2) 
Message change. The electronic message board must be programmed so that the displayed message does not change more frequently than one time per seven seconds. The interval will begin when the text or image is first visible.
(3) 
No flashing, blinking, scrolling, twisting, or moving text or images are permitted.
(4) 
The electronic message board may not exceed 32 square feet.
(5) 
An electronic message board shall not be erected within 20 feet of the right-of-way edge of an intersection.
(6) 
The electronic message board sign shall be subject to the light, glare, and heat provisions of § 150-56.
B. 
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards, as defined in § 150-64, shall be permitted in the Transitional Commercial West (T-C West) District, subject to the criteria set forth herein.
(1) 
Only one electronic message board may be permitted per lot. If a use spans multiple lots, only one electronic message board shall be permitted.
(2) 
Message change. The electronic message board must be programmed so that the displayed message does not change more frequently than one time per seven seconds. The interval will begin when the text or image is first visible.
(3) 
No flashing, blinking, scrolling, twisting, or moving text or images are permitted.
(4) 
The electronic message board may not exceed 38 square feet.
(5) 
An electronic message board shall not be erected within 20 feet of the right-of-way edge of an intersection.
(6) 
The electronic message board sign shall be subject to the light, glare, and heat provisions of § 150-56.
In industrial and manufacturing districts, the following signs shall be permitted and no others:
A. 
Any sign which may be permitted in any other district, provided that the use advertised by such sign is a permitted use in such district.
B. 
One or more signs for the purpose of identifying the use or occupancy of such, provided that the total area of such signs does not exceed one square foot of area for each one linear foot of building frontage along the street on which said signs are displayed, and provided that the total area of such signs does not exceed 200 square feet, and provided, further, that not more than 50 square feet of the permitted sign area may be on signs located within the required minimum front yard.
As a special exception, an off-premises sign for identification of various local, state, national or international service, fraternal, civic or religious organizations within the Borough may be permitted by the Zoning Hearing Board, subject to the following specific standards:
A. 
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 36 square feet, and the sign shall have no more than two sides.
B. 
The sign shall not be of a type prohibited under § 150-66 of this chapter.
C. 
The sign shall be placed only on private property abutting an arterial street, with the owner's consent, and shall not be placed within the public right-of-way.
D. 
The sign shall not be placed in a residential zoning district.
E. 
The applicant for the special exception may be any organization(s) eligible for inclusion on the sign, and the applicant shall be responsible for its placement and maintenance in a safe and attractive condition, for review of requests for inclusion on the display and for affixation of qualifying insignia upon the display.
F. 
The number and concentration of signs permitted as special exceptions hereunder shall be strictly limited to maintain the character of the area and for safety purposes. These limitations shall be determined by the Zoning Hearing Board.
G. 
A sign permitted as a special exception hereunder shall be removed at such time as it is no longer being used for the aforesaid purpose or as it falls into a state of disrepair or otherwise is not in conformity herewith or any term of use specified by the Zoning Hearing Board in granting the special exception expires, whichever first occurs.
H. 
The applicant shall provide the Borough with a certificate of general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $500,000, said insurance to be maintained for the life of the sign.
The following signs shall be permitted in any district, provided that any use advertised by such sign is permitted and shall not require a permit as a legal use in such district:
A. 
Parking and traffic control signs, not exceeding six square feet, where such signs are authorized by the Zoning Officer on the advice of the Chief of Police or by the Borough Council. Said sign shall not describe any products of said business.
B. 
Traffic control, parking or signs identifying services of hospitals or medical centers may be authorized by the Borough Council.
C. 
Special information signs. These shall include only the following: men, women, restrooms, hours of operation, credit cards accepted and the name of credit card, membership in state or national organizations, revolving red-and-white-striped barber poles, state inspection station, gasoline pump identification, gallonage register and identity of type of work done in a service area. Such signs shall be permitted only where attached to the building or equipment. No letter in excess of nine inches vertical height shall be permitted in such signs. The total area of such signs shall not be included in calculating permitted areas.
D. 
Garage sale signs. Up to two auction, yard or garage sale signs per event, provided that each does not exceed four square feet in area and are removed within 48 hours after a sale.
E. 
Political signs. Political signs, provided that they do no exceed four square feet in area, are placed on private property not more than 60 days prior to the election or referendum and are removed within five days after an election or referendum. No political sign shall be placed on Borough property, except as hereafter provided, or on any property or pole for which permission has not been received from the owner. On election days, political signs may be placed on Borough property being used as an official polling place. Such signs may be placed no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the election and must be removed no later than 8:00 a.m. the day following the election. Larger signs for political purposes shall be considered off-premises signs and regulated as such.
F. 
One freestanding sign not exceeding 50 square feet shall be permitted for each entrance to a subdivision consisting of more than 10 lots, provided that such sign shall identify or express solely the name of the subdivision and any trademark attributable to such subdivision.
G. 
Signs not visible from beyond a lot line.
A. 
In the Neighborhood Commercial (N-C) or Historic Overlay Districts, and any residential, institutional or open space district, including the following: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, I-1, and O-S, signs may be illuminated if such lighting is provided using exterior methods only, and provided that:
(1) 
All illuminated signs shall comply with § 150-56C of this chapter.
(2) 
No neon signs shall be permitted in the Historic Overlay District without approval from the Shippensburg Historical Architectural Review Board.
(3) 
Signs may only be illuminated during the normal operating hours of the business or commercial use.
B. 
In the Commercial (C-1) or any of the manufacturing districts (M-1 and M-2), any permitted sign may be illuminated through interior or exterior lighting provided that:
[Amended 2-4-2020 by Ord. No. 944, approved 2-4-2020]
(1) 
All illuminated signs shall comply with § 150-56C of this chapter.
(2) 
Signs may only be illuminated during the normal operating hours of the business or commercial use.
(3) 
Signs within the Historic Overlay District should comply with § 150-72A above.
C. 
Any floodlighting of any sign in any district shall be so shielded that the source of light shall not be directly visible without adequate diffusion from any point off the lot on which the sign, building or structure being illuminated is erected and so that only the sign is directly illuminated (see also § 150-56C(3)(b).
[Amended 7-6-2023 by Ord. No. 963, approved 7-6-2023]
If the use of a sign and/or the use for which the sign was created, ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of one year, or more, subsequent use of such sign shall be in strict conformity with all provisions of this chapter. A sign shall be deemed to be a structure for purposes of this chapter and shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter relating to nonconformities as set forth herein.
[Amended 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. 954, approved 11-4-2021]
No sign shall exceed the maximum height restriction for the particular type of sign structure and zoning district established below:
Type of Sign
Residential Districts*
C-1/N-C/T-C East
T-C West
Manufacturing Districts**
Freestanding
8 feet
18 feet
20 feet
10 feet
Wall
Equal to the height of the principal building
Notes:
*Residential Districts include: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, I-1, and O-S Districts.
**Manufacturing Districts include: M-1 and M-2 Districts.