[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
The following signs are permitted in the Borough, provided that they meet with the requirements outlined in this Section.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983]
1.
Each zoning district lists the type and number of permanent signs permitted in each district.
2.
Permanent Signs. The following permanent signs may be erected on any of any classification as permitted in the respective districts, provided that they are erected and displayed in conformance with the following regulations.
3.
Standard Signs. There are eight standard signs: fascia, freestanding, projecting, wall, window, nameplate, directory and development.
A.
Fascia Sign. A sign attached to, placed upon or hung from any structure projecting from and supported by a building and which extends beyond the facade of the building, such as a canopy, an awning, etc.
(1)
Requirements for a Fascia Sign. A fascia sign shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet from the sidewalk and shall not extend above the eaves or parapet of the building.
(2)
Area and Height for a Fascia Sign. The area of a fascia sign shall be limited by the width of the occupant’s building facade and the maximum permitted height of a fascia sign. No copy of a fascia sign shall extend within two feet of the party or end wall of a building. The maximum height of a fascia sign shall be two feet.
B.
Freestanding Sign. A sign permanently supported by an upright pole(s) which is permanently anchored into the ground below the frost line with a footing.
(1)
Requirements for Freestanding Sign. One free standing sign may be erected on a lot, provided that:
(a)
The sign shall be set back at least eight feet from the street line or 12 feet from the curbline, whichever is greater.
(b)
Such sign shall be set back at least 25 feet from the side property lines and 75 feet from any residential district. When the seventy-five-foot setback from a residential district cannot be achieved, the sign shall be placed to cause the least visible interference with the adjoining residences.
(c)
Freestanding signs shall not be permitted where freestanding directory signs are erected.
(d)
If a structure is located on more than one roadway, one sign may be erected along each frontage, provided that each meets all requirements of this Section.
(2)
Area and Height Restrictions. The area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of building facade or 40 square feet, whichever is less. The height of the sign shall not exceed 12 feet.
C.
Projecting Sign. A sign which is affixed to any building, wall or structure and extends more than 12 inches but less than 48 inches horizontally from the facade or place of the structure.
(1)
Requirements for a Projecting Sign. One projecting sign may be erected on a lot fronting onto a public right-of-way if that premises has a minimum of 50 linear feet of frontage onto the public right of-way.
(a)
No such sign shall be located within 15 feet from a side property line or 75 feet from a residentially classified property line.
(b)
A projecting sign under which a pedestrian walkway passes must have at least an eight-foot vertical clearance and shall not extend above the eaves or parapet of the building.
(2)
Area and Height Requirements. The area of the sign shall not exceed 20 square feet. The height of the sign shall not exceed 16 feet.
D.
Wall Sign. A sign mounted parallel to the face of a structure or wall and projecting not more than 12 inches from the place or facade of the structure wall or above the roofline or eaves of the structure.
E.
F.
Nameplate Sign. A sign indicating the profession, activity or name of the occupant of a dwelling.
(1)
Requirements for a Nameplate Sign.
G.
Development Signs (Permanent). A type of freestanding sign, including accessory entrance structure, designed to identify a development.
(1)
Requirements for a Development Sign. A permanent development identification sign may be erected upon application and final approval of the subdivision and land development plans by the Borough Council in accordance with the following regulations:
(a)
When considering such signs, the Borough Council shall consider the location of public utilities, sidewalks and future street widenings.
(b)
Signs and entrance structures shall be for identification purposes only and shall give only the name of the subdivision or land development.
(c)
Only one identification sign or structure erected at the entrance to a development or subdivision from each abutting street. Such a sign shall be a single sign with two faces or may be a single-faced sign located on each side of such entranceway.
(d)
Such signs may be illuminated with a steady light but shall not be animated.
(2)
Area/Height for a Development Sign. The maximum area of a permanent development sign shall not exceed 16 square feet or a height of four feet, excluding structural elements and decorative features.
H.
Directory. A type of freestanding or wall sign designed to identify the name and location of multiple occupants on the same lot, commercial or industrial in character, with or without an accompanying map, in order to aid in the internal pedestrian circulation within the lot
(1)
Requirements for a Directory Sign. For each lot, only one directory sign may be erected for each major parking area or each main entrance to a building, under the following conditions:
(2)
Area/Height for a Directory Sign. The maximum area of a directory sign shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of building facade or 40 square feet, whichever is less.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; and by Ord. 463, 4/7/2015]
1.
In addition to permanent signs, the following temporary signs may be erected on any lot, provided that they are erected and displayed in conformance with the following regulations:
A.
Temporary Signs Permitted in All Districts.
(1)
Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for election may be erected or displayed as provided by the laws of Pennsylvania and the United States, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet and shall not be erected or displayed earlier than 70 days prior to the election to which they pertain.
(2)
One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected or one sign indicating that said premises have been sold or rented, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet and such signs shall be removed within 20 days after an agreement of sale or rental has been entered into.
(3)
One temporary nonilluminated sign erected in connection with the development or proposed development of the premises by a builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested in such sale or development, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet and that the sign shall be removed within 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied or upon expiration of the building permit, whichever is sooner.
(4)
Temporary nonilluminated signs of mechanics or artisans may he erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided that such sign shall be removed upon completion of work by the mechanic or artisan and the total area of all such signs shall not exceed four square feet.
(5)
Nonilluminated signs used for directing patrons, members or audience to service clubs, churches or other nonprofit organizations, provided that the signs indicate only the name of the organization and the place, date and time of meeting and shall not exceed four square feet in area.
(6)
Temporary nonilluminated signs for yard sales, may be erected and maintained during the period of and one week prior to yard sales, provided that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the sale and the total area of such sign shall not exceed three square feet.
B.
Temporary Signs Permitted in the C-1, C-2 and I-1 Districts Only.
(1)
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows or events may be erected in the C-1 and C-2 Districts only, subject to the following requirements:
(2)
A temporary sign or display within a window in conjunction with a promotion, special event or seasonal sale, provided that:
(a)
Such a sign may be erected only on a lot in commercial use.
(b)
Only two such signs shall be permitted in any window.
(c)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(d)
No such sign shall be placed where it restricts the view of a permanent window .
(e)
Such a sign may be displayed for a period not exceeding 14 days without requiring a sign permit. For an additional 15 days, a sign permit must be obtained from the Zoning Officer under the following conditions:
C.
Permits for Temporary Signs. The erector of temporary signs permitted under this Section or sponsor of an exhibit, show, event or proposed development shall apply for and obtain a permit from the Borough Zoning Officer and deposit with the Borough, at the time of his/her application, a sum in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council as a guaranty that all such signs will be removed promptly within 20 days after the date of the election, exhibit, show or event to which such signs relate. At the time of deposit, the erector or authorized agent shall indicate upon which streets such signs are to be located. If such signs are not removed at the end of the twenty-day period, the Borough shall cause them to be removed and the deposit guaranteeing shall be forfeited to the Borough. In addition, failure to remove such signs as prescribed shall constitute a violation of this Chapter, subjecting offenders to the penalties prescribed in §27-1343 hereof. Temporary political signs permitted under Paragraph A(1) are not required to obtain a sign permit.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as added by Ord. 452, 5/21/2013]
1.
Temporary A-frame signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, R-1 and R-2 Districts only as set forth in this Section. Except as otherwise provided herein, temporary A-frame signs shall comply with the requirements set forth in §27-1221.1 and §27-1221.4. The following subsections of §27-1221 do not apply to temporary A-frame signs: §27-1221.1(E)(3), §27-1221.2 and §27-1221.3. Permitting requirements are as set forth below and in §27-1222.
A. TEMPORARY A-FRAME SIGN
Definitions. As used in this Section the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
A movable self-supporting, freestanding and double-faced sign, which shall be structurally stable under all reasonable wind and weather conditions. An A-frame sign is joined at the top, contains commercial speech, is often situated adjacent to a business and is typically located on a sidewalk. The interior angle of such "A-frame" sign shall not exceed 45°.
B.
Temporary A-frame signs may be used only in the following districts and as accessory to the following uses:
(1)
Retail stores, personal service establishments, eating places and institutional uses located within the C-1 Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial and C-2 Vehicular-Oriented Commercial Zoning Districts.
(2)
Retail stores, personal service establishments, eating places and institutional uses located within the R-1 Residential District along West Afton Avenue and R-2 Residential District along South Main Street only.
C.
Permit and License Requirements. Installation of a temporary A-frame sign requires a sign permit in accordance with §27-1222 and a yearly renewable license as set forth below.
(1)
All yearly renewable license applications shall made to the Zoning Officer on forms provided for that purpose, and shall be accompanied by a non-refundable fee.
(2)
Duration of License. All licenses granted hereunder shall automatically terminate and be void upon the expiration of the calendar year.
(3)
The granting of a license is a privilege only and no rights vest in any applicant other than those granted by and during the term of the license.
(4)
Fees will be charged according to the Borough fee schedule.
D.
Location and Dimensional/area Requirements.
(1)
Positioning for Free, Open Passage of Pedestrians and Emergency Personnel. The sign shall not be placed in the center of the sidewalk or in any other place where it may obstruct movement (including pedestrians with strollers) and access to any parking space, streets, buildings and handicapped ramps or facilities. There shall be a minimum of a five-foot wide continuous path for pedestrian traffic. Signs may be placed in the grassy area between the sidewalk and curb, and shall be placed on the ground or grade. In order to provide adequate pedestrian or emergency movement or access, some properties may not be approved for an A-frame sign.
(2)
The maximum area of a temporary A-frame sign shall be eight square feet per face and the height shall not exceed four feet when extended.
E.
Design Requirements.
(1)
The sign shall be constructed of wood or a weather-resistant material that looks like wood and may contain a chalkboard or other surface suitable for writing.
(2)
The sign shall be consistent with the theme of the business and the character of the zoning district in which the sign is located and must be painted or otherwise finished. No plastic or magnetic lettering shall be permitted.
(3)
Board of Historical Architectural Review (“HARB”) approval under Chapter 11 of the Borough of Yardley Code of Ordinances is not required.
(4)
The sign may display the name and logo of the business, and shall contain information as to the products or services offered.
(5)
The sign shall not include any direct or indirect illumination and there shall be no electrical service to the sign. The sign shall not include audio or video equipment or any other attachments.
(6)
The sign shall be legible and shall be erected so that it can be seen most easily from the public right-of-way.
G.
For shopping centers and multi-tenanted buildings, only one temporary A-frame sign shall be permitted per tenant. The Zoning Officer shall have the discretion to limit the number of temporary A-frame signs that can be displayed at any given time consistent with the public health, safety and welfare. The Zoning Officer shall likewise have the discretion to allow two or more businesses to be identified on one sign.
H.
The sign may be displayed only during hours when the business is open to the public and must be taken inside at closing time each day and during periods when the weather conditions pose a hazard, at the discretion of the Zoning Officer. The sign shall be designed to prevent collapse.
I.
If the Zoning or Code Enforcement Officer determines that the sign is a nuisance, then the owner of the sign shall receive a written notification. The sign shall be confiscated by the Zoning or Code Enforcement Officer if the nuisance is not corrected within 24 hours of written notification.
J.
The sign owner shall be responsible for all liability related to its use, placement and condition.
K.
The sketch below is an example of the dimensions and design of a temporary A-frame sign under this Section:
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L.
Borough Council or the Borough Zoning Officer may impose any other restriction on the location, size or design of the sign that, in its judgment, protects the health, safety and welfare of the public, including limiting the number of signs on any given sidewalk or street frontage at a given time for pedestrian movement or emergency response purposes.