[Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
The purpose of this Part is to develop a comprehensive system
of sign regulations to:
1.
Promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:
A.
Do not create traffic hazards by distracting or confusing motorists,
or impairing motorist's ability to see pedestrians, other vehicles,
obstacles or to read traffic signs.
B.
Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay or
abandonment.
C.
Promote the aesthetic quality, safety, health, and general welfare
and the assurance of protection of adequate light and air within the
Borough by regulation of the posting, displaying, erection, use and
maintenance of signs.
2.
Promote the efficient transfer of information through the use of
signs and to permit such use, but not necessarily in the most profitable
form or format available for such use.
3.
Protect the public welfare and enhance the overall appearance and
economic value of the landscape, and preserve the unique natural and
historic environment that distinguishes the Borough in accordance
with Article I, Section 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The
protection of the Borough's historic resources, environment and
aesthetics from the impacts of signage is a matter of critical importance
to all residents and businesses in the Borough.
4.
It is further declared that these regulations are minimum standards
provided to safeguard the life, health, property and public welfare
by regulating and controlling the design quality, materials, construction,
size, illumination, location and maintenance of all signs and sign
structures while at the same time attempting to provide functional
flexibility, encourage variety, and to create an incentive to relate
signage to the basic principles of sound planning, development and
use of residential, commercial and industrial properties.
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 622, 12/29/1987;
by Ord. 657, 10/9/1990, §§ 1 — 5; by Ord. 724,
11/17/1997; by Ord. 754, 2/18/2002; by Ord. 866, 6/10/2013, § 3;
by Ord. 904, 6/19/2017; by Ord. No.
964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following regulations shall apply to all zoning districts, except
as otherwise noted herein:
A.
A permit shall be required to construct, alter, install, and maintain
any sign, in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with
the provisions of this chapter and all other ordinances and regulations
relating to the erection, alteration, or maintenance of signs. Permit
fees shall be established by resolution of the Borough Council.
C.
Signs shall not contain flashing, revolving, moving, sound-producing,
or animated parts, including any sign which has the capability of
motion in whole or in part, with the exception of:
D.
No sign shall be placed in such a position or have such a source
of illumination that it directly illuminates any street, creates glare
or will cause any danger to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
E.
Floodlighting of any sign shall be arranged so that the source of
light is not visible nor glare is detected from any property line
or vehicular access and that only the sign is illuminated.
F.
No sign other than official traffic signs or public service signs
shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any street.
G.
Every sign must be constructed of durable material and be kept in
good condition. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall
be removed by the owner or, upon failure of the owner to do so, by
the Borough at the expense of the owner or lessee. The Borough Code
Enforcement Officer shall make such determination as to state of repair.
All violations shall be corrected within 90 days of receiving a notice
of violation.
H.
No sign shall be erected or located so as to prevent free ingress
to or egress from any window, door, fire escape, sidewalk, or driveway.
I.
No sign shall be erected which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles,
sound, or odor.
J.
No sign shall be erected which uses an artificial light source or
reflecting device which may be mistaken for a traffic signal.
K.
No sign shall be placed on any tree except temporary signs affixed
with string or rope. No sign shall be painted or drawn on a rock or
other natural feature.
L.
Freestanding signs, exclusive of directory signs.
(1)
Freestanding signs, in accordance with the applicable terms
of this Part, shall be permitted:
(a)
In the C-1, C-2, C-3, I, and PC/LI Zoning Districts;
(b)
On a lot containing an institutional use in any zoning district;
(c)
On any tract developed for residential use in any zoning district,
in the form of a ground or monument sign; and
(d)
In association with a legal nonconforming nonresidential use
in any residential zoning district.
(2)
The distance from ground level to the highest part of any freestanding sign in any commercial or industrial zoning district shall not exceed 15 feet. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the placement of any freestanding sign may not impede or endanger pedestrian or vehicular traffic with its minimum height or otherwise. The placement of any freestanding sign shall be in compliance with the requirements for clear sight triangles contained in § 27-1218, Subsection 2, of this chapter.
(4)
Freestanding signs shall not be erected within street rights-of-way
and shall be set back from all side and rear lot lines a distance
of not less than the height of the sign.
(8)
For any freestanding sign in the PC/LI District:
(a)
No more than two freestanding signs, exclusive of a directory
sign and all directional signs, shall be permitted in a Mixed Commercial
Industrial Center, and no more than one freestanding sign, exclusive
of all directional signs, shall be permitted on any other property
in the district.
(b)
The area on one side of a freestanding sign shall not exceed
32 square feet, except for directory signs permitted in accordance
with this Part.
(c)
The maximum height of any freestanding sign for a Mixed Commercial
Industrial Center shall be 15 feet.
(9)
The standards in this section regarding maximum number and maximum
area of freestanding signs in the C-1, C-2, C-3, I, and PC/LI Districts
must be met as part of, and not in addition to, the standards for
maximum number and size of signs in each respective district for all
permitted signs.
M.
Any vehicle or structure to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle or structure but becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be considered a freestanding sign and as such be subject to the applicable provisions regarding freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle or structure is located, as contained in Subsection L.
N.
Temporary Signs.
(1)
The following temporary signs, where approved by the Zoning
Officer, may be allowed for short periods of time. Such signs shall
not require a permit, except where specifically required by the language
of this Part, provided they are removed within the time period specified
and conform to the specific provisions of the applicable subsection.
(a)
Signs located one-half mile or less of a lot on which a yard
or garage sale is taking place, provided that they are removed within
48 hours after the sale.
(b)
Signs located on a lot or building which is for sale or rent,
provided that they are removed upon execution of an agreement of sale
or rental or upon settlement of the contract.
(c)
Signs erected not more than 30 days prior to a primary, municipal,
general, or special election, or vote on a referendum, provided that
they are removed within seven days after the election or vote. Signs
shall be mounted on a wire wicket, which shall be fixed to the ground
securely enough to resist being blown over by wind. A property is
permitted up to five such temporary signs on each street frontage;
officially designated polling places are not subject to this limitation.
(d)
Signs erected by the owners of property on which a permitted
event will take place, provided that they are erected no more than
30 days before the event and removed within seven days after the event.
(e)
Signs installed before an officially recognized or designated
holiday, provided that they do not create traffic or fire hazards
and are removed within three weeks following the holiday.
(f)
Banner signs, which may be off-premises signs and which generally
are associated with the announcement of a special event. One such
sign shall be permitted per event. Such sign may be installed not
more than 60 days prior to the event and shall be removed within seven
days after the event. A permit for any such sign shall be required.
(g)
Signs on lots where work is being performed by contractors,
mechanics, painters, artisans, etc., provided that they are removed
within three days after completion of said work.
(h)
Except as otherwise noted, up to two such temporary signs may
be displayed on street frontage.
(i)
Signs shall be removed when they become ragged, torn, dilapidated,
or faded.
(2)
In the C-1, C-2, C-3, and PC/LI Districts, one temporary sign
per property shall be permitted when there is a short-term sale or
similar commercial activity on the property. Such sign shall be without
fee and shall not be computed as part of the total permitted permanent
signage. Such sign shall not be displayed for more than 60 days during
any calendar year. No such sign shall exceed 1/3 of the square footage
of the total permitted permanent signage on the property. Additional
temporary signs may be permitted where determined by the Zoning Officer
not to be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare and
for such fee as may be determined by Borough Council.
O.
Signs located on lots for the following limited purposes shall be
permitted, provided that they do not exceed two square feet in area
and are placed at intervals not less than 100 feet along any street
frontage, and shall not require a permit:
P.
Portable Signs.
(1)
Portable signs shall be permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, PC/LI,
and I Zoning Districts where the principal use of the property is
nonresidential.
(2)
No more than one portable sign per property shall be permitted,
except that where the front facade of a building is divided among
two or more discrete principal uses, each such use shall be permitted
one portable sign.
(3)
A portable sign may be placed in front of a principal use by
the owner or lessee of such use, including within a sidewalk.
(4)
A portable sign shall not exceed nine square feet. Where the
sign is double-faced, only one face shall be used to calculate the
size of the sign.
(5)
Where placed on a sidewalk, a minimum clear walking path of
four feet shall be maintained.
(6)
The maximum height of a portable sign shall be five feet, measured
from the sidewalk or other surface on which the sign is placed.
(7)
Any portable sign shall be taken indoors at the close of each
business day.
(8)
No portable sign may be placed on wheels.
(9)
A portable sign shall comply with the terms of this section,
but a sign permit shall not be required.
(10)
A feather flag sign shall be deemed a portable sign and shall comply with all requirements of this Subsection 1P with the exception of Subsections 1P(1), (4), and (6). Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area or 12 feet in height. Where permitted, no lot shall contain more than three feather flag signs. Feather flag signs shall not be permitted in the C-3 Commercial District or any residential zoning district.
Q.
Directory Signs.
(1)
In the C-1, I, and PC/LI Districts, a freestanding directory
sign shall be permitted on a multi-use property in accordance with
the following:
R.
No sign shall be permitted which has or includes content that is
not subject to the protections of the First Amendment to the United
States Constitution or Article I, Section 7, of the Pennsylvania Constitution,
including, but not limited to, the following:
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 657, 10/9/1990, §§ 6,
7; by Ord. No. 927-2019, 8/19/2019; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following signs shall be permitted in residential districts:
A.
Official traffic signs.
B.
Signs on lots on which a school, church, hospital, or similar institution,
or a club, lodge, farm, estate, or similar use is located, provided
that:
D.
Signs on a lot on which there is an existing nonconforming use, provided
that:
(1)
The area on one side of such sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet.
(2)
No more than one sign, including any freestanding sign, shall
be erected on any one street frontage.
(3)
When an existing nonconforming use fronts on a street that forms
the boundary with a nonresidential zoning district, the sign(s) which
front on that street may assume the requirements of the district on
the other side of the boundary upon a duly executed application to
the Zoning Officer and fulfillment of other requirements of this chapter
for that nonresidential district.
E.
Signs located on lots on which there is a public utility corporation
facility, provided that the area of one side of such sign shall not
exceed four square feet.
F.
Signs within a residential subdivision with a rental office or sample
unit within that subdivision, provided that the area on one side of
any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
G.
Signs on a lot on which trespassing is prohibited. The area of any
one side of such signs shall not exceed two square feet, and such
signs shall be placed at intervals of not less than 100 feet along
any street frontage.
H.
A ground (monument) sign at the entrance of a subdivision or land
development, provided that:
I.
(1)
No more than one freestanding sign, exclusive of a directory
sign and all directional signs, shall be allowed on any one property.
(2)
The area on one side of a freestanding sign shall not exceed
12 square feet.
(3)
The distance from ground level to the highest part of any freestanding
sign shall not exceed eight feet.
K.
Directional signs, provided that the area on any one side of a directional
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 705, 8/21/1995; by Ord. No. 927-2019, 8/19/2019; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following signs shall be permitted in the C-1 Commercial District:
B.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
No sign shall be visible from the rear of any property when
the rear of that property abuts a residential district, nor shall
any sign be visible from the side of any property when the side of
that property abuts a residential district.
(2)
The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage
placed on or facing any one street frontage of any one premises shall
not exceed 10% of the square footage of the front facade of the building
or 80 square feet, whichever is less, except in the case of a tract
or building having more than one commercial, industrial, or other
nonresidential use.
(3)
(4)
No more than two separate signs shall face any one street frontage
for any individual use.
(5)
Signs shall not project in height above the roofline of the
building to which they are attached.
C.
Directional signs, provided that the area on any one side of a directional
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
F.
Window signs shall be excluded from the calculation of the total
permitted sign area. Temporary and/or permanent window signs shall
not exceed 35% of the total window area in the frontage wall. Window
signs displayed on the inside of any window shall not require a permit.
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 657, 10/9/1990, § 8;
by Ord. 724, 11/17/1997; by Ord. 858, 11/12/2012, §§ 1,
2; by Ord. No. 927-2019, 8/19/2019; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following signs shall be permitted in the C-2 Commercial District:
B.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
No sign shall be visible from the rear of any property when
the rear of that property abuts a residential district, nor shall
any sign be visible from the side of any property when the side of
that property abuts a residential district.
(2)
The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage
for a property in the C-2 District shall be 10% of the square footage
of the front facade of the building or 60 square feet, whichever is
less.
(3)
Total permitted signage shall be divided among not more than
three signs.
(5)
Signs mounted perpendicular to the building frontage shall not
project more than five feet from the building wall. The minimum height
from ground level to the lowest part of such sign shall be not less
than eight feet.
C.
Directional signs, provided that the area on any one side of a directional
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 657, 10/9/1990, § 9;
by Ord. 724, 11/17/1997; by Ord. No. 927-2019, 8/19/2019; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following signs shall be permitted in the C-3 Commercial District:
B.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
Such sign shall be erected only by the owner or lessee of the
tract of land on which the use is located.
(2)
The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage
per property in the C-3 District shall be 7% of the square footage
of the front facade of the building or 50 square feet, whichever is
less.
(3)
Total permitted signage may be divided into not more than two
signs, at least one of which shall be mounted on the front facade
of the building.
D.
Directional signs, provided that the area on any one side of a directional
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 657, 10/9/1990; by
Ord. 754, 2/18/2002; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following signs shall be permitted in the I Industrial District:
B.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
Such sign shall be erected only by the owner or lessee of the
tract of land on which the use is located.
(2)
There shall be a maximum of two signs, including any freestanding
sign, facing one street frontage for any one premises.
(3)
The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage
per property in the I District, including any freestanding sign but
exclusive of any directory sign, shall be 150 square feet.
D.
E.
Signs shall not project in height above the roofline of the building
to which they are attached.
H.
Directional signs, provided that the area on any one side of a directional
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
J.
Billboard, provided that:
(1)
Billboards shall be permitted only within the I General Industrial
District, and only when approved as a special exception by the Zoning
Hearing Board.
(2)
(3)
The applicant for special exception approval of a billboard
shall have the burden of proving compliance with all applicable criteria
and regulations. Documents and plans necessary to establish compliance
shall be submitted to the Zoning Hearing Board with the special exception
application and demonstrate compliance with the following requirements:
(a)
A billboard may only be constructed as a freestanding off-premises
sign, as those terms are defined in this Part.
(b)
A billboard shall be subject to the following size restrictions
according to the posted speed limit of the road abutting the lot on
which the billboard is located.
|
Posted Speed Limit (MPH)
|
<35
|
36-45
|
|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Sign Area (square feet)
|
60
|
100
|
(c)
The maximum height of any billboard shall be 15 feet.
(d)
No billboard shall be located closer than 15 feet to any property
line.
(e)
There shall be a minimum separation distance of 300 feet between
any two billboards, and between a billboard and any residential zoning
district boundary.
(f)
Billboards may only be externally illuminated and the lighting of any billboard shall be in compliance with the requirements of § 27-1601. Only full-cutoff exterior lighting fixtures shall be utilized.
(g)
Internal illumination of billboards is prohibited.
(h)
No part or element of a billboard may be digital changeable
copy.
[Ord. 593, 4/8/1986; as amended by Ord. 657, 10/9/1990; by
Ord. 754, 2/18/2002; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
The following signs shall be permitted in the PC/LI Planned Commercial/Light
Industrial District.
B.
Business signs, provided that:
(1)
No sign shall be visible from the rear of any property when
the rear of that property abuts a residential district, nor shall
any sign be visible from the side of any property when the side of
that property abuts a residential district.
(2)
The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage
per property in the PC/LI District, including any freestanding sign
but exclusive of any directory sign, shall be 150 square feet.
C.
Directional signs, provided that the area on one side of a directional
sign shall not exceed two square feet.
F.
No more than two separate signs shall face any one street frontage
for any individual use.
G.
Signs shall not project in height above the roofline of the building
to which they are attached.
[Ord. 888, 6/8/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
Unsafe or Unlawful Signs.
A.
Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe and/or poses a potential
threat to the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public
safety, and such condition becomes known to the Zoning Officer, he
or she shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which
the sign is located that such sign must be made safe within five days,
unless the Zoning Officer shall deem appropriate a more extended period
for compliance.
B.
Where in the opinion of the Zoning Officer and/or the Code Enforcement
Officer, any sign as described above constitutes an imminent hazard
to public safety necessitating immediate action, the Zoning Officer
shall be empowered to take those measures he or she deems appropriate
to secure, stabilize, or remove such sign without the written notice
to the owner of the premises otherwise required by that section. Any
expense directly incurred to secure, stabilize, or remove such sign
shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails
to pay, the Borough may file a lien upon the property on which such
sign was situated for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs,
including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the Borough to secure,
stabilize, or remove the sign.
C.
Failure of the Zoning Officer to remove, or require the removal of,
any unsafe sign as described in this section shall create no liability
upon, nor any cause of action against, the Zoning Officer or any other
Borough official or employee for damage or injury that may occur as
a result of such sign.
2.
Abandoned Signs.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property upon
which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within 180
days of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this Section. Removal
of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign
including the sign face, supporting structure, structural trim, and
all associated electrical components when applicable.
B.
Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located
fails to remove such sign in 180 days, the Borough may remove such
sign after the Zoning Officer gives written notice to the sign owner.
Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall be
charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay,
the Borough may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of recovering
all reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees incurred
by the Borough, associated with the removal of the sign.
[Ord. 904, 6/19/2017; as amended by Ord.
No. 927-2019, 8/19/2019; by Ord. No. 929-2019, 10/21/2019; by Ord. No. 964-2024, 2/26/2024]
1.
Digital Copy Signs. Digital copy forms of messaging shall be permitted,
subject to the following:
A.
Any digital copy sign shall have installed an ambient light monitor,
which shall continuously monitor and automatically adjust the brightness
of the sign to appropriate levels for the existing ambient light conditions.
B.
The maximum brightness levels for digital copy signs shall not exceed
0.1 footcandle over ambient light levels measured at the boundary
of any abutting property.
C.
Between sunrise and sunset, luminance shall be no greater than 5,000
nits. At all other times, luminance shall be no greater than 250 nits.
D.
Digital copy signs shall comply with all applicable general signage
and zoning district regulations of this chapter or as otherwise lawfully
permitted.
E.
Any such sign employing changeable displays shall also be subject to the terms of Subsection 2, below.
2.
Digital Changeable Display Signs.
A.
Changeable display signs are prohibited except as expressly provided
below.
B.
Changeable display signs shall comply with all applicable general signage and zoning district regulations of this chapter, including Subsection 1, above, or as otherwise lawfully permitted.
C.
Changeable displays shall only be utilized as a component of a freestanding
sign in the front yard, or on the front facade of a building, on property
in the C-1, C-2, C-3, I, or PC/LI Zoning Districts. Only one such
sign shall be permitted per property.
D.
A changeable display sign shall only be permitted as a part of or
in conjunction with a permitted sign on a lot, provided that its area
is included in the calculation of the total allowable sign area and
constitutes no more than 25% of such area.
E.
Changes in a digital display shall be instantaneous and shall not
flash, blink, or otherwise give the appearance of movement or other
variation in the display.
F.
Changes in the signage display shall include the entire display such
that different portions of the display are not changing at different
times.
G.
Changes in a digital display shall not occur more frequently than
once every 10 seconds.
H.
In the C-1, I, and PC/LI Districts, a digital display sign with a
sign area greater than 50 square feet shall not change its message
more frequently than once every 30 seconds.
I.
Changeable display signs shall be subject to the Building and Electrical
Codes of Oxford Borough.
J.
A nonconforming sign shall not be converted to, adapted, repurposed,
or otherwise approved as a changeable display sign unless it is modified
to conform to the applicable regulations of this chapter, including
the requirements of this section.
K.
No sign designated as a billboard under the terms of this chapter
shall utilize digital changeable displays.
L.
A changeable display sign shall require a sign permit. The fee for
the permit shall be as established by resolution of Borough Council.
