Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this article.
A. 
The following types of nonadvertising signs are permitted in all residential districts as follows:
(1) 
Nameplates and identification signs, nonilluminated.
(a) 
Signs indicating the name or address of the occupant, provided that they shall not be larger than two square feet in area. Only one such sign per dwelling unit shall be permitted except in the case of corner lots where two such signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted for each dwelling unit.
(b) 
For apartment buildings or buildings other than dwellings, a single identification sign not exceeding six square feet in area and indicating only the name and address of the building and the name of the management may be displayed, provided that on a corner lot, two such signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted.
(2) 
Sale or rental signs, nonilluminated. Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected by the owner or broker or any other person interested in the sale or rental of such premises, and signs bearing the word "sold" or "rented" with the name of persons effecting the sale or rental may be erected or maintained, provided that:
(a) 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of six square feet; and
(b) 
Not more than two signs are placed upon any property unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event two more signs may be erected on each additional frontage.
(3) 
Institutional signs.
(a) 
Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, sanatoria or other institutions of a similar public or semipublic nature may be erected and maintained, provided that:
[1] 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of 30 square feet; and
[2] 
Not more than one such sign is placed on a property unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event two such signs may be erected, one on each frontage.
(b) 
Such signs may be illuminated, provided that the light is directed away from adjoining premises.
(4) 
Signs accessory to parking areas. Signs designating entrances or exits to or from a parking area shall be permitted and shall be limited to one sign for each exit or entrance and to a maximum size of two square feet each. One sign per parking area designating the conditions of use or identity of such parking area and limited to a maximum size of nine square feet shall be permitted, provided that on a corner lot, two such signs shall be permitted, one facing each street. Such signs may be illuminated, provided that the light is directed away from adjoining premises.
(5) 
Development signs, nonilluminated. Signs advertising the sale or development of the premises upon which they are erected, when erected in connection with the development of the premises by a building contractor, developer or other persons interested in such sale or development, may be erected and maintained, provided that:
(a) 
The size of any sign is not in excess of 20 square feet;
(b) 
Not more than two signs are placed upon any property unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which event two such signs may be erected on each such frontage; and
(c) 
Any such sign shall be removed by the developer within 30 days of the final sale of property.
(6) 
Directional signs, nonilluminated. Signs indicating the location and direction of premises available for or in process of development but not erected upon such premises, and having inscribed thereon the name of the owner, developer, building or agent, may be erected and maintained, provided that:
(a) 
The size of any such sign is not in excess of six square feet and not in excess of four feet in length; and
(b) 
Not more than one such sign is erected on each 500 feet of street frontage.
(7) 
Artisans' signs. Signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided that:
(a) 
The size thereof is not in excess of 15 square feet; and
(b) 
Such signs are removed promptly upon completion of the work.
(8) 
Private driveways. Signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or trespassing signs shall be permitted, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
B. 
Height and projection of signs. No sign in an R District shall project into the public way or project higher than one story or 20 feet, whichever is lower.
C. 
Billboards. Billboards are specifically prohibited in any R District.
A. 
Any sign permitted in the residential districts is permitted in the C and I Districts.
B. 
Business signs identifying the occupant, profession, commodity or service sold or offered upon the same premises where the sign is to be located or affixed shall be permitted as follows:
(1) 
Size of signs.
(a) 
Projecting signs. The size of any projecting sign affixed to a building or structure in accordance with § 195-56 shall not exceed a gross surface area of 100 square feet in any C District or more than 150 square feet in an I District.
(b) 
Wall, flush or nonprojecting signs. The gross surface area of a wall, flush or nonprojecting sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the designated surface of the building or structure where the sign is to be located or affixed. However, only that portion of the designated surface directly related to the business use shall be used in computing the permitted area of the sign.
(2) 
Location of signs. In any C District, all signs shall be securely attached to a building. Freestanding signs shall be permitted in the I District only, provided that no such sign shall be nearer to any property line than 50 feet.
(3) 
Illumination of signs. Flashing signs and revolving illuminated signs shall be considered as a special exception, subject to review by the Zoning Hearing Board, and provided that such signs shall not create any traffic hazard or abut or face any residential property or any residential zone lot. Stationary illuminated signs are permitted in all C or I Districts.
C. 
Billboards.
(1) 
Billboards are specifically prohibited in the C District.
(2) 
Billboards are permitted in the I District only and shall not exceed 300 square feet in size, and no such sign shall be nearer to any property line than 50 feet.
The following regulations apply to all permitted signs:
A. 
Maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition and not allowed to become dilapidated.
B. 
Wall signs. Display signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings or structures shall not extend more than 15 inches out from the wall surface. Wall signs exceeding 40 square feet in area shall be of noncombustible material.
C. 
Projecting signs. Signs may project from the wall of any building or structure into the right-of-way. However, no sign shall extend nearer to the perpendicular upward projection of any curb line than three feet. A clear space of not less than 10 feet shall be provided below all parts of projecting signs. Projecting signs exceeding 20 square feet in area shall be made of noncombustible material.
D. 
Height of signs. No sign shall be higher than the height limit in the district where such sign is located nor shall any sign be located upon the roof of any building.
E. 
Building permits for signs. Building permits shall be required for all signs having a gross area of more than nine square feet. For signs in the interest of the public for information and convenience, the Code Official, upon approval by the Zoning Hearing Board may issue a temporary permit for a period to be designated by the Board. Such temporary signs shall be removed by the property owner at the termination of any permit for the erection thereof.
[Amended 8-1-1994 by Ord. No. 455]
F. 
Fees. No fee shall be charged for any permit connected with the erection of a sign necessary to the public welfare.