[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Bradford 4-26-1977 by Ord. No. 2986. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall hereafter be known and cited
as the "Sign Regulations."
As used in this chapter, unless the context
otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes any structure made of cloth or metal with a metal
frame attached to a building and projecting over a thoroughfare, when
the same is so erected as to permit its being raised to a position
flat against the building when not in use.
Includes any structure, other than an awning, made of cloth
or metal with metal frames attached to a building, projecting over
a thoroughfare and carried by a frame supported by the ground or sidewalk.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix,
and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the
message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.
Includes any sign supported by uprights or braces placed
upon the ground and not attached to any building.
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs
or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part
of the sign proper.
Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature
of 1,200º F. and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.
Includes any hood or awning of permanent construction projecting
from the wall of a building above an entrance and extending over a
thoroughfare.
Any marquee, canopy, awning or street clock as further defined
herein.
Includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
As regulated by this chapter, shall include any sign which
is attached to a building or other structure and extends beyond the
line of said building or structure or beyond the surface of that portion
of the building or structure to which it is attached. All projecting
signs shall be illuminated signs, as defined by this chapter.
HORIZONTAL PROJECTING SIGNAny sign which is greater in width than in height.
VERTICAL PROJECTING SIGNAny sign which is greater in height than in width.
Any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon
or over the roof of any building with the principal support on the
roof structure.
Includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof
sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, marquee,
awning, canopy and street clock, and shall include any announcement,
declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used
to advertise or promote the interests of any person when the same
is placed out of doors in view of the general public.
Any timepiece erected upon a standard upon the sidewalk or
on the exterior of any building or structure for the convenience of
the public and placed and maintained by some person for the purpose
of advertising his place of business.
The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing
and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
Includes any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising
display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard
or other light materials, with or without frames, intending to be
displayed for a short period of time only.
Includes all flat signs of solid face construction which
are placed against a building and attached to the exterior front,
rear or side wall of any building or other structure.
It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain within the City of Bradford any sign or other advertising structure, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining an erection permit from the Building Inspector and making payment of the fee required by § 178-7 hereof. All illuminated signs shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the Electrical Code and the permit fees required thereunder.
Application for erection permits shall be made
upon blanks provided by the Building Inspector and shall contain or
have attached thereto the following information:
A.
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
B.
Location of building, structure or lot to which or
upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached
or erected.
C.
Position of the sign or other advertising structure
in relation to nearby buildings or structures.
D.
Two blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications
and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the
ground.
E.
Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that
the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction
in the amount required by this chapter and all other laws and ordinances
of the City.
F.
Name of the person, firm, corporation or association
erecting the structure.
G.
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure
or land to which or on which the structure is to be erected.
H.
Any electrical permit required and issued for said
sign.
J.
Such other information as the Building Inspector shall
require to show full compliance with this chapter and all other laws
and ordinances of the City.
The application for a permit for erection of
a sign or other advertising structure in which electrical wiring and
connections are to be used shall be submitted to the Electrical Inspector.
The Electrical Inspector shall examine the plans and specifications
respecting all wiring and connections to determine if the same complies
with the Electrical Code of the City of Bradford, and he shall approve
said permit if said plans and specifications comply with said code
or disapprove the application if noncompliance with said code is found.
Said action of the Electrical Inspector shall be taken prior to submission
of the application to the Building Inspector for final approval or
disapproval of the erection permit.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector, upon
the filing of an application for an erection permit, to examine such
plans and specifications and other data and the premises upon which
it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure, and
if it shall appear that the proposed structure is in compliance with
all the requirements of this chapter and all other laws and ordinances
of the City of Bradford, he shall then issue the erection permit.
If the work authorized under an erection permit has not been completed
within six months after date of issuance, said permit shall become
null and void.
B.
The Building Inspector shall take action on any application
within 30 days of receipt thereof. Any applicant who is aggrieved
by said action may appeal to the Court of Common Pleas in accordance
with the provisions of the Local Agency Law (2 Pa.C.S.A. § 551
et seq. and 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 751 et seq.).
[Added 5-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2986.4]
[Amended 2-10-1998 by Ord. No. 2986.1; 3-10-2015 by Ord. No.
2986.5]
Appropriate sign permit fees are set by resolution, adopted
by the proper officers of Bradford City Council and will be reviewed
from time to time.
[Added 5-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2986.4;
at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
All rights and privileges acquired under the
provisions of this chapter or any amendment thereto are mere licenses
revocable at any time by the Building Officer, and all such permits
shall contain this provision.
If the Building Inspector shall find that any
sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or
insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected
or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter,
he shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee
fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards
herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign or other
advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Building
Inspector at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property
upon which it is located. The Building Inspector shall refuse to issue
a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed.
The Building Inspector may cause any sign or other advertising structure
which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily
and without notice.
Every sign or other advertising structure hereafter
erected shall have painted in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters
not less than one inch in height, the date of erection, the permit
number and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection
therewith.
The owner of any sign as defined and regulated
by this chapter shall be required to have properly painted at least
once every two years all parts and supports of said sign, unless the
same are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
All signs and other advertising structures shall
be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less
than 40 pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to
receive dead loads as required in the Building Code[1] or other ordinances of the City of Bradford.
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no
longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold
shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having
the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign
may be found within 10 days after written notification from the Building
Inspector, and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the
time specified in such order, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized
to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall
be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which such sign
is attached.
[Amended 12-10-2002 by Ord. No. 2986.3; 5-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2986.4; at time of adoption
of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A.
Temporary signs not exceeding 12 square feet, provided each such
sign is removed within 60 days of its erection.
B.
Identification signs not exceeding three square feet denoting only
the name and profession of an owner or occupant.
C.
Signs painted on the exterior surface of a building or structure; provided, however, that if said signs have raised borders, letters, characters, decorations or lighting appliances, they shall be subject to the provisions of § 178-24 and all applicable provisions of this chapter.
D.
Bulletin boards not exceeding eight square feet in area advertising
or informing of a service, business, occupation or profession carried
on, in or about the property upon which such bulletin board is displayed.
E.
Signs cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze
or other incombustible materials denoting the name or other identifying
information concerning a building or its date of construction.
F.
Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing
signs, danger and such emergency or nonadvertising signs as may be
approved by the City Council.
G.
Noncommercial signs not exceeding 12 square feet in area placed upon
private property by the owner or occupant of said property.
Every applicant for a permit referred to herein
shall, before the permit is granted, file with the Building Inspector
a continuing bond in the penal sum of $10,000 executed by the applicant
and a surety company to be approved by the City Solicitor and conditioned
for the faithful observance of the provisions of this chapter and
all amendments thereto and of all laws and ordinances relating to
signs and other advertising structures and which shall indemnify and
save harmless the City of Bradford from any and all damages, judgments,
costs or expense which said City may incur or suffer by reason of
the granting of said permit. Any person lawfully maintaining a sign
or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter at the time
of the enactment of this chapter shall, within 30 days after said
enactment, comply with all the provisions set forth in this section.
A liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized
to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania conforming to this
section may be permitted in lieu of a bond.
No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained
so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or
fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe
or fire escape.
No sign or other advertising structure as regulated
by this chapter 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 shall make 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.
All signs or other advertising structures which
are constructed on street lines, or within five feet thereof, shall
have a smooth surface, and no nails, tacks or wires shall be permitted
to protrude therefrom, except electrical reflectors and devices which
may extend over the top and in front of the advertising structures.
Gooseneck reflectors and lights shall be permitted
on ground signs, roof signs and wall signs; provided, however, that
the reflectors shall be provided with proper glass lenses concentrating
the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare
upon the street or adjacent property.
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain
any sign which extends over public property which is wholly or partially
illuminated by floodlights or spotlights.
[Amended 12-10-2002 by Ord. No. 2986.3]
It shall be unlawful for any person to display
upon any sign or other advertisement structure any obscene matter
as that term is interpreted from time to time under either the Federal
Case Law or the Case Law of this commonwealth.
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No.
2986.1]
A.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. All ground signs for which a permit
is required under this chapter shall have a surface or facing of incombustible
material; provided, however, that combustible structural trim may
be used thereon.
(2)
Letters to be secured. All letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure and shall comply with all requirements in § 178-19.
B.
Location.
(1)
Height limitation. It shall be unlawful to erect any
ground sign whose total height is greater than 25 feet above the level
of the street upon which the sign faces or above the adjoining ground
level, if such ground level is above the street level.
(2)
Space between sign and ground and other signs and
structures. Ground signs shall have an open space not less than two
feet between the base line of said sign and the ground level. This
open space may be filled in with a platform or decorative latticework
which does not close off more than 1/2 of any square foot of such
open space. No ground sign shall be nearer than two feet to any other
sign, building or structure.
(3)
Setback line. No portion of any ground sign shall
extend beyond a property line or extend into any right-of-way or street
line established by law.
[Amended 10-12-1999 by Ord. No. 2986.2]
C.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. All ground signs
shall be securely built, constructed and erected upon posts and standards
sunk at least three feet below the natural surface of the ground and
shall be supported and braced by timbers or metal rods in the rear
thereof, extending from the top thereof to a point in the ground at
least a distance equal to 1/2 of the height of such sign, measured
along the ground, from the posts or standards upon which the same
is erected.
(2)
Supports, etc., to be creosoted. All posts, anchors
and bracing of wood shall be treated to protect them from moisture
by creosoting or other approved methods when they rest upon or enter
into the ground.
D.
Premises to be kept free of weeds, etc. All ground
signs and the premises surrounding the same shall be maintained by
the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition and
free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
A.
Construction; materials required. All wall signs for
which a permit is required under this chapter shall have a surface
or facing of incombustible material; provided, however, that combustible
structural trim may be used thereon.
B.
Location.
(1)
Limitation on placement and area. No wall sign shall
cover wholly or partially any wall opening nor project beyond the
ends or top of the wall to which it is attached, and any one wall
sign shall not exceed an area of 500 square feet.
(2)
Projection above sidewalk and setback line. A wall
sign shall not be permitted to extend more than six inches beyond
the building line and shall not be attached to a wall at a height
of less than 10 feet above the sidewalk or ground.
(3)
Obstructions to doors, windows or fire escapes. No
wall sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent
free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
C.
Erection.
(1)
Supports and attachment. All wall signs shall be safely
and securely attached to the building wall by means of metal anchors,
bolts or expansion screws of not less than 3/8 inch in diameter embedded
in said wall at least five inches; provided, however, that such signs
may rest in, or be bolted to, strong, heavy, metal brackets or saddles
set not over six feet apart, each of which shall be securely fixed
to the wall as hereinbefore provided. In no case shall any wall sign
be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails.
A.
Construction; materials required. Every roof sign,
including the upright supports and braces thereof, shall be constructed
entirely of incombustible materials; provided, however, that combustible
structural trim may be used thereon.
B.
Location.
(1)
Height and area limitations. A roof sign shall not
have a surface or facing exceeding 300 square feet nor have its highest
point extended more than 20 feet above the roof level.
(2)
Setback from roof edge. No roof sign shall be erected
or maintained with the face thereof nearer than five feet to the outside
wall toward which the sign faces.
(3)
Space between sign and roof. All roof signs shall
have a space at least five feet in height between the base of the
sign and the roof level and have at least five feet clearance between
the vertical supports thereof.
C.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Every roof sign shall
be thoroughly secured to the building by iron or other metal anchors,
bolts, supports, rods or braces. When erected upon buildings which
are not constructed entirely of fireproof material, the bearing plates
of said sign shall bear directly upon masonry walls and intermediate
steel columns in the building. No roof sign shall be supported or
anchored to the wooden framework of a building.
A.
Construction.
(1)
Every projecting sign, including the frames, braces
and supports thereof, shall be designed by a structural engineer or
manufacturer and shall be approved by the Building Inspector as in
compliance with the Building Code[1] of the City of Bradford and by the Electrical Inspector
as in compliance with the Electrical Code of the City of Bradford,
shall be constructed of incombustible materials, shall be illuminated
and shall be two-faced.
(2)
Illumination. The reflectors shall be provided with
the proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area
of the sign and preventing glare upon the street or adjacent property,
and no floodlight or spotlight or reflectors of the gooseneck type
shall be permitted on projecting signs.
(3)
Limitation of glass. The lettering or advertising
designs to be illuminated may be composed of glass or other transparent
or semitransparent incombustible material. Any glass forming a part
of any sign shall be safety glass or plate glass at least 1/4 inch
thick, and in case any single piece or pane of glass has an area exceeding
three square feet, it shall be wired glass. One section, not exceeding
three square feet in area, constructed of wire glass or safety glass
shall be permitted on each side of a sign.
(4)
Movable parts to be secured. Any movable part of a
projecting sign, such as the cover of a service opening, shall be
securely fastened by chains or hinges.
(6)
Thickness limitation. The distance measured between
the principal faces of any projecting sign shall not exceed 18 inches.
B.
Location.
(1)
Projection over public property. Every projecting
sign shall be placed at least eight feet above the public sidewalk
over which it is erected and a distance not greater than two feet
from the face of the wall to which it is attached, measuring from
the point of the sign nearest thereto, and no sign or part thereof
shall extend nearer the curbline than three feet. Every projecting
sign erected over public driveways, alleys and thoroughfares shall
be placed not less than 15 feet above the level of the same.
C.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Projecting signs exceeding 10 square feet in area of 50 pounds in weight shall not be attached to nor supported by frame buildings nor the wooden framework of a building. Said signs shall be attached to masonry walls with galvanized expansion bolts at least 3/8 inch in diameter, shall be fixed in the wall by means of bolts extending through the wall, shall contain a proper size metal washer or plate on the inside of the wall and shall comply with § 178-13 hereof.
(2)
Anchorage with wire, etc., prohibited. No projecting
sign shall be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails, nor shall
any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign.
D.
V-shaped signs prohibited. V-shaped signs, consisting
of two single-faced signs erected without a roof or ceiling, shall
not be permitted.
A.
Construction.
(1)
Materials and area limitations. No temporary sign
of combustible material shall exceed four feet in one of its dimensions
or 100 square feet in area, and provided that such signs in excess
of 60 square feet shall be made of rigid materials, that is, of wallboard
or other light materials with frames.
B.
Location.
(1)
Projection from wall and over public property. No
temporary sign shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk
or other public thoroughfare a distance greater than four inches from
the wall upon which it is erected, and no temporary sign shall be
placed or project over any wall opening.
(2)
Obstruction to doors, windows and fire escapes. No
temporary sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or
egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall such sign be
attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
C.
Erection.
(1)
Anchorage and support. Every temporary sign shall
be attached to the wall with wire or steel cables, and no strings,
ropes or wood slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be permitted.
D.
Duration of permits. Permits for temporary signs shall
authorize the erection of said signs and their maintenance for a period
not exceeding 30 days.
E.
Advertising permitted. The advertisement contained
on any temporary sign shall pertain only to the business, industry
or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which such sign
is erected or maintained. This provision shall not apply to signs
of a civic, political or religious nature.
A.
Construction.
(1)
Materials required. All marquees, including the anchors,
bolts, supports, rods and braces thereof, shall be constructed of
incombustible materials, shall be designed by a structural engineer
and approved by the Building Inspector as in compliance with the Building
Code of the City of Bradford[1] and by the Electrical Inspector as in compliance with
the Electrical Code of the City of Bradford and shall be illuminated.
(2)
Drainage. The roofs of all marquees shall be properly
guttered and connected by downspouts to a sewer so that the water
therefrom will not drip or flow onto public property.
(3)
Roofs, use and glass. The roofs of all marquees shall
be used for no other purpose than to form and constitute a roof, and
at least 25% of the area of the roof of every marquee shall be of
glass or other incombustible transparent substance.
B.
Location.
(1)
Height above sidewalk. No portion of a marquee shall
be less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk or other public
thoroughfare.
(2)
Setback from curbline. No marquee shall be permitted
to extend beyond a point three feet inside the curbline.
(3)
Width. No marquee shall be wider than the entrance
or entrances of the building, plus five feet on each side thereof;
provided, however, that where the entrances to a building are not
more than 20 feet apart, a marquee may be made a continuous single
structure between said entrances.
C.
Erection.
(1)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Marquees shall be
supported solely by the building to which they are attached, and no
columns or posts shall be permitted as support therefor.
(2)
Roof live load requirement. The roof of any marquee, except glass area required, shall be designed and constructed to support a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot. The wind pressure requirements shall be those stated in § 178-13.
(3)
Anchorage to wood structure prohibited. No marquee
shall be erected on any building of wood frame construction unless
attached to the masonry, concrete or steel supports of the building.
D.
Signs attached to marquee. Signs attached to or hung
from a marquee shall be completely within the borderline of the marquee
outer edge and shall in no instance be lower than 10 feet above the
sidewalk or public thoroughfare. No sign or advertising material shall
exceed five feet in height, exclusive of the name of the establishment
exhibiting such marquee. No advertising material shall be placed upon
the roof of any marquee.
A.
Construction.
B.
Location.
(1)
Height above sidewalk, awnings and canopies. All awnings
and canopies shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion
thereof shall be not less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk
or public thoroughfare.
(2)
Setback from curbline, awnings and canopies. No awning
or canopy shall be permitted to extend beyond a point 12 inches inside
the curbline.
C.
Erection.
(1)
Awnings, support. Every awning shall be securely attached
to and supported by the building. Posts or columns beyond the building
line shall not be permitted for awnings. No awning shall be attached
to the wood jambs, frames or other wood members of a building (frame
buildings excepted) when such building is less than 10 feet from public
property.
(2)
Canopies, support. The framework of all canopies shall
be designed by a structural engineer and approved by the Building
Inspector as in compliance with the Building Code of the City of Bradford.[1] All frames and supports shall be of metal and designed to withstand a wind pressure as provided in § 178-13 of this chapter.
D.
Advertising. No advertising shall be placed on any
awning or canopy, except that the name of the owner and the business,
industry or pursuit conducted within the premises may be painted or
otherwise permanently placed in a space not exceeding eight inches
in height on the front and side portions thereof.
A.
Construction.
(1)
All street clocks as herein defined shall be constructed
of incombustible material, including the frames, braces and supports
thereof.
(2)
Regulation of size of dial. The dial of such clocks
shall be not less than 30 inches nor more than 40 inches in diameter.
(3)
Requirements on glass. Any glass forming a part of
a clock or the sign thereon shall be safety glass or plate glass at
least 1/4 inch thick, and in case any single piece or pane of glass
has an area exceeding three square feet, it shall be constructed of
wired glass, securely held in place.
(4)
Movable parts to be secured. Any movable part of a
street clock, that is, cover or service opening, shall be securely
fastened by metal hinges.
B.
Location.
(1)
Clocks erected on walls. Clocks supported on the corner
of any building or structure at the intersection of two streets shall
not be less than 15 feet nor more than 20 feet above the sidewalk
and shall not project from the face or wall of the building or structure,
in any direction, more than five feet.
(2)
Clocks erected on sidewalk. Every clock erected on
the sidewalk shall be supported upon a post of ornamental design,
the total height of which shall be not less than 15 feet, shall be
not more than 20 inches from the outer edge of the curb and shall
be at least 20 feet from the point of intersection of the lines of
any street, measured parallel with the street.
D.
Limitation on permits for clocks on sidewalks. Any
person erecting a street clock on any public sidewalk shall obtain
the special written permission of the City Council in addition to
all other permits required hereunder.
E.
Limitation on permits in general. No person shall
be permitted to erect more than one street clock as herein defined
for any place of business at any one location.
F.
Advertising permitted. Only the name of the owner,
proprietor or manager of the place of business erecting and maintaining
such clock shall be permitted as advertising matter on said clock.
G.
Must keep accurate time. Such clock shall keep accurate
time, and if this condition is not complied with, the clock shall
be promptly repaired or removed.
Every sign or other advertising structure in existence on adoption of this chapter which violates or does not conform to the provisions hereof shall be removed or altered or replaced so as to conform to the provisions of this chapter within two years. The requirements of § 178-16 shall be complied with in all cases.
Every sign or other advertising structure lawfully in existence on the adoption of this chapter shall not be repaired, altered or moved unless it shall be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter. The provisions of this section shall not exempt the owner of any nonconforming signs from the requirements of § 178-16 pertaining to bond or liability insurance.
The Building Inspector is hereby authorized
and empowered to revoke any permit issued by him upon failure of the
holder thereof to comply with any provision of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person who shall violate any provision of
this chapter commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall
be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment
for not more than 90 days, or both. Each day such violation is committed
or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall
be punishable as such hereunder.
