Allentown City Zoning Code

The City has a substantial and compelling interest in regulating signs in a way that avoids or reduces the harms and hazards caused by signs and advancing the purposes set forth in § 660-94B.

Unlike oral speech, signs can obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, contribute to visual clutter, and pose other problems that legitimately call for regulation.

Regulation of the size, height, number and spacing of signs throughout the City is necessary to protect the public safety, to assure compatibility of signs with surrounding land uses, to enhance the business and economy of the City, to protect public and private investments, to maintain the tranquil environment of residential areas, to promote industry and commerce, to eliminate visual clutter, to provide an aesthetically appealing environment, to provide ample, meaningful opportunities for persons who desire to display information on signs to have their information seen and understood, and to provide for the orderly and reasonable display of advertising and other messages for the benefit of the public.

The sign regulations of this article are not anticipated to entirely eliminate all of the harms that may be created by the installation and display of signs. Rather they strike an appropriate balance that preserves ample channels of communication by means of visual display while reducing and mitigating the extent of harms that may be caused by uncontrolled sign displays.

Some signs have a single targeted function that makes identifying them by name or description difficult if not impossible without referring to the sign's function. Whenever a sign is described, in part, by referring to the function it serves, the provisions of this section that limit such a sign are designed to be neutral with respect to the content of the speech appearing on the sign.

These regulations are not intended or designed to restrict or control signs for the purpose of promoting or stifling any messages that might appear on them.

To accommodate the effective use of signs as a means of identification and communication for businesses, organizations and individuals;

Promoting the aesthetic and environmental values of Allentown by providing for signs that serve as effective means of communication and do not impair the attractiveness of the City as a place to live, work, visit, and shop;

Protecting public investment in and the character and dignity of public buildings, streets, and open spaces;

Protecting the distinctive physical character of Allentown's unique natural features, neighborhoods, street patterns, architectural features, and natural and historic resources;

Ensuring that signs are designed and proportioned in relation to the structures to which they are attached, adjacent structures, and the streets on which they are located;

Enhancing public right-of-way and other public spaces by preserving views and fostering the unobstructed growth of trees;

Providing an environment that safeguards and enhances neighbourhood livability and property values, and promotes the development of businesses in the City;

Reducing hazards to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians caused by visual distractions and obstructions; and

Providing broadly for the expression of individual opinions through the use of signs.

Time, place, and manner restrictions. The regulations of this article are intended to regulate the composition, type, location, placement, height, size, quantity, illumination, duration, and manner of signs and advertising devices that may be displayed. The regulation of these aspects of signs and sign structures is a valid and lawful means of achieving the purposes of this article. These intentions and purposes are valid and lawful governmental interests.

Content neutrality. The City intends to adopt and implement regulations that are content-neutral. It is not the intent to regulate the content of messages in any way. It is not the intent of this article to foreclose important and distinct mediums of expression for political, religious, or personal messages, on any sign permitted to be erected by this article. It is the intent of this article to allow political, religious, or personal (noncommercial) messages on any sign permitted to be erected by this article.

Extent. The regulations of this article are considered no more extensive than necessary to serve the substantial public interests promoted by this article.

Street address displays and building identification numbers that are essential to the location of properties and buildings;

Cemetery stones and markings of individual graves or burial plots;

Holiday decorations, provided that they are removed within 30 days of the holiday to which they pertain;

Official government flags;

Signs that are not legible to persons with 20:20 eyesight when viewed from a height of 4.5 to five feet above ground level of abutting properties or public rights-of-way;

Murals on building walls that contain no commercial message;

Official signs or governmental or court-issued notices;

Signs that are necessary to warn persons of significant threats on the premises to their physical safety;

Scoreboards that are part of a public or private recreational facility and that are oriented to be viewed by spectators within the facility; and

Official traffic control signs and other signs and devices installed under the authority of the state or a local government.

Any sign allowed under this article may contain, in lieu of any other message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit, or to a product, commodity or service for sale or lease, or to any other commercial interest or activity, as long as the sign complies with all size, height, location and other applicable requirements of this article.

The purpose of the substitution provisions of this section is to ensure "content neutrality," thereby avoiding any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message.

The substitution provisions of this section do not create a right to increase the total amount of signs on a lot or allow the substitution of an off-premises outdoor advertising sign for an on-premises sign.

Flat wall signs and signs enclosed in frames or cabinets. The area of a flat wall sign or sign enclosed in a frame, box or cabinet is based on the outer dimensions of the sign, or the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face.

Channel (individual) letter signs. The area of a sign comprised of individual letters or elements attached directly to a building wall is determined by calculating the area of the smallest contiguous perimeter around the letters or sign copy area.

Painted wall signs. The area of a painted wall sign is measured in the same manner as a channel letter sign.

Non-planar signs. Spherical, free-form, sculptural or other non-planar sign area is measured as 50% of the sum of the areas using only the four vertical sides of the smallest four-sided rectangle that will encompass the sign structure.

Multi-sided signs. Unless otherwise expressly stated, when the sign faces of a multi-sided sign are parallel or within 30 degrees of parallel, only one side is counted for the purpose of determining the area and number of signs. If the sign faces are not parallel or within 30 degrees of parallel, each sign face is counted as a separate sign. If the size of one sign face is larger than another, the size of the largest sign face is the area of the sign.

For buildings occupied by a single tenant or multiple tenants that access the building via a common entrance, building frontage is the exterior building wall that: (1) is adjacent to a street, alley, parking area or other vehicle circulation area that is accessory to and serves the subject building and (2) contains either windows or a public building entrance. Allowed attached sign area for a building that has two or more building frontages must be calculated on the basis of each individual building frontage. Allowed sign area derived from one building frontage may not be assigned to another building frontage.

On buildings occupied by more than one tenant where each tenant has their own outside entrance, a tenant's building frontage is the exterior building wall (or walls) that directly abut the tenant's interior floor space and that: (1) abuts, parallels, or is the nearest to parallel with a street, alley, parking area or other vehicle circulation area that is accessory to and serves the subject building and (2) contains either windows or a public building entrance. A tenant that has two or more building frontages must calculate the permitted sign area on the basis of each individual building frontage. Allowed sign area derived from one building frontage may not be assigned to another building frontage.

Regardless of the height, number of stories, or number of tenants in a building, building frontage is determined by one measurement of the horizontal length of the wall at finished grade. Building walls must be measured along a flat, unbroken plane, regardless of the presence of recesses or projections along the building wall.

As an alternative to the allocation of permitted sign area on the basis of individual building frontages, a differing allotment of sign area may be assigned to the various tenants upon approval of the Zoning Officer. In no instance may the total combined sign area for all signs exceed the maximum allowed sign area for the individual building frontages, as determined in accordance with building frontage measurement rules of this section.

Signs for which a required permit has not been issued or that are posted or maintained in violation of the sign regulations of this article;

Signs located in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance, as provided in the Municipal Code;

Signs erected on public or private property (including rights-of-way) without the permission of the owner;

Roof signs;

Search lights, strobe lights, rotating beacon lights, flashing lights, and flashing, blinking, mechanically moving, twinkling or animated signs that are visible from public right-of-way, except as otherwise expressly allowed by this article or required by law [this prohibition is not intended to apply to dynamic (sign) displays that do not flash or to off-premises outdoor advertising "trivision" signs located within 200 feet of and oriented to be viewed from the right-of-way Interstate Route 78 or United States Route 22];

Off-premises outdoor advertising signs other than those expressly permitted by the regulations of this article;

Signs stating or implying that property may be used for a purpose prohibited by this chapter;

Feather signs, spinners, pennants, or any moving object used for attention-getting purposes, whether containing a commercial message or not, except that pennants are allowed for outdoor vehicle sales uses;

Signs that obstruct vehicular or pedestrian access or circulation, or that pose any other hazard to motorized or nonmotorized travel;

Signs that obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress;

Signs that obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or that emulate or may be confused with, any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device;

Derelict signs and signs constructed or composed of scrap metal, pallets, or other junk material;

Signs in violation of the visibility triangle regulations of § 660-70; and

Any other sign or advertising device expressly prohibited by provisions of this chapter.

Allowed wall, awning, and projecting signs that project over the public right-of-way must have a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet above the level of the sidewalk or the ground immediately below the sign. Signs may not project over a street or alley cartway.

Signs may not project more than 36 inches into the public right-of-way. This provision does not apply to allowed awning signs.

Sign posts or other sign supports may not be erected within a public street right-of-way.

Thirty-two square feet in area or eight feet in height on lots occupied by nonresidential uses or buildings containing three or more dwelling units; or

Eight square feet in area or six feet in height on lots occupied by fewer than three dwelling units.

Thirty-two square feet in area or eight feet in height on lots occupied by nonresidential uses or buildings containing three or more dwelling units; or

Eight square feet in area or six feet in height on lots occupied by fewer than three dwelling units.

One sign may be installed at each driveway serving a lot occupied by an allowed nonresidential use or residential use with more than 15 dwelling units or 50 residents. Such signs may not exceed four square feet in area or five feet in height and must comply with the intersection and driveway visibility triangle requirements of § 660-70.

Off-street parking areas with a capacity of more than 10 vehicles, multi-tenant developments and uses on lots exceeding 20,000 square feet in area may display internal site driveway signs. Such signs must be located within 10 feet of an internal site driveway or drive aisle and may not exceed 12 square feet in area or eight feet in height.

Are attached to a building or suspended from some part of a building.

Do not exceed 64 square feet in area.

Are displayed for no more than two periods of 15 consecutive days each during any twelve-month period.

Sandwich board signs are prohibited in N Zones.

Sandwich board signs may have a maximum of two faces, with a maximum of six square feet per side, and a maximum height of three feet.

Sandwich board signs must be placed against the side of a building or along the curb so that at least five feet of the sidewalk remains continuously clear. If a sandwich board is placed within the street right-of-way, an encroachment permit is required.

Sandwich board signs must be taken indoors during hours when the use is not open to the public.

Sandwich board signs may not use electrical wiring.

Location. Signs appurtenant to drive-through facilities must be located within 10 feet of a drive-through lane.

Number and dimensions. One primary drive-through sign not to exceed 36 square feet in area or eight feet in height is allowed per order station up to a maximum of two primary drive-through signs per lot. One secondary drive-through sign not to exceed 15 square feet in area or six feet in height is allowed per lot.

Residential separation. Signs appurtenant to drive-through facilities must be set back at least 25 feet from N-zoned lots.

Visibility. Drive-through signs must be oriented to be visible by motorists in allowed drive-through lanes.

Do not exceed six feet in height, measured from grade;

Do not exceed 32 square feet in area;

Are constructed of a durable material and weighted or anchored to provide stability;

Comply with applicable provisions of the City Electrical and Building Codes;

Are displayed for no more than two periods of 15 consecutive days each during any twelve-month period.

Such signs are permitted on a lot with a principal nonresidential use, or on a vacant lot in a non-N zone, except for political signs, which are allowed in all zones.

Except for political signs, such signs may be displayed for a maximum of 52 days per calendar year.

The total sign area of all freestanding temporary signs on a lot may not exceed 32 square feet. The total sign area of all temporary signs attached to a building may not exceed 64 square feet.

Exceptions to the number, size, or duration limitations of this section may be approved in accordance with the special exception procedures of § 660-115.

When a federal, state or local law requires a property owner to post a sign on the owner's property to warn of a danger or to prohibit access to the property either generally or specifically, the owner or occupant must comply with the federal, state or local law by posting the required sign on the property. If the federal, state, or local regulation describes the form and dimensions of the sign, the property owner or occupant must comply with those requirements; otherwise, when not defined, the sign may not be larger than four square feet in area.

Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official or directed duties; provided that such signs must be removed by the property owner or occupant no more than 10 days after their purpose has been accomplished or as otherwise required by law.

Illumination.

Setbacks. Permanent freestanding signs allowed in N, MX-N, and GX-N Zones must be set back at least 10 feet from all street rights-of-way.

Each principal use is permitted one wall, awning or projecting sign per street frontage. The total sign area of all such signs on a lot may not exceed 40 square feet per building frontage. A projecting or awning sign may project up to six feet from the face of a building, provided all other requirements are met.

On lots occupied by buildings that are set back at least 20 feet from the street right-of-way, a single freestanding sign is permitted. Such sign may not exceed 10 feet in height or 20 square feet in area. The allowed freestanding sign must be set back from the property line for a distance equal to at least 50% of the minimum required street setback or minimum build-to zone setback.

One sandwich board sign is allowed per building. Such sign may have no more than two faces, with a maximum of six square feet per side. The maximum height may not exceed three feet. Sandwich board signs must be placed against the side of a building or along the curb so that at least five feet of sidewalk area remains continuously clear. The sign must be taken indoors during hours when the use is not open to the public. If such sandwich board is placed within the street right-of-way, an encroachment permit is required. Sandwich board signs may not use electrical wiring.

Buildings in MX-D and GX-D Zones may include one or more wall, awning or projecting on-premises signs. A projecting or awning sign may project up to six feet from the face of a building, provided all other requirements are met.

The total area of attached signs may not exceed three square feet per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 300 square feet of sign area per building frontage.

For walls of buildings that do not have frontage on a street but have entrance facades or frontage on an alley, the total area of allowable wall signs may not exceed one square foot per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 100 square feet of sign area per building frontage. This provision does not apply to single- purpose residential buildings.

Dynamic display signs are prohibited within 200 feet of any N-zoned lot, except that this separation distance requirement does not apply if dynamic display is not visible from the N-zoned lot. Required separation distances must be measured horizontally in a straight line from the nearest point on a sign face to the nearest point of the protected lot.

The building must occupy a lot with frontage on Hamilton Street between 5th Street and 10th Street.

The total area of dynamic displays may not exceed a cumulative sign area of 1,000 square feet and must be attached to a building wall or marquee that primarily faces Hamilton Street.

Dynamic displays are subject to the regulations of § 660-105.

Signs with allowed dynamic displays may encroach over a public sidewalk in a marquee-type design upon issuance of an encroachment permit.

While dynamic display signs are primarily intended to accommodate on-premises advertising, they may also include off-premises advertising.

Awning signs.

Wall signs.

Window signs.

Projecting signs.

Sandwich board signs. Portable sandwich board signs must be constructed of wood or metal or of a material that has the appearance of wood or metal.

Freestanding signs.

Buildings in MX-C, MX-S, GX-C, and IX Zones may include one or more wall, awning or projecting on-premises signs. A projecting or awning sign may project up to six feet from the face of a building, provided all other requirements are met.

The total area of attached signs may not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 300 square feet of sign area per building frontage.

Multi-tenant shopping centers. Lots occupied by multi-tenant shopping centers are allowed a maximum of one freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of 300 square feet and a maximum height of 25 feet.

Other. Lots occupied by a principal building that is not on the same lot as a multi-tenant shopping center are allowed a maximum of one freestanding sign with a maximum height of 25 feet and a maximum area of:

Buildings in IG and IM Zones may include one or more wall, awning or projecting on-premises signs. A projecting or awning sign may project up to six feet from the face of a building, provided all other requirements are met.

The total area of attached signs may not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 300 square feet of sign area per building frontage.

Hospitals. Sites occupied by hospitals are allowed a total maximum (cumulative) sign area of 300 square feet per street frontage.

Other uses. The following regulations apply on P-zoned lots occupied by uses other than hospitals:

Sides (faces). Each off-premise outdoor advertising sign structure may have sign faces on 2 sides, and each side may include multiple sign faces. Off-premises advertising signs may not have more than two sides.

Height. Off-premise outdoor advertising signs are limited to a maximum height of 30 feet. However, for off-premise outdoor advertising signs located adjacent to and directed toward an interstate highway and where the lot is below the grade of the highway that the sign is directed towards, then the total maximum height may be 25 feet above the grade of the highway centerline.

Setbacks. Off-premise outdoor advertising signs are subject to the setback requirements that apply to principal buildings in the subject zone.

Sign area. Off-premise outdoor advertising signs may not exceed a total area of 300 square feet, except when such sign is located within 200 feet of the right-of-way of and intended or designed to be viewed from interstate Route 78 or United States Route 22, in which case the maximum sign area allowed is 672 square feet.

Dynamic display. An existing off-premise outdoor advertising sign may be converted to a dynamic display only if:

Portable and projecting signs. A portable or projecting sign may not be used for off-premises outdoor advertising.

Display type. Dynamic displays may not display full-motion video or otherwise use multiple pictures or graphics in a series of frames to give the illusion of motion or video.

Dwell time. The images and messages displayed on dynamic displays located within 200 feet of the right-of-way of, and intended or designed to be viewed from, Interstate Route 78 or United States Route 22 must have a minimum dwell time of at least six seconds before changing to the next image or message. The images and messages displayed on all other dynamic displays must have a minimum dwell time of at least 10 seconds before changing to the next image or message.

Transition. The transition or change from one message to another on a dynamic display must occur within one second and involve no animation or special effects.

Illumination.

Separation from N Zones. Except as more specifically regulated under the provisions of this article, dynamic display signs are prohibited within 50 feet of any N-zoned lot, except that this separation distance requirement does not apply if dynamic display is not visible from the N-zoned lot. Required separation distances must be measured horizontally in a straight line from the nearest point on a sign face to the nearest point of the protected lot.

Future amendments. The City reserves the right to amend the dwell time and illumination regulations of this section. Approval of a dynamic display does not establish a right for continued operation of the dynamic display in accordance with the dwell time and illumination regulations then in effect before such an amendment.

Acknowledgment. No permit may be issued for a new dynamic display without a written acknowledgment by the owner or tenant of the premises that they have received notice that the future use of the sign is subject to all applicable future amendments of dwell time and illumination regulations.

Freestanding signs are allowed at each entrance to the outdoor spectator entertainment site. Such signs may be erected on the premises or at off-premise locations for which easements have been obtained from the subject property owner.

The maximum sign area of one of the allowed freestanding signs may be up to 150 square feet, with all additional freestanding signs subject to a maximum sign area of 50 square feet each.

Freestanding signs may include a dynamic display.

Freestanding signs may not exceed 25 feet in height above the elevation of the street centerline, and must be erected either with the bottom of the sign at least 10 feet above the elevation of the street centerline or be set back at least 15 feet from the street property line.

The venue may have a maximum of 30 signs on the exterior facing surfaces of inward facing advertising panels consisting of printed or painted graphics and off-premises advertising. The total cumulative areas of such signs may not exceed 6,000 square feet and may not be internally illuminated. Advertising is limited to no more than 25% of the total sign area. Not more than two individual signs on which off-premises advertising covers 100% of the display area may be placed adjacent to one another, and in no case may the area of any single advertising panel exceed 400 square feet.

The venue may have signs consisting of printed or painted graphics and/or off-premises advertising on exterior-facing surfaces of the scoreboard and the speed of pitch display. The maximum sign area for the scoreboard and the speed of pitch display may not exceed 4,000 square feet and may not be internally illuminated. Off-premises advertising is limited to 25% of the display area.

No person may place any sign, poster, placard, device, graphic display, or other form of advertising that advertises alcoholic beverages in a publicly visible location within 300 feet of the property line of the following protected uses: schools, playgrounds, youth athletic fields, day care centers, amusement arcades and youth centers.

For purposes of this section, "publicly visible locations" include all off-premises outdoor advertising signs and all on-premises wall, projecting, and freestanding signs. The alcohol advertising regulations of this section do not apply to the placement of signs including advertisements in the following instances:

No person may place any sign, poster, placard, device, graphic display, or other form of advertising that advertises tobacco products in a publicly visible location within 300 feet of the property line of the following protected uses: schools, playgrounds, youth athletic fields, day care centers, amusement arcades and youth centers.

For purposes of this section, "publicly visible locations" include all off-premises outdoor advertising signs and all on-premises wall, projecting, and freestanding signs. The tobacco advertising regulations of this section do not apply to the placement of signs including advertisements in the following instances:

Nonconforming signs must be maintained in good repair and safe condition.

Existing nonconforming signs may be changed in message or sign face, or changed, moved or replaced, provided that no new or increased nonconformity is created. This provision is not to be construed as allowing the illumination of previously non-illuminated nonconforming signs.

If a sign is nonconforming by reason of restrictions on its brightness or illumination or its use of strobe or beacon lights, the sign must be immediately removed or made to conform.

A temporary sign that is nonconforming by reason of restrictions on number, placement, or length of time that such sign is allowed to remain in place must be immediately removed or made to conform.

A window sign that is nonconforming by reason of restrictions on its sign area must be immediately removed or made to conform.