Bellefonte City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXI
Signs
§ 575-119 Title.
A.
This article shall be knowns as the "Bellefonte Borough Sign Ordinance."
§ 575-120 General intent.
A.
The following regulations (patterned after the Sign Guidelines adopted by Council on December 3, 1984) are made in accordance with an overall plan and program for the public safety, area development, preservation of property values and the general welfare of Bellefonte Borough, and are intended to aid in traffic control and traffic safety, preserve and protect property values; lessen congestion of land and air space; provide against undue concentration of signs that distract and endanger traffic safety and flow; establish reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity and area development; avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs; recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets, highways; preserve the wholesome and attractive character of Bellefonte Borough; and recognize that the general welfare includes a community plan that shall be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean, and well balanced in its growth and development.
B.
Please refer to the Borough's Design Guidelines Manual for more information on preferred designs and materials, sample photos regarding preferred types of signage, etc.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Design Guidelines are included as an attachment to this chapter in the eCode® version of this Code.
§ 575-121 Statement of community development objectives.
A.
The community development objectives of this article are the goals, objectives, and policies stated in the Borough's Comprehensive Plan, as adopted and amended.
§ 575-122 Definitions.
A. A-FRAME OR SANDWICH BOARD SIGN ADDRESS AIR-POWERED DANCERS ANIMATED or MOVING ANIMATION AWNING, CANOPY BANNER BILLBOARD BUILDING IDENTIFICATION CHANGEABLE COPY CHANGEABLE COPY, REMOTE COMMERCIAL MESSAGE COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD COMMUNITY EVENT SIGN CONSTRUCTION DECALS DEVELOPMENT DIGITAL DIRECTIONAL, INCIDENTAL ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD FEATHER FLAG BANNER OR SIGN FLAGS, GOVERNMENTAL PENNANTS, AND INSIGNIA FLASHING FREESTANDING GARAGE SALE, YARD SALE, AND OTHER SIMILAR SIGNS GOVERNMENTAL GROUND/MONUMENT HISTORICAL MARKER HOME OCCUPATION IDENTIFICATION ILLUMINATED SIGN, EXTERNAL ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNAL INFLATABLE MARQUEE MARQUEE SIGN MEMORIAL SIGN MENU BOARD MURAL/PUBLIC ART NITS OFF-PREMISES SIGN ON-PREMISES SIGN PANEL PENNANT FEATHER SIGN PERMANENT SIGN PLAQUE POLE/PYLON SIGN POLITICAL PORTABLE PREMISES PROJECTING OR BLADED SIGN PROPERTY USE SIGN REAL ESTATE SIGN RECREATION FACILITY SIGN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION SIGN RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION SIGN REVIEW BOARD or HARB ROOF SIGN SAFETY CONTROL SHOPPING CENTER SIGN SIGN AREA SPECIAL EVENTS SIGN SPINNERS STREAMER TEMPORARY SIGN TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN WALL SIGN WINDOW SIGN
The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings given in this section:
A portable sign comprised of two separate panels or faces joined at the top and spread apart at the bottom to form the base on which the sign stands.
The number or other designation assigned to a housing unit, business establishment, or other structure for all purposes of location, mail delivery, and emergency services.
An inflatable, moving, advertising product comprised of a long fabric tube (with two or more outlets) which is attached to and powered by an electrical fan.
Any sign or part of a sign that changes physical position or light intensity by any movement or rotation of that gives the visual impression of such movement or rotation. This includes air-powered dancers and/or tube men. Changeable copy signs as defined herein are not considered animated or moving signs.
The movement, or the optical illusion of movement, of any part of the sign structure, design, or pictorial segment including the movement of any illumination or the flashing, scintillating, or varying of light intensity. Also included in this definition are signs having "chasing action," which is the action of a row of lights commonly used to create the appearance of motion.
Any sign that is a part of, or attached to, an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
A sign or outside advertising display having the character, letters, illustrations, ornamentations, symbol, color, or visual representation applied to cloth, paper, vinyl, fabric, plastic, or like kind of malleable material with or without a frame. National, state, or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business, shall not be considered banners.
A permanently installed sign identifying, advertising, and/or directing the public to a business, or merchandise, or service, or institution, or residential area, or entertainment which is located, sold, rented, leased, produced, pro-manufactured, and/or furnished at a place other than the real property on which said sign is located. Billboards are not permitted in any district in the Borough.
A small, pedestrian-oriented sign attached to a building, which bears only the name, number(s), and/or logo of the building but not the tenant and which is intended to be legible only from the pedestrianways immediately adjacent to the sign.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged manually to change the message on the sign without altering the face or surface of the sign.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged remotely by electronic or other means to change the message on the sign without altering the face or surface of the sign.
Any wording, logo, or other representation on a sign that either directly or indirectly names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions, when located on the premises thereto, used exclusively for noncommercial or organizational announcements.
A temporary sign advertising community activities that relate to specific, time-limited community events.
A temporary sign announcing the name of contractors, mechanics, or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises which is displayed only during active construction activities.
Small signage affixed to the windows or door glass that indicate membership in a business group or which denote credit cards accepted by the establishment.
A temporary sign erected during the period of construction and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or their agent.
A computer-programmable sign capable of displaying words, numbers, symbols, figures, or picture images that can be altered or rearranged by remote or automatically without physically altering the face or surface of the sign. These signs typically utilize light-emitting diode, plasma, or liquid crystal display technology to produce the character and graphic of the display. Digital signs shall include static alphanumeric displays and electronic message boards.
A sign generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot or site on which it is located, such as "No Parking," "Entrance," "Exit," "One Way," "Loading Only," "Telephone," and signs denoting other sections of a building, such as offices and so forth, and other similar directives.
A type of digital sign which displays messages, such as time and temperature, in alternating light cycles.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, designed to move in the wind. A feather flag banner is a sign that is used to advertise a company and draw attention to a product, event, or business.
The flag, pennant, or insignia of any government or religious, charitable, or fraternal organization.
A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source or has a light source which is not stationary, varies in illumination intensity, or contains elements which give the appearance of any of the aforementioned.
Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.
A sign advertising all general sales, open to the public, conducted from or on a residential parcel of land in any residential zone for the purpose of disposing of personal property including, but not limited to, all sales entitled "garage," "lawn," "yard," "attic," "porch," "room," "patio," "flea market," or "rummage" sale.
A sign, which is owned, installed, and maintained by the Borough or other governmental agency. This includes state and federal historical markers as well as way finding signage.
A freestanding sign which is completely self-supporting, has its sign face or base on the ground, and has no air space, columns, or supports visible between the ground and the bottom of the sign. It shall not be attached to a pole or pylon, nor raised by mounting on a man-made berm, wall, or similar structure. Pole/pylon signs that have pole covers which extend from the base of the sign face to the ground shall not be considered ground/monument signs.
A sign designed to capture the memory of people, places, events, and innovations that happened at or near the site of the marker.
A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises and their occupation. No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either by lights on or in the sign or directed toward the sign.
A sign containing a source of light contained within the sign structure or sign cabinet.
A three-dimensional (3-D) object, filled with air or gas, and located in such a manner as to attract attention.
A permanent roofed structure extending out from the building which is fully supported by the building. This structure is usually placed over the entrance to a hotel, theatre, casino, train station, or similar building.
A wall sign attached to a marquee.
A memorial sign or tablet denoting the date of erection of a building.
A sign that lists for consumers the various options of products, goods, or services provided by a business.
A hand-painted, hand-tiled, or digitally printed restorative image on the exterior wall of a building that does not contain any commercial message. For definition purposes, a commercial message is any message that advertises a business conducted, services rendered, or goods produced or sold.
The measure of the light emanating from an object that is used to quantify digital sign brightness, which is calculated by the total amount of light emitted from a sign divided by the surface area of the sign measured as candelas per square meter.
A sign that contains a message unrelated to a business or profession conducted upon the premises where such a sign is located, or which is unrelated to a commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
A sign or display that identifies or communicates a message related to the activity conducted, the service offered, or the commodity sold on the premises where the sign is located.
The primary surface of a sign that carries the identifying/advertising message.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.
Any sign that is not a temporary sign.
An ornamental tablet, typically of metal, porcelain, or wood, that is fixed to a wall or other surface in commemoration of a person or event. These include, but are not limited to historical markers and memorial signs.
A freestanding sign erected on a pole, poles, pylon, or pylons, or other supporting structure where the bottom edge of a sign face is installed above the ground. Pole/pylon signs that have pole covers which extend from the base of the sign face to the ground shall not be considered ground/monument signs.
A sign which is designated to influence the action of voters or public officials, the election or defeat of a candidate for the nomination or election to any public office, or a measure appearing on the ballot at any national, state, district, or local election.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames; sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public ROW, unless the vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
The area occupied by a business or other public enterprise. When more than one business occupies a single building on the ground floor, each business area shall be considered a separate premises. Business or other public enterprises that occupy other floors also shall be considered separate premises.
A sign that projects from and is supported by a wall of a building.
A sign regulating the use of a property, such as "no trespassing," "no hunting," "no fishing," etc.
A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
Signage or slogans identifying a golf course, country club, and/or other recreational facility, when located on the premises thereof and containing no commercial advertising.
A sign that identifies a place of worship.
Any sign located in a district zoned for residential uses that contains no commercial message except advertising for goods or services legally offered on the premises where the sign is located, if offering such service at such location conforms to all requirements of this article.
Any sign used to identify the name of a residential development containing no commercial message and located at the principal entrances of such development.
Refers to the Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) of Bellefonte Borough.
Any sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building.
A public safety sign pursuant to federal, state, or local public safety regulations.
A cohesive unit of stores or other commercial businesses arranged and constructed according to a plan and contained within a separate parcel of land.
Any structure, device, light or natural object, including the ground itself or any part thereof, or any device attached thereto or painted or represented thereon, which shall be used to identify, advertise or attract attention to any object, product, place, activity person, institution, organization, firm, group, commodity, profession, enterprise, industry or business, or which shall display or include any letter, number, word, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia, device or representation used as an announcement, direction or advertisement and which is intended to be seen from off the premises.
Sign area is the area of the smallest geometric configuration (triangle, rectangle, or circle) what can wholly enclose the surface area of the sign. All visible faces of a multifaced sign shall be counted separately and then totaled in calculating the sign area. Three-dimensional signs shall be treated as dual-faced signs, such that the total area shall be twice the area of the smallest triangle, rectangle, or circle that can be totally circumscribed within the sign in the plane of its largest dimension.
A temporary sign no larger than 25 square feet in area that advertises auctions, special events, and charitable or public service groups.
Any spinning object used to attract attention for advertising purposes.
Any long, narrow wavy strip resembling or suggesting a banner floating in the wind used for advertising purposes or to attract attention.
Any sign normally, but not necessarily, constructed of paper, cloth, fabric, or canvas, announcing or advertising a special, limited-time offer not normally available on the premises. This includes real estate signs, a-frame or sandwich board signs, feather signs, and banners.
A sign regulating traffic.
A sign that is attached directly to or painted upon a building wall and that does not extend more than 12 inches therefrom nor extend above the roofline.
Any sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service that is temporarily affixed inside a window or upon the windowpanes of glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
§ 575-123 General sign regulations in all districts.
A.
The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts within Bellefonte Borough. No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, altered, or maintained except in conformance with the standards, procedures, and requirements contained herein.
B.
Method of sign authorization and approval. For the purposes of this article, signs shall be authorized for approval pursuant to the following:
(1)
Authorized signs are those for which a zoning approval has been issued by the Zoning Administrator, following a review of an application, provided the application complies with this article.
(2)
Exempt signs are signs that are authorized by the Borough but that are exempt from the regulations herein and do not require a formal zoning approval.
(3)
Prohibited signs are those signs that are not authorized by this article nor are they exempt from regulation.
C.
Alteration of sign face. The physical alteration of a sign face or supporting structure shall be considered the same as construction of a new sign which shall require zoning approval and conformity to all applicable requirements of this article.
D.
Methods for determining sign area and height.
(1)
Computation of area of single-faced signs. The area of a sign face shall be computed by means of the smallest square or rectangle that will encompass extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets the regulations of the Zoning Ordinance and is clearly incidental to the display itself. Any digital portions of a proposed sign and/or sign base that contains a message or logo shall be included in the calculation of sign area.
(2)
Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back-to-back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by measurement of one of the faces. Any digital portions of a proposed sign and/or sign base that contains a message or logo shall be included in the calculation of sign area.
(3)
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of 1) existing grade prior to construction or 2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zone lot, whichever is lower.
E.
Signs generally permitted. Signs listed in this section are permitted in all sections of the Borough (with additional regulations placed on those situated in the Historic District, the regulations of which can be found below) and shall not require licenses or permits, and they shall not be calculated when counting the number of signs on a premise. However, such signs shall conform with the general guidelines for signs enumerated herein.
(1)
Property identification signs. Name and address of resident, but not to include any commercial advertising, of not more than one square foot in sign area for single-faced signs and two square feet for double-faced signs.
(2)
Property use signs. Property use signs such as "no trespassing" signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property, such as "no hunting," "no fishing," etc., of no more than two square feet in sign area. Such signs shall be limited to one sign per 20 feet of lot frontage.
(3)
Real estate signs. Real estate signs not exceeding five square feet in sign area in residential zones and the Central Business District, and 16 square feet in all other commercial and industrial zones, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located. Such real estate signs shall be removed within 10 days after the premises advertised has been sold, rented, or leased. Real estate signs may be placed off-premises for a period not to exceed 10 days for purposes of advertising an open house or similar event.
(4)
Community bulletin boards. Bulletin boards associated with public, charitable, or religious institutions, when located on the premises thereto, and with a sign area of not more than 25 square feet if single-faced, nor more than 50 feet if double-faced.
(5)
Directional/incidental signs. Signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking or other functional subdivisions, such as restroom facilities, and signs denoting other sections of a building, such as offices, kitchen, and so forth, when less than four square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising.
(6)
Governmental signs. Signs erected by a governmental body, or under the directions of such a body, and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad-crossing signs, safety signs, signs identifying public schools, parks, playgrounds, and the like.
(7)
Memorial signs. Memorial signs, historic tablets, and signs denoting the date of erection of buildings, not to exceed one square foot.
(8)
Flags, pennants, and insignia. The flag, pennant, or insignia of any government or religious, charitable, or fraternal organization.
(9)
Special events. Temporary signs no larger than 25 square feet in area, advertising auctions and special events or charitable or public service groups. Such temporary signs must be removed within 24 hours after the event and erected no sooner than three weeks before the event.
(10)
Residential development subdivision signs. Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential subdivision and containing no commercial advertising, when no more than 25 square feet.
(11)
Religious institutions; signs identifying places of worship. The maximum area for a sign on the property shall be 25 square feet, single-faced, or 50 square feet, double-faced. Off-property signage for religious institutions shall not exceed six square feet in size and shall not be attached to a tree or utility pole.
(12)
Recreation facility signs. Recreational facility signs shall not contain any commercial advertising and shall not be more than 25 square feet.
(13)
Garage sale, yard sale, and other such signs. Such are restricted to display only on the property at which the sale is being conducted and are limited to a maximum size of five square feet. They may not be erected earlier than 24 hours before the beginning of the sale and must be removed within 24 hours of the end of the sale.
(14)
Political signs. Political signs shall not exceed six square feet in size and shall not be attached to a tree or utility pole.
(15)
Decals. Decals shall not exceed 24 square inches.
(16)
Community event signs. Each sign shall not exceed two square feet in area, and not more than one sign for each activity shall be permitted for each public entrance to the premises. Such signs shall be removed as soon as the event or activity specified thereon has taken place.
(17)
Temporary signs. All other temporary sign uses not mentioned above shall meet the following criteria:
(a)
Each premises in the Heavy Industrial, Highway Commercial, Village Commercial, Central Business, and Waterfront Business Districts is permitted to display one temporary sign per storefront, the total cumulative area of which shall not exceed 30% of the area of each display window or public entrance on the site. No single sign larger than 10 square feet shall be permitted. No premises shall be limited to less than 10 square feet of temporary sign area. This includes pennants, banners, sandwich or A-frame signs.
(b)
Feather signs are permitted in all commercial districts outside of the Historic District.
(c)
At any premises with more than one display window, the occupant may choose to place all permitted temporary sign area on any single window, provided that not more than 50% of that display window so used is covered with signs.
(d)
Temporary signs are permitted to be used daily, so long as they are displayed at the opening of the business and taken down at the close of business. (Ex: sandwich board sign, pennant "OPEN" sign, feather signs, etc.). Signs may not exceed 10 feet in height, measured from ground to tip of sign.
(e)
All other such temporary signs shall be removed immediately upon the completion of the event so advertised or announced, provided that no temporary sign shall be maintained for a period in excess of 28 consecutive days and no more than 84 days total within a calendar year. A two-week, or fourteen-day, break shall be required between periods for such temporary event signage.
F.
Signs prohibited in all districts. The following signs shall not be erected anywhere in the Borough.
(1)
Signs that incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving illumination or with illumination that varies in intensity or varies in color, and signs that have any visible moving part, visible revolving parts, or visible mechanical movement of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical pulsations or by actions of normal wind currents, except when not visible from motor vehicles traveling on public roadways. Hanging signs that simply swing in the wind, and clocks and time/ temperature signs, and barber poles may be excepted if they comply with all other provisions of this article.
(2)
Light sources that cast lights upon signs unless shielded by opaque material so that the bulbs, floodlights, or tubes are not visible off the property on which the signs are located.
(3)
Any sign or structure that constitutes a hazard to public health, safety, or welfare. This includes any signs that impede or limit sight distance and/or any signs that are located within a public right-of-way, or any sign that impedes the view of street from an aboveground window.
(4)
Signs that, by reason of size, content, coloring or manner of illuminating, obstruct the vision of drivers, either when driving upon a roadway or when entering a roadway from another drive or roadway, or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
(5)
Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or from a fire escape, door, window, or other required exit way.
(6)
Signs that make use of the words "Stop," "Look," "One Way," "Danger," "Yield," or any similar words phrases symbols, lights, or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
(7)
Signs on public property or a public right-of-way, unless erected by a governmental body or unless required to be so located by order of a governmental body. No sign located on public property or a public right-of-way shall bear any commercial advertising or announcement.
(8)
Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, utility pole, stone, cliff, or other natural object.
(9)
Searchlights, stringed pennants, spinners, and streamers, except for occasions such as grand openings or special events, and then only with special permission from the Zoning Administrator or Borough Council. Use shall be limited to a fifteen-day period or by a time period specified by Council.
(10)
Roof signs.
G.
Limit on number of signs per premises. No more than three signs may be erected on any premises except when a premises is located on a corner lot and has public entrances on two or more public ways, or where a building has both a front and rear public entrance, in which case one additional sign shall be allowed. In calculating the total number of signs on a premises, temporary signs will be computed in the total number or square footage allowed. A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign.
H.
Limit on height of signs. No sign, or any part thereof, including braces, supports, or lights, shall exceed a height of 25 feet. Height shall be measured from grade level directly below the face of the sign to the highest part of the sign. This is subject to review on a case-by-case basis.
I.
Limit on sign area. The total sign area per premises shall not exceed two square feet per lineal front foot of the main building on the premises, except that no premises shall be limited to less than 20 square feet in total sign area. For corner lots, lineal front footage shall be considered the sum of the premises' footage fronting the side and front streets. In no case shall the total area of all signs on one premises exceed 200 square feet. The total sign area for basement premises shall not exceed 20 square feet.
J.
Limit on content of largest sign. The largest sign on a premises shall not advertise any particular article of merchandise unless it is the principal product sold or manufactured on the premises.
K.
Safety and maintenance.
(1)
Every sign and all parts thereof, including framework, supports, background, anchors, and wiring systems, shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with all current and future local, state, or federal building, electrical, and fire prevention codes. The National Electrical Code shall be used as the standard for all wiring systems.
(2)
All signs and all parts thereof shall be kept clean, neatly painted, and in a good state of repair and maintenance.
§ 575-124 Specific sign uses.
A.
Projecting and bladed signs.
(1)
No sign may extend a distance of more than three horizontal feet or exceed six square feet in area per side.
(2)
No projecting sign may extend into the property of another or into a public right-of-way, unless such right-of-way is a sidewalk and the bottom of the sign is located not less than 7 1/2 feet from the sidewalk.
(3)
There shall be no more than one projecting sign per premises, unless the premises is located on a corner lot or has public entrances on two or more public ways, in which case one projecting sign may be erected for and toward each public way.
B.
Murals and public art.
(1)
All murals and public art in the Historic Districts are subject to HARB review and must obtain a certificate of appropriateness, as well as a permit from Bellefonte Borough.
(2)
Mural content should be appropriate to the Historic District and the immediate surroundings.
(3)
A mural may not depict a commercial product, brand name or symbolic logo that is currently sold (this does not apply to historic "ghost signs" painted on historic buildings).
(4)
A mural should be incorporated as an element of the overall building design. It should complement the wall on which it is placed.
(5)
A mural should never obscure key features of a historic building.
(6)
In order to preserve historic architecture, a mural may be painted on boards that are then mounted on the building wall.
(7)
It is the responsibility of the building owner to maintain the physical appearance and upkeep of the mural. If an organization or third party wishes to take on this responsibility, a written agreement must be made between the entity and the building owner assuming responsibility for upkeep. A copy of said agreement must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator.
C.
Wall signs.
(1)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which it is placed.
(2)
No wall sign shall exceed six square feet in area or a height of four feet.
(3)
No wall sign or any part thereof shall project more than 12 inches from the wall upon which it is mounted.
(4)
No wall sign shall extend beyond the left and right extremities of the wall to which it is attached.
D.
Ground/monument signs.
(1)
Every ground/monument sign and all parts, braces, and supports thereof shall be located entirely behind the property line and shall not project over the public right-of-way or other adjoining lands. However, ground/monument signs may be permitted between the property line and the building setback lines.
(2)
No ground/monument sign shall be larger than 25 square feet in sign area on a single face, nor larger than 50 square feet of sign area for both faces combined, nor in excess of 10 feet in any direction on the sign face.
(3)
No ground/monument sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
(4)
A premises may erect and maintain one ground/monument sign. However, no individual business or other enterprise within a shopping center may erect or maintain its own ground/monument sign.
(5)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, for any property located on a corner lot or having public entrances to two or more public ways, one ground/monument sign may be erected for and toward each public way.
E.
Pole/pylon signs.
(1)
Every pole/pylon sign and all parts, braces, and supports thereof shall be located entirely behind the property line and shall not project over the public right-of-way or other adjoining lands. However, pole/pylon signs may be permitted between the property line and the building setback lines.
(2)
No pole/pylon sign shall be larger than 25 square feet in sign area on a single face, nor larger than 50 square feet of sign area for both faces combined, nor in excess of 10 feet in any direction on the sign face.
(3)
No pole/pylon sign shall exceed 25 feet in height.
(4)
A premises may erect an maintain one pole/pylon sign. However, no individual business or other enterprise within a shopping center may erect or maintain its own pole/pylon sign.
F.
LED/LCD freestanding signs.
(1)
Every freestanding sign and all parts, braces, and supports thereof shall be located entirely behind the property line and shall not project over a public right-of-way or other adjoining lands. However, freestanding signs may be permitted between the property line and the building setback lines.
(2)
No LED/LCD freestanding sign shall be larger than 75 square feet in sign area on a single face, nor larger than 150 square feet of sign area for both faces combined, nor in excess of 15 feet in width or 25 feet in height.
(3)
A premises may erect and maintain one LED/LCD freestanding sign per premises.
(4)
After the effective date of this article, LED/LCD signs shall be permitted only in the Highway Commercial (HC) District of Bellefonte Borough. In addition, off-premises advertising signs existing on the date of the enactment of this article may be changed to LED/LCD only in the Highway Commercial District of Bellefonte Borough.
(5)
No LED/LCD sign shall be operated (brightness, timing, etc.) in such a manner as to be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
(6)
No LED/LCD sign shall incorporate continuous streaming or moving message of any type. A sign may only change from one message to another message, except that displays of time and temperature may change more frequently.
(7)
Signs which include new electrical connections, or in the case of freestanding signs, include footers, must comply with all Uniform Construction Code and/or such other building requirements which may be applicable. In this case, a building permit application along with a fee as established by the Borough Fee Resolution will be required before construction commences.
(8)
Effective date. This subsection shall be effective upon adoption.
G.
Home occupation signs. Home occupation signs shall not exceed one sign per premises and shall not exceed one square foot in size.
H.
Historic markers, memorial signs, and plaques. Plaques highlighting a historic significance of a building or landmark are permitted within the Borough under the following conditions:
I.
Bed-and-breakfast signage.
(1)
The following regulations apply to signs used for bed-and-breakfast establishments:
(a)
Size. Signs may be double-faced and may not exceed six square feet on any one side.
(b)
Material. Signs are to be made with wood, precision signboard, or wrought iron.
(c)
Height. Signs must be in scale with the building, subject to site analysis by HARB.
(d)
Mounting method. Signs can be mounted on the building, on post(s), or on brackets.
(e)
Colors. Sign colors must be coordinated with the palette of the house.
(f)
Lettering. The printing style should reflect the period of the building's construction.
(g)
Lighting. Lighting is permitted, although the amount and style is subject to site analysis by HARB.
(2)
When the location for signage is in the regulated Historic District, the HARB shall review each application on a case-by-case basis. Design is encouraged to respond sensitively to the context of the building it serves.
J.
Shopping center signs.
(1)
Only ground pole signs that bear the name of the shopping center may be erected on the lands occupied by the center, subject to the provisions of Subsection D above.
(2)
All other signs identifying each individual business shall be erected in accordance with the applicable provisions of this article.
K.
Banners. Temporary banners announcing special events of nonprofit groups and organizations may be hung across Borough streets at approved locations only. Such banners are subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Banners must be constructed of air-relieved and weather-resistant material.
(2)
Banners shall not be permitted to hang lower than 15 feet and shall not obstruct any other signage.
(3)
Banners shall not exceed 65 feet in length, including corner ties.
(4)
Banners shall not exceed four feet in height.
(5)
Banners can be installed no more than two weeks prior to the event and must be removed no later than one week after the event.
(6)
Banners must be hung in a proper and safe manner. If the Borough is required to make emergency repairs to the banner, or to remove a banner damaged or destroyed by wind or the elements, the group or organization will be billed for Borough time and equipment at the prevailing rate.
§ 575-125 Signs in residential zones.
A.
Signs in low-density (Suburban) and medium density (Town) residential zones. All signs are prohibited in low- and medium-density residential districts except those signs enumerated in § 575-123E, Signs generally permitted, and § 575-124G, Home occupation signs.
(1)
Illuminated signs (including those on soft-drink-dispensing machines) are prohibited in all residential districts except for street address signs, signs indicating Doctor of Medicine, signs indicating churches and other places of worship, and signs necessary for the public safety.
(2)
No sign may be erected in a low- and medium-density residential zone that exceeds 25 square feet of area on a single face or 50 square feet of area on a double-face sign.
§ 575-126 Signs in the Historic District.
A.
General requirements. All signs within the Historic District shall comply with the sign regulations that are applicable in the underlying zoning district, unless excepted under the provisions of Subsection A(2) hereunder, and with the additional special standards for signs contained in this section.
(1)
Certificate of appropriateness. A sign in the Historic District that meets the requirements of the underlying district must still be certified as appropriate in relation to the specific building on which it is to be located and in terms of compatibility with signs in the surrounding area. Compliance with the underlying zoning district requirements does not guarantee approval of a certificate of appropriateness.
(2)
Signs not provided for. HARB may recommend and Council may issue a certificate of appropriateness for a sign that is not permitted by the regulations of the underlying zoning district if the proposed sign is shown to be historically accurate by documentation acceptable to HARB.
B.
Special standards for the Historic District.
(1)
Illumination. No sign in the Historic District, including those on soft-drink-dispensing machines, shall be internally lighted. Illumination of signs in the Historic District shall be either by neon or by indirect lighting only, and shall be shielded or otherwise arranged to prevent glare.
(2)
Acceptable sign types. These include:
(a)
Framed on a background;
(b)
Painted on a building or mounted on a board;
(c)
Individual letters cut out and mounted;
(d)
Plaques;
(e)
Etched, decals, or painted signs on window glass, covering no more than 20% of the glazing area;
(f)
Awning signs provided the awning is of traditional material (e.g., canvas) and design (e.g., retractable and sloping rather than fixed or rounded);
(g)
Bladed or projecting signs; and
(h)
Murals/public art.
(3)
Placement. Signs shall be placed in traditional locations on building facades.
(4)
Installation. Installation should not obscure existing architectural features.
(5)
Colors. Sign colors should be historically accurate and should be compatible with those on the building and adjacent buildings.
(6)
Soft-drink machines. Internally lit signs on soft-drink-dispensing machines — commonly advertising the brand name of a product — are prohibited in the Historic District.
(7)
Banners. Temporary banners as established in § 575-124K above shall not require a certificate of appropriateness.
(8)
Other temporary signs. Temporary signs, other than banners, posted within the Historic District shall obtain approval from the HARB Administrator.
§ 575-127 Administration and enforcement.
A.
Enforcement officer. The Bellefonte Borough Zoning Administrator is hereby designated as the enforcement officer of this article and shall have the following duties and powers:
(1)
Review all applications for sign permits, issuing permits for those signs found to be in compliance with the provisions of this article.
(2)
Receive, investigate, and process all complaints and notify all persons of any violations of provisions of this article.
(3)
Cause the removal of certain signs that are found in noncompliance with the provisions of this article.
(4)
Render, when called to do so, administrative interpretations regarding the provisions of this article and their effect on the display of any sign located or to be located in Bellefonte Borough.
(5)
Maintain all records necessary for the appropriate administration and enforcement of this article, including applications for variances and appeals.
(6)
Provide and maintain a source of public information relative to all matters arising out of this article.
(7)
Any sign that is not explicitly prohibited or permitted in this article will be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator.
B.
Permits required. Except for signs enumerated in § 575-123E above, no person may erect, alter or relocate within Bellefonte Borough any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning Administrator and paying the required fee as outlined in the Borough's fee schedule as adopted by Borough Council and as may be amended from time to time.
(1)
Permit application. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(a)
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant, the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed, the owner of the sign, and the person to be erecting or affixing the sign;
(b)
The location of the building, structure or zoning lot on which the sign is to be erected or affixed;
(c)
A sketch plan of the property involved, showing accurate placement thereon of the proposed sign;
(d)
Two blueprints or ink drawings or the plans and specifications of the sign to be erected or affixed and the method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground; such plans and specifications shall include details of dimensions, color, materials and weight;
(e)
If required by the Zoning Administrator, a copy of stress sheets and calculations prepared by or approved by a registered structural engineer licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, showing that the sign is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this and all other applicable ordinances of the Bellefonte Borough;
(f)
The written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed; and
(g)
Such other information as the Zoning Administrator may require determining full compliance with this and other applicable ordinances of Bellefonte Borough.
(2)
Application fees. Each sign application required by this article shall be accompanied by an application fee as established by resolution of Borough Council.
(3)
Issuance of permits. Upon the filing of an application for a sign permit, the Zoning Administrator shall examine the plans, specifications, and other submitted data, and the premises upon which the sign is proposed to be erected or affixed. If it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this article and in conformance with the chapter and other applicable ordinances of Bellefonte Borough, and if the appropriate permit fee has been paid, the Zoning Administrator shall issue a permit for the proposed sign. For permanent signs to be erected within the Historic District, a sign permit shall not be issued until Council, after reviewing the recommendation of the Historical and Architectural Review Board, authorizes a certificate of appropriateness.
(4)
Revocation of permits. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this article are mere licenses and, as such, are at any time revocable for just cause by the Bellefonte Borough Council. All permits issued pursuant to this article are hereby subject to this provision.
C.
Removal of certain signs. The Zoning Administrator shall be authorized to institute proceedings for the removal of the following signs:
(1)
Unsafe signs. If the Zoning Administrator finds that any sign is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, notice shall be given to the owner, agent or person having the beneficial interest in the building or premises on which such sign is located. Correction to the condition that caused the Zoning Administrator to give such notice shall be affected through the procedures established in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to cause any sign to be removed summarily and without notice, at the expense of the owner, agent or person having the beneficial interest in the building or the premises on which such sign is located, whenever the Zoning Administrator determines that such sign is an immediate peril to persons or property.
(2)
Illegal signs. If any sign is erected in violation of the requirements of this article, such sign shall be removed in accordance with the procedures established in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.
(3)
Preexisting, nonconforming signs. Within three years of the date of the passage of this article, all preexisting signs inconsistent with the requirements herein shall be removed in accordance with the procedures established in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended. Exemption given to those permitted businesses in the Highway Commercial District with pre-existing electronic signage.
(4)
Obsolete signs. Any sign, whether existing on or erected after the effective date of this article, that advertises a business no longer being conducted or a product no longer being offered for sale in or from the premises on which the sign is located, shall be removed within 30 days upon the cessation of such business or sale of such product by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial interest in the building or premises on which such sign is located. If such sign is not removed within such thirty-day period, the sign shall be removed in accordance with the procedures established in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.
D.
Violations and penalties. Failure to comply with any provision of this article shall be a violation of this chapter.
(1)
Complaints regarding violations. Whenever a violation of this article occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a complaint to the Zoning Administrator stating fully the causes and basis thereof. The Zoning Administrator shall record such complaint, investigate, and take appropriate action as provided by this article.
E.
Appeals. Any appeal from a decision or action of Council or of any officer or agency of the Borough in matters pertaining to this article shall be made in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
F.
Zoning Hearing Board of Bellefonte Borough. The Zoning Hearing Board, as authorized in Article IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, is hereby vested with all jurisdiction and authority to hold hearings and perform such functions as are authorized by Article IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as it pertains to the provisions herein.
G.
Amendments. The regulations and restrictions set forth in this article may, from time to time, be amended through action of Council in the manner provided by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.