Bradford City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVI
Signs
§ 220-116 Applicability.
This article regulates the location and size of signs in all zoning districts. This article is to be used in conjunction with Chapter 178, Signs, of the City Code. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Chapter 178 of the City Code and this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
§ 220-117 Definitions.
The following defined terms include definitions contained in § 178-2 of Chapter 178 of the City Code governing signs, as well as additional terms necessary for the purpose of interpreting this article:
Any structure made of cloth or metal with a metal frame attached to a building and projecting over a sidewalk, street or driveway when the same is so erected as to permit its being raised to a position flat against the building when not in use.
An off-premises sign that advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises where the sign is located.
A type of manual changeable copy sign constructed to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically such as those used by churches and schools to announce events.
A sign that contains the name, address and goods, services, facilities or events available on the premises.
Any structure, other than an awning, made of cloth or metal with metal frames attached to a building, projecting over a sidewalk, street or driveway and carried by a frame supported by the ground.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be manually or electronically changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.
A temporary sign announcing the name of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
A temporary sign erected during the period that a valid permit exists for construction and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or their agent.
The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.
Any sign supported by uprights or braces placed upon the ground and not attached to any building.
A sign containing only the name and address of the occupants of the premises and their occupation. No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes either external or internal to the sign.
A sign that is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices external to, and reflected on, the sign, which lighting is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times and which is shielded so that the illumination is concentrated on the face of the sign and there is no spillover of illumination or glare beyond the face of the sign.
A sign that is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices internal to the sign, which lighting is either behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign structure and the advertising effect.
Any hood or awning of permanent construction projecting from the wall of a building above an entrance and extending over a sidewalk, street or driveway.
A commemorative or inscribed tablet recognized and installed by an agency of the City, county, commonwealth or federal government or a nonprofit historical or veteran's organization.
Any marquee, canopy, awning or street clock, as further defined herein.
A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, a structure or the ground and that is designed to be moved from place to place, including, but not limited to: signs attached to wood or metal frames designed to be self-supporting and movable; sandwich board signs; and trailer-mounted signs.
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.
HORIZONTAL PROJECTING SIGNAny projecting sign which is greater in width than in height.
VERTICAL PROJECTING SIGNAny projecting sign which is greater in height than in width.
A temporary sign advertising the sale or rental of premises. The sign may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending" or "rented".
Any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building with the principal support for the sign on the roof structure.
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.
Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a short period of time only.
A banner, flag, pennant, portable sign or similar display constructed of durable material and affixed to the wall of a building or the supporting structure of an approved business identification sign or, if a portable sign, adequately affixed to the ground or some permanent structure, erected for a period of not exceeding 30 days whose sole purpose is to advertise a special event or promotion.
A sign painted on or erected parallel to the face of an exterior front, side or rear wall of a building.
§ 220-118 General regulations.
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning districts:
A.
Prohibited signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district:
(1)
Signs attached to trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs within the public right-of-way;
(2)
Signs that imitate traffic control devices;
(3)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, or on any public property or private property other than the site of the business it advertises, except for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on nearby property, but not including temporary construction trailers authorized by this chapter.
B.
Exempt signs. For signs exempt from these regulations and the requirement to obtain a permit, see § 178-15 of the City Code.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
C.
Surface area of sign. The surface area of a sign shall be measured as described below. For two-sided signs, only one sign face is counted in computing the surface area.
(1)
In the case of an advertising panel, the surface area of the sign shall be the total area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points or edges of the advertising panel containing letters;
(2)
In the case of freestanding letters mounted on a wall or other surface, the surface area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of each individual letter calculated by measuring the distance between the highest and lowest points of each letter and multiplying that distance by the distance between the extreme horizontal distance across the letter;
(3)
In the case of freestanding ground signs, the area shall not include the main supporting structure, any structural trim, as defined herein, and/or the framework around or connections between advertising panels;
(4)
In the case of letters that are painted on or affixed to an awning, canopy or marquee, the surface area of the sign shall be the area of the geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width of all the letters, including free space between the letters.
D.
Lots with multiple street frontage. In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one of each type of sign that is authorized for the lot on each street frontage.
E.
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street. No sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle defined by § 220-94D of this chapter.
F.
Sign location.
(1)
Except for billboards, as defined and authorized by this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises that they are intended to serve.
(2)
No sign shall be located so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
G.
Illumination.
(1)
Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall be directed upon the sign face and not towards adjoining properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall not be permitted. Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times, except that electronic changeable copy signs, where authorized, may have a changing message, provided each message is stationary for at least three seconds. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as to not exceed a maximum of 0.2 footcandle at the property line.
§ 220-119 Signs authorized in conservation and residential zoning districts.
The following signs are authorized in the C-D, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zoning Districts:
A.
Ground signs. Ground signs shall comply with the regulations of § 178-23 of the City Code. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Chapter 178 of the City Code and this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(1)
Identification sign for public or semipublic buildings. One permanent ground sign that is nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated shall be permitted to identify any church, school, library or similar public or semipublic building, provided that the height of the sign shall not exceed six feet and the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet. Up to 75% of the surface area of the sign may be a changeable copy sign, as defined herein.
(2)
Business identification sign for authorized uses by special exception or legal nonconforming uses. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated ground sign shall be permitted to identify a legal nonconforming use or a nonresidential use authorized as a use by special exception, provided the height of the sign shall not exceed six feet and the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.
(3)
Real estate, development or contractor signs. One nonilluminated temporary ground sign shall be permitted on each lot to advertise the sale, rental or proposed development of the property or to announce the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans performing work on the property, provided the sign shall not exceed six feet in height and shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the property or completion of the work performed on which it is located.
(4)
Temporary special event sign. One nonilluminated temporary ground sign shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public building, church or other building housing a nonprofit organization, to advertise a special event or promotion, provided that height of the sign shall not exceed six feet and the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet and further provided that the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 30 days and is removed within five days following the event or promotion that it is erected to advertise.
(5)
Home occupation identification sign. One nonilluminated ground sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that the height of the sign shall not exceed six feet and the surface area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot. The sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation of the resident and shall not contain any logo or other advertising. Signage shall not be authorized for a no impact home based business, as defined herein.
B.
Wall signs. Wall signs shall comply with the regulations of § 178-24 of the City Code. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Chapter 178 of the City Code and this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(1)
Identification sign for public or semipublic buildings. One permanent wall sign that is nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated shall be permitted to identify any church, school, library or similar public or semipublic building, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot for each two lineal feet of the length of the building wall on which it is to be mounted.
(2)
Business identification sign for authorized uses by special exception or legal nonconforming uses in residential districts. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated wall sign shall be permitted to identify a legal nonconforming use or a nonresidential use authorized as a use by special exception in an R-1, R-2 or R-3 District, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot for each two lineal feet of the length of the building wall on which it is to be mounted.
§ 220-120 Signs authorized in medical center, commercial and industrial districts.
The following signs shall be permitted in the M-C, C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts:
B.
Ground signs. In the M-C, C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, ground signs shall be permitted subject to compliance with § 178-23 of the City Code and the following regulations. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Chapter 178 of the City Code and this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(1)
In the M-C, C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, ground signs may be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.
(2)
In the M-C and C-1 Districts, one ground sign shall be permitted per lot, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.
(3)
In the C-2 and M-1 Districts, one ground sign shall be permitted per lot, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(4)
In the M-2 District, one ground sign shall be permitted at each entrance to a business, provided that the surface area of each sign shall not exceed 200 square feet.
C.
Wall signs. In the M-C, C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, wall signs shall be permitted subject to compliance with § 178-24 of the City Code and the following regulations. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Chapter 178 of the City Code and this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(1)
In the M-C, C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, the signs may be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.
(2)
In the M-C and C-1 Districts, more than one wall sign shall be permitted, provided that the cumulative surface area of all signs shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(3)
In the C-2 and M-1 Districts, more than one wall sign shall be permitted, provided that the cumulative surface area of all signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.
(4)
In the M-2 District, more than one wall sign shall be permitted, provided that the cumulative surface area of all signs shall not exceed 300 square feet.
D.
Roof signs. In the M-1 and M-2 Districts, roof signs shall be permitted subject to compliance with § 178-25 of the City Code.
E.
Projecting signs. In the C-1 District, one nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated projecting sign shall be permitted for each building subject to compliance with § 178-26 of the City Code.
F.
Changeable copy signs.
(1)
In the C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, one changeable copy sign shall be permitted for each lot. The changeable copy sign may be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated. The changeable copy sign shall be affixed to the wall of a building or shall be made part of an existing or proposed ground sign. The maximum surface area of the changeable copy sign shall be 32 square feet.
(2)
Electronic changeable copy signs shall be permitted, provided the following regulations are met:
(a)
An electronic changeable copy sign shall not be visible from property in a C-D, R-1, R-2 or R-3 District.
(b)
An electronic changeable copy sign shall not be located with 200 feet of any signalized intersection.
(c)
Electronic changeable copy signs shall be equipped with an automatic "day/night" switch to regulate the intensity of the lighting relative to the ambient light.
(d)
The color of the background, the color of the letters and the size of the letters shall be designed to minimize glare, be compatible with ambient light and be the minimum size and contrast necessary to be readable given the speed of traffic on the adjacent street and the distance between the sign and the travel lanes.
(e)
A rolling or continuously moving message or display shall not be permitted.
(f)
Except for time and temperature displays, each message or display shall remain stationary for at least three seconds.
(g)
There shall not be any appearance of a visual dissolve or fading in which any part of one electronic message or display appears simultaneously with any part of another electronic message or display.
G.
Portable signs. Portable signs, as defined herein, may be used by businesses in the C-1 and C-2 Districts subject to the following requirements:
(1)
No more than one portable sign shall be permitted on a lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot.
(2)
The surface area of a portable sign shall not exceed 18 square feet.
(3)
The portable sign shall be located so that pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk is not blocked, access to any on-street or off-street parking spaces is not impeded and the clear sight triangle required by § 220-94D is maintained.
(4)
The portable sign shall be removed and stored inside a completely enclosed building, as defined herein, when the business is closed.
(5)
The portable sign shall not be used during inclement weather conditions such as high winds or heavy snowfall when the sign could create a hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic or snow removal.
(6)
The portable sign shall be located on the premises with the business it is advertising and shall only contain information related to features, products or services available on the premises.
H.
Temporary special event signs for businesses. Temporary special event signs, as defined herein, shall be permitted in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, subject to compliance with § 178-27 of the City Code and the following regulations. Where there is a conflict between the provisions of Chapter 178 of the City Code and this chapter, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(1)
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any business establishment at any one time;
(2)
Portable signs shall not be used as temporary special event signs;
(3)
The temporary special event signs shall be securely attached to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding pole business identification sign;
(4)
Temporary special event signs shall be displayed no more than three times in any twelve-month period, provided each display shall not exceed 30 days;
(5)
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs shall not exceed 24 square feet per establishment. In the event that there is more than one establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs on the site at any one time shall not exceed 70 square feet.
§ 220-121 Billboards.
Billboards shall be permitted only on property located in the M-1 and M-2 Districts, provided all of the following requirements are met:
A.
Location.
(1)
Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of the boundary line of any C-D, R-1, R-2 or R-3 District or within 500 feet of any public or private school, church or cemetery, said 500 feet being measured along the radius of a circle from the centermost point of the billboard structure extending in all directions.
(2)
Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of an interchange or safety rest area measured along the interstate or limited access highway from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled way.
(3)
Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed billboard of 1,000 feet. Required spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the centermost point of the billboard structure along a line extending from the centermost point of the billboard in both directions along the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.
(4)
No part of the billboard shall be located closer than 15 feet to any limited access federal highway right-of-way.
(5)
For all other billboards not located along limited access federal highway rights-of-way, the minimum front, side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal structure as set forth within the zoning district in which the billboard is to be located shall apply to all parts of each billboard structure.
(6)
No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the street, of any existing business identification sign or any residential or nonresidential structure, or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements for those structures.
(7)
No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street on which it is situated, as defined by § 220-94D, of this chapter, and shall not in any case obstruct or impede traffic safety.
(8)
No billboard shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
(9)
Billboards shall not be part of a roof or wall nor shall they be mounted on the roof, wall or other part of a building or any other structure.
B.
Size and height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 600 square feet per sign face. This gross surface area shall be permitted, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:
(1)
A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard structure which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90° or less.
(2)
Neither dimension of the billboard's sign face shall exceed 24 feet in total height or 30 feet in total length, provided the total allowable gross surface area for the sign face is not exceeded.
(3)
A billboard structure shall have a maximum height of 40 feet above the curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed.
C.
Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), as now or hereafter amended, and shall meet all of the following additional requirements:
(1)
A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support being a maximum of three feet in diameter or width and without additional bracing or vertical supports.
(2)
A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal that are galvanized or constructed of approved corrosive-resistant, noncombustible materials. Structures constructed with galvanized metal shall be painted.
(3)
The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face to be able to withstand a minimum wind load of 100 miles per hour. Structural design computations shall be made and certified by a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the City.
(4)
The base shall be installed using a foundation and footings approved by the City Engineer for the type of construction proposed.
(5)
The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of three feet placed in such manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.
(6)
Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.
(7)
No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.
(8)
All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.
(9)
A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum of 1.0 footcandle upon the adjoining property.
(10)
Display lighting shall not operate between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. prevailing local time.
(11)
No billboard structure, sign face or display lighting shall flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.
D.
Maintenance.
(1)
A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every three years, unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.
(2)
Every 10 years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered engineer and shall provide to the City of Bradford a written report and certification from that engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
(3)
Annual visual inspections of the billboard may be conducted by the City of Bradford to determine continuing compliance with this chapter. Upon such inspection, the owner shall pay an annual inspection fee, as established from time to time, by resolution of City Council.
(4)
Billboards found to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days upon proper notification by the City issued in accordance with § 220-141 of this chapter.
(5)
Billboards using removable paper or other materials shall be maintained in such condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material protruding or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any sign face is changed.
E.
Liability insurance. The applicant for a sign permit to erect a billboard shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and property damage that holds the City of Bradford harmless in an amount no less than $500,000 or as may be adjusted, from time to time, by resolution of City Council. The insurance certificate shall contain a clause stating that the insurance shall not be canceled or reduced without first giving 10 days notice to the City of Bradford.
F.
Permits.
(1)
Prior to submission of an application for a sign permit, the applicant for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application, approvals from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.
(2)
For billboards proposed to be located along state highways, the issuance of a sign permit shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). If the applicant fails to submit evidence of the required approval by PennDOT within 60 days of the issuance of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the Zoning Officer, who shall provide written notice to the applicant.
(3)
The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit, upon submission of evidence of PennDOT approval, without payment of any additional sign permit fee, provided the application is filed within six months from the date of expiration of the conditional sign permit.