Bristol City Zoning Code
PART 6
SIGNS
§ 27-601 Scope and Applicability.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
2.
Definitions.
A. Types of Signs. | |||
(1) | OFF-PREMISES SIGN — A sign which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business located or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is located, or to which it is affixed. | ||
(2) | ON-PREMISES SIGN — A sign which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business located or offered on the premises upon which the sign is displayed or to which the sign is affixed (including signs offering premises for sale, rent or development, or advertising building trades during construction or alteration.) | ||
(3) | FREESTANDING SIGN — A sign permanently supported by upright or uprights that are permanently anchored into the ground, and which is independent from any building or other structure. This may have two display sides, and shall not include billboards. | ||
(4) | PARALLEL SIGN — A sign which is attached to or is part of the facade of a building and does not extend more than 14 inches from such facade. | ||
(5) | PERMANENT SIGN — Any sign located on a lot for 180 days or more in any calendar year. | ||
(6) | PROJECTING SIGN — A sign which is attached to the facade of a building and extends more than 14 inches, but not more than four feet, from such facade. The lowest edge of such sign shall be at least eight feet above the ground level immediately below. | ||
(7) | ROOF SIGN — Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof. | ||
(8) | TEMPORARY SIGN — Any sign located on a lot for less than 30 days in any calendar year. | ||
(9) | WINDOW SIGN — A sign permanently affixed to a storefront window which can be seen through the window, containing only the name of the establishment and the type of establishment. A storefront window shall be defined as a ground floor or first story window which is located in the main door to an establishment or on the same side of the building where the main door to the establishment is located, or in the side of a building which faces a public street, right-of-way, or public parking lot. | ||
(10) | A-FRAME SIGN — A sign which has no permanent base and is not fixed permanently to the ground or to a building. | ||
(11) | ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD SIGN — A sign with changing letters, words, messages or displays which are illuminated and which are operated by a computer or other electronic device. | ||
(12) | BILLBOARDS — Any sign supported by an upright(s) that is anchored in the ground and independent from any building or other structure with an area not in excess of 200 square feet which directs attention to a person, business, profession, product, occupation or activity not conducted on the same premises. | ||
B. | Surface Area of Signs. | ||||
(1) | SIGN, GROSS SURFACE AREA OF — The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign and in no case passing through or between any adjacent elements of the sign. However, such perimeter shall not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. More descriptive definitions are provided for freestanding and parallel signs. | ||||
(a) | FREESTANDING SIGN — The area within continuous straight lines enclosing the entire perimeter of a sign including all text, emblems, arrows, ornaments or sign media. | ||||
(b) | PARALLEL SIGN — The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed of square rectangles which enclose the extreme limits of the emblems and/or design together with any frame or background which is used to differentiate such sign from the wall against which it is placed. | ||||
If a parallel sign is comprised of emblems, designs, words or numerals with separate background or frames, the intervening air space between the background frames shall not be included in the sign area calculations. | |
If a sign is comprised of letters and numerals on separate backgrounds or frames for each individual letter or numeral, one-half of the intervening air space between the backgrounds or frames shall be included in the calculation of the sign area. | |
Where a sign consists only of individual letters, monograms, numerals, symbols or similar components and is painted on or attached flat onto the wall of a building, and where such individual components are without integrated background definition and are not within a circumscribed frame area, the total area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of the squares or rectangles surrounding each individual sign component. |
3.
4.
Exempt Signs. The following signs, to the extent indicated, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit but shall be erected only in accordance with the standards set for these signs. An application must be made to the HARB for signs in the Historic District.
A.
Any sign specifically authorized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania laws or regulations.
B.
Signs applied to the door or window giving the store hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter when the total area of all such signs does not exceed two square feet.
C.
Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only street numbers, post box numbers or names of the principal occupants of the premises.
D.
Directional, information or public service signs such as those advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephones or similar public conveniences provided such signs do not exceed four square feet in area.
E.
Signs required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, unless specifically prohibited, limited or restricted.
F.
Flags or emblems of political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations.
G.
Traffic control and guidance signs, erected and maintained in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of traffic.
H.
Labels identifying the source, brand name or manufacturer of merchandise exhibited for sale.
I.
Signs indicating only the date of erection of a building and having an area not exceeding four square feet.
J.
Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling the fishing and hunting upon a particular premise may be erected and maintained providing the size of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet per side.
K.
Interior signs, which are signs placed within a building and are placed more than 12 inches from the interior surface of a window or door.
5.
Nonconforming Signs.
A.
Signs existing at the date of enactment of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs.
B.
Once a nonconforming sign is destroyed or removed, it may be replaced only with a conforming sign.
C.
Nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired (including lighting), provided such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign; wording may also be changed.
D.
If a new use is established, all new signs or replacement signs must comply with this chapter.
E.
A sign not complying with this chapter may continue if a building or structure is renovated. If a building or structure is demolished and rebuilt, signs must be made to conform to this chapter.
6.
Signs in the Historic District. A certificate of appropriateness shall be obtained from the Borough Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) for the use, erection, structural repair, alteration, moving, removal, repainting, or demolition of any sign for any use in the Historic District.
§ 27-602 Sign Types.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
1.
On-Premises Signs.
A.
In General. No principal use shall install or maintain a greater number of signs along each street on which such use is located for the particular type of sign structure and zoning district established in Table 27-6-A, except as provided for in this section generally and Subsection 1E specifically.
Table 27-6-A | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum Number of Signs | |||||
Type of Sign Structure | R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 and C Districts | TC, NC, GC, HC-2, and MX Districts | LI, HI, II, HC-1 Districts | ||
Freestanding1, 3 | 1 (see Subsection 2B(2)) 4 | 14 | 1 (see Subsection 2B(2)) 4 | ||
Parallel | |||||
Projecting | 04 | 14 | 14 | ||
Window | |||||
A-Frame2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
1 | When two or more principal buildings exist on a lot, there shall be a maximum of two freestanding signs on the lot. |
2 | When the total number of existing signs exceeds the maximum number of signs permitted, an A-Frame sign shall not be permitted. |
3 | Menu boards shall not be considered a freestanding sign and shall be permitted, but the square feet of the menu board shall be counted as part of the permitted freestanding sign space. |
4 | See Table 27-6-B, "Maximum Area of Signs," for parallel and window signs. |
B.
Planned Developments.
(1)
Use 3E Planned Business Park, Use 4DD Shopping Center, and Use 6E Industrial Park. In addition to the signs permitted for individual commercial, office, and industrial uses, uses 3E Planned Business Park, 4DD Shopping Center, and 6E Industrial Park, may be allowed one freestanding, on-premises sign indicating the name of the development which shall not exceed 50 square feet along each road fronting such development.
(2)
Residential Developments. One freestanding, on-premises sign indicating the name of the subdivision or residential development and which shall not exceed 50 square feet may be erected along each road fronting such development.
C.
Real Estate, Construction, Special Event, Political and Garage Sale Temporary Signs. A temporary, on-premises sign may generally be erected on a lot without a permit for a period not exceeding 30 days, provided that such signs are not attached to trees, fences, utility poles, or the like, and that such signs are not placed in such a position as to obstruct or impair vision or traffic or in any manner which creates a nuisance, hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the general public. Temporary signs must be removed within seven days after they are no longer needed.
(1)
Real Estate. A temporary sign may be permitted within the property lines, advertising the prospective or completed sale or rental of the premises upon which it is located, provided that such sign shall be maintained and removed within seven days after consummation of the lease or sale transaction. Any such sign which is over six square feet in area shall require a sign permit.
(2)
Construction Sites. A nonilluminated temporary sign (developer/contractor sign or mechanic/subcontractor/other artisan sign) may be permitted on a construction site, provided such sign shall be removed within seven days after completion of the construction work and not more than one sign per developer, contractor, mechanic, subcontractor, or artisan shall be placed on each street frontage of the construction site. Any such sign which is over six square feet in area shall require a sign permit.
(3)
Public Events. A temporary sign may be permitted announcing a public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar event for a total period not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year, provided it is removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event.
(4)
Political. Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for election may be erected and maintained, provided that the following regulations are met:
(a)
The erector of such signs, or those responsible for or benefitting from the display of the signs, shall place such signs no sooner than 45 days and remove such signs within seven days after the date of the election to which the signs relate.
(b)
Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(c)
Maximum size 32 square feet per side.
(5)
Garage Sale Signs. No signs advertising the garage sale are to be posted on any place other than the premises of the applicant. The sign is not to exceed two feet by two feet in size, cannot be placed on the premises earlier than one week prior to the sale and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale has terminated.
D.
Special Events Temporary Signs. A sign permit shall be required for the following types of special events temporary signs that are over six square feet in area:
(1)
Special Programs. Signs are permitted one week prior to and during a special event such as a block party, lawn fete or other special event (thirty-day limit).
(2)
Special Sales. Signs are permitted three days prior to and during special sales such as spring sales, fall sales, going out of business sales, and others (thirty-day limit).
(3)
New Store Opening. Signs are permitted three days prior to and during the first week of the opening.
E.
Temporary Window Signs. Temporary on-premises signs may be attached to or visible through a window for a period not exceeding 15 days provided the total area of all such signs does not exceed 75% of the area of the window. A sign permit shall not be required for this type of sign.
2.
Off-Premises Signs.
A.
Advertising Signs (Billboards).
(1)
Size and Location. Off-premises advertising signs (billboards) shall be:
(2)
Setbacks and Spacing. Off-premises advertising signs (billboards) shall be:
(a)
Set back at least 20 feet from the street right-of-way.
(b)
Spaced no closer than 1,000 feet from another billboard on the same side of the street or meet space requirements of the Pennsylvania Beautification Act.
(c)
Located no closer than 50 feet from an R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, and C District as measured along same side of street.
(d)
Located no closer than 500 feet from the H Historic District, a historic site or structure.
(3)
Type. All billboards shall be permanent freestanding signs erected upon the ground. No off-premises sign shall be erected upon, painted on, applied to, attached to, and/or supported by a building, vehicle or other structure.
(4)
(5)
Maintenance. All off-premises signs shall be maintained in good condition. The structural components of the sign shall be maintained to ensure their integrity and to prevent the possible collapse of the sign. Any damage to the structural components shall be repaired within 24 hours. The face of the sign shall be blank or shall show the full advertisement. Signs having ripped, defaced, or partial advertisements shall be immediately repaired by having the advertisement restored to its original condition, removed, or covered.
(6)
Building Requirements. All off-premises signs must meet the PaUCC structural and electrical standards.
B.
Other Permitted Off-Premises Signs.
(1)
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic; street name signs; legal notices; warnings at railroad crossings; and other official signs which are similarly authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body.
(2)
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows, or events and sponsored by a nonprofit organization may be erected subject to the following requirements:
(a)
Signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area.
(b)
Signs shall not be posted earlier than three weeks before the occurrence of the exhibit, show or event and shall be removed within one week after termination of the exhibit, show or event.
(c)
Nonilluminated signs in the HC-1, HC-2, LI and HI Zoning Districts for directing patrons, members or audiences to service clubs, churches or other nonprofit organizations, provided the signs shall indicate only the name of the facility and the direction to the facility and shall not exceed 200 square inches in area.
§ 27-603 Sign Area Regulations.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
No sign shall exceed the maximum sign area established for that sign in Table 27-6-B.
§ 27-604 Location.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
1.
Not Within Street Lines. No sign shall be allowed within street right-of-way lines (except those of the government body which owns such right-of-way and public events temporary signs in the TC District), unless specifically authorized by another Borough ordinance or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law or regulation.
2.
No Traffic Interference.
A.
No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control device (by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristic), or through any other means.
3.
Freestanding Signs. No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer than 10 feet from any lot line. Freestanding signs shall be prohibited on a property where this requirement cannot be met.
4.
A-Frame Signs. All A-frame signs shall be located a minimum of seven feet from the curbline and shall be put in at night.
§ 27-605 Height.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
No sign shall exceed the maximum height restriction for the particular type of sign structure and zoning district established in Table 27-6-C.
§ 27-606 Construction.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
§ 27-607 Illuminated Signs.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
1.
Direct Light. Signs may be illuminated by direct lighting, provided such lighting shall be shielded so no direct light will shine on abutting properties or in the normal line of vision of the public using the streets.
2.
Internal Lighting. A sign may be designed to give forth artificial light internally or through transparent or translucent material provided such light is maintained at a stationary and constant intensity and color at all times when in use.
3.
A-frame signs may not be illuminated.
4.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type are prohibited except the following:
A.
Portions of signs which indicate time and temperature changes.
B.
Electronic message board signs, as defined in Part 2 of this chapter, subject to the following requirements:
(1)
They shall be permitted only in the HC-1 District.
(2)
They shall be spaced at least 500 feet from another electronic message board sign or from a billboard on the same side of the street.
(3)
They shall be located no closer than 50 feet from an R-1, R-1A, R-2 or R-3 District measured along the same side of the street.
(4)
They shall be setback at least 20 feet from the street right-of-way.
(5)
No electronic message board sign shall exceed 75% of the maximum sign area established for the HC-1 District listed in Table 27-6-B for the type of sign structure that the electronic sign is classified, except for exempt signs.
(6)
No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device or signal.
(7)
Any bulbs that are used for lighting in the HC-1 District shall not exceed 25 watts.
(8)
Illuminated letters, words, messages or displays shall not change any more frequently than every 10 seconds.
(9)
The other applicable sign provisions of this chapter are met.
(10)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that outdoor video or television images incorporated in or located on a sign are prohibited.
§ 27-608 Removal.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
1.
On-site signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be removed or changed to advertise the new use or product immediately after cessation of the original use.
2.
Signs once removed for 90 continuous days shall be replaced only by signs in conformance with this chapter.
3.
The owner of any property or premises upon which any sign is erected shall be responsible for its complete removal at such time as the circumstances which caused its erection have ceased to exist as required in Subsections 1 and 2 above, or at such other time that the sign must be removed under any other provision of this chapter. If the owner of any property upon which a sign has been erected shall fail or neglect to remove it as herein above required, the Zoning Officer shall give notice by certified mail to the owner. If this letter is returned undelivered, for any reason, he may post such notice upon the premises. If, upon the expiration of 30 days following notice, the owner fails to remove the sign, the Zoning Officer shall arrange for its removal on behalf of the Borough, at the expense of the property owner, and the Borough shall bill the owner for the cost of such work plus 10% for administrative costs. If such bill remains unpaid after the expiration of 30 days, the Borough Solicitor shall take the necessary steps to collect the same. Failure of the property owner to remove such sign after the notice herein above provided, shall constitute a violation of the terms of this chapter, and each day's continuance of such failure shall constitute a separate violation.
4.
If the owner of any sign in violation is not the owner of the premises on which it is situated, the identical notices specified above may be issued to him in like manner, and such owner of the sign shall be required to take such steps to comply with the notice or notices issued to him as though he were the owner of the property or premises on which the sign is located; if such owner of the sign fails to comply, such failure shall constitute a violation of the terms of this chapter. Such owner of the sign shall be liable to the same extent as the owner of the property or premises on which the sign is located.
§ 27-609 Signs Prohibited in All Districts.
[Ord. 1263, 8/10/2009]
1.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts except for noted exceptions:
A.
Banners, flags, pennants or any moving object (whether containing a message or not), except for use during not more than one special occasion in one calendar year by a use located in the TC, NC, GC, HC-1, and HC-2 districts for a period of not more than a total of 10 days per calendar year.
B.
Any sign which states that a property may be used for a non-permitted use.
C.
Any sign which flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates, with the exception of barber poles.
D.
Any novelty sign, including, but not limited to, an object (e.g., tire, automobile, food product, etc.), except that novelty signs may be permitted in the Historic District provided that the applicant demonstrates to the HARB's satisfaction that such proposed novelty sign has qualities reflective of novelty signs utilized in this region historically.
E.
Any roof sign, i.e., any sign placed above the roof line of a flat roof or the lowest point of eaves of a sloping and mansard roof.
F.
Any sign placed or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with any electric light, power, telephone or cable wires or the supports thereof.
G.
Any sign which imitates any official traffic sign, signal or device.
H.
Any sign which interferes with an official highway sign.
I.
Any sign nailed or in any way attached to a tree or utility pole.
J.
Any vehicle or trailer which is parked on a public right-of-way or on public or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same property or on another property.
Table 27-6-B | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign Area Regulations | ||||||
Maximum Area of Sign (square feet) | ||||||
Location of Sign | Type of Sign Structure | R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 and C Districtsd | TC, NC, GC, HC-2, and MX Districts | HC-1, II, LI, and HI Districts | ||
On Premisesb | Free- standing Sign | 6 | 24 | Not exceeding 1 square feet for each 2 feet of lot frontage or 150 square feet, whichever is smaller | ||
Parallel Sign | 6 | 24 | Not exceeding 4 square feet for each 1 foot of length of the portion of the building wall on which the sign is affixed which is devoted to the principal use employing the sign, but not to exceed 15% of the area wall (including window and door cornices) | |||
Projecting Sign | N.P. | 6 | Not exceeding 4 square feet for each 1 foot of length of the portion of the building wall on which the sign is affixed which is devoted to the principal use employing the sign, but not to exceed 15% of the area wall (including window and door cornices) | |||
Window Sign | N.P. | Not exceeding 4 square feet for each 1 foot of length of the portion of the building wall on which the sign is affixed which is devoted to the principal use employing the sign, but not to exceed 25% of the total window area of such wall | Not exceeding 4 square feet for each 1 foot of length of the portion of the building wall on which the sign is affixed which is devoted to the principal use employing the sign, but not to exceed 25% of the total window area of such wall | |||
A-Frame | N.P. | 8 | 8 | |||
Off Premisesc | ||||||
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
a Area of Signs: | |
1. | The area of a sign shall be constructed to include all lettering, working, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself. |
2. | Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other shape, including the sign background, which encompasses all of the letters and symbols. |
3. | In computing square foot area of a double-face sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area. |
4. | The area of a freestanding sign will be measured to include the full area of all components of the sign including the space between the components excluding the supports on which the sign is placed. |
5. | Unless otherwise specified, all square footages are maximum sizes. |
N.P. - Not Permitted | |
- When two or more principal buildings exist on a lot, there shall be a maximum of two freestanding signs on the lot. The maximum area of each such sign shall comply with the freestanding sign regulations in Table 27-6-B for the zoning district in which the sign is located. | |
- When the sign area of any existing sign exceeds the maximum permitted area for that sign, an A-frame sign is not permitted on-premises. | |
Table 27-6-C | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum Sign Height (Feet)1 | |||||
Type of Sign Structure | R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 and C Districts | TC, NC, GC, HC-2, and MX Districts | LI, HI, II, and HC-1 Districts | ||
Freestanding | 6 | 16 | 20 | ||
Parallel | 12 | 12 | 14 | ||
Projecting2 | N.P. | 12 | 14 | ||
Window | N.P. | 3 | 3 | ||
A-Frame | N.P. | 3 1/2 | 3 1/2 | ||
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
1 | Maximum height (in feet) above the curbline in front of where the sign will be located. |
2 | No part of any projecting sign shall be located less than 8 feet above the average ground level immediately below such sign. |
3 | Upper story uses may have permanent window signs. |
N.P. - Not Permitted. | |