East Greenville City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
Signs
§ 95-130 Purpose.
It is recognized that signs perform an important function in identifying properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters of interest to the public. The intent of this article is to regulate all signs within the Borough of East Greenville to ensure they are appropriate for their respective uses and in keeping with the appearance of the affected property and surrounding environment and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by:
A.
Setting standards and providing controls that permit reasonable use of signs and enhance the character of the Borough.
B.
Prohibiting the erection of signs in such numbers, sizes, and designs and locations as may create a hazard to pedestrians and motorists.
C.
Preserving property values.
D.
Avoiding excessive competition for large or multiple signs, so that permitted signs provide adequate identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness, and confusion.
E.
Encouraging sign design that builds on the traditional town image and visual environment the Borough seeks to promote.
§ 95-131 Definitions.
General definitions relating to signs:
A sign structure that has ceased to be used, and the owner intends no longer to have used, for the display of sign copy.
An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of rigid or nonrigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable, including such structures that are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources.
Any source of electric light, whether portable or fixed, the primary purpose of which is to cast a concentrated beam of light generally skyward as a means of attracting attention to its location rather than illuminate any particular sign, structure, or other object.
A multisided overhead structure or architectural projection supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional points. The surface(s) and/or soffit of an attached canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light. See also "marquee."
Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, excluding numerals identifying a street address only.
An external means of illumination comprised of a group of strung bulbs.
A unit of measurement of light, where one footcandle equals approximately the amount of light produced by a candle at a distance of one foot. It is equivalent to one lumen per square foot. A footcandle is measurable with an illuminance meter, also known as "light meter."
The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.
This is the candlepower, or concentration, of light emitted in a given direction from an entire sign.
A unit of luminous flux (power); a measure of the power of light as perceived by the human eye.
A structure, building wall, other outdoor surface, or any device used for visual communication visible from a public place, which is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public or to display, identify, publicize the name and product or service of any person, organization, or business.
The "area of a sign" shall mean the area of all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs, logos, and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed (whether such background is open or enclosed), but excluding any supporting framework and bracing which are solely incidental to the display itself, provided that the same do not contain any lettering, wording, or symbols.
Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs or symbols attached to a building, awning, wall, or window, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters, designs, and symbols.
Where a sign consists of an identical double-face, only one side shall be considered in the calculation of area, but if the interior angle formed by the two faces is greater than 45°, then both sides of the sign shall be considered in the calculation of area.
The part of a sign that is or can be used to identify, advertise and communicate information for visual representation, which attracts the attention of the public for any purpose. This definition shall include any background materials, panel, trim and color used that differentiates the sign from the building or structure on which is placed. The sign structure shall not be included, provided that no message, display or symbol is designed and included as part of the structure.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGNA sign with two identical faces of equal sign areas that are back-to-back.
The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the mean grade at the base of the sign.
ADVERTISING SIGNAn off-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation, or other similar activity which is sold, offered, or conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which the sign is located, for example, a billboard.
ANIMATED SIGNA sign with action or motion, flashing, or color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including window-displayed computer monitors or wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners, or novelty items, for example, a reader board.
AWNING SIGNA sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning.
BILLBOARDSee "off-premises sign" and "outdoor advertising sign."
BUSINESS SIGNAn on-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry, or other activity which is sold, offered, or conducted, other than incidentally, on the premises upon which the sign is located or to which it is affixed.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAny sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign on which the names and location of the occupants or the use of a building is given, including office building and religious directories.
ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SCREENA sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image or video, which may or may not include text. This definition includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat screens, LED screens, video boards, and holographic displays or other technologies of a similar nature.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTERAny sign or portion of a sign that uses changing lights to form a sign message or messages in text form wherein the sequence of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes.
EXTERIOR SIGNAny sign placed outside a building.
FLASHING SIGNSee "animated sign."
FREESTANDING SIGNA self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of poles or standards, either on the ground or on the roof of a building.
GROUND SIGNSee "freestanding sign."
IDENTIFICATION SIGNA sign whose copy is limited to the name of a building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.
ILLUMINATED SIGNA sign that is lighted by internal or external illumination.
INCIDENTAL SIGNA sign used in conjunction with equipment or other functional elements of a use or operation. These shall include, but not be limited to, drive-through window menu boards, signs on automatic teller machines, gas pumps, vending machines, or newspaper delivery boxes.
INTERIOR SIGNAny sign placed within a building, but not including window signs as defined by this chapter. Interior signs, with the exception of window signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
LED/DIGITAL SIGNA sign that utilizes digital or video light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or similar electronic methods to create a changeable image display area.
MARQUEE SIGNAny sign attached to or supported by a marquee structure.
MENU BOARDA freestanding sign oriented to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window and which has no more than 20% of the total area for such a sign utilized for business identification.
MONUMENT SIGNA sign attached to a brick, stone, or masonry wall or structure that forms a supporting base for the sign display.
MURAL SIGNArtwork applied to the wall of a building which covers all or most of the wall and depicts a scene or event of natural, social, cultural, or historic significance.
NONILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign that is not lighted.
NONCONFORMING SIGNA sign which has a valid permit, was erected prior to the effective date of this chapter or any subsequent amendment hereto and which does not otherwise conform to the provisions of this article.
NONRESIDENTIAL BUSINESS SIGNAn on-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a business, commodity, service, industry, or other activity which is sold, offered, or conducted, other than incidentally, on the premises upon which the sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service, or entertainment which is sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at a place other than on the property on which said sign is located; a sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located, for example, billboards, outdoor advertising, subdivision directional sign, and real estate sign.
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity on the same lot where the sign is located.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNA permanent sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of commercial or noncommercial messages not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale or lease of the property on which it is displayed.
PAINTED WALL SIGNAny sign which is applied with paint or similar substances on the face of a wall.
PARALLEL WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface, but does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roofline, or other surface to which it is mounted and does not project more than 10 inches from the surface to which it is mounted.
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGNA sign which displays an individual's political, religious, or personal belief.
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign, including vehicular signs, not permanently attached to the ground or building.
PROJECTING WALL SIGNAny sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface other than a parallel sign, but does not project more than seven feet from the surface to which it is mounted, nor project above the wall, roofline, or surface to which it is mounted, nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
REVOLVING SIGNAny sign which revolves 180° or more.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
SNIPE SIGNA permanent or temporary sign or poster affixed to a street sign, municipal sign, government sign, park sign, tree, fence or utility pole or upon rocks or natural features.
TIME-AND-TEMPERATURE SIGNElectronic signs which display the time and/or temperature in a digital format. The time and temperature may be displayed together, or the time and temperature may be shown on displays which alternate at no less than five-second intervals. Each image shall be static, with no animation, scrolling, or movement. A time-and-temperature sign may be constructed only when incorporated into a permitted freestanding or monument sign. The time-and-temperature sign may occupy no more than 20% of the permitted freestanding or monument sign.
TRAILER SIGNAny sign which is erected upon a structure having wheels or rollers facilitating movement from one location to another.
VEHICULAR SIGNAny vehicle and/or trailer to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose but becomes the primary purpose of the vehicle.
WINDOW SIGNA sign mounted or painted on a window or inside a structure, such that it is intended to be seen through a window from the outside.
A sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease, a commercial grand opening, or other special events on a temporary basis. The following types of signs shall be considered temporary signs:
BANNER SIGNA temporary sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic, or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags of political subdivisions, and symbolic flags of any institution or business shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this chapter.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN AND/OR ARTISAN SIGNAny sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, subcontractors, architects, and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed.
DEVELOPMENT SIGNAn on-premises sign on a building or lot which announces the nature, purpose, or name of the prospective building/enterprise.
POLITICAL SIGNA temporary sign used in connection with a local, county, state, or national election or referendum.
PORTABLE SIGNAny 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; menu and 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 right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. Portable signs shall not be illuminated unless a conditional use is granted by Borough Council.
REAL ESTATE SIGNA temporary sign which advertises the sale, lease, or rent of the property on which the sign is placed. Open-house signs for property which is for sale shall be considered real estate signs.
SPECIAL EVENTS SIGNOn-premises window signs, banners, or commemorative flags which advertise a grand opening or other special event.
STREET BANNER SIGNAny banner which is stretched across and hung over a public right-of-way.
SUBDIVISION SIGNAn on-premises or off-premises directional sign advertising to the public the name of the subdivision project and the nature of the product offered.
WINDOW SIGNAny sign affixed to or visible through a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.
§ 95-132 Applicability.
Any signs erected or maintained after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the following regulations.
§ 95-133 Permit required; fee.
A.
Sign permits. It shall be unlawful to erect, construct, or significantly alter any sign which requires a sign permit without first filing with East Greenville Borough an application, in writing, in order to obtain a formal permit.
B.
Signs not requiring sign permits:
(1)
Government signs (i.e., traffic signs, parking signs, etc.).
(2)
Legal notices of a governmental agency.
(3)
Public monument, plaque, historic identification sign erected by a government agency.
(4)
Government flag, insignia, or decorative banners.
(5)
Directional signs, provided that they do not contain advertising (including logos), do not exceed four square feet, and do not obstruct the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises.
(6)
Personal expression signs, provided that they are not illuminated and are either freestanding, wall or window signs. Such signs may not exceed four square feet and, in the case of freestanding signs, four feet in height.
(7)
Public service and information signs advertising availability of public restrooms, telephones, or similar public conveniences, not exceeding three square feet in area.
(8)
Address signs not exceeding two square feet.
(9)
Nameplates and identification signs, provided that characters do not exceed three inches in height and an area not exceeding two square feet.
(10)
Vending machine signs, where a product name is an integral component of the vending machine, provided that the machine is not placed in the front yard of a property.
(11)
Incidental signs, provided that the aggregate area of incidental signs on a property does not exceed four square feet; incidental sign area in excess of four square feet shall be included in the calculation of a property's permitted sign area.
(12)
Home security signs not exceeding one square foot.
(13)
Temporary political signs.
(14)
Real estate signs.
(15)
Yard sale signs.
(16)
Barbershop poles.
C.
Sign permit review. The Building Inspector or Zoning Officer shall either approve or deny the application or refer the application back to the applicant in any instance where insufficient information has been submitted.
D.
Fees. All applications for permits for the erection, construction, or alteration of signs shall, at the time of making application, be paid to the Borough, in accordance with the respective fee schedule adopted by the Borough Council from time to time.
§ 95-134 General sign regulations for all districts.
In all districts the following sign regulations shall apply:
A.
Prohibited signs. It shall be unlawful, upon or after the effective date of this chapter or amendment thereto, for any person, firm or corporation to erect any of the following signs within the Borough of East Greenville:
(1)
Any sign or object with flashing or intermittent lighting, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, with the exception of signs that display time and/or temperature exclusively, barber poles, on-premises electronic message centers and on-premises LED/digital signs.
(2)
Beacon lighting.
(3)
Festoon lighting.
(4)
Flashing, moving or reflective signs.
(5)
Illuminated temporary signs.
(6)
Snipe signs.
(7)
Revolving signs, except barbershop poles.
(8)
Roof signs.
(9)
Trailer signs.
(10)
Vehicular signs in residential areas.
(11)
Political signs on Borough property.
(12)
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent.
(13)
Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects as determined by the Borough.
(14)
Any sign inconsistent with this article.
B.
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official street signs or signals.
C.
No sign, other than official Borough street or directional signs, street banner signs, or political signs, shall be erected or maintained within the legal street right-of-way.
D.
No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
E.
Property owners shall assume the cost of relocating any sign within the ultimate right-of-way of a street which is widened.
F.
Materials. Sign materials should be consistent with and complement the original construction materials and architectural style of the building facade on which they are to be displayed. All signs, excluding awning and window signs, shall be constructed only of wood, metal, stone or other appropriate material with painted, engraved or raised messages. Plastic sign inserts shall be permitted for internally lit signs.
G.
Illumination standards for all signs except electronic message centers and LED/digital signs:
(1)
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein, consistent with the following standard:
(a)
Where permitted, illumination may be:
[1]
External. Illumination of any sign shall be so shielded that the source of the light shall not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign is erected and so that only the sign is directly illuminated. The source of light shall be concealed by translucent covers.
[2]
Internal. Sign lettering may be backlit with an opaque background material or backlit pin lettering or neon lighting.
(b)
Neon lighting is not permitted in residential districts.
(c)
No more than 0.5 footcandle of light shall be detectable along the boundary of any adjacent property.
(d)
Illumination of signs shall be subject to the National Electrical Code.
H.
Sign location requirements:
(1)
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring view or by interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
(2)
Yard requirements. No portion of any freestanding sign, business sign, or advertising sign may be located within the side or rear yard setback or within the required buffer zone when located adjacent to a residential district.
(3)
Public use areas. No sign, except official traffic signs or those approved by East Greenville Borough, is permitted within the cartway of the right-of-way.
(4)
No freestanding sign may occupy a designated parking area or intended parking area, loading, walkways, cartways, driveways, fire lane, easement, or area designated for any other use.
(5)
No projecting sign shall extend into the cartway of the right-of-way or be less than 10 feet above a pedestrianway.
(6)
No wall sign shall project more than 12 inches beyond the building.
(7)
Signs, not including historical markers and banners approved by the Borough, shall be affixed to a utility pole or structure, lighting standard, parking meter, park bench, tree, shrub, rock, or natural object except plaques of a maximum one square foot.
I.
Construction of signs.
(1)
Every sign permitted in this article shall be kept in good condition and repair as determined by the Borough Zoning Officer.
(2)
A sign using electricity shall be installed in conformance with the Borough's electrical code. All signs not attached to a building shall be connected by underground service only.
J.
Any sign which does not so conform to the provisions of this section at the time of adoption of this chapter is hereby declared a nonconforming sign.
K.
Removal of signs:
(1)
The Borough shall have the authority to require the removal and/or demolition of signs under the following circumstances:
(a)
When it is determined that the sign has deteriorated to the point of becoming a danger to the public.
(b)
When a sign is erected without an approved sign permit.
(c)
When a sign is erected which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(d)
A nonconforming sign which has not been removed or brought into conformity under the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
In all of the above circumstances, the removal procedure will be initiated by a letter to the owner or lessee by the Zoning Officer requiring the removal of such sign within 30 days.
(3)
Owner's or lessee's remedial action for each circumstance:
§ 95-135 Signs permitted in residential districts.
For any one lot located in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and BR Districts, the following number and types of signs are permitted:
A.
Official street and traffic signs, and any signs required by law.
B.
Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs on the same lot with, and indicating the name, profession or activity of the occupant of, the dwelling, provided that the area of any one side shall not exceed two square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected for each permitted use or dwelling.
C.
All signs in the BR District shall be limited on any one side to a maximum of 12 square feet in area and four feet in height. Only one sign shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
D.
Signs for a permitted institutional use, including schools, churches, hospitals, sanitariums, clubs or other institutions of a similar nature, on the same lot therewith, for the purpose of displaying the name of such institution and its activities or services, provided that the area on any one side of such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet and 10 feet in height, and provided that not more than two such signs shall be erected on any one street frontage of any property in single and separate ownership.
(1)
Each institutional building is permitted one wall sign for purposes of identification, not to exceed 10 square feet in area.
E.
For residential developments containing more than 10 units, one freestanding identification sign per external street frontage not exceeding 15 square feet in area and four feet in height for a freestanding sign and six feet in height for a monument sign. The sign shall be aesthetically compatible with the structure.
F.
Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways or other property, on the same premises therewith, provided that the total area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed four square feet.
G.
Real estate signs as follows:
(1)
For advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is erected, provided that the total area on any one side of such signs on any one street frontage of any property in single or separate ownership shall not exceed nine square feet.
(2)
For advertising, on the premises, the sale or development of homes within a subdivision, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet, and provided that not more than two such signs shall be erected within any such subdivision.
H.
Directional subdivision sign (off-premises), provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet, and provided that such signs shall be spaced at intervals of not less than 500 feet of street frontage. A maximum of three off-premises directional signs shall be permitted for one development. Permission shall be obtained in advance from the property owner where the sign is to be placed. Signs may not be erected more than 60 days prior to the beginning of the actual construction of the project and shall be removed within 10 days after the date of the sale or rental of the final unit in such development.
I.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed during the period in which such work is being performed, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet, and provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any property in single and separate ownership, and provided that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the work.
J.
For sale of agricultural products, signs indicating the name of the owner or occupant and the product sold, provided that the total sign area shall not exceed 16 square feet.
K.
Open-house signs (on- and off-premises). There shall be a maximum of one on-premises open house sign for each property line of street frontage.
L.
Signs which advertise public auctions for the disposal of real estate, property, or merchandise.
(1)
Signs shall not exceed nine square feet in area, at a maximum height of six feet, and shall be placed only on the property where the stated auction is being conducted.
(2)
Signs may be erected not earlier than 60 days prior to the advertised auction and shall be removed within 10 days after the auction.
M.
Political signs. Political signs may be erected not earlier than 30 days before the date of the election. All political signs shall be removed within seven days after the election date.
§ 95-136 Signs permitted in commercial and industrial districts.
For any one lot located in the Borough commercial or industrial districts, the following number and types of signs are permitted:
A.
One freestanding business or identification sign per street frontage.
(1)
At gas stations, one additional freestanding sign per street frontage for advertising gas prices only.
C.
Awning signs. For single-use properties, one awning sign is allowed on the ground floor only for each side of the building which faces a street or a parking lot located on the same property. For multiple-use properties, one awning sign is allowed for each use located on the ground floor only for each side of the building which faces a street or a parking lot located on the same property.
D.
Parallel wall signs. For single-use properties, one parallel wall sign is allowed for each side of the building which faces a street or a parking lot located on the same property. For multiple-use properties, two parallel wall signs are allowed for each side of the building which faces a street or a parking lot located on the same property.
E.
One marquee sign is allowed only for theater uses. If the property containing the theater use fronts on more than one street, the marquee sign shall face the street with the highest street classification.
F.
Incidental signs for the convenience and safety of the public (for example, signs identifying parking areas, telephones, restrooms, etc.) not to exceed four square feet in size and containing no advertising.
H.
Real estate signs, which shall be removed within seven days after the sale or lease of the property.
I.
Electronic message centers and LED/digital signs.
(1)
Prohibited signs. Any sign or object with flashing or intermittent lighting, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, with the exception of signs that display time and/or temperature exclusively, barber poles, on-premises electronic message centers and on-premises LED/digital signs.
(2)
Location. For commercial premises located in the BC District, one electronic message center or one LED/digital sign attached to a permitted on-premises freestanding sign shall be allowed per premises.
(3)
Size.
(a)
No freestanding electronic message center shall exceed 40% of the total allowable sign face area for any on-premises freestanding sign.
(b)
An LED/digital sign, where utilized, shall be constructed as part of a permitted on-premises freestanding sign, provided that no digital/LED sign exceeds 35 square feet in area.
(4)
Height. The maximum heights of electronic message centers and digital/LED signs shall conform to the standards as specified in § 95-137A.
(5)
Structure. The LED/digital sign posts shall be a minimum 10 inches in diameter.
(6)
Message display for both electronic message centers and digital/LED signs.
(a)
Animation, streaming video, or text or images which flash, pulsate, move, or scroll are prohibited.
(b)
One message/display may be brighter than another, but each individual message/display shall be static in intensity.
(c)
The display shall transition by changing instantly, with no transition graphics (i.e., no fade-out or fade-in).
(d)
Each message displayed shall be static or depicted for a minimum of one minute before a new message appears.
(e)
The sign shall contain a default design which shall freeze the sign message in one position if a malfunction should occur.
(f)
Each complete message shall fit on one screen (i.e., no scrolling or incomplete messages permitted).
(g)
The letter height in messages shall be at least 12 inches if all caps or 11 inches if the message contains lowercase and uppercase letters.
(h)
Any sign which causes glare is prohibited.
(i)
The addition of any electronic message center or digital/LED sign to a nonconforming sign is prohibited.
(7)
Sign illumination.
(a)
Light emitted by signs and other sources on a property shall not exceed a level of 0.5 footcandle when measured at the property line.
(b)
A light illuminating a sign shall be so arranged that the point source of light is not visible from any point off the lot and so that only the sign is illuminated thereby.
(c)
The intensity of light provided for illumination shall be the minimal amount necessary to reasonably observe the sign after dusk at a maximum distance of 500 feet from the sign. Where sign illumination interferes with the perception of nighttime at surrounding residential properties, the intensity shall be reduced.
(d)
Signs or sign lighting resembling traffic signals is prohibited within 100 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.
(e)
LED/digital sign lighting intensity limits.
[1]
Lighting from an LED/digital sign shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle over ambient light conditions. Measurement technique: At least 30 minutes past sunset, use a footcandle meter to record the ambient light reading for the area. This is done while the electronic display screen is off or displaying all black copy. The reading should be taken with the meter aimed directly at the electronic display screen at a distance of 100 feet. Turn on the electronic display screen to full white copy and take another reading. If the difference between the readings is 0.3 footcandle or less, the brightness is properly adjusted.
[2]
Each LED/digital sign shall be equipped with automatic day/night dimming software (using photocell technology) to reduce the illumination intensity of the sign as ambient lighting conditions change.
[3]
The sign may not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare, impair the vision of an ordinary driver, or constitute a nuisance.
(8)
Off-premises advertising signs. Off-premises advertising signs may not be electronic message centers and/or LED/digital signs.
(9)
Hours of operation. Signs shall not be illuminated more than 1/2 hour before the time at which the premises is open to the public or more than 1/2 hour after the time at which the premises is closed to the public or 10:00 p.m., whichever is later.
(10)
Content. The display may only be used to advertise goods and services sold on premises, for time and temperature, and for public service announcements. A minimum of 50% of the messages shall consist of announcements affecting the public health, safety, and welfare; announcements by the Borough, county, or other government entity, civic institutions, charitable, cultural, athletic, social, fraternal, or religious organizations. East Greenville based events and East Greenville related information should receive priority over announcements regarding events or organizations based outside the Borough. The Code Enforcement Officer shall monitor that this requirement is met. The owner shall register with AMBER Alert™.
§ 95-137 Dimensional standards.
A.
Freestanding signs shall not exceed 35 square feet in area (16 square feet for signs advertising gas prices) and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the curbline of the frontage street or outer edge of the shoulder and outside the legal right-of-way. The maximum height, including supports, is 12 feet.
(1)
Multi-use or multitenant buildings. Where the freestanding sign is to be shared by two or more uses or tenants, the maximum sign area calculated in Subsection A above may be increased by 25% for each additional use/tenant in excess of one use/tenant. The total sign area for all uses or tenants shall not exceed a maximum of 45 square feet.
(a)
Conditional use. For properties that have a minimum street frontage of 80 feet, additional sign area of a maximum of 55 square feet may be requested by the applicant(s) if demonstrated to Borough Council that the sign can be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the curbline of the frontage street or outer edge of the shoulder and outside the legal right-of-way.
B.
The maximum area of a marquee sign, painted wall sign, parallel wall sign or awning sign shall be 100 square feet. However, the total area of painted wall signs, parallel wall signs, signs affixed to awnings and any signs affixed to the inside or outside of windows may not exceed 25% of the area of the wall, including windows and cornices, to which they are attached.
C.
The maximum area of a projecting wall sign shall be 30 square feet.
(1)
The sign shall not project more than seven feet from the surface to which it is mounted, nor project over the wall, roofline, or surface to which it is mounted.
(2)
The outermost portion of a projecting sign shall project no closer than five feet form a curbline or shoulder of a public street.
(3)
There shall be a minimum clearance of 10 feet between the bottom of the projecting sign and a public sidewalk or walkway.
D.
Special event signs, banners, portable signs or commemorative flags for businesses announcing a grand opening, going-out-of-business sale or other special promotional event shall comply with the following standards:
(1)
The area of the special event sign, banner, portable sign or commemorative flag shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(2)
The property or business shall display only one special event sign, banner, portable sign or commemorative flag at any one time.
(3)
A special event sign, banner or commemorative flag for a business shall be displayed no more than four times during the calendar year for periods of time not exceeding 30 calendar days. Portable signs may be displayed only once during the calendar year for a period of time not exceeding 30 calendar days.
(4)
Special event signs or banners for public or quasi-public events shall comply with the following standards:
(a)
Such banners shall be affixed to a building or some other appropriate sturdy structure.
(b)
The permitted size of any street banner shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by Borough Council.
(c)
If the banner is to be strung across a state-owned road, the sponsoring organization shall receive necessary approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PADOT).
(d)
If the banner is to be strung on utility poles, the sponsoring organization shall receive necessary approvals from the PPL Corporation.
(e)
Signs or banners shall not be posted earlier than one month prior to the advertised event and shall be removed within five days after the day of the event.
(5)
A maximum of two off-premises directional signs, not exceeding six square feet in area and six feet in height, shall be permitted for any special event, provided that permission has been obtained from the property owner where the sign is to be placed.
§ 95-138 Off-premises advertising signs.
A.
Off-premises advertising signs are permitted only in the Industrial District as a conditional use pursuant to conditional use regulations of this chapter, provided that:
(1)
If the provisions with respect to location, use, size or height of signs are more restrictive in the building code adopted by the Borough of East Greenville or any Acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PADOT), those restrictions shall take precedence over the regulations and conditions as set forth in this Zoning Ordinance.
(2)
An off-premises sign may be double-faced with two advertising surfaces. However, both surfaces shall be the same size and shape, and the total length of the sign structure shall not exceed 20 feet and the total height of the copy areas shall not exceed 18 feet, with a total copy area not exceeding 100 square feet.
(3)
Off-premises signs may not be attached or painted on a building.
(4)
Off-premises signs shall be located 75 feet from the ultimate right-of-way or 100 feet from any property line.
(5)
An open space of not less than four feet shall be maintained between the lower edge of the off-premises sign display surface and the ground.
(6)
No portion of the supporting structure shall be visible above any advertising display area.
(7)
No off-premises sign shall be located closer than 500 feet to the nearest off-premises sign on the same side of the highway, regardless of the size of the sign.
(8)
No off-premises sign shall be allowed within 500 feet of the nearest public or private elementary, middle or high school or religious institution.
(9)
All off-premises signs shall be erected on permanent footings or support structures designed by a registered structural engineer.
(10)
The applicant for any sign permit shall present a written statement from the owner of the property, duly notarized, that the applicant has the right to use the property to erect a sign as well as maintain the sign during the time that the sign is erected. The owner shall further verify, in writing, that it will, at its sole cost and expense, cause the sign to be removed at such time as there is no further use of the sign.
(11)
The applicant, at his sole expense, will remove any off-premises sign if the sign remains without bona fide advertisement, which shall not include rental of the sign space, for 90 days, or if the right to use the property has expired for any reason whatsoever.
§ 95-139 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Signs legally in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs.
B.
All such nonconforming signs shall be removed or altered so as to be in conformity with the standards contained herein at such time when:
(1)
East Greenville Borough approves an application for a sign permit in cases where the nonconforming sign is to be significantly altered. Changes to the sign copy or the replacement of a sign panel of an existing establishment's nonconforming sign shall not be considered a significant alteration. If more than 50% of a sign is damaged, it shall be repaired to conform to this chapter.
(2)
The property in which the nonconforming sign is located submits a subdivision or land development application requiring municipal review and approval.
(3)
The property in which the nonconforming sign is located undergoes a change of land use requiring the issuance of either a use and occupancy permit or a change of use and occupancy permit by East Greenville Borough.
C.
To determine the legal status of existing signs, in each of the three cases listed in § 95-139B, the applicant shall submit the following information to the Borough Zoning Officer:
(1)
Type(s) of existing sign(s) located on the property.
(2)
The area and height of all signs.
(3)
For freestanding signs, the distance the outermost portion of the sign is set back from the curbline or shoulder.
(4)
Type of sign illumination.
(5)
The material of which the sign is constructed.
(6)
The building length along public street frontage.
D.
Prior to the events listed in § 95-139B, nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired up to 50%, the sign copy may be changed, or sign panels may be replaced, provided that such actions do not increase the dimensions of the existing sign nor in any way increase that extent of the sign's nonconformity.