East Lansdowne City Zoning Code
PART 7
SIGNS
§ 27-700 Purposes.
The Borough recognizes that signs perform an important function in identifying properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters of public interest. It is the intent of this Part to:
1.
Set standards and provide controls that permit reasonable use of signs and enhance the character of the Borough.
2.
Encourage sign design that builds on the traditional town image and visual environment the Borough seeks to promote.
3.
Avoid excessive competition for large or multiple signs so that permitted signs provide identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness, confusion, and hazardous distractions to motorists.
§ 27-701 Conformance Required.
From the effective date of this chapter, any sign erected shall conform to the provisions of this Part and any other ordinance or regulations of the Borough of East Lansdowne that relate to it.
§ 27-702 Definitions.
Words and phrases used in this Part shall have the meanings defined in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this Part but defined elsewhere in this chapter shall be given the meanings set forth in Part 2.
A sign which for at least 12 months has no longer identified or advertised an existing business, lease, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
A sign with two identical faces of equal sign area which are back to back.
Any existing sign which:
The area of all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed. "Sign area" excludes any supporting framework and bracing, provided that it does not contain any lettering, wording, symbols, or designs. For the purpose of this Part, "sign area" shall be computed as a square or rectangle drawn at the outer limits of the sign face. In the case of cylindrical signs, signs in the shape of cubes, or other signs which are essentially three-dimensional with respect to their display surfaces, the entire display surface or surfaces is included in the computation of area.
Where the sign consists of a double face, only one side shall be considered for the purpose of calculating total sign area. Where both sides are not identical or where the interior angle formed by the faces of a sign is greater than 45°, all faces shall be considered in calculating total sign area.
Any spacing between signs designating different or separate occupants or uses of a building shall not be counted as sign 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 material, panel, trim, and color used that differentiates the sign from the building or structure on which it 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.
The distance from the highest portion of the sign, including all structural elements, to mean grade.
A supporting structure erected and used for the purpose of physically supporting a sign, situated on any premises where a sign may be located. This definition shall not include a building, fence, wall, or earthen berm.
A sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease, or other special events on a temporary basis.
Signs are defined by form. Form refers to the physical sign itself.
Signs as defined by FORM:
ANIMATED SIGN — A sign with action or motion, flashing, or color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners, or specialty items. Prohibited. | ||||
AWNING SIGN — Any sign painted on or applied to a structure made of cloth, canvas, metal, or similar material which is affixed to a building and projects from it. |  | |||
BANNER — A sign consisting of lightweight, flexible material which is supported by a frame, rope, wires, or other anchoring devices, which may or may not include copy, logo, or graphic symbols. |  | |||
BEACON LIGHT — 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 to illuminate any particular sign, structure, or other object. Prohibited. | ||||
BILLBOARD — A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located. | ||||
CANOPY (FREESTANDING) — A rigid multi-sided structure covered with fabric, metal, or other material and supported by columns or posts embedded in the ground. May be illuminated by means of internal or external sources. |  | |||
CHANGEABLE-COPY SIGN — A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable-copy sign for purposes of this chapter. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a time-and-temperature sign and not a changeable-copy sign for purposes of this chapter. | ||||
FLASHING SIGN — A sign whose illumination is not kept constant in intensity at all times when in use and which exhibits changes in light, color, direction, or animation. Illuminated signs that indicate the date, time, and temperature are not being considered flashing signs. Prohibited. |  | |||
FREESTANDING SIGN — A sign and supporting structure that is secured in the ground and independent of any building, fence, or other support. For the purpose of this definition, freestanding signs may consist of the following: |  | |||
1. | GROUND SIGN — A sign designed to be viewed at eye level. The bottom of the sign is no more than three feet from the ground. |  | ||
2. | POLE SIGN — A sign which is detached from a building and supported by no more than two poles or other structural supports which are architecturally dissimilar to the design of the sign. | |||
ILLUMINATED SIGN — A nonflashing or nontwinkling sign which has letters, figures, designs, or outlines illuminated by an internal or external lighting source as a part of the sign. |  Internal illumination | |||
 External illumination | ||||
INTERIOR SIGN — Any sign located fully within the interior of any building that is intended solely for information relating to the operation of such building. | ||||
MARQUEE SIGN — Any sign attached to a marquee for the purpose of identifying a movie theater or similar place of entertainment. Permitted as a conditional use. |  | |||
MOVABLE DIGITAL SIGN — A sign that contains moving text or graphics programmed by the on-off action of multiple LED bulbs. | ||||
MOVABLE SIGN — Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames. This definition does not include sandwich-board signs. |  | |||
MURAL — Artwork 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. Permitted as a conditional use. |  | |||
NEON SIGN — Any sign composed of glass tubing containing a large proportion of neon gas. A neon sign may be a wall sign, a projecting sign, or a window sign. |  | |||
OFF-PREMISES SIGN — Any sign, including billboards, that advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located. |  | |||
ON-PREMISES SIGN — A sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity on the same lot where the sign is located. |  | |||
PENNANTS — Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind. |  | |||
PROJECTING SIGN — A sign which is attached directly to any building wall and which extends more than 12 inches from the face of the wall. Prohibited. |  | |||
REVOLVING SIGN — A sign which revolves in a circular motion rather than remaining stationary on its supporting structure. Prohibited. | ||||
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. Prohibited. |  | |||
SANDWICH BOARD — A movable sign consisting of two faces connected and hinged at the top. |  | |||
VEHICULAR SIGN — Any vehicle used as a sign or vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is used primarily as stationary advertisement for the business on which the vehicle sits or is otherwise not incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose. Prohibited. |  | |||
WALL SIGN — Any sign erected against the wall of a building or displayed on doors or fences that does not protrude more than 12 inches from the wall, window, or door. A wall sign may not extend beyond the eave line or parapet of the roofline. |  | |||
WINDOW SIGN — Any sign placed upon the outside or inside of a window, not extending beyond 12 inches of the surface of the window, facing the outside. Customary displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering placed behind a store window are not considered signs or parts of signs. | ||||
1. | PERMANENT — Any sign painted or pasted on a window. |  Permanent | ||
2. | TEMPORARY — Any paper or cardboard sign that is taped or pressed against a window. Any sign attached to the inside of a window that is suspended from a string, hook, or wire. |  Temporary | ||
§ 27-703 General Regulations.
The following restrictions and regulations shall be applicable to all signs unless otherwise specified:
1.
All signs, excluding awning, canopy, and window signs, shall be constructed only from wood, metal, stone, or other material as determined by the Borough which has the general appearance of structures composed primarily of wood, metal, or stone with painted, engraved, or raised messages. Sign materials should complement the original construction materials and architectural style of the building facade on which they are to be displayed. If plywood is used, medium-density overlay shall be used as a minimum grade. Bare plywood is prohibited.
2.
In selecting the principal colors for a sign, those that complement the color of the building should be used.
3.
Where permitted, signs shall be illuminated only in accordance with the following regulations as authorized in an appropriate sign permit:
A.
Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent properties and streets and shall not be of such intensity as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists.
B.
With the exception of marquee signs, signs using internal illumination shall be designed so that when illuminated at night, only the letters and logos of the sign are visible. Individual, solid letters with internal lighting tubes which backlight a wall in a halo effect are permitted.
C.
Permits for illuminated signs will not be issued without an approved electrical permit. All work shall be completed in full compliance with the Electrical Code as set forth in the most recently published BOCA Electrical Code.
4.
The electrical supply to all exterior signs, whether to the sign itself or to lighting fixtures positioned to illuminate the sign, shall be provided by means of concealed electrical cables. Electrical supply to freestanding signs shall be provided by means of underground cables. Applications for electrical permits shall be filed at the same time as the sign permit application.
5.
No sign shall create a public nuisance by emitting smoke, sound, vapor, beams or rays, particle emission, or odors.
6.
Any business that has closed shall remove any signs associated with the business within 60 days after it closes. The owner of the premises shall have the responsibility to ensure that such signs are removed within the sixty-day period.
8.
All signs and sign structures shall be kept in good repair and in presentable condition so that all sign information is clearly legible. Any sign found by the Zoning Officer to show deterioration, including rust, faded colors, discoloration, holes, and missing parts or informational items, shall constitute a violation of this Part.
9.
No sign or structure shall be placed in the public right-of-way except for permitted sandwich boards, projecting signs, and civic event signs as provided for in this Part.
§ 27-704 Prohibited Signs.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect any sign in the Borough unless it is specifically permitted in this Part. Unlawful signs include, but are not limited to:
1.
Any sign which, by color, shape, or location, conflicts with or resembles a traffic signal device.
2.
Signs attached to rocks, utility poles, parking meters, traffic signposts, traffic signals or control devices, street signs, or historical markers.
3.
Signs attached to trees, shrubs, or any living vegetative matter.
4.
Any sign which advertises or publicizes an activity or business not conducted on the premises, except civic event signs.
5.
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent.
6.
Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles and pedestrian traffic.
7.
Animated signs, except time-and-temperature signs and movable digital signs.
8.
Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit.
9.
Projecting signs.
10.
Vehicular signs.
11.
Abandoned signs.
12.
Flashing signs, except for the time-and-temperature portion of a sign.
13.
Beacon lights.
14.
Revolving signs.
15.
Tethered balloons filled either by gas or heated air.
16.
Roof signs.
17.
Wall signs that cover windows or architectural detail.
18.
Pennants longer than 150% of the street frontage of the premises.
19.
Signs with reflective backgrounds.
20.
Billboards.
§ 27-705 Permits Required.
Unless otherwise provided by this Part, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in § 27-710. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or for a change of copy on a legally conforming painted, printed, or changeable-copy sign. For the purposes of this section, maintenance shall include any repainting of a sign that does not otherwise change its message or appearance.
§ 27-706 Exempt Signs.
No permit need be obtained before erecting any of the following signs in any district. Exempt signs shall conform to all other regulations set forth herein:
1.
Governmental or regulatory signs.
2.
Public notice, warning, or official traffic signs required by federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
3.
Public interest signs.
4.
Address signs.
5.
Interior signs.
6.
Incidental signs.
7.
Civic/church event signs on premises.
8.
Pennants as permitted in this Part. Pennants may only be used on nonresidential premises.
§ 27-707 Conditional Uses.
2.
The Borough Council shall ensure that the proposed sign is appropriate to the style, period, type, size, and scale of the building for which it is proposed. The Council shall weigh testimony from other property owners in the vicinity regarding the merits of the sign. The Council shall weigh whether the sign will enhance the traditional town character of East Lansdowne or detract from it in determining whether the sign shall be permitted.
§ 27-708 Signs on the Premises of Legally Nonconforming Uses.
Signs on the premises of legally nonconforming uses, such as an office in a residential area, may remain until the existing use of the premises is discontinued. If a sign wears out or is damaged or is changed for any other reason, the number, size, and area of all signs relating to the premises shall not be increased beyond the size they were at the time this Part was adopted.
§ 27-709 Regulation of Legally Nonconforming Signs.
1.
If a legally nonconforming sign lists more than one business, new businesses may be added without affecting the nonconforming status of the sign. However, the sign may not be altered in any way that extends the sign's nonconformity in any manner.
2.
Nothing in this Part shall relieve the owners or users of legally nonconforming signs, or the owners of the property on which legally nonconforming signs are located, from any provisions of this Part regarding the safety, maintenance, and repair of signs.
3.
Should 50% or more of any legally nonconforming sign be damaged by any means, it shall be removed and not reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Part.
4.
Any business that has closed shall remove any signs associated with the business within 60 days after it closes. The owner of the premises shall have the responsibility to ensure that such signs are removed within the sixty-day period.
5.
The existence of a legally nonconforming sign on a single- or multiple-occupancy premises shall not prevent the erection or placement of another sign on the premises if the new sign meets the requirements of this Part. However, the total number of signs and the size and area of the signs shall not exceed the requirements of this Part.
6.
A legally nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legally nonconforming designation if the sign is altered in any way. At that point, the sign shall be immediately brought into compliance with this Part and a new permit secured or the sign shall be removed.
§ 27-710 Permits.
1.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, alter, repair, or relocate any sign within the Borough of East Lansdowne without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempt from the permit requirements.
2.
Applications for sign permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Officer and shall contain and/or have attached the following information where relevant:
A.
Name, address, telephone number, and signature of the owner or duly authorized agent for the property owner.
B.
Name, address, telephone number, and signature of the owner of the sign.
C.
Name, address, and telephone number of the sign contractor.
D.
Property address and applicable zoning district.
E.
Two copies of a plan drawn to scale depicting:
(1)
Lot dimensions, building frontage, and existing cartways, rights-of-way, and driveways.
(2)
The design of each sign face and sign structure, including dimensions, total area, sign height, depth, color scheme, structural details, materials, lighting scheme, and proposed location.
(3)
Sign message.
(4)
Building elevations, existing and proposed facades, parapet walls, cornices, and the location and size of all proposed and existing permanent signage.
(5)
Current photographs showing existing signs on the premises and certifying the date on which photographs were taken.
F.
A permit fee, to be established from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council, shall be paid.
G.
Such other information which may be required by the Zoning Officer to show full compliance with this chapter and all other ordinances of the Borough.
§ 27-711 Sign Uses and Restrictions.
How to Use the Sign Uses and Restrictions Chart Below: | |
|---|---|
1. | Determine the zoning district in which your premises is located (Zone, first column). |
2. | Determine the use of your premises, such as single-family residential, commercial, professional office, etc. (Permitted use, second column). |
3. | The third column shows what form (physical structure) is permitted for each type of sign. |
4. | The fourth column shows restrictions and guidelines as to the size, height, placement, and other aspects of each sign. |
1.
The chart below shows the signs that are permitted in the Residential District, provided that a permit is obtained from the Borough.
Zone | Permitted Use | Form | Restrictions and Guidelines |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum 1 sign per premises for each street the premises faces. Freestanding signs on each premises must be spaced at least 75 feet apart. | |||
Residential | Single-family residential | Freestanding wall | Maximum area: 4 square feet |
Maximum height (freestanding): 6 feet | |||
Nonilluminated | |||
Multifamily residential Institutional | Awning Canopy Freestanding Wall | Maximum area: 16 square feet Maximum height (freestanding): 6 feet Nonilluminated | |
Home occupation Professional offices Group day care | Freestanding Wall | Maximum area: 4 square feet Maximum height (freestanding): 6 feet | |
2.
The chart below shows the signs permitted in the Commercial District:
Zone | Permitted Use | Form | Restrictions and Guidelines |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum 1 sign per premises for each street the premises faces. | |||
Commercial | Multifamily residential | Awning Canopy | Maximum area: 1 square foot for each foot of street frontage |
Freestanding Wall | Maximum area: 15 square feet Maximum height: 6 feet | ||
Commercial Office | Awning Canopy | Maximum area: 1 square foot for each foot of street frontage | |
Movable digital signs | Maximum area: 10 square feet | ||
Freestanding | Maximum area: 15 square feet Maximum height: 6 feet | ||
Sandwich board | Maximum area: 8 square feet May not impede pedestrian traffic May only be displayed during business hours | ||
Wall | Maximum area: 1 square foot for each foot of street frontage | ||
Window | May not exceed 25% of glass area | ||
§ 27-712 General Regulations for Specific Types of Signs.
1.
Temporary Signs.
A.
Temporary signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.
B.
Such signs shall not obstruct access to or from any door, window, fire escape, or ventilating equipment nor be attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
C.
Temporary signs shall be removed within seven days after completion of the event, situation, or circumstance for which they are used.
D.
The size of these signs shall not exceed 1/2 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building width or 32 square feet, whichever is less.
2.
Changeable-Copy Signs. These signs shall be permitted for places of worship, schools, and other uses which, by their nature, require changeable-copy signs. Not more than one sign per property shall be permitted. However, in the case of a corner property with more than 100 feet of lot frontage on each of two major roads (collector or arterial classification), an additional sign may be permitted at the second frontage. The area of each such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.