Edgewood City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Signs
§ 200-43 Introduction.
The following sign regulations shall be observed in all districts: it is not the purpose of this section to abridge commercial or non-commercial free speech. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that the time, place, and manner of sign emplacement within the Borough is conducted with regard to the safety of motorists and pedestrians (especially in avoiding distractions or confusion in high traffic areas), access to light and air by neighboring properties, and avoidance of negative impact upon neighboring properties, including unnecessary glare.
A.
These regulations are also established to implement the following specific community development goals and objectives:
(1)
To enhance community appearance, reduce visual clutter and blight, promote the recreational value of public travel and the economic development of the Borough of Edgewood.
(2)
To limit the size, number and location of signs which may obstruct the vision of motorists, create distractions and increase traffic accidents.
(3)
To maintain the right of residences and businesses to reasonably identify their location, products and services.
(4)
To acknowledge the appropriate display of signs as necessary to public service and to the conduct of competitive commerce.
B.
Prohibited signs. Unless specifically excepted in this section, the following signs shall be prohibited in all zoning districts:
(1)
Attention-getting flags other than decorative flags displayed by single family dwellings with no commercial content.
(2)
Flashing or blinking signs, except official traffic control signs and time, temperature and date signs, where authorized.
(3)
Portable signs.
(4)
Signs affixed to trees, fences or equipment.
(5)
Roof signs.
(6)
Signs with moving, rotating or oscillating parts.
(7)
Signs which by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed to be a traffic-control sign.
(8)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, other than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, which are visible from the public.
§ 200-44 Exempt signs.
A.
The following types of signs are permitted in all zoning districts, and exempt from requirements to obtain a sign permit. These types of signs remain subject to all performance standards relative to traffic safety, or overall sign limitations of any specific sign type or district.
B.
Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization, provided such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
(1)
No temporary sign encroaches into any public right-of-way or obstructs the view of motorists in any required clear sight triangle.
(2)
No temporary sign is erected more than 30 days before or remains in place more than seven days after the advertised event.
(3)
Banners, portable or wheel signs may be used as temporary special event displays, provided they are securely attached to a building or a permanent sign or, if freestanding, are securely attached to the ground.
(4)
No more than one campaign, drive or event sign shall be permitted on any lot at any time.
C.
Temporary signs erected in connection with the development or proposed development of the premises or property provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet. Not more than one such sign shall be placed on property held in single and separate ownership. Such signs shall be removed within 10 days after the development has been completed and/or the last structure occupied. No such sign may be erected until all zoning, subdivision and land development approvals have been obtained.
D.
Religious or holiday displays or messages with no commercial content.
E.
The flag of the United States, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any state or nation.
F.
Signs offering the sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is erected, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed nine square feet and not more than one such sign shall be placed on the property unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage.
G.
Auctions, garage, or yard sale signs provided that they do not exceed four square feet and are removed as soon as the event or activity has occurred.
H.
Directory signs which list all the occupants of a multi-tenant or multiple-family building, or buildings in a multi-building development; provided, that the area of such signs does not exceed 1/2 square foot per tenant or two square feet per individual building.
I.
Temporary signs of contractors, applicants, architects, engineers, builders and artisans, erected and maintained on the premises where the work is being performed, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed nine square feet in any residential district, and 16 square feet in all other districts; provided that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the work.
J.
Any signs not visible from outside a lot or building.
K.
Rest room, exit, public telephone, handicapped parking or access, and similar directional or informational signs emplaced for the benefit of the public or building tenants.
L.
No trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, signs controlling fishing on the premises, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
M.
House and address numbers, home occupation or nameplate sign displaying the name and address of the occupant or the profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling unit, provided that not more than one such sign shall be erected for each permitted use, and provided that the area of each such sign shall not exceed four square feet and may not be illuminated.
N.
Memorial signs or tablets denoting the date of erection of a building.
O.
Temporary signs announcing the birth of a child, birthday commemoration, marriage, graduation, or similar event in the life of a householder shall be permitted provided such signs do not exceed nine square feet and are in place on the property for no more than 14 days.
P.
Any sign warning of a hazard that contains no other information or commercial content.
Q.
Signs erected by the Borough or an authorized entity that serve to provide directions and explanations for public recreational purposes and facilities, for dedication/memorial purposes, and to mark and explain historical events, persons or structures. Such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area. Such signs may include the name or logos of businesses or individuals who have sponsored a public improvement or general support of said facility.
R.
Traffic control signs and similar regulatory notices placed by a duly constituted governmental body.
S.
Signs erected for the purpose of scoring an athletic event taking place upon the site, which may include electronic scoring devices and names and/or logos of sponsors of the sign, provided there is no illumination of the sign at times when the activity is not taking place.
T.
Temporary political signs, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted subject provided the gross surface area of such a sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. Political signs shall not be erected before 45 days prior to the election and shall be removed within five days following the election for which they were erected. Political signs and signs posted for personal reasons, such as lost and found poster, garage sale, etc., which are not posted on the sign owner's property will require a permit from the Building Inspector and the posting of a sign bond in a uniform amount set by Borough Council which will be forfeited if posters or signs are not removed to the satisfaction of the Zoning Officer within five days after the expiration of the event or a maximum of 15 days for informational signs.
§ 200-45 Performance standards.
Except where specifically noted, all signs shall adhere to all performance standards.
A.
Unless specifically exempted by § 200-44 of this chapter, a permit must be obtained from the Borough for the erection or alteration of all signs. Exemptions from the necessity of securing a permit, however, shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the sign involved from responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a safe manner and in a manner in accord with all the other provisions of this chapter and other codes.
B.
No signs shall be permitted within public rights-of-way, except PennDOT-approved traffic signs and devices; and signs specially approved by the Borough. The Borough may require proof of insurance for any sign within a Borough right-of-way.
C.
No person shall construct, erect, place, use or permit the use of any permanent or temporary sign or sign structure on private or public property except for the property owner or tenant.
D.
Construction and maintenance. All signs shall be constructed in a workmanlike fashion using durable materials. Signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind forces and in accordance with appropriate mechanical or electrical standards. The owners of signs shall keep them in safe and good repair. Signs which become deteriorated or otherwise present a public hazard shall be removed or repaired by the sign's owner. If the owner of a sign cannot be found or identified, the owner of the property whereon the sign is located shall be responsible for its repair or removal.
E.
No sign structure may block a vehicular line of sight for a driveway, access lane, or public street, or be placed at any location where by its position, shape, or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. Sign structures erected directly upon the ground within 15 feet of any vehicular driveway, or street intersection shall have at least three feet six inches of clear space between such sign and the ground; however, necessary supports may extend through such open space.
F.
No signs shall be permitted which are posted, stapled or otherwise attached to public utility poles, trees, fire hydrants, traffic signposts, light posts, or any Borough owned structure.
G.
Nonconforming signs, once removed, shall be replaced only with conforming signs. Nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired, providing such repainting or repairing does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign. For the purpose of this section "removed" shall mean replacement of any portion of the sign face.
§ 200-46 Illumination.
A.
Except as specifically provided for electronic signs under § 200-52B, no sign shall employ intermittent light, electronic or movable text, strobes or other animations that may serve to distract motorists, or abutting homeowners.
B.
Lighting for signs shall not create a hazardous glare for pedestrians or vehicles either in a public street or on any private premises.
C.
Except as specifically provided for electronic signs by special exception under § 200-52B, or the use of diffused neon, the light source, whether internal to the sign or external, shall be shielded from view.
D.
Sign illumination for externally illuminated signs shall utilize focused light fixtures that do not allow light or glare to shine above the horizontal plane of the top of the sign or onto any public right-of-way or adjoining property.
E.
No temporary signs shall be illuminated by direct means. All electrical connections shall be shielded by underground or overhead electrical wires which meet all relevant codes.
§ 200-47 Sign permit application.
All applications for signs, as required under this section, shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer. The application shall contain:
A.
Type, area and number of signs proposed.
B.
Type of illumination proposed (if permitted), including the luminance proposed and direction of lighting. This shall also be depicted upon a map that illustrates the distance to any R-1, R-2 or R-3 Zoning Districts.
C.
For freestanding signs, a sketch showing the placement of the sign in relation to all driveways, vehicular rights of way, property lines and cart ways. The applicant shall submit current sight distances, before and after erection of the sign with sufficient information to show that sight distances shall not be reduced.
D.
A photograph or graphic rendition of the proposed sign copy, including all symbols, letter, and graphic elements shown to scale and all structural elements intended to anchor the sign.
E.
The Borough must specifically approve signs within public rights of way. In the case of temporary signs, the Zoning Officer or his designee shall review the application and grant approval if all applicable standards of this chapter are met. In the case of permanent signs, the Zoning Officer shall refer the application to Borough Council, who may refer the application for advice to the Planning Commission or any similar advisory committee.
F.
The information required by this section may be integrated into the Borough's land development plan application and approval process where applicable.
§ 200-48 Signs permitted in the R-1A, R-1B, and R-2 Residential Districts.
A.
Subdivision identification signs, and/or signs identifying apartment or condominium complexes, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet if a wall sign and 16 square feet if a freestanding sign, and further provided that one such sign shall be permitted for each separate street and/or separate building frontage occupied by the subdivision, apartment, or condominium complex and/or for each means of entrance to or exit from the subdivision, apartment, or condominium complex. Such signs may not be illuminated.
B.
Signs for permitted nonresidential or permitted institutional uses provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet, and further provided that one such sign shall be permitted for each separate street and/or separate building frontage occupied by the permitted use, and for each means of entrance to or exit from the permitted use. Such signs may not be illuminated.
C.
In addition to Subsection B above, institutional uses may have one changeable copy sign of no greater than 16 square feet, either permanently attached to a building or as a freestanding sign. Illumination of any such non-electronic changeable copy sign shall be from external sources only, and shielded to prevent unnecessary glare to neighboring properties. Luminance shall not exceed 10 luxes (one-foot-candle) measured at a distance of 10 feet from the sign.
D.
No freestanding signs within these districts may be erected within 10 feet of a side or rear lot line, or 10 feet from a public right of way.
E.
No freestanding signs within these districts may exceed six feet in height.
§ 200-49 Signs permitted in the P-1 Public District.
A.
All signs that are permitted in the R-1A, R-1B, and R-2 Districts.
B.
Signs for permitted nonresidential or permitted institutional uses provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 64 square feet, and further provided that one such sign shall be permitted for each separate street and/or separate building frontage occupied by the permitted use, and for each means of entrance to or exit from the permitted use. Such signs may be illuminated by direct or indirect means. Illumination of the sign face shall not exceed 10 luxes (one-foot-candle) measured at a distance of 10 feet from the sign.
C.
In multi-building institutional developments, each building may include one freestanding or wall sign of up to 32 square feet. Such signs may be illuminated by direct or indirect means.
D.
No freestanding signs within this district may be erected within 10 feet of a side or rear lot line, or 10 feet from a public right of way. All freestanding signs shall be set back from a property line or right of way by the height of the sign.
E.
Institutional uses in the P-1 District may have one electronic sign of no greater than 16 square feet per each road frontage, either permanently attached to a building or as a freestanding monument sign. Illumination of any such electronic signs shall not exceed 10 luxes (one-foot-candle) measured at a distance of 10 feet from the sign. Signs shall not be illuminated before dawn or after 10:00 p.m. except for emergency or public safety use, such as school closing information or Amber Alerts.
F.
No freestanding signs within this district may exceed eight feet in height.
§ 200-50 Signs permitted in the T-1 Transitional, C-1 Central Commercial and C-2 Commercial Districts.
A.
All signs that are also permitted in the R-1A, R-1B, and R-2 Districts.
B.
Unless limited by special exception, the number of signs permitted shall be two permanent signs per street frontage.
C.
Business identification signs which direct attention to a business, profession, service or entertainment sold or offered on the premises. Only one such sign shall be permitted per building and such sign shall not exceed one square foot per each linear foot of the front wall of the building, but in no case shall the area exceed 20 square feet in T-1, 72 square feet in C-1, and 100 square feet in C-2. All parts of a sign shall be at least 40 feet from the property line of any residential district or use, unless mounted flush to the face of the building.
D.
In the C-1 and C-2 Districts the following additional permanent signs are permitted: if more than five business establishments are together in a contiguous group, such group is permitted to use an additional sign to identify this group of business as a single unit. Such sign may be either attached to the building wall or erected on the ground, no higher than four feet above the adjacent ground level and shall be no greater than 50 square feet in gross surface area.
E.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs shall be permitted in building windows, and shall not require a permit.
(1)
In the C-1 District, temporary sandwich board signs of up to four square feet in area are permitted on sidewalks during the hours the business is open.
F.
Permanent window signs, banners and temporary business signs.
(1)
Permanent window signs are permitted in the C-1 and C-2, Districts by right without a permit provided no more than 30% of each window surface and 20% of all building windows include such signs. Such permanent window signs do not count toward the allowed number of signs per district.
(2)
Temporary business signs, such as vinyl banner signs or manual changeable copy signs, are also permitted as accessory to all business uses, and do not require a permit. However, such signs remain subject to all setback requirements for business signs, and may not exceed 32 square feet in size. No temporary banner sign or changeable copy sign may be lighted except by indirect means. No temporary banner sign or changeable copy sign shall remain in place for more than 30 continuous days or 120 total days per calendar year.
§ 200-51 Projection of permanent signs into rights-of-way.
A.
Within the C-1 District, a business identification sign attached to a building, otherwise lawful under 606.1, may project into the public right-of-way up to six feet, provided:
(1)
No structural support or portion of the signs is within eight feet of grade as measured vertically from the right-of-way line for a pedestrian right-of-way, and 14 feet of grade for a vehicular right-of-way.
(2)
Under no circumstances shall any portion of such projecting signs be placed nearer than two feet from a vehicular cart way, loading zone, or on-street parking lane.
B.
Awning and canopy business identification signs may project into rights of way in areas served by sidewalks only in the C-1 and C-2 Zoning Districts, and shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
No portion of an awning or canopy shall be less than eight feet above the level of the public sidewalk.
(2)
The awning or canopy shall be set back at least four feet from the curb or a public street.
(3)
Awnings and canopies shall be constructed of canvas, vinyl or similar flexible, cloth-like material. Backlit or metal awnings or canopies are prohibited for signs within rights-of-way.
(4)
Awnings and canopies shall be securely attached to the building. All frames and supports shall be made of metal or other rigid material.
(5)
The name of the business or logo may be printed on the portion of the awning or canopy above the valance provided that such name or logo does not comprise more than 25% of the total canopy area.
§ 200-52 Electronic signs.
The inherent characteristic of electronic signs is their flexibility. This creates the potential for such signs to create an undue distraction to motorists if poorly placed or poorly programmed. These regulations are designed to encourage evolving methods of advertising, while preventing light pollution, and driver distraction hazards.
A.
A single small electric window sign of up to two square feet in size is permitted in the C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts for any business use. Electric window signs shall not be included as part of calculations of total signage permitted and may be used for advertising or business identification.
B.
An electronic sign is permitted by special exception in the C-2 as an accessory sign, provided that the electric sign is no greater than 15 feet in surface area, and mounted on the same frame as a static freestanding monument or wall sign. The area of the electric sign shall be included in total sign area calculations per § 200-50C. The electronic sign shall also meet all the following design and performance standards:
(1)
Electronic sign content. Electronic signs may contain permanent content about any business located on the premises upon which the sign is placed. They may also contain temporary messages with content about such businesses, or temporary messages announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, provided that such message is changed upon the cessation of such a campaign, drive or event. They may not function as billboards or advertise off-premise goods or services.
(2)
Message display shall remain static for a minimum of five seconds. There shall be no strobe, flashing effect or other animation during the display. Any transitions or change of the display between messages shall not be more than one second. Transitions that involve fading, scrolling, or other animations shall not be permitted.
(3)
Illumination. The owner of the sign or his agent shall measure sign luminance with a luminance meter set to measure foot-candles accurate to at least two decimals. Luminance shall be measured with the sign off, and again with the sign displaying a white image for a full color-capable sign, or a solid message for a single-color sign. All measurements shall be taken perpendicular to the face of the sign at the distance determined by the total square footage of the sign. Electronic signs of 10 square feet or less shall be measured at a distance of 32 feet. Electronic signs of greater than 10 square feet shall be measured at a distance of 39 feet. The difference between the off and solid-message measurements using the criteria shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles at night. A letter certifying compliance shall be provided to the Zoning Officer.
(4)
Dimming capabilities. All permitted electronic signs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3 foot-candle measurement.
(5)
Electronic signs which malfunction shall be turned off except for testing during any correction or repair.
(6)
Additional setback from residential districts. All portions of the sign structure must be a minimum distance of 100 feet from an abutting R-1A, R-1B, R-2 or P-1 District boundary.
(7)
Setback from other electronic changeable copy, electronic graphic display or video display signs. Electronic signs must be separated from other electronic signs by at least 35 feet. No more than one electronic sign is permitted per each property, regardless of how many tenants occupy that lot.
(8)
Orientation. When located within 150 feet of a residentially-used lot in an R-1A, R-1B or R-2 Residential zone, all parts of the electronic changeable copy sign must be oriented so that no portion of the sign face is visible from an existing or permitted principal structure on that lot.
(9)
Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics are prohibited in association with an electronic sign.
(10)
The applicant shall show compliance with all applicable regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for any proposed sign abutting a state highway.
§ 200-53 Billboards and multi-vision signs.
A.
Billboards as defined by this chapter are a conditional use in the P-1 Zoning District.
B.
Billboard area shall not exceed 72 square feet in area as defined under the definition of "sign."
C.
No billboard shall be located within 35 feet of a public street intersection.
D.
No billboard shall be placed within 75 feet of another billboard on the same side of the street.
E.
All multi-vision signs shall have a transition time between sign faces of no more than two seconds.
F.
No billboard may be placed within 150 feet of a residentially-used lot in an R-1A, R-1B or R-2 Residential District.