[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Requirements is included at the end of this chapter.
Elizabethtown City Zoning Code
PART 17
SIGNS 1
§ 1701 Signs.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007[1]]
Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this Part and all other ordinances and regulations relating to the erection, alteration or maintenance of signs and similar devices. A sign shall be any structure or device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public.
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Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Part 17, Signs, as amended.
§ 1702 Sign Definitions.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007; as amended by Ord. 946, 3/21/2013]
A sign intended:
To display information regarding any contractor or other service or business performing work on a lot or premises provided that such sign is removed immediately after the work is completed; or
To relate information regarding a lot or property for sale, lease or rent, excluding real estate directional signs.
Same as "individual business freestanding signs."
A sign advertising the development of a premises, tract or property by a builder, developer or contractor or other party interested in such sale or development.
A sign indicating the direction or location of premises. Also included are real estate directional signs, which indicate the direction or location of a property for sale or lease, including signs for special real-estate-related events such as tours or open houses or similar events.
A sign that repetitively indicates the time, temperature, and date.
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. Flashing signs shall include signs which blink on or off, strobe lighting and the like. Electronic message center signs are not flashing signs.
A sign advertising the sale of personal items at a premises.
A sign advertising the business, occupation, activity or use conducted within a residential dwelling or unit.
A sign painted on or attached to the cover of a metal, wooden, or canvas frame of a structural overhang, whether movable, hinged, rolling, folding, stationary or permanent.
A sign intended to advertise a business, a nonprofit organization, or any other use. An individual business freestanding sign is on a self-supporting post or frame not attached to any building, wall or fence but in a fixed location. This sign does not include advertising and real estate signs, directional signs, sidewalk signs or other temporary or portable signs.
A sign to advertise a business or use, that is wall-mounted and perpendicular to the building surface.
A sign to advertise a business or use, erected upon a roof of any building or structure or part thereof, including the trim attached to the roof.
A sign to advertise a special event for a business or use that is temporary in nature, such as a sale event, grand opening, going-out-of-business, or other similar event.
A sign to advertise the business or use, painted on or affixed to and paralleling the outside wall of a building and extending no more than 12 inches from such wall. Murals are considered as individual business wall signs.
A sign advertising the business, products on display within the business and/or the use, which is painted or mounted onto a window pane or which is hung directly inside the window, for the purpose of identifying any premises from the street or sidewalk.
A sign erected by and for a federal, state, county or municipal agency.
A sign promoting an individual for an elected federal, state, county or local office.
A sign or nameplate identifying a house number and/or name of the occupant of a residential property.
A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, meant to be portable in nature and removed at the end of the business day, such as menu or sandwich boards, flags, balloons, or other inflatable objects used for advertising or umbrellas used for advertising.
§ 1703 General Provisions.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007; as amended by Ord. 946, 3/21/2013]
1.
No sign shall be erected, enlarged or relocated until a permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer, unless otherwise stated in this chapter.
2.
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger or hazard on a street or sidewalk by obscuring view and in no case, except for official signs, shall signs be placed within the required clear-sight triangle.
3.
No sign, except official signs and sidewalk signs, shall be allowed within the street right-of-way. A sidewalk sign shall not be located in a public accessway.
4.
No portion of any individual business freestanding sign shall be located closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the district in which it is located or 10 feet from the property line, whichever is greater.
5.
No person shall paint, paste, brand, stamp, or in any manner whatsoever permanently attach to any tree, telegraph, electric light or other pole on any street in the Borough any written, printed, painted or other advertisement, bill, notice, sign, card or poster.
6.
No sign shall be erected containing information on which it states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable district provisions of this chapter.
7.
No sign, except for yield, regulatory or official municipal signs, shall use the words "stop," "caution," or "danger," or shall use "stop" or "yield" signs in shape or color, or shall simulate a traffic or regulatory sign.
8.
In addition to the other requirements of this Part, every sign must be constructed of durable materials, be kept in good repair, not be allowed to become dilapidated, and be in compliance with other applicable State and local codes and ordinances.
9.
If the Zoning Officer finds that any sign is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall give written notice to the owner thereof. If the owner fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign may be removed or altered to comply by the Zoning Officer at the expense of the owner of the property on which it is located. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is in immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without prior notice, provided that written notice of such action shall be furnished to the owner of such sign within five days after the date of such removal.
10.
No sign shall be erected or located as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door or fire escape.
11.
No signs shall be permitted which are permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within the right-of-way of any street.
12.
(Reserved)
13.
All electrically illuminated signs shall be constructed in accordance with the standards prescribed in the Uniform Construction Code.
14.
No vulgar, indecent or obscene advertising matter shall be displayed in any manner.
15.
Signs which emit smoke, steam or other visible particles or odor are prohibited.
16.
No signs shall be placed so as to create a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
17.
Towable or portable signs or changeable message boards (whether placed on the yard or a truck or trailer) shall not be permitted in any residential districts. In the Central Business District, towable signs are permitted for community events such as those sponsored by the Borough, Elizabethtown Area School District, and the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce. Display shall not exceed 48 hours per event.
18.
Signs permitted within the Borough are limited to those identified or defined in this chapter. Other signs not so identified or defined herein have been determined to be contrary to the stated purposes of this chapter as set forth in § 103.
19.
Any sign to be erected on any property or lot is limited to the use of that property on which it is located, except with regard to directional signs. Signs advertising uses or businesses not being conducted on the property or lot on which the sign is erected shall not be permitted.
20.
(Reserved)
21.
Limitations upon painted wall signs (murals) shall be waived for proposed signs approved by and participating in the official Elizabethtown Borough Mural Program administered by the EEDC. In the absence of participation in this program, all painted wall signs (murals) shall be subject to dimensional and other requirements for wall signs as provided for in this chapter.
22.
Internally illuminated signs are not permitted in the residential zones. An internally illuminated sign must comply with the regulations of its type of sign.
§ 1704 Computation of Sign Area.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007]
1.
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed.
2.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape that encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
3.
In computing square-foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical.
§ 1705 Nonconforming Signs.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007]
1.
Any sign lawfully existing at the time of passage of this chapter which does not conform with the regulations herein shall be considered nonconforming and may continue in its present use and location until replacement or rebuilding becomes necessary. At such time, a permit shall be required, and the sign must conform with all provisions of this chapter in effect at the time the permit is requested.
§ 1706 Permit Application and Fees.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007]
1.
Except for signs exempted herein, no person shall erect, cause to be erected, change or alter any sign on any property within the Borough until a permit for the same has been issued by the Zoning Officer. Property owners who authorize or allow any sign on their property shall ensure that all provisions of this chapter are adhered to. Application for a permit shall be made on an authorized Borough form and shall be accompanied by the following:
A.
A detailed scale drawing showing the sign and its intended location.
B.
A description of its type, construction, manner and method of installation, and materials to be used.
C.
Written authorization of the owner of the property if other than the applicant.
D.
A permit fee as established by Borough Council.