Hamburg City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXIV
Signs
§ 215-126 Permit required.
Except as hereinafter specifically provided, no sign shall be constructed, displayed or erected unless a permit shall have been first obtained from the Construction Official. The application for the sign permit made to the Construction Official shall contain sufficient information and the plan, depicting the sign, shall be in sufficient detail to permit the Construction Official to administer the requirements of this article. No sign permit shall be issued until the required fee for such sign is paid.
§ 215-127 Sign area measurement.
In administering this article, the area of any sign shall be computed as follows: the area of the sign is the total square foot content of the background upon which the lettering, illustration or display is presented, including in such background any decorative motif or moldings. If the lettering, illustration or display is not affixed to the background but is affixed directly to the wall of a building or other structure, the area of the sign shall be computed as the product of the largest horizontal distance and the largest vertical distance of the lettering, illustration or display. The supporting members of any sign, which are used exclusively for such purpose, shall not be included in the computation of the sign area. Signs having more than one display face may have the maximum area permitted on each face.
§ 215-128 Conformance with regulations required.
No sign shall be erected anywhere within the Borough except in accordance with the requirements and regulations of this article.
§ 215-129 Existing signs.
Any sign in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter is entitled to remain, so long as it is not moved, altered or replaced. In the event it is moved, altered or replaced, said sign shall then conform to all the requirements of this article.
§ 215-130 General sign regulations.
[Amended 11-5-1990]
Signs in all zone districts in the Borough shall comply with the following requirements:
A.
All signs must relate to the use or activity located on the same lot. Signs related to activities off the premises are prohibited.
B.
All signs shall be located so as not to interfere with traffic safety or visibility.
C.
Signs permitted in residential zones, placed in the front yard area, and all other signs permitted in the front yard area shall be set back at least 10 feet from the street line and shall not exceed eight feet in height nor be closer to the ground than three feet, except as may be hereinafter specifically permitted. Signs in all other yard areas shall conform to the setbacks required for all structures.
D.
The repainting, relettering, or repair of an existing sign shall not constitute a new use or a change of use, so long as the area of the sign is not altered.
E.
Flashing, rotating or intermittent illuminated signs are prohibited; except that time and temperature signs shall not be considered to be intermittent illumination.
F.
Illuminated signs, where permitted, may be internally or externally illuminated, so long as such illumination does not shine directly onto adjoining property or onto any street or highway.
G.
Signs attached to any part of a building shall not extend beyond the highest point of the building to which it is attached; chimneys, towers, cupolas, steeples and silos shall not be considered in calculating the height of said building.
H.
Signs shall be constructed, as far as possible, with natural materials.
I.
Signs affixed or attached to a wall shall not project beyond said wall in any direction.
J.
Overhanging signs, that is signs that project perpendicularly from the wall of a building, are prohibited.
K.
Colors are restricted to nonfluorescent primary colors.
L.
No sign or any part of any sign shall be placed, located or installed on, over or above any street in the Borough of Hamburg.
[Added 9-8-2010 by Ord. No. 04-2010]
§ 215-131 Signs permitted in all zones.
Unless hereinafter specifically prohibited, the following signs shall be permitted in all zones:
A.
Temporary "for rent" and "for sale" signs. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in total area and the permit for such sign shall be valid for a period of six months. At the expiration of such time, said signs shall be removed unless the sign permit is renewed, for good cause shown.
B.
"No hunting" and "no trespassing" signs. Each sign shall not exceed one square foot in area. No permit shall be required for the posting of these signs.
C.
Signs locating and advertising subdivisions of land and projects requiring site plan approval, which have received tentative or final approval by the Borough, provided that each such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area, shall not exceed two in number and shall not be located closer than 20 feet to any street line. Such sign permits shall be valid for a period of six months and then such signs shall be removed, unless the permit is renewed. Such signs shall be removed, in the case of land subdivisions, when either 75% of the lots created have been built upon or after 75% of the lots have been sold by the developer, whichever should occur first, and in the case of projects receiving site plan approval, upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
D.
Entrance and exit signs, traffic directional signs, temporary safety, traffic or warning signs approved by the governing body.
§ 215-132 Temporary charitable, civic and political signs.
[Amended 8-24-1983]
All billboards, signboards, advertising signs or devices not expressly related to the business being conducted on the premises or otherwise specifically permitted by this chapter are prohibited, with the exception that:
A.
Temporary signs announcing or advertising any educational, charitable, civil, religious or like campaign or event are permitted in any zone for a consecutive period not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year, provided that a permit for same has first been obtained from the Construction Official, and the permit fee of $5 has been paid. Said signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
B.
Temporary political signs advertising for a political campaign are permitted in any zone for a consecutive period not to exceed 60 days prior to the date of the election. There shall be no permit or fee required for said signs. Said signs shall be removed within five days following the date of the election.
§ 215-133 Signs in residential zones.
The following signs shall be permitted in the RR, PR and RO Zone Districts and shall comply with the following regulations:
A.
One name plate sign containing the name and/or address of the resident, which shall not exceed one square foot in area.
B.
In residential zones permitting cluster development, one sign not exceeding 18 square feet in area publicizing the name of the cluster development.
C.
One sign advertising professional uses or home occupations, not exceeding one square foot in area.
D.
Professional uses, in addition to the sign permitted in the front yard area, may have one additional sign, attached to the building in which the professional use is located, not exceeding two square feet in area.
E.
One sign, not more than 18 square feet in area, publicizing permitted conditional uses.
§ 215-134 Signs in Public Use Zone.
Signs in this zone shall be permitted as deemed necessary to the public welfare by the governing body.
§ 215-135 Signs in Highway Commercial Zone and Planned Commercial Zone.
[Amended 6-20-1985; 11-5-1990]
The following signs shall be permitted in the Highway Commercial Zone District and in the Planned Commercial Zone District and shall comply with the following regulations:
A.
Any business legally established may display one sign relating to its business. The maximum area of that single sign shall not exceed 30 square feet. On sites where there are two or more approved businesses, each such approved business may display one sign not exceeding 20 square feet in area. On sites with two or more approved businesses, all signs on a single site shall be uniform in appearance and material. In addition, sites with two or more approved businesses may display one freestanding sign in accordance with Subsection F.
B.
In the case of a Planned Commercial Zone District, each legally established business may display one sign not to exceed 24 square feet.
C.
The total area of all signs permitted on the face of any wall shall not exceed 10% of the area of the face of the wall upon which such signs are attached. The maximum height of any such sign shall not exceed 10% of the height of said wall, except that such sign can be at least two feet in height. The maximum width of any sign shall not exceed 50% of the width of the wall to which it is attached or 12 feet in width, whichever is less.
D.
No sign shall extend farther than six inches from the face of the wall upon which it is attached. Where a sign extends more than three inches from the face of said wall, the bottom of such sign shall be at least eight feet above the ground level. Signs overhanging any public or private walkway shall not extend more than three inches from the face of the wall to which it is attached.
F.
In the case of the Planned Commercial Zone District, there shall be permitted one freestanding sign, in the front yard area, which shall be directory in nature and it shall list the names of the establishments located therein. Such sign may also carry the legend identifying the shopping area. Such sign shall not exceed 50 feet in area.
G.
A sandwich-board-type sign may be installed on a site in the front yard area not exceeding 12 square feet per side. The sign is to be constructed of heavy plywood and secured in such a way that it will not be easily blown over. The sign may only be displayed during business hours and may not obstruct walkways or the line of sight for entrances or exits to the parking area. Said signs may not be displayed on the top of any vehicle.
H.
Banner-type signs shall be allowed up to 50 square feet but not exceeding 10% of the area of the face of the wall upon which sign may be attached. Businesses may display one banner at a time, up to six different banners per year. Each new banner requires a separate permit and approval by the Zoning Officer. Banners may be displayed for no more than a total of six months during any calendar year and must be properly maintained and comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to lettering and colors.
§ 215-136 Signs for automotive service stations and public garages.
[Amended 11-5-1990]
The following signs, in addition to the foregoing signs, shall be permitted in connection with an automotive service station or public garage and shall comply with the following regulations:
A.
One pylon sign advertising the name of the service station or garage and/or principal products sold on the premises, including any special company logo, brand name, insignia or emblem; provided that this one sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and shall be not less than eight feet nor more than 15 feet above the ground. The pylon shall be at least five feet from any property line.
B.
Signs or lettering displayed over individual entrance doors or bays consisting of the words "washing," "lubrication," "repairs" or such other legend related to the functions performed in such location, provided that there shall be no more than one such sign over each entrance and the letters thereof shall not exceed 12 inches in height, in a single line, and shall not exceed the width of the entrance over which it appears.
C.
The customary lettering, or insignia, such as company logo, which are an integral part of any gasoline pump, together with any signs located thereon dealing with the product dispensed therefrom, a price indicator and any other sign which may be required by law.
D.
Other signs describing and locating and identifying other services or products dispensed such as air, water and oil, and the like, provided that such signs shall not exceed one square foot in area.
E.
Nonilluminated credit card signs indicating those credit cards which are honored at such establishment, provided that no individual signs shall exceed two square feet in area.
§ 215-137 Signs in Planned Development Zone.
The signs permitted in the Planned Development Zone shall relate to the regulations for the use permitted in such zone as hereinbefore set forth.
§ 215-138 Signs in Borough Center Zone.
[Amended 11-5-1990]
The following signs shall be permitted in the Borough Center Zone District and shall comply with the following regulations:
A.
Any business established may display one or more signs relating to its business. The maximum area of any single sign shall not exceed 15 square feet and the maximum area of all signs on a single lot shall not exceed 30 square feet.
B.
The total area of all signs permitted on the face of any wall shall not exceed 10% of the area of the face of the wall upon which such signs are attached. The maximum height of any such sign shall not exceed 10% of the height of said wall, except that such sign can be at least two feet in height. The maximum width of any sign shall not exceed 50% of the width of the wall to which it is attached or eight feet in width, whichever is less.
C.
No sign shall extend further than six inches from the face of the wall upon which it is attached. Where a sign extends more than three inches from the face of said wall, the bottom of such sign shall be least eight feet above ground level. Signs overhanging any public or private walkway shall not extend more than three inches from the face of said wall to which it is attached.
D.
One freestanding sign may be permitted on each lot, in the front yard area, exclusive of any area containing a public or private walkway, not exceeding 18 square feet in area. (Except for automotive service station and public garage uses. See § 215-136A.)
E.
A sandwich-board-type sign may be installed on a site in the front yard area not exceeding 12 square feet per side. The sign is to be constructed of heavy plywood and secured in such a way that it will not be easily blown over. The sign may only be displayed during business hours and may not obstruct walkways or the line of sight for entrances or exits to the parking area. Said signs may not be displayed on the top of any vehicle.
F.
Banner-type signs shall be allowed up to 50 square feet but not exceeding 10% of the area of the face of the wall upon which sign may be attached. Businesses may display one banner at a time, up to six different banners per year. Each new banner requires a separate permit and approval by the Zoning Officer. Banners may be displayed for no more than a total of six months during any calendar year and must be properly maintained and comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to lettering and colors.
§ 215-139 Signs in Light Industrial Zone.
[Amended 11-5-1990]
The following signs shall be permitted in the Light Industrial Zone District and shall comply with the following regulations:
A.
Any business established may display one or more signs relating to its business. The maximum area of any single sign shall not exceed 30 square feet and the maximum area of all signs on a single lot shall not exceed 60 square feet.
B.
In the case of an industrial park development, the maximum area of any single sign shall not exceed 30 square feet and the maximum area of all signs for each use located in said industrial park shall not exceed 30 square feet.
C.
The total area of all signs permitted on the face of any wall shall not exceed 10% of the area of the face of the wall upon which such signs are attached. The maximum height of any such sign shall not exceed 10% of the height of said wall, except that such sign can be at least two feet in height. The maximum width of any sign shall not exceed 50% of the width of the wall to which it is attached or 12 feet in width, whichever is less.
D.
No sign shall extend further than six inches from the face of the wall upon which it is attached. Where a sign extends more than three inches from the face of said wall, the bottom of such sign shall be at least eight feet above the ground level. Signs overhanging any public or private walkway shall not extend more than three inches from the face of said wall to which it is attached.
E.
One freestanding sign may be permitted on each lot, in the front yard area, not exceeding 18 square feet in area.
F.
Sandwich-board-type signs are not allowed in the Light Industrial Zone.