The use of professionally lettered and painted wood signs, in a size and style as well as color and shape that will maintain the historic quality and dignity of the borough, shall be encouraged.

All signs, other than permitted temporary signs, shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be adequately maintained. All cracked, warped or broken members of a sign shall be replaced. Deteriorated surfaces which evidence rusting, flaking or cracking shall be replaced or repaired. All broken or cracked glass shall be replaced. Any sign which fails to meet the maintenance provisions of this section shall be repaired or removed within 30 days of receipt of written notification from the zoning officer.

The contents of any permanent sign shall be limited to property and occupant identification, company emblem and logos, and concise messages identifying the use, product or service of the property. Unnecessarily detailed messages, descriptions and graphics are prohibited.

Ground signs shall be supported by one or more columns or uprights which are firmly embedded in the ground. Exposed guide wires, chains, piping or similar connections shall not be used to support any ground sign. Ground signs shall not be located in any sight triangle and shall not obstruct pedestrian traffic.

The total area of all columns, roofs, beams, bases and other design features used to support or enhance a sign shall not exceed the total area of the subject sign. For the purposes of this requirement, the area of all sign support and enhancement features shall be considered the product of maximum horizontal and vertical measurement of the total sign structure minus the sum of the sign area and any air space located between the sign and the support and design enhancement sign features.

In addition to the sign size restrictions established by this section the depth of any sign or related support or design enhancement feature shall not exceed two feet.

Where possible, signs shall be aligned with other signs on adjacent buildings and storefronts. If several establishments share a common building frontage, use of a common sign format shall be encouraged.

New sign plans for existing development shall recognize the provisions of this section relating to nonconforming signs and shall consolidate and improve existing signs whenever possible. All changes to existing signs shall conform to all applicable provisions of this section.

Sign lighting shall be arranged to reflect light and glare away from adjoining properties and public ways using shielded light fixtures.

External ground lighting of signs shall be landscaped with evergreen plantings and shall provide no more than two 150 watt spotlights per sign. All lighted signs shall provide automatic shut-off devices that discontinue sign lighting after 10:00 p.m., or one-half hour after business closing, whichever is later.

All illuminated signs shall be either indirectly lighted or of the diffused lighting type. Ground signs, if illuminated, shall be illuminated by an exterior source only.

Signs not specifically permitted by the provisions of this section are prohibited.