Jonestown City Zoning Code
PART 13
SIGNS AND ADVERTISING STRUCTURES
§ 27-1301 Definitions.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016[1]]
As used in this part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DIRECT ILLUMINATION
Illumination of a sign that uses a light source that originates from the message and content area of the sign.
DYNAMIC MESSAGE DISPLAY
A sign incorporating LCD, LED, plasma, CRT, pixelized lights, other video-like displays or other means of changing messages.
FLAG
The flags of a nation; association of nations; political subdivisions; military flags of forces of the United States of America and forces of nations with which diplomatic relations are conducted with the United States of America; nonprofit organizations; educational organizations accredited by the State of Pennsylvania; corporations; and flags memorializing a national defense event or situation past or present. For the purposes of this chapter, flags as defined are not considered to be signs.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A temporary sign that rests on the ground, is movable, is not securely attached to any other structure or accessories, is not more than five feet in height, which is not attached to any building but is supported in poles, frames or similar structures. No portion of any freestanding sign, permanent or temporary, may be closer than four feet to the edge of the vehicular traffic cartway (white line).
HISTORIC CENTRAL BUSINESS OVERLAY DISTRICT
All that area of the Borough located east of Broad Street, west of King Street, south of Martin Street, and north of Blackberry Street.
INAPPROPRIATE SIGN CONTENT
Messages or images that directly or indirectly suggest foul language or lewd inappropriate content.
INDIRECT ILLUMINATION
Illumination of a sign that uses a light source that does not originate from within the border of the message and content area of the sign.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign and/or sign structure consistent with any or all of the following characteristics:
1.
Intended for use on a property for more than 30 days.
2.
Permanently fixed upon a building or structure.
3.
Composed or constructed of material generally considered to be suitable for long term durability, i.e., treated/finished wood material, metal, supported plastic, supported PVC.
4.
Illuminated signs.
5.
For dynamic message display signs or direct illumination signs, those signs hardwired directly to a metered electrical connection.
REFLECTIVE ILLUMINATION
Illumination of a sign through means of reflective parts rather than an electrical or solar-powered light source.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign is measured by the advertising message space, including the nearest defining border to that space. If there is no defining border to the advertising space the space will be defined by the outer limits of the letters or images contained in the signs message. Where there is no frame or edge to the sign, the area shall be defined by a projected, enclosed, four-sided (straight sides) geometric shape which most closely outlines the said sign. "Sign area" does not include posts, hanging attachments, structural accessories or background structures that do not define the sign space. Posts, hanging attachments, structural accessories and background structures are hereby referred to as "sign accessories" or "sign parts." If a single sign is a combination of a dynamic message display and other type of sign, then the advertising message spaces shall be treated like two different signs and measured as such.
SIGN TYPE
The following types of signs are defined as follows:
1.
ADVERTISING BILLBOARD
A large outdoor advertising structure that contains off-premises advertising.2.
TRAFFIC
Signs, signals, markings and devices consistent with Chapter 212 issued under the PA Vehicle Code placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign and/or sign structure consistent with any or all of the following characteristics:
1.
Not intended for use for more than 30 days.
2.
Not permanently fixed upon a building or structure.
3.
Unilluminated signs.
4.
Composed or constructed of a material not considered to be sustainable for long term durability, i.e., paper, cloth, cardboard, vinyl, unsupported PVC, unsupported plastic, unfinished/untreated wood material.
5.
For dynamic message display signs or direct illumination signs, those signs not hardwired directly to a metered electrical connection.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Part 3, Signs And Advertising Structures, Ord. 66, 11/18/1971, as amended.
§ 27-1302 Historic Central Business Overlay District.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
1.
Permits are required for all signs, with the exception of:
A.
Traffic signs.
B.
"No Trespassing" signs.
C.
Utility.
D.
For sale, for rent, sold, and rented.
E.
Work sign of builders, painters, carpenters and similar construction professions erected only during the commencement of work.
F.
Decorations such as seasonal holiday displays, buntings and pennants permitted 30 days in advance to 30 days following the recognized or generally accepted date of celebration of said holiday or event.
2.
The following signs are not permitted under any condition:
A.
Dynamic message display signs.
§ 27-1303 Dynamic Message Display Signs.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
1.
Signs incorporating LCD, LED, plasma, CRT, pixelized lights or other animated and/or video-like displays and projected displays shall be limited to the Zones as identified in § 27-1307 and shall comply with the following requirements:
A.
Such signs shall employ sufficient size lettering and/or symbols for immediate recognition by motorists;
B.
Such signs shall display simple and static messages for immediate recognition by motorists. Messages shall be complete in each display cycle and shall not require viewers to see multiple display cycles to derive its meaning;
C.
Such signs shall use instantaneous transitions from one message display cycle to the next with no blank-outs, scrolling, fading, streaming, zooming, flashing or any other animated effect to facilitate immediate recognition by motorists;
D.
Community Service. All dynamic message display sign owners must use at least 20% of the operating time per each eight-hour cycle for community service (i.e., time, temperature, and school closing, weather, nonprofit, announcements);
E.
All owners must notify Amber Alert and register its location for use as referenced by the Commonwealth of PA Amber Alert website;
F.
During times of Amber Alert the dynamic message display must display such information as provided by the PA State Police for no less than 20% of the operating time during each fifteen-minute cycle;
G.
All properties utilizing a dynamic message display sign must remove all exterior promotional banners, sandwich board signs, and may not use any temporary signage;
H.
Each message display cycle shall comply with the following minimum time standards based upon the lowest speed limit of the road travel lane from which the sign is visible:
Required Minimum Message Display Cycles (seconds) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Speed Limit (miles per hour) | Total Sign Area With Up to 64 Square Feet | Total Sign Area With Between 64 and 300 Square Feet | Total Sign Area With More Than 300 Square Feet |
25 mph | 17 sec | 28 sec | 56 sec |
30 mph | 14 sec | 24 sec | 48 sec |
35 mph | 12 sec | 20 sec | 40 sec |
40 mph | 11 sec | 18 sec | 36 sec |
45 mph | 10 sec | 16 sec | 32 sec |
50 mph | 9 sec | 14 sec | 28 sec |
55 mph | 8 sec | 12 sec | 24 sec |
The cycle periods listed above are based upon the time it takes to travel through the viewshed of each sign size. | |||
§ 27-1304 Sign Permits.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
1.
Signs Requiring a Permit.
A.
Any permanent sign structure over six square feet in size for any purpose in Jonestown Borough.
B.
Any temporary or permanent sign that will use any type of lighting whether it be direct lighting, indirect lighting, dynamic message display lighting or otherwise.
C.
Any temporary sign more than 16 square feet in size.
D.
Reflective signs used for the purpose of business or nonprofit advertising.
2.
Signs Not Requiring a Permit.
A.
Unlit temporary sign structures less than 16 square feet in size.
B.
Unlit permanent sign structures less than six square feet in size.
C.
Traffic signs.
D.
Trespassing.
E.
Utility.
F.
For sale, for rent, sold, and rented.
G.
Work sign of builders, painters, carpenters and similar construction professions.
H.
Decorations such as seasonal holiday displays, buntings and pennants permitted 30 days in advance to 30 days following the recognized or generally accepted date of celebration of said holiday or event.
3.
Obtaining a Sign Permit.
A.
To obtain a permit the applicant must fill out the permit application form located at the Jonestown Borough Municipal Building and provide supporting documentation to include:
(1)
Scale drawing sketch of the sign proposal.
(2)
Photographic image of the area in which the sign is to be installed.
(3)
The content and message of the sign.
(4)
The source of illumination.
(5)
Signature of property owner on the application.
(6)
Application fee as established by Borough Council by resolution.
B.
The application shall be submitted and reviewed consistent with the following procedure:
(1)
The application and the above-identified supporting documentation shall be submitted to the Borough no less than 15 days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Jonestown Borough Council.
(2)
The application shall be reviewed and either approved, denied, or rejected for additional information by the permitting agent no later than one day after the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Jonestown Borough Council following submission of the application consistent with § 27-304, Subsection 3A, of this chapter.
4.
Reasons for Denial of Permit Application. For signs that do meet the size and characteristics criteria contained in this chapter, Jonestown Borough reserves the right to deny any permit application for any one or more of the following reasons;
A.
The application is not fully complete or parts of the application are not clear.
B.
The sign is not consistent with permitted regulations described in this chapter.
C.
The described content or images of the sign are considered to be inappropriate (see definition for inappropriate sign content).
D.
The reflectivity or lighting of the sign is considered to be unsafe or a potential nuisance to surrounding residents.
E.
The position of the sign in relation to the flow of traffic and/or visibility around corners is determined to be unsafe for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
§ 27-1305 Conditional Use Sign Permit.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
1.
Conditional use sign permits are a means for applicants to receive a sign permit even if their sign proposal does not meet the size, content, time duration, and/or characteristics criteria contained in this chapter, subject to the conditions identified herein in addition to any conditions as may be dictated by Jonestown Borough Council during the hearing process.
2.
In these cases, the applicant, following submission of a formal sign permit application that has been rejected or denied by the Borough Sign Permitting Agent, may appeal the denial or rejection before Borough Council. At a conditional use hearing the applicant must utilize the following procedure:
A.
Provide copies of the original permit application and supporting documentation, including all those items referenced in § 27-1304, Subsection 3.
B.
Provide a copy of the denial or rejection letter.
C.
Provide a written letter of appeal detailing the reasons the application should be approved and the hardships causing the sign to not be in compliance with the ordinance as stated.
D.
A conditional use hearing fee as established by Borough Council by resolution.
3.
At such time that a special sign permit is requested by means of a conditional use hearing through the above-referenced process, the hearing will be placed on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Jonestown Borough Council. Adjoining property owners will also be notified via registered US Mail.
4.
For a conditional use sign permit hearing the applicant must be present at the meeting to address Borough Council. If a quorum is present, the application will be reviewed subject to the following conditions:
A.
The modification of the requirements of this chapter will not materially impair traffic or pedestrian safety.
B.
The size of the proposed sign does not exceed 150% of the maximum size established in § 27-1307.
C.
The placement of the proposed sign shall be a minimum of 10 feet from any side or rear property line.
5.
Upon receiving a majority vote by Borough Council the permit application is considered approved, or conversely denied, dependent upon the outcome of the vote.
6.
The decision of Borough Council is considered final and official.
§ 27-1306 General Regulations.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
1.
Any sign installed on or before the effective date of this part (September 6, 2016) shall be considered an existing nonconformity and permitted to remain.
2.
Property owners using signs that do not require a permit, but are installed or used and do not conform to the size and characteristics standards of this ordinance are subject to notification of necessitous removal of the sign.
3.
Upon termination or abandonment of a commercial or industrial use, all signs pertaining to the enterprise must be removed within a period of 30 days after termination or abandonment of such use.
4.
Within the Historic Central Business Overlay District a permit shall be required for any modification, alteration or replacement of any existing sign, regardless of whether a permit had been previously obtained or not.
5.
Sign replacements will require a permit in all zoning districts.
§ 27-1307 Sign Size Chart.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
Characteristics | Maximum Size of Any Outdoor Individual Sign at a Single Property for Each Zone in Square Feet | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type of Sign | Use | Type of Illumination | Zone Permitted | C | R-O | R-T |
Business or nonprofit advertising | Commercial | Direct, indirect or none | Any zone | 2 per 1 foot of linear road frontage | 50 | 30 |
Dynamic message display | C (except in overlay district*); R-O | 16 | 10 | |||
Residential | Dynamic message display | Special permit needed | ||||
Advertising billboard | Residential/commercial | Any | Special permit needed | |||
Home occupation | Residential/commercial | Direct, indirect or none | Any zone | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Temporary | Residential/commercial | None | Any zone | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Traffic | Right-of-way | Reflective or none | Any zone | PA DOT standards apply | ||
Trespassing | Residential/commercial | None | Any zone | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Utility | Commercial | None | Any zone | 3 | 3 | 3 |
For sale, for rent, sold and rented | Residential/commercial | None | Any zone | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Construction or painting companies while on site | Residential/commercial | None | Any zone | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Churches and schools | Commercial | Direct, indirect or none | Any zone | 2 per 1 foot of linear road frontage | 50 | 30 |
Dynamic message display | C (except in overlay district*); R-O; R-T | 16 | 10 | 10 | ||
Apartment bulletin board | Residential/commercial | Direct or none | Any zone | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Temporary sign for sale of agricultural products | Residential/commercial | None | Any zone | 6 | 6 | 6 |
* | Historic Central Business District Overlay = Broad to King; Martin to Blackberry |
§ 27-1308 Alterations to Permitted Signs.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
To change the size, content or illumination of a sign permit, holders must follow the process of a permit application if not otherwise requiring a permit.
§ 27-1309 Number of Signs.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
Any number of signs are permitted on an individual property as long as the total area does not exceed the maximums identified in § 1307.
§ 27-1310 Violations.
[Added by Ord. No. 2016-2, 9/6/2016]
If a permit is approved and the sign erected is determined by Council to not be in compliance with the specifications of the approved permit, the Borough's copy of the permit will be marked and dated as invalid. The applicant will be notified of this determination and the sign must then be removed or reconstructed in accordance with the original permit (within 60 days). The applicant could otherwise choose to submit a new permit application that accounts for the discrepancy between the original permit and the constructed sign (within 30 days) and the adjusted application will be voted upon and approved or rejected.
