Morrisville City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Signs
§ 465-44 Definition of "sign."
"Sign" shall mean any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, or any device attached, painted, or represented directly or indirectly on a structure or other surface that shall display or include any letter, word, insignia, flag, or representation used as, or which is in the nature of, an advertisement, announcement, visual communication, or direction, or is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to the attention of the public.
§ 465-44.1 Purpose.
[Added 7-21-2008 by Ord. No. 973]
It is the purpose of this article to promote the public health, safety and general welfare through a comprehensive system of reasonable, consistent and nondiscriminatory sign standards and requirements. These sign regulations are intended to:
A.
Enable the identification of places of residence and business.
B.
Allow for the communication of information necessary for the conduct of commerce.
C.
Lessen hazardous situations, confusion and visual clutter caused by proliferation, improper placement, illumination, animation and excessive height, area and bulk of signs which compete for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
D.
Enhance the attractiveness and economic well-being of the Borough as a place to live and conduct business.
E.
Protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs.
F.
Permit signs that are compatible with their surroundings and aid orientation, and preclude placement of signs in a manner that conceals or obstructs adjacent land uses or signs.
G.
Encourage signs that are appropriate to the zoning district in which they are located and consistent with the category of use to which they pertain.
H.
Curtail the size and number of signs and sign messages to the minimum reasonably necessary to identify a residential or business location and the nature of any such business.
I.
Establish sign size in relationship to the scale of the lot and building on which the sign is to be placed or to which it pertains.
J.
Preclude signs from conflicting with the principal permitted use of the site or adjoining sites.
K.
Regulate signs in a manner so as to not interfere with, obstruct vision of or distract motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
L.
Require signs to be constructed, installed and maintained in a safe and satisfactory mariner.
M.
Preserve and enhance the natural and scenic characteristics of this riverfront historic community.
§ 465-45 Definitions of "on-premises" and "off-premises" signs.
A.
On-premises sign. A sign which directs attention to a person, business, profession, home occupation or activity conducted on the same lot. A "for sale" or "for rent" sign relating to the lot on which it is displayed shall be deemed an "on-premises sign."
B.
Off-premises sign. A sign which directs attention to a person, business, profession, product, home occupation or activity not conducted on the same lot.
§ 465-46 Area of sign.
A.
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, but not including any supporting framework and backing which are incidental to the display itself.
B.
The area of a sign painted upon or applied to a building shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs or symbols together with any backing or border associated with the sign.
C.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to any part of a building or painted on any surface, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
D.
In computing square-foot area of a double-face sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces on the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
§ 465-47 Permit requirements for signs.
All on-premises signs over two square feet in area and all off-premises signs except governmental signs, regardless of size, shall require the issuance of a zoning permit before erection or replacement. All signs must comply with all of the regulations contained herein, irrespective of whether a permit is required.
§ 465-48 Signs permitted in R-1, R-2, R-2A and R-3 Districts.
No sign shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
On-premises signs.
(1)
Official traffic signs and other official Federal, State, County or Borough government signs.
(2)
Signs displaying the name and address of the occupant of a premises and the identification of a permitted home occupation provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 200 square inches and not more than one such sign shall be erected for each premises, unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street front.
(3)
Bulletin or announcement boards or identification signs for institutional, recreational, educational or cultural uses (uses B1 through B12) or other principal uses or buildings permitted in the R-1, R-2 or R-3 Districts, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet and not more than one such sign shall be placed on property held in single and separate ownership unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(4)
Signs advertising the sale or rental of property, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet and not more than one such sign, per street frontage may be erected. Such signs shall be removed immediately upon final settlement or renting of a property.
(5)
Signs announcing the name of a housing development or apartment complex which may incorporate sale and rental information, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet and no more than one such sign per street frontage shall be erected.
(6)
Temporary contractors', developers', architects', or builders' signs provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet. Such signs shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work or 18 months after erection of the signs, whichever shall occur first. No more than one such sign per street frontage shall be erected.
(7)
Trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet. No more than one such sign per driveway and no more than one such sign per 200 feet of road frontage shall be erected or posted.
(8)
Temporary signs announcing a campaign, drive, or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area and shall be removed immediately upon completion of the campaign, drive or event. No more than two such signs per street frontage shall be erected.
(9)
Business and office uses permitted by right or special exception in R-2, R-2A and R-3 Districts.
(a)
All signs for such uses shall meet the requirements of § 465-17C(1).
B.
Off-premises signs.
(1)
Signs directing patrons, members or audience to temporary exhibits, shows or events and signs erected in conjunction with a political election subject to the following requirements:
(a)
No such sign shall exceed eight square feet in area.
(b)
Signs shall be removed within two weeks after the date of the exhibit, show, event or election.
(c)
No permit shall be issued for the erection of such signs until a deposit shall be made with the Zoning Officer in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by Borough Council to guarantee removal within the time prescribed. Failure to remove such signs within the time prescribed shall result in forfeiture of the deposit.
(d)
No such sign shall be posted earlier than two weeks before the occurrence of the event to which it relates with the exception of political signs which shall be posted not earlier than one month prior to an election.
(2)
Official traffic signs and other official Federal, State, County or Borough government signs.
§ 465-49 Signs permitted in R-4 Residential and NPEH Non-Profit Elderly Housing Districts.
[Amended 3-14-1984 by Ord. No. 788]
No sign shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
B.
Off-premises signs. All signs permitted in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts at the standards prescribed therein.
§ 465-50 Signs in the RN District.
§ 465-51 Signs permitted in the C-1 District.
No sign shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
On-premises signs.
(1)
All signs permitted in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts at the standards prescribed therein except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2)
Signs for permitted nonresidential uses provided:
(a)
Signs are attached to or painted on a building.
(b)
The aggregate area of all signs attached and painted on a building shall not exceed 40 square feet for each store within a building.
(c)
Temporary signs announcing a grand opening, change in management or sale provided the signs are removed within 30 days of the date of erection and this provision may not be exercised more than one time per year. The aggregate area of all such signs shall not exceed 40 square feet per store.
B.
Off-premises signs. All signs permitted in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts at the standards prescribed therein.
§ 465-52 Signs permitted in the C-2, C-3, L-1 and I Districts.
[Amended 8-18-1986 by Ord. No. 816; 4-14-1987 by Ord. No. 823; 4-9-1991 by Ord. No. 846]
No sign shall be permitted except as follows:
A.
On premises signs.
(1)
All signs permitted in the C-1 District at the standards prescribed.
(2)
Free standing signs provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet and not more than one such sign shall be placed on the property held in single and separate ownership unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
B.
Off-premises signs.
(1)
All signs permitted in the C-1 District at the standards prescribed.
(2)
Free standing signs provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet and not more than one such sign shall be placed on property held in single and separate ownership unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
§ 465-53 Signs permitted in I District within 500 feet on Route 1.
[Amended 4-9-1991 by Ord. No. 846]
A.
All signs permitted in C-2, C-3, L-1 and "I" Districts.
B.
Billboards and off-premises signs. (Definition of "billboard" — A board or panel used for the display of printed or painted advertising matter which directs attention to a business, product, service, activity or entertainment not necessarily conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located).
(1)
A billboard or off-premises sign may be erected, constructed, or maintained on any premises in an I Industrial District within 500 feet of Route 1 if a special exception is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board. Any special exception granted shall meet the following criteria and be required to adhere to the following regulations:
(2)
Area. An off-premises sign or billboard shall not exceed 672 square feet (14 by 18) in surface area. Each such sign may have two exposed faces with each face not to exceed 672 square feet.
(3)
Spacing. An off-premises sign or billboard shall not be closer than 500 feet to another off-premises sign or billboard along the same side of any street or highway and no part of the sign shall be closer than 50 feet from the paved portion of any roadway and shall be further subject to setback requirements.
(4)
Spacing at intersection. An off-premises sign or billboard shall not be located within 150 feet of any street intersection.
(5)
Location. The dimensions of the sign shall be located in accordance with the yard setbacks for structures located in the "I" Industrial District.
(6)
Height. An off-premises sign or billboard shall not project higher than 22 feet, as measured from the base of the sign or grade of the nearest adjacent roadway, whichever is higher.
(7)
Lighting. All signs shall be erected in conformity with 67 Pa. Code § 445.4(b) (3), Lighting of Signs, and 67 Pa. Code § 445(b)(4), General Provisions, and this chapter.
(8)
Site plan. An application for an off-premises sign or billboard shall be accompanied by a site plan which complies with all of the applicable requirements as set forth in this chapter, as amended. The site plan shall include a sketch plan of the property involved, showing accurate placement thereon of the proposed sign.
(9)
Engineering certification. Any application for an off-premises sign or billboard shall be accompanied by a site specific design, drawings and specifications prepared and certified by a professional engineer licensed by the State of Pennsylvania.
(10)
Written consent of owner. Any application for an off-premises sign or billboard shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed. It shall also contain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the applicant, the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed, the owner of the sign, and the person to be erecting or affixing the sign.
(11)
All requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and any of its agencies that have jurisdiction over the location and placement of off-site outdoor advertising signs along Route 1 shall be met, and proof thereof shall be submitted to the Borough prior to the issuance of a permit for an off-site outdoor advertising sign.
[Added 7-25-2011 by Ord. No. 987[1]]
C.
Electronic message board signs.
[Added 7-25-2011 by Ord. No. 987]
(1)
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD SIGN — A sign or portion thereof that can be electronically changed or programmed (usually remotely) without altering the physical surface of the sign.
(2)
One electronic message board sign, as defined herein, may be attached to a legal ground or facial sign, subject to the following provisions:
(a)
The maximum area of an electronic message board sign shall not exceed 672 square feet.
(b)
The length and width of an electronic message board sign shall not exceed the length and width, respectively, of the ground or facial sign to which it is attached.
(c)
The attachment of an electronic message board sign to a ground or facial sign shall not result in a sign that exceeds or violates any applicable dimensional criteria of this chapter governing signs.
(d)
The words, symbols or images displayed on electronic message board signs must remain stationary for a minimum of 30 seconds before changing to any other words, symbols or images. No flashing, animation or fade-in/fade-out shall be permitted.
(e)
In residential zoning districts, electronic message board signs may be operated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., prevailing time. In nonresidential zoning districts, electronic message board signs may be operated only between sunrise and 11:00 p.m., prevailing time.
(f)
The light intensity of all electronic message board signs shall be so controlled as to not create glare, hazards or nuisances.
D.
Fees. An application for a building permit to construct or erect an off-premises advertising sign or billboard or electronic message board sign shall be accompanied by a one-time application fee in an amount set from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council. Thereafter an annual permit fee shall be payable to the Borough on or before January 31 of each year, in an amount set from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
[Added 7-25-2011 by Ord. No. 987]
§ 465-54 General sign regulations.
[Amended 3-14-1984 by Ord. No. 788]
A.
Illuminated signs in the R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4 and NPEH Districts shall be constructed or installed to prevent glare or light rays from being cast upon other properties.
B.
No sign shall have visible moving or moveable parts or flashing, animated or intermittent illumination.
C.
No sign placed parallel to the face of a building shall project more than six inches above the roof or beyond the end of the wall to which it is attached.
D.
No sign placed perpendicular to the face of a building shall exceed four square feet in area. Such signs shall not obstruct pedestrian ways and shall not be placed within two feet of the curb line.
E.
No signs shall be located within any street lines except signs permitted in §§ 465-48A(1) and 465-48B(2).
F.
Freestanding signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
G.
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
H.
All signs except temporary signs shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair. Electrical signs shall be subject to Underwriters Laboratory, Incorporated, inspection and approval.
I.
Nonconforming signs once removed shall be replaced only with conforming signs; however, nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired provided such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
J.
All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 129, Building and Construction Codes.
K.
Signs which use the colors of official traffic signs shall not be designed to resemble those signs nor shall they be placed in such a location as to confuse the motorist.
§ 465-55 Sign setbacks.
A.
Signs in residential districts shall be set back no less than five feet from all property lines and right-of-way lines.
B.
Signs in commercial districts shall be setback no less than 1/2 the front yard requirement and no less than a distance equal to the side or rear yard setback distance set forth in Table 465-18[1].
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 465-18 is included at the end of this chapter.