To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City.

To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the City's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth.

To improve pedestrian and traffic safety.

To minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property.

To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions.

To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in commercial and industrial zones, and a limited variety of signs in other zones, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this article.

To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this article.

Computation of area of individual signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.

Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of (1) existing grade prior to construction, or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

Computation of maximum total permitted sign area for a zone lot. The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a zone lot shall be computed by applying the formula contained in Table 1332.05(B), Maximum Total Sign Area, to the lot frontage, building frontage or wall area, as appropriate, for the zoning district in which the lot is located. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted sign area for each street frontage. However, the total sign area that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed the portion of the lot's total sign area allocation that is derived from the lot, building, or wall area on that street.

The sum of the area of all building and free standing signs on the zone lot conforms to the maximum permitted sign area as determined by the formula for the zoning district in which the lot is located as specified in Table 1332.05(B).

The size, location, and number of signs on the lot conform with the requirements of Tables 1332.05(C) and 1332.05(D), which establish permitted sign dimensions by sign type, and with any additional limitations listed in Table 1332.05(A).

The characteristics of the sign conform with the limitations of Table 1332.05(E), Permitted Sign Characteristics, and with any additional limitations on characteristics listed in Table 1332.05(A).

Historic sign. Memorializes an important historic place, event, or person and that is specifically authorized by the City, County, State or Federal agency.

Holiday decorations. Commemorates a holiday recognized by the City, Council, State, or Federal Government, does not include advertising, and is specifically authorized by the City.

Not readable sign. Not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line, and is specifically authorized by the City.

Official sign. Erected by the State, County, City or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by City Ordinance or resolution, and which exists for public purposes.

Required sign. Only includes information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the City, and is specifically authorized by the City.

Right-of-way signs. Posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the City or PennDOT.

All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the Building Code and the Electrical Code of the City at all times.

Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this article, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.

All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all building and electrical codes, and in conformance with this code, at all times.

Permanent Signs: Permanent signs, including:

Emergency signs. Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of- way.

Other signs forfeited. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this section, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation by the City. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the City shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign, the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.

Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the zone lot or parcel on which such sign is located;

Works of art that do not include a commercial message;

Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, but only between November 15 and January 15;

Traffic control signs on private property, such as Stop, Yield, and similar signs, the face of which meet Department of Transportation standards and which contain no commercial message of any sort;

Any poster or sandwich board sign which does not prohibit pedestrian or traffic flow, which is no more than 36 inches wide and 62 inches high, and which is displayed only during business hours;

Temporary exemptions may be permitted for special circumstances by action of City Council.

Permit for new sign or for sign modification. An application for construction, creation, or installation of a new sign or for modification of an existing sign shall be accomplished by detailed drawings to show the dimensions, design, structure, and location of each particular sign. One application and permit may include multiple signs on the same zone lot.

Inspection. The Permit Officer shall cause an inspection of the zone lot for which each permit for a new sign or for modification of an existing sign is issued after the issuance of such permit or at such earlier date as the owner may request. If the construction is complete and in full compliance with this article and with the building and electrical codes, the Permit Officer shall notify the owner or applicant. If the construction is substantially complete but not in full compliance with this article and applicable codes, the Permit Officer shall give the owner or applicant notice of the deficiencies and shall allow an additional 30 days from the date of inspection for the deficiencies to be corrected. If the deficiencies are not corrected by such date, the permit shall lapse.

Assignment of sign permits. A current and valid sign permit shall be assignable to a successor as owner of the property or holder of a business license for the same premises.

The City reserves the right to inspect any and all signs for compliance with this article, at any time.

Temporary signs on private property shall be allowed only upon the issuance of a Temporary Sign Permit, which shall be subject to the following requirements:

Non-conforming existing signs, permits and terms. A sign that would be permitted under this article only with a sign permit, but which was in existence on the date of enactment of this Ordinance, and which was constructed in accordance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of its construction, but which by reason of its size, height, location, design, or construction is not in conformance with the requirements of this article, shall be issued a Non- conforming Sign Permit if an application is filed. A Non-conforming sign may be repaired, reconstructed or replaced, provided that no structural alterations are made which increase the gross surface area of the sign.

Lapse of Non-conforming Sign Permit: A Non-conforming Sign Permit shall lapse and become void under the same circumstances as those under which any other sign permit may lapse and become void.

Sign removal required. A sign that was constructed, painted, installed, or maintained in conformance with a permit under this article, but for which the time allowed for the continuance of a non-conforming sign has expired, shall be forthwith removed without notice or action from the City.

To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign or the zone lot on which the sign is located;

To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign requiring a permit without such a permit;

To fail to remove any sign that is installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of this article, or for which the sign permit has lapsed; and

To continue any such violation. Each such day of continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this article.

Issuing a stop-work order for any and all work on any signs on the same zone lot;

Seeking an injunction or other order or restraint or abatement that requires the removal of the sign(s) or the correction of the non-conformity;

Imposing any penalties that can be imposed directly by the City under the Zoning Ordinance and/or Building Code;

Seeking in court the imposition of any penalties that can be imposed by such court under the Zoning Ordinance and/or Building Code;

In the case of a sign that poses an immediate danger to the public health or safety, taking such measures as are available to the City under the applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and/or Building Code for such circumstances.