Oxford City Zoning Code

Parking and Loading (Subpart 3B of this chapter).

Streets, Circulation, and Multimodal Access (Subpart 3B of Chapter 22).

Landscaping and Screening (Subpart 3C of this chapter and Subpart 3C of Chapter 22).

Outdoor Lighting (Subpart 3D of this chapter and Subpart 3D of Chapter 22).

Signs (Subpart 3E of this chapter).

Ensure there are adequate amounts of off-street parking and loading facilities to serve the use(s) and users of the property;

Help to avoid and mitigate traffic congestion, traffic hazards, and vehicle and pedestrian interaction;

Encourage alternative parking designs and integrated pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations to avoid auto-oriented development patterns and reduce local dependence on single-occupancy vehicular trips;

Provide methods to reduce impervious surfaces and provide adequate drainage structures in order to reduce the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff;

Facilitate the implementation of sustainable design practices and development of green infrastructure to protect natural resources and improve the Borough's resiliency in the face of climate change; and

Provide flexible methods for responding to the transportation and access demands of various land uses in different areas of the Borough.

All parking areas serving nonresidential, mixed-use, and multi-family uses, except as provided in Subsection 4 below.

All parking areas, structures, and garages serving as the primary use of a lot.

Parking requirements of this Subpart 3B shall apply to all new development, infill development and any change or expansion of use for existing structures.

Required off-street parking facilities shall remain accessory to uses listed herein and shall be solely for the parking of passenger automobiles of patrons, occupants, and/or employees.

No motor vehicle repair work of any kind, except emergency service, shall be permitted within parking lots.

The requirements of this section shall apply to all single-, two-, and multi-family uses up to four units.

Garage and driveway areas may be included in the calculation of off-street parking area. However, for purposes of calculating the minimum required off-street parking, the following portions of a driveway shall not be included:

Parking may be permitted in the front yard area, provided all vehicles are located on an approved driveway.

Parking is prohibited on grass areas and yard space that is not paved and properly designated for such use.

Where vehicular access is from the street:

Garage facades shall occupy no more than 50% of the ground-level facade facing the street.

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces for all other districts shall be in conformance with the following:

The requirements for a combination of uses (e.g., a retail store with an office building) shall be determined by establishing the requirement for each single use and adding them together, unless otherwise noted herein.

If a related or accessory use in connection with a principal use is open to the public, the off-street parking requirement for the related use shall be in addition to that for the principal use.

When the required number of parking spaces is computed and a fraction of a parking space results, any fraction below one-quarter may be disregarded. Any fraction over one-quarter shall necessitate the addition of a full parking space.

For any use not covered in this section, the Zoning Officer shall determine the requirement for minimum off-street parking based on the use or building most similar in Subsection 2.A above.

Parking spaces shall have a minimum height clearance of eight feet.

In the layout of parking lots, the minimum required stall width, stall depth, and aisle shall be as follows:

All parking areas shall be on the same lot as the principal building, except as otherwise prescribed by this Subpart 3B,

Parking spaces may be located within a structure or in the open.

The overall width of the parking area frontage shall not exceed 30% of the lot width.

The paved parking area shall be at least 10 feet behind the front building line.

Unless otherwise specified, off-street parking areas or structures shall maintain a minimum 10-foot setback from all property lines.

No parking area shall be within 20 feet of an intersection as measured from the nearest edge or curb.

All spaces shall be of an approved all-weather surface and shall be maintained in smooth and well-graded condition. Such surface shall be permanent and capable of being kept free of snow, dust, and dirt.

The use of pervious pavement material is highly encouraged. Where parking areas are comprised of permeable pavement, only 50% of the parking area shall count towards the calculation of maximum lot coverage. Where pervious pavement is provided, the developer shall enter into a five-year maintenance agreement with escrow securing the performance of the maintenance necessary for the pervious pavement to the satisfaction of the Borough Solicitor.

Parking spaces shall be clearly delineated by suitable markings.

For parking areas of 100 spaces or fewer, a minimum of one accessible space per each 25 total spaces shall be provided. For parking areas with greater than 100 spaces, the above standard shall apply to the first 100 spaces and a minimum of one accessible space for each 50 total spaces in excess of 100 shall also be provided. Van-accessible spaces shall, at a minimum, represent one of every eight accessible spaces, but every parking area shall contain at least one van-accessible space, regardless of the total number of spaces.

Said spaces shall be most accessible and proximate to the building or buildings which the parking spaces shall serve.

Each space or group of spaces shall be identified with a clearly visible marking displaying the international symbol of access.

Unless clearly infeasible, as determined by the Borough, each space shall be further identified by a sign displaying the international symbol of access and at a height sufficient to be seen while a vehicle is parked in the space.

Markings and signs shall indicate van accessibility where applicable.

Each accessible space shall have a minimum width of eight feet. In addition, other than for van-accessible spaces, there shall be an access aisle with a minimum width of five feet located adjacent to the designated parking space to enable access to/from the vehicle; the boundary of the access aisle shall be clearly marked. Such spaces and aisles shall be located on a level, paved surface suitable for wheelchair use and shall comply with any applicable state or federal standard or requirement for handicapped parking.

Van Accessible Spaces.

Where two or more uses are located on the same or separate lots, an applicant may propose the use of joint or shared parking and/or loading spaces.

Such arrangements may be authorized by the Zoning Officer, provided the following conditions are met:

Applicants seeking authorization of such arrangement shall submit written documentation justifying their requests, including:

Joint or shared parking and loading areas shall provide for cross-access with clearly delineated vehicular drive aisles (See Figure 3.B-2). Separation of joint or shared parking areas by a wall, guard rail, or other structure preventing vehicular access shall be prohibited, unless otherwise approved by the Borough.

Borough-owned off-street parking spaces may be used as a credit to satisfy all or part of the minimum off-street parking requirement for any given use at the discretion and approval of the Borough.

The number of parking spaces which may be used for such credit shall be determined by the Borough Manager based on the capacity and availability of spaces at the time of application, also taking into consideration other such agreements and future needs.

To be eligible for such credit, the spaces must be located within 500 feet of the use as measured by the linear distance between the nearest property lines of the parking area and use.

The use of Borough-owned parking spaces as a credit toward required minimum off-street parking shall be subject to an annual fee as set by resolution of the Borough Council.

As an alternative to the direct provision of off-street parking, whether on-site or off-site, for a use that will require parking under the terms of this Subpart 3B, an applicant may seek conditional use approval from Borough Council to pay a fee in lieu of the required parking.

Where, in the opinion of Borough Council, in response to the applicant's request for conditional use approval, alternative approaches to meeting the parking needs can be achieved, including but not limited to the use of Borough-owned parking facilities, Borough Council may authorize the payment of a fee in lieu of the actual provision of some or all of that required parking by the applicant.

Compact spaces are clearly designated for use by compact cars only.

Compact spaces are no less than seven feet in width and 15 feet in length.

The minimum number of parking spaces required for any use may be adjusted by Borough Council with conditional use approval. Applicants seeking an adjustment shall be required to submit a parking demand analysis, completed at their own expense.

Such analysis shall include, at a minimum:

Permitted EVSE shall include Level 1, 2, and 3 charging stations.

Battery charging station outlets and connector devices shall be mounted to comply with local and state building and energy codes and must comply with all relevant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting posts, bollards, or other devices shall be designed and located as to not impede pedestrian travel or create trip hazards on sidewalks.

Cords shall be retractable or have a place to hang the connector and cord keeping them off the ground.

EVSE pedestals shall be designed to minimize potential damage by accidents, vandalism and to be safe for use in inclement weather.

EVSE shall not encroach into the required dimensions of a parking space (length, width, and height clearances).

EVSE shall be maintained in all respects, including the functioning of the equipment. A phone number or other contact information shall be provided on publicly accessible equipment for reporting problems and customer support.

Number of Spaces. Buildings with commercial, industrial or storage uses which exceed 6,000 square feet of gross leasable floor area shall be provided with a minimum of one off-street loading and unloading space.

Size. Loading and unloading space shall be at least 12 feet wide with 14 feet of vertical clearance and shall have an adequate maneuvering area.

Joint or Shared Loading Spaces. Where two or more uses are located on the same lot or located on separate lots, an applicant may propose the use of joint or shared loading spaces. Such arrangements may be authorized by the Zoning Officer, provided the conditions of § 27-316.1 are met.

Promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:

Promote the efficient transfer of information through the use of signs and to permit such use, but not necessarily in the most profitable form or format available for such use.

Protect the public welfare and enhance the overall appearance and economic value of the landscape, and preserve the unique natural and historic environment that distinguishes the Borough in accordance with Article I, Section 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The protection of the Borough's historic resources, environment and aesthetics from the impacts of signage is a matter of critical importance to all residents and businesses in the Borough.

It is further declared that these regulations are minimum standards provided to safeguard the life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design quality, materials, construction, size, illumination, location and maintenance of all signs and sign structures while at the same time attempting to provide functional flexibility, encourage variety, and to create an incentive to relate signage to the basic principles of sound planning, development and use of residential, commercial and industrial properties.

A permit shall be required to construct, alter, install, and maintain any sign, in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and all other ordinances and regulations relating to the erection, alteration, or maintenance of signs. Permit fees shall be established by resolution of the Borough Council.

Signs shall not contain flashing, revolving, moving, sound-producing, or animated parts, including any sign which has the capability of motion in whole or in part, with the exception of:

No sign shall be placed in such a position or have such a source of illumination that it directly illuminates any street, creates glare or will cause any danger to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

Floodlighting of any sign shall be arranged so that the source of light is not visible nor glare is detected from any property line or vehicular access and that only the sign is illuminated.

No sign other than official traffic signs or public service signs shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any street.

Every sign must be constructed of durable material and be kept in good condition. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by the owner or, upon failure of the owner to do so, by the Borough at the expense of the owner or lessee. The Borough Code Enforcement Officer shall make such determination as to state of repair. All violations shall be corrected within 90 days of receiving a notice of violation.

No sign shall be erected or located so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any window, door, fire escape, sidewalk, or driveway.

No sign shall be erected which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor.

No sign shall be erected which uses an artificial light source or reflecting device which may be mistaken for a traffic signal.

No sign shall be placed on any tree except temporary signs affixed with string or rope. No sign shall be painted or drawn on a rock or other natural feature.

Freestanding signs, exclusive of directory signs.

Any vehicle or structure to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle or structure but becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be considered a freestanding sign and as such be subject to the applicable provisions regarding freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle or structure is located, as contained in Subsection 1.L.

Temporary Signs.

Signs located on lots for the following limited purposes shall be permitted, provided that they do not exceed two square feet in area and are placed at intervals not less than 100 feet along any street frontage, and shall not require a permit:

Portable Signs.

Directory Signs.

No sign shall be permitted which has or includes content that is not subject to the protections of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 7, of the Pennsylvania Constitution, including, but not limited to, the following:

No more than two signs, including any freestanding sign, shall be erected on any one street frontage.

The area on one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

The area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.

One such sign shall be permitted for each permitted use or dwelling.

The sign shall not be illuminated.

The area on one side of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

No more than one sign, including any freestanding sign, shall be erected on any one street frontage.

When an existing nonconforming use fronts on a street that forms the boundary with a nonresidential zoning district, the sign(s) which front(s) on that street may assume the requirements of the district on the other side of the boundary upon a duly executed application to the Zoning Officer and fulfillment of other requirements of this chapter for that nonresidential district.

Any freestanding sign shall comply with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.L.

The area on one side of such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.

The sign shall be erected only on the premises on which the subdivision or land development is located.

No more than one such sign shall be erected on any one street frontage.

No more than one freestanding sign, exclusive of a directory sign and all directional signs, shall be allowed on any one property.

The area on one side of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

The distance from ground level to the highest part of any freestanding sign shall not exceed eight feet.

No sign shall be visible from the rear of any property when the rear of that property abuts a residential district, nor shall any sign be visible from the side of any property when the side of that property abuts a residential district.

The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage placed on or facing any one street frontage of any one premises shall not exceed 10% of the square footage of the front facade of the building or 80 square feet, whichever is less, except in the case of a tract or building having more than one commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential use.

Building or Tract Having More Than One Use.

No more than two separate signs shall face any one street frontage for any individual use.

Signs shall not project in height above the roofline of the building to which they are attached.

No sign shall be visible from the rear of any property when the rear of that property abuts a residential district, nor shall any sign be visible from the side of any property when the side of that property abuts a residential district.

The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage for a property in the C-2 District shall be 10% of the square footage of the front facade of the building or 60 square feet, whichever is less.

Total permitted signage shall be divided among not more than three signs.

One directory sign shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.Q(2). Such directory sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

Signs mounted perpendicular to the building frontage shall not project more than five feet from the building wall. The minimum height from ground level to the lowest part of such sign shall be not less than eight feet.

One temporary sign associated with a short-term commercial activity shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.N(2).

Window signs shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-344, Subsection 6.

Such sign shall be erected only by the owner or lessee of the tract of land on which the use is located.

The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage per property in the TC Districts shall be 7% of the square footage of the front facade of the building or 50 square feet, whichever is less.

Total permitted signage may be divided into not more than two signs, at least one of which shall be mounted on the front facade of the building.

One directory sign shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.Q(2). Such directory sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

The terms of § 27-345, Subsection 2.E, shall be applicable in the TC Districts.

One temporary sign associated with a short-term commercial activity shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.N(2).

Window signs shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-344, Subsection 6.

Such sign shall be erected only by the owner or lessee of the tract of land on which the use is located.

There shall be a maximum of two signs, including any freestanding sign, facing one street frontage for any one premises.

The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage per property in the I District, including any freestanding sign but exclusive of any directory sign, shall be 150 square feet.

Window signs shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-344, Subsection 2.E.

Directory signs, in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.Q(1).

Directory signs, in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.Q(2). Such directory sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

In addition, for each use located in a building on the tract, one wall-mounted sign shall be permitted. The area of such sign shall not exceed 10% of the square footage of the front facade of the building or 200 square feet, whichever is less.

Billboards shall be permitted only within the I General Industrial District, and only when approved as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.

In addition to the criteria for evaluating a special exception application contained in Subpart 4D, any application for approval of a billboard as a special exception shall be evaluated in terms of the potential impact of the proposed billboard's location and dimensions on:

The applicant for special exception approval of a billboard shall have the burden of proving compliance with all applicable criteria and regulations. Documents and plans necessary to establish compliance shall be submitted to the Zoning Hearing Board with the special exception application and demonstrate compliance with the following requirements:

No sign shall be visible from the rear of any property when the rear of that property abuts a residential district, nor shall any sign be visible from the side of any property when the side of that property abuts a residential district.

The maximum total area of permitted permanent business signage per property in the MU-CI District, including any freestanding sign but exclusive of any directory sign, shall be 150 square feet.

Building or tract having more than one use:

One temporary sign associated with a short-term commercial activity shall be permitted in accordance with the terms of § 27-342, Subsection 1.N(2).

Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe and/or poses a potential threat to the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public safety, and such condition becomes known to the Zoning Officer, he or she shall give written notice to the owner of the premises on which the sign is located that such sign must be made safe within five days, unless the Zoning Officer shall deem appropriate a more extended period for compliance.

Where in the opinion of the Zoning Officer and/or the Code Enforcement Officer, any sign as described above constitutes an imminent hazard to public safety necessitating immediate action, the Zoning Officer shall be empowered to take those measures he or she deems appropriate to secure, stabilize, or remove such sign without the written notice to the owner of the premises otherwise required by that section. Any expense directly incurred to secure, stabilize, or remove such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the Borough may file a lien upon the property on which such sign was situated for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the Borough to secure, stabilize, or remove the sign.

Failure of the Zoning Officer to remove, or require the removal of, any unsafe sign as described in this section shall create no liability upon, nor any cause of action against, the Zoning Officer or any other Borough official or employee for damage or injury that may occur as a result of such sign.

It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property upon which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within 180 days of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this section. Removal of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign, including the sign face, supporting structure, structural trim, and all associated electrical components when applicable.

Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located fails to remove such sign in 180 days, the Borough may remove such sign after the Zoning Officer gives written notice to the sign owner. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the Borough may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough, associated with the removal of the sign.

Any digital copy sign shall have installed an ambient light monitor, which shall continuously monitor and automatically adjust the brightness of the sign to appropriate levels for the existing ambient light conditions.

The maximum brightness levels for digital copy signs shall not exceed 0.1 footcandle over ambient light levels measured at the boundary of any abutting property.

Between sunrise and sunset, luminance shall be no greater than 5,000 nits. At all other times, luminance shall be no greater than 250 nits.

Digital copy signs shall comply with all applicable general signage and zoning district regulations of this chapter or as otherwise lawfully permitted.

Any such sign employing changeable displays shall also be subject to the terms of Subsection 2, below.

The application for a sign permit, where the property is located within the Oxford Borough Historic District, shall be subject to the terms and procedures of the Oxford Borough Historic District Ordinance (Chapter 12) prior to the issuance of a sign permit.

Changeable display signs shall comply with all applicable general signage and zoning district regulations of this chapter, including Subsection 1, above, or as otherwise lawfully permitted.

Changeable displays shall only be utilized as a component of a freestanding sign in the front yard, or on the front facade of a building, on property in the C-1, C-2, TC-1, TC-2, I, or MU-CI Zoning Districts. Only one such sign shall be permitted per property.

A changeable display sign shall only be permitted as a part of or in conjunction with a permitted sign on a lot, provided that its area is included in the calculation of the total allowable sign area and constitutes no more than 25% of such area.

Changes in a digital display shall be instantaneous and shall not flash, blink, or otherwise give the appearance of movement or other variation in the display.

Changes in the signage display shall include the entire display such that different portions of the display are not changing at different times.

Changes in a digital display shall not occur more frequently than once every 10 seconds.

In the C-1, I, and MU-CI Districts, a digital display sign with a sign area greater than 50 square feet shall not change its message more frequently than once every 30 seconds.

Changeable display signs shall be subject to the Building and Electrical Codes of Oxford Borough.

A nonconforming sign shall not be converted to, adapted, repurposed, or otherwise approved as a changeable display sign unless it is modified to conform to the applicable regulations of this chapter, including the requirements of this section.

No sign designated as a billboard under the terms of this chapter shall utilize digital changeable displays.

A changeable display sign shall require a sign permit. The fee for the permit shall be as established by resolution of Borough Council.

All signs which have or will become nonconforming as the result of the adoption or amendment of this chapter may continue unless the same are deemed by the Zoning Officer to have been abandoned.

Abandonment shall be determined in accordance with the criteria in § 27-349 of this chapter; the terms of § 27-349 also shall govern the removal of any nonconforming sign determined to be abandoned.

In the event that a nonconforming sign is damaged and it is determined that the cost of repair is in excess of 25% of the cost to replace the sign, such sign shall only be repaired or replaced in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.