Perkasie City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Signs
§ 186-74 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign that is part of an awning or canopy over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. See also § 186-5C, Word usage and definitions, "Awning or canopy."
See "off-premises signs" and "commercial outdoor advertising signs."
A sign on which message copy can be changed through the use of electronic switching of lamps or other illuminated devices. This includes public service information, such as time and temperature, displays or any sign which features automatic or manual switching or changing of its message content.
A permanent off-premises sign erected, maintained or used for the purpose of providing copy area for advertising messages for rent or lease.
A type of temporary sign which is intended to advertise a nonprofit community or civic event.
A type of temporary sign which is intended to advertise the name of project or development and/or the contractor, architect, engineer, financier, etc.
A sign supported by means of poles or standards on the ground. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the proposed finished grade to the highest point of the sign structure.
A sign which directs attention to a person, business, profession, product, home occupation or activity not conducted on the same premises.
A sign which directs attention to a person, business, profession, product, home occupation or activity conducted on the same premises.
A sign parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface. Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted or shall not project more than six inches from its surface.
Any temporary sign pertaining to political views, an individual seeking election or appointment to a public office or a forthcoming public election or referendum.
A separate lot or tax parcel with individual frontage abutting the street line. A "premises" may include more than one occupant, as in an office complex or shopping center.
A sign on a wall or other vertical building surface other than a parallel sign or a window sign.
A sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of the property upon which it is located.
A sign upon the roof or parapet of a building, the entire face of which is situated above the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, the decklines of mansard roofs and the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs of the building to which it is attached and which is wholly or partially supported by said building.
A temporary sign, also called an A-frame sign, which has no permanent base and is not fixed permanently to the ground or a building, with a one- or two-sided sign face.
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof or any device attached, painted or represented, directly or indirectly, on a structure or other outdoor surface that shall display or include any letter, work, insignia, flag or representation used as or which is in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual communication, direction or which is designed to attract the eye or bring the subject to the attention of the public.
A sign intended for short-term use, such as a promotional sign, including signs pertaining to business events, community events, political issues, an individual seeking public office or a forthcoming public election.
A sign which is affixed and/or painted to a vehicle in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs is no longer incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose. Such signs shall be subject to the regulations for freestanding signs as defined in this article. This definition does not apply to signs on vehicles when in motion and vehicles with a valid license.
A temporary or permanent sign which is oriented to the public right-of-way and is located on the inside or outside of a window to direct attention to an activity conducted on the same lot.
§ 186-75 General regulations.
A.
Location of signs.
(1)
No signs except those of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, shall be allowed within five feet of the rear edge of a sidewalk and within 10 feet behind the proposed curbline of the street in those areas not having a sidewalk. The proposed curbline shall be determined by reference to the existing ordinance of Perkasie Borough which ordains the street which the said curb abuts or, when there is no such ordinance, by reference to the cartway width specified for the classification of said street as set forth in § 164-20 of the Code of Perkasie Borough, Chapter 164, Subdivision and Land Development. This provision shall not apply to projecting signs.
(2)
No person shall affix, by any means, a sign to any electric or light pole, facility or structure of the Borough without the Borough's authorization.
(3)
No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control device (by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristics) or through any other means. Reasonable sight lines are defined in Chapter 164, Article III, § 164-20G, Sight distance, of the Code of the Borough of Perkasie.
(4)
(Reserved)
(5)
No sign shall lie within a parking space or fire lane.
(6)
No sign shall block movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares.
B.
Area of signs.
(1)
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 bracing which are incidental to the display itself.
(2)
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 associated with the sign.
(3)
Where a sign consists of individual letters or symbols, the area shall be considered to be the area of the smallest rectangle or other shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
In computing area of a double-face sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-face sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
(5)
If an establishment has walls fronting on two or more streets or if the property fronts on more than one street, the sign area for each building wall or property frontage shall be computed separately.
(6)
A sign supported by more than one means (and therefore may be defined as a freestanding, wall, roof or projecting sign) shall have its area and height calculation determined by the type of sign which has the least restrictive standards.
C.
Code requirements.
(1)
Prior to the erection of a sign and the issuance of a permit, the Borough Code Enforcement Officer shall review all signs for conformance to the provisions of this article, the Municipal Building Code (see Chapter 70, Building Construction, and any other article or regulation of the Borough).
(2)
No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means, and electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code. All electrical sign components, connections and installations shall conform to specifications of the National Electrical Code and Underwriters' Laboratories. In no case shall any open spark or flame be used for display purposes.
(3)
Every sign permitted by this article must be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair.
(4)
Upon written notice by the Borough of Perkasie, the owner or the person or firm maintaining a sign must remove said sign when it becomes insecure, or it is in danger of falling, or it becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication, or it is determined by the Borough to be a nuisance, or it is deemed unsafe by the Borough or it is unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions of this article. The Borough of Perkasie may remove or cause to be removed said sign at the expense of the owner and/or lessee in the event the owner or the person or firm maintaining said sign has not complied with the terms of said notice within 30 days of the date of the notice. In the event of immediate danger, however, the Borough of Perkasie may remove said sign immediately upon the issuance of said notice to the owner, person or firm maintaining said sign.
D.
Other general requirements.
(1)
Signs may be illuminated by direct or indirect lighting, but shall have such lighting shielded so that no direct light will shine on abutting properties or in the normal line of vision of the public using the streets or sidewalks.
(2)
Temporary signs placed outdoors directing attention to commercial promotions or activities on the same lot shall be moved indoors at the end of each business day.
(3)
No off-premises sign shall be established nearer than 100 feet to an R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, or A district, unless the advertising surface of such sign is not visible therefrom.
(4)
In those zoning districts in which freestanding and projecting signs are permitted, only one of the foregoing types of signs may be erected on any one premises.
(5)
In those zoning districts in which roof and projecting signs are permitted, only one of the foregoing types of signs may be erected upon any one premises.
(7)
Height of a sign is measured from finished grade. The height of an earth mound on which a sign is mounted shall be included in the allowable height.
(8)
No sign shall be erected containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of the Borough zoning chapter in the zoning district in which the property is located.
§ 186-76 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Any sign legally existing at the time of the passage of this article that does not conform in use, location, height or size to the regulations of the district in which such sign is located shall be considered a nonconforming sign and shall be bound by the regulations of this article regarding nonconforming signs.
B.
A sign on a building or structure which does not conform to this article shall be removed when the building or structure is demolished or when its renovation or expansion amounts to over 50% of the market value of the structure as assessed by the Bucks County Board of Tax Assessment.
C.
Signs existing at the time of the passage of this article which do not conform to the requirements of this article shall be considered nonconforming signs and, once removed or damaged more than 60% of the material of which the sign is constructed, including structural framing and bracing, shall be replaced only with conforming signs. However, nonconforming signs with damage of 60% or less may be repainted or repaired, provided that such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
D.
A nonconforming sign must be removed within 14 days or be made to conform to this article in every respect whenever:
§ 186-77 Permits.
A.
A permit must be obtained from the Borough for the erection of all signs erected in the Borough, unless specifically exempted in § 186-78A.
B.
Exemptions from the necessity of securing a permit, however, shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the sign involved from responsibility for its erection in a safe manner and in a manner in accordance with all the other provisions of this article.
C.
Before any permit is granted for the erection of a sign or sign structure, plans and specifications may, at the discretion of the Borough of Perkasie, be filed with the Borough showing the dimensions, materials and details of construction, including loads, stresses, anchorage and any other pertinent engineering data. Plans for signs with a proposed area greater than 100 square feet shall be prepared and sealed by a structural engineer. The application for permit shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected for the Borough to enter said premises to inspect such sign.
D.
No new sign shall hereafter be erected except as herein provided and until a permit has been issued by the Borough.
E.
The changing of movable parts of an approved changeable copy sign that is designed for such changes or the repainting or reposting of display matter shall not be deemed an alteration, provided that the conditions of the original approval and the requirements of this article are not violated. Normal sign maintenance shall not require a permit.
F.
Permit fees to erect a sign shall be in accordance with the sign fee schedule adopted by the Borough. Said schedule is on file in the office of the Borough Secretary and may be examined there during regular office hours.
§ 186-78 Exempt and prohibited signs.
A.
Exempt signs. The following signs are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit, unless otherwise specified, provided that the applicable conditions have been met:
(1)
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other official federal, state, county or Borough signs.
(2)
Signs displaying only the name and address of the occupant of the premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot and not more than one such sign shall be erected for each 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. Signs of this nature shall be located not less than five feet from any lot line and at least five feet behind the sidewalk or street line where no sidewalk exists.
(3)
No-trespassing signs and signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, provided that the area of any such sign does not exceed one square foot.
(4)
Real estate signs, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed six square feet and that not more than two such signs shall be placed on property held in single and separate ownership unless the property fronts on more than one street, in which case two such signs shall be permitted along each street. All such signs shall be removed within three days after a final settlement or an agreement of rental has been entered into.
(5)
Governmental flags or insignias.
(6)
Legal notices.
(7)
Window signs giving store hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions, provided that the total area of any such sign or all signs together does not exceed two square feet.
(8)
Vending machine signs bearing the brand name of a product or the price of such product when displayed on a vending machine selling such product.
(9)
Public service and information signs advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephones or similar public conveniences; also signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable organizations. These may be erected provided that they do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or service, except those of public utilities. Any public service and information sign shall not exceed four square feet. Signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable organizations shall not exceed four square feet; provided, however, that a number of such signs may be erected at a common location where their aggregate size does not exceed 32 square feet.
(10)
Permanent bulletin or announcement board signs for public service announcements only, provided that the area of any one side of such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(11)
Temporary window signs announcing a drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, less than six square feet, placed in store windows.
(12)
Temporary on-premises signs announcing a drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization and temporary on-premises signs erected in conjunction with a political election. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and shall be removed immediately upon completion of the campaign, drive or event.
(13)
Temporary off-premises signs announcing a drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization and temporary off-premises signs erected in conjunction with a political election, subject to the following requirements:
(a)
No such sign shall exceed 20 square feet.
(b)
Signs shall be removed within one week after the date of the exhibit, show, event or election.
(c)
No such sign shall be posted earlier than three 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.
(d)
The applicant shall have permission from the property owner of the land where the sign is to be erected allowing the sign to be installed.
(14)
Memorial signs or historical signs or tablets, provided that such sign or tablet does not exceed four square feet.
(15)
Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone, or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are not made of a reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.
(16)
Temporary mechanic's or artisan's signs which have been set forth on the Borough building permit application may be erected during the period that such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected; provided, however, that such signs shall be removed immediately upon completion of work by the mechanic or artisan, and the total areas for all such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet. Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any given property on which such person is performing work unless such property fronts on more than one street.
(17)
Bunting, pennants and similar materials are permitted to announce the opening of a new business or industry and must be removed after seven days.
(18)
Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 24 inches in height and that it is erected only in a C-2 Commercial or I-2 Light Industrial District.
(19)
A sign advertising a yard sale and/or garage sale is permitted, provided that the sign is on premises, does not exceed four square feet in area, remains up only during the sale and does not appear more than once every six months on the same premises.
(20)
On-site directional and parking signs and warning signs are permitted in all zoning districts but are not considered in calculating sign area. No such signs shall exceed two square feet.
[Added 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1000]
B.
Prohibited signs. The following signs are unlawful and prohibited:
(1)
A sign that uses any method of illumination that can cause glare is prohibited, except in accordance with the following:
(a)
It must be so effectively shielded that glaring beams or rays of light are not directed to any portion of any street or highway, or any point off the lot.
(b)
It must be less than 1/4 footcandle, as measured from the curbline or shoulder, so as not to cause glare or impair the vision of any motor vehicle driver or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of his motor vehicle.
(c)
Illumination of any sign shall be continuous during all times of illumination. No sign shall have blinking or flashing illumination; provided, however, that changeable copy signs are not prohibited by reason of any blinking or flashing resulting from the changing of the message content or copy. It is understood that the message copy or content shall not blink or flash.
(d)
The copy or content of a changeable copy, video, or similar type sign shall not change more frequently than once every 60 seconds, except for time and temperature signs which may change once every five seconds. The changeable copy or animated portion of the sign may be no more than 50% of the permitted sign area. No scrolling changeable copy is permitted.
(2)
No sign may use the words "stop," "look," "danger" or any other word or character which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interferes with or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.
(3)
Except for traffic control signals, red or green lights are prohibited within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or 200 feet of a traffic control device signal, whichever is greater.
(4)
Any banner sign or sign of any other type is prohibited across a public street or on any private property, except for such signs which are approved by the Borough Council to be of general benefit to the Borough or for public convenience, necessity or welfare.
(5)
Any sign suspended between poles which is either a pennant which blows in the wind or a spinner which spins in the wind is prohibited.
(6)
Any banner-type sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights is prohibited.
(7)
Any sign is prohibited which does not conform to the requirements of the sign ordinance which was in effect when the sign was erected.
(8)
Any on-premises sign permitted under this article shall be removed or replaced at such times as the original subject of the sign moves to a different location or goes out of business.
(9)
Any sign nailed to a tree.
(10)
A sign that is in any way attached to a utility pole or municipal light standard except as otherwise permitted by the Borough.
(11)
Any sign which flashes, rotates, revolves, or oscillates, with the exception of barber poles.
(12)
Any vehicle or trailer which is parked on a public right-of-way or on public or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same or another property.
§ 186-79 On-premises signs in residential districts or for residential uses.
No sign shall be allowed except as follows:
A.
Parallel or freestanding signs for bulletin- or announcement-type boards or for identification of schools, churches, hospitals, recreation areas and other principal uses and buildings other than dwellings, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 15 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 placed on each street frontage, and provided that the height of such sign shall not exceed 20 feet.
B.
Parallel or freestanding signs for identification of an apartment development or single-family residential development of 25 units or more, erected on the site of said development and containing only the name of the development and the location of a sale or rental office, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 15 square feet and not more than one such sign shall be placed on property held in single or separate ownership, unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage. Such signs shall be constructed of brick, masonry, wood or other durable material to resist weathering and deterioration. No portion of such sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
C.
One sign for home occupations, indicating only names of persons, addresses, telephone numbers and the occupations, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet. A permit for such sign shall not be required if the subject home occupation has been approved by the Zoning Hearing Board where required. Signs of this nature shall be located within five feet of the rear edge of the sidewalk or within 10 feet behind the proposed curbline of the street in those areas not having a sidewalk.
D.
One construction/development sign, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet and such sign shall be removed within 20 days after the final inspection by the Borough Building Inspector. In addition to the construction/development sign, the following temporary signage is permitted in association with a new residential development.
[Amended 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1000]
(1)
Temporary on-premises signs associated with the proposed development may be erected along the project frontage/right-of-way during the construction period, provided that the area of such signs shall not exceed six square feet per sign and that no more than one sign per 200 feet of frontage shall be permitted along the existing right-of-way.
E.
A sign which identifies an individual building containing multiple dwelling units. The sign may identify only the property number, street address and/or the name of the building for a multiple family dwelling.
(1)
Number: no more than one sign shall be provided for any one building unless the building is located on a corner lot, in which case a sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(2)
Type: awning, freestanding, projecting, or wall.
(3)
Size: maximum of eight square feet.
(4)
Height of freestanding sign: maximum of five feet.
(5)
Illumination: unilluminated or indirectly illuminated only.
§ 186-80 On-premises signs in commercial districts.
Except for residential signs as governed by § 186-79, supra, or home occupation signs as permitted in § 186-18H(4)(j), no sign shall be permitted except as hereinafter set forth:
A.
Parallel signs for nonresidential uses, subject to the following conditions:
[Amended 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1000]
(1)
No portion of the signs shall be less than 10 feet above the proposed finished grade. If not projecting more than three inches from a wall of a building, the sign need not conform to the ten-foot height limit.
(2)
The total area of all signs shall not exceed 15% of the area of the first floor of the building face, including window and door area and cornices, to which they are attached.
(3)
Permanent window signs shall be considered parallel signs and included in this computation; temporary window signs shall not be included in this computation but shall nevertheless not exceed 40% of the total window area on each street.
(4)
One parallel sign may be erected for each street-level use occupying a single structure on the same premises.
(5)
If a parallel sign is utilized at a premises, then the premises shall not also have a roof sign.
B.
Freestanding signs in the case of planned commercial development shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1)
They shall be limited to one sign indicating the name of the development or similar information. In the event that such development fronts on two or more streets, a sign may be placed for each street frontage.
(2)
No portion of the sign shall be more than 20 feet above the ground.
(3)
The area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot for each two feet of linear lot frontage or 60 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(4)
Freestanding signs shall be so landscaped as to screen any utility and/or service equipment associated with them.
C.
Freestanding signs for nonresidential use in the case where planned commercial development has not been applied due to configuration of lots, size of lots or where individual lots are not considered part of a planned commercial development, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
They shall be limited to one such sign per structure. If more than one use is carried on in a single structure, then only one such sign may be erected; said sign may indicate the presence of all uses in the structure.
(2)
No portion of the sign shall be more than six feet above the ground.
(3)
The area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet or one square foot for each two feet of premises frontage, whichever is less.
(4)
In the event that the premises fronts on more than one street, one sign may be placed along each street frontage.
(5)
In the C-2 District, signs located along the Ridge Road frontage shall meet the following height and area standards instead of the standards of § 186-80C(2) and (3): No portion of the sign shall be more than 12 feet above the ground, and the area of the sign shall not exceed 30 square feet.
D.
Projecting signs are prohibited in the C-1 District.
E.
Projecting signs for nonresidential uses are permitted in the C-2 District, subject to the following conditions:
[Amended 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1000]
(1)
No portion of a projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet nor more than 20 feet above the proposed finished grade, and no such sign shall be less than two feet from the plane of the face of the curb.
(2)
When a building is occupied by one use, the area of such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet or one square foot for each two feet of premises frontage, whichever is less.
(3)
When a building is occupied by more than one use, each business may have a projecting sign; the area of such signs shall not exceed eight square feet.
(4)
In the event there are multiple uses occupying a single structure, one projecting sign may be erected for each use occupying a single structure on the same premises.
(5)
In the event that the premises fronts on more than one street, one projecting sign may be placed along each street frontage. Where multiple uses occupy a single structure, each projecting sign shall be located on the same street frontage as the entrance for the associated use.
(6)
If a projecting sign is utilized at a premises, then the premises shall not have a freestanding sign.
F.
Sandwich board signs are permitted in commercial districts in accordance with the following:
(1)
Such sign shall be displayed outside only during business hours and taken inside after business hours.
(2)
Only one such sign shall be permitted per property frontage.
(3)
Such signs shall not obstruct pedestrian traffic nor interfere with the opening of vehicle doors or obstruct sight lines along streets, sidewalks, or driveways.
(4)
Such signs shall be a maximum of two feet by three feet per side, exclusive of the stand.
§ 186-81 Signs permitted in industrial districts.
Except for residential signs as governed by § 186-79, supra, or home occupation signs as permitted § 186-18H(4)(j), no sign shall be permitted except as hereinafter set forth:
A.
On-premises signs.
(1)
Parallel signs for permitted nonresidential uses, provided that:
(a)
No portion shall be less than 10 feet above the proposed finished grade and extend more than six inches from the building wall. If not projecting more than three inches from a wall of a building, the sign need not conform to the ten-foot height limit.
(b)
The total area of all signs shall not exceed 15% of the area of the building face, including window and door area and cornices, to which they are attached.
(c)
Permanent window signs shall be considered parallel signs and included in this computation; temporary window signs shall not be included in this computation but shall nevertheless not exceed 40% of the total window area on each street.
(d)
One parallel sign may be erected for each use occupying a single structure on the same premises.
(e)
If a parallel sign is utilized at a premises, then the premises shall not also have a roof sign.
(2)
Freestanding signs in the case of planned industrial development shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a)
They shall be limited to one sign indicating the name of the development or similar information. In the event that such development fronts on two or more streets, a sign may be placed for each street frontage.
(b)
No portion of the sign shall be more than 20 feet above the ground.
(c)
The area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot for each two feet of linear lot frontage or 100 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(d)
If a freestanding sign is utilized at a premises, then the premises shall not also have a projecting sign.
(3)
Freestanding signs for nonresidential uses in the case where planned industrial development has not been applied due to configuration of lots, size of lots or where individual lots are not considered part of a planned industrial development, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
They shall be limited to one such sign per structure. If more than one use is carried on in a single structure, then only one sign may be erected; said sign may indicate the presence of all uses in the structure.
(b)
No portion of the sign shall be more than 20 feet above the ground.
(c)
The area of the sign shall not exceed 100 square feet or one square foot for each two feet of premises frontage, whichever is less.
(d)
In the event that the premises fronts on more than one street, one sign may be placed along each street frontage.
(e)
If a freestanding sign is utilized at a premises, then the premises shall not also have a projecting sign.
(4)
Roof signs shall conform in all respects to the conditions specified for freestanding signs in this section, except that no portion of a roof sign shall be more than 10 feet above the roof. Roof signs shall not be established less than 100 feet from an R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3 or A District, unless the advertising surface of the roof sign is not visible therefrom.
(5)
Projecting signs are prohibited in the I-1 District.
(6)
Projecting signs for nonresidential uses are permitted in the I-2 District, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
All projecting signs shall be reviewed for structural soundness by the Borough Code Enforcement Officer prior to erection and issuance of a building permit.
(b)
No portion of a projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet nor more than 20 feet above proposed finished grade, and no such sign shall be less than two feet from the plane of the face of curb.
(c)
The area of such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet or one square foot for each two feet of premises frontage, whichever is less.
(d)
In the event that the premises fronts on more than one street, one sign may be placed along each street frontage.
(e)
If a freestanding sign is used at a premises, then the premises shall not also have a projecting sign.
B.
Off-premises signs, commercial outdoor advertising signs. Only one commercial outdoor advertising sign may be erected per premises fronting on a public right-of-way, provided that:
(1)
Yard setbacks.
(a)
Right-of-way. No outdoor advertising sign or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within 50 feet of the future right-of-way of a public street.
(b)
Side or rear yards. No outdoor advertising sign or any part thereof shall be erected or maintained within 50 feet of any side or rear property line.
(2)
No such sign shall be erected within 500 feet of any other such sign or freestanding sign.
(3)
The following minimum landscaping shall be planted adjacent to each such sign:
(a)
Five five-foot-to-six-foot-high evergreen trees planted within a forty-foot radius on the sides and rear of the base of the sign.
(b)
Four eight-foot-to-ten-foot-high flowering trees planted within a fifty-foot radius on the sides of the base of the sign.
(c)
One three-foot-to-four-foot-high shrub per three lineal feet of frontage or 40 shrubs, whichever is greater, to be planted in front of the sign.
(5)
Commercial outdoor advertising signs/billboards shall not have internally illuminated, light emitting diode (LED), or electronic or digital displays.
§ 186-81.1 Awning or canopy sign.
A.
Whenever a canopy, awning or similar structure is affixed with any lettering, design or symbol intended to advertise a business, the area of such lettering, design or symbol only shall conform with the size requirements for a projecting sign in that district. The area shall be determined by measuring the smallest rectangle or other shape that encompasses all of the letters, designs or symbols. Use of any particular color scheme around any letter, design or symbol shall not be considered part of the lettering, design or symbol for purposes of determining the area.
B.
Whenever any awning or canopy is intended to contain lettering, designs or symbols intended to advertise a business, an appropriate permit shall be obtained for a sign per the provisions of this chapter.