Seven Fields City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Sign Regulations
§ 340-27 Purpose.
This "Sign Ordinance" creates a uniform legal framework to control signs in the Borough, to facilitate a convenient, pleasant and efficient means of communication while avoiding visual clutter that is potentially detrimental to traffic and pedestrian safety, property values, business opportunities, and community appearance. The article permits such signs that will not, by their reason, size, location, construction, or manner of display, obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety or otherwise endanger public health, safety and morals. This chapter permits and regulates signs that support and complement land use goals set forth by the Borough and its ordinances specifically:
A.
To encourage the effective use of signs for identification and communication.
B.
To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment of the Borough.
C.
To enhance the ability to attract sources of economic development and growth.
D.
To enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety.
E.
To minimize adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property.
F.
To facilitate the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
G.
To promote and protect the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the Borough.
H.
To preserve the wholesome and attractive character of the Borough.
I.
To promote the tasteful progressive design of signs that are complementary to the buildings they serve.
J.
To prohibit the erection of signs in such number, sizes, designs and locations that shall create a hazard to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
K.
To avoid excessive competition for large and multiple signs so that permitted signs provide adequate identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness and confusion.
L.
To promote signs that use clear, crisp lettering and uncomplicated symbols that convey the intended message efficiently.
M.
To avoid the uncontrolled proliferation of signs.
§ 340-28 Definitions.
§ 340-29 General provisions.
A.
The following general provisions apply to signs in all districts in the Borough of Seven Fields:
(1)
A sign permit, approved by the Planning Commission and issued by the Zoning Officer, is required prior to erection or alteration of any sign of any size, except for temporary real estate "For Sale" signs, political campaign signs, signs promoting community events sponsored by the Borough, and any other sign specified as exempt in this chapter.
(2)
The Borough of Seven Fields reserves the right to remove, at the owner's expense, any sign placed or located in any public right-of-way; any sign that does not conform to this chapter; or any sign erected or altered in any way without a sign permit approved by the Planning Commission and issued by the Zoning Officer.
(3)
All sign dimensions stated in this chapter refer to the dimensions of one side of any sign. Any sign permitted by this chapter shall be construed to permit a two-sided sign. Each face of a two-sided sign shall not exceed the maximum size permitted for that particular sign.
(4)
Freestanding signs shall be designed and anchored to withstand a steady horizontal wind pressure of at least 80 miles per hour regardless of the direction of air movement. No loads except those of the sign itself plus normal snow and ice loads shall be placed on the supports of the sign. The height of monument signs shall be measured from the average grade at the sign to the top of the sign. Monument signs shall not overhang sidewalks. Electric service to freestanding signs shall be underground.
(5)
Wall signs shall not extend beyond the edge or top of any wall or other building surface to which they are mounted and shall project no more than six inches from the wall, shall be at least eight feet from the bottom of the sign to the grade level immediately below and shall not interfere with pedestrian and vehicular traffic in any way.
(6)
Marquee signs are permitted on theaters, playhouses, cineplexes, and public or private clubs.
(7)
Canopies and awnings may be permanently or temporarily attached to a wall. The bottom of the canopy or awning may not be less than eight feet from grade or sidewalk and may extend to the farthest edge of the sidewalk.
(8)
Signs shall not be painted on the foundation exterior walls or roof of any building.
(9)
No signs shall be located on the roof of the building, nor shall the supports for any sign extend above the cornice of the building.
(10)
Signs shall not emit any noise, flash, oscillate, revolve or have movement in any manner.
(11)
Signs shall not obstruct the sight distance of a motorist at a street intersection by placement and location within 25 feet of the intersection radii.
(12)
A sign's design, color, location or illumination shall not impair, cause glare, distraction, confusion or nuisance to traffic or other properties.
(13)
Lighted signs that identify public or semipublic institutions are permitted in a Conservation Zoning District, provided such lighting is from an indirect, hidden source.
(14)
Residential subdivision or neighborhood signs may be lit by low-voltage lights.
(16)
All signs shall conform to the Building Code adopted by the Borough of Seven Fields.
(17)
All signs shall comply with all county, state and federal ordinances and regulations.
(18)
Signs for public safety or welfare by the state, county or Borough are exempt from all sign regulations.
(19)
Only signs specified in this chapter are permitted.
(20)
Clocks, if part of a sign's area, are included in the calculation of the maximum permitted sign size.
(21)
Height.
(a)
Measure height from the lowest point of anchorage to the ground to the uppermost point of the sign and/or the supporting structure. Portions of any sign structure permanently buried below grade shall be creosoted or pressure-treated if wood, or painted if steel, prior to installation.
(b)
Freestanding signs shall not exceed eight feet in height as measured from the elevation of the first floor of the building which is occupied by the business which the sign identifies.
(22)
Area.
(a)
Wall-mounted signs shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the wall surface to which they are attached. Window and door areas shall be included in computing area.
(b)
Marquees shall extend no more than five feet to either side of a building entrance door or doors along the wall to which the marquee is attached. Marquees shall extend perpendicular no more than eight feet from the wall surface to which attached.
(c)
The Zoning Officer shall permit variations to achieve continuity of height and location across the facade of the building.
(23)
The computation of area shall be as follows:
(a)
Compute the surface area by including the entire area within a single, continuous, rectilinear perimeter of not more than eight straight lines, or a circle or ellipse, enclosing the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with a 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, but not including a supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself.
(b)
If the sign consists of more than one section or module, incorporate all the area including that between sections or modules in the computation of the sign area.
(c)
For multisided or three-dimensional signs, compute the sign surface area by including the total of all sides designed to attract attention or communicate information visible at any one time from one vantage point.
(d)
Calculate the surface area of a double-faced sign constructed in the form of a "V" by using the area of only one side of such sign (the larger side if there is a size difference), so long as the angle of "V" does not exceed 30° and at no point does the distance between the backs of such sides exceed five feet.
(24)
Contractor's signs. One contractor's sign per site is allowed during the period of construction. A maximum of eight square feet is allowed. Such sign shall be removed within seven days of the completion of construction.
(25)
Hunting signs. Hunting signs may be posted as permitted by state law.
(26)
Election and political campaign signs:
(a)
Election and political campaign signs are permitted on private property with the owner's permission. A maximum of four political signs are permitted on a residential lot and a maximum of two are permitted on a nonresidential lot.
(b)
Two signs per candidate are permitted on public property on SR 228. Said signs must be separated by at least 2,000 linear feet. These signs require a permit issued by the Planning Commission accompanied by a $100 security deposit. Failure to remove the signs according to this chapter will result in forfeiture of the security deposit.
(c)
Election or political campaign signs shall have a maximum area of 12 square feet. Such signs shall be erected no sooner than 30 days prior to the election or political campaign and shall be removed within seven days following the election or conclusion of the political campaign.
(d)
Election and political campaign signs that do not comply with this chapter shall be removed by the Borough at the candidate's expense.
(27)
Signs for Borough-sponsored events and meetings. Signs erected by the Borough to publicize community events, public meetings, etc., shall be permitted and shall be exempt from the permit process.
(28)
Holiday decorations are permitted and do not require a permit. However, they must be removed within 30 days after the holiday.
(29)
Directional signs for traffic control and parking shall not exceed five square feet in area and shall be located at least five feet from any public right-of-way.
§ 340-30 Signs in Residential, Conservation and Planned Residential Districts.
Unless otherwise noted, signs in Residential, Conservation and Planned Residential Districts shall not be lighted, shall be located at least 15 feet from the road right-of-way, and not within 10 feet from any adjacent lot line, and shall not exceed six feet in height, or be located in any required side or rear yard. Only the following types of signs shall be permitted in Residential, Conservation and Planned Residential (PRD) Districts :
A.
Identification signs.
(1)
Requirements.
(a)
One identification sign is allowed for a single-family home occupation, a maximum of two square feet to announce the name and address of the occupant of the premises. The home occupation identification sign shall be freestanding within any required yard or attached to and parallel with the wall of the dwelling, but projecting outward no more than six inches.
(b)
One nonilluminated identification sign not to exceed 1 1/2 square feet, which displays the name, address and home occupation of the resident of the dwelling, is permitted for home occupation businesses. The home occupation identification sign must be attached to the residence within which the home occupation is conducted.
(2)
One identification sign per multifamily building: a maximum of 12 square feet.
(3)
One subdivision plan name sign per entrance, a maximum of 40 square feet; or by special application to and approval from the Planning Commission, two signs with a maximum of 80 square feet.
(4)
One freestanding flag pole per lot.
(5)
One identification sign with a maximum of 32 square feet is permitted for other permitted and conditional use businesses, excluding home-based businesses/home occupation.
B.
Temporary signs.
(1)
One real estate sign is permitted per lot, except where a lot abuts two or more nonintersecting streets. An additional sign oriented to each abutting street shall be permitted, a maximum of eight square feet per sign to advertise a lot or building being sold, leased or developed. Such sign(s) shall be removed within seven days of completion of the advertised event.
(2)
One garage sale or auction sign per lot, a maximum of 12 square feet. Signs may be erected within one week prior to the event and must be removed promptly after the event is completed.
(3)
Holiday and religious decorations are permitted and do not require a permit.
(4)
One roadside stand sign per lot, a maximum of eight square feet, for selling agricultural produce or other foodstuffs grown or made on the premises.
(5)
Residential development signs. Any residential development of six or more lots is allowed one temporary real estate sign, a maximum of 32 square feet in surface area, in accordance with the following provisions:
(a)
Common real estate development signs shall be located in the development a minimum of 10 feet from any existing or proposed public street right-of-way.
(b)
Such signs shall advertise only the lots in the development where the sign is located and shall not include the realtor's, developer's or landowner's business in general.
(c)
The common real estate development signs shall be removed when 75% of the lots therein are sold.
§ 340-31 Signs in other districts.
Unless otherwise noted, the following signs in Business and PEDD shall be located at least 15 feet from the road right-of-way, at least 10 feet from any adjacent lot line, and shall be allowed with the following regulations:
A.
Identification signs.
(1)
Commercial lots. Where there are three or fewer businesses on one lot, one freestanding sign per lot, a maximum of 40 square feet, is permitted. Where there are four or more businesses on one lot, one freestanding sign a maximum of 60 square feet is permitted.
(2)
Commercial buildings. Building that provides a common entrance for multiple businesses shall be permitted one wall-mounted sign with a maximum area equal to one square foot for each linear foot of the building's front elevation. Buildings with independent entrances for each business shall be permitted one wall-mounted sign for each storefront equal to one square foot of signage for each linear foot of storefront.
(a)
Wall signs shall be located between the heads of windows and doors on the ground floor of the structure and the sills of windows on the second floor or the top of the parapet on a one-story building. Where a wall contains no windows, use the heads of windows and doors in an adjacent wall to determine location. The Building Inspector shall permit variations to achieve continuity of height and location across the facade of a building.
(b)
Marquees shall extend no more than five feet to either side of a building entrance door or doors along the wall to which the marquee is attached. Marquees shall extend perpendicular no more than eight feet from the wall surface to which attached.
(c)
Canopies. Canopies and awnings may have an additional business identification sign which does not project above or below the canopy or awning and is a maximum of eight inches in height on the front vertical flap of the awning.
(d)
Menu boards. One one-sided menu board per business on one lot, either freestanding or mounted, related to drive-through services only, a maximum of 20 square feet and six feet high measured from grade level, located between the building and the drive-through lane.
(e)
Gasoline service stations. One gasoline pricing sign per gasoline service station is permitted, with a maximum of 20 square feet, if affixed to a permitted freestanding sign. Additional pricing signs are permitted if they are an integral part of gasoline pumps. No flags, pennants, pinwheels or other temporary signs are permitted.
(f)
Billboards may only be located in the PEDD District along SR 228. Billboards may not exceed 25 square feet in area. Billboards are not permitted within 100 feet of a residentially zoned district and not within 500 feet of another billboard.
(g)
Bulletin boards. One bulletin board or identification sign per place of worship, school or institutional building publicly owned, with a maximum of 32 square feet.
(h)
Directory. A building with four or more businesses may be permitted one directory sign listing the occupants and their locations, not to exceed eight square feet.
B.
Temporary signs.
(1)
Individual lot or building:
(a)
One unlighted real estate sign to advertise a tract lot or building for sale, lease or development at least 15 feet from the road right-of-way, not in any required side or rear yard, and a maximum of 32 square feet. Such signs shall be promptly removed within seven days after the sale, lease or development.
(b)
One promotional sign, other than a real estate sign, is permitted per lot. Such a sign may not exceed 32 square feet in area and may not exceed a display period of 30 consecutive days for any one sign. A promotional sign may not be erected or displayed within 14 days following the display period of a previous temporary sign. No lot shall have more than six temporary signs per calendar year.
(2)
Commercial subdivision. In addition to these requirements, any nonresidential development such as a business or shopping center shall be permitted temporary real estate signs in accordance with the following provisions:
(a)
For lots on which more than one business exists, each business shall be permitted a maximum of four temporary signs per year. Said signage shall not exceed 32 square feet. No more than three signs may be erected at any one time on one lot and no less than 50 feet between each temporary sign.
(b)
The common real estate development signs shall be removed when 75% of the lots therein are sold or developed.
(3)
Holiday decorations are permitted and do not require a permit. However, they must be removed within 30 days after the holiday.
(a)
One garage sale, auction sign or sandwich board a maximum of eight square feet is permitted. Such signs may be erected within one week prior to the date of the sale and removed promptly after the sale is completed. Each business shall not be permitted more than six such signs per calendar year.
C.
Directional Signs for traffic control and parking shall not exceed five square feet in area and shall be located at least five feet from any public right-of-way.
D.
Civic organization signs. Each civic organization organized within the Borough or civic organizations with an active membership in the Borough shall be permitted one community organization sign. Only those groups qualifying as charities as recognized by the Federal Internal Revenue Service, the State of Pennsylvania, or their affiliated organizations, or nonpolitical public service organizations may erect an organizational sign. The sign shall be a maximum of 18 inches by 18 inches and shall be placed in the Town Park at a location specified and approved by the Borough's Parks and Recreation Committee. The material of the sign must also be approved by the Seven Fields Parks and Recreation Committee. The sign shall be properly maintained by the organization, or the Borough, at its discretion, may have the sign removed.
E.
Three freestanding flag poles per lot. Only one of the flag poles may display a corporate/business flag.
§ 340-32 Prohibited signs.
All signs not expressly authorized in this chapter or exempt from regulation under previous sections are prohibited in the Borough. Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to:
A.
Beacons;
B.
Animated signs;
C.
Flashing signs;
D.
Portable signs;
E.
Off-premises signs;
F.
Roof signs;
G.
Changeable copy signs, except for pricing signs for automotive service stations bulletin boards for religious establishments and educational institutions which conform to the overall size, area and bulk requirements of this chapter, and where the changeable copy portion of the sign shall not exceed 50% of the allowable sign area: with the exception of menu board signs as identified in § 340-31A(2).
H.
Pennant strands;
I.
Strings of lights, except those exempt under previous sections;
J.
Inflatable signs and tethered balloons;
K.
Any sign or sign structure which is a hazard to public safety or health;
L.
Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers, either when leaving a roadway or driveway, or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets;
M.
Signs which make use of words such as "Stop," "Look," "One Way," "Danger," "Yield," or similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic;
N.
Any obsolete sign which no longer identifies a bona fide business conducted or product sold;
O.
Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object or a utility pole;
P.
Banners, except as provided for by exemption;
Q.
Band lighting, fascia lighting, strip lighting that outlines a sign;
R.
Pole signs;
S.
Pylon signs.
§ 340-33 Permits, inspections, maintenance, proceedings and penalties.
A permit shall not be issued for any sign without the review and approval of the Planning Commission with the exception of temporary window signs. Each sign requires a separate permit issued by the Zoning Officer.
A.
Applications for permits shall include the following data:
(1)
Names, addresses and telephone numbers of the applicant, the contractor to erect the sign and the owner of the property upon which the sign is to be located, as well as address of property if different from the owner's.
(2)
Location of the sign relative to other buildings on the property, property boundary lines and height above ground to bottom and top of sign.
(3)
Written consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located, permitting the sign to be erected.
(4)
Construction drawings and specifications for the erection of the signs, showing materials, construction details, finishes, electrical system, support structure, treatment of support below grade, guying of a sign or method of attachment to building, and such other structural information as the Zoning Officer shall require.
(5)
Statement of a registered professional engineer that the sign meets dead load and wind pressure requirements of this chapter.
(6)
Such other information as the Zoning Officer shall require to show full compliance with this and all other Borough ordinances.
B.
Provided the application is in order, the Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit for the erection of the sign, construction of which shall be completed within six months.
C.
Replacement, enlargement, remodeling or moving of any sign existing prior to adoption of this chapter shall require a permit.
D.
If any sign regulated by this chapter is unsafe or otherwise is a public menace or has been erected or maintained in violation of this chapter, the owner of such sign shall be given a written notice by the Zoning Officer citing the irregularities and the actions needed to gain compliance. If after 30 days from the date of the notice the corrections have not been made, the owner shall be subject to summary proceedings. The Borough shall have the offending sign brought into compliance or removed with all costs assessed to the owner. Further sign permits shall be denied until such assessed costs have been paid in full.
E.
Signs found to be causing an immediate hazard to the public shall be ordered removed immediately by the Zoning Officer without notice and the costs assessed the owner.
F.
Signs advertising places of business or activities which have terminated operation shall be removed upon the date of such termination.
G.
Exposed areas of any sign shall be properly maintained or otherwise replaced or repaired at least once every two years or within three months of damage to the sign.