The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards for all signs in the Borough; to allow businesses the ability to effectively promote themselves while preventing sign clutter and to protect and enhance the visual character of the Borough.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   As used in this chapter:

   (a)   "Background area of a sign" means the entire area of a sign upon which copy can be placed. In computing the area of a sign background, only that face or faces that can be seen from any one direction at one time shall be counted.

   (b)   "Copy area of a sign" is the area contained within the smallest geometric figure that would encompass all bodies of text and graphics or the aggregate of the smallest geometric figures that encompass bodies of text and graphics on a sign (see drawing).

   (c)   "Electronic sign" means any sign, video display, projected image or similar device or portions thereof with text, images or graphics generated by electronic components. Electronic signs include, but are not limited to, signs that use light emitting diodes (LED), plasma displays, fiber optics or other technology that results in bright text, images and graphics. Neon signs shall be considered electronic signs.

   (d)   "Free-standing sign" means a sign that is erected free and clear of a building.

   (e)   "Illuminated sign" means a sign in which a source of light is used in order to make a sign visible but does not include electronic signs. The term "illuminated sign" shall include internally and externally lighted signs.

   (f)   "Mural" means a singular work of art painted or otherwise directly applied on a building, structure, fence, or other object within public view. The work may not contain text, graphics, or symbols that specifically advertise or promote a business, product, or service; nor may it promote a specific political candidate or party. Murals are not considered signs and are not regulated by this chapter.

   (g)   "Off-site billboard" means a surface whereon advertising matter is set in view conspicuously and which advertising does not apply to the premises where it is displayed or posted.

   (h)   "Portable sign" means any sign designed to be transported from one place to another.

   (i)   "Projecting sign" means a sign that projects more than eight inches from a building and which uses a building wall as its main source of support.

   (j)   "Roof sign" means a sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building.

   (k)   "Sign" means any name, nameplate, billboard, poster panel, display, illustration, structure or any other type of attention-attracting device used for visual communication that is affixed, painted or represented directly upon a building or other surface, including free-standing posts or stanchions, for the purpose of bringing the subject matter of such sign to the attention of the public, or for identifying a business or structure.

   (l)   "Size" means the background area of a sign or the copy area of a sign, whichever is the greater.

   (m)   "Street address" means number and street only.

   (n)   "Temporary sign" means any sign displayed in connection with an event for a period not exceeding thirty-two days. Temporary signs may include banner signs, stake signs, cardboard window signs or painted windows. Any other sign is considered a permanent sign.

   (o)   "Wall sign" or "fascia sign" means a sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure or to an awning.

   (p)   "Window sign" means a permanent sign affixed to the surface of the glass or visible through a window or door on a permanent basis within three feet of the glass and intended for viewing or oriented to be seen from the exterior of such building. An opaque window sign shall mean a sign that is not transparent or translucent and that obscures sight into the building.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the following requirements apply to all signs in the Borough:

   (a)   All signs, except temporary signs, shall be required to have a permit indicating compliance with this chapter. No sign, except temporary signs, shall be erected, altered or extended until such permit has been issued. Applicant must submit a shop drawing of any proposed sign showing a scaled layout of all text and graphics in the context of the building and/or window(s) where the sign(s) will be placed.

   (b)   Except as allowed in Section 1266.06(c)(2), a sign may include only the following information:

      (1)   The principal name of the business, proprietor or owner.

      (2)   A description of the principal goods, services, products or uses offered in trade, which description shall not exceed four words and the street address.

      (3)   A graphic logo or trademark symbol by which the business, proprietor or owner is identified.

   (c)   Sign placement should utilize the architectural details of a building, complement the visual continuity of adjacent building facades and relate directly to the entrance.

   (d)   No roof sign shall be permitted.

   (e)   Any sign that includes the word "open" can be displayed only when the business is open to customers.

   (f)   No sign, except those placed by an authorized governmental agency, shall be placed on a public right-of-way.

   (g)   No sign shall interfere with traffic, be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of any official traffic sign, traffic signal or traffic marking or obstruct the sight distance of motorists or pedestrians.

   (h)   This chapter shall not apply to traffic control signs and directional signs, parking place designations and information signs located on off-street parking lots. Informational signs, such as "entrance," "exit," "no parking," "visitor's parking," "no trespassing," "keep off the grass" and the like on the same lot as the use to which the sign relates or the prohibition of the use to which the sign relates, are not regulated by this chapter provided that each said sign does not exceed two square feet in copy area. Multiple informational signs at any location must be uniform in appearance. In the RA, RB, and RC districts, such signs may not be located in the front yard setback, except for signs identifying the street address of the house or resident's name.

   (i)   No portable signs are allowed, except easel signs, which may be allowed by permit.

   (j)   No sign shall use flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving light or any technology that presents an illusion of movement. A constant level of light shall be maintained except for purposes of dimming at night.

   (k)   No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole.

   (l)   Wind or forced air actuated signs are prohibited.

   (m)   Fabric banners advertising events sponsored by public or nonprofit organizations within the Borough may be displayed in any district, except Residential Districts, for a maximum of one month or the duration of the event, whichever is greater.

   (n)   Permanent signs with removable letters are not allowed.

   (o)   All signs must be legible, well painted, in good repair, properly maintained and sturdy enough to permit persons working on the signs to do so safely.

   (p)   A sign identifying the business on the back wall of a building in a delivery area is allowed, provided that the sign area does not exceed ten square feet and that the sign is not illuminated

   (q)   External lights may be used to illuminate signs. Such lighting shall be installed such that the source of light and wiring is not visible, and all visible effects of lighting are indirect and minimize light spilled into the night sky. Such lights may not shine onto adjoining property or in the eyes of motorists or pedestrians.

   (r)   Internally lit signs are prohibited.

   (s)   Free-standing signs are permitted only in the TC Town Center District, IN-C Institutional Commercial District, IN Institutional District, AR Apartment Residential and PA Park District and only where the front yard is at least ten feet in depth and where the sign does not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular movement. The copy area of each side of such signs shall not exceed sixteen square feet in size or one square foot in size for every two linear feet of property frontage, whichever is less, and the total background area of the sign may not be more than twenty-four square feet in size or twice the square footage of the copy area, whichever is greater. The supporting structure of a free-standing sign that is clearly separate from the sign itself (e.g. stone base or posts) is not included in the allowable size limits for such signs. The maximum height for any free-standing sign shall be six feet from the ground or sidewalk to the top of the sign and shall be set back a minimum of four feet from the adjacent sidewalk.

   (t)   Electronic signs are permitted only in the TC Town Center District and IN-C Institutional Commercial District, with the following restrictions:

      (1)   Electronic signs will be allowed only as window signs and will count towards allowable area for an opaque window sign.

      (2)   One electronic sign is permitted per window and may be a maximum of four square feet in size measured by the smallest geometric figure that would encompass the entire sign.

      (3)   The sign display must remain static for a minimum of five seconds and require "instantaneous" change of display; e.g., no fading or scrolling in/out of the message.

      (4)   Electronic signs shall be positioned so as to avoid glare or reflection into any adjacent property, street, or alley.

      (5)   Display images and/or themes must directly relate to the business and the services and products it provides.

      (6)   Display is required to go dark if there is a malfunction.

   (u)   "For sale" or "for rent" signs, containing not over five square feet, may be erected or displayed only upon the premises referred to in such signs. Not more than one such sign shall be erected upon the premises at any given time, provided, however, that premises located on corner lots may have one such side on each street frontage and the premises shall, in fact, be for sale or for rent. The duration of continuous display of such sign shall be limited to 150 days, at the end of which period the sign shall be removed and not again displayed or replaced unless the Borough Manager, after an investigation and a finding that the owner has, in good faith, endeavored to sell or rent his or her premises at a fair, reasonable and market price or rental, grants an extension of time. The foregoing restriction shall not be affected by the substitution of a real estate broker's sign in place of the owner's or by the substitution of a different broker's sign, for whatever reason. "Sold" signs are allowed for a maximum of seven days. No "rented" signs are allowed.

   (v)   Signs relating to the performance of work on the premises by contractors and designers may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises. If such work requires the granting of a permit, the signs may be erected upon receipt of the permit. Signs must be removed promptly upon completion of the work. Size and quantity restrictions for such signs may apply to certain districts, as set forth in this chapter.

   (w)   Existing signs, not in conformance with this chapter and that have been previously permitted, shall be brought into conformance when there is a change of tenant, use or owner, or when the sign is replaced or is substantially repaired or altered.

   (x)   Signs no longer in use must be removed by the owner. In making a determination as to abandonment, the enforcing official may consider, among other factors, the absence of a current occupational license, the current use or vacancy of the premises and the relocation of a business.

   (y)   All signs not specifically allowed are prohibited.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   (a)   No advertising sign, placard, directional sign or poster shall be erected or displayed in any Residential District, except that:

      (1)   One sign identifying any allowable home-based business, family day- care home facility or bed and breakfast establishment is permitted. Such sign shall not exceed .75 square feet in copy area and three square feet in background area and shall state only the name and type of business.

      (2)   Signs of contractors and designers may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided that the size of the sign does not exceed six square feet and that the signs are removed promptly upon completion of the work.

      (3)   Signs announcing that furnishings or other equipment have been or will be placed upon the premises are prohibited.

      (4)   Signs erected by an owner or builder in connection with the active development of a premises may be erected upon the application and granting of a permit, provided that the size of any such sign is not in excess of twelve square feet and that not more than one such sign is placed upon any individual lot or premises being developed. No directional sign, arrow or other advertising announcement shall be posted or erected other than as provided in this section.

      (5)   Directional signs in connection with an open house for an active real estate listing may be placed only within forty-eight hours of the actual event and must be removed by the end of the day of the event.

   (b)   The foregoing permitted signage in Residential Districts may not be illuminated signs.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15; Ord. 02-2024. Passed 3-11-24.)

   (a)   Signs in AR Apartment Residential Districts shall be the same as in Residential Districts, except that multifamily dwellings may have an identification sign including only the name and address of the dwelling, such sign being no greater than twelve square feet in copy area on each street the dwelling faces.

   (b)   One sign identifying any allowable accessory or conditional use, except a wireless communications facility, is permitted. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet in copy area and shall state only the name and type of business.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   (a)   Wall or fascia signs shall be permitted subject to the following:

      (1)   The aggregate amount of wall or fascia signage, including signage on awnings, shall not exceed one square foot in copy area for every one linear foot of property frontage per street. Multiple signs on a single facade of more than fifty linear feet are permitted, subject to the following:

         A.   No single sign shall exceed thirty-six square feet in copy area.

         B.   In no case shall the aggregate amount of signage exceed 200 square feet in copy area.

      (2)   Where a shop, store or service establishment has exposure to two or more streets, wall or fascia signage may be erected on all facades, provided that all signs conform to the provisions of this chapter.

      (3)   Wall or fascia signs affixed to the exterior wall of a building or structure shall not project more than eight inches from the face of the building.

      (4)   Wall or fascia signs affixed to the exterior wall of a building or structure shall be placed not more than sixteen feet or less than four feet above the sidewalk. No wall or fascia sign shall project above any cornice, parapet wall, roofline, decorative roof feature, or awning, nor may a wall or fascia sign be located above the lintel of the highest window on the ground floor facade.

      (5)   Signage placed on an awning may only be located on the valance. No portion of any awning shall be higher than the windowsill level of the lowest story, exclusive of the ground story and mezzanine, and in no case shall such awning exceed a height of sixteen feet or the roofline of the building to which it is attached, whichever is lower.

   (b)   Projecting signs are permitted subject to the following:

      (1)   The aggregate area of projecting signs shall be one square foot for each five linear feet of building facade to which it is attached, with each individual sign not to exceed fifteen square feet in size.

      (2)   Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet from the face of the building or one-half the width of the adjacent sidewalk, whichever is greater.

      (3)   Projecting signs shall be placed so that they will not be hazardous to pedestrian or vehicular travel.

      (4)   The base of all projecting signs shall not be less than eight feet above the ground and no sign shall be located higher than the lintel of any second story window or a maximum height of fifteen feet above grade, whichever is less.

   (c)   Window signs are permitted subject to the following:

      (1)   The background size of a permanent opaque window sign shall not occupy more than twenty percent of the total area of the window area in which the sign is displayed (see drawing). Permanent opaque window signs count toward the allowable amount of wall or fascia signage permitted in this chapter.

      (2)   Text or graphics that are applied as individual entities to a window that do not have the effect of obscuring sight into the building may cover up to ten percent of the total area of the window area in which the sign is displayed (see drawing). Such text or graphic shall not count against any other allowable signage. Text or letters announcing hours of operation, contact information (address, telephone, e-mail address, web site) and decals indicating membership in a business group or identifying credit cards accepted at the establishment shall not be included in the count, provided that the size of numerals and letter size for the address shall not exceed six inches in height and the numerals and letter size for the phone number, contact information, and other identifying information shall not exceed two inches in height.

   (d)   Fabric banners are permitted for advertising. The maximum size shall be three feet by twelve feet, and such banners shall not obstruct pedestrian movement. Such banners shall be removed if torn or discolored. The duration of use shall be limited to a total of three months each year with a maximum duration of continuous use of thirty days.

   (e)   No temporary sign, except as expressly allowed in this chapter, shall be permitted.

   (f)   Billboards shall be permitted by special exception according to the following regulations:

      (1)   No billboard shall exceed seventy-six square feet in size.

      (2)   The maximum height for a billboard shall be thirty-five feet from the ground or sidewalk to the top of the sign.

      (3)   Each billboard allowed under this section shall be located not less than 500 feet (measured by radial spacing) from any other billboard allowed pursuant to this section and not less than 100 feet from any adjoining residential zoning district.

      (4)   External lighting of billboards shall be prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time.

   (g)   Restaurants may also have a menu board besides the other signs provided herein. When a menu board is affixed to a window, it shall be limited to an area of three square feet. If a menu display case is affixed to the building wall, it shall be limited to an overall area of four square feet.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   Permanent signs may be erected by schools, colleges and religious or other charitable institutions to identify and/or direct the way to the property held by them, provided that no such sign, except permitted free-standing signs, shall exceed twelve square feet in copy area. Signs not fronting Borough streets and signs that are within the interior of a lot, generally not visible from adjoining properties or public streets and rights-of-way are exempt from the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   Signs at nonconforming uses shall conform to the sign requirements of the district within which they occur, except that such uses are also allowed one identification sign not exceeding twelve square feet on each street that such a use faces. Lawfully existing signs for nonconforming uses at the time of adoption of this chapter shall be treated in the same manner as nonconforming uses.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   (a)   Temporary signs announcing a political, public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar campaign or event shall be permitted without the necessity of obtaining a permit.

   (b)   No temporary sign shall exceed six square feet.

   (c)   Temporary signs relating to an event shall not be erected more than thirty days prior to the commencement of the event to which such signs apply and shall be removed within forty-eight hours following the conclusion of the event.

   (d)   Free-standing temporary signs shall not be erected closer than ten feet to the curb line.

   (e)   Any violation by any person of the provisions of this section is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and any and all temporary signs found to be in violation of the provisions of this section shall be removed immediately by the appropriate Borough officials.

   (f)   Temporary window signs may be displayed in addition to all other signs and should occupy no more than an additional fifteen percent of the total area of the window in which they are displayed.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)

   The Borough Manager or his or her designated agent shall be the enforcing official. The enforcing official is authorized and directed to lawfully enter all locations at reasonable times to determine whether a sign complies with the provisions of this chapter. If a violation exists, the enforcing official shall send written notice to the occupant and owner, as shown on the most recent tax roll and to the holder of the certificate of occupancy if different from both the occupant and owner. Service of the notice shall be deemed completed if mailed to the owner at the address appearing on the most recent tax roll. If this chapter is not complied with within a reasonable time specified in the notice, the enforcing official is authorized to remove the sign at the owner's expense.

(Ord. 1068. Passed 5-11-15.)