Tatamy City Zoning Code
SIGNS
§ 155.210 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY.
(A) Purposes of this subchapter. To: promote and maintain overall community beautification; establish reasonable time, place and manner regulations on the exercise of free speech, without regulating content; promote traffic safety by avoiding distractions and sight distance obstructions; protect property values and ensure capability with the character of neighboring existing and planned land uses; and assist in carrying out the goals of the state’s Outdoor Advertising Act, as amended.
(B) Permit required. A permit under this chapter shall be required for all signs allowed in any Zoning District, except for signs listed in § 155.212 of this chapter, and except for window signs that are not of a permanent nature; provided that, they meet the other requirements of this subchapter. All signs shall comply with the regulations of this chapter. Only signs specifically permitted by this chapter shall be allowed.
(C) Changes on signs. Any lawfully existing sign (including non-conforming signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in message without a new permit under this chapter; provided that, the changes do not increase the sign area or otherwise result in non-compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 701)
§ 155.211 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.
(A) Signs legally existing at the time of enactment of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered non-conforming signs. Any non-conforming sign which is removed, destroyed or damaged to an extent of 25% or more of its cost of replacement shall be replaced only with a conforming sign, except as below.
(B) The Zoning Hearing Board may, by special exception, allow the voluntary replacement of an existing lawful non-conforming signs with a new non-conforming sign; provided that, the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Zoning Hearing Board that the new sign would be substantially less non- conforming than the sign being replaced.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 702)
§ 155.212 MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS.
The following signs shall be permitted by right within all zoning districts within the following regulations, and shall not be required to have a permit under this subchapter.
Type and Definition of Sign | Maximum Number Per Lot | Maximum Number of Each of 2 Sides of Each Sign on Residential Lots of Less Than 2 Acres - sq. ft. | Maximum Area of Each Sign on Other Lots - sq. ft. | Other Requirements |
Agricultural products sign Advertises the seasonal, temporary sale of agricultural products produced on the premises, or the seasonal sale of Christmas trees | 2 | 4 | 15 | Shall only be posted during days when such products are actively offered far sale, up to a maximum of 90 days per year |
Charitable event sign Advertises a special event held a maximum of 9 days in any calendar year that primarily is held to benefit a U.S. Internal Revenue Service recognized non- profit organization | 2 | 4 | 15 | Shall be placed a maximum of 30 days prior to event and removed a maximum of 10 days after event |
Contractor’s sign Advertises a building tradesperson who is actively conducting significant work on a particular lot that is not the tradesperson1s place of business | 2 | 10 | 15 | Shall only be permitted while such work is actively and clearly underway and a maximum of 10 days afterward |
Directional sign Provides information indicating traffic direction, entry or exit, loading or service area, fire lanes, parking or closely similar information regarding the same lot as the sign is on and that does not include advertising | No maximum | 4 | 4, other than signs painted on pavement | |
Flag A banner or pennant made of fabric or fabric-like plastic that is hung in such a way to flow in the wind and that includes some type of commercial message | 2 | 20 | 20 | Flags of any nation or level of government or that only include colors and no commercial message are not regulated by this chapter |
Garage sale sign Advertises an occasional garage sale, porch sale or auction | 2 per event | 4 | 4 | Shall be placed maximum of 48 hours before permitted garage sale or auction begins, and be removed maximum of 24 hours after event ends |
Historic sign Memorializes an important historic place, event or person and that is authorized by the borough or a county, state or federal agency | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Holiday decorations Commemorates a holiday recognized by the borough, county, state or federal government and that does not include advertising | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Home occupation sign Advertises a permitted home occupation | 5 | 2 | 2 | Shall not be illuminated |
Identification sign Only identifies the name and/or occupation of the resident and/or the name and/or use of a lot, but that does not include advertising | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
Not visible sign Not visible from any public street or any exterior lot line | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Official sign Erected by the state, county, borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by borough ordinance or resolution, and which exists for public purposes | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Open house sign Advertises the temporary open house of a property for sale or rent | 2 per event | 4 | 4 | Shall be placed maximum of 48 hours before open house begins, and be removed maximum of 24 hours after open house ends |
Physically carried sign Physically carried by a person | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Political sign Advertises a person or party seeking political office or a political cause or opinion on a referendum or matter of political concern and which relates to a scheduled election or matter of upcoming vote by a governmental body | 3 | 4 | 15 | Shall be placed a maximum of 60 days prior to election or referendum and removed a maximum of 10 days after such election or referendum. If a political sign does not meet these requirements, then it shall be regulated as an “off-premises sign” |
Proposed development sign Announces a proposed subdivision or land development for which a sketch, preliminary or final plan has been submitted to the borough, and which would involve a minimum of 10 dwelling units or a non-residential use | 1 | 8 | 20 | Shall only be placed after the submission of a sketch, preliminary or final subdivision or land development plan to the borough, and shall be removed when any of the following occur: 1) if such plan is rejected or permanently withdrawn, 2) for a residential development, when all of the approved units are sold or 3) for a non-residential development, when a permanent sign is placed |
Public services sign Advertises the availability of restrooms, telephone, meeting times and places of service, organizations or other similar public convenience | No maximum | 2 | 2 | |
Real estate sign Advertises the availability of property on which the sign is located for sale, rent or lease | 1 | 4 | 15 | Shall only be placed on the property while it is actively for sale, lease or rent, and shall be removed a maximum of 30 days after agreement of sale, rent or lease is signed |
Required sign Only includes information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the borough | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Right-of-way sign Posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the borough or PennDOT | Not regulated by this chapter | |||
Special sale displays Promotional banners, balloons, floodlights, lasers or non- governmental flags used by a business to attract special attention | No maximum | Not permitted | No maximum | Shall be placed on a lot a maximum total of 15 days in any calendar year, and only on lots including a commercial use |
Time and temperature sign With a sole purpose to announce the current time and temperature and any non-profit public service messages | 1 | Not permitted | 40 | |
Trespassing sign Indicating that a road is private, that trespassing is prohibited on a lot, or controlling certain activities such as hunting and fishing on the lot | No maximum | 4 | 4 | |
Very small sign Has an area of less than 1 sq. ft. and that cannot be read by a person of normal eyesight from a public street or exterior lot line | Not regulated by this chapter |
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 703)
§ 155.213 FREESTANDING, WALL AND WINDOW SIGNS.
The following are the signs permitted on a lot within the specified districts and within the following regulations, in addition to “exempt signs” and “temporary signs” permitted in all districts by other provisions of this subchapter. See definitions of the types of signs in § 155.222
of this chapter.
Zoning District or Type of Use | Maximum Height of Freestanding Signs* | Maximum Sign Area of Wall Signs (Permitted on a Maximum of 2 Building Faces) | Maximum Sign Area of Window Signs (Maximum of 1 Side per Sign) | Maximum Sign Area (Each of 2 Sides) and Number of Freestanding Signs |
CR and Residential Districts Special exception uses (not including accessory uses), conditional uses, places of worship and golf courses | 8 feet | Maximum total of 10% of the area of the building face on which each sign or set of signs are located, up to a maximum of 24 sq. ft. per building face | Maximum of 5% of the area of the building face on which the sign(s) are located | Maximum of 1 sign with an area of 15 sq. ft. per side |
CR and Residential Uses Other than uses listed above | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Commercial District(s) Single use on a single lot | 18 feet | Maximum total of 10% of the area of the building face on which each sign or set of signs are located | Maximum total of 20% of the area of the building face on which such signs are located | Maximum of 2 signs, one with a maximum area of 32 sq. ft. per side and the second with a maximum of 6 sq. ft. per side ** |
Commercial District(s) More than one use on a lot | 18 feet | Maximum total of 15% of the area of the building face on which each sign or set of signs are located | Maximum total of 20% of the area of the building face on which such signs are located | Maximum of 2 signs, one with a maximum sign area of 50 sq. ft. per side and the second with a maximum of 6 sq. ft. per side ** |
Industrial District(s) | 10 feet | Maximum total of 10% of the area of the building face on which each sign or set of signs are located, up to a maximum of 200 sq. ft. | Maximum total of 20% of the area of the building face on which such signs are located | Maximum of 2 signs, one with a maximum sign area of 50 sq. ft. per side and the second with a maximum of 6 sq. ft. per side |
Notes to Table: * See definition of “sign height” in § 155.220 of this chapter. ** A third sign shall be permitted with a max. sign area of 50 square feet if the lot has frontage on 2 arterial streets, includes more than 10 establishments or has more than 400 ft. of frontage on 1 street. | ||||
(B) Minimum height of freestanding signs. Freestanding signs shall be raised above the ground as necessary to ensure proper sight distances along streets, as established in § 155.152
of this chapter.
(C) Maximum height of wall signs. The maximum height of wall signs shall be equal to the total height of the building to which they are attached.
(D) Specific districts. Only those types of signs specifically permitted by this subchapter in a specific district shall be permitted in that district.
(E) Signs on mobile stands.
(1) These standards recognize signs on mobile stands as a particular type of sign that has the characteristics of a temporary sign, but that has been inappropriately used as a permanent sign. This section is based on the policy that if a use desires to regularly display a sign for regularly changing messages, that it erect a permanent sign within all of the requirements of this chapter.
(2) A sign on a mobile stand, including any such sign that may have been displayed prior to the adoption of this chapter and which does not have a lawful permit as a permanent sign, shall only be permitted if it meets all of the following requirements:
(a) Shall be permitted only in the commercial district;
(b) Shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet on each of a maximum of two sides;
(c) Shall only include one such sign per principal use or per lot, whichever is more restrictive;
(d) Shall need a sign permit, which shall state the dates during which the sign may be displayed;
(e) Shall only be displayed on a lot for one period per year, which shall not exceed 30 days only a calendar year. Refusal to remove the sign after the 30 days shall constitute a zoning violation;
(f) Shall not obstruct safe sight distance to vehicles within lot and off lot. Shall not be placed within the existing street right-of-way; and
(g) Shall not include flashing or blinking lights.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 704)
§ 155.214 ABANDONED OR OUTDATED SIGNS.
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be removed, painted to be blank or changed to advertise the new use or product within 60 days of the cessation of the original use.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 705)
§ 155.215 LOCATION OF SIGNS.
The following shall regulate the location of signs.
(A) Setback from streets. No sign, except official signs, nameplate signs, public service signs and directional signs, shall be erected within ten feet of or project over any existing street right-of-way.
(B) Sight distance. No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with the sight distance requirements of § 155.152
of this chapter or safe sight distances for vehicles within a lot.
(C) On-premises. No signs, except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs, shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
(D) Setbacks. No sign for a commercial or industrial business shall be located within 25 feet of the lot line of an existing principally residential use or undeveloped residentially zoned land. A sign is not required to meet setback requirements for accessory structures.
(E) Permission of owner. No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 706)
§ 155.216 ILLUMINATED SIGNS.
(A) See § 155.180
of this chapter.
(B) It is strongly encouraged that signs within 200 feet of a dwelling or a residential district not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 707)
§ 155.217 VEHICLE 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 requirements for freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle or structure is located.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 708)
§ 155.218 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
(A) Spinners, pennants or any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use. Flags and banners that contain a commercial message, except as is permitted by § 155.212 of this chapter;
(B) Flashing, electronically changing message, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except time and temperature signs. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays, within § 155.212 of this chapter;
(C) Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor;
(D) Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions of this chapter;
(E) Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street;
(F) Signs that use reflective materials to give the appearance of flashing, blinking, twinkling or electronically changing messages;
(G) Signs or displays that include words or images that are obscene, pornographic or that an average reasonable person would find highly offensive to public decency;
(H) Balloons of greater than 25 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure and are primarily intended for advertising purposes, except as provided as a “special sale sign”; and
(I) Floodlights and lasers. These are only permitted as a “special sale sign” under § 155.212 of this chapter.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 709)
§ 155.219 SIGNS IDENTIFYING MAJOR RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS.
The following signs are permitted by right in all districts; provided that, they meet the following requirements.
(A) When allowed. Signs and any supporting structure (as described in this section) are allowed for developments that have been approved to involve either:
(1) A total of ten or more dwelling units; or
(2) A total of five or more office, commercial, industrial or institutional establishments on a minimum total of three acres of land.
(B) Size and number. Signs described in this section may have a maximum sign area of 25 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet. These signs and/or structures may be located one each a maximum of three of the major entrances to the development from exterior streets. This sign area may be an addition to other sign area limits of this chapter. The signs may be attached to a brick or wooden structure with a maximum height of eight feet and maximum length of 20 feet.
(C) Durability. Such signs shall be designed to be of a durable construction requiring little maintenance.
(D) Message. Such signs may only include the name of the development, and any logo. A phone number nay be included during sale or rental of the development. Such signs shall not include any advertising.
(E) Landscaping. Such signs shall be attractively landscaped, with plants and shrubs requiring minimal maintenance.
(F) Location. Such signs and structures shall be located outside of the existing and future street rights-of-way lines and shall satisfy the sight distance requirements of § 155.152 of this chapter.
(G) Maintenance. If such signs are intended to remain beyond the completion of a developer’s involvement in a project, the developer shall provide an appropriate method to ensure proper maintenance of the sign.
(H) Illumination. Such signs may not be illuminated.
(I) Directional signs within a major business development.
(1) When allowed. A directional business sign is allowed at each intersection of two or more streets within an office, commercial or industrial development that involves a total of 20 or more acres.
(2) Size. Each sign may have a total square footage of 120 square feet. The sign shall be an orderly single structure and may include on it the names and logos of all the businesses located in the development, along with directional arrows and a map.
(3) Purpose. The signs allowed by this subsection are to direct visitors to businesses. These signs are not intended for routine advertising purposes.
(4) Illumination. Such signs may be externally, but not internally illuminated.
(J) Directional signs within a townhouse or garden apartment development. Within a development that includes 50 or more townhouse or garden apartment dwelling units, non-illuminated signs with a maximum sign area of six square feet each may direct visitors to or identify different buildings or units of the development. These signs may be freestanding or attached to a building or structure.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 710)
§ 155.220 MEASUREMENT AND MAJOR TYPES OF SIGNS.
The following regulations shall be used in determining whether signs meet the measurement and type requirements of this subchapter:
(A) Building face. The vertical area of a particular side of a building, but not including the area of any slanted roof;
(B) Freestanding sign. A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily supported by a building;
(C) Height of sign. The vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting structure;
(D) Illuminated sign, externally. A sign illuminated by light outside of the sign instead of within the sign;
(E) Illuminated sign, internally. A sign illuminated by light from within the sign rather than a source adjacent to or outside of the sign;
(F) Off-premises sign. See § 155.008 of this chapter;
(G) Proposed development sign. A sign that may or may not be attached to a supporting wall that announces a proposed subdivision or land development for which a plan has been submitted to the borough and which meets the applicable standards of this subchapter;
(H) Sign. See § 155.008 of this chapter;
(I) Sign area.
(1) Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed. One “freestanding sign” may include several signs that are all attached to one structure, with the total “sign area” being the total area of all signs on the structure.
(2) The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting framework, bracing, or clearly defined wooden framing if such area does not include any display, lettering or sign and if such area is clearly incidental to the sign area itself.
(3) Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle that includes all of the letters and symbols.
(4) In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two sides, the permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign area of only one side (the larger of any two if they differ). If the interior angle formed at the inside of the two sides of a two-sided sign is greater than 60 degrees, then the total area of both sides shall not be greater than the permitted total sign area. No sign shall have more than two sides or faces.
(5) Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs are maximum sizes.
(J) Sign on mobile stands. A freestanding sign that is attached to a chassis that allows it to be towed from one location to another and that has no permanent foundation. See § 155.213 of this chapter;
(K) Wall sign. A sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building and which does not project more than 18 inches from such wall; and
(L) Window sign. A sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent door.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 711)
§ 155.221 CONSTRUCTION OF SIGNS.
(A) Every permanent sign permitted in this subchapter shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair.
(B) Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be repaired or removed by the borough at the expense of the owner or leasee of the property on which it is located.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 712)
§ 155.222 OFF-PREMISES SIGNS (INCLUDING BILLBOARDS).
(A) Purposes. Off-permises signs are controlled by this chapter for the following purposes, to: ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is attractive to desirable types of development, especially light industrial and office parks; prevent visual pollution in the borough and protect property values, especially in consideration of the fact that most commercial areas of the borough are within close proximity to existing residences; prevent glare on adjacent property and streets; protect the open space and natural character of areas of the borough planned to remain agricultural or as conservation areas; avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists, especially along the high speed Route 33 and along busy arterial streets that involve complex turning movements, congestion and numerous traffic hazards; recognize the numerous alternative forms of free speech available in the borough, including existing non- conforming off-premises signs, on-permises signs and temporary signs and printed and electronic media; recognize that this chapter allows every landowner a reasonable use for their land; avoid off-premises signs that would have an unfair advantage over on-premises signs in the competition for attention, because off-premises signs typically are higher and larger than on-premises signs; carry out the purposes listed in § 155.210 of this chapter.
(B) Non-conforming off-premises signs. This section is not intended to require the removal of an existing lawfully-placed off-permises sign that is in structurally sound condition.
(C) Commercial and non-commercial. This section applies to both commercial and non-commercial off-permises signs, except as may be specifically provided for elsewhere in this chapter.
(D) PennDOT sign. Signs erected and maintained by the state’s Department of Transportation are permitted by right in all districts. Such signs that identify business services available at an interchange are specifically encouraged as an appropriate and orderly means of providing information without causing visual pollution or traffic hazards.
(E) Permitted off-premises signs. Based directly on the intent statements within this chapter, off-premises signs are only permitted if they meet the following requirements, except for exempt signs under § 155.212 of this chapter.
(1) District. An off-premises sign is only permitted in the LI District.
(2) Location. An off-premises sign is only permitted within 2,000 feet of existing right-of-way of an expressway.
(3) Maximum sign area. Three hundred square feet.
(4) Spacing. Any off-premises sign shall be separated by a minimum of 1,500 feet from any other off-premises sign, including signs on either side of an expressway and including existing signs in other municipalities. No lot shall include more than one off-premises sign.
(5) Maximum height. Eighty feet. See definition in § 155.220 of this chapter.
(6) Attached. No off-premises sign or sign face shall be attached in any way to any other off-premises sign. Off-premises signs shall have a maximum of one sign face.
(7) Lighting and glare. See standards in § 155.180 of this chapter.
(8) Residences. No off-premises sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of an existing dwelling or residentially zoned land.
(Ord. passed 2-4-1991, § 713)
