General standards and criteria for signs.
The regulations in this section specify the area and heights of signs that are allowed within the Borough and require a permit.
A. Determination of gross sign area. The area of a sign shall 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.
(1) Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a building wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the single smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols, including the sign background and frame.
(2) In computing square-foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided both faces are identical in size, otherwise the larger side shall be considered. If the interior angle formed by the faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then all sides of the sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
B. Determination of sign height. The height of all signs shall be determined as follows:
(1) The height of a sign erected within 30 feet of a road right-of-way line shall be measured from the natural grade level of the nearest edge of the travelway of the adjacent road to the top of the sign or sign structure.
(2) The height of all signs erected beyond 30 feet from a road right-of-way line shall be measured from the natural grade level immediately adjacent to where the sign is erected to the top of the sign or sign structure.
General requirements.
All signs erected within the Borough shall conform to the applicable building codes and to the following general requirements:
A. Design. No sign or part of a sign shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices. None of these devices, nor any strings of light, shall be used for the purpose of advertising or getting attention when not part of a sign, except as follows:
(1) In the case of a grand opening or similar event, banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices may be used for a period of 30 consecutive days upon application for a special sign permit.
(2) All temporary signs shall be affixed at all four corners or attached to a stable, flat surface. Temporary signs affixed to buildings shall be considered temporary wall signs and shall conform to the requirements in
§ 215-89: Temporary signs.
(3) Banners spanning municipal roadways are prohibited. Banners spanning state roadways require permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and issuance of a highway occupancy permit.
B. Limitation on number of signs. Excluding window decals, permitted accessory window signs and on-premises directional signs, or as may otherwise be modified by other provisions of
Article XI: Signs, any business shall be limited to two on-premises exterior signs advertising the business in one of the following combinations:
(1) One freestanding sign and one sign attached to a building.
(2) Two signs attached to a building.
C. Maintenance. Every sign, including those specifically exempt from permits and permit fees, shall be maintained in good repair and in a safe, clean and attractive condition.
D. Sign illumination. Illuminated signs or sign-lighting devices shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent rotating or moving light (see
§ 215-83C). No sign or lighting device shall be placed or directed to permit the beams and illumination to be directed or beamed upon a public road, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause a traffic hazard or nuisance.
E. Sign materials and construction. All signs shall be constructed of durable materials, designed to withstand expected wind pressures and erected so as not to sustain damage and deterioration from the elements. No sign shall contain iridescent or Day-glo paint.
F. Street rights-of-way. No sign or advertising device, including projecting signs, shall be located in or project over any road right-of-way nor be located within the clear sight triangle of any intersection, except for any public signs or signs erected by a governmental agency.
G. Content and protection of first amendment rights. Any sign, display or device allowed under this chapter may contain, in lieu of any other copy, any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit or to a commodity or service for sale and complies with all other requirements of this chapter.