[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018[1]]
1.
The purpose of this Part is to develop a comprehensive system of
sign regulations to:
A.
Promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:
(1)
Do not create traffic hazards by distracting or confusing motorists
or impairing motorist's ability to see pedestrians, other vehicles,
or obstacles or to read traffic signs.
(2)
Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay
or abandonment.
(3)
Do promote the aesthetic quality, safety, health, and general
welfare and the assurance of protection of adequate light and air
within the Borough by regulation of the posting, displaying, erection,
use and maintenance of signs.
B.
Promote the efficient transfer of information through the use of
signs and to permit such use, but not necessarily in the most-profitable
form or format available for such use.
C.
Protect the public welfare and enhance the overall appearance and
economic value of the landscape, while preserving the unique natural
and historic environment that distinguishes the Borough, and consistent
with Article I, § 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
It is also acknowledged that the Borough's economic well-being is
heavily dependent upon the resort and tourism industry. This dependence
makes the protection of the Borough's historic resources, environment
and aesthetics from the impacts of signage a matter of critical importance
to all residential and commercial uses within the Borough, as well
as the Borough as a whole.
2.
It is further declared that these regulations serve to reveal a great
deal about the Borough's pride, aesthetic appreciation, vitality,
diversity, originality, culture and sense of order, giving it a distinctive
appearance and reinforcing the character of the Borough and its surrounding
environs in its natural setting as adopted by and set forth in the
Comprehensive Plan and as further determined by the Monroe County
2030 Task Force and the Jacob Stroud Corporation. It is further acknowledged
that these regulations in and of themselves cannot achieve the end
result desired unless the community upholds the terms set forth within
an atmosphere of responsible freedom, utilizing the principles of
fairness and mutual cooperation. Minimum standards are thus provided
to safeguard the life, health, property and public welfare by regulating
and controlling the design quality, materials, construction, size,
illumination, location and maintenance of all signs and sign structures
while at the same time attempting to provide functional flexibility,
encourage variety, and to create an incentive to relate signage to
the basic principles of sound planning, development and use of residential,
commercial and industrial properties.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the repeal
of former Part 8, Sign Requirements, as amended.
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018]
1.
As used in this chapter, "sign" shall mean any permanent or temporary
structure or part of a structure, or any device attached, represented,
projected or applied by paint or otherwise, or any structure or other
surface used to communicate information, a message or advertisement,
or to attract the attention of the public to a subject or location.
The term "sign" shall include, but not be limited to, flat or curved
surfaces, all support and/or assembly apparatus, flags, banners, streamers,
pennants, insignias and medals with or without words or pictures.
Signs on vehicles shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter
when the vehicle is owned and located or parked on or in front of
a zoning lot under the control of an occupant of the lot.
2.
The following shall not be defined as signs under this chapter:
A.
A surface not exceeding one square foot in area that sets forth the
identity of a property by number, post box number or name(s) of occupants
of the property.
B.
Flags and insignia of any municipal, state or federal government.
C.
Legal notices, identification information, or wayfinding information
provided by governmental or legislative authorities.
D.
Integral, decorative or architectural features of buildings.
E.
Actual produce and merchandise displayed for sale that appear in
store windows.
F.
Street banners approved under the Stroudsburg Borough Banner Policy.
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018]
All signs shall be divided according to use types as follows:
1.
Identification Sign. A sign which is greater than one square foot,
but less than or equal to 1.5 square feet, in area situated on the
zoning lot on which a permanent home occupation is located.
2.
Business Sign. A sign which is greater than 1.5 square feet, but
less than or equal to 100 square feet, in area situated on the zoning
lot on which a business, profession, development or manufacturer is
located.
3.
Real Estate Sign. A sign having an area greater than 1.5 square feet, but less than or equal to 16 square feet, situated on a zoning lot on which any portion of the improvements thereon is for sale or rent. See § 27-807, Tables III and IV, for specific height and size requirements in zoning districts.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
4.
Development Sign. A sign with an area greater than 1.5 square feet,
but less than or equal to 16 square feet, situated on a zoning lot
which is being developed or under construction. Development signs
shall be permitted for not more than 60 days or when the construction
or development is complete, whichever occurs first. An extension of
the time may be granted at the discretion of the Zoning Officer.
5.
Institutional Sign. A sign having an area greater than 1.5 square
feet, but less than or equal to 100 square feet, situated on a zoning
lot on which a school, church, hospital or other institution of a
similar public or semipublic nature is located.
6.
Temporary Sign. Any sign having an area greater that 1.5 square feet., but less than or equal to 100 square feet, displayed for 30 days or less, no more than three times per calendar year, with the exception of signage for Borough-sanctioned special events, for which the time limit shall not exceed 120 days. See § 27-807, Tables III and IV, for specific height requirements in zoning districts.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
7.
Billboard Sign. A freestanding sign with an area greater than 100
square feet., but less than 300 square feet. Billboard signs may only
be located within 50 feet of the right-of-way of an interstate highway.
A billboard sign may not be located or constructed within a 1,000-foot
radius of any other billboard sign.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018]
All signs shall be divided, according to construction types,
into the following categories:
1.
Freestanding Sign. A sign not attached or applied to a building but
supported by another structure solely designed for the sign itself.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
2.
Wall Sign. A sign attached or applied to the wall of the principal
building, not projecting over any public right-of-way and not extending
more than 14 inches from such wall.
3.
Projecting Sign. A sign, any portion of which projects over the public
right-of-way or extends more than 14 inches from the building or structure
to which it is attached.
4.
Banner Sign. Any device intended to be hung with or without frames,
possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied
to paper, plastic, or fabric of any kind.
5.
Window Sign. Any sign that is applied or affixed to a window, or
placed inside a window within three feet of the glass, facing the
outside of the building, and easily seen from the outside. Neon shall
be permitted for use as a window sign.
6.
Electronic Message Board Sign. Any sign that uses LED or other light-producing
elements as the surface of a sign or to form a sign message or messages
wherein the message or messages, sequence of messages and the rate
of change of the messages may be electronically programmed and/or
modified by electronic processes either at the sign or remotely.
7.
Flashing Sign. Any sign which, by method or manner of illumination,
flashes on or off, winks, or blinks with varying light intensity,
shows motion, or creates the illusion of motion, or revolves in a
manner to create the illusion of being on or off.
8.
Backlit Panel Sign. An illuminated sign which is lit from behind
a face panel on which the lettering or message is placed.
10.
Awning Sign. Any sign attached or applied to an awning.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
11.
Canopy Sign. Any sign that is a part of or attached to a canopy.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018]
The following signs shall be prohibited in all locations:
1.
Any sign which is not included under the types of signs permitted in district regulations in § 27-807 or in this Part.
2.
Any sign, which, by method or manner of illumination, flashes on or off, winks, or blinks with varying light intensity, shows motion, or creates the illusion of motion, or revolves in a manner to create the illusion of being on or off, or otherwise as defined in §§ 27-804, Subsections 6 and 7, of this chapter.
4.
Any sign attached or applied to trees, rocks, or other natural features
shall not be permitted.
5.
Any sign, other than projecting signs, which extends beyond any wall
or other surface to which it is mounted.
6.
Any sign erected or constructed upon or over the roof of any building
or structure.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
7.
Any sign painted directly on the surface of any building, fence or
similar structure, paving surfaces or other man-made or natural features.
9.
Illuminated signs located in the C-1, C-1A, C-2 and I-1 Zoning Districts
which abut and are visible to a residential zoning district.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
10.
Any sign attached to light poles, streetlights, utility poles, flag
poles, benches, fences or utility boxes.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
11.
Any sign attached to an accessory building or structure.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
12.
Any sign placed within street lines unless specifically authorized
by other ordinances and regulations of the Borough, except those owned
or constructed by a governmental or legislative authority.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
13.
Signs prohibited by state or federal laws or regulations shall also
be prohibited hereunder.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
14.
Lewd, obscene, vulgar, threatening, offensive or hate speech signs
containing statements, words, pictures or graphic representations.
[Added by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018;
as amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
All signs are permitted in accordance with the requirements
of Tables I, II, III and IV and all other requirements and standards
of this chapter, as applied in the zoning district in which the sign
is located. The issuance of a zoning permit shall not exempt any sign
from compliance with the provisions of the Building Code of the Borough
of Stroudsburg. The issuance of a zoning permit for a temporary sign
shall specify the number of signs erected and the location of each
sign. The permit may allow erection of more than one sign.
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018;
as amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
All signs are permitted in accordance with the requirements
of Tables I, II, and III and all other requirements and standards
of this chapter, as applied in the zoning district in which the sign
is located.
1.
All permitted sign types and construction types indicated with "P"
shall be permitted, provided all other terms of this chapter have
been met.
2.
All sign types and construction types indicated with "SE" shall be permitted by special exception as set forth in Part 10 of this chapter.
3.
All sign types and construction types indicated with "CU" shall be permitted by conditional use as set forth in Part 12 of this chapter.
4.
All sign types and construction types without a designation in the
column are not permitted.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1120, 2/1/2022]
|
TABLE I
Table of Regulations Governing Sign Types in All Zoning Districts
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Type of Signs
|
Zoning Districts
| ||
|
R-1, R-2, R-3, O-1
|
I-1
|
C-1, C-1A, C-2, MU-A, MU-B
| |
|
Business Sign
|
P3
|
P
|
P
|
|
Development Sign
|
P1
|
P
|
P
|
|
Identification Sign
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
Institutional Sign
|
P1
|
P
|
P
|
|
Real Estate Sign
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
Temporary Sign
|
P2
|
P2
|
P2
|
|
Billboard Sign
|
CU4
| ||
|
Electronic Message Center Sign
|
SE
| ||
|
NOTES:
| |
|
1
| |
|
2
|
Temporary signs shall comply with all the requirements for permanent
signs.
|
|
3
| |
|
4
|
One billboard sign per zoning lot shall be permitted
|
|
TABLE II
Signs Regulated by Construction Types
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zoning Districts
| |||||
|
Construction Type
|
R-1, R-2, R-3, O-1
|
I-1
|
C-1
|
C-1A
|
C-2, MU-A, MU-B
|
|
Awning sign
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
| |
|
Backlit channel sign
|
P
|
P
| |||
|
Backlit panel sign
|
P
|
P
| |||
|
Banner sign
|
P3
|
P3
|
P3
|
P3
|
P3
|
|
Canopy sign
|
SE
|
SE
|
SE
| ||
|
Free-standing sign (100 square feet or less)
|
SE1
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P4
|
|
Projecting sign
|
P2
|
P2
|
P2
|
P2
| |
|
Window sign
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
| |
|
Wall Sign (100 square feet or less)
|
SE1
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
|
NOTES:
| |
|
1
| |
|
2
|
No sign shall project from the face of the building or structure
more than four feet. Projecting signs shall be securely fastened and
shall be a minimum of eight feet of vertical distance to a public
right-of-way. Projecting signs shall be placed at a minimum distance
of 10 feet to another projecting sign.
|
|
3
| |
|
TABLE III
Maximum Height for Individual Signs in All Zoning Districts
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zoning Districts
| ||||
|
Maximum Height of Sign Above Ground
(feet)
|
R-1, R-2, R-3, O-1
|
I-1
|
C-1, C-1A
|
C-2, MU-A, MU-B
|
|
Canopy sign
|
20
|
20
| ||
|
Development sign
|
6
|
12
|
See1
|
See1
|
|
Free-standing sign
|
6
|
30
|
6
|
6
|
|
Billboard sign
|
30
| |||
|
Identification sign
|
8
|
See1
|
See1
|
See1
|
|
Institutional sign
|
6
|
12
|
See1
|
See1
|
|
Projecting sign
|
See1
|
See1
|
See1
| |
|
Real estate sign
|
6
|
12
|
6
|
6
|
|
Temporary sign
|
6
|
12
|
6
|
6
|
|
Wall sign
|
9
|
See1
|
See1
|
See1
|
|
NOTES:
| |
|
1
|
No exterior signs shall block windows or door openings. Note
where windows and doors are trimmed in decorative moldings, the moldings
shall not be covered.
|
|
TABLE IV
Maximum Permitted Square Footage for Individual Signs in All
Zoning Districts
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zoning Districts
| ||||
|
Maximum Square Footage For Individual Sign
|
R-1, R-2, R-3, O-1
|
I-1
|
C-1, C-1A
|
C-2, MU-A, MU-B
|
|
Billboard sign
|
300
| |||
|
Business sign
|
1001
|
1001
|
1001
| |
|
Development sign
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
|
Free-standing sign (100 square feet or less)
|
1001
|
1001
|
1001
| |
|
Identification sign
|
1.5
| |||
|
Institutional sign
|
12
|
1001
|
1001
|
1001
|
|
Projecting sign
|
16
|
16
|
16
| |
|
Real estate sign
|
6
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
|
Temporary sign
|
6
|
1001
|
16
|
16
|
|
Wall sign
|
1001
|
1001
|
1001
| |
|
Window sign
|
See2
|
See2
|
See2
| |
|
NOTES:
| |
|
1
| |
|
2
|
Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the area of a single window,
situated on the ground floor facade of the building. The area of a
single window includes all of the window panes in an area that is
separated by mullions, muntins, or other dividers which are less than
three inches wide.
|
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018]
1.
In addition to the size requirements listed in § 27-807, Tables I, II, III, and IV, the maximum allowance of square footage for signs per zoning lot shall be calculated as follows:
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
A.
In the C-1, C-1A, C-2, MU-A, and MU-B Zoning Districts, the lesser
or 100 square feet of signage or the value computed as 1.5 square
feet for each linear foot of lot frontage. (For example, a zoning
lot with 40 feet of linear frontage is permitted a maximum of 60 square
feet of signage for the zoning lot.)
C.
Corner properties in the C-1, C-1A, C-2, MU-A, MU-B, and I-1 Zoning
Districts shall be allowed two lot frontages. Corner properties shall
be limited to not more than 50 square feet of signage of the additional
lot frontage area. A corner property is allowed a maximum of 150 square
feet of signage.
D.
For zoning lots with more than one commercial use, the total allowable
sign area shall be increased by 12 square feet for each additional
commercial use on the ground floor and shall be increased by six square
feet for each additional commercial use on upper floors.
2.
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.
3.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to, or visible inside or outside, and/or painted on a surface, the
area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle which
encompasses all of the letters and symbols, including lighted borders,
such as neon surrounding a window.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
4.
In computing square-foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side
shall be considered, provided both faces are identical, with the exception
of billboard signs and electronic message boards. If the interior
angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater
than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in
calculating the sign area.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
[Ord. No. 1048, 4/3/2018;
as amended by Ord. No. 1115, 12/7/2021]
The following requirements shall apply to all signs:
1.
Signs may be illuminated by direct lighting but shall have such lighting
shielded so no direct light will shine on abutting properties or in
the normal line of vision of the public using the streets or sidewalks.
No floodlights or spotlights shall be mounted higher than five feet
above the sign which they are illuminating. In addition to the Borough
regulations in this Part, all signage must comply with the provisions
of the NEC 600 Code, UL Standard 48 and the Illuminating Engineering
Society of North America (IESNA). All illuminated signs shall be turned
off between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily, except for
those located on the property of the business establishment being
advertised.
2.
No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic,
through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines or streets,
sidewalks, or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control
device (by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristic),
or through any other means.
3.
All signs, except temporary signs, shall be constructed of durable
material and kept in good condition and repair. Electrical signs shall
be subject to the performance criteria of Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc., and to periodic inspection by the Borough Code Inspection Officer.
4.
Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter which do not
conform to the requirements of the chapter shall be considered nonconforming
signs. Nonconforming signs, once removed for a period of 30 days,
may be replaced only with signs which conform to provisions of this
chapter.
5.
When a zoning lot utilized by businesses or occupants has been vacated,
all signs shall be removed from the premises within 30 days. A temporary
sign will be permitted for no more than 30 days after the business
or occupancy has been vacated. Such temporary sign shall be no larger
than 12 square feet.
6.
Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the
carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the vehicle's
primary purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself, shall be
considered a free-standing sign and, as such, shall be subject to
the provisions regarding free-standing signs in the district in which
such vehicle is located.
7.
All free-standing signs shall conform to the setbacks required for
other buildings and structures. No free-standing signs in other than
a residential or O-1 Zone shall extend within 25 feet of any residential
or O-1 District boundary line. The location of signs at service stations
shall not be within any dedicated street right-of-way.
8.
Signs located on zoning lots with nonconforming uses or institutional
and business uses in R and O-1 Zones may be continued in use but shall
not be enlarged. Where the nonconforming use is lawfully changed to
another nonconforming use, there shall be permitted a new sign, the
same size as the old sign, or a sign having an area not greater than
30 square feet, whichever area is smaller. Such sign shall be placed
flat against the building.
9.
Any floodlights, flags, banners, twirling, A-type, sandwich-type,
sidewalk, inflatable signs, or curb signs or balloons or other air-
or gas-filled devices and special devices shall only be permitted
on a zoning lot for a period of not more than 15 days before or 30
days after the opening of a new business on such zoning lot. At no
other time shall such devices be permitted.
10.
Signs prohibited by state or federal laws or regulations shall also
be prohibited hereunder.
11.
Electronic message board signs shall not have an illumination level
between sunset and sunrise of more than 250 nits, nor exceed 0.25
footcandle at full brightness. In addition, the increase in brightness
from said signage after installation shall not be perceptible from
any residence within 600 feet of the sign at any time of the year.
Such sign shall have a light-sensing device to automatically adjust
the brightness of the display to ambient light conditions to comply
with this lighting level. Prior to receiving a final permit for the
sign, the applicant shall provide written evidence from a qualified
independent professional that these maximum lighting levels are being
met. The qualifications of such professional shall be submitted in
writing. These standards shall continue to regulate the sign over
time. The sign permit may be revoked by the Codes Officer if the sign
does not remain in compliance.
12.
The "hold time" for electronic message board signs, before which
one static message changes to another, may not be any shorter than
15 seconds. An off-premises sign shall not be an electronically changeable
message sign.
13.
No electronic message board sign shall be located within a 1/2-mile
radius of any other electronic message board sign.
