[Amended 7-29-2003 by Ord. No. 820; 3-23-2017 by Ord. No. 940]
A. 
Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, as amended.
B. 
Zoning permits. A zoning permit shall be required for the erection or alteration of any sign, except name plates, identification signs, "home occupation" signs and sale or rental signs, and other signs listed in § 173-120, Exception to sign permit requirements.
C. 
Setbacks: the main supporting structure of all freestanding business signs and freestanding signs permitted in residential or other districts shall not be located closer than three feet to any property line, except for official traffic signs or governmental signs.
D. 
Attachments:
[Amended 6-23-2021 by Ord. No. 967]
(1) 
All signs shall be constructed and securely fastened in a manner which will prevent their displacement by the elements.
(2) 
Nonprojecting signs attached to any structure shall be attached flat against the structure and shall not hang, suspend or project outward more than 24 inches from the wall or face of the building to which it is attached.
(3) 
Projecting signs attached to any structure shall be attached perpendicular to the structure, or if it is located on a wall or building on a corner building with door access at a forty-five-degree angle, then the sign will be attached perpendicular in line with the entrance.
(a) 
A projecting sign shall not extend horizontally more than 36 inches from the plane of the building, not including the extension of the mounting device.
(b) 
The mounting device of such sign shall be permitted up to six inches from the facade.
(c) 
Projecting signs shall have a clearance of not less than seven feet above grade to the bottom of the sign and no higher than 15 feet to the top or intrude into the zone defined by the second-floor level, whichever is less.
(d) 
Where a business or businesses are located above or below the first floor and the stairs to such business or businesses are directly at street level, only one projecting sign shall be permitted above the entry to the stair. Multiple-occupant buildings shall share such sign.
E. 
Rights-of-way. Signs shall not be located in nor overhang or project over any public right-of-way, except when such signs are required in connection with the provision of municipal services.
(1) 
Downtown Commercial District (CD). Signs may overhang or project outward over a public right-of-way as provided in § 173-118D, Attachments.
F. 
Replacement of hanging or suspended signs. No existing nonconforming hanging or suspended sign may be reconstructed or replaced; however, all such signs must be kept in good repair.
G. 
Building access. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or so as to prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape.
H. 
Traffic or visual obstruction. No sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision, and, if located within the direct line of vision of any traffic control sign or signal, no sign shall have red, green, or amber illumination (§ 173-95, Obstruction to Vision).
I. 
Maintenance of signs. All signs permitted under this chapter as well as those in existence prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be adequately maintained to avoid their deterioration, decay or other conditions which might endanger the public health, welfare or safety.
J. 
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall not cause any excessive glare or electrical or other disturbance which shall be incompatible with the nature of the adjoining neighborhood in which it is located, as determined by the Zoning Hearing Board, after receipt of a recommendation from the Planning Commission (§ 173-89D, Performance standards).
K. 
Temporary sign time limits. All temporary signs erected for a special event shall be removed by the owner within seven days, when circumstances leading to their erection no longer apply.
L. 
Construction signs time limits. Construction signs shall be removed seven days after completion of the construction project.
A. 
Removing or reconstructing signs. No sign heretofore approved and erected shall be altered or moved, nor shall any sign or any substantial part thereof which is blown down, destroyed or removed be re-erected, reconstructed, rebuilt or relocated unless it is made to comply with all applicable requirements of this section.
B. 
Relocating existing signs. Any existing sign that is moved to another location either on the same or to other premises shall be considered a new sign, and a permit shall be secured for any work performed in connection therewith.
No permit shall be required for the signs covered by the provisions of this section. Such exceptions, however, shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the sign from responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a safe manner.
A. 
Wall signs. The wall signs herein listed shall not require a permit:
(1) 
Store signs: nonilluminated signs erected over a show window or over the door of a store or business establishment which announce the name of the proprietor and the nature of the business conducted therein where no larger than 1.5 square feet.
(2) 
Government building signs: signs erected on a municipal, state or federal building which announce the name, nature of the occupancy and information as to use of or admission to the premises.
B. 
Ground signs. The ground signs herein listed shall not require a permit:
(1) 
Sale or rent: signs erected to announce the sale or rent of the property so designated, provided that such signs are not over six square feet in area.
(2) 
Street signs: signs erected by the municipality for street direction.
C. 
Temporary signs. The temporary signs herein listed shall not require a permit:
(1) 
Construction signs: construction signs, engineers' and architects' signs and other similar signs which may be authorized by the building official in connection with construction operations.
(2) 
Special displays: special decorative displays used for holidays, public demonstrations or promotion of civic welfare or charitable purposes, when authorized by the Borough Manager, on which there is no commercial advertising, provided that the municipality is held harmless for any damage resulting therefrom.
A. 
Residential districts.
(1) 
Nonflashing, nonanimated and nonadvertising signs are permitted in residential districts in accordance with the requirements set forth in the following table:
Sign Regulations for Residential Districts
Type of Sign
Maximum area
(square feet)
Maximum height above average grade
(feet)
Name plates, identification signs or home occupation signs
1.5
10
Sale, rental or temporary signs
3
10
Signs accessory to nondwelling structures
16
10
(2) 
The number of signs shall be restricted to one sign on each street which the property abuts for each dwelling unit, entrance, exit or building to which it pertains.
(3) 
Advertising signs are not permitted in residential districts.
B. 
Nonresidential districts.
(1) 
Nonflashing and nonanimated business signs are permitted in all nonresidential districts in accordance with the following:
[Amended 6-23-2021 by Ord. No. 967]
District
Maximum gross surface area of all signs
(square feet)
Maximum height
(feet)
CD
2 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
CD (projecting or blade style signs)
See 173-118D.
CL
2 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
HC
2 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
I-1
3 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
I-2
3 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
BI
2 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
PE
2 multiplied by the linear footage of lot frontage or 500 square feet, whichever is less
30
(2) 
Advertising signs in nonresidential districts.
(a) 
Proximity of signs. Freestanding advertising signs shall be no closer to one another than 500 feet on the same parcel.
C. 
Conservation District.
(1) 
Advertising signs are not permitted in the Conservation District.
D. 
Murals.
[Amended 6-23-2021 by Ord. No. 967]
(1) 
The murals will only be allowed in the Downtown Commercial (CD) District and the Light Commercial (CL) District.
(2) 
Murals installed in the Downtown Commercial and the Light Commercial (CL) District shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission or its designated agent.
(3) 
The mural may be constructed on the front, side, or the rear of the building.
(4) 
The following criteria will be used by the Planning Commission to approve or disapprove a mural:
(a) 
The mural must be nonadvertising.
(b) 
The mural must be pictorial or historical.
(c) 
There will be no extension of a building to accommodate a mural. It must be placed on an existing building.
(d) 
There will be no nudity or any obscene material on the mural.
A. 
Flashing and animated business signs, including animated, LED (light-emitting diode), changeable, electric, electronic message sign or center, flashing, and revolving signs, are permitted in all zoning districts except they are prohibited in all residential districts, Downtown Commercial District, and Conservation District. The limitation on placement shall not apply to government signage in the residential or conservation districts as this type of signage may be placed as required.
[Amended 6-23-2021 by Ord. No. 967]
(1) 
Gross area of flashing/animated signs. Any property located within the permitted zoning districts shall be limited to no more than 36 square feet of gross surface area. This total shall count against the total maximum gross area in § 173-121B(1).
(2) 
The number of flashing/animated business signs shall be limited to one.
(3) 
Height of signs. No flashing or animated sign may be higher than 20 feet above the ground.
(4) 
Nuisances. Flashing/animated signs or any other signs under the section shall not cause any excessive glare or electrical or other disturbance which shall be incompatible with the nature of the adjoining neighborhood in which it is located.
A. 
Definition. "Personal expression signs" are noncommercial signs regardless of whether they contain political, religious or any other noncommercial message.
B. 
Personal expression signs on public property.
(1) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain personal expression signs on or in public buildings and structures, including libraries, recreational centers, parking structures and Borough halls, or on or in public parks, lawns, public vehicles, trees, shrubs, fences, walls, traffic signs or fire hydrants, unless authorized by the Borough (for example, nonprofit events, i.e., Guthrie Gallop, Farmer's Market).
(2) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign in any manner that damages or defaces public property.
(3) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign so as to create a visibility hazard to pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic along streets or sidewalks or at street.
(4) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign within a street right-of-way, except a government sign, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation sign, a public utility sign or a nonprofit organization sign approved by the Borough or Pennsylvania Department.
(5) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign to be painted, pasted, nailed, stapled or otherwise attached to utility poles, trees, fences, rock, and fire hydrants or in any unauthorized manner to walls, unless authorized by the Borough or allowed under this article.
C. 
Enforcement of personal expression signs on public property.
(1) 
Signs that are placed on Borough property and signs that are prohibited on the public right-of-way (between the street and the sidewalk) may be removed by the Code Officer or his designee using the following guidelines:
(a) 
Prior to removal the Code Officer shall give three business days' notice to the sign owner or organization on the sign if identified by name, phone number or address if possible.
(b) 
If the sign is not removed after the three-business-day notification or not removed after three business days without notification, the sign may be removed by the Code Officer.
(c) 
Prohibited signs which are not removed within the time limits may be removed and impounded by the Borough, and the Borough may recover a fee equal to the cost of removal and storage.
(d) 
Unclaimed signs after 30 days' storage may be destroyed by the Borough.
D. 
Personal expression signs on private property.
(1) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign on private property without the consent of the owner of said premises.
(2) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression signs to create a visibility hazard to pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic along streets or sidewalks or on street corners.
(3) 
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign that is larger than 16 square feet.
(4) 
Length of personal expression signs relating to candidates for public office: It is unlawful to maintain any personal expression signs relating to a candidate for public office more than 30 days prior to the primary election and more than 10 days after the primary election. It is unlawful to maintain any personal expression signs relating to a candidate for public office more than 30 days prior to the general election and more than 10 days after the general election; provided, however, that in the event of a subsequent runoff election, the signs of the runoff candidates may be maintained until the seventh day after the runoff election. After the election or the runoff election, the Borough will notify the candidate and/or campaign on whose behalf the sign appears of the violation of this chapter, and said candidate or campaign shall be given seven days to remove said signs or be assessed the costs of removal by the Borough. In the event that such signs are not removed, the Borough is authorized to remove and destroy said signs and to charge the candidate or campaign on whose behalf the signs were erected for the costs of removal and disposal.
(5) 
Length of personal expression signs not relating to a candidate for public office: It is unlawful to maintain any personal expression signs more than 80 days in a calendar year running from January 1 to December 31 of any year. This provision is intended to be content neutral allowing for the sign to be displayed the same length of time as a personal expression sign relating to a political candidate in a calendar year. If a personal expression sign remains erected for over 80 days in a calendar year the Borough will notify the property owner of the violation of this chapter, and said property owner shall be given seven days to remove said signs or be assessed the costs of removal by the Borough. In the event that such signs are not removed after the seven-day period, the Borough is authorized to remove and destroy said signs and to charge the property owner for the costs of removal and disposal.
E. 
The total number of signs on a property shall be one sign, unless additional signs are specifically designated otherwise in the Zoning District.