Ch. 27 Part 15

Part 15
Signs

§27-1501 Permitted Permanent Signs.

1. Subject to the other provisions of this Section, only the following types of permanent signs are permitted throughout the Borough:

A. P-1: all signs and signals owned or operated by the Borough.

B. P-2: identification signs for public and for semipublic facilities, such as schools, churches, hospitals, libraries, clubs and public utilities.

C. P-3: nameplate identifying the owner or resident of a private property, excluding mailboxes.

D. P-4: memorial or historical markers or tablets.

E. P-5: signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or other premises and signs controlling the use of private property, such as the prohibition of hunting or fishing.

F. P-6: incidental on-site directional signage (i.e., enter, exit and drive-thru).

G. P-7: business signs.

H. P-8: home occupation signs.

I. P-9: billboards and outdoor advertising signs shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.14.

J. P-10: electronic message signs or LED signs shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.15.

K. P-11: window signs shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.16.

2. Performance and Location Standards for Permanent Signs. The following table sets forth the standards to which each of the permitted sign types must conform:

Permanent Sign Type
Standards	P-1	P-2	P-3	P-4	P-5	P-6	P-7	P-8	P-9	P-10	P-11
Maximum area for one sign (square feet)	–	20	1	12	4	2	1 foot 6 inches for each foot of building frontage up to a maximum of 100 square feet per building [Ord. 612]	1½	300	50	20%
Maximum number of signs per lot	–	2	1 per dwelling unit	1	–	2	4* [Ord. 634]	1	1	1	–
Minimum setback from public right-of-way (feet)	2	10	2	2	10	2	10** [Ord. 634]	10	50	10**	–
Maximum height to top if sign is attached to building	–	height of building	–	–	–	–	height of building	6 feet	–	height of building	–
Maximum height to top if sign is free-standing (feet)	–	10	6	10	6	–	18	6	25	18	–
Maximum projection from building face if attached parallel to building face (inches)	–	12	12	12	12	12	*** [Ord. 634]	12	–	***	–
District(s) permitted	All	All	All	All	All	All	All C and I Districts	All	OS 1 1/15 bypass	C-1, see other	R-C, C-1, CBD districts
NOTES: In the event that a building contains three or more businesses, two signs per business, together with one directional sign per frontage for all of the businesses therein, are permitted. Sizes of signs shall comply with P-7 maximum area per sign requirements. The minimum setback shall not apply to signs where the existing building being served by the sign is within the minimum setback distance. **A permitted sign may project from the building face, provided that it does not project over the main traveled portion of the pedestrian sidewalk. C. Off-site directional signs are a conditional use. P-9 Signs – Billboards and outdoor advertising shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.14. P-10 Signs – LED signs shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.15. P-11 Signs – Window signs shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.16.

3. Off-site directional signs are a conditional use.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-95; as amended by Ord. 612, 4/1/1991, §5(a); by Ord. 634, 2/7/1994, §3(a); and by Ord. 848, 7/6/2020, §3(B))

§27-1502 Permitted Temporary Signs.

1. Subject to other provisions of this Section, only the following types of temporary signs are permitted throughout the Borough:

A. T-1: signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, tradesmen or others engaged in construction work, on the premises wherein their work is proceeding. Such signs shall be removed as soon as the work ceases or is completed.

B. T-2: real estate signs on individual properties that are for sale, rent or lease or which have been sold, rented, or leased. The former type shall be permitted for as long as the property remains for sale or rent, but the latter type shall be removed within a week of the date of the sale or rental agreement.

C. T-3: real estate signs similar to those described in subsection 1.B of this section, but located in housing developments or large acreages which include more than one house lot. Such signs shall be removed when 90 percent of the properties have been developed. Signs announcing proposed commercial or industrial development of the site may be erected for a maximum of one year.

D. T-4: signs advertising the temporary sale of products when such sale is conducted in accordance with all provisions of Borough ordinances. Such signs shall be displayed only when the products are on sale.

E. T-5: temporary directional signs for a period not exceeding one week.

F. T-6: signs advertising or promoting to the general public any special event, including but not limited to cultural, entertainment, religious or charitable activities for a period not exceeding 30 days. Such signs shall be removed within three days following the occurrence of the event advertised or promoted.

G. T-7: portable signs shall follow the standards contained in §27-1504.17.

2. Performance and Location Standards for Temporary Signs. The following table sets forth the standards to which each of the permitted temporary sign types must conform:

Temporary Sign Type
Standards	T-1	T-2	T-3	T-4	T-5	T-6 [Ord. 612]	T-7
Maximum area for one sign (square feet)	20	6	32	6	2	35	6
Maximum number of signs	1 for each trade or profession	2 per lot	2 per development	2 per lot	2 per development	1 per lot	1 per establishment
Minimum setback from public right-of-way (feet)	25 or building face	10 or building face	25 or building face	10	2	2	–
Maximum height to top if sign is attached to building	building height	building height	building height	building height	building height	roof line of building	–
Maximum height to top if sign is freestanding (feet)	10	10	10	10	–	6	3.5
Maximum projection from building face if attached parallel to building face (inches)	12	12	12	12	12	12	–
Districts permitted	All	All	All	All	All	All	All

3. Any temporary sign not conforming to subsections .1 and .2 above may be permitted by special exception. [Ord. 612]

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-96; as amended by Ord. 612, 4/1/1991, §4(b); and by Ord. 848, 7/6/2020, §3(C))

§27-1503 Prohibited Signs.

1. Signs of such a design and location that they interfere with, compete for attention with or may be mistaken for a traffic signal. This shall include any sign visible from the public right-of-way which uses an arrow device or the word “stop.” It shall also include signs in which the colors red and green are used either in direct illumination or in high reflection by the use of special preparation such as fluorescent paint or glass.

2. Any sign located in or extending into a public cart way, except those owned or operated by a duly constituted government.

3. Except as otherwise provided in §27-1502, any freestanding sign within an area bounded by the intersection of two rights-of way and points 20 feet from such intersection along rights-of-way, except directional signs less than three feet in height.

4. Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, signs over a public sidewalk area. Any sign which exists on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section may continue to be used but shall not be repaired or replaced unless permitted by special exception. Repair or replacement shall include, but not be limited to, the repainting or change of an existing sign with the name of another business or use.

5. Flashing or oscillating signs.

6. Signs attached perpendicular to any building and projecting over the main traveled portion of a sidewalk, as set forth in the Sidewalk Ordinance [Chapter 21, Part 2].

7. Signs erected upon or attached to the roof of any building.

8. Hanging Freestanding Signs. Any hanging freestanding sign which exists on the effective date of this subsection may continue to be used but shall not be repaired or replaced unless permitted by special exception. “Repair or replacement” shall include, but not be limited to, the repainting or change of an existing hanging freestanding sign with the name of another business or use.

9. Portable signs, except for temporary signs which conform to the criteria for temporary sign Type T-6 mentioned in §27-1502.2.

10. Strings of bulbs, tubular illumination, or rope illumination outlining windows, buildings, roof lines, on nonresidential uses, are not permitted, except as part of a holiday celebration or temporary seasonal decorations.

11. Signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-97; as amended by Ord. 612, 4/1/1991, §§4(c), 5(b); and by Ord. 848, 7/6/2020, §3(D))

§27-1504 General Regulations for All Signs.

1. Signs must be constructed of durable material, maintained in good condition and not allowed to become dilapidated.

2. Overhead signs shall be at least nine feet high, measured from the ground or pavement to the bottom-most part of the sign.

3. Advertising painted upon or displayed upon a barn or other building or structure shall be regarded as an advertising signboard and the regulations pertaining thereto shall apply.

4. Each sign shall be removed when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply. The Zoning Officer may remove or have it removed at the property owner’s expense.

5. In all districts, only those signs referring directly to materials, products or services performed, made, sold, or displayed on the premises shall be permitted.

6. Permits shall be required for the erection, alteration or maintenance of all permanent signs. Permits shall be issued by the Zoning Officer upon the applying person’s compliance with the provisions of the Code of the Borough and his payment of the permit fee. Council shall establish, and may from time to time change, the sign permit fee by resolution. [Ord. 675]

7. Signs may be interior lighted with nonglaring lights or may be illuminated by shield floodlights or spotlights shielded so there is no direct light transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way. Internally illuminated signs shall have an opaque surround cabinet style fixture with light limiting translucent face(s), flush translucent sign graphics within an opaque background field, through which light from an internal source passes (i.e., illuminated text or reverse cut).

8. Traffic signs shall be of approved design.

9. A person may only erect a freestanding sign within an R-C, C-1 and CBD District of the Borough and in accordance with the requirements of subsection 9.A of this section:

A. A freestanding sign shall only be erected according to the following requirements:

(1) The freestanding sign shall be erected outside the right-of-way of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Borough, except when written permission for erection within the right-of-way is granted by the governmental body involved;

(2) Only one freestanding sign shall be erected for each building frontage;

(3) The provisions of subsection 9.A.2 above notwithstanding, one freestanding sign for each business use within a building may be erected; provided, that there shall not be more than 20 square feet of sign face per each 75 square feet of building frontage, plus an additional six and one half square feet of sign face for each additional 25 feet of building frontage;

(4) The post and sign board of the freestanding sign shall be made of wood or wood products and shall be finished with a nonreflective surface;

(5) The freestanding sign shall not be lighted;

(6) The maximum height of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 10 feet;

(7) The minimum height of the lowest part of the sign board of the freestanding sign shall be not less than six feet eight inches above the surface of the ground;

(8) The sign board of the freestanding sign shall not exceed two feet six inches in width at its widest point;

(9) The sign post for the freestanding sign shall not exceed six inches on a side; and

(10) The freestanding sign shall be placed at the discretion of the Zoning Officer or Street Superintendent.

B. Any freestanding sign which exists on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Section that does not conform to the provisions of this subsection shall not be repaired or replaced unless such repairs or replacement comply with the requirements of subsection 9.A above. “Repair or replacement” shall include, but not be limited to, the repainting or change of an existing freestanding sign with the name of another business or use.

10. No sign, sign post or any portion thereof shall obstruct the view from the cart way of a street or alley of any traffic control device, regulatory sign or Borough sign, nor impair the free ingress and regress to any structure or vehicle or in any way interfere with pedestrian traffic.

11. Where a building has two or more frontages on public streets or alleys, each building frontage shall be permitted its own maximum sign square footage that is applicable to that building frontage. Alternately, the total maximum square footage may be combined to permit signage to be located upon one or two facades of a building up to the maximum permitted by each individual frontage.

12. A person may only erect a mural on the side of a building or other structure to serve as an advertising sign that does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter by special exception.

13. A person may only erect a sign on an awning in accordance with the requirements of subsection 13.A below:

A. A sign shall only be erected on an awning according to the following requirements:

(1) The sign shall be painted on the awning or attached flat to the movable metallic frame of the hinged roll or folding type awning;

(2) The sign shall not extend beyond or be attached to the underside of the awning or awning frame;

(3) The letters of the sign shall not exceed 10 inches in height;

(4) The minimum height from the lowest part of the framework or fixed portion of the awning and the surface of the ground shall be seven feet; and

(5) The minimum height from the lowest part of the valance of a canvas or fabric of the awning and the surface of the ground shall be six feet eight inches.

14. Billboard and Outdoor Advertising. A person may only erect a billboard or outdoor advertising sign in accordance with the requirements of subsection 14.A below:

A. Billboards and outdoor advertising devices may be allowed as a conditional use upon a finding that compliance with the requirements of this Chapter, as well as the following specific criteria, have been established by the applicant:

(1) All lots upon which outdoor advertising signs are to be located must conform to the are requirements of the open space zoning district, and be located entirely within that zoning district and, in addition, have frontage on U.S. 11 and 15 bypass within the Borough.

(2) The leased portion of any lot upon which outdoor advertising is to be located shall contain a minimum of 5,000 square feet in area.

(3) No individual billboard or outdoor advertising sign face shall exceed 300 square feet (12 feet by 25 feet) per sign face. All portions of the display shall fit within such area with no extensions beyond the edge of the sign’s face or framework.

(4) No billboard or advertising sign shall be permitted to be erected upon the roof of any building.

(5) V-shaped billboard and advertising sign structures supported by a single structure shall be permitted; provided, that the angle formed by the two sides of the advertising sign structure does not exceed 30 degrees.

(6) All utility lines serving the billboard or advertising sign, or those extended to provide such service, shall be installed completely underground. Such requirements may be waived if the sign is powered by nontraditional alternative energy sources (for example solar power).

(7) Landscaping at the base of a billboard or outdoor advertising sign shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

(8) All signs shall be set back from the items described below as follows:

(a) From a roadway intersection: 500 feet;

(b) From any other billboard or outdoor advertising sign (whether such is located in the Borough of Selinsgrove or otherwise) on the same side of the roadway: 750 feet;

(c) From any other billboard of outdoor advertising sign (whether such is located in the Borough of Selinsgrove or otherwise) on the opposite side of the roadway: 600 feet;

(d) From the road right-of-way: 50 feet;

(e) No billboard and advertising sign shall be permitted to be erected within 500 feet of an adjoining residential district.

(9) The maximum height of billboard and outdoor advertising signs shall not exceed 25 feet, as measured from the grade of the roadway from which the advertising message is principally visible, and the bottom edge of the sign shall be no more than eight feet above the elevation of the adjacent roadway, which height shall be sufficient to prevent unauthorized access upon the sign.

(10) A buffer yard shall be required between the billboard or outdoor advertising sign and any adjacent lot(s). Such buffer yard shall be a minimum of 40 feet.

(11) The land area utilized for a billboard or outdoor advertising sign shall not be otherwise required to support another underlying use upon such lot, including, but not limited to, buffer yard, parking area or setback necessary to any preexisting use upon such lot.

(12) All displays on the face of a billboard or outdoor advertising sign shall be stationary.

(13) Lighting of Signs.

(a) Illumination of the sign display shall be designed so that it shall be focused on the face of the display itself so as to prevent glare upon the surrounding area or any portion of the traveled way of any highway. Sign illumination shall not cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any vehicle or interfere with any driver’s operation of a motor vehicle.

(b) No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.

(d) Illumination of signs shall follow the standards and requirements of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and shall be subject to review and approval of the Borough.

(14) The use of the word “stop,” “go,” “warning,” “emergency,” or any other words that could be construed as traffic or warning information is prohibited.

(15) No sign shall advertise any adult or sexually oriented businesses or materials, contain any obscene or profane language, emit any verbal announcement or noises of any kind, or otherwise display any content prohibited by 18 Pa.C.S.A §5903.

(16) Billboards and outdoor advertising signs (including any and all supporting structures thereof) shall be dismantled ad removed from the premises upon which they are located within 180 days of the cessation of use.

(17) Billboards and outdoor advertising signs shall be of unipole construction. No portable billboards are permitted.

(18) Billboards and outdoor advertising signs shall be constructed to all applicable structural standards for such devices, and all applications for the conditional use approval shall verify compliance with such standards as documented and sealed by a registered engineer.

(19) Billboards and outdoor advertising signs shall be maintained by their owner in a state of repair so that they are as safe and as functional as when originally installed.

(20) No billboard or outdoor advertising sign shall be constructed or erected until an applicant thereof has made an application for same. This shall include a copy of a written lease for use of the land if the applicant is not the owner thereof.

(21) Annual Fee for Billboards and Outdoor Advertising Signs.

(a) In order for a billboard sign permitted by this Chapter or already built to continue to be a lawful use, the owner or lessee of such sign shall pay annually to Selinsgrove Borough the required fee on or before February 1 of each calendar year, and default of such payment shall be considered a violation of this Chapter, and such sign may be removed as provided for in subsection 14.A.24 of this Section.

(b) A schedule of officially approved fees and costs is on file at the Selinsgrove Borough Building and may be obtained upon request.

(22) Billboard signs shall be permitted only if the provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, Act 160, 36 P.S. §2718.101 et seq., have been met.

(23) Before any billboards are erected, the appropriate State and/or Federal permits that are required for the erection of a billboard shall be obtained and copies of the same shall be filed at the Zoning Office of Selinsgrove Borough prior to such erection. In addition to the requirements contained in this Section, all signs shall comply with the Uniform construction Code and all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Regulations.

(24) Any sign not in conformity with this section shall be removed, and the Zoning Officer may remove or have it removed at the property owner’s expense. If the Zoning Officer removes any signs, the same shall be kept in the possession of Selinsgrove Borough for a period of 30 days and may be claimed and recovered by the owner thereof upon proper proof shown; and after 30 days if such signs are not claimed and recovered, they shall be destroyed. Removal, storage, or destruction shall be at the property owner’s expense.

15. Electronic Message Board Signs or LED Signs.

A. A person may only erect electronic message board signs or LED signs in accordance with the requirements below:

(1) Electronic signs are allowed as a permitted use in the C-1 Zoning District, and by special exception in the CBD, RSP, and ED (future) Zoning Districts.

(2) The background color tones, lettering, logos, pictures, illustrations, symbols, and any other electronic graphic or video display shall not blink, flash, rotate, scroll, change in illumination intensity, or otherwise change in outward appearance (including having the appearance of a visual dissolve, fading, animation or movement), except when the electronic message or display is being changed to another message or display.

(3) The interval between the one message/display and another message/display may not be less than eight seconds.

(4) The change from one complete message/display to the next complete message/display must be completed within one second.

(5) All electronic signs must be equipped with a default mechanism that stops the messaging, and shall go black, when a malfunction in electronic programming occurs.

(6) Electronic signs shall not exceed a maximum illumination of three-tenths foot-candle over surrounding ambient light levels during daylight hours. They shall be dimmed from one hour after sunset to one hour prior to sunrise to a maximum illumination of one-fifth the permitted daylight luminance.

(a) Prior to issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factored preset not to exceed the above cited foot-candles and that the intensity level is protected from end-used manipulation by password-protected software or other appropriate method.

(b) Each electronic messaging sign shall have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.

(c) Except as provided in subsections 15.A.2, 3 and 4 above, all electronic messaging signs must have a constant illumination intensity or contrast of light levels.

(7) The maximum are permitted for an electronic sign or electronic portion of a sign is 50 square feet.

(8) Only one electronic sign per lot is permitted.

(9) The use of the colors of red or green shall be prohibited within 100 feet of an intersection.

(10) The use of the word “stop,” “go,” “warning,” “emergency,” or any other words that could be constructed as traffic or warning information is prohibited.

(11) No sign shall advertise any adult or sexually oriented businesses or materials, contain any obscene or profane language, emit any verbal announcement or noises of any kind, or otherwise display any content prohibited by 18 Pa.C.S.A §5903.

(12) Any form of laser, projecting, pyrotechnics or holographic display is prohibited.

(13) No portable or billboard electronic signs are permitted.

(14) All signs must be UL listed for certification of product safety, shall follow the standards and requirements of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and shall be subject to review and approval of the Borough.

16. Window Signs. A person may only affix a window sign in accordance with the requirements of subsection 16.A below:

A. A window sign may only be affixed to a window in R-C, C-1 and CBD Zoning Districts in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) Temporary or permanent window signs, affixed to a window, shall not exceed a maximum of 20 percent of the total window area, and may be covered by a combination or permanent and temporary window signs.

17. Portable Signs. A person may erect a portable sign in accordance with the requirements of subsection 17.A below:

A. Illumination of any portable sign is prohibited.

B. All portable signs shall be taken in during inclement weather.

C. Sandwich boards or “A” frame signs that comply with the requirements in this subsection shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or area of signs allowed on a property.

(1) Number. One sandwich board sign is permitted per establishment.

(2) Area. Each sign shall have a maximum area of six square feet per sign face.

(3) Height. Signs shall have a maximum height of three and one-half feet.

(4) Placement.

(a) If a sign is located on a public or private sidewalk, a minimum of 48 inches of unobstructed sidewalk clearance must be maintained between the sign and any building or other obstructions.

(b) The sign shall be located on the premises.

(c) Portable signs shall be weighted, temporarily secured, or strategically placed so as to avoid being carried away by high winds.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-98; as amended by Ord. 612, 4/1/1991, §§4(d), 5(c); by Ord. 675, 2/1/1999, §3; and by Ord. 848, 7/6/2020, §3(E))

§27-1505 Exempt Signs.

The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit and shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or area or permanent signs allowed within a zoning district, provided such signs comply with the regulations in this section, if any.

A. Official traffic signs.

B. Government/regulatory signs.

C. Signs inside a building, or other enclosed facility, which are not meant to be viewed from the outside, and are located greater than three feet from the window.

D. Holiday and seasonal decorations.

E. Personal expression signs of any sign type, including flags; provided, that they do not exceed three square feet in area per side, are noncommercial advertising or other identification.

F. Address Signs. Up to two signs stating address, number and/or name of occupants of the premises and do not include any commercial advertising or other identification.

(1) Residential Districts. Signs not to exceed three square feet in area.

(2) Nonresidential Districts. Signs not to exceed five square feet in area.

G. Public Signs. Signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities, including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing, and identification or directional signs for public facilities.

H. Signs or emblems of religious, civil, philanthropic, historical or educational organizations that do not exceed four square feet in area.

I. Private Drive Signs. One sign per driveway entrance, not to exceed two square feet in area.

J. Security and Warning Signs. These limitations shall not apply to the posting of conventional “no trespassing” signs in accordance with state law.

(1) Residential Districts. Signs not to exceed two square feet in area.

(2) Nonresidential Districts. Signs not to exceed five square feet in area.

K. Flags.

(1) Location. Flags and flagpoles shall not be located within any right-of-way.

(2) Height. Flags shall have a maximum height of 30 feet and not less than 6.9 feet above ground level.

(3) Number. No more than two flags per lot in residential districts, no more than three flags per lot in all other districts.

(4) Size. Maximum flag size is 24 square feet in residential districts, 35 square feet in all other districts.

(5) Flags containing commercial messages may be used as permitted freestanding or projecting signs, and, if so, the area of the flag shall be included in and limited by the computation of allowable area for signs on the property.

(6) Flags up to three square feet in area containing noncommercial messages are considered personal expression signs and are regulated in accordance with subsection E of this Section.

L. Legal notices.

M. Vending machine signs.

N. Memorial signs, public monument or historical identification signs erected by the Borough of Selinsgrove, including plaque signs up to three square feet in area.

O. Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, existing at the time of adoption of this Section.

P. Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field. Such signs shall be removed after the growing season.

Q. Incidental signs, including incidental window signs and overhead drive-through signs.

R. Menu Boards.

(1) Size. Signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.

(2) Lettering. The maximum height of letters and numbers on the board shall be three inches.

(3) Location. Menus shall be located on the building, or in the window, next to the entrance of the establishment.

S. Seasonal advertisement banners affixed to the inside of the outfield fence of a baseball field.

T. Advertising signs that are part of a scoreboard located on an athletic field or stadium.

U. Identification signs affixed to the rear outside wall of a baseball dugout.

V. Scoreboards used for sporting events.