(A) Sign regulations, including provisions to control the type, design, size, location, illumination and maintenance thereof, are established in order to achieve, among others, the following purposes:
(1) To promote attractive and maintain high value residential districts by permitting only nameplates, bulletin boards and signs related to the development, rental or sale of properties in such districts;
(2) To provide reasonable, yet appropriate, conditions for identifying and advertising goods sold or services rendered in business districts by relating the size, type and design of signs to the type and size of establishments;
(3) To provide for appropriate signs for the identification and preservation of industrial development;
(4) To control the design of signs so that their appearance will be aesthetically harmonious with their surroundings and an overall design for the area;
(5) To reduce traffic hazards by restricting signs which exceed the viewers capacity to receive information or which increase the probability of accidents created by distracting attention or obstructing vision;
(B) ln establishing these objectives the city has determined that, without adequate regulation and design standards, signs are a nuisance. The number of signs in Reading is excessive and unduly distracting, and in some cases reduces the effectiveness of signs needed to direct the public. Therefore, the number of such distracting signs ought to be reduced and signs permitted should comply with the standards of the chapter in order to reduce the aforementioned effects.
(1) The signs of least value to the people of Reading are those which carry commercial messages other than the advertisement of any product, service, event, person, institution, or business located on the premises where the sign is located.
(2) Except as provided herein, all signs not conforming with the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared a nuisance. It is further declared that the regulations contained in this chapter are the minimum regulations necessary to abate the nuisance and to achieve the purpose of this chapter.
(3) Signs shall be designed, erected, altered, moved, displayed and maintained in accordance with the regulations set forth in this chapter. The provisions of the chapter shall not amend or in any way interfere with the other codes, rules or regulations governing traffic signs within the city.
(Ord. 2003-51, passed 5-20-03)