(A) Size. No temporary sign shall exceed 40 square feet in area.
(B) Projection over sidewalk. No temporary sign shall extend into the line of a street, sidewalk, alley or other public thoroughfare, except that such a sign may be permitted flat against the wall of the building for a period not to exceed 21 days.
(C) Number. Not more than one temporary sign is permitted per premises.
(D) Types of temporary signs permitted.
(1) Banners, portable signs, streamers, strings of pennants, or inflatable signs, in addition to temporary business or identification sign shall pertain only to promote special occasions associated with the business, industry or other pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which the sign is erected or maintained.
(2) In addition, one temporary sandwich board sign as defined herein may be placed on that portion of a public sidewalk which fronts the parcel on which the business is located, provided the public sidewalk is within the Downtown Reading Mixed Use Subdistrict or the West Benson Street Mixed Use Subdistrict.
(a) Definition of sandwich board sign. A
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN includes all free- standing signs, such as menu boards or other advertising signs which advertise goods or services available within the business premises of the entity utilizing such a sign.
(b) Placement and regulation of sandwich board signs. A sandwich board sign shall not be placed closer than one foot from the vertical edge of any street curb or in such a manner that it obstructs pedestrian traffic along the public sidewalk on which it is placed or in a manner that obstructs the view of vehicular traffic on adjacent streets. Sandwich board signs shall be no wider than 36 inches and no higher than 42 inches as measured from the sidewalk. The base of a sandwich board sign shall not exceed four square feet in area. Sandwich board signs shall not be placed on any sidewalk area in which the width of such sidewalk is less than eight feet, six inches, and shall not be placed in a manner which limits the clear and unobstructed straight-line pedestrian pathway to a width of less than five feet; building encroachments, and permanent public improvements including but not limited to: tree grates, trash receptacles, light poles, planters, benches, fire hydrants, and traffic signs shall be considered obstructions to the straight-line pedestrian pathway and shall be considered in determining the five-foot width. Sandwich board signs shall not be placed within any permanent curb cut or within any permanent or temporary vehicular driveway.
(c) Design review. All sandwich board signs are subject to the design review provisions of the Zoning code.
(d) Time restrictions. Sandwich board signs may be placed for display only during those hours that the business utilizing the sign is open to receive walk-in customers.
(e) Permits. Notwithstanding any limitation on the placement of temporary signs, permits for the placement of sandwich board signs may be issued on an annual basis for the same fee established for the placement of a temporary sign.
(E) Permits. A permit for a temporary sign shall be issued for a period of 15 days or 30 days at the option of the applicant. The sign shall be removed within 24 hours after the expiration of such permit, unless a new permit thereof is obtained. Not more than four 15 day permits or two 30 day permits shall be issued for the erection of a temporary sign on any one parcel in the same calendar year.
(Ord. 2003-51, passed 5-20-03; Am. Ord. 2006-05, passed 1-17-06)