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Reading, PA Code of Ordinances
READING, PA CODE OF ORDINANCES
PREFACE
Chapter C HOME RULE CHARTER
Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 5 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
Chapter 14 AUTHORITIES
Chapter 23 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
Chapter 36 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Chapter 51 INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
Chapter 62 PENSIONS
Chapter 70 PERSONNEL
Chapter 77 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chapter 91 SALARIES AND COMPENSATION
Chapter 120 ALARM SYSTEMS
Chapter 127 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Chapter 141 ANIMALS
Chapter 166 CABLE TELEVISION
Chapter 173 COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY CODE
Chapter 180 CONSTRUCTION CODES
Chapter 185 CONVERSION THERAPY
Chapter 188 CURFEW
Chapter 201 ELECTRIC SERVICE
Chapter 212 FEES
Chapter 219 FIREARMS
Chapter 225 FIREWORKS
Chapter 231 FIRE INSURANCE PROCEEDS
Chapter 237 FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
Chapter 251 FOOD CODE
Chapter 272 GRAFFITI
Chapter 288 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 295 HISTORICAL AND CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Chapter 302 HOUSE NUMBERING
Chapter 308 HOUSING
Chapter 317 INVASIVE PLANTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS
Chapter 325 LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 328 LEAD POISONING PREVENTION
Chapter 332 LIBRARY
Chapter 339 LICENSES AND PERMITS
Chapter 346 LITTER AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL
Chapter 353 LOITERING AND PANHANDLING
Chapter 364 MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Chapter 378 MUNICIPAL CLAIMS AND LIENS
Chapter 387 NOISE
Chapter 396 PARKS AND RECREATION
Chapter 403 PAWNBROKERS
Chapter 410 PEDDLING AND SOLICITING
Chapter 424 POLES
Chapter 431 PROPERTY SALES
Chapter 433 PUBLIC ART
Chapter 438 RAIN BARRELS
Chapter 442 RECORDS, PUBLIC ACCESS
Chapter 453 SALES
Chapter 460 SCRAP METAL DEALERS
Chapter 467 SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Chapter 473 SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Chapter 479 SIDEWALK CAFES
Chapter 485 SIGNS
Chapter 496 SOLID WASTE
Chapter 502 STORAGE FACILITIES
Chapter 505 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Chapter 508 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Chapter 515 SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 521 SUSTAINABILITY
Chapter 536 TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC PROPERTY
Chapter 540 TATTOO AND PIERCING ESTABLISHMENTS
Chapter 543 TAX ABATEMENTS
Chapter 546 TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM
Chapter 549 TAXATION
Chapter 555 TREES
Chapter 564 VEHICLE NUISANCES, STORAGE OF
Chapter 570 VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS
Chapter 576 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Chapter 583 VENDING MACHINES
Chapter 600 ZONING
Chapter A610 ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY
Chapter A611 BOND ISSUES AND LOANS
Chapter A612 FRANCHISE AND SERVICES
Chapter A613 GOVERNMENTAL AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Chapter A614 PLAN APPROVAL
Chapter A615 PUBLIC PROPERTY
Chapter A616 SEWERS
Chapter A617 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Chapter A618 WATER
Chapter A619 ZONING; PRIOR ORDINANCES
Chapter DT DERIVATION TABLE
Chapter DL DISPOSITION LIST
§ 600-1705. Signs allowed in Commercial Core and Commercial Residential Districts (C- C, C-R).
Sign heights, locations and dimensions are generally based on the visibility needs of pedestrians and of traffic moving at approximately 20 miles per hour.
   A.   Allowed signs.
      (1)   Sign surface area. The total surface area of all faces of all wall signs shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of building wall to which the signs are attached. Maximum horizontal projection from a wall should not exceed 18 inches, except it may extend six feet if integrated with an awning. Signs shall not be located so as to obscure the windows, cornice, transom or other historic architectural features of the building.
      (2)   Projecting signs. One projecting sign is permitted on each separate street frontage of a lot, provided such signs shall not exceed the height of the attached building wall, and shall meet the minimum clearance above the adjacent sidewalk or grade line as provided in Chapter 180, Construction Codes. Signs shall have a total surface area not in excess of 24 square feet (per side if double-faced). Signs shall be configured to form an angle of 90° to the building face and projection from the building face shall be limited to six feet. No sign shall project within two feet of a street curbline or driveway.
      (3)   Marquee signs. Marquee signs are permitted for theaters, performing arts centers and hotels. The surface area of marquee signs shall be considered as part of the total allowable wall sign surface area. The marquee sign shall be located a minimum of two feet from a street curbline, provided a City encroachment permit is approved.
      (4)   Under-marquee signs. Under-marquee signs are permitted, provided such signs shall not project more than 12 inches below an allowed marquee, and shall not be less than the clearance above the sidewalk or grade line required by Chapter 180, Construction Codes. The surface area of under-marquee signs shall not be considered as part of the total allowable sign surface area.
      (5)   Ground-mounted and freestanding signs. In place of an allowed projecting sign, one ground-mounted or freestanding sign is permitted on each separate street frontage. Such signs shall have a surface area not in excess of one square foot per every lineal foot of property frontage, or a maximum of 36 square feet (per side if double-faced). Such sign shall not be higher than four feet from grade and may be located no closer than four feet from any property line and shall not be located within a street right-of- way.
      (6)   Window identity signs are permitted in commercial storefronts located in all Commercial Core and Commercial Residential zones given the following conditions: [Added 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 83-2013]
         (a)   Signs on show window glass shall be limited to 30% of the glass area, or 600 square inches, whichever is greater.
         (b)   Temporary signs on window glass (e.g., "sale") shall be limited to 35% of the glass area, or 700 square inches, whichever is greater, for a thirty-day maximum.
   B.   Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted, except for signs posted by the City of Reading or PennDOT within a street right-of-way.
   C.   In addition to other signs, one sandwich board sign shall be allowed for each lot occupied by a commercial use. Such sign shall not exceed two feet in width and four feet in height, shall not obstruct the main pedestrian pathway, and shall be moved inside when the business is not open.
   D.   See also additional signs allowed under § 600-1712, such as signs for places of worship.