Ebensburg Borough Signage Guidelines

Overview

The Ebensburg Borough Signage Guidelines establish design standards for exterior signs within the Historic Character Overlay District (HCOD). These regulations are designed to preserve the historic character of Ebensburg while allowing businesses to clearly identify themselves. The guidelines apply to all new signs and the rehabilitation of existing signs within the district.

Key Requirements

• Certificate of Appropriateness: Before a Zoning Permit can be issued, property owners must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Ebensburg Main Street Partnership. This ensures the sign is compatible with the historic setting.
• Building Permits: A separate building permit review determines if the sign complies with the International Building Code.
• Appeals: If an applicant disagrees with the decision of the Ebensburg Main Street Partnership, they may request a hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board.

Objectives

The regulations aim to:

• Ensure signs are compatible with the historic past of Ebensburg.
• Convey a sense of excitement and vitality in the district.
• Promote pedestrian-oriented signage rather than automotive-focused signs.
• Prevent damage to the historic fabric of buildings and sites.

Sign Definitions

The document provides specific definitions for various sign types, including:

• Monument Sign: Supported by uprights or braces embedded in the ground, not attached to a building.
• Projecting Sign: Attached to a building with the face displayed perpendicular or at an angle to the wall.
• Wall Sign: Attached to or painted on the outside wall of a building, parallel to it.
• Window Sign: Inside or attached to the interior of a transparent glazed surface (window/door).
• Temporary Sign: Includes A-frame signs, banners, balloons, and political signs intended for short-term display.
• Pole Sign: Freestanding on a mast or pole, not attached to a building.

Historical Context

The text notes that these guidelines are based on Ordinance 574 (June 28, 2010) and were amended by Ordinance 617 (January 26, 2015). The HCOD covers the entire Central Business District and residential districts with historic significance.