[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
No sign, billboard or exterior graphic display shall be permitted
in any district, except as herein provided.
[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
Signs in all Zoning Districts shall be categorized according
to the types and classes described below and shall comply with the
requirements for those types and classes described in this section.
1201.1.
Classes.
A.
Freestanding. A sign supported on a foundation or by one or more
uprights, poles or braces permanently affixed to the ground and not
attached to any building or other structures, including:
(1)
Pole Sign. A freestanding sign, erected on a pole or pylon,
the bottom edge of which is high enough to provide visibility for
motorists and allow for safe pedestrian circulation.
(2)
Ground Sign. A freestanding sign that is affixed to the ground
by means of a permanent foundation and that provides a maximum clearance
of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent
ground level or, in the case of an elevated foundation, from the top
of the foundation.
(3)
Monument Sign. A sign supported on two posts or uprights located
at the entrance to a planned business development that identifies
the name of the development and that may include the names of one
or more of the businesses in the development.
B.
Wall Sign. A sign (painted on) or attached to and erected parallel
to the face of an outside wall of a building and projecting outward
no more than six inches from the wall of the building.
C.
Canopy or Awning Sign. A sign that is part of a roof like shelter,
either permanent, retractable or removable, made of canvas affixed
to a building or is self-supporting and provides protection from sun,
rain, snow and other elements.
D.
Mural. The application of paint, acrylic or other material directly
onto the exterior wall of a building whose sole purpose is to create
an aesthetic design to commemorate an historic or community event
or characteristic. The mural shall not contain any advertising but
may include the name or the artist and the donor in an area not to
exceed 0.5% of the mural's total surface area.
E.
Bulletin Sign. A type of manual changeable copy sign constructed
to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically, such as those
used by churches and schools to announce events.
F.
Roof Sign. A sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of
any building and supported solely on the roof structure.
G.
Overhanging Sign. A sign affixed at right angles to a building wall
whose leading edge extends beyond the building wall.
H.
Billboard. An off-premises sign that advertises an establishment,
activity, person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable
on the premises where the sign is located.
I.
Advertising Panel. That portion of a sign structure that contains
the written or graphic material and is separate from the supporting
structure and any ornamental attachments or connecting features of
the sign.
J.
Changeable Copy Sign. A sign that is designed so that characters,
letters or illustrations can be manually or electronically changed
or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.
K.
Portable Sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building,
a structure or the ground and which is designed to be moved from place
to place, including, but not limited to, signs attached to wood or
metal frames designed to be self-supporting and movable and trailer
mounted signs.
L.
A-frame or Sandwich Board Sign. A freestanding sign comprised of
two panels hinged together at an angle less than 90° designed
to be self-supporting without being attached to any building or structure
or to the ground and which can be moved easily from place to place.
M.
Attention-Getting Device. A pennant, flag, valance, banner, propeller,
spinner, streamer, searchlight, balloon or other inflatable device,
or similar object or representation of a product, vehicle, equipment
or other advertising image or any ornamentation that is designed or
used for the purpose of promoting, advertising or attracting attention.
N.
Indirectly Illuminated. A sign that is lighted by means of lamps
or lighting devices external to, and reflected on, the sign, which
lighting is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all
times and which is shielded so that the illumination is concentrated
on the face of the sign and there is no spillover of illumination
or glare beyond the face of the sign.
O.
Internally Illuminated. A sign that is lighted by means of lamps
or lighting devices internal to the sign, including neon and fiber
optic displays, which lighting is either behind the face of the sign
or is an integral part of the sign structure and the advertising effect.
1201.2.
Types. Signs are categorized by use, function or purpose into
the following types:
A.
Residential Identification Sign. A sign containing only the name
and address of the occupant of the premises.
B.
Home Occupation Identification Sign. A sign containing only the name
and address of the occupant of the premises and his or her occupation.
No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.
C.
Residential Plan Identification Sign. A permanent wall or freestanding
ground sign containing only the name and address of a plan of subdivision
or a multifamily building or development.
D.
Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign advertising the sale or rental
of premises. The sign may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending"
or "rented."
E.
Development Sign. A temporary sign erected during the period of construction
and/or development of a property by the developer, contractor or their
agents.
F.
Contractor's Sign. A temporary sign announcing the name of contractors,
mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
G.
Public Sign. A sign of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest,
erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance
of any public duty, such as official signs and notices of any public
or governmental agency, or erected by or on the order of a court or
public officer, including official traffic signs, public notices,
government flags and other signs warning of hazardous or dangerous
conditions.
H.
Notification Sign. Signs bearing legal and/or property notices, such
as "no trespassing," "private property," "no turnaround," "safety
zone," "no hunting" and similar messages and signs posted by a landowner
or governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general
public.
I.
On-Premises Directional Sign. A sign which directs and/or instructs
vehicular or pedestrian traffic on the premises relative to parking
areas, entrances, exits, loading areas, public telephones and similar
information and which shall contain no advertising other than the
business name or logo.
J.
Off-Premises Directional Sign. A sign, other than a billboard, that
directs the public to an establishment, activity, person, product
or service that is not sold, produced or available on the property
on which the sign is located.
K.
Business Identification Sign. A sign which advertises only goods,
services, facilities, events or attractions available on the premises
where the sign is located.
L.
Temporary Special Event Sign. A banner, flag or pennant, or other
temporary sign constructed of durable material and erected for a specified
period of less than 30 days whose sole purpose is to advertise a grand
opening or special event.
M.
Window Signs. A sign or group of signs affixed to the inside of a
display window in a commercial establishment that advertises a product
or service available on the premises or that announces or promotes
a special sale or special event.
N.
Memorial/Historical Plaques. A commemorative plaque recognized by
an agency of the Borough, county, commonwealth or federal government
or a nonprofit historical or veteran's organization.
[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning
districts:
1202.1.
Restricted Signs. The following signs shall not be permitted
in any zoning district:
A.
A-frame or sandwich board signs, except when authorized by this chapter
in the M District.
B.
Attention-Getting Devices.
C.
Banners or pennants, other than special event displays, as authorized
by this chapter.
D.
Portable signs.
E.
Moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of an authorized
sign that indicates time or temperature or an authorized electronic
changeable copy sign.
F.
Signs attached to trees, utility poles or official traffic control
devices or signs within the public right-of-way.
G.
Signs that imitate traffic control devices.
H.
Except for murals, as defined and authorized by this chapter, signs
painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or freestanding
walls.
I.
Overhanging Signs.
(1)
One overhanging sign shall be permitted for each building in
the M District. An overhanging sign shall be authorized as a business
identification sign in place of a wall sign. If a wall sign exists
on a building, an overhanging sign shall not be permitted, unless
the wall sign is removed.
(2)
The overhanging sign shall be located only on the front wall
of a building facing the public street.
(3)
The overhanging sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface
area. The overhanging sign shall be either nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated; however, the overhanging sign shall not be internally
illuminated.
(4)
The style of and materials used for the face of the overhanging
sign and its supporting structure shall be designed to be compatible
with the architecture of the building on which the sign is to be erected.
(5)
The overhanging sign shall be mounted so that the bottom edge
of the overhanging sign is at least eight feet above the level of
the sidewalk underneath the sign. The overhanging sign shall be mounted
so that the top edge of the overhanging sign shall be no higher than
15 feet above the level of the sidewalk underneath the sign.
(6)
The method of installation shall be certified by the manufacturer
and/or installer to verify that the overhanging sign will meet the
following standards:
(a)
The overhanging sign will be secure and will withstand wind
and other anticipated loads.
(b)
The overhanging sign will be located so as to not obstruct significant
architectural features of the building on which it is mounted.
(c)
The proposed location of the overhanging sign will not permanently
damage any structural or historically significant features of the
building on which it is to be mounted.
J.
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on
a public right-of-way, or on any public property or private property
other than the site of the business it advertises, except for maintenance,
repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location,
where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people
to a business or activity located on nearby property, but not including
temporary construction trailers authorized by this chapter.
K.
Signs on communications facility support structures, except those
required by law.
1202.2.
Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from these regulations
and the requirement to obtain a permit:
A.
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays,
provided that they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not,
in any way, become a public safety hazard.
B.
Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein.
C.
Notification signs, as defined herein.
D.
Public signs, as defined herein.
E.
Window signs, as defined herein.
1202.3.
Surface Area of Sign. The surface area of a sign shall be measured
as described below. For two-sided signs, only one sign face is counted
in computing the surface area.
A.
In the case of an advertising panel, the surface area of the sign
shall be the total area enclosed by one continuous line connecting
the extreme points or edges of the advertising panel containing letters.
B.
In the case of freestanding letters mounted on a wall or other surface,
the surface area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of each
individual letter calculated by measuring the distance between the
highest and lowest points of each letter and multiplying that distance
by the distance between the extreme horizontal distance across the
letter.
C.
In the case of freestanding ground or pole signs, the area shall
not include the main supporting structure; however, logos, ornamental
attachments and framework around or connections between advertising
panels shall be included.
D.
In the case of letters that are painted on or affixed to an awning,
canopy or marquee, the surface area of the sign shall be the area
of the geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width of
all the letters and/or graphic displays, including free space between
the letters and graphic displays.
1202.4.
Lots With Multiple Street Frontage. In all districts, lots fronting
on more than one street shall be permitted to have one authorized
sign on each street frontage.
1202.5.
Temporary Signs. In all zoning districts where authorized by
§ 1203, real estate, temporary off-premises, contractor
and development signs shall be considered temporary signs that shall
be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.
1202.6.
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that
it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a
street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device.
No sign, other than official traffic signs and authorized temporary
off-premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within
the right-of-way of any street. No sign shall be located within the
clear sight triangle defined by § 1003.4 of this chapter.
1202.7.
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter,
shall be directed upon the sign face and not towards adjoining properties
or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall not be permitted.
Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at
all times, except for electronic changeable copy signs, where authorized
by this chapter. The intensity of any source of illumination of any
sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as not
to create glare and to be compatible with the intensity of ambient
light and illumination on surrounding properties.
1202.8.
Holiday Decorations. Holiday decorations displayed for recognized
federal or state holidays shall be exempted from the provisions of
this section except as they may produce glare, interfere with traffic
safety or in any other way become a public safety hazard.
1202.9.
Location and Height of Signs. Except for off-premises directional
signs and billboards, as defined herein, all signs authorized by this
chapter shall be located on the premises which they are intended to
serve. All freestanding signs shall be located at least five feet
from any property line or street right-of-way. The maximum height
of the top of any freestanding sign shall be 20 feet above the adjacent
ground level. The bottom edge of a freestanding sign shall be at least
seven feet above the adjacent ground level. Roof signs shall not project
more than six feet above the highest point on any roof.
1202.10.
Design, Construction, Maintenance and Inspection. All signs
shall be designed to be compatible with the architecture of the principal
use to which they are accessory. All signs shall be constructed of
a durable material and shall be maintained in good condition. All
freestanding signs shall be designed to withstand a sustained one-hundred-mile-per-hour
wind load. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection
shall be declared to be a public nuisance, and the Zoning Officer
shall give notice to the owner in writing, in accordance with § 1501.2
of this chapter, to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon
failure of the owner to comply, the Borough shall remove the sign
at the owner's expense. The Borough may lien the property for
the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred
with filing and enforcing the lien.
1202.11.
Removal of Signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated
with no intention to reopen under the same name, all sign advertising
panels containing the name of the discontinued or vacated business
shall be removed within 30 days of the vacation or discontinuance
of the business. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Borough
may remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Borough may lien
the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees
and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.
1202.12.
Permits Required.
A.
Permits shall be required for all signs authorized by this section
except the following: temporary real estate signs, construction signs,
development or residential identification signs, temporary signs erected
during a political campaign or signs erected by a public agency for
traffic control or other legal notification in accordance with the
laws of the commonwealth.
B.
The applicant for a sign permit shall file an application using the
form provided by the Borough and shall furnish the Zoning Officer
with all the design data and information necessary to determine whether
the proposed sign will comply with the provisions of this chapter.
C.
The application shall be accompanied by the required fee established
by resolution of Borough Council.
1202.13.
Expiration of Permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer
for erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall
expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance, if
work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently
pursued.
[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
In addition to the signs authorized by §§ 1204
and 1205 in specific zoning districts, the following signs are authorized
in all Zoning Districts:
1203.1.
Bulletin Signs. One indirectly illuminated or nonilluminated
bulletin or identification sign for a school, library or other authorized
public or semipublic building which shall not exceed 24 square feet
in area.
1203.2.
Real Estate Signs. One nonilluminated temporary real estate
sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises on which it is
located which shall not exceed six square feet in area and which shall
be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the property.
1203.3.
Development Signs. One nonilluminated temporary development
sign advertising the sale of lots in a subdivision or announcing the
proposed development of property which shall not exceed 32 square
feet in area and which shall be removed within 30 days of the sale
of the last lot or completion of proposed construction.
1203.4.
Contractor Signs. One nonilluminated temporary contractor sign
announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged
in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided
that the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area nor six feet
in height and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of
the work.
1203.5.
Temporary Special Event Signs for Public and Nonprofit Organizations.
A.
One nonilluminated temporary special event display, as defined herein,
shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public building,
church or building housing a nonprofit organization, provided that
the sign is displayed for a period of no longer than 30 days and is
removed within five days following the event it is erected to promote.
B.
Public agencies, churches and nonprofit organizations may also erect
a temporary special event banner over the public right-of-way of an
arterial or collector street for a period not to exceed 30 days, provided
that the temporary special event display is removed within five days
following the event that it is erected to promote and provided that
the applicant gives notice to the Borough and a resolution of Borough
Council is adopted and filed with the owner of the right-of-way.
1203.6.
Home Occupation identification Signs. One nonilluminated home
occupation identification sign shall be permitted for an approved
home occupation, provided that the surface area of the sign shall
not exceed one square foot and the sign shall contain only the name,
address and occupation of the resident and shall not contain any logo
or other advertising.
[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
In addition to the signs authorized in all Zoning Districts
by § 1203, the following signs shall be permitted in the
R-1 and R-2 Districts:
1204.1.
Residential Identification Sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated residential identification sign or nameplate posted in
conjunction with doorbells or mailboxes containing only the resident's
name and address and designed in compliance with the Borough House
Numbering Ordinance.
1204.2.
Residential Plan Identification Sign. One nonilluminated or
indirectly illuminated permanent wall or freestanding ground identification
sign containing only the street address and/or name of a residential
subdivision plan or multifamily building or development which shall
not exceed 12 square feet in area.
1204.3.
Identification Signs for Authorized Conditional Uses and Uses
by Special Exception in Residential Districts. One nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated wall or freestanding ground identification
sign for a nonresidential use authorized by conditional use or special
exception in a residential zoning district which shall not exceed
12 square feet in area.
1204.4.
Identification Signs for Legal Nonconforming Uses in Residential
Districts. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated wall or freestanding
ground business identification sign for a lawfully maintained nonconforming
use in a residential zoning district which shall not exceed 12 square
feet.
1204.5.
On-Premises Directional Signs.
A.
On lots containing multifamily dwellings that have a lot area of
20,000 square feet, a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly
illuminated directional signs, each of which shall not exceed four
square feet in area, shall be permitted.
B.
For each additional 20,000 square feet of lot area, or fraction thereof,
for lots containing multifamily dwellings, two additional directional
signs shall be permitted.
1204.6.
Off-Premises Directional Signs. Any nonprofit or public agency
located in the Borough may erect a maximum of four off-premises directional
signs, provided that all of the following requirements are met:
A.
Display materials on off-premises directional signs shall be limited
to the name of the nonprofit or public agency symbol or logo, distance
and direction.
B.
Off-premises directional signs shall only be located on streets defined
as arterial or collector by this chapter and shall not be permitted
on local streets.
C.
The maximum surface area of an off-premises directional sign shall
be six square feet.
D.
Off-premises directional signs installed in the public right-of-way
shall be subject to approval of either PennDOT, Allegheny County or
the Borough, whichever is applicable. Signs installed on private property
shall be subject to approval by the landowner. Evidence of permission
from the landowner shall be submitted with the sign permit application.
E.
Off-premises directional signs shall be located at least two feet
from the edge of paving on any public street.
F.
No off-premises directional sign shall be located in such a position
that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic
on a street or by obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control
device.
G.
No off-premises directional sign shall be located closer that 300
feet on either side of the street in either direction of another off-premises
directional sign for the same business.
[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
In addition to the signs authorized in all zoning districts
by § 1203, the following signs shall be permitted in the
B and I Districts:[1]
1205.1.
Temporary Special Event Signs for Businesses. Temporary special
event signs, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted, provided
that:
A.
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any establishment
at any one time.
B.
Sandwich board or A-frame signs may be utilized, provided that they
do not block any sidewalk, parking area or driveway. All other temporary
special event signs shall be securely attached to the building or
to the supporting structure for a business identification sign.
C.
Temporary special event signs shall be displayed for a period not
exceeding 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively, in any twelve-month
period.
D.
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs shall
not exceed 40 square feet per establishment.
E.
Portable signs, as defined herein, shall not be considered temporary
special event signs.
F.
Temporary special event display signs shall be nonilluminated or
indirectly illuminated only.
1205.2.
A-frame or Sandwich Board Signs.
A.
In addition to the authorization to use A-frame or sandwich board
signs as a temporary special event sign in § 1205.1 above,
an A-frame or sandwich board sign may be used without restrictions
on the number of days in a calendar year on property in the M Mixed-Use
District, provided that all of the regulations in this § 1205.2
are met.
B.
Only one A-frame or sandwich board sign shall be permitted for each
business establishment. If an A-frame or sandwich board sign is being
used as a temporary special event sign, no other A-frame or sandwich
board sign shall be used during the time that the temporary special
event sign is displayed.
C.
The A-frame or sandwich board sign shall be located so that pedestrian
traffic on the sidewalk is not blocked, access to any on-street or
off-street parking spaces is not impeded and visibility for traffic
on adjoining streets and intersections is not obstructed.
D.
The A-frame or sandwich board sign shall not be used during inclement
weather conditions such as high winds or heavy snowfall when the sign
could create a hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic or snow
removal.
E.
The A-frame or sandwich board sign shall be removed and stored inside
a completely enclosed building during the hours when the business
is closed.
F.
The A-frame or sandwich board sign shall only contain information
related to features, products or services available on the premises
of the business utilizing the sign. The A-frame or sandwich board
sign shall be located on the premises with the business it is advertising.
1205.3.
On-Premises Directional Signs.
A.
On lots that have a lot area of less than 20,000 square feet, a maximum
of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated directional signs,
each of which shall not exceed four square feet in area, shall be
permitted.
B.
For each additional 20,000 square feet of lot area, or fraction thereof,
two additional directional signs shall be permitted.
1205.4.
Changeable Copy Signs.
A.
One nonilluminated or internally illuminated manual or electronic
changeable copy sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the
number of businesses on the lot. The changeable copy sign shall be
permanently affixed to the supporting structure of a freestanding
ground sign or pole sign on the lot if a freestanding ground or pole
sign is authorized on the lot. An electronic changeable copy sign
shall not be visible from property in an R-1 or R-2 District.
B.
A changeable copy sign shall be used only in conjunction with a business
identification sign. The changeable copy sign shall not be used as
the business identification sign. The total surface area of the changeable
copy sign shall not exceed 50% of the total area devoted to the business
identification sign or a maximum of 25 square feet, whichever is less.
The surface area of the changeable copy sign shall be included in
the calculation of the maximum surface area authorized by this chapter
for the freestanding ground or pole business identification sign.
C.
A rolling or continuously moving message or display shall not be
permitted. Each message or display shall remain stationary for at
least 30 seconds. There shall not be any appearance of a visual dissolve
or fading in which any part of one electronic message or display appears
simultaneously with any part of another electronic message or display.
D.
Electronic changeable copy signs shall be equipped with a photoelectric
cell and a dimmer control to regulate the intensity of the lighting
relative to the ambient light. The color of the background, the color
of the letters and the size of the letters shall be designed to minimize
glare, be compatible with ambient light and be the minimum size and
contrast necessary to be readable given the speed of traffic on the
adjacent street and the distance between the sign and the travel lanes.
1205.5.
Business Identification Sign.
A.
Wall Signs. Each business establishment shall be permitted to have
wall signs which may be internally illuminated, indirectly illuminated
or nonilluminated. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall not
exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front
wall of the building, or portion of the building, occupied by the
business.
B.
Ground Signs. In addition to the wall signs authorized by § 1205.5A,
one freestanding ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless
of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:
(1)
No freestanding pole sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(2)
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed
24 square feet.
(3)
The height and location of the sign shall comply with § 1202.9
and shall be designed so as to not interfere with visibility for vehicular
traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling on any street. The
sign shall comply with the visibility requirements of § 1003.4.
(4)
Ground Signs shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
only.
C.
Pole Signs. In addition to the wall signs authorized by § 1205.5A,
one freestanding pole sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless
of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:
(1)
No freestanding ground sign exists or is proposed to be erected
on the lot.
(2)
In the M District, the building shall be set back at least 35
feet from the edge of the street right-of-way.
(3)
Pole signs may be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or
internally illuminated.
(4)
The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 20 feet.
(5)
The minimum height of the bottom edge of the sign shall be eight
feet.
(6)
The maximum surface area of the freestanding pole sign shall
not exceed 64 square feet, and neither dimension of such sign shall
be less than six feet.
(7)
No portion of any pole sign shall project over any public right-of-way.
D.
Monument Signs.
(1)
One illuminated or nonilluminated monument sign shall be permitted
at the main entrance to a planned business development, provided that
a ground sign or pole sign does not exist and is not proposed at that
entrance.
(2)
The maximum surface area of a monument sign shall be 100 square
feet. The maximum height of the monument sign shall be 25 feet. The
monument sign shall be located at least 10 feet from any property
line or street right-of-way line. The monument sign shall comply with
the visibility requirements of § 1003.4. The base of the
sign shall be landscaped with shrubs, perennials and annuals for a
minimum distance of three feet from the base of the sign.
E.
Canopy Signs. Canopy signs may be erected at the street level entrance
to a building. In the case of multi tenant buildings, each business
with a street-level entrance may have a canopy sign. Canopy signs
shall not be illuminated. Twenty-five percent of the overall canopy
can be used for signage.
F.
Roof Sign.
(1)
Roof signs shall be permitted only in the I Industrial District.
One roof sign shall be permitted per building, regardless of the number
of establishments in the building. Roof signs shall be nonilluminated
or indirectly illuminated only.
(2)
Roof signs shall be permitted in place of or in conjunction
with wall signs. The surface area of a roof sign shall not exceed
two square feet for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of
the building. Where a roof sign is proposed in conjunction with wall
signs, there shall be only one wall sign per business, and the surface
area of the wall sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.
1205.6.
Off-Premises Directional Signs. Any business or agency located
in the Borough may erect a maximum of four off-premises directional
signs, provided that all of the following requirements are met:
A.
Display materials on off-premises directional signs shall be limited
to the name of the establishment, business symbol or logo, distance
and direction.
B.
Off-premises directional signs shall only be located on streets defined
as arterial or collector by this chapter and shall not be permitted
on local streets.
C.
The maximum surface area of an off-premises directional sign shall
be six square feet.
D.
Off-premises directional signs installed in the public right-of-way
shall be subject to approval of either PennDOT, Allegheny County or
the Borough, whichever is applicable. The applicant shall give notice
to the Borough, and a resolution of Borough Council, once adopted,
shall be filed with the owner of the right-of-way. Signs installed
on private property shall be subject to approval by the landowner.
Evidence of permission from the landowner shall be submitted with
the sign permit application.
E.
Off-premises directional signs shall be located at least two feet
from the edge of paving on any public street.
F.
No off-premises directional sign shall be located in such a position
that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic
on a street or by obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control
device.
G.
No off-premises directional sign shall be located closer that 300
feet on either side of the street in either direction of another off-premises
directional sign for the same business.
1205.7.
Murals. Murals, as defined herein, shall be permitted only on
buildings in the M District, subject to review by the Planning Commission
to determine compliance with the following standards:
A.
The mural shall be the only sign on the building wall on which it
is displayed and shall not be permitted to be used in conjunction
with any other sign on the same facade.
B.
The theme of the mural shall not relate to any business, product,
service or other commercial or political promotion.
C.
The mural shall be compatible with the established architectural
or design theme that exists in the same block in which the building
is located.
D.
The maximum surface area of the building wall covered by a mural
shall be 500 square feet.
E.
The mural shall be located so as to be visible from a public space
such as a parking lot, parklet or public street.
F.
The mural shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated.
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original.
[Ord. 984, 12/14/2015]
Billboards shall be permitted only in accordance with all of
the following regulations:
1206.1.
Location.
A.
Billboards shall not be permitted on any property in a C, R-1 or
R-2 District.
B.
Billboards shall be permitted only on property in an M or I District
within 400 feet of the center line (measured horizontally) of Interstate
79.
C.
No billboard shall be placed within 500 feet of any property located
in a C, R-1 or R-2 District or any public or private school property,
park, library or church when the display face of the billboard will
be visible therefrom. This required distance shall be measured along
the frontage of the street or highway on which the billboard is located.
D.
Billboards shall be located at least 10 feet from any street right-of-way.
Billboards shall be subject to the side yard and rear yard requirements
of the zoning district in which they are located, except where the
yard adjoins property in a C, R-1 or R-2 District, where the minimum
yard required shall be 100 feet.
E.
No billboard shall be erected closer than 500 feet to any other existing
or proposed billboard on the same side of the street or highway, whether
within or outside the Borough.
1206.2.
Construction.
A.
Billboards shall be freestanding, ground-mounted, single-column,
post-supported displays which have no structural contact with any
building or other structure.
B.
Billboards shall be located so as to be no higher than 40 feet above
the curb of the street from which they are intended to be viewed.
Billboards which are not at grade shall provide a minimum clearance
from the bottom of the sign to grade of 15 feet.
C.
A billboard may have two sign faces per structure placed back to
back or in a V-shaped configuration on a single support system.
D.
Billboards shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated, providing
all lighting is shielded and reflected away from adjacent streets
and property.
E.
If the billboard is designed to utilize an electronic changeable
copy display, there shall be no spillover lighting onto any adjacent
property that contains any type of existing dwelling.
1206.4.
Permits.
A.
For billboards proposed to be located along a state highway, the
issuance of the sign permit, required by § 1202.12, shall
be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation (PennDOT). If the applicant fails to submit evidence
of the required approval by PennDOT within 30 days of the issuance
of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by
the Borough Zoning Officer, who shall provide written notice to the
applicant.
B.
The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit upon submission
of evidence of PennDOT approval without payment of any additional
sign permit fee, provided that the application is filed within three
months of the date that the Zoning Officer revokes the conditional
sign permit.
1206.5.
Nonconforming Billboards.
A.
Any billboard that does not conform to the requirements of this § 1206
shall not be enlarged or moved unless the billboard complies with
all provisions of this section.
B.
Any billboard that is damaged or destroyed by more than 50% of its
replacement value at the time of damage or destruction shall be reconstructed
only in compliance with all the provisions of this § 1206.
C.
The owner of a nonconforming billboard shall submit a report to the
Borough Zoning Officer by January 31 of each year providing an estimate
of the cost of replacement, including both materials and labor.
