Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Borough of Manor, PA
Westmoreland County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Sign Permit. An application for a sign permit must be obtained from the Zoning Officer. No sign shall be installed without an approved application and receiving a permit.
2. 
Application Submission. Submission for approval shall include: a verification of receipt of this part, and a sketch of the proposed sign including location as relating to building, size, material and method of construction, lettering, colors, and the sketch should display a quality that reflects the quality of the finished sign. All applicable fees shall accompany the application as adopted by the Council of Manor Borough.
3. 
Decision. The Zoning Officer shall have five business days from the time of application to examine the site and determine if the sign meets all requirements. The Zoning Officer may reject a sign permit if in his opinion the application does not comply with all requirements of this part or the construction is inadequate. The Zoning Officer may not approve an application if the property is in violation of the terms of any other ordinances.
4. 
Approval. In the event the Zoning Officer approves the application, the applicant will be issued a temporary sign permit. This permit will allow the applicant to proceed with the sign installation. The temporary sign permit will expire six months after the date of issuance. If the temporary permit expires, the application continues to comply with this part, and the applicant elects to reapply, within 30 days, without any changes, the application fee must be paid again and a new temporary permit may be issued. Upon completion of the installation, the applicant must request a final inspection from the Zoning Officer. If the sign is installed in accordance with this part and meets all requirement as set forth from the application, a final sign permit will be issued. In the event the sign is not in accordance with this part, the Zoning Officer shall notify the applicant in writing, and the applicant will have five days from the date of the notice to rectify the insufficiency. Should the sign continue to be in violation of this part, the sign must be completely removed. If the applicant fails to remove the sign or rectify the insufficiencies within the five days, penalties shall apply as set forth further in this chapter.
5. 
Appeal. In the event the Zoning Officer refuses the applicant, the applicant may appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board. An application to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board must be applied for, applicable fees will apply, and there shall be no guarantee of approval.
6. 
Exemption. Exempt from a permit shall be real estate, construction, and political signs, as hereinafter defined.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Real Estate Signs.
A. 
Signs which advertise a property "For Sale," "For Lease," "For Rent," which do not exceed three feet by three feet/nine square feet total in size.
B. 
Temporary directional signs which do not exceed six square feet.
C. 
Signs may not be placed in such a manner as to restrict sight distance at any intersection, driveway, public or private access.
D. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
E. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way (except when an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building. However, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. (Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way, the sign may not be closer than five feet from the right-of-way.)
2. 
Political Signs.
A. 
Political signs shall be permitted and may be erected 30 days prior to election, and must be removed within five days following the election.
B. 
Signs may not be erected without the permission of the landowner.
C. 
Signs may not exceed three feet by three feet or nine square feet total in size.
D. 
Signs may not be placed in such a manner as to restrict sight distance at any intersection, driveway, public or private access.
E. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
G. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way. (Except when an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building. However, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way, the sign may not be closer than five feet from the right-of-way.)
3. 
Bulletin Boards.
A. 
Bulletin boards/signs shall be permitted for churches, schools, libraries, private or semi-private clubs, and community buildings may post bulletin boards for the announcements of events, in so much as not to exceed three feet by three feet/nine square feet total in size.
B. 
Signs may be erected 30 days prior to the event, and must be removed within five days following the end date of the event.
C. 
Signs may not be placed in such a manner as to restrict sight distance at any intersection, driveway, public or private access.
D. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
E. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way. (Except when an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building. However, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way, the sign may not be closer than five feet from the right-of-way.)
4. 
Construction Signs.
A. 
A construction sign may be placed on a site to announce the building, or subdivision, with the name of same, along with any contractors, suppliers, lending institution, and the alike.
B. 
Signs shall not exceed 36 square feet total.
C. 
Signs shall not be placed prior to receiving building permits, and must be removed upon completion of the building construction.
D. 
Signs may not be placed in such a manner as to restrict sight distance at any intersection, driveway, public or private access.
E. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
G. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way. (Except when an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building. However, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way, the sign may not be closer than five feet from the right-of-way.)
5. 
Agricultural Public Sales Signs.
A. 
When a site is permitted by the Borough for the sale of agricultural produce, temporary signs may be placed during business hours, and must be removed following the close of each business day.
B. 
Such sign may not exceed three feet by three/nine square feet total in size.
C. 
Signs may not be placed in such a manner as to restrict sight distance at any intersection, driveway, public or private access.
D. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
E. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way. (Except when an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building. However, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way, the sign may not be closer than five feet from the right-of-way.)
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Building-Mounted Signs. Building-mounted signs shall not exceed one square foot of sign face for each lineal front foot of the building based on your property's store/business frontage, with a maximum of 100 square feet of signage combined for all businesses. Therefore, in order to determine the maximum size of the sign(s), the front footage along the building where the sign will be installed shall be measured, and in the situation of a corner lot, the larger of the two sides will be measured. The sign must be secured directly to the building and all lettering and sign material must be of a professional nature.
2. 
Pole and Freestanding Signs. Pole and freestanding signs may not exceed 25 feet in height. Maximum sign face shall be 100 square feet. There shall be only one freestanding sign for each building regardless of the number of business establishments within the building/structure. The sign must be securely bolted or welded to the pole or poles, and all lettering and sign material must be of a professional nature. No part of the sign will be permitted to extend into the right-of-way or street. The minimum clearance under the sign shall be seven feet if there is no vehicular or pedestrian traffic below the sign, and 14 feet in traffic may travel below the sign.
No additional signs of any kind are to be added to the permanent pole and freestanding signs at any time. Only the signage that was approved by the original permit is to be on the permanent pole and freestanding sign poles.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I; amended by Ord. No. 597-23-03, 10/18/2023]
1. 
Electronic/Digital Signs.
A. 
Restricted to a frequency of timing minimum (at least) 15 seconds between changing of messages on any electronic messaging signs.
B. 
When changeable lighting is utilized to create the sign face, such lighting shall automatically adjust the light levels of the sign face to account for the ambient lighting so as not to create significant glare or a measurable footcandle level of 0.5 or greater, as such level is measured at the road right-of-way line.
C. 
Brightness and coloring of the messaging limitations shall be preset to the brightness, hold time and transition settings mandated by this part. In addition, the coloring of the messages being displayed cannot be of any coloring that can be inferring or misconstrued with any municipal or official coloring (i.e., police, fire, emergency vehicles, etc.).
D. 
Any electronic or digital signs may not exceed 25 feet in height. Maximum sign face shall be 50 square feet. There shall be only one freestanding sign for each building regardless of the number of business establishments within the building/structure. The sign must be securely bolted or welded to the pole or poles, and all lettering and sign material must be of a professional nature. No part of the sign will be permitted to extend into the right-of-way or street. The minimum clearance under the sign shall be seven feet if there is no vehicular or pedestrian traffic below the sign, and 14 feet in traffic may travel below the sign.
E. 
No additional signs of any kind are to be added to the permanent pole and/or freestanding signs at any time. Only the signage that was approved by the original permit is to be on the permanent pole and freestanding sign poles.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Banners (Family, Holiday, School, Etc.) — Birthday, Birth, Other Special Occasions:
A. 
Banner signs are allowed to be up for a maximum of two weeks.
B. 
They are not to exceed three feet by three feet/nine feet total in sizing.
C. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
D. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
E. 
When an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building; however, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way.
F. 
No sign permit shall be granted if the sign obstructs vehicular site distance or traffic, or pedestrian walkways.
2. 
Yard Signs — School Sports, General Sports, Holiday, Etc.
A. 
Yard Signs are only allowed to be erected during the school year (from August through June).
B. 
They are not to exceed three feet by three feet/nine feet total in sizing.
C. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
D. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
E. 
No sign may be closer to a neighboring property line than the height of the sign from the ground to the top of the sign. Example: A sign 15 feet in height must be 15 feet from a neighboring property line.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way.
G. 
When an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building; however, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way.
H. 
No sign permit shall be granted if the sign obstructs vehicular site distance or traffic, or pedestrian walkways.
3. 
Inflatable Structures — Personal Events and Holidays.
A. 
Are only allowed to be erected/put up 30 days prior to the holiday/event, and must be removed within five days following the end of the holiday/event. Example: If an inflatable yard decoration is being used for Fourth of July, it may be erected/put up no earlier than June 4 and must be removed no later than July 9. However, there will be an extended removal time for some holidays, such as Christmas/New Year's, which will allow them to remain up until no later than January 6.
B. 
They are not to exceed three feet by three feet/nine feet total in size.
C. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
D. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
E. 
No sign may be closer to a neighboring property line than the height of the sign from the ground to the top of the sign. Example: A sign 15 feet in height must be 15 feet from a neighboring property line.
F. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way.
G. 
When an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building; however, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way.
H. 
No sign permit shall be granted if the sign obstructs vehicular site distance or traffic, or pedestrian walkways.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Banner Signs (exception as listed above in § 27-705, Subsection 1A). Also, an exception to this section would be when displaying a banner sign as a grand opening of, or a significant change in a business. These "business exception" banner signs would still have to adhere to all other regulations and restrictions of allowed banner signs within the Borough.
2. 
Wheeled and/or portable signs of any kind are not permitted at any time.
3. 
Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting the following conditions:
A. 
The primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs.
B. 
The signs are magnetic, decals or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.
C. 
The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate.
4. 
Signs painted or structures, fences, walls, or poles. Except in business windows, and painted or adhered in a professional manner. No vehicles, trucks, trailers or mobile homes with advertising may be parked in such a manner to promote advertising.
5. 
Temporary "A" frame signs unless placed within 10 feet of the entrance door into the business, and is not within sidewalks, public walkways, rights-of-way, or otherwise deter vehicular or foot paths of any kind, or to any other business.
6. 
Overhanging signs of any kind.
7. 
Signs which revolve, blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion that cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs or lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance.
8. 
Signs of any kind which are not specifically described and/or authorized by this part.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Government agency installed signs.
2. 
Memorial or historical permanent displays and plaques.
3. 
Building-mounted street numbers and names.
4. 
Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
5. 
The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
6. 
Signs exempt pursuant to other sections of this chapter.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
Outdoor advertising signs and structures shall be permitted as a conditional use and only in the Light-Industrial Zoning District, subject to all of the following requirements:
A. 
Outdoor advertising structures shall not be erected with 500 feet of the boundary line of any Residential Zoned District or within 500 feet of any public or private school, church or cemetery, said 500 feet being measured along the radius of a circle from the center-most point of the outdoor advertising structure extending in all directions.
B. 
Outdoor advertising structures shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed outdoor advertising structure of 1,000 feet. Required spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the center-most point of the billboard structure along a line extending from the center-most point of the outdoor advertising structure which is parallel to the center line of the roadway to which the outdoor advertising structure is oriented.
C. 
No outdoor advertising structure shall be located closer than 10 feet to any public street right-of-way.
D. 
The minimum side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal structure as set forth within the zoning district in which the outdoor advertising structure is to be located shall apply to each outdoor advertising structure.
E. 
No outdoor advertising structure shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road or street of any existing business identification sign or residential or nonresidential structure or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements.
F. 
No outdoor advertising structure shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street or road on which it is situated and not, in any case, obstruct or impede traffic safety.
G. 
No outdoor advertising structure shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
H. 
An outdoor advertising structure shall have no more than two sign faces per outdoor advertising structure, which may be placed back-to-back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90° or less.
I. 
The dimensions of the gross surface area of the outdoor advertising structure sign face shall not exceed 20 feet in total height or 25 feet in total length.
J. 
An outdoor advertising structure shall not exceed the maximum height for a structure in the Industrial Zoning District in which it is located.
K. 
Outdoor advertising structures shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as amended.
L. 
An outdoor advertising structure with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum foot candle of 1.5 upon the adjoining property.
M. 
No outdoor advertising structure, sign face or display lighting shall move, flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions, confusion, nuisance or hazards to persons, traffic, aircraft or the use of other properties.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
No sign may encroach into any right-of-way.
2. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from a neighboring property line.
3. 
No sign may be closer to a neighboring property line than the height of the sign from the ground to the top of the sign. Example: A sign 15 feet in height must be 15 feet from a neighboring property line.
4. 
No sign may be closer than 10 feet from any right-of-way (except as stated in Subsection 5).
5. 
When an existing building is closer than 10 feet from a right-of-way, the sign may be erected to the same distance as the building; however, the sign may not be closer to the right-of-way than the existing building. Example: If the building is five feet from the right-of-way.
6. 
No sign permit shall be granted if the sign obstructs vehicular site distance or traffic, or pedestrian walkways.
7. 
Real estate and bulletin signs may encroach into the ten-foot area so long as Subsection 6 herein is complied with.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
All building-mounted signs must be securely fastened flush to the building. No sign may extend from the building beyond the thickness of the sign.
2. 
All pole-mounted signs must be placed at a minimum of ratio 1:2 underground to above ground. Example: An eight-foot pole above ground must have four feet underground. However, any pole-mounted sign must withstand 100-mile-per-hour winds and shall require an engineer's calculation to establish that the pole-mounted sign will be able to withstand 100-mile-per-hour winds.
3. 
Base and footing of pole signs shall be detailed on the sketch drawing and must be approved by the Zoning Officer. However, the Zoning Officer may seek professional advisement from an engineer. Costs of such engineer advisement shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant.
4. 
All pole sign installations that disturb the current ground condition must be restored to its original ground cover or landscaping.
5. 
Lighting of any sign must be such that the direction of the light or candlepower is such that it does not become a nuisance to neighboring property owners, a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or a distraction to vehicular traffic.
6. 
Any sign and sign structure shall comply with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as amended.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
It shall be the owner's responsibility to maintain the sign at all times. This shall include support, wear and tear, and to keep the sign in a close condition to the permitted condition at time of final inspection by the Zoning Officer or other authorized personnel as designated by the Council of Manor Borough.
2. 
In the event that the Zoning Officer or other authorized personnel as designated by the Council of Manor Borough deems the sign unsafe and/or a public nuisance, the owner shall have 10 days to make repairs or remove the sign.
3. 
If the owner fails to make such repairs, the Borough may remove the sign at the owner's expense (as specified under § 27-712, "Liability and Insurance," and § 27-407, "Enforcement Remedies").
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
1. 
At all times the applicant or subsequent owner shall maintain adequate insurance for public liability.
2. 
The applicant or subsequent owner shall hold harmless any employee of Manor Borough or any appointed or elected representative acting on the behalf of Manor Borough of any act, omission, or claim arising of any kind, and shall dismiss, discharge, and defend harmless any employee of Manor Borough or any appointed or elected representative acting on the behalf of Manor Borough of any such act or action related to the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of any sign permitted under this part.
[Ord. 554, 12/17/2014, § I]
The applicant must return with the application a signed statement verifying that the applicants' knowledge of this part. Such verification shall include this language:
"I (We), the applicant for a sign permit to be constructed at __________ __________, have received and understands the regulations and requirements as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance of Manor Borough. I (We), further understand and agree that permission to construct a sign as stated in the Zoning Ordinance permit, does not imply, attest, or denote any liabilities of Manor Borough, and fully understand § 27-712 of the Zoning Ordinance."
  Applicant
  Co-Applicant