Bell Acres City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Signs
§ 165-80 Conformance required.
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform to the provisions of this article and any other municipal ordinances or regulations.
§ 165-81 Determination of area.
A.
The area of the sign shall consist of that area within the smallest possible box surrounding all lettering, wording, and accompanying design or symbols on the sign.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 301]
B.
The area of a sign painted upon or applied to a building shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs or symbols, together with any backing associated with the sign.
C.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape that can enclose such letters or symbols.
D.
In computing square foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical. If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double-faced sign is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
§ 165-82 Illumination.
A.
Directly illuminated sign. Directly illuminated signs are not permitted.
B.
Festoon lighting. Festoon lighting is not permitted.
C.
Indirectly illuminated sign. If shielding device is defective, such sign shall be deemed to be a directly illuminated sign.
D.
Flashing sign. Flashing signs are not permitted because of normal competition with traffic and other safety lighting.
§ 165-83 Location.
B.
Advertising sign. Advertising signs known as "billboards" shall be permitted, provided that they meet the following requirements:
(1)
No billboard sign shall exceed 250 square feet.
(3)
Billboard signs are permitted in the M3 District only.
(4)
No billboard sign shall be erected or maintained on a zoning lot abutting or on a zoning lot opposite a frontage in an R1, R2, R3, R4 or RR-1 District.
[Amended 12-11-2006 by Ord. No. 247]
(5)
No billboard sign shall be more than 25 feet average to the bottom of the sign above the ground level immediately below and shall not in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(6)
All billboard signs shall be approved by the Zoning Officer in compliance with the provisions of Article VI.
(7)
No billboard face shall be located closer than five feet from a street or property line.
(8)
No billboard shall be erected within 500 feet of an existing billboard along the same direction of travel.
C.
Window sign. Only temporary window signs made from nonpermanent materials such as paper are permitted.
§ 165-84 Types.
A.
Freestanding sign. Freestanding signs shall not overhang sidewalks.
B.
Parallel sign. Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted or shall not project more than six inches from its surface.
C.
Projecting sign. Projecting signs shall not project more than two feet from the wall or surface to which they are mounted, shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they are mounted, shall be at least eight feet to the bottom of the sign above the ground level immediately below and shall not in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
§ 165-85 Signs permitted in residential and planned residential districts.
The following types of signs and no other shall be permitted in residential districts and planned residential districts (PRDs):
A.
On-premises signs. The sign area shall not exceed eight square feet unless otherwise identified below.
[Amended 11-11-2002 by Ord. No. 226; 8-9-2010 by Ord. No. 260; 6-10-2019 by Ord. No. 299]
(1)
Nonilluminated signs displayed strictly for the direction, safety or convenience of the public, including signs which identify rest rooms, telephone booths, parking area entrances or exits, freight entrances or the like, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(2)
Flags representing governmental, educational or religious organizations.
(3)
One nonilluminated sign posted in conjunction with doorbells or mailboxes, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 36 square inches.
(4)
One sign for home occupation or accessory office indicating only names of persons and their occupations, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 200 square inches.
(5)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated bulletin or announcement board or identification sign for a permitted institutional use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(6)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(7)
One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet, and such sign shall be removed upon settlement or rental of the property. All signs shall be located within the property line.
(8)
One temporary nonilluminated sign erected in connection with the development or proposed development of the premises by a builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested in such sale or development, provided that the erection of any such sign shall not exceed 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied or within six months after the final inspection by the Zoning Officer, whichever occurs first.
(9)
Temporary nonilluminated signs of mechanics or artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises. Such signs shall be removed upon completion of work by the mechanic or artisan, and the total area of all such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(10)
Signs announcing no trespassing; signs indicating the private nature of the road, driveway or premises; and signs controlling the fishing or hunting on the premises, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 200 square inches.
(11)
Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated memorial signs or historical signs or tablets.
(12)
One residential plan identification sign being a permanent wall or freestanding ground sign containing only the name and address of the plan, subdivision, or multifamily building is permitted. Said sign may be indirectly illuminated and shall not exceed six square feet in area. Said sign may be affixed to a decorative wall provided that the decorative wall does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or exiting the development. No such signs shall be located in a road right-of-way. Height of the freestanding sign or wall containing the sign shall not exceed six feet. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all such signs. The landscaping shall extend a minimum of two feet from the sign base on all sides. Signs shall be landscaped with small shrubs with a two-foot minimum height at planting. The remainder of the landscaped area shall be planted with perennials, seasonal annuals or other live ground cover. It may also contain architectural stones, water features or other beautification measures. It may not contain any invasive species as listed with the Pennsylvania DCNR. It is the responsibility, initially, of the developer and then the homeowners association or other responsible entity to ensure that the landscaping is installed within six months from the installation of the sign and that the landscaping and sign are well maintained. The Borough shall not be responsible for any maintenance of the landscaping or sign.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 301]
(13)
Within any park owned and/or operated by the Borough, Quaker Valley School District, and/or other nonprofit organization, which has a contiguous land area greater than 2.5 acres and is used for passive or active recreation or conservation of natural resources, shall be permitted signage subject to the following requirements:
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 301]
(a)
One ground monument sign identifying the name and address of the park shall be allowed along the frontage of each public road on which the park abuts. Each sign shall not exceed five feet in height and shall not exceed 80 square feet in area. Such signs may be indirectly illuminated by concealed lighting sources. Lighting shall be on a timer and shall not be illuminated before dusk or after 10:00 p.m. Such signs must be setback at least 10 feet from the public road right-of-way and shall be situated so as not to create a sight distance problem for traffic. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all ground monument signs. The landscaping shall extend a minimum of two feet from the sign base on all sides. Monument signs shall be landscaped with small shrubs with a two-foot minimum height at planting. The remainder of the landscaped area shall be planted with perennials, seasonal annuals or other live ground cover. It may also contain architectural stones, water features or other beautification measures. It may not contain any invasive species as listed with the Pennsylvania DCNR. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that landscaping is installed within six months from the installation of the sign and that it is well maintained. The sign structure shall be constructed from brick, natural or imitation stone, stained or painted split faced block, wood or other similar materials approved by the Zoning Officer. The color(s) of the sign structure shall be earthtone.
(b)
Each dugout structure for athletic fields may have one nonilluminated sign affixed to the back of the structure. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area.
(c)
Concession stand structures may have one nonilluminated sign affixed to the structure not exceeding 10 square feet in area. If the concession stand uses awnings, additional nonilluminated lettering, logos and symbols may be placed on the awnings with a maximum area of 12 square feet per awning. One bronze or cast aluminum plaque may also be affixed to a concession stand structure. Said plaque shall not exceed three square feet in area.
(d)
Scoreboard structures, in addition to numbers and letters normally associated with scoreboard use, may contain lettering identifying the name of the field. Said lettering shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. The overall size of the scoreboard shall not exceed 140 square feet.
(e)
Street and driveway identification signs, handicapped parking signs, speed limit signs and other traffic control signs will be permitted only to the extent that they are needed to control and direct traffic within the park. The size of the signs shall not exceed a size normally associated with such signs.
(f)
Miscellaneous informational signs identifying trails, fitness stations, restricted areas and other information shall be permitted with each sign not exceeding two square feet in area.
(g)
Temporary vinyl signs may be affixed to ballfield fencing. Such temporary signs must be maintained in good condition and must be removed during off seasons.
(h)
During development and acquisition of park property/green space by nonprofit organizations, temporary monument signs for fundraising purposes shall be allowed for a period not to exceed 12 months. Each sign shall not exceed eight feet in height and shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall be set back out of the public right-of-way. Only one sign per property will be permitted. The sign may be double-sided so as to be viewed from both traffic directions.
(i)
Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated veteran or civil service memorial signs or historical signs and tablets are allowed provided that the area of such sign or tablet does not exceed 120 square feet.
B.
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted except as follows. Signs permitted within this section may also be on premises.
(1)
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic, street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings and other official signs which are similarly authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body.
(2)
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows or events and sponsored by a nonprofit organization may be erected subject to the following requirements:
(a)
Permission is granted by a property owner in writing that a sign may be erected.
(b)
Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(c)
Signs shall not be posted earlier than four weeks before the occurrence of the exhibit, show or event and shall be removed within one week after the termination of the exhibit, show or event.
C.
General regulations in residential districts.
(1)
Freestanding roof signs are prohibited. Freestanding ground signs may not exceed six feet to the top of the sign or its supporting framework.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 301]
(2)
Projecting signs or portions of such signs shall not be located less than eight feet to the bottom of the sign nor more than 12 feet above the ground level immediately below such sign.
(3)
Parallel signs or portions of such signs shall not be located more than 12 feet above the ground level immediately below such sign.
§ 165-86 Signs permitted in mixed use districts.
A.
On-premises signs. No on-premises sign shall be permitted in the M1, M2 and M3 Districts, except as follows:
(1)
All signs permitted in § 165-85A at the standards prescribed therein except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2)
Parallel and projecting business signs, provided that:
(a)
Only one sign per building shall be permitted, except for buildings on corner lots.
(b)
The total area of all parallel and projecting signs for each establishment shall not exceed one square foot for each foot of length of the front building wall or length of that portion of such wall which is devoted to such establishment. Corner buildings may divide total square feet on signage permitted to two sides.
(c)
If such establishment does not occupy any floor area on the ground level of the building, other than an entryway, the maximum area per foot of length of the front building wall (or portion) shall be only 1/2 square foot.
(d)
Interior window signs shall be considered parallel signs and included in the above computations.
(3)
Freestanding business signs, provided that:
(a)
Only one such sign shall be permitted on each property.
(b)
The area of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet and shall not exceed four linear feet in length or height. Such a sign may be double-faced.
(c)
The maximum height of a freestanding business sign shall be 11 feet measured from the ground to the top of the sign or its supporting framework.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 301]
(d)
The maximum height of freestanding business signs shall be 11 feet from curb level to the top of the sign.
(e)
Gasoline service stations. Such stations shall be permitted one freestanding brand name sign not to exceed 20 square feet in area nor to be higher than seven feet to the bottom of the sign. No flags, pennants, pinwheels and no temporary signs shall be permitted.
(4)
Electronic message center signs, provided that:
[Added 6-10-2019 by Ord. No. 299]
(a)
Only one such sign shall be permitted on each nonresidential property in lieu of a freestanding sign.
(b)
Such signs shall only be permitted adjacent to the public road right of way of Big Sewickley Creek Road.
(c)
All signs must be ground-mounted-type signs. The maximum overall area of the sign structure shall not exceed 40 square feet and the electronic display portion of the sign shall not exceed 10 square feet.
(d)
The sign structure shall be constructed from brick, natural or imitation stone, stained or painted split faced block, wood or other similar materials approved by the Zoning Officer. The color(s) of the sign structure shall be earthtone.
(e)
All drawings, messages, and graphics displayed must be static. Animation and video displays are prohibited.
(f)
Each individual message or display must be displayed for no shorter than 15 consecutive seconds.
(g)
Flashing signs are prohibited.
(h)
The transition from one static display to another must be instantaneous without any special effects, including, but not limited to, flashing, spinning, revolving transition methods, scrolling from left to right or top to bottom, slot machine, splice, mesh, radar, kaleidoscope, spin or any other animated transition.
(i)
The entire sign display area must be black or blank for a period of three seconds between each message.
(j)
The drawings and messages displayed must be complete in themselves, without continuation in context to the next drawing or message or to any other sign.
(k)
The displays must be equipped with a default design to immediately freeze the sign message in one position or to make the screen go blank if it malfunctions.
(l)
The sign shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement or varying light intensity, of any part of the sign structure, design or pictorial segment of the sign.
(m)
Brightness: All electronic signs are subject to the following brightness limits:
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 301[1]]
[1]
During daylight hours between sunrise and sunset, luminance shall be no greater than 5,000 nits. A nit is a measure of luminance or brightness of the light illuminated or reflected from a sign face measured in candelas per square meter.
[2]
At all other times, luminance shall be no greater than 125 nits. Where located in an area with existing high-ambient light levels and where the electronic sign is not visible from a residential use, electronic sign brightness not exceeding 200 nits may be permitted; the nighttime light output shall be capable of being further dimmed if the Borough so requires when the lighting is judged to create a nuisance or hazard.
[3]
Each sign must have a light sensing device that will automatically adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change to comply with the limits set here within.
[4]
The Borough may further restrict the brightness of an electronic sign if it is deemed necessary to prevent a traffic hazard or if the sign is otherwise deemed detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection A(4)(n), Brightness, and redesignated former Subsection A(4)(o) through (r) as Subsection A(4)(n) through (q).
(n)
The use of streaming video or full-motion video on any sign is prohibited.
(o)
The sign may be located no closer than 10 feet from a public road right-of-way or property line and shall not interfere with traffic sight distance. The sign structure shall not exceed six feet in height.
(p)
The digital display shall automatically be powered off a half-hour after closing or at 10:00 p.m. whichever is later, and shall automatically be powered back on a half-hour before opening or at 6:00 a.m., whichever is earlier. Businesses that remain open 24 hours per day are not required to power off their digital display signs.
(q)
Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all ground electronic message center signs with digital displays. The landscaping shall extend a minimum of two feet from the sign base on all sides. Ground electronic message center signs shall be landscaped with small shrubs a minimum of two feet in height at planting. The remainder of the landscaped area shall be planted with perennials, seasonal annuals, or other live ground cover. The landscaped area may also contain architectural stones, water features, or other beautification measures. It may not contain any of the invasive species listed with the Pennsylvania DCNR. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that landscaping is installed within six months from the installation of the electronic message center sign and that it is well maintained.
§ 165-87 Flashing signs.
Flashing signs shall not be permitted in any district.
§ 165-88 (Reserved) [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 165-88, Political signs, was repealed 6-10-2019 by Ord. No. 299.
§ 165-89 Interference with traffic.
No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control device (by reason of color, location, shape or other characteristic) or through any other means.
§ 165-90 Manner of construction; maintenance.
All signs except temporary signs shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair.
§ 165-91 Nonconforming signs.
Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of the chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs and once removed shall be replaced only with conforming signs; however, nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired, provided that such repainted or repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
§ 165-92 Establishments fronting two or more streets.
If an establishment has walls fronting on two or more streets, the sign area for each street may not be computed separately.
§ 165-93 Signs within right-of-way.
A.
No signs, except those of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, shall be allowed within street lines.
B.
No portion of any freestanding or projecting sign shall be located over the public right-of-way. If this requirement cannot be met, then freestanding or projecting signs shall be prohibited on such properties.
§ 165-94 Signs on vehicles.
Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose but becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be considered a freestanding sign and, as such, shall be subject to the provisions regarding freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle is located.
§ 165-95 Zoning permit for large signs.
All signs, as defined in § 165-81 over six square feet in total overall area shall require the issuance of a zoning permit before erection or replacement.