Bethel Park City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVI
Signs
69.50 Purpose.
69.50.1.
The purpose of this article is to regulate the size, color, illumination, movement, materials, location, height, and condition of all signs placed on private property for exterior observation to ensure that:
1.
Public safety and traffic safety hazards are prevented and mitigated;
2.
Standards exist by which conforming signs will enhance the aesthetic appearance of the municipality, creating an attractive environment that fosters local pride, protects property values, and entices economic development; and
3.
Signs may adequately and effectively communicate information while fitting appropriately into the visual landscape of the area in which they are located, avoiding conflicts, clutter, and confusion.
69.50.2.
This article must be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. If any provision of this article is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding must not affect the validity of other provisions of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision.
69.50.3.
These regulations are not intended to and do not apply to signs erected, maintained, or otherwise posted, owned, or leased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, the federal government, or the Municipality of Bethel Park. The inclusion of "government" in describing some signs does not intend to subject the government to regulation, but instead helps illuminate the type of sign that falls within the immunities of the government from regulation.
69.51 Applicability.
69.51.1.
The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all signs in all Zoning Districts. No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, altered, or maintained except in conformance with the standards, procedures, regulations, and requirements contained herein.
69.51.2.
Method of sign authorization and approval. For the purposes of this article, signs shall be authorized for approval pursuant to the following:
1.
Authorized signs are those for which a zoning approval has been issued by the Zoning Officer following a review of an application if the application indicates compliance with this chapter.
2.
Exempt uses are signs that are authorized but that are exempt from regulation under this chapter and do not require zoning approval.
3.
Prohibited signs are those not authorized by this chapter nor exempt from regulation.
69.51.4.
Principal uses. Billboards are considered the principal use of a lot or site on which they are located and shall comply with all the requirements of this article.
69.51.5.
Alteration of sign structure. The physical alteration of a structure or supporting structure shall be considered the same as construction of a new sign which shall require zoning approval and conformity to all the requirements of this article.
69.51.6.
Signs on public property. Any sign installed or placed on public property or within a public ROW, except in conformance with the requirements of this article shall be forfeited and is subject to confiscation in addition to other remedies the Zoning Officer shall have pursuant to this chapter.
69.51.7.
Enforcement and remedies. Enforcement and remedies of this article shall be pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and any other enforcement or remedies pursuant to state and federal law.
69.52 Types of signs.
For the purposes of this section, all signs shall be classified by the definitions provided in Article II of this chapter.
69.53 Prohibited signs.
69.53.1.
Signs are prohibited in all Zoning Districts unless authorized under this chapter and constructed pursuant to a valid building permit when required under this chapter.
69.53.2.
Additionally, the following sign types are unlawful and prohibited:
1.
Abandoned signs, as regulated by Section 69.59.1.3.
2.
Snipe signs. Signs shall only be attached to utility poles in conformance with state and utility regulations and the requirements of this chapter.
3.
Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs.
4.
Pennant strings and streamers.
5.
Animated/moving signs, flashing signs, or signs that flash text or graphics.
6.
Any signs of a size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
7.
Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
8.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor or contain open flames.
9.
Signs containing mirrors.
10.
Signs incorporating beacon lighting.
11.
Any banner or sign of any type suspended across a street without the permission of the owner of the property and road.
12.
Contain or consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other similarly moving devices or signs which may move or swing as a result of wind pressure. These devices when not part of any sign are similarly prohibited, unless they are permitted specifically by other legislation;
13.
Roof signs.
14.
Murals.
15.
Original art displays that do not have the permission of the owner of the property on which they are located (graffiti); and
16.
Portable signs that do not comply with the location, size, or use restrictions of this chapter.
69.53A Exempt signs.
69.53A.1.
The following signs are authorized under Section 69.53B.1 in every Zoning District and are exempt from the permit standards of this section:
1.
Traffic control devices on private or public property erected and maintained to comply with PennDOT's Publication 236, Manual of Approved Signs.
2.
Up to two signs stating the address, number, and/or name of the occupants of the premises, provided that they do not include any commercial advertising or other identification.
a.
Each property owner shall mark their property using numerals that identify the address of the property so that public safety departments can easily identify the address from the public street.
b.
The size and location of the identifying numerals and letters, if any, should be proportional to the size of the building and the distance from the street to the building and in no case larger than three square feet in Residential Zoning Districts and five square feet in Nonresidential Zoning Districts. In cases where the building is not located within view of the public street, the identifier must be located on the mailbox or other suitable device such that it is visible from the street.
3.
Signs posted as warning of a danger or to prohibit access to the property either generally or specifically.
4.
Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organization that do not exceed four square feet in area.
5.
One "private drive" sign per driveway entrance, not to exceed two square feet in area.
6.
Flags consistent with the following parameters:
a.
Residential Zoning Districts. Two flags and one flag pole are permitted per premises. Each flag shall not exceed a maximum of 15 square feet in area. The flag pole has a maximum height of 25 feet or no higher than the highest point of the principal building's roof, whichever is lower. Flag poles must meet the minimum side and rear yard setback requirements for a principal building.
b.
Nonresidential Zoning Districts. One flag is permitted per 25 feet of frontage on a ROW, up to a maximum of six flags and six flag poles per premises. Each flag must be a maximum of 24 square feet in area. Flag poles have a maximum height of 50 feet or the highest point of the principal building's roof, whichever is lower. Flag poles must meet the minimum yard setback requirements for a principal building or a minimum of 10 feet, whichever is more restrictive.
c.
Small flags at vehicle sales and service establishments. One flag of no more than one square foot in area may be attached to vehicles on display for sale or rent at vehicle sales and service establishments. Such flags shall be no higher than two feet above the height of the vehicle as if it were displayed at grade level.
7.
Nonilluminated personal expression signs of any type (including flags) that do not exceed three square feet in area per side.
8.
One temporary sign may be located on a property when:
a.
A property is under construction by a contractor and shall not exceed 32 square feet; or
b.
A property where the owner consents that the property is being offered for sale or lease through a licensed real estate agent or for sale or lease by the owner and shall not exceed eight square feet.
c.
Such signs shall be removed within 15 days of the date of sale or lease and/or when the work has been completed by the contractor.
9.
One temporary sign may be located on the owner's property on a day when the property owner is opening the property to the public for events such as garage or yard sales; provided, however, the owner may not use this type of sign in a Residential Zoning District for more than 12 days in a year, of which only three days may be consecutive. For purposes of this section, a year is counted from the first day on which the sign is erected counting backwards and from the last day on which the sign exists counting forward.
10.
Holiday and seasonal decorations.
11.
Military banners and military yard banners, as purchased through the Bethel Park Military Banner Program.
12.
Incidental signs, including incidental window signs.
13.
Vehicle signs, provided that they shall be covered if the vehicle is parked on the same property for longer than 72 hours so that the sign is not visible from the ultimate ROW.
14.
Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official or directed duties.
69.53B Permit requirements.
69.53B.1.
In general, a sign permit is required prior to the display, erection, replacement, or modification of any sign except as provided in Section 69.53C.
69.53B.2.
Application for permit.
1.
An application for a sign permit shall be filed with the Zoning Officer on forms furnished by the Municipality of Bethel Park.
2.
The Zoning Officer or designee shall promptly process the sign permit application and approve the application, reject the application, or notify the applicant of deficiencies in the application. Any application that complies with all provisions of this chapter, the UCC, and other applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances shall be approved.
3.
If the application is rejected, the Zoning Officer shall provide a list of the reasons for the rejection in writing. An application shall be rejected for noncompliance with the terms of this chapter, the UCC, or other applicable law, regulation, or ordinance.
69.53B.3.
Permit fee. A nonrefundable fee as set forth in the Municipality's fee schedule, as adopted and amended from time to time.
69.53B.4.
Duration and revocation of permit. If a sign is not installed within six months following the issuance of a sign permit (or within 30 days, in the case of a temporary sign permit), the permit shall be void. The municipality may revoke a sign permit under any of the following circumstances:
1.
The municipality determines that information in the application was materially false or misleading;
2.
The sign as installed does not conform to the sign permit application;
3.
The sign violates this chapter, the UCC, or other applicable law, regulation, or ordinance; or
4.
The Zoning Officer determines that the sign is not being properly maintained or has been abandoned.
69.53C General regulations.
69.53C.1.
Sign location.
1.
No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
2.
No sign may occupy a sight triangle.
3.
Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications lines or equipment.
69.53C.2.
Sign materials and construction. Every sign shall be constructed of durable materials, using noncorrosive fastenings; shall be structurally safe and erected or installed in strict accordance with the UCC; and shall be maintained in safe condition and good repair at all times so that all sign information is clearly legible.
69.53C.3.
Sign area.
1.
The area of a sign shall mean the area of all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs, logos, and symbols. The area of a sign shall not include any supporting framework, bracing, or trim which is incidental to the display, provided that it does not contain any lettering, wording, or symbols.
2.
Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs, or symbols attached to a building, awning, wall, or window, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters, designs, and symbols.
3.
Signs may be double-sided.
a.
Only one side shall be considered when determining the sign area, provided that the faces are equal in size, the interior angle formed by the faces is less than 30°, and the two faces are no more than 18 inches apart (or five feet, in the case of an outdoor advertising sign).
b.
Where the faces are not equal in size, but the interior angle formed by the faces is less than 30° and the two faces are no more than 18 inches apart (or five feet, in the case of an outdoor advertising sign), the larger sign face shall be used as the basis for calculating sign area.
c.
When the interior angle formed by the faces is greater than 30°, or the faces are greater than 18 inches apart (or five feet, in the case of an outdoor advertising sign), all sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
4.
The permitted maximum area for all signs is determined by the sign type and the Zoning District in which the sign is located.
69.53C.4.
Sign height.
1.
Sign height shall be measured as the distance from the highest portion of the sign to the mean finished grade of the street closest to the sign. In the case of a sign located greater than 100 feet from a public street, height shall be measured to the mean grade at the base of the sign.
2.
Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other structural elements.
3.
The permitted maximum height for all signs is determined by the sign type and the Zoning District in which the sign is located.
69.53C.5.
Sign illumination.
1.
Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified herein, consistent with the following standards:
a.
Light sources to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from any street ROW, nor cause glare hazardous or distracting to pedestrians, vehicle drivers or adjacent properties.
b.
Brightness. EMC signs and full color digital display signs are subject to the following brightness limits. During the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., prevailing time, luminance shall be no greater than 700 footcandles. At all other times, luminance shall be no greater than 250 footcandles. 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. Regardless of the prior listed luminance, EMC signs shall not exceed 1/3 footcandle over ambient lighting conditions when measured at a recommend distance based upon the EMC size as recommended by the International Sign Association (ISA).
c.
All other sign illumination shall not exceed 1/3 footcandle of light detectable at the boundary of any abutting property line.
2.
Types of illumination. Where permitted, illumination may be:
a.
External. Externally illuminated signs, where permitted, are subject to the following regulations:
3.
Electrical standards.
a.
Permits for illuminated signs will not be issued without an approved electrical permit, if required. Applications for electrical permits shall be filed at the same time as the sign permit application.
b.
All work shall be completed in full compliance with the UCC.
c.
The electrical supply to all exterior signs, whether to the sign itself or to lighting fixtures positioned to illuminate the sign, shall be provided by means of concealed electrical cables. Electrical supply to freestanding signs shall be provided by means of underground cables.
d.
The owner of any illuminated sign shall arrange for a certification showing compliance with the brightness standards set forth herein by an independent contractor and provide the certification documentation to the Municipality as a condition precedent to the issuance of a sign permit.
4.
Glare control. Glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as cutoff fixtures, shields, and baffles, and appropriate application of fixture mounting height, wattage, aiming angle, and fixture placement. Vegetation screens shall not be employed to serve as the primary means for controlling glare.
69.53D Specific sign regulations by district.
69.53D.1.
The following signs shall be permitted, and the following regulations shall apply by Zoning District.
1.
Residential and Conservation Zoning Districts (R and CD).
a.
Permitted signs may be located anywhere on the premises, except in a required side setback or within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW.
b.
Wall signs must be flush-mounted. No signs shall project above the roof or be mounted on a building above the eave line of a roof.
c.
Permitted nonresidential uses may have one illuminated (externally or internally) sign per property, in keeping with the regulations per Section 69.59C. EMC signs or digital signs shall be permitted as part of a monument sign only in Residential Zoning Districts.
d.
One monument or wall sign is permitted per multi-family dwelling, not to exceed 12 square feet in area. Identification signs for multifamily dwellings may be permitted off-site, provided that they comply with all other requirements of this chapter.
e.
One wall sign is permitted per home occupation, not to exceed two square feet in area.
f.
In connection with a residential subdivision plan, one monument sign is permitted per entrance, provided that such signs:
(1)
Shall not exceed 32 square feet in area;
(2)
Shall be constructed with brick and/or wood exteriors; and
(3)
May be floodlighted from below. Average illumination levels shall not exceed 20 footcandles on the face of the sign. Special precautions (barn doors, mats, or templates) shall be taken to ensure that no stray light goes beyond the sign face.
g.
One bulletin board per street is permitted per place of worship/assembly, not to exceed 32 square feet in area.
h.
In connection with a parking facility, directional signs are permitted not to exceed eight square feet in area each.
i.
One monument sign and one wall sign are permitted per lot for care facilities and senior housing and day care facilities, each not to exceed 32 square feet in area.
j.
One monument sign is permitted per street for any Municipal or Bethel Park School District property each not to exceed 48 square feet in area.
k.
One temporary promotional sign is permitted per lot for places of worship/assembly, not to exceed 20 square feet in area or seven days in any one calendar month. Such signs shall be secured and shall not include banners.
l.
Monument signs shall not exceed six feet in height or eight feet in length.
m.
EMC signs and full color digital display signs are only permitted for places of worship/assembly, Bethel Park School District properties, and municipal properties as part of a monument sign with a maximum sign area of 32 square feet.
n.
Outdoor off-premises advertising signs and billboards are expressly prohibited in Residential and Conservation Zoning Districts.
2.
Neighborhood Commercial, Professional-Service, and Office-Commercial Commercial Districts (C-1, C-3, and C-4).
a.
Any sign permitted in Residential Zoning Districts for the appropriate uses as defined and regulated in Section 69.53D.1.1.
b.
Temporary signs, including portable signs and inflatable signs, shall be permitted for a period not to exceed two thirty-day periods in any one calendar year. Said signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and shall be secured to a permanent structure located on the property.
c.
One freestanding or monument sign per lot, with a maximum height of 20 feet for a freestanding sign and six feet in height for a monument sign with a maximum sign area of 48 square feet.
d.
Two wall signs not to exceed an area equal to 10% of the gross area of each business elevation or 32 square feet, whichever is smaller, facing the front or side yard area. When a business has no elevation facing the front or side yard area, a wall sign shall be permitted not to exceed 10% of the gross area of the smallest exterior elevation or 10% of the gross area of the smallest interior wall elevation, whichever is larger.
e.
Permitted drive-through facilities may have up to two additional signs not to exceed six feet in height and 20 square feet in area each. Such signs may be attached to a building or freestanding, in which case they shall be located in such as position as not to interfere with or restrict vehicular circulation or visibility. This provision excludes portable signs.
f.
Residential development or subdivision sign. One residential development or subdivision sign not exceeding 32 square feet in total gross surface area per face, or two signs not exceeding 16 square feet in surface area per sign shall be permitted which identifies the name of the residential development. A residential development or subdivision sign shall be constructed with brick and/or wood. Floodlighting may be permitted from below and shall not exceed 20 footcandles on the face of the sign.
g.
Window signs.
(1)
Window signs shall be permitted to be installed on the inside of the window of nonresidential structures.
(2)
Window signs shall not cover more than 50% of the glazing of any window.
(3)
The copy of a window sign shall be designed to communicate information about an activity, business, community event, or a sale or service offered.
(4)
Window signs shall not be permanently affixed to a window or windowpanes.
h.
Location of signs.
(1)
Wall signs may be located on any wall of the building. They shall not extend above the top of a parapet wall or a roofline at the wall, whichever is higher.
(2)
Pole signs must have a minimum clearance of eight feet six inches above a sidewalk and 15 feet above driveways or alleys.
(3)
One pole or monument sign per lot or parcel except as provided in this section may be located anywhere on the premises except as follows:
(a)
A monument sign must not be located in a required side yard, rear yard, or within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW.
(b)
A pole sign must not be located in a required side or rear yard. A freestanding sign may project up to the ultimate right-of-way provided there is a minimum ground clearance of eight feet six inches and provided the location complies with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(4)
One residential development sign shall be placed at the entrance of the development. In the case of the residential development with more than one entrance, a sign or signs as permitted above may be paced at each entrance to the development. Pole signs are not permitted in any Residential Zoning District or Planned Residential Development. Ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet back from the ultimate ROW.
(a)
Directional signs as specified elsewhere in this chapter.
(b)
Temporary real estate signs not exceeding eight square feet in total gross surface area of all faces. Temporary real estate signs are limited to one per property for sale, lease, or rent and only when placed on the property advertised and to be removed within three days of the completion of sale, lease, or rent of said property.
j.
Content.
(1)
Permitted uses may have one illuminated (externally or internally) sign per property, in keeping with the regulations per Section 69.53C.5. Digital signs shall be permitted as part of a free-standing sign.
(2)
The primary identification sign for each firm shall contain its street number. The street number must be clearly visible from the ultimate ROW.
k.
Outdoor off-premises advertising signs and digital Billboards are expressly prohibited in all Residential, Conservation, Neighborhood Commercial, Professional-Service, and Office-Commercial Zoning Districts.
69.53D.2.
General Commercial and Manufacturing and Light Industrial Zoning Districts (C-2 and M).
1.
Except as noted below, the following numbers and types of signs may be erected in these Zoning Districts subject to the conditions specified in this subsection.
2.
Any sign permitted in Residential Districts for the appropriate uses as defined and regulated in this chapter.
3.
Two wall signs not to exceed an area equal to 10% of the gross area of each business elevation or 32 square feet, whichever is smaller, facing the front or side yard area. When a business has no elevation facing the front or side yard area, a wall sign shall be permitted not to exceed 10% of the gross area of the smallest exterior elevation or 10% of the gross area of the smallest interior wall elevation, whichever is larger.
4.
The one freestanding sign per lot permitted in Section 69.53D.2.2 above shall be permitted not to exceed 64 square feet for the first 5,000 square feet of first floor building area. An additional 3 1/2 square feet of sign area shall be permitted for every additional 1,000 square feet of first floor building area beyond the first 5,000 square feet of first floor building area.
5.
Window signs.
a.
Window signs shall be permitted to be installed on the inside of the window of nonresidential structures.
b.
Window signs shall not cover more than 50% of the glazing of any window.
c.
The copy of a window sign shall be designed to communicate information about an activity, business, community event, or a sale or service offered.
d.
Window signs shall not be permanently affixed to a window or windowpanes.
6.
Billboards or off-premises advertising signs are only permitted as a conditional use in the C-2 and M Zoning Districts, subject to the following requirements:
a.
A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 100 square feet per sign face.
b.
The maximum height shall be 30 feet, as measured from the ground to the top of the sign.
c.
Such signs shall be permitted to be EMCs, subject to the requirements of Section 69.53D.5.
d.
A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard structure.
e.
A V-shaped configuration on a billboard structure is not permitted.
f.
Such signs shall not be located within 300 linear feet of the property line of a parcel with a residential land use designation or residential use that adjoins on the same street and within the line of sight of the billboard face.
g.
Such signs must be a minimum of 50 feet from all road intersections and observe a minimum spacing of 1,500 feet between such signs on the same side of the road. For the purpose of applying these spacing requirements, the following shall apply:
(1)
Distances must be measured parallel to the road centerline.
(2)
Measurements for the spacing between signs must be based on when the construction of the sign:
(a)
Received final approval by the Zoning Officer measuring from the first sign to have received that approval; or
(b)
If the Zoning Officer has not given final approval to a sign that will be limited by the spacing requirement once it is constructed, then it is:
i.
Measured from the first sign given a building permit that is not cancelled or void at the time of measurement; or
ii.
When no permit has been issued that is still valid, measured from the first fully complete application for a building permit received by the Zoning Officer that has not been cancelled or which is void.
69.53E Supplemental criteria in all districts.
69.53E.1.
EMC signs and full color digital display signs, where permitted by this section, shall:
1.
Display only static messages that remain constant in illumination intensity and do not have movement or the appearance or optical illusion of movement.
2.
Shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
3.
The change process for digital displays shall be accomplished in two seconds or less.
4.
Each message or image shall remain static and unchanged for a period of no less than eight seconds.
5.
Not operate at an intensity level of more than 1/3 footcandle over ambient light as measured at a distance of 150 feet.
6.
Be equipped with a fully operational light sensor that automatically adjusts the intensity of the billboard according to the amount of ambient light.
7.
Be designed to either freeze the display in one static position, display a full black screen, or turn off in the event of a malfunction.
8.
EMC signs are not permitted to be inside a residential building or home.
9.
EMC signs shall not be displayed in windows unless authorized by an approved sign permit.
69.53E.2.
Political signs. Political signs are subject to the following standards:
1.
Political signs shall not be erected more than 45 days prior to the election in which the candidate is pursuing office and shall be removed within 15 days after the election for which it was erected.
2.
Political signs shall be limited to one sign per candidate per adjacent parcel when placing in a public ROW or on public property.
3.
Political signs shall not be installed so as to limit site distance or create a safety hazard.