Elizabeth Township Allegheny County, PA Zoning Ordinance

Elizabeth Township Allegheny County
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XVII

SIGNS

§ 1700 Applicability.

The regulations contained in this article shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts.

§ 1701 Types and Classes.

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.

1701.1

Classes.

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 structure, including:

(1)

Pole Sign. A freestanding sign which is supported by one or more poles, uprights, braces or pylons and which has a minimum clearance between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level, as specified by this chapter.

(2)

Ground Sign. A freestanding sign which is affixed to the ground by means of a permanent foundation and which provides a maximum clearance of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level.

Wall. A sign attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of a building, projecting outward no more than 12 inches from the wall of the building.

Canopy or Awning Sign. A sign that functions as a roof-like shelter, either permanent, retractable or removable, made of canvas or other material that is affixed to a building or is self-supporting and provides protection from sun, rain, snow and other elements.

Arcade Sign. A sign suspended beneath a ceiling of an arcade, a roof or marquee containing only the name of a business for the purpose of assisting pedestrian traffic travelling under the arcade, roof or marquee to identify the location of establishments within a shopping center or similar multitenant building.

Bulletin. 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.

Roof Sign. A sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building which projects no more than six feet above the roof.

Overhanging. A sign, other than a wall sign or arcade sign, affixed to a building or wall whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall more than 12 inches, including signs perpendicular to the wall of a building, awnings, marquees, canopies or similar structures used for business identification.

Billboard. An off-premises sign which advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service which is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises where the sign is located.

Changeable Copy. A sign that is designed so that characters letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged either manually or electronically without altering the face or surface of the sign.

Portable Sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building or a structure or the ground, 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; paper, cardboard or canvas signs wrapped around supporting poles; sandwich board signs; and trailer or boat-mounted signs.

Attention-Getting Device. A pennant, flag, valance, banner, propeller, spinner, streamer, search light, balloon or other inflatable device, or similar object or representation of a product, vehicle, equipment or other advertising image or any ornamentation which is designed or used for the purpose of promoting, advertising or attracting attention.

Indirectly Illuminated. A sign which 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.

Internally Illuminated. A sign which is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices internal to the sign, which lighting is either behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign structure and the advertising effect.

Festoon Lighting. A group of two or more light bulbs of more than 20 watts each hung or strung overhead, not on a building or structure, which are exposed to view by persons on a public right-of-way, or which are not shaded or hooded to prevent the direct rays of light from being visible from the property line, but not including the temporary erection of lights as part of a holiday celebration, or small lights of less than 20 watts each.

1701.2

Types. Signs are categorized by use, function or purpose into the following types:

Residential Identification. A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises.

Home Occupation Identification. A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises and their occupation. No logos or other advertising shall be permitted.

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.

Real Estate. A temporary sign advertising the sale or rental of premises. The sign may also bear the worlds "sold", "sale pending" or "rented" across their face.

Development. A temporary sign erected during the period of construction and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or their agent.

Construction. A temporary sign announcing the name of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.

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.

Notification. 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 governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general public.

Off-Premises Directional. A sign, other than a billboard, erected by a business, agency or organization located within the Township, that directs vehicular traffic to an establishment, event, activity, person, product or service not sold, produced or available on the property on which the sign is located, but not including any directional signs erected by a governmental agency.

On-Premises Directional. A sign which directs and/or instructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic relative to parking areas, proper exits, loading areas entrance points and similar information on the premises on which it is located.

Business Identification Sign. A sign which contains the name, address and goods, services, facilities or events available on the premises.

Temporary Special Event Display. A banner, flag, pennant or similar display constructed of durable material erected for a period not exceeding 30 days whose sole purpose is to advertise a special event.

Window Signs. A sign or group of signs affixed to the inside of a display window in a commercial establishment which advertises a product or service available on the premises or which announces or promotes a special sale or special event.

§ 1702 General Regulations.

The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning districts:

1702.1

Restricted Signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district:

Attention-getting devices;

Portable signs;

Festoon lighting;

Moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of a permitted sign which indicates time or temperature or an authorized electronic changeable copy sign;

Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs;

Signs which imitate traffic control devices;

Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or walls;

Overhanging signs, as defined herein;

Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, other than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, which are visible from the public right-of-way and where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.

1702.2

Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from these regulations and the requirements to obtain a permit:

Residential identification signs, as defined herein, provided they do not exceed one square foot in surface area;

Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard;

Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein;

Public signs, but not including off-premises directional signs regulated by § 1703.8.

1702.3

Lots With Multiple Street Frontage. In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one of each type of sign which is authorized for the lot on each street frontage.

1702.4

Temporary Signs. In all zoning districts where authorized by § 1703, real estate, construction and development signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.

1702.5

Notification Signs. In all zoning districts, the number, location and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall be in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth. In all zoning districts, legal notification signs posted on private property by property owners such as "no trespassing," "no hunting" and the like shall be limited to a surface area not exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along street frontages shall be one sign for every 30 feet of street frontage.

1702.6

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 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 § 1503.4 of this chapter.

1702.7

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. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as to not exceed a maximum of 0.2 footcandle at the property line.

1702.8

Maintenance and Inspection. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and maintained in good condition. 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 § 2001.2 of this chapter, to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Township shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.

1702.9

Removal of Signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated, all signs relating to 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 Township may remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Township may lien the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.

1702.10

Permits Required.

No permit shall be required for the following types of signs as described in § 1701.2 above: notification, real estate, construction signs and off-premises directional signs erected by a governmental agency.

Permits shall be required for all other signs authorized by §§ 1703 through 1706. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.

1702.11

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.

1702.12

Sign Location. Except for billboards and off-premises directional signs, as defined herein, where authorized by this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended to serve.

§ 1703 Signs Authorized in All Zoning Districts.

The following signs are authorized in all zoning districts:

1703.1

Bulletin Sign. One bulletin sign which is nonilluminated or indirectly or internally illuminated shall be permitted in connection with any church, school, library or similar public or semipublic building. The surface area of the bulletin sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.

1703.2

Real Estate Sign. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall be permitted on each lot provided the sign shall not exceed six feet in height. The real estate sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area when located in any Residential Zoning District and shall not exceed 32 square feet in any other zoning district. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the property on which it is located.

1703.3

Development Sign. One nonilluminated temporary development sign shall be permitted on each development site provided the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. The development sign shall not exceed eight feet in height. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the last lot or completion of the proposed construction in the development.

1703.4

Construction Sign. One nonilluminated temporary construction sign announcing the names of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.

1703.5

Temporary Special Event Sign. One nonilluminated temporary special event display sign, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted to be erected on the face of a public building, church or building housing a nonprofit organization, or over a public street right-of-way with the permission of the owner of the right-of-way. The area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet. The sign shall be displayed for a period no longer than 30 days and shall be removed within five days following the event that it is erected to promote.

1703.6

Home Occupation Identification Sign. One nonilluminated home occupation identification sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that the surface area of the sign does not exceed 1 1/2 square feet and the sign shall contain only the name, address and occupation of the resident and shall not contain any logo or other advertising. The sign shall be wall-mounted or affixed to the structure supporting the mailbox.

1703.7

On-Premises Directional Signs.

On any lot which contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential buildings and/or on any lot which provides more than 100 parking spaces, on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.

On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted. On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises directional signs shall be permitted on the first acre. For each additional acre or fraction thereof over one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.

1703.8

Off-Premises Directional Signs.

A maximum of four off-premises directional signs shall be permitted to be erected by a single agency, organization or business. The off-premises directional signs shall be nonilluminated and shall not exceed six square feet in surface area. Off-premises directional signs shall be permitted only along an arterial or collector street, as defined by this chapter.

Signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way only if permission is granted by the owner of the right-of-way. Evidence of permission from the landowner shall be required for signs that are proposed to be erected on property owned by an owner other than the owner of the use the sign is intended to serve. Signs located outside the public right-of-way shall be located no more than five feet from the edge of the right-of-way.

§ 1704 Signs Authorized in Residential Zoning Districts.

The following signs shall be permitted in all residential districts:

1704.1

Residential Plan Identification Sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated permanent wall or freestanding ground residential plan identification sign containing only the street address and/or name of a residential subdivision plan or multifamily building or development shall be permitted provided the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. A sign identifying the name of a residential subdivision may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall, rather than to a building wall, provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable ordinance requirements and does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the plan in compliance with the clear sight triangle required by § 1503.4. Such signs shall not be permitted within any public street right-of-way.

1704.2

Nonresidential Identification Sign. For any nonresidential use which is a legal nonconforming use or which is authorized as a conditional use or use by special exception in a Residential Zoning District, one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated wall or freestanding ground identification sign shall be permitted, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.

§ 1705 Signs Authorized in Commercial and Industrial Districts.

The following signs shall be permitted in all B-1, B-2 and M-1 Districts:

1705.1

Temporary Special Event Display. Temporary special event displays, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted provided that:

No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any establishment at any one time;

The temporary special event display signs shall be securely attached to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding pole business identification sign;

Temporary special event display signs shall be displayed for a period not exceeding 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively, in any twelve-month period;

The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event display signs shall not exceed 40 square feet per establishment. In the event that there is more than one establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate surface area of all temporary special event display signs on the site at any one time shall not exceed 100 square feet;

None of the restricted signs listed in § 1702.1 shall be used as temporary special event display signs; and

Temporary special event display signs shall be nonilluminated.

1705.2

Changeable Copy Sign.

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 wall of the building or to the supporting structure of an authorized freestanding sign on the lot. The combined surface area of the changeable copy sign and the business identification sign shall not exceed 40 square feet.

Automobile service stations may erect changeable copy signs advertising the prices of gasoline or other fuels, provided that:

(1)

Such signs are permanently mounted whether to the fuel pumps or to the supports of a canopy covering the fuel pumps;

(2)

Such signs shall not be erected higher than 12 feet above the ground;

(3)

There shall be no more than four sign faces per pump island;

(4)

The combined surface area of all such signs at each pump island does not exceed 24 square feet; and

(5)

Such signs may be nonilluminated or internally illuminated.

1705.3

Business Identification Sign.

Wall Signs.

(1)

In the B-1, B-2 and M-1 Districts, each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. The aggregate surface area of all wall signs for each business shall not exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building, or portion of the building, occupied by the business or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less.

(2)

The wall sign shall not be located on the roof nor extend above the height of the building.

Ground Signs. In addition to the wall signs, 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)

In planned shopping centers in the B-2 and M-1 Districts, the ground sign may contain the name of the shopping center and the names of several individual businesses in the shopping center provided the total surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.

(3)

In land developments other than planned shopping centers, the maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in the B-1 and B-2 Districts and shall not exceed 64 square feet in the M-1 District.

(4)

The height and location of the sign shall be designed so as to not interfere with visibility for vehicular traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling on any street, and in no case shall the total height exceed eight feet.

(5)

Ground signs shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated only. Internally illuminated ground signs shall not be permitted.

(6)

All freestanding ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way, the ground sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the right-of-way is not contiguous with the front lot line.

Pole Signs. In addition to the authorized wall signs, 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)

The pole sign shall be nonilluminated, indirectly illuminated or internally illuminated.

(3)

The maximum height of the top of the pole sign shall be 20 feet.

(4)

The minimum height of the bottom edge of the sign shall be eight feet.

(5)

In planned shopping centers in the B-1 and M-1 Districts, the pole sign may contain the name of the shopping center and the names of several individual businesses in the shopping center, provided the total surface area of the pole sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.

(6)

In land developments other than planned shopping centers, in the B-1, B-2 and M-1 Districts, the maximum surface area of the freestanding pole sign shall not exceed 40 square feet if there are fewer than three businesses on the lot and shall not exceed 64 square feet if there are three or more businesses on the lot. Neither dimension of such sign shall be less than five feet.

(7)

No portion of any sign shall project over any public right-of-way nor shall it be located within the clear sight triangle of any street intersection as defined by § 1503.4 of this chapter.

(8)

All freestanding pole signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from every property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way, the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the right-of-way is not contiguous with the front lot line.

Roof Signs. Roof signs shall be permitted only in place of a wall sign in the M-1 District. The surface area of a roof sign shall not exceed one square foot for each two lineal feet of width of the front wall of the building or a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less. Roof signs shall not project more than six feet above the highest point of the roof on which they are erected. Roof signs may be illuminated or nonilluminated.

Arcade Signs. In shopping centers or office complexes which have pedestrian accessways covered by a roof, marquee or exterior arcade, one arcade sign, as defined herein, shall be permitted for each business in the building located on the street level, provided that the maximum surface area of each sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

Canopy Signs. Canopy signs may be erected at the building entrance. Canopy signs shall not be illuminated. No more than one canopy sign shall be permitted for each building. The maximum height of the letters on a canopy sign shall be six inches.

Window Signs. The total area of all window signs on display at any one time, including temporary window promotional signs, shall not exceed 25% of the total area of the display window in which they are located. A series of windows which are separated by frames less than six inches in width shall be considered as a single window for the purpose of this computation.

§ 1706 Billboards.

Billboards shall not be permitted in any S-C, R-C or R Zoning District or in any B-2 or M-1 District. Billboards shall be permitted only as conditional uses on property located in the B-1 District following recommendation by the Planning Commission and a public hearing by the Board of Commissioners, provided all of the following requirements are met:

1706.1

Location. Billboards may be authorized as a conditional use only in the B-1 District, provided all of the following requirements are met:

Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of the boundary line of any R Zoning 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 centermost point of the billboard structure extending in all directions.

On interstate and limited access highways, billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of an interchange or safety rest area measured along the interstate or limited access highway from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled way.

Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed billboard structure of 750 feet. Required spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the centermost point of the billboard structure along a line extending from the centermost point of the billboard which is parallel to the centerline of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.

No billboard shall be located closer than 10 feet to any public street right-of-way.

The minimum side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal structure as set forth in the B-1 Zoning District shall apply to each billboard structure.

No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road or street, of any existing business identification sign, residential or nonresidential structure, or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements.

No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street or road on which it is situated, as defined by § 1503.4 of this chapter, and shall not in any case obstruct or impede traffic safety.

No sign shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.

Billboards shall not be part of a roof or wall nor shall they be mounted on the roof, wall or other part of a building or any other structure.

1706.2

Size and Height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 350 square feet per sign face. This gross surface area shall be permitted, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:

A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard structure which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90° or less.

The dimensions of the gross surface area of the billboard's sign face shall not exceed 10 feet in total height or 35 feet in total length, provided the total allowable gross surface area for the sign face is not exceeded.

A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 40 feet.

1706.3

Construction Methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Township Building Code, as now or hereafter adopted, and shall meet all of the following additional requirements:

A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support being a maximum of three feet in diameter or width and without additional bracing or vertical supports.

A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal which are galvanized or constructed of approved corrosive-resistant, noncombustible materials. Structures constructed with galvanized metal shall be painted.

The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face to be able to withstand a minimum one-hundred-mile-per-hour wind load. Structural design computations shall be made and certified by a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the Township with the application for conditional use.

The base shall be installed using a foundation and footings approved by the Township Engineer for the type of construction proposed.

The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of three feet placed in such manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.

Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.

No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.

All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.

A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum of 1.0 footcandle upon the adjoining property.

Display lighting shall not operate between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. prevailing local time.

No billboard structure, sign face or display lighting shall move, flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.

The use of colored lighting shall not be permitted.

1706.4

Maintenance.

A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every three years, unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.

Every 10 years the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania-registered engineer and shall provide to the Township a certificate from the engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.

Annual inspections of the billboard shall be conducted by the Township to determine compliance with this chapter. The owner shall pay an annual inspection fee, as established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.

Billboards found to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days upon proper notification by the Township issued in accordance with § 2001.2 of this chapter.

Billboards using removable paper or other materials shall be maintained in such condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material protruding or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any sign face is changed.

1706.5

Liability Insurance. The applicant for a sign permit to erect a billboard shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and property damage which holds the Township harmless. The amount of insurance to be maintained shall be determined and adjusted from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners. The insurance certificate shall contain a clause stating that the insurance shall not be canceled or reduced without first giving 10 days' notice to the Township.

1706.6

Permits.

Prior to submission of an application for a sign permit, the applicant for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application approvals from the Allegheny County Department of Aviation or the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.

Approval of the conditional use shall be valid for six months from the date of action by the Board of Commissioners granting the conditional use. If the applicant fails to obtain a sign permit for the approved billboard within the six-month period, approval of the conditional use shall expire automatically, without written notice to the applicant.

The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard which has been granted approval of a conditional use shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT) for billboards along state highways. If the applicant fails to submit evidence of the required approval by Penn DOT within 60 days of the issuance of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the Township Zoning Officer, who shall provide written notice to the applicant.

The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit, upon submission of evidence of Penn DOT approval, without payment of any additional sign permit fee, provided the application is filed within the six-month period during which the conditional use approval is valid.

1706.7

Application Fees. Said application shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount equal to that set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.

1706.8

Nonconforming Billboards.

Any billboard which does not conform to the requirements of this section shall not be enlarged or moved unless the billboard complies with all provisions of this section.

Any billboard which is damaged or destroyed by more than 51% of its replacement value at the time of damage or destruction shall be reconstructed only in compliance with all provisions of this § 1706.

§ 1707 Sign Permits.

No sign permit shall be required for real estate signs; nameplate signs; or official governmental street, road and traffic control signs. A sign permit shall be required prior to the erection or structural alteration of any other sign, either permanent or temporary. It shall be unlawful for any person to commence work for the erection or alteration of any sign until a permit has been issued.

1707.1

Application for Permit. All requests for sign permits shall be made in writing on a form furnished by the Township and shall include a full description of the proposed sign, a description of the lot upon which such proposed sign is to be located and a description of any other existing signs on the same lot.

All applications for a sign permit shall be accompanied by two copies of a drawing showing: width of sign; height of sign; gross surface area of sign; total height of sign above adjacent ground level; clearance between bottom most part of sign and ground level; distance between front edge of sign and adjacent street or road right-of-way; and distance between front edge of sign and inside edge of adjacent sidewalk, if applicable.

It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to review the application for completeness and compliance, request more information of the applicant or officially receive the application for the sign.

All applications for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a fee, to be based upon the fee schedule of the Township as provided for in § 2009 of this chapter, unless such requirement is waived by the Board of Commissioners.

1707.2

Issuance of Permit.

Applications for a sign permit shall be reviewed by the Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer shall issue findings or approve the application.

Upon approval of the sign permit, one copy of the permit shall be given to the applicant, and one copy of the permit shall be kept on file in the Township Office.

1707.3

Denial of Permit. In the event of denial, the Zoning Officer shall forward to the applicant a written statement containing the reason(s) for such denial and shall cite the specific requirements of this chapter that have not been met.

1707.4

Inspections.

For a permanent sign permit, the Zoning Officer, or his fully appointed representative, may make the following inspections on property which the permanent sign is to be located: prior to installation of the sign, following installation of the sign, occasionally to determine continued maintenance and compliance with this chapter, in response to any written complaint, whenever the sign is proposed to be replaced or modified and upon cessation of the use for which the sign was erected.

For a temporary sign permit, the Zoning Officer, or his fully appointed representative, may make inspection(s) to determine conformance with this chapter and other applicable Township ordinances and the suitability of the site for this use.

1707.5

Failure to Obtain a Sign Permit. Failure to obtain a sign permit shall be a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to enforcement remedies as provided in § 2001 of this chapter.