Greene Township Beaver County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
SIGN REQUIREMENTS
§ 153.180 AUTHORITY.
Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this subchapter and any and all other ordinances and regulations of this township which may be applicable.
(2003 Code, § 170-36) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993)
§ 153.181 EXCLUSIONS.
The following signs shall be permitted in all districts and shall not be subject to the provisions of this subchapter unless otherwise specifically cited herein:
(A) Signs of a duly constituted local, state or federal governmental body, including traffic or similar safety and regulatory devices, legal notices, railway warning signals, memorial signs or tablets. (Note: no zoning permit required.);
(B) Small signs with a surface area not exceeding three square feet, displayed for the direction or convenience of the public which identify landmarks, parking areas, convenience facilities and similar features. (Note: No zoning permit required.); and
(C) One temporary nonlighted sign on a construction site, not exceeding an area of 32 square feet, denoting engineer, architect, contractor or funding agencies and related information regarding the development. (Note: No zoning permit required.)
(2003 Code, § 170-37) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993)
§ 153.182 PERMITTED SIGNS IN A-1, R-1 AND R-2 DISTRICTS.
In the A-1, R-1 and R-2 Districts, the following requirements shall apply.
(A) The following signs shall be permitted:
(1) One permanent identification sign for each dwelling unit, which may cite the name of the occupant, address and other distinguishing features of the structure or property. Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in area. (Note: no zoning permit required.);
(2) One temporary nonlighted real estate sign pertaining to the sale, lease, hire or rental of property on which the sign is displayed, not to exceed six square feet in area. (Note: no zoning permit required.);
(3) One announcement sign designating a bed-and-breakfast, professional uses, group residential facilities, day-care or home occupations, provided all such signs shall be limited to four square feet in area;
(4) One permanent announcement sign erected by churches, schools, hospitals, funeral homes, cemeteries, municipal facilities, business activities or similar permitted uses, which may include any appropriate message, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area;
(5) Temporary signs advertising a garage sale, political campaign, street fair or other temporary activity, or a temporary sign directing persons to the location of such activity. Signs shall not be placed sooner than 30 days prior to, and shall be removed within seven days of, termination of the activity. Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. (Note: no zoning permit required.);
(6) Signs relating to the sale of farm products produced on the premises in A-1 Districts and temporary signs relating to the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises in residential districts. Such signs shall be displayed only when seasonal sales are taking place and removed when not applicable. Said signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. (Note: no zoning permit required.); and
(7) Signs for private and commercial recreation in A-1 Districts shall be established in accordance with the following requirements.
(a) Signs shall be limited to the immediate site.
(b) Signs shall relate only to the activities at the immediate site.
(c) There shall be no more than two signs at each business site.
(d) Individual signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(e) Signs mounted or painted on a wall, canopy or other portion of a principal site structure shall not protrude more than 18 inches beyond the wall on which said signs are mounted.
(B) Signs in all A and R Districts shall be located a minimum distance of four feet from the street or road right-of-way if no sidewalk exists, and two feet from the inside edge of the walk, if such a walk exists.
(C) The bottommost part of a sign shall not be more than two feet above ground level, except signs attached to a building. No sign shall project above a roof or be mounted on a building above the eave line of a roof or extend above a public sidewalk.
(2003 Code, § 170-38) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993)
§ 153.183 PERMITTED SIGNS IN C-1, C-2 AND I DISTRICTS.
In the commercial and industrial districts, the following requirements shall apply.
(A) The following signs shall be permitted:
(1) Temporary signs not exceeding six square feet in area advertising the sale or rental or development of property. (No zoning permit required.); and
(2) Signs advertising business conducted or services, material or equipment for sale on the premises.
(B) Business signs shall have an aggregate area not greater than one and one-half square feet for each foot of width of the principal building on the premises.
(1) Individual signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(2) Signs shall be located a minimum distance of ten feet from the street right-of-way line.
(3) No sign shall be mounted on a building above the eave line of a roof, or extend above a public sidewalk or vehicular right-of-way.
(2003 Code, § 170-39) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993)
§ 153.184 SIGNS IN SHOPPING CENTERS AND INTEGRATED BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
Business signs established for shopping centers and integrated business and industrial areas shall meet the following criteria.
(A) Total combined maximum area of all free-standing pole signs and/or ground signs:
(1) For facilities with highway frontage of between 150 lineal feet and 250 lineal feet the following requirements shall apply:
Frontage (linear feet) | Maximum Sign Area (square feet) |
150—200 | 300 |
201—500 | 400 |
(2) Five hundred square feet maximum at facilities with highway frontage in excess of 250 lineal feet.
(B) Signs per unit of use, affixed to the subject premises, within the site shall be limited to one square foot of sign area per lineal foot of frontage, up to a maximum of 100 square feet of sign area.
(C) Signs shall be located a minimum distance of 25 feet from the public street right-of-way line.
(D) No sign shall be set closer than 50 feet of a rear or side property line.
(2003 Code, § 170-40) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993)
§ 153.185 PORTABLE OR MOBILE SIGNS.
Portable or mobile signs and other similar advertising displays for special sales, announcements and related purposes shall be subject to the following provisions.
(A) Display area of temporary signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Said area may be in addition to maximum areas specified in this subchapter.
(B) No portion of the sign or its supporting structure shall occupy a public right-of-way.
(C) Permits for the placement of such signs shall be issued for a maximum of 90 consecutive days and may be renewed no more than one time during any consecutive 365-day period.
(2003 Code, § 170-41) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993)
§ 153.186 BUSINESS LOCATION SIGNS.
Signs erected to announce the general location of business sites that are not contiguous to nor visible from designated arterial routes shall be subject to the following.
(A) Location and siting shall be subject to the following provisions.
(1) Signs shall be permitted only in the A-1, C-1, C-2 and I Zoning Districts.
(2) Signs shall be limited to locations adjacent to U.S. Route 30 and Pennsylvania Routes 168 and 151.
(3) Written approval of landowners shall be required prior to erection of the sign on any property.
(4) Signs shall not be erected within a highway right-of-way.
(5) Signs shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from all right-of-way lines.
(6) Signs shall not be permitted within 50 feet of a road intersection.
(7) Signs shall not be erected within 100 feet of any existing residence or the boundary of R-1 or R-2 Zoning Districts.
(8) Signs shall not obscure traffic sight lines or highway traffic control signs and signals.
(9) A minimum distance of 100 feet shall be maintained between business directional sign installations.
(10) The density (spacing) of business directional signs shall not exceed three signs within any given 1,000 lineal feet of highway right-of-way.
(11) Signs should not exceed a height of eight feet above the average cartway surface elevation of the adjacent roadway directly opposite from the mounting sight.
(B) Sign format shall be subject to the following provisions.
(1) No sign shall be artificially illuminated or contain motion animation devices.
(2) Signs shall have a reflectorized white legend and border on a reflectorized green background or a black legend on a reflectorized white background.
(3) Not more than three business names shall be included on each sign.
(4) Sign sizes shall be limited to the following criteria.
(a) Single line destination sign shall be 72 inches by 12 inches.
(b) Double line designation sign shall be 72 inches by 24 inches.
(c) Triple line designation sign shall be 72 inches by 36 inches.
(2003 Code, § 170-42) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993; Ord. 3-99, passed 11-11-1999)
§ 153.187 BILLBOARDS.
Business signs shall be permitted only when in conjunction with a business or industry located on the immediate premises, except for billboards. Billboards may be permitted as a conditional use when approved by the Board of Supervisors after submission, review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and further provided the following requirements are met.
(A) Location.
(1) Billboards shall not be erected within 50 feet of the right-of-way line of a public road.
(2) Billboards shall be limited to A-1 Agricultural; C-2 Highway Commercial; I Industrial; and C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Overlay.
(3) Billboards shall not be erected within 100 feet of the boundary line of any R-1 or R-2 District or within 200 feet of the property line of any public or private school or church property.
(B) Size and height.
(1) Billboards shall have a maximum allowable cross surface area of 300 square feet per sign face. An advertising sign may have a maximum of two sign faces per billboard structure. As used in this section, SIGN FACE shall mean the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem or any figure or similar character together with any frame or other material, excluding necessary supports or uprights upon which such sign is placed. For signs utilizing individual letters or figures or characters mounted directly on a wall or a structure, the sign face shall be the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the writing, representation or other communication material.
(2) The billboard’s surface area shall not exceed 20 feet in total height or 40 feet in total length.
(3) Billboard structures shall be limited to a maximum height or 40 feet above the curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed.
(C) Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the township code of ordinances. In addition thereto:
(1) A billboard shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal that are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust and corrosion or of some other durable material that is protected from deterioration;
(2) Vertical supports shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face to be able to withstand a minimum 80 mph wind load;
(3) All grading shall be in accordance with the township ordinances;
(4) No bare cuts are permitted on a hillside;
(5) All cuts or fills must be permanently seeded or planted.
(6) A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not glare upon adjoining property and shall not exceed a maximum footcandle of 1.5 upon the adjoining property;
(7) No billboard or display lighting shall move, flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distraction, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties;
(8) The minimum front, side or rear yard requirements applying to a principal use as set forth within a zoning district in which the billboard is to be located shall apply to each structure;
(9) No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road or street of any existing business sign, logo sign, residential or nonresidential structure;
(10) No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street or road on which it is situated and shall not in any case obstruct or impede traffic safety;
(11) The density (spacing) of billboard placement, regardless of the size of individual installations, shall not exceed two billboards per each lineal mile of public right-of-way; and
(12) Billboards may not be mounted on the roof, wall or other part of a building or any other structure.
(D) Maintenance.
(1) The aesthetic quality of billboards shall be maintained at all times.
(2) Every three years the owner of a billboard shall have a structural inspection made of each such sign by a qualified state registered engineer or architect and shall provide to the township a written certificate and report from the engineer or architect certifying that each advertising sign is structurally sound.
(3) Billboards found to be in violation of this or any other township ordinance shall be brought into compliance therewith or removed within 30 days upon written notification by the township.
(4) 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.
(E) Permits. No billboard shall be erected without first obtaining a permit from the township and any other approvals, including but not limited to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Applications for permits shall be issued in the name of all owners of the real estate on which the billboard is erected and the owner of the sign.
(F) Presently existing advertising signs.
(1) No billboard existing in the township as of the effective date of this chapter shall be expanded in any manner except as may be otherwise provided in this section.
(2) In the event a presently existing billboard is removed and a replacement sign is erected in its place, said replacement sign must be built in complete conformity with this section.
(3) Permits for the placement of such signs shall be issued for a maximum of 90 consecutive days and may be renewed no more than one time during any consecutive 365-day period.
(2003 Code, § 170-43) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993; Ord. 3-99, passed 11-11-1999; Ord. 2-2011, passed 3-7-2011) Penalty, see § 153.999
§ 153.188 GENERAL STANDARDS.
The following standards shall apply to signs in all zoning districts of the township.
(A) No sign shall be located or constructed to obstruct or interfere with any traffic control signal, sign, device or intersection sight triangle.
(B) All signs shall be constructed of durable materials; shall be kept in good condition and repair; and shall not be permitted to become unsightly or dilapidated.
(C) No sign shall be permitted that is deemed to constitute a hazard of any kind.
(D) Signs shall not be attached to utility poles except when authorized for public purposes by the pole owner.
(E) A sign shall be removed within 30 days when the circumstances that led to its erection no longer apply or if safety violations occur. Circumstances that dictate sign removal shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The creation of a safety hazard;
(2) Dilapidation;
(3) Vacancy or termination of the subject business for more than 90 days;
(4) Legal transfer of ownership of a property that involves a change of name or business activity;
(5) The completion of an event, business transaction or other activity for which the sign was originally installed; and
(6) Any illegality under the provisions of this chapter or regulation of a duly constituted governmental authority.
(2003 Code, § 170-44) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993; Ord. 3-99, passed 11-11-1999)
§ 153.189 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.
(A) A zoning permit shall be required for the erection of signs under this chapter, except that no permit shall be required for the following exclusions:
(1) Signs specified under § 153.181 of this chapter.
(2) Signs specified under § 153.182(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(5) and (A)(6) of this chapter.
(3) Signs specified under § 153.183(A)(1) of this chapter.
(B) Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by a drawing to scale showing the proposed sign, the size, general characteristics, method of illumination, the exact location of the sign in relation to the lot and structure involved and other data as may be required by the Zoning Officer.
(C) A fee shall accompany each application for a permit. Such fees shall be established by resolution of the Township Board of Supervisors.
(2003 Code, § 170-45) (Ord. 2-93, passed 5-4-1993; Ord. 3-99, passed 11-11-1999)