Homestead City Zoning Code
PART 9
Signs
§ 27-901 Application.
1.
Any sign hereafter erected, altered, painted, relocated, remodeled, enlarged or maintained shall comply with the provisions of this section and other applicable Borough ordinances. All signs, whether permanent or temporary, shall require zoning and occupancy certificates, issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
2.
Every authorized permanent sign shall be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition and repair. If any sign deteriorates to an unsightly or hazardous condition, the Zoning Officer shall order it repaired, replaced or removed in accordance with the procedure specified in § 27-1401.3 of this chapter.
3.
If a use ceases operation for a period of six months, all signs, including any supporting structures, shall be removed. If the signs are not removed, the Zoning Officer shall notify the owner, who shall have 30 days to remove the signs. Failure to comply with the order shall be a violation of this chapter.
5.
Expiration of permits. Any permit issued for the erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if the work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently pursued.
§ 27-902 Exemption.
The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this section, provided that the provisions of § 27-501.3C, Clear sight distances at intersections, shall apply:
1.
Address numerals.
2.
Traffic, directional, legal notices or similar instructional or regulatory signs erected by a unit or agency of government.
3.
Flags or similar emblems of a governmental, educational, religious or philanthropic organization, which are displayed on private property, provided that the flagpole or other supporting structure shall not exceed the applicable height limitations of the zoning district.
4.
Window displays, as defined herein, provided that they do not exceed 10% of the gross surface area of all windows in an establishment.
5.
Memorial or historical plaques, as defined herein.
6.
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays, provided that they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not in any other way become a public safety hazard.
§ 27-903 General regulations.
1.
Location/placement.
A.
All signs shall be located on the same lot containing the use or structure to which the sign relates, except for authorized billboards and off-premises directional signs, as defined herein.
B.
No sign mounted on a building shall project above the highest roof beams of a flat roof or the mean level of the highest gable or slope of a hip roof.
C.
No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or tree, whether on private or public property, unless specifically authorized by this chapter.
D.
No sign shall be erected at a street or driveway intersection in violation of § 27-501.3C, Clear sight distances at intersections.
E.
No sign shall be erected in or projecting over any public right-of-way unless specifically authorized by this chapter.
2.
Measurement of sign area.
A.
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed. One freestanding sign may include several signs that are all attached to one structure with the total sign area being the total area of all signs on the structure.
B.
The sign area shall not include any structurally supporting framework, bracing or clearly defined wooden framing if such area does not include any display, lettering or sign and if such area is clearly incidental to the sign area itself.
C.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle that includes all of the letters and symbols.
D.
In computing the permitted sign area of a sign with two sides, the permitted total sign area shall be based upon the sign area of only one side (the larger of any two if they differ).
E.
Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs are maximum sizes.
§ 27-904 Prohibited signs.
The following types of signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
1.
Flashing or animated signs, except time/temperature signs where authorized by this chapter.
2.
String pennants, flags or banners, other than as temporary signs where authorized by this chapter.
3.
Bare bulb or light strings or search lights.
4.
Sandwich board signs, other than as temporary signs.
5.
Portable or wheeled signs.
6.
Signs which by reason of color, shape, location or other characteristics, or signs that use admonitions such as "stop," "go," "slow" or "danger" which might be confused with legitimate traffic-control devices.
7.
Signs attached to autos, trucks, vans, trailers or similar vehicles, other than as temporary signs.
8.
Signs painted on walls, chimneys or roofs of a building or fences or walls.
9.
Roof signs.
§ 27-905 Illumination.
1.
Illuminated signs shall be designed and placed so as not to interfere with, distract or blind operators of motor vehicles or to create glare on adjacent properties.
2.
Signs may be illuminated either directly or indirectly in accordance with the regulations for the zoning district in which they are located.
A.
Directly illuminated sign. A sign designed to give forth artificial light directly (or through a transparent or artificial material) from a source of light internal to the sign, including neon and exposed lamp signs.
B.
Indirectly illuminated sign. A sign with a light or lights external to the sign, such that the light shines on or illuminates the sign and in such way that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the property.
§ 27-906 Double frontage, corner lots.
1.
Where a use fronts on more than one public street, it may locate one sign on each street frontage. Each sign shall comply with size and other applicable requirements. The permissible sign size for one frontage shall not be combined with that for the other frontage for the purpose of placing the combined sign area on one frontage.
2.
On a corner lot, an authorized real estate sign advertising the premises for sale or lease may be placed on each street frontage.
3.
Double-faced signs are permitted. In computing the 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.
§ 27-907 Permitted signs, all districts.
1.
The following signs are permitted in any zoning district subject to the stated requirements:
A.
Nameplate or identification sign not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet and attached to a wall of the structure, indicating the occupants of the structure, the name and occupation for a permitted home occupation or, in the case of a multiple-occupancy structure, the name of the building, the owner and/or management agency.
B.
Off-premises directional signs directing persons to the facilities of a nonprofit organization (e.g., church, school, park, hospital), not to exceed six square feet in area. Such signs may be erected on public or private property, including a utility pole, subject to the approval of the property owner.
C.
Directional signs.
(1)
On-premises directional signs displayed on private property, on lots containing two or more residential buildings or on any lot containing a nonresidential use.
(2)
On lots with areas less than one acre, a maximum of four directional signs, each of which shall not exceed four square feet in area shall be permitted.
(3)
On lots with areas of one acre or more, a maximum of six directional signs, each of which shall not exceed four square feet in area, shall be permitted on the first acre. For each additional acre or fraction thereof over one acre, two additional directional signs shall be permitted.
D.
"Warning," "no trespassing," "private property" or similar signs displayed on private property, not exceeding five square feet per sign. More than one sign is permitted on a zoning lot.
2.
The above-listed signs shall be nonilluminated in any residential district but may be either nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated in any other zoning district.
§ 27-908 Residential districts.
1.
Permitted signs and size limitations.
A.
Identification sign for a multifamily structure or development, subdivision (plan of lots), church, public building/use or recreational facility, not to exceed 20 square feet.
B.
Identification sign for a school, hospital or nursing home, not to exceed three square feet.
C.
Identification sign for a day-care center, personal care boarding home, group care facility or transitional dwelling, not to exceed 12 square feet.
2.
Regulations.
A.
All identification signs shall be flush-mounted wall signs, except that a church, recreational facility, public building/use, school, nursing home or hospital may have one freestanding sign as an alternative to a wall sign.
B.
Where authorized, a freestanding sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from any property line or public right-of-way and shall not exceed 10 feet in height (including sign and supporting structure).
C.
Signs located in R-1 and R-2 Districts shall be nonilluminated only; signs in the R-3 District may be either nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated.
D.
Any sign for a legal nonconforming commercial or industrial use in a residential district shall conform to the applicable standards for a sign in a C-1 District.
§ 27-909 C-1, C-2 and C-3 Districts.
1.
Permitted signs and size limitations.
A.
One identification sign for each business establishment which may be any one of the following:
(1)
A flush-mounted wall sign, not to exceed one square foot for every two feet of building frontage, but not more than 40 square feet.
(2)
An awning or canopy sign; a marquee sign in the C-2 District only.
(3)
A permanent window graphic, which is permanently painted or otherwise applied to a window, not exceeding more than 10% of the total window area.
(4)
A freestanding sign, not to exceed 20 square feet and subject to the provisions of § 27-909.2B.
(5)
Awning, canopy, wall-mounted or freestanding signs may be directly illuminated, indirectly illuminated or nonilluminated, except that in the C-1 District, backlit signs shall not be permitted, and neon signs shall be limited to business identification signs which are erected inside a window instead of on the wall of the building and which are intended to be viewed from the outside.
(6)
A projecting sign which does not exceed 12 square feet shall be permitted in the C-1 District, provided that a wall-mounted sign does not exist on the building or is not proposed to be erected. The projecting sign shall not be permitted to be directly illuminated.
(7)
Buildings in excess of 38,000 square feet may have signs that vary from the above standards when it can be demonstrated that special circumstances exist, subject to the approval of the Borough Council.
B.
Identification signs for a planned commercial development in the C-3 District in accordance with the following:
(1)
One freestanding sign which identifies the name of the development and/or individual business occupants, not to exceed one square foot for every two feet of building frontage in the development, but not more than 100 square feet.
(2)
In addition to the planned commercial development's principal identification sign, each business within the center may be a flush-mounted wall, awning or window sign in compliance with § 27-909.1A(1) through (3) above.
(3)
Signs may be directly illuminated, indirectly illuminated or nonilluminated.
C.
Identification signs for multifamily or townhouse dwellings, church, public uses/buildings, recreational facilities, group care facilities, personal care boarding homes, nursing homes or transitional dwellings shall comply with the requirements for an R-3 District.
2.
Regulations.
B.
When authorized, a freestanding sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from a street right-of-way and at 10 feet from any side lot line and shall not exceed 12 feet in height (including sign and supporting structure). A freestanding sign shall not be closer than 50 feet to another freestanding sign that is 12 square feet or more in area.
C.
Freestanding signs may be either nonilluminated or illuminated directly or indirectly.
§ 27-910 WDD.
1.
General.
A.
Maintenance.
(1)
All signs shall be properly maintained so as to present a legible appearance. All signs shall be maintained in good repair. All inoperative, broken, excessively weathered or faded signs shall be repaired or removed.
(2)
All temporary signs shall be removed at the expiration of the event or sale for which they were erected.
B.
Prohibited signs.
(1)
Flashing, animated or moving signs (other than electronic time/temperature) shall be permitted.
(2)
No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to be distractive or hazardous, or to obstruct visibility with respect to the safety of motorists or pedestrians proceeding along any public way, or entering or leaving a lot.
(3)
Banners, streamers, pennants, balloons or flags intended for decorative or ornamental use only. Flags intended to identify a use associated with a governmental, educational, religious or philanthropic organization shall be permitted, and flags and logos of area sports teams may be used if approved by the Borough when fully integrated into the design of the proposed establishment and when such use is consistent with the proposed use of an establishment.
(4)
Billboards.
C.
Vacation. All signs, other than the permitted "for sale" or "for rent" signs, shall be removed from the zoning lot within 30 days of the closing or vacation of any business formerly located in the WDD. Real estate signs may be permitted for a maximum period of six months, extendable upon application to the Borough.
D.
Exemptions. Traffic signs for all public and private streets, including but not limited to street names, stop signs and yield signs, shall be exempted from this § 27-910
E.
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs shall be permitted throughout the WDD.
F.
Overall development signs. Signs containing the name of the overall development may be located on the existing approximately two-hundred-fifty-foot-tall steel stack located west of the Homestead High Level Bridge and on monument signs, which shall be limited to 15 feet in height and located at major entrances to the WDD. Additional signs announcing the entire WDD development may be approved by the municipality.
G.
All signs (other than real estate, development and temporary signs) must be able to withstand at least one-hundred-mile-per-hour wind loads.
2.
Residential communities.
A.
The following signs shall be permitted in any residential community, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
Monument signs. No more than one such sign at each approved intersection. Each sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in total surface area per side and shall not exceed 10 feet in height or be closer than 10 feet to any public right-of-way. Letters shall not exceed 18 inches in height.
(2)
Identification signs. Not more than one such sign shall be permitted at each multifamily dwelling structure containing more than five dwelling units, clubhouse/leasing office or any recreational facility ancillary to a residential community. Each sign shall not exceed eight square feet in total surface area per side and shall not be closer than 10 feet to any property line. Such signs shall be permitted to display address information and hours of operation.
(3)
Illuminated signs. Externally or internally illuminated signs, provided that the lighting source is not visible from any right-of-way and no glare is generated by any such sign.
(4)
Directional signs. No more than two directional signs are permitted at each approved intersection. Any such directional sign may not exceed two square feet in total surface area.
(5)
Real estate signs. Real estate signs shall be limited to one such sign at each approved intersection and may be located in a required front yard. Such sign shall not exceed 10 square feet in total surface area, 10 feet in height and shall not be closer than five feet to any private property line or public right-of-way.
(6)
Development signs.
(7)
Other than real estate and development signs, signs shall not include identification of the owner, developer, builder or realtor.
B.
Exceptions. Signs may vary from the above standards when it can be demonstrated that special circumstances exist, subject to approval from the Borough.
3.
Commercial, office and industrial uses.
A.
Permitted sign area of each sign in a commercial, office or industrial use shall be 10% of the total area of the front building facade of that use (building height x building width x 0.10 = permitted sign area). Permitted sign area shall be increased by 25% for uses having frontage on more than one public right-of-way. Permitted sign area may be used for any of the following signs:
(1)
Flush-mounted wall sign. Not to exceed 75% of the total permitted sign area. Such signs may be located on any wall and shall be architecturally integrated into the overall design of the building.
(2)
Pylon signs. Individual user/tenant panels shall not exceed 250 square feet of sign area per side. Such signs shall be limited to users/tenants situated on parcels equal to or greater than three acres in size. There shall be no more than one pylon sign at each approved intersection.
(3)
Monument signs. These shall be limited to 50 square feet of sign area per side per each street frontage. Such signs shall be limited to users/tenants situated on parcels less than three acres in size.
(4)
Menu boards. In addition to other signs, a fast-food restaurant may provide a menu board for drive-through customers. A menu board shall not be located within the required front yard setback area, shall not exceed 20 square feet in total surface area and shall not impede the safe flow of traffic.
(5)
Automobile service stations.
(a)
Not more than two price signs may be attached to the permitted monument sign. The area of these signs shall be included in the total permitted sign surface area. The total surface area of all monument signs for each automobile service station in the WDD shall not exceed 50 square feet per side.
(b)
Additional signs are permitted on the canopy above the gasoline pump islands, provided that they do not extend beyond the edge of the canopy and are no higher than the height of the canopy at its highest point. The total surface area of all permitted monument and canopy signs shall not exceed 200 square feet.
(c)
State inspection shingles, where applicable, shall not exceed 24 inches by 26 inches in dimension and may be flush-mounted on the structure.
B.
The following signs shall be permitted but will not count towards permitted sign area.
(1)
Protruding no greater than 10 square feet.
(2)
Development signs.
(3)
Temporary signs. Temporary signs may be permitted for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive calendar days and not more than 28 calendar days in any one calendar year. There shall be no limit as to the number or size of temporary signs, except that such signs must be located on the lot of the establishment whose opening, sale or ownership is being advertised, and that such signs shall not constitute a hazard or impediment to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(4)
Directional signs. No more than two directional signs are permitted at each approved intersection. Any such directional sign may not exceed two square feet in total surface area.
(5)
Awning signs. Signs on awnings are exempt from the limitations imposed by this § 27-910 regarding the location of the signs with respect to an approved intersection. An awning sign shall be affixed flat to the surface of the awning, shall not be illuminated and shall indicate only the name and/or address of the business and shall otherwise conform to the regulations outlined under this § 27-910.
(6)
Marquee signs. One such sign shall be permitted for each use and shall not exceed one foot in depth or five square feet in area per side.
(7)
Real estate signs. These shall be permitted for each use, may be located in a required front yard and shall be limited to 10 square feet in area per side and shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line.
C.
Pylon signs shall be limited to 500 square feet of total sign area per side in size. Notwithstanding any other provision of this § 27-910, no more than four pylon signs in the WDD within the Borough of Homestead and no pylon sign shall exceed the maximum height of 60 feet.
D.
Monument signs shall be limited to 50 square feet of total sign area per side on no more than two sides and a maximum height of 10 feet.
E.
Exceptions. Signs may vary from the above standards when it can be demonstrated that special circumstances exist, subject to approval from the Borough.
4.
Location of signs.
A.
All portions of pylon signs shall be set back a minimum of 30 feet from any approved intersection and right-of-way.
B.
All portions of monument signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any approved intersection and right-of-way.
C.
A sign shall be placed so as not to interfere with the safe, regular and orderly flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
D.
Flush-mounted signs shall be permitted on all sides of a building, provided that they are in conformance with the requirements contained herein.
E.
Monument signs shall be permitted in any yard area, provided that they are in conformance with the requirements contained herein.
5.
Illumination.
A.
Indirectly illuminated signs are permitted, provided that the lighting source for indirectly illuminated signs shall not be visible to vehicular traffic on public or private roads.
B.
Internally illuminated signs are permitted. No glare shall be generated by any such sign.
C.
Electronic time/temperature signs are permitted subject to the other regulations of this chapter.
§ 27-911 Billboards.
1.
Permitted location and size.
A.
Billboards, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted in the C-1 and C-3 Districts only.
B.
The size of any one billboard shall be limited to a maximum area on one square foot of sign area for every foot of property frontage on the street right-of-way, but in no case shall the sign area exceed 300 square feet.
2.
Regulations.
A.
A sign structure shall contain no more than one billboard.
B.
No billboard shall project above the ridge line of a sloping roof or the eave line of a flat roof, if attached to a building.
C.
No billboard shall exceed 35 feet in height if freestanding, as measured at ground level at the base of the sign.
D.
No billboard shall be closer than 500 feet to any other billboard, church, school, recreational facility (public or nonprofit), residential district or located in such a way that the advertising face is visible from a residential district.
E.
No billboard shall be painted directly on the wall of any building.
F.
There shall be no more than one billboard structure placed on a zoning lot.
G.
No billboard shall be located within 100 feet of the nearest edge of any street right-of-way, except that any billboard located along and visible from a highway which is designated as part of the federal interstate or primary aid highway system shall comply with the applicable state regulations for outdoor advertising signs and shall obtain the required permits from PennDOT.
H.
All applications for the erection of a billboard shall be accompanied by evidence of property ownership or a lease or other permission from the landowner to erect the billboard.
I.
Billboards may be illuminated subject to the following:
(1)
Flashing, moving or intermittent light or lights are prohibited.
(2)
Signs shall not cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
(3)
Signs shall not be illuminated so as to interfere with the effectiveness or obscure an official traffic sign, device or signal.
J.
Billboards which use 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.
K.
The vertical supports shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face 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 Borough with the application for the permit to erect or alter the sign.
§ 27-912 Temporary signs.
Temporary signs, including real estate, special event and political signs, development, temporary, as defined herein, shall be permitted subject to the following requirements:
1.
Permits shall not be required for any temporary sign, except the temporary special event display.
2.
No temporary sign shall be illuminated.
3.
One 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, provided that the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet, and provided that the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 15 days and is removed within five days following the event that it is erected to promote.
4.
Temporary special event displays, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted for retail establishments, provided that:
A.
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any establishment at any one time.
B.
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.
C.
Temporary special event display signs shall be displayed for a period not exceeding 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively, in any six-month period.
D.
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event display signs shall not exceed 40 square feet per establishment.
E.
Portable or wheeled signs shall not be considered temporary special event display signs.
5.
One temporary real estate sign or development sign advertising the sale or lease of the property on which the sign is located shall be permitted, provided that the surface area of any sign shall not exceed six square feet in any residential zoning district or 32 square feet in any other zoning district. Such signs shall be removed within 30 days of the sale, lease or completion of development of the property.
6.
One temporary construction sign announcing the names of contractors, mechanics and/or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided that the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work.
7.
Temporary political signs erected during a political campaign shall be permitted, provided that they are not of a type restricted by § 27-904 of this Part, and provided that the surface area of such signs shall not exceed four square feet, and the signs shall be removed within five days after the election for which they were erected.