Latrobe City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Signs
[Amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-23]
§ 166-37 Purpose of article.
The purpose of this article is to regulate the display of various classes of signs within each zoning district of the City of Latrobe. Signage shall be subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 151.
§ 166-38 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AREA OF A SIGN
The square foot area computed as nearly as possible as a rectangular area including all portions of the actual or implied face of the sign as well as structural trim.
BANNER
A non-rigid cloth, plastic, paper, canvas, or other non-rigid material sign typically related to a special event or promotion.
BANNER FLAG
A flag hung as a banner, not on a flag pole.
BILLBOARD/OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An off-premises sign is a sign displaying advertising copy that pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises on which the sign is located.
BUILDING WRAP SIGN
A sign composed of fabric, plastic, vinyl, Mylar or a similar pliable material that drapes, wraps or hangs over the side of a building, wall or window.
BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN
An on-premises sign is a sign identifying the establishment and/or advertising goods or services sold or produced on the premises on which the sign is located.
ELECTRONIC SIGNS
Any sign, video display, projected image, or similar device or portions thereof with text, images, or graphics generated by solid state electronic components. Electronic signs include, but are not limited to, signs that use light emitting diodes (LED), plasma displays, fiber optics, or other technology that results in bright, high-resolution text, images, and graphics.
ERECT
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
FACE OF A SIGN
That area of a sign contained with the structural trim, or if there is no structural trim, which forms the background for the placement of lettering or other insignias of advertising.
FLAG
A piece of cloth, varying in size, shape, color and design, usually attached at on edge to a staff or cord, and used as the symbol of a nation, state or organization.
GROUND SIGN
A sign placed on the ground with that portion of the sign structure which provides support planted firmly into the ground or attached to a base planted firmly into the ground and not attached to any building, also known as a "monument sign."
MAJOR PUBLIC DESTINATION FACILITY
Major public destination facility means a structure providing as its primary use cultural services, public assembly, recreation, sports and entertainment facilities and having Indoor or outdoor seating to accommodate a minimum of 1,000 people at a single event.
MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Memorial plaques includes commemorative cornerstones, name plates and historical markers shall mean a sign or wall plaque bearing only the name of the owner, the name or use of the structure and its occupants, the date of erection of the structure or reading matter commemorating a person, event or significance of the location.
MONUMENT SIGN
See "ground sign."
OFF-SITE DIRECTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL SIGN
A pole sign which directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises where the sign is displayed.
POLE SIGN
"Pole sign" shall mean any sign attached to a pole or poles, which pole or poles are firmly planted into the ground, causing the suspension of said sign off the ground.
ROOF
The upper surface of building extensions of permanent construction having structural supports to the ground and protruding over pedestrian cartways, and may be used as a sign base, provided its structural strength can be clearly demonstrated.
ROOF SIGN
A sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building.
SIGN
Includes every sign, ground sign, pole sign, wall sign, wall plaque, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, marquee, awning and canopy containing lettering or other advertising and shall include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind when the same is placed for outdoor viewing by the general public. The term "sign" shall further include all articles, matters or devices, whether or not containing lettering or advertising material, which have as their major purposes the attraction of patrons or calling attention to the business premises. When such articles are arranged in series of strings, such as strings of pennants, each string or article of pennants shall be treated as a separate sign. A sign shall include the painting of letters, numbers, characters or other renderings upon the surface of a window or an exterior wall of the structure. If such a sign is utilized by the property owner, then and in that event, the sign shall be shall treated and deemed to be a wall sign and shall be governed by the provisions for wall signs hereinafter set forth.
STREET FRONTAGE
The length of any boundary line of a parcel or contiguous parcels of ground owned by one entity, expressed in linear feet, which abuts upon a street. Excluded from the meaning of "street" are alleyways.
STRUCTURAL TRIM
The molding, battens, cappings, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
WALL
The parapet above any wall of a building and may be used as a sign base, provided its structural strength can be clearly demonstrated.
§ 166-39 Purpose of sign limitations.
It is the purpose of the sign limitations hereinafter set forth to assure that signs will:
A.
Be appropriate to the land, building or use to which they are appurtenant; and, be adequate but not excessive for the intended purposes and uses, and for the permitted purposes and uses hereinafter set forth. With respect to signs advertising business uses, such regulations have been devised after considering, among other matters, shopping habits, extent of trade area, means of access to such uses, affect upon adjacent property owners; such regulations being specifically intended, among other things, to avoid excessive competition among sign displays and their demand for public attention.
B.
In addition to the rules and regulations of this Article VIII, all signs in the City of Latrobe shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 85, § 85-7, thereof. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Article VIII and the provisions of the aforementioned Chapter 85, then the provision which establishes the highest standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail.
C.
An erection permit shall be secured for the establishment, major alteration, or moving of any type of exterior sign hereinafter set forth in this article (except real estate signs).
D.
No sign for exterior viewing as hereinafter set forth in this article which was established before the effective date of this chapter shall be (except when ordered by the Zoning Officer as a safety measure) altered in any respect, or moved unless it be made to conform to the provisions of this chapter.
E.
Maintenance and replacement of parts of frames on such signs may be permitted upon application to the Zoning Officer; provided, however, that the size of the sign may not be increased.
F.
All transparent or translucent sign surfaces shall be made of either safety glass or other safety materials. Any safety glass or safety material forming a part of any sign shall be at least 1/4 inch thick.
G.
Signs of architects, contractors, engineers, mechanics, painters, not exceeding 12 square feet in area, may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which such signs are erected, but shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work.
§ 166-40 General requirements.
A.
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(1)
Computation of area of individual signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets Land Use Ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
(2)
Computation of area of multifaced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
(3)
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the vertical distance from the ground/sidewalk at the base of the sign, or any supporting structure of the sign, to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
(4)
Computation of maximum total permitted sign area for a land use district. The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs in a zone shall be computed by applying the formulas in §§ 166-42 and 166-53 to the lot frontage, building frontage or wall area, as appropriate, for the land use district in which the lot is located. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted sign area for each street frontage.
(5)
The Zoning Officer may require calculations by an architect or engineer certifying the stability of a sign, with reference to dead load and wind stress capabilities when a sign is over 25 square feet in area or, in the case of ground sign, whose height is greater than 10 feet, or a sign which weighs in excess of 100 pounds.
(6)
Any sign damaged by inclement weather which shall have proven itself unsafe may not be restored in kind without engineering data as required in Subsection A(5) above.
§ 166-41 Signs in residential zones.
In R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 District, only the following exterior signs shall be permitted:
A.
One sign not exceeding three square feet in area, used to display and identify only the name of the individual profession, organization, or institution occupying the premises, which sign can be of any of the following types:
(1)
Ground sign;
(2)
Wall sign;
(3)
Wall plaque;
(4)
Projecting/hanging sign; or
(5)
As provided for in §§ 166-47 and 166-48.
B.
A sign for each street frontage not exceeding 12 square feet in area in connection with a multiple-family dwelling, a hospital, or sanitarium, a funeral home, or a tourist home, used to identify only the name of the structure.
C.
Hospital signs in an R-4 Zone which exceed in size in square foot area are the criteria established for an R-4 Zone sign that are less than the criteria for similar signs in a commercial or industrial zone, shall be a special exception use subject to review and approval by the Zoning Hearing Board. Any other deviation by hospital signs from the provisions of Article VIII shall be by variance only.
§ 166-42 Signs in commercial and industrial zones.
[Amended 6-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-1]
In C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I-1 and I-2 Districts, the following exterior signs shall be permitted:
A.
A business identification sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold, or offered upon the premises, including those listed in § 166-41A.
B.
Billboards and off-premises advertising ground or pole signs advertising a business commodity, service, or entertainment, which is conducted, sold, or offered on property other than that on which the sign is located may be erected in the C-4, I-1 and I-2 Districts only.
(1)
Billboards and off-premises advertising signs shall be set back a minimum of 40 feet from the street right-of-way line; a minimum setback line of 200 feet from a residential zone, and 200 feet from any building or other sign so defined, on the same side of the public right-of-way.
(2)
A billboard or off-premises advertising sign shall have a maximum area of one square foot for every foot of property frontage on the public right-of-way, with a maximum of 225 cumulative square feet distributed over no more than any combination of three ground or pole signs situate on any parcel or contiguous parcels of ground owned by one entity.
(3)
All billboards and off-premises advertising signs shall be identified on the structure with the name of the owner of such sign.
C.
Wall signs.
(1)
"Wall sign" shall mean a sign placed permanently attached to a surface of the building.
(2)
The bottom edge of any wall sign shall be at a height of not less than 10 feet above the sidewalk or ground. No wall sign shall cover wholly or partially any wall opening, nor project beyond the ends or tops of the wall to which it is attached.
(3)
The exterior face of any wall sign shall not protrude more than 12 inches from the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
The cumulative size of all wall signs upon any parcel or contiguous parcels of land owned by one entity shall be limited to no more than 60 square feet.
(5)
The maximum height of the top of all wall signs is 30 feet.
(6)
Wall signs shall not extend above the parapet or bottom of the roof line of any building.
(7)
All wall signs shall be securely built and constructed and erected on a wall by noncorrosive metal anchors, bolts, or expansion screws at least 1/2 inch in diameter and sunk into the wall at least five inches. In no case shall any wall sign be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails.
D.
Roof signs.
(1)
Roof signs shall not be permitted.
E.
Ground and pole signs.
(1)
"Ground sign" and "monument sign" shall mean a sign placed on the ground with that portion of the sign structure which provides support planted firmly into the ground or attached to a base planted firmly into the ground and not attached to any building. "Pole sign" shall mean any sign attached to a pole or poles, which pole or poles are firmly planted into the ground, causing the suspension of said sign off the ground.
(2)
Height requirements.
(a)
The uppermost edge of any ground sign shall not exceed six feet in height, or four feet in height for a corner lot.
(b)
The uppermost edge of any pole sign shall not be higher than 24 feet from ground level and the minimum height of the bottom edge shall be 10 feet above ground level.
(c)
All ground or pole signs shall be securely built and constructed and erected on the ground with poles or posts sunk at least three feet below the surface of the surrounding ground and grouted with concrete for its full depth, or by some other method which provides equivalent support as approved by the Zoning Officer.
(3)
Ground and pole signs shall conform to all minimum setback requirements.
(4)
Ground signs may be part of required screening or barrier.
(5)
The square foot area of ground or pole signs shall be limited to one square foot of sign are for every one linear foot of property frontage on a public right-of-way; but no ground or pole sign shall be permitted to exceed a cumulative area of 225 square feet for any parcel or contiguous parcel of ground owned by one entity.
(6)
The cumulative square footage of ground or pole sign area permitted above may be divided between a maximum of two ground signs, or two pole signs or one ground and one pole sign. The distance in linear feet separating the two signs being a minimum distance equal to the square foot area of the larger sign.
(7)
Properties whose frontage exceeds 225 linear feet may add one square foot of sign area to the 225-square-foot maximum hereinabove described in Subsection E(5) for every 10 feet or fraction thereof, which is in excess of 225 linear feet of frontage.
(8)
Subsection E(5), (6) and (7) may be applied to each street frontage of a particular property, i.e., double- or triple-frontage properties.
(9)
Pole signs are prohibited in the Downtown Destination Overlay District as identified in Exhibit "A," attached hereto.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Exhibit "A" is on file in the City offices.
F.
Projecting signs and hanging signs.
(1)
"Projecting sign" shall mean a sign attached to a building and extending away or hanging from the surface or portion of the building to which it is attached at an angle of 90°.
(2)
"Hanging sign" shall mean a sign attached by rope, cable, or chain or other flexible means of support to a bracket or other type of support anchored to the building to which to is attached such that the hanging sign shall extend parallel to the building face and shall have the ability to swing freely from its anchor. A hanging sign shall include a banner made of plastic or other similar material.
(3)
Projecting and hanging signs shall be attached to a building, the bottom edge of which will not be less than 10 feet above ground level or a pedestrian cartway. A plastic banner shall not be required to adhere to this provision.
(4)
In the case of illuminated projecting and hanging signs with integral illumination and/or electrical fixtures, the minimum height of the bottom edge shall be 10 feet above ground level.
(5)
Projecting and hanging signs shall not protrude more than six feet beyond the building face; providing, however, that no part thereof shall overhang any portion of a sidewalk within 18 inches of the outer curbline.
(6)
Projecting and hanging signs shall be limited to a cumulative maximum area of 30 square feet for all such signs attached to any building on any parcel, or contiguous parcels of land owned by the same entity.
(7)
All projecting and hanging signs shall be securely built and constructed and shall be attached to masonry walls with noncorrosive expansion bolts of the proper size, the bolts to be extended through the wall with a proper size metal washer or plate on the inside of the wall.
G.
Awnings, marquees and canopies.
(1)
"Marquee signs" shall mean signs placed on the edge of any hood or permanent construction projecting from the wall of a building above an entrance to the building, and not having supports to the ground or sidewalks.
(2)
"Awning or canopy signs" shall mean any structure made of cloth, fiberglass, metal or any other substance, attached to a frame secured to a building and containing lettering or other advertising material; or any structure made of cloth, fiberglass, metal or any other substance attached to a metal frame secured to a building, and carried by supports extending to the ground or sidewalk, and containing lettering or other advertising materials.
(3)
Advertising on awnings and canopies shall be limited to the name of the owner and the business, industry, or pursuit conducted therein, painted or otherwise permanently placed in a space not exceeding 12 inches in height on the front and side portions thereof only.
(4)
No illuminated sign shall be permitted in awnings or canopies.
(5)
Signs shall be attached to the front and sides of marquees and shall not project beyond the edges of the marquee, nor extend more than 10 inches horizontally from the surface of the marquee.
H.
Portable, sandwich board or A-frame. Signs that comply with the requirements in this subsection shall not be included in the determination of the area of signs allowed on a property and shall not require a permit.
(1)
Number: One portable, sandwich board or a-frame signs is permitted per establishment entrance. For the purposes of this subsection, a parking garage or parking lot shall be considered an establishment.
(2)
Each sign shall have a maximum area of seven square feet per sign face and a maximum height of 3.5 feet.
(3)
The use and display of portable, sandwich board or a-frame signs shall be permitted only during business hours.
(4)
Sign placement.
(a)
If a sign is located on a public or private sidewalk, a minimum of 48 inches of unobstructed sidewalk clearance must be maintained between the sign and any building or other obstruction.
(b)
The sign must be located on the premises, and within 12 feet of the primary public entrance, of the establishment it advertises. For the purposes of this subsection, a public entrance includes a vehicular entrance into a parking garage or parking lot.
(c)
Portable signs shall be weighted, temporarily secured, or strategically placed so as to avoid being carried away by high winds.
I.
Window signs: A maximum of 25% of the total window area of any single storefront may be used for permanent signs that are etched, painted, or permanently affixed to the window. A maximum of 35% of the total window area of any single storefront may be covered by a combination of permanent and temporary window signs. Temporary window signs shall not require a permit.
§ 166-43 Memorial/historic signs.
Memorial plaques, commemorative cornerstones, name plates and historical markers shall mean a sign bearing only the name of the owner, the name or use of the structure and its occupants, the date of erection of the structure or reading matter commemorating a person, event or significance of the location shall be allowed in all districts, subject to the following standards:
A.
Memorial/historic freestanding signs or wall signs shall not exceed six square feet. The edges of wall plaques extending no more than 1 1/2 inches from the walls to which it is attached shall be rounded, tapered, or treated in any other manner satisfactory to the Zoning Officer that will render them harmless to pedestrians.
B.
There shall be no minimum height above ground level for wall plaques.
C.
Such signs shall be limited to one along each street frontage.
D.
Memorial/historic signs shall not require a permit.
§ 166-44 Off-site and on-site informational and directional signs.
A.
"Off-site and on-site informational or directional signs" shall mean a pole sign which directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises where the sign is displayed.
(1)
Area. Informational or directional signs on public property shall not exceed an aggregate gross surface area of three square feet (18 inches by 24 inches) per sign.
(2)
Height. Informational or directional signs shall not project higher than six feet, as measured from the base of the sign or grade of the nearest adjacent roadway, whichever is higher.
(3)
Illumination. No informational or directional sign shall be illuminated in any manner.
(4)
Off-site directional signs may be located on private property with the written consent of the property owner and shall not be placed in a manner obstructing the view of vehicular traffic on the public right-of-way, or from abutting private properties.
(5)
Off-site directional signs may be located within the public right-of-way, at or near the intersections of public streets. Permission to locate any off-street directional sign within the public-right-of-way shall be only by the concurrence of the Latrobe City Council. The location of such signs within the public right-of-way must also be by concurrence of Latrobe City Council or its designee.
(6)
Directional or information signs in the nature of public service signs, such as those advertising the availability of restrooms, telephone or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs or organizations, approved by City Council, may be erected or maintained within the public right-of-way, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial or industrial establishment activity or organization. Such signs shall not exceed 18 inches by 24 inches in area. Any variance from this section shall be submitted to and determined by City Council.
(7)
Off-site directional signs shall be limited to a standard design as hereinafter approved by Latrobe City Council, the dimensions of which shall be no greater than 18 inches in length and 24 inches in height.
(8)
Informational or directional signs shall be prohibited within three feet of the edge of the paved surface of any road or street within the City of Latrobe.
(9)
Informational or directional signs shall be prohibited along any road or street within the City of Latrobe where it would obstruct the clear sight distance of traffic, and no informational or directional sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street by obstructing the view (i.e., at an intersection, driveway exit, etc.).
(10)
No informational or directional sign or sticker shall be posted, nailed, wired, attached or affixed to any public property, including, but not limited to, traffic signs, structures or devices, traffic control boxes, guardrails, telephone poles, utility posts or City of Latrobe street signs.
(11)
Required consent. The City of Latrobe reserves the right to deny a request to post any informational or directional sign on public property and to require the removal of any informational or directional sign at any time whatsoever whenever such informational or directional sign poses a threat to the public's safety, health and welfare.
(12)
Removal as a public nuisance. Every prohibited informational or directional sign is declared to be a public nuisance, and the person or persons having authority over the public or private property may remove the same or cause it to be removed immediately at the reasonable expense of the person placing, maintaining or erecting the informational or directional sign.
§ 166-45 Illumination and animation.
[Amended 7-11-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-5; 6-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-1]
A.
All illuminated signs shall comply with the adopted Electrical Code of the City of Latrobe.
B.
Illuminated signs shall be nonflashing and nonglaring and shall be illuminated in a manner to prevent glare and reflection to a public street, or adjacent properties.
C.
No illuminated sign shall exceed five footcandles between sunset and sunrise. Electronic signs shall be measured by a qualified professional of staff from the City of Latrobe with findings certifying compliance with the regulations noted in § 166-45 45 of the Code of Latrobe. Signs must be measured 10 feet away from the sign and from a height that has the measuring device level and centered with the bottom of the signs display while holding the digital measuring meter vertically. Luminance shall be measured with the sign off, and again with the sign displaying a white image for a full color capable sign, or a solid message for a single-color sign.
D.
Illuminated signs shall not be constructed or placed in such a way that the light from the sign shines into residentially zoned areas or areas that are predominately residential in use.
E.
Illumination: The following illumination types shall be permitted.
(1)
Internal illumination.
(2)
External illumination. Externally illuminated signs shall use downward aimed shielded lighting fixtures mounted on the top of the sign structure.
(3)
Halo illumination or back-lit letters.
(4)
Neon lighting.
(5)
Electronic/digital illumination.
F.
Electronic/digital signs: Electronic sign means any sign, video display, projected image, or similar device or portions thereof with text, images, or graphics generated by solid state electronic components. Electronic signs include, but are not limited to, signs that use light emitting diodes (LED), plasma displays, fiber optics, or other technology that results in bright, high-resolution text, images, and graphics.
(1)
Electronic/digital signs shall be prohibited in residential zones. Electronic signs shall be permitted within the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I-1 and I-2 Districts only.
(2)
Electronic signs shall be allowed subject to all regulations applicable to business identification and off-premises advertising signs and the additional standards set forth below. These provisions shall not apply to electronic signs associated with major public destination facilities.
(a)
Location. Electronic signs shall not be directed towards rivers, parks, designated historic districts, or properties within a residential zoning district.
(b)
No electronic sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise physically interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or to obstruct or physically interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
(c)
All electronic nonadvertising signs shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign's brightness as provided above. Prior to approval of any permit for to operate an electronic nonadvertising sign, the applicant shall certify that the sign has been tested and complies with the motion, dwell time, brightness, and other requirements.
(d)
All electronic signs shall have only text, images and graphics; and motion of any kind is prohibited.
(e)
Dwell time for text, image or display shall not change more than once every 10 seconds. Also, transition time between subsequent text, images or displays shall not exceed 0.25 seconds.
(f)
Signs shall be turned off and shall emit no light after business hours.
(g)
No electronic signs shall emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odors with any displays.
(h)
Digital message boards are restricted to a maximum of 12 square feet on the face of the sign.
§ 166-46 Maintenance.
A.
Any sign regulated by this chapter shall be maintained in the proper structural and surface condition by the owner or tenant.
B.
If a sign no longer advertises a bona fide business or other activity conducted on the premises, it shall be taken down and removed by the property owner, tenant, or by the person having the beneficial use of the sign within 90 days of the departure of the business from the premises. After written notification from the Zoning Officer and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified therein, the Zoning Officer will, upon direction by the Council of the City of Latrobe, cause the removal of the subject sign, and any expense incidental to its removal will be charged to the owner of the building or structure to which the sign is attached. The City may, at its option, enter the same as a municipal lien in accordance with the laws governing municipal liens under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
C.
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe, insecure, dilapidated, exhibits serious surface deterioration, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, he/she shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within 10 days after receipt of such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply with the Zoning Officer's findings at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Zoning Officer shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice. In the case of illegally erected signs, the Zoning Officer may remove said sign after one calendar days' notice. Any signs erected within the limits of a public right-of-way may be removed immediately without notice by the Zoning Officer.
D.
The cost of maintenance work on directional signs shall be borne by the beneficial user who had initially requested the directional sign. Notice of request to repair will be sent to the beneficial user for his review of the sign and his decision on having the sign remove or repaired.
§ 166-47 Obscene display and advertising.
It shall be unlawful to display upon any sign or other advertising any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter. Any display, decoration, sign or show window that provides the observation of any material depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" from any public right-of-way or public park shall be prohibited in all zoning districts. This shall include the non-repair of illegal acts of vandalism.
§ 166-48 Obstruction of vision; avoidance of confusion.
A.
Signs shall comply with Article VII, Supplemental Regulations, § 166-36, Visibility at intersections.
B.
No sign or other advertising structure as regulated by this chapter shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "Stop," "Look," "Drive-In," "Danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
§ 166-49 Permit required; fees.
A.
A permit shall be obtained for the erection of all signs not exempted by this code.
B.
Permit fees shall be set forth on Schedule A attached to the Schedule of Fees as set forth in § 3-48 of the Administrative Code.
C.
Any fee described in this § 166-49 may be increased, decreased or eliminated by the Council of the City of Latrobe.
§ 166-50 Variances.
Except as set forth otherwise in this article, the Zoning Hearing Board shall have the power to vary the provisions of this article in accordance with its power to grant variances otherwise defined under this chapter, state and federal laws.
§ 166-51 Exempt signs.
The following signs shall be exempted from these regulations:
A.
Signs and banners erected by a governmental body or under the direction of such body.
B.
Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance.
C.
Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals or of institutions of a similar nature relating exclusively to the identify, activity and services of such institutions, provided that such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be limited to one such sign for each separate use.
D.
Nameplates not exceeding 1/2 square foot in area.
E.
Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
F.
Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message.
§ 166-52 Temporary signs.
The following shall be observed in all districts and unless otherwise stated below, the requirements listed shall apply to both commercial and noncommercial signs. Temporary signs shall not require a permit.
A.
Temporary signs advertising special events that are erected for a relatively short period of time which period shall be terminated upon the conclusion of the event including signs advertising land or premises available for purchase, development or occupancy, or signs of mechanics or artisans, community events, grand-opening events, going-out-of-business events, special promotional events or promotional need such as "Now Hiring" or "Help Wanted" and other needs of a similar, temporary nature, at that particular site shall be permitted.
B.
Real estate signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and not more than two such signs shall be erected for any property held in single or separate ownership. Such signs must be removed by the person or persons erecting them upon completion of the sale or rental of the property.
C.
Signs other than real estate signs, shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, shall be limited to one per property and shall be removed immediately upon the completion of work and the site or building on which the sign was erected shall be restored to its original condition upon removal of such signs.
D.
Political campaign signs shall be posted no earlier than 35 days prior to the applicable election or remain longer than seven calendar days after the election.
E.
"For sale" or "for rent" shall not be placed on public property.
F.
Auction, garage, or yard sale signs, provided that they do not exceed two square feet and are removed as soon as the event or activity has occurred, and provided that they shall not be permitted to be erected more than 14 days prior to the event and only permitted at the site at which the event will take place and removed within seven days of the conclusion of the event.
G.
Special event signs announcing an event of a business or civic organization for commercial or noncommercial purposes where such sign does not exceed four square feet in area and banners no more than 60 square feet in area for a period not to exceed 14 days prior to the start of the event and removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event.
H.
Banners and banner flags shall be no more than 60 square feet in area for a period not to exceed 14 days prior to the start of the event and removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event. Only one banner or banner flag shall be allowed at any time.
I.
The City of Latrobe will determine and approve the size and location of each and every banner located on public property and in the right of way. The applicant for the banner shall pay an installation/removal cost to the City which shall be in an amount to be determined by the City Manager.
J.
Flags:
(1)
Flags and flagpoles are exempt from permit requirements.
(2)
Location. Flags and flagpoles shall not be located within any right-of-way and conform to setback requirements.
(3)
Height. Flagpoles shall have a maximum height of 25 feet in residential districts and 40 feet in all other districts.
(4)
Number. No more than two flagpoles either freestanding or attached to a building or accessory per lot in residential districts, no more than three flagpoles either freestanding or attached to a building or accessory per lot in all other districts.
(5)
Flags containing commercial messages may be used as permitted freestanding or projecting and, if so used, the area of the flag shall be included in, and limited by the computation of allowable area for signs on the property.
(6)
Flags hung as banners will conform to banner regulations § 166-52H.
K.
Any sign interfering with traffic visibility on any roadway will be removed by the City.
§ 166-53 Business identification signs.
Business signs accessory to commercial or industrial uses shall be permitted, provided that:
A.
All business signs shall identify the establishment, business, organization, profession or industry and/or advertise goods, products or services sold or produced, manufactured or assembled on the premises on which the sign is located.
B.
A permit from the Zoning Officer shall be required before a business sign of any kind may be erected, altered or enlarged.
C.
All requests for erection, alteration or enlargement of any business sign must be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing the exact size, shape and dimensions of such sign and its proposed location or placement upon any structure or property.
D.
The cumulative size of all wall signs upon any parcel or contiguous parcels of land owned by one entity shall be limited to no more than 60 square feet.
E.
The square foot area of ground or pole signs shall be limited to one square foot of sign are for every one linear foot of property frontage on a public right-of-way; but no ground or pole sign shall be permitted to exceed a cumulative area of 225 square feet for any parcel or contiguous parcel of ground owned by one entity.
F.
The cumulative square footage of ground or pole sign area permitted above may be divided between a maximum of two ground signs, or two pole signs or one ground and one pole sign. The distance in linear feet separating the two signs being a minimum distance equal to the square foot area of the larger sign.
G.
A business sign shall not be placed so as to face an abutting residential district except when authorized as a special exception.
H.
If a use ceases for a period of six months, signs advertising the ceased business or businesses must be removed. Such signs may be removed by the City at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which such sign is located.
§ 166-54 Nonconforming signs.
All nonconforming signs in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter are permitted to continue provided that no such sign shall be:
A.
A nonconforming sign on any land, use or structure, may be continued, but the area of such sign, or signs, shall not be increased.
B.
Changed, altered or expanded in any way which increases the sign's nonconformity except that copy may be changed on an existing sign.
C.
Relocated, except in conformance with the requirements of this chapter.
D.
Reestablished after it has been removed or is an abandoned sign.
E.
Nonconforming signs, once removed physically, may be replaced only with conforming signs; every sign erected shall also comply with the requirements for the zoning district in which said sign is erected, except a dilapidated sign of nonconforming businesses, such as neighborhood stores and services, may be replaced with a new sign of similar or smaller size.
§ 166-55 General limitations.
The following regulations shall be observed:
A.
No sign shall be erected within, or project into, the lines of a public sidewalk or street right-of-way, except traffic signs and similar regulatory notices of a duly constituted governmental body, unless approved by City Council.
B.
No artificial illuminating or reflecting device shall be used as a part of a sign where the intensity or color of such light or reflection thereof so created interferes with, or may be mistaken for, a traffic signal or in any other way would be a detriment to the public safety.
C.
Floodlighting shall be arranged so that the source of light is not visible from any point off the lot and that only the sign is directly illuminated thereby.
D.
No sign shall be erected except on the property to which it is related.
E.
A sign or any part thereof erected on supports (freestanding) or suspended or projecting from a building shall be confined to the property to which it is related.
F.
Billboards are prohibited in all districts except the C-4, I-1 and I-2 Districts and there shall be no more than one billboard sign per lot.
G.
Flashing lights are expressly prohibited.
H.
No sign shall be erected displaying information on it which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this Zoning Chapter.
I.
Signs may not be located in the clear sight triangle.
J.
Every permitted sign located in the fire zone must be constructed on noncombustible material and kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be removed by the City at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
K.
Off premise advertising signs shall not be painted directly on the wall of any building.
L.
Signs consisting of a static image projected upon a stationary object shall be prohibited.
M.
The use of mobile signs located on a truck, trailer or any other type of motorized vehicles that is not registered and inspected shall not be permitted.
N.
Building wrap signs in excess of 60 square feet are prohibited.
§ 166-56 Sign standards table.
Type of Sign Permitted | Permit required | Permitted by Zone | Maximum Size of Face of Sign | Maximum Number | Maximum Height | Minimum Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awning, canopy signs | Y | C Districts I Districts | Letter 12 inches high. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Banners | N | All | 60 square feet | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Billboard, off-premises advertising signs | Y | C-4, I-1, I-2 Districts | 225 square feet | 1 | 24 | |
Building marker | N | All | 6 square feet | 1 per frontage | N/A | N/A |
Bulletin board | Y | C Districts I Districts | 30 square feet | 1 per frontage | N/A | N/A |
Flag | N | All | N/A | 2 in R districts 3 in C and I districts | 25 feet in R districts 40 feet in C and I districts | N/A |
Ground | Y | C Districts I Districts | 1 square foot of sign area per 1 linear foot of building frontage Maximum 225 square feet in combination with pole signs | 2/any combination of ground and/or pole | 24 | N/A |
Historical or memorial sign | N | All | 6 square feet | 1 per frontage | N/A | N/A |
Identification signs | N | All | 3 square feet | 1 per frontage | ||
Marquee | Y | C Districts I Districts | Letter 12 inches high. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Off-site and on-site directional | Y | C Districts I Districts | 18 inches by 24 inches | No more than 2 combined | N/A | N/A |
Pole sign | Y | C Districts I Districts | 1 square foot of sign area per 1 linear foot of building frontage Maximum 225 square feet in combination with ground signs | 2/any combination of ground and/or pole | 24 | N/A |
Portable signs | N | R-4, C and I Districts | 7 square feet | 1 per business | 3.5 feet | N/A |
Projecting/hanging signs suspended signs | Y | C Districts I Districts | 30 square feet | N/A | N/A | Not less than 10 above ground |
Real estate signs | N | All | 12 square feet | No than 2 on property | N/A | N/A |
Temporary signs | N | All | 3 square feet | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wall signs | Y | C Districts I Districts | 2 square feet of sign area per 1 linear foot of building frontage Maximum 60 square feet | N/A | 30 feet | Not less than 10 above ground level |
Window signs | N. | C Districts I Districts | 35% of window area | N/A | N/A | N/A |
