Monaca City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Signs
§ 245-21 Types and classes of signs.
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 § 245-21.
A.
Sign types.
(1)
Freestanding sign: 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 structures.
(2)
Wall sign: a sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of a building projecting outward from the wall of the building no more than 12 inches.
(3)
Monument sign: a freestanding sign located at the entrance to a multitenant development such as a shopping plaza, business park or industrial park that identifies the name of the development and that may include the names of one or more businesses in the development.
(4)
Canopy or awning sign: a sign that also functions as a roof-like shelter, either permanent, retractable or removable, made of canvas or other durable material that is affixed to a building or is self-supporting and provides protection from sun, rain, snow and other elements.
(5)
Marquee sign: a sign painted on, integral to or attached to a permanent overhanging structure that projects from a building wall and forms a roof-like shelter.
(6)
Bulletin sign: a type of manual changeable copy sign constructed to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically to announce events such as those used by churches, schools, institutions and community organizations and which contains no commercial advertising.
(7)
Roof sign: a sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building which projects no more than six feet above the highest point of the roof.
(8)
Projecting sign: a sign supported by and affixed perpendicular to a building wall whose leading edge extends beyond such building wall, but not including awnings, canopies or marquees otherwise authorized by this chapter.
(9)
Changeable copy sign: a sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be manually or electronically changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.
(10)
Animated flashing or moving sign: any sign that flashes, blinks, oscillates, rotates, revolves or has lighting that is not maintained stationary and/or constant in intensity and color at all times.
(11)
Portable sign: a freestanding temporary sign attached to wood or metal frames designed to be self-supporting and movable that is not permanently affixed to a building, a structure or the ground and which is designed to be moved from place to place.
(12)
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 that is designed or used for the purpose of promoting, advertising or attracting attention.
(13)
Indirectly illuminated sign: a sign that 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.
(14)
Internally illuminated sign: a sign that is lighted by means of lamps, lighting devices or gas 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.
(15)
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, that are exposed to view by persons on a public right-of-way, or that 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.
(16)
Abandoned sign: any sign erected on and/or related to the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of six months or more, or any sign which no longer advertises a bona-fide business conducted or product sold on the premises, or which is related to a time, event or purpose which has passed.
(17)
Exterior sign: any sign affixed to the walls, windows or doors of a building or any part of the external portion of a structure or which is placed on or affixed to the ground and is surrounded by open space.
(18)
Interior sign: any sign displayed within a building which is intended primarily to be seen from inside the building.
(19)
Advertising panel: that portion of a sign structure upon which the message or graphic display is presented, excluding any framework, ornamentation or supporting members.
B.
Sign classes.
(1)
Identification signs:
(a)
Property identification sign: a sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises.
(b)
Home occupation identification sign: a sign containing only the name, credentials and address of the occupant of the premises and their occupation which shall contain no logos or other commercial advertising.
(c)
Residential plan identification sign: a permanent wall or freestanding sign containing only the name and address of a plan of subdivision or a multifamily building or development.
(d)
Business identification sign: a sign that contains the name and address of a business and the goods, services, facilities or events available on the premises.
(2)
Temporary signs:
(a)
Real estate sign: a temporary sign advertising the sale or rental of premises. The sign may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending" or "rented."
(b)
Development sign: a temporary sign erected during the period of construction and/or development of a property by the developer, contractor or their agents.
(c)
Contractor's sign: a temporary sign announcing the name of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
(d)
Temporary special event sign: a banner, flag, pennant, portable sign or similar display constructed of durable material and affixed to the wall of a building or the supporting structure of an approved freestanding business identification sign or, if a portable sign, adequately affixed to the ground, erected for a period not exceeding 30 days whose sole purpose is to advertise a special event or promotion.
(e)
Private sale sign: a temporary sign advertising private sales by residents of personal property such as house sales, auctions, garage sales, yard sales and the like.
(f)
Political sign: a temporary sign that indicates the name, cause or affiliation of anyone seeking public office or that refers to an issue concerning which a public election is scheduled to be held.
(3)
Informational signs:
(a)
Public sign: a sign displayed 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 which bears no commercial advertising, including official traffic signs, public notices, government flags and other signs warning of hazardous or dangerous conditions.
(b)
Notification sign: 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 landowner or governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general public.
(c)
On-premises directional sign: a sign that 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.
(d)
Off-premises directional sign: a sign located on property other than where a business or event is located to direct traffic to the site of the business or event and which bears no commercial advertising.
(e)
Memorial/historical plaques: a commemorative plaque recognized by an agency of the Borough, county, commonwealth or federal government or a nonprofit historical or veteran's organization.
(f)
Real estate management sign: a sign containing the name, address and telephone number of a real estate management company, but no commercial advertising.
(4)
Advertising signs:
(a)
Window signs: a sign or group of signs affixed to the inside of a display window in a commercial establishment that advertises a product or service available on the premises or that announces or promotes a special sale or special event.
(b)
Billboard or off-premises advertising sign: an off-premises sign or any portion of an on-premises sign that advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises where the sign is located.
§ 245-22 General regulations.
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all zoning districts:
A.
Calculating the surface area of a sign. The surface area of a sign shall be measured as described below. For two-sided signs, only one side is counted in computing the surface area.
(1)
In the case of an advertising panel, the surface area of the sign shall be the total area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points or edges of the advertising panel containing letters and/or graphic displays;
(2)
In the case of freestanding ground or pole signs, the area shall not include the main supporting structure; however, logos, ornamental attachments and framework around or connections between advertising panels shall be included;
(3)
In the case of freestanding letters, figures or characters mounted on a wall or other surface, the surface area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of each individual letter calculated by measuring the distance between the highest and lowest points of each letter and multiplying that distance by the distance between the longest horizontal distance across the letter;
(4)
In the case of letters that are painted on or affixed to an awning, canopy or marquee, the surface area of the sign shall be the area of the geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width of all the letters, including free space between the letters.
C.
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 authorized temporary 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 § 245-2 of this chapter.
D.
Lots with multiple street frontages.
(1)
In the S-C, R-1, R-2, R-3, PAW and PROD Districts, lots with multiple street frontages shall be permitted to have only one of each type of sign authorized, and the sign shall be located on the street address frontage.
(2)
In the C-C, MUT, RBP and G-I Districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one of each type of sign authorized for the lot on each street frontage, provided no such sign faces an R-1, R-2 or R-3 District.
E.
Illumination.
(1)
Signs in the S-C, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PAW Districts shall not be illuminated. Signs in the PROD, C-C, MUT, RBP and G-I Districts may be indirectly or internally illuminated, unless otherwise restricted by § 245-23.
(2)
Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall be directed upon the advertising panel 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, except that electronic changeable copy signs, where authorized, may have a changing message, provided each message is stationary for at least three seconds. 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.
F.
Design, construction, maintenance and inspection. All signs shall be designed to be compatible with the architecture of the principal use to which they are accessory. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and shall be maintained legible and in good condition. All freestanding signs shall be designed to withstand a sustained one-hundred-mile-per-hour wind load. 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 § 245-84 of this chapter, to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Borough shall remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Borough may lien the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.
G.
Removal of temporary signs. All temporary signs authorized by this chapter shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction or the event they are erected to promote.
H.
Removal of abandoned signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated with no intention to reopen under the same name, all advertising panels on an abandoned sign that contain the name of 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 Borough may remove the sign at the owner's expense. The Borough may lien the property for the cost of removing the sign and all legal fees and costs incurred with filing and enforcing the lien.
I.
Sign permits required.
(1)
Permits shall not be required for the following signs described in § 245-21: contractor's sign, memorial/historical plaque, notification sign, political sign, private sale sign, property identification sign, public sign, real estate sign, real estate management sign and window sign.
(3)
The Zoning Officer shall record and file all applications for sign permits and shall conduct an annual inspection of all signs.
(4)
Applications for sign permits shall be filed on application forms provided by the Borough. One application form may be used to describe and permit multiple sign installations on the same property, provided that complete information is provided for each sign.
(5)
No permit shall be issued unless and until the required fee is paid in full and the application is in compliance with these regulations. Said application shall be accompanied by an application/license fee in the amount of $25 flat fee and $4 state fee and $2 per square foot of sign area per advertising panel. This fee may be amended from time to time by resolution of Borough Council.
(6)
The sign permit application form shall contain the following information:
(a)
Applicant name, address and telephone number.
(b)
A plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of the building, structure or lot to which the sign is to be attached or erected, and showing the position of the sign in relation to the property lines, adjoining or nearby buildings, streets or highways.
(c)
A description of the dimensions, shape, color, material, supports, anchoring and height of the sign and the intensity of illumination.
(d)
A sketch of the sign, drawn to scale, illustrating the style of letters, words, symbols or other graphics.
(e)
Name of the person or firm constructing, altering or moving the sign.
(f)
Written consent of the property owner, if different from the applicant.
(g)
Any other conditions which the Zoning Officer may require to demonstrate full compliance with this chapter and other applicable laws of the Borough.
(h)
All requests for a permit for signs which have a vertical height which exceeds the horizontal distance to any highway or right-of-way or property line shall be accompanied by stress sheets and calculations showing the sign structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) specifications for wind pressure on signs.
J.
Exempt signs. The following signs are authorized in every zoning district, however, they are exempt from regulation by this chapter from the requirement to obtain a permit:
(1)
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not, in any way, become a public safety hazard;
K.
Prohibited signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district:
(2)
Portable signs, as defined in § 245-21 in all districts, except the C-C Core Commercial District;
(4)
Animated, flashing or moving signs, as defined in § 245-21, except for that portion of an authorized sign that indicates time or temperature or an authorized electronic changeable copy sign;
(5)
Search-lights, banners, flags, pennants, spinners or streamers, except when authorized by this chapter as a temporary special event display;
(6)
Signs attached to trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs within the public right-of-way;
(7)
Signs that imitate traffic control devices;
(8)
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or freestanding walls;
(9)
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, or on any public property or private property other than the site of the business it advertises, except for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on nearby property;
(10)
Any sign not expressly permitted in a given zoning district by this chapter;
(11)
Any sign which violates any provision of federal or state law or any Borough ordinance;
(12)
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a public right-of-way or required door, window, fire escape or other exit way or which interferes with the proper functioning of the building.
L.
Nonconforming signs. All signs existing at the time this article is enacted which do not conform to one or more applicable provisions hereof shall be deemed to be nonconforming signs and shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1)
Any sign heretofore legally erected may continue to be maintained. However, no such sign shall be enlarged, added to or replaced by another nonconforming sign.
(2)
A nonconforming sign may be temporarily removed for repair and maintenance and re-erected provided the sign is restored within six months of removal. Signs not restored within a six-month period shall be deemed abandoned and the use of the nonconforming sign shall terminate.
(3)
Nonconforming signs or sign locations which are discontinued or not used for a period of at least six months shall be deemed abandoned and the use of the nonconforming sign shall terminate.
(4)
Any nonconforming sign that becomes unsafe or which is destroyed or damaged beyond repair shall be removed. Nonconforming signs which are unsafe, destroyed or damaged beyond repair for a period of six months or more shall be deemed abandoned and the use of the nonconforming sign shall terminate.
§ 245-23 Authorized signs.
A.
Signs authorized in every zoning district. In addition to the signs authorized in specific zoning districts by § 245-23B, the following signs are authorized in every zoning district:
(1)
Bulletin sign. One bulletin sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted per lot. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C. Illumination shall comply with § 245-22E. If the bulletin sign is a wall sign, the surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet. If the bulletin sign is a freestanding sign, the surface area shall not exceed 24 square feet.
(2)
Real estate sign. One nonilluminated freestanding real estate sign, as described in § 245-21, 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 R-1, R-2, R-3, PROD or S-C 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. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C.
(3)
Real estate management sign. One nonilluminated freestanding or wall real estate management sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on each lot. A freestanding sign shall not exceed six feet in height. The real estate management sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C.
(4)
Property identification sign. One property identification sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on each lot provided the sign shall not exceed one square foot in surface area and the maximum height of any freestanding sign shall be two feet. The property identification sign may be affixed to the wall of the building or may be a freestanding sign located in the front yard. The sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C. Illumination shall comply with § 245-22E.
(5)
Home occupation identification sign. One nonilluminated home occupation identification sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed two square feet. The sign may be wall mounted or may be freestanding in the front yard. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C.
(6)
Development sign. One nonilluminated freestanding development sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on each development site provided the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. If the development is phased, the development sign shall be located in the phase that is currently under construction. A second nonilluminated development sign shall be permitted at the entrance to the development, provided the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet. 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. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C.
(7)
Contractor sign. One nonilluminated freestanding contractor sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on a lot, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area nor six feet in height and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C.
(8)
Temporary special event signs for public and nonprofit organizations.
(a)
One nonilluminated temporary special event sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted to be erected by a public or nonprofit organization on the face of a building or in the front yard or over a public street, provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet and provided the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 30 days and is removed within five days following the event that it is erected to promote.
(b)
Each organization shall be permitted to display a temporary special event display sign no more than three times in any twelve-month period for a maximum of 30 days each time. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22E. If the temporary special event sign is proposed to be displayed over a public street, permission from the owner of the right-of-way shall be obtained.
(9)
Residential plan identification sign. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated wall or freestanding 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 12 square feet in area. The residential plan identification sign may be affixed to a freestanding decorative wall, rather than to a building wall, provided that the decorative wall meets all applicable chapter requirements and does not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the plan in compliance with the clear sight triangle required by § 245-28. Such signs shall not be located in any public street right-of-way without the permission of the owner of the right-of-way and an agreement for maintenance of the sign by a homeowners' association or similar private organization.
(10)
On-premises directional signs.
(a)
On any lot that contains two or more multifamily or nonresidential buildings and/or on any lot that provides more than 20 parking spaces, on-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided that the surface area of any one sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(b)
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, and for each additional acre or fraction thereof over one acre, two additional on-premises directional signs shall be permitted.
(11)
Political signs. Political signs, as described in § 245-21, that are located on public property or within a public street right-of-way shall not be located within the clear sight triangle, as defined in § 245-2. These political signs shall be removed within 72 hours after the election for which they are erected. Political signs on private property shall be exempt from these regulations.
(12)
Private sale signs.
(a)
Private sale signs, as described in § 245-21, shall be erected no sooner than 48 hours prior to the event they advertise and shall be removed within 48 hours of the conclusion of the event. Signs not erected and/or removed within these time limits shall be removed at the owner's expense.
(b)
The maximum surface area of a private sale sign erected on the site of the sale shall be four square feet. The maximum surface area of an off-premises private sale sign shall be one square foot. No more than six off-premises private sale signs shall be permitted. Off-premises private sale signs shall be located only within a one-half-mile radius of the lot on which the event is held.
B.
Signs authorized only in certain zoning districts.
(1)
Business identification signs. The following business identification signs shall be authorized only in the specific zoning districts indicated, subject to the limitations described for the specific zoning districts.
(a)
Freestanding business identification signs.
[1]
One freestanding business identification sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on a lot in the C-C, MUT, RBP and G-I Districts only, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot. (Multitenant developments in the C-C, RBP and G-I Districts may be eligible for the monument sign authorized by § 245-23B(3), below, if all applicable requirements are met.)
[3]
The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 20 feet. If pedestrian or vehicular traffic will circulate beneath the sign, the minimum height of the bottom edge of the advertising panel shall be not less than 12 feet above the adjacent ground level.
[4]
The maximum surface area of a freestanding business identification sign shall be as specified for each Zoning District in the following table:
Zoning District | Maximum Sign Surface Area (square feet) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
One business on the lot | Two or more businesses on the lot | ||
C-C | 32 | 64 | |
MUT | 16 | 32 | |
RBP | 64 | 100 | |
G-I | 64 | 100 | |
[5]
Neither dimension of such sign shall be less than five feet.
(b)
Wall business identification signs.
[1]
In the PROD, C-C, MUT, RBP and G-I Districts, the cumulative total surface area of all wall signs 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.
[2]
The wall sign shall not project more than 12 inches from the building wall. The wall sign shall not extend above the building façade or roof cornice and shall not project beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.
(2)
Window signs. Window signs, as described in § 245-21, are authorized only in the C-C District. The total surface area of all window signs shall not exceed 30% of the area of the window in which they are displayed. The total area of all permanent window signs shall be included in the cumulative total authorized for wall signs in § 245-23B(1)(b), above. Window signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated provided the illumination complies with § 245-22E.
(3)
Monument signs.
(a)
One monument sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on a lot in the C-C, RBP and G-I Districts, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that none of the businesses has or will have a freestanding business identification sign. Sign location shall comply with § 245-22B and C. Sign illumination shall comply with § 245-22E. The base of the monument sign shall be landscaped for a minimum distance of three feet from the base of the sign.
(b)
The maximum height of the monument sign shall not exceed 20 feet. The bottom edge of the lowest advertising panel shall not be more than three feet above the adjacent ground level. The maximum surface area of the monument sign in the C-C District shall be 64 square feet. The maximum surface area of a monument sign in the RBP and G-I Districts shall be 100 square feet.
(4)
Awning, canopy or marquee signs.
(a)
One awning or canopy sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted over any street level or ground floor entrance to a building in the C-C District. One marquee sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted over the main street level entrance to a building in the C-C District. The top of any awning or canopy sign or a marquee sign shall not project beyond the floor elevation of the story immediately above.
(5)
Projecting signs.
(a)
One projecting sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted for each business in the C-C District. The projecting sign shall not be located above the elevation of the ceiling of the street floor of the building. The projecting sign may be mounted at a right angle to the building wall or diagonally to a right angle corner of the building.
(b)
There shall be a minimum clearance between the sign and the sidewalk or adjacent ground level of nine feet. The maximum surface area of a projecting sign shall not exceed nine square feet. The horizontal projection of the sign shall not exceed 42 inches from the front wall of the building. Illumination shall comply with § 245-22E.
(6)
Roof signs.
(a)
One roof sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on a lot in the RBP and G-I Districts, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot. A roof sign shall not be permitted if the building on which it is to be erected already has or will have one or more wall signs. Illumination shall comply with § 245-22E.
(b)
Roof signs shall not project more than eight feet above the highest point of the roof on which they are erected. The surface area of a roof sign shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet for each two lineal feet of width of the front wall of the building or a maximum of 200 square feet, whichever is less.
(7)
Changeable copy signs.
(a)
A rolling or continuously moving message or display shall not be permitted on an electronic changeable copy sign. Each message or display shall remain stationary for at least five seconds. There shall not be any appearance of a visual dissolve or fading in which any part of one electronic message or display appears simultaneously with any part of another electronic message or display.
(b)
Electronic changeable copy signs shall be equipped with a photoelectric cell and a dimmer control to regulate the intensity of the lighting relative to the ambient light. The color of the background, the color of the letters and the size of the letters shall be designed to minimize glare, be compatible with ambient light and be the minimum size and contrast necessary to be readable given the speed of traffic on the adjacent street and the distance between the sign and the travel lanes.
(c)
Any changeable copy sign that contains advertising for businesses, products, services, activities or entertainment not available on the premises where the sign is erected shall be subject to the Borough's off-premises advertising tax. Noncommercial community service announcements for off-premises activities or events conducted by governmental, public or nonprofit organizations shall be exempt from this tax.
[1]
Changeable copy signs erected by businesses.
[a]
One manual or electronic changeable copy sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted on a lot in the C-C District regardless of the number of businesses on the lot. The changeable copy sign shall be permanently affixed to the supporting structure of a freestanding business identification sign on the lot if a freestanding sign is authorized on the lot. If no freestanding business identification sign exists or is proposed on the lot, the changeable copy sign may be affixed to a building wall, in which case the area of the changeable copy sign shall not be included in the calculation of the cumulative allowed area for all wall signs. If no freestanding business identification sign exists or is proposed, the changeable copy sign may be erected as a freestanding sign, subject to the location requirements of § 245-22B and C.
[b]
The surface area of a changeable copy sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. The height of a freestanding changeable copy sign that is not attached to the supporting structure of a freestanding business identification sign shall be eight feet above the adjacent ground level.
[c]
An electronic changeable copy sign in the C-C District shall not be visible from property in an R-1, R-2 or R-3 District.
[2]
Changeable copy signs erected by governmental, public or nonprofit organizations.
[a]
One manual or electronic changeable copy sign shall be permitted on a lot in the C-C, PROD, G-I or RBP District that is used by a governmental, public or nonprofit organization. The changeable copy sign shall be permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to any existing freestanding sign on the lot. If no freestanding sign exists or is proposed, the changeable copy sign may be erected as a freestanding sign, subject to the location requirements of § 245-22B and C.
[b]
The surface area of the changeable copy sign shall not exceed 24 square feet. The height of a freestanding changeable copy sign shall be six feet above the adjacent ground level.
[c]
Such sign shall not display any commercial advertising. The display shall be limited to activities, promotions and information about public, governmental or nonprofit organizations.
(8)
Portable signs.
(a)
One portable sign, as described in § 245-21, shall be permitted for each business in the C-C and PROD Districts and shall be located on the site of the business it advertises. portable signs shall not be illuminated. The dimensions of a portable sign shall not exceed 24 inches wide by 42 inches high when measured perpendicular to the sidewalk.
(b)
The portable sign shall be located so that pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk is not blocked, access to any on-street or off-street parking spaces is not impeded and visibility for traffic on adjoining streets and intersections is not obstructed. The portable sign shall not be used during inclement weather conditions such as high winds or heavy snowfall when the sign could create a hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic or snow removal.
(c)
The portable sign shall be displayed only during normal daylight business hours and shall be removed and stored inside a completely enclosed building after sunset or during the hours when the business is closed.
(d)
Merchants using portable signs within the public right-of-way shall provide the Borough Zoning Officer with a certificate of liability insurance for a minimum of $500,000. Additionally, a hold harmless agreement, as provided by the Borough, shall be executed and filed with the Borough prior to issuance of a sign permit.
(9)
Temporary special event signs for businesses. Temporary special event signs shall be permitted on a lot in the C-C, MUT, G-I and RBP Districts subject to the following regulations:
(a)
No more than two signs or banners shall be permitted on any business establishment at any one time;
(b)
The temporary special event signs shall be securely attached to the building or to the supporting structure of a freestanding business identification sign;
(c)
Temporary special event signs shall be displayed no more than two times in any twelve-month period, provided each display shall not exceed 30 days;
(d)
The aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs shall not exceed 24 square feet per business establishment. In the event that there is more than one business establishment on a site, the maximum aggregate surface area of all temporary special event signs on the site at any one time shall not exceed 70 square feet.
(e)
Portable signs shall not be used as temporary special event display signs.
(f)
Temporary special event signs shall not be illuminated.
(10)
Off-premises directional signs. Any business, nonprofit organization or public agency located in the Borough may erect a maximum of four off-premises directional signs, as described in § 245-21, provided all of the following requirements are met:
(a)
Off-premises directional signs shall only be located on streets located within the C-C, G-I or RBP Districts and shall not be permitted on any other streets in the Borough.
(b)
Display materials on off-premises directional signs shall be limited to the name of the nonprofit or public agency, a symbol or logo, the distance thereto and direction.
(c)
The maximum surface area of an off-premises directional sign shall be six square feet.
(d)
Off-premises directional signs shall not be illuminated.
(e)
Off-premises directional signs installed in the public right-of-way shall be subject to approval of either PennDOT or the Borough, whichever is applicable. Signs installed on private property shall be subject to approval by the landowner. Evidence of permission from the landowner shall be submitted with the sign permit application.
(f)
Off-premises directional signs shall be located at least two feet from the edge of paving on any public street.
(g)
No off-premises directional sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or by obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device.
(h)
No off-premises directional sign shall be located closer than 300 feet on either side of the street in either direction of another off-premises directional sign for the same business or organization.
(11)
Billboards. Billboards shall be permitted only in the C-C, G-I, RBP and PAW Districts, provided all of the following requirements are met:
(a)
Billboards shall be located only on properties where they are visible from vehicles traveling on an arterial street, as defined by this chapter.
(b)
Billboards shall not be erected within 500 feet of the boundary line of any R-1 or R-2 District or within 500 feet of any public or private school or church. Said 500 feet being measured along the radius of a circle from the centermost point of the billboard structure extending in all directions.
(c)
No billboard shall be located in any portion of a public street right-of-way nor shall be located closer than 20 feet to any public street right-of-way.
(d)
If Subsection B(11)(b) above does not apply, the minimum side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal structure as set forth within the zoning district in which the billboard is to be located shall apply to each billboard structure.
(e)
Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed billboard structure of 100 feet. Required space 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.
(f)
No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the street of any existing business identification sign, residential or nonresidential structure or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements.
(g)
No billboard shall be constructed within the clear-sight triangle, as defined in § 245-2, of the public street on which it is situated and shall not in any case obstruct or impede traffic safety.
(h)
No billboard shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
(i)
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.
(j)
Size and height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 672 square feet per advertising panel. This gross surface area shall be permitted, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:
[1]
A billboard shall have no more than two advertising panels per billboard structure which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90º or less.
[2]
The dimensions of the gross surface area of the billboard's advertising panel shall not exceed 14 feet in total height or 48 feet in total length, provided the total allowable gross surface area for the sign is not exceeded.
[3]
A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 50 feet.
(k)
Construction methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), as now or hereafter adopted,[1] and shall meet all of the following additional requirements:
[1]
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.
[2]
A billboard advertising panel 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 or otherwise coated.
[3]
The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire advertising panel 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 Borough with the application for permit.
[4]
The base shall be installed using a foundation and footings approved by the Borough Engineer for the type of construction proposed.
[5]
The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the advertising panel shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of a minimum height of three feet placed in such manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.
[6]
Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.
[7]
No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.
[8]
All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.
[9]
A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not produce glare upon adjoining properties and shall not exceed a maximum of 1 1/2 footcandles of illumination at the property boundary line.
[10]
All or part of a billboard may be an electronic changeable copy display using LED technology, rotating panels or similar technology.
[11]
No display lighting shall cause distraction, confusion, nuisance, or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.
(l)
Maintenance.
[1]
A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every three years, unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.
[2]
Every five years, the owner of the billboard which was erected following issuance of a building permit shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered engineer and shall provide to the Borough a certificate from the engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
[3]
The Borough Zoning Officer may conduct annual visual inspections. billboards found to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days upon proper notification by the Borough.
[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. All paper and other waste materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any advertising panel is changed.
(m)
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 indemnifies and holds the Borough harmless. The amount of insurance to be maintained shall be determined and adjusted from time to time by the Borough. 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 Borough.
(n)
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 Beaver County Department of Aviation or the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.
(o)
Approval. The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard which has been granted approval shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for billboards along state highways. If the applicant fails to submit evidence of the required approval by PennDOT within 30 days of the issuance of the sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the Building Code Official who shall provide written notice to the applicant. The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit, upon submission of evidence of PennDOT approval, without payment of any additional sign permit fee, provided the application is refiled within six months.
(p)
Fees. Application for a sign permit/license shall be accompanied by an application/license fee in the amount of $5 per square foot of gross sign area, per advertising panel, measured in square feet. The application must be renewed every two years along with payment of the applicable license renewal fee calculated as described above. This fee may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council. The term of the license shall extend from January 1 to December 31 of the following year. If application is made mid year, then the term shall extend only to December 31 of the following year at which point application may be made for a full two-year term.
(q)
Damage or destruction. 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 § 245-23B(11).
C.
Summary table of authorized signs. The following table summarizes the signs by type and class that are authorized by § 245-23A and B in each zoning district. If there is a conflict between this § 245-23C and § 245-23A or B, the provisions of § 245-23A and B shall control.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Said table is included at the end of this chapter.