Pleasant Hills City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVI
Signs
§ 374-60 Definitions; restrictions.
A.
For the purposes of this article, the definitions of SIGN, AREA OF SIGN, ILLUMINATED SIGN, NONCONFORMING SIGN, BANNER SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN, OVERHANGING SIGN, ROOF SIGN, WALL SIGN and GROUND OR POLE SIGN shall form a part of this article.
B.
In all Zoning Districts, the following signs are expressly prohibited:
(2)
Banners and pennants, except as temporary special event signs as authorized in § 374-62B(2) below.
(3)
Flashing, mobile, oscillating or animated.
[Amended 11-21-2005 by Ord. No. 852]
(4)
Portable and wheeled signs.
(5)
Overhanging signs.
(6)
Signs on a fence, roof or retaining wall.
(7)
Signs on trees.
(8)
Signs which imitate traffic control devices.
(9)
Signs on parked vehicles. Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, other than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of the business or maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering of service at any location, so as to be visible from the public right-of-way, where the primary apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
(10)
Obsolete sign copy. Any sign copy that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on the property on which said sign is erected must have the sign copy covered or removed within 30 days after written notification from the Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer. The material covering the sign copy is subject to approval by the Zoning Officer. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the Borough is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign copy, and any expense incidental thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, structure or ground on which the sign is located. The failure to pay the expenses within 30 days shall result in a lien on the property.
[Added 6-20-2005 by Ord. No. 847]
§ 374-61 Permitted signs in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-1 and P-1 Districts.
A.
In areas designated as R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Residence Districts; C-1 Commercial Districts; and P-1 Civic Districts, signs may be used for the following purposes and under the following restrictions. Uses for any other purpose or uses which are not in conformity with these restrictions are prohibited.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Signs advertising sale or rental of premises. An unlighted sign advertising the proposed sale or rental of the premises on which it is installed may be installed and maintained by the owner, the agent or any other person, firm or corporation interested in the sale or rental of such premises, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(2)
Signs advertising development of subdivision on the premises. Unlighted signs advertising the development of the premises on which they are installed may be installed and maintained by the owner, the developer, the builder, the agent, or any other person, firm or corporation connected with such development, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet unless the property advertised for sale or development contains at least five separate building lots, in which case the area of any such sign shall not exceed 60 square feet.
(3)
Institutional signs. Lighted or unlighted signs of churches, schools, colleges, hospitals and other institutions of a similar nature and of public utilities, relating exclusively to the identity, activities and services of such institutions or public utilities, may be installed and maintained on their own premises, provided that the size of any such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet.
(4)
Nameplates.
(a)
A lighted or unlighted nameplate designating the name of the owner of a private, single-family detached dwelling may be installed and maintained on the premises, provided that its size shall not exceed one square foot.
(b)
A lighted or unlighted nameplate designating the name of the development for a multifamily dwelling development in the R-3 and R-4 Zoning Districts. No more than one such sign shall be installed and said sign shall not exceed 30 square feet.
(c)
In Commercial District C-1, a lighted or unlighted nameplate designating the name or names of the professional occupants may be erected, provided that such sign does not exceed 10 square feet in area.
(5)
Temporary signs. Unlighted signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work not prohibited by this chapter on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided that the size of any such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet and that such signs shall be removed immediately upon completion of the work.
§ 374-62 Permitted signs in O-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 and M-1 Districts.
A.
In areas designated as O-1 Office Districts; C-2, C-3 and C-4 Commercial Districts; and M-1 Manufacturing Districts, signs may be used for the following purposes and under the following restrictions. Uses for any other purposes or uses which are not in conformity with these restrictions are prohibited.
B.
Permitted uses.
(2)
Temporary special event display signs, such as banners, as defined by this chapter, may be displayed on the premises of an establishment having a grand opening or other special event or promotion, provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period not to exceed 90 days in any twelve-month period. Portable signs and all other banner signs shall not be permitted. No more than two temporary special event display signs per establishment shall be permitted at any time. The temporary special event display signs shall be affixed to the building and shall not be permitted to be freestanding. The combined maximum surface area of all temporary special event display signs per establishment shall be 40 square feet. In addition to the authorized temporary special event display signs, window signs, as defined by this chapter, shall not exceed a combined surface area of 40 square feet.
(3)
One changeable copy sign shall be permitted per lot regardless of the number of buildings or businesses on the lot. The changeable copy sign shall be permanently affixed to the wall of the building or to the structure supporting the ground or pole sign identifying the business. Changeable copy signs attached to the ground or pole sign shall be subject to the height and locations requirements for ground or pole signs. The changeable copy sign shall not be counted as one of the permitted business identification signs. The maximum surface area of any changeable copy sign shall be 30 square feet. The characters, letters or illustrations of a changeable copy sign shall change at intervals no less frequently than every five seconds. A lesser change frequency may be granted by Borough Council after a review and recommendations by the Planning Commission.
[Amended 11-21-2005 by Ord. No. 852]
(4)
Directory signs which list the names and locations of the occupants of a building shall be permitted to be affixed to the wall of a building or freestanding and permanently affixed to the ground. Only one directory sign shall be permitted per lot regardless of the number of buildings on the lot. Freestanding directory signs shall have a maximum surface area of 20 square feet and the maximum height of the top of the sign shall be six feet above the adjacent ground level. Freestanding directory signs shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line or street right-of-way. Directory signs which are attached to the wall of a building shall have a maximum surface area of 10 square feet.
(5)
Ground or pole signs located on the business premises which identify the name of the business and the services or products offered for rent or sale on the premises shall be permitted subject to approval by the Borough Zoning Officer in regard to their construction, structure, material and installation.
(a)
The maximum height of a ground business identification sign shall be six feet above adjacent ground level, provided that the location of the sign does not obstruct visibility for traffic circulating on the site or exiting or entering the site. A ground sign shall be located at least 10 feet from the outside edge of any curb, street, property line or existing natural embankment, provided that it shall not be located in any street right-of-way. The maximum surface area of a ground sign shall be 60 square feet.
(b)
The minimum height of a pole business identification sign in the C-2 District shall be six feet and in all other districts where authorized the minimum height shall be 10 feet above the ground at the bottom edge of the sign. The maximum height above ground level to the top of the sign shall be 25 feet. The maximum surface area of the sign shall be 100 square feet.
(c)
A pole business identification sign shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from the outside edge of any curb or street, provided that it shall not be located in any street right-of-way, and a minimum of 10 feet from any property line other than the front lot line.
(d)
Only one ground or pole business identification sign shall be permitted on a lot containing one building regardless of the number of businesses located within the building. Only one ground or pole business identification sign shall be permitted on a lot containing two or more buildings; however, on lots which have frontage on one street of 350 feet or more, the maximum permitted surface area of a ground sign may be increased to 100 square feet and the maximum permitted surface area of a pole sign may be increased to 200 square feet, if more than one business is contained in any or all of the buildings.
(e)
A-frame or sandwich board signs with a maximum combined surface area of no more than 40 square feet are permitted. Such signs shall only be permitted for public display during the hours of operation during which the business they are promoting is open.
[Added 5-20-2013 by Ord. No. 957]
[1]
For the purpose of this section, an "A-frame" or "sandwich board" sign is defined as follows: a sign having two separate surfaces meeting at the top to form an "A" supported on these surfaces in a sufficient manner to prevent the sign from collapsing or moving from its intended location.
[2]
Such signs shall be subject to the conditions of § 374-62B(5)(a) of the Code of the Borough of Pleasant Hills and placed in a location not to constitute a traffic hazard.
(6)
Wall signs.
(a)
Wall signs which identify the name of the business and the services or products offered for rent or sale on the premises shall be limited to signs parallel to and directly attached to the wall of the building projecting no more than eight inches from the wall of the building and not extending beyond the building parapet.
(b)
When attached to the wall of a building, such signs shall be anchored to the wall of the building with through bolts of a sufficient size to carry the weight of such signs.
(c)
Each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs which may be illuminated or nonilluminated. Illuminated signs shall also comply with § 374-65.
(d)
Wall signs shall be permitted on any wall of a building except walls that face a Residential District, which Residential District is within 100 feet of the building wall.
(e)
The aggregate area of wall signs shall not exceed two square feet of sign for each linear foot of building facade on which the signs are placed.
(7)
No sign in any Commercial or Industrial District shall be placed so as to obstruct the view of vehicular traffic seeking ingress to or egress from such commercial or industrial establishment. In granting a permit to install or place any sign, regardless of whether such sign is placed on the ground or in the air, or is affixed to a building, the Zoning Officer shall take into consideration whether such sign will obstruct the view of vehicular traffic and shall direct that the placement of such sign shall not interfere with the view of vehicular traffic.
§ 374-63 Directional signs.
Signs not exceeding four square feet in surface area, which provide directions or instructions to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, such as entrances, parking areas, telephones, rest-room and similar facilities, shall be permitted on any lot, provided that no advertising of any kind, other than a corporate logo, appears on the sign. A maximum of four directional signs shall be permitted on lots of two acres or less and a maximum of 10 directional signs shall be permitted on lots of two acres or more. The maximum height of any directional sign shall be three feet above the adjacent ground level. All directional signs shall be located on the same property as the principal use, provided that they shall not be located in any street right-of-way.
§ 374-64 Billboards.
Billboards shall be permitted only in accordance with all of the following regulations:
A.
Billboards shall not be authorized on any property located in a Residential Zoning District.
B.
Billboards shall be permitted only within 400 feet of the center line (measured horizontally) of U.S. Route 51 and Curry Hollow Road.
C.
Billboards shall be freestanding, ground-mounted, single-column post supported displays which have no structural contact with any building or other structure.
D.
The minimum surface area of a billboard shall be 250 square feet and the maximum surface area of a billboard shall be 750 square feet.
E.
The maximum dimensions of a billboard shall be 20 feet in height and 60 feet in width. This limitation on the dimensions of a billboard apply to the size of the overall structure of the billboard and not to the surface area of the message portion of a billboard itself. Rather, the limitations set forth in Code § 374-64D above continue to apply, and the maximum size of the message area of a billboard remains limited to 750 square feet, regardless of the fact that the area of the overall structure may be 20 by 60 feet or a total of 1,200 square feet.
[Amended 6-20-2011 by Ord. No. 937]
F.
Billboards shall be located so as to be no higher than 40 feet above the curb of the street from which they are intended to be viewed. Billboards which are not at grade shall provide a minimum clearance from the bottom of the sign to grade of 15 feet.
G.
A billboard may have two sign faces per structure placed back to back or in a “V” shaped configuration on a single support system.
H.
No billboard shall be placed within 400 feet of any residentially-zoned property or any public or private school property, park, library or church. This required distance shall be measured as a radius, using the center of the proposed billboard as the center of the circle.
I.
No billboard shall be erected on a lot which has an existing freestanding ground or pole business identification sign on the property.
J.
Billboards shall be located at least 10 feet from any street right of way. Billboards shall be subject to the side yard and rear yard requirements of the zoning district in which they are located, except where the yard adjoins residential zoning classification, the minimum yard required shall be 100 feet.
K.
No billboard shall be erected closer than 1,000 feet to any other existing or proposed billboard on the same side of the street or highway.
L.
Billboards shall be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated, provided that all lighting is shielded and reflected away from adjacent streets and property.
§ 374-64.1 Inflatable and air-propelled signs and figures.
[Added 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 878]
A. INFLATABLE AND AIR-PROPELLED SIGNS AND FIGURES
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms will have the meanings indicated:
A sign or figure whose dimensions are expanded or supported by gas or air, this definition indicates signs or figures with or without a message and placed or tethered on the ground. The mounting of such signs or figures on structures or a roof is not permitted.
B.
Setback requirements. No portion of any inflatable or air-propelled sign or figure shall be located closer to any property line than a distance equal to the height of the sign or figure as measured from ground level to the top of the sign or figure, and in no case closer than 20 feet to any public right-of-way. This restriction includes any wires, ropes or other stabilizing mechanisms.
C.
General regulations.
(1)
The maximum height, at the top of the sign or figure, shall not exceed 20 feet above ground level.
(2)
The maximum diameter or per-side dimension of the sign or figure shall not exceed 12 feet.
(3)
No such device may be used which would create glare, confusion or otherwise distract motor vehicle operators or, by its size or composition, cause a public nuisance.
(4)
Such devices shall be permitted for a total of 90 days in any calendar year, but no longer than 30 days at any one time.
(5)
The tie-downs and anchoring method for such devices must be able to withstand a three-second wind burst of 40 mph.
D.
Permit process.
(1)
An application for an inflatable or air-propelled sign or figure permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer with a permit fee prior to the proposed time for erection of the device.
(2)
The following information shall be provided in the permit application:
(a)
Purpose of the device.
(b)
Name, address and telephone number of the organization or person proposing the device with specific information to allow the Borough to contact the responsible person 24 hours per day.
(c)
Proposed time period of use of the device.
(d)
The height and diameter or width of the device.
(e)
Where on the property the device will be located, including the distance to the closest property line.
(f)
The applicant shall agree to provide a certificate of insurance to the Borough prior to the issuance of the permit adding the Borough as an additional insured on the applicant's insurance policies.
(g)
Any other information the Zoning Officer deems reasonably necessary to determine that the permit meets the requirements of this subsection.
E.
Violations. Any property owner who violates the terms and conditions of this section will be subject to enforcement remedies found in § 374-129 of the Code of the Borough of Pleasant Hills, as amended. Also, the individual or business who caused the air-propelled or inflatable sign or figure to be erected, which at the judgment of the Zoning Officer constitutes a nuisance or danger to the public, will immediately be required to take down the sign or figure. If after notice, the individual or business owner refuses to take down the inflatable sign or figure in question and the Zoning Officer determines that the sign or inflatable figure obstructs traffic or the view of traffic and/or constitutes a danger then upon the failure to remove the sign or figure the Borough may remove the sign or figure and the individual or business responsible for the erection of the figure shall be responsible for the cost of removal and the appropriate penalty. The costs described herein shall be collectible in like manner as other municipal claims are now or may be collectible by law.
§ 374-65 Illuminated signs.
All signs permitted under § 374-62B(2), (3) and (4) of this chapter may be illuminated. The body of all illuminated signs shall be constructed entirely of incombustible materials. No permit shall be issued for a red, green or yellow illuminated sign or any combination thereof if such sign will interfere with the effective visibility of a traffic signal. No illuminated sign shall be of the flashing type. Lighting must be controlled so as not to be bothersome to vehicular traffic nor to unduly glare or reflect onto adjacent property or streets. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether direct or indirect, shall be controlled so as to be compatible with the intensity of illumination on surrounding properties.
§ 374-66 Design data required with application to install sign.
All applications to install any sign, other than a temporary special event display or window sign, permitted under §§ 374-62, 374-63, 374-64 and 374-65 must be accompanied by complete design data. This design data must be prepared by a registered engineer or architect, and any such signs installed must be constructed in accordance with the design data submitted with the application.
§ 374-67 Permit required.
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to install, reinstall, construct, reconstruct or alter a sign, as permitted in §§ 374-62, 374-63, 374-64 and 374-65 of this chapter, other than a temporary special event display or window sign, must apply to the Zoning Officer for a permit before proceeding with the work. The applicant for such permit shall furnish the Zoning Officer with all the information necessary to enable the Zoning Officer to ascertain whether the proposed sign will comply with the provisions of this chapter on a form prescribed by the Zoning Officer.
§ 374-68 Inspection of signs.
All signs shall be maintained in a safe condition by the owner thereof and any such sign found to be in an unsafe condition or not used for its intended purpose is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. If any sign is not used for its intended purpose, or, as found by the Zoning Officer, is not being maintained in safe condition and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall give notice in writing to the owner of any such sign to remove the same within 10 days, and upon failure of the owner to comply with such notice, said sign shall be removed by the Borough at the owner’s expense. The cost and expense incurred by the Borough in effecting the removal of any sign, as herein provided, shall be collectible from the owner in like manner as other municipal claims are now or may hereafter be collectible by law.
§ 374-69 Traffic signs.
Notwithstanding any of the limitations contained in Article XVI it shall be permissible to erect and maintain traffic regulation signs or traffic safety signs on any property within the Borough of Pleasant Hills. The Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to limit the number, size, shape or illumination of such signs so that they will not be hazardous or dangerous to vehicular traffic.
§ 374-70 Insurance requirements; compliance of existing signs.
A.
This section shall apply to all roof-mounted, ground or pole and billboard signs as permitted in Article XVI in Zoning Districts O-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 and M-1.
B.
Liability insurance. All applicants for permits to install and maintain signs in commercial areas, as shown above, in the Borough and the owners of all such signs now installed and maintained in the Borough are hereby required and directed to procure a public liability insurance policy providing complete third party coverage for the Borough with a reputable insurance company approved by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner. The policy shall provide coverage of not less than $100,000 for injury to one person and not less than $300,000 for injury to more than one person, and not less than $10,000 for damages to property against any loss, injury and damage that may hereafter be caused, directly or indirectly, by and in the installation or maintenance of any such sign. Such public liability insurance policy shall be continued in force for the life of the sign. A copy of each such policy or a certificate of such insurance shall be kept in the office of the Zoning Officer not less than 10 days prior to the renewal date. Where such renewal certificates have not been so delivered, the Zoning Officer is directed to order the sign removed immediately.
C.
The Zoning Officer is hereby directed to refuse to issue a permit for such sign in case of failure of the applicant to procure the hereinabove specified insurance policy and to deliver the same or a certificate of such insurance to the Zoning Officer. The owners of such signs now installed and maintained shall be allowed 30 days from the date of approval of this chapter to comply with the requirements of this section, following which thirty-day period the Zoning Officer is directed to order removed any such sign not insured as hereinabove required. Said removal shall be effected in accordance with the provisions of § 374-68 of this article.