Richland Township Allegheny County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 10
SIGNS
§ 27-1001 Purpose.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
The sign regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this chapter are made in accordance with an overall plan and program related to residential and nonresidential uses. The regulations, controls and provisions are intended to guide public safety, area development, preservation of lot values and the general welfare of Richland Township. The regulations, controls and provisions are also intended to aid in traffic control and traffic safety; lessen congestion of land and air space; guard against concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow; establish reasonable standards for nonresidential and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity and economic development; avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs; respect public safety needs and concerns; recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets, highways and the areas adjacent to those roads, streets and highways; preserve the wholesome and attractive character of the Township and its generally established rural nature; and recognize that the general welfare includes a community plan that shall be attractive as well as healthy, spacious, clean and well-balanced in its growth and development.
§ 27-1002 Sign Packages, Permits, Fees and Procedures.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
A.
All proposed developments shall be required to submit a sign package to the Township for its approval prior to any sign permits being issued to businesses. "Sign package" shall mean a detailed description, including but not limited to type, size, and location of all signs for each unit within the complex/center as well as the ground sign. The Zoning Officer shall review all sign packages for completeness. Any application determined to be incomplete shall be returned to the applicant with a description of missing and/or incomplete items. This provision shall apply to:
B.
A sign permit shall be required in order to erect, install, relocate, modify or change any sign within the Township, unless otherwise indicated in this section. "Modify," as it is used herein, shall mean a cabinet or face replacement because of a change in the nature of the business or a change in the name and ownership of a business, or replacement of supporting structures.
C.
The application for a permit shall be signed by the landowner and/or developer of the lot. The tenant of the lot, if not the landowner and/or developer, shall be permitted to sign the permit application if he can present notarized evidence that the tenant has permission to act on the landowner's and/or developer's behalf.
D.
Failure to conform to the conditions of a sign permit, including any conditions and/or stipulations attached thereto, shall render such permit void.
E.
Fees for sign permits shall be required and payable in such sums as the Township Board of Supervisors may from time to time establish by ordinance.
F.
No sign permit shall be valid or effective after six months from the date of issuance thereof, and it shall thereafter be void unless the sign is in place as of the expiration date.
G.
To obtain a sign permit, a sign permit application must be completed and shall include the following information:
(1)
A drawing, prepared to scale, of the proposed sign, showing all sign dimensions, including the height of the sign and grade level of the base of the sign; sign materials; connections to the ground plane where applicable; and colors.
(2)
A lot plan showing proposed locations of signs.
(3)
Any building elevations, showing proposed locations of signs.
(4)
The sources of sign illumination and applicable details of the fixture and screening.
H.
Sign Installation. All signs shall be installed in accordance with good engineering practice, which shall be the responsibility of the sign owner.
I.
Sign Maintenance.
(1)
Every permitted sign must be constructed of durable material, kept in good condition and repair and otherwise comply with the Township Property Maintenance Code. If the durability and/or condition of said sign is not improved within the time period defined by the Zoning Officer, the sign shall be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or person in possession of the lot on which the sign is located. The Zoning Officer will notify the responsible party with a certified letter prior to any removal action being taken by the Township.
(2)
Any damaged sign shall be repaired within 60 days.
(3)
Any sign which has been damaged to such extent that it may pose an imminent hazard to passersby, as determined by the Zoning Officer, shall be repaired or removed immediately.
(4)
Any internally illuminated sign cabinets or sign panels which have been damaged shall remain nonilluminated until repaired.
(5)
Failure to comply with these sign maintenance requirements shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
J.
Size.
(1)
The square footage of the sign shall refer to the graphic area of the sign facing. The size of individually mounted letters or logos shall be measured as the area enclosed by the smallest single rectangle or square which will enclose all sign copy and logos. Ground signs mounted as individual letters and/or graphics against a wall or fence incorporated in the landscaping of a building shall be measured from the outermost length and height dimensions of the sign.
(2)
The height of any decorative base or architectural or landscape feature erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured at average grade as part of the sign height. Maximum sign height shall be measured from the existing or proposed average ground level to the top of the sign structure, provided that the ground level is not deliberately elevated to increase the height of the sign.
(3)
Ground signs installed perpendicular to a street may be double-faced with the allowable square footage on each face. Double-faced signs that are erected at an angle to each other will be subject to the interpretation of the Zoning Officer as to whether they are intended as two signs or for all intents and purposes only constitute one sign for north/south, east/west orientation on the serving street.
(4)
Wall signs shall not exceed the width of the front of the building on which they are located and shall not protrude more than 12 inches from the facade on which the sign is mounted.
(5)
In no case shall a wall, projecting or awning sign exceed the height of building allowed in the zoning district.
(6)
Gasoline service stations shall be allotted 10 additional square feet to display price-per-gallon figures, divided as they select between logo and prices on the one ground sign permitted on the lot.
(7)
Automobile dealers are permitted one "used car" ground sign not to exceed 12 feet in height and 10 square feet in area; or the 10 additional square feet can be incorporated into the existing sign to advertise used cars, divided as the sign owner selects.
(8)
Sign copy mounted or painted on an illuminated surface (including awnings) or illuminated architectural element of a building shall be measured as the entire illuminated surface or architectural element which contains sign copy. A nonilluminated sign placed on an awning shall be measured as if placed on any other architectural element.
K.
Signage Placement.
(1)
No sign shall be placed, erected or located so that:
(a)
It is pasted, stapled or otherwise attached to a public utility pole or tree within the street right-of-way line.
(b)
It is on a public lot or public right-of-way, unless erected by a governmental body, or unless required to be so located by order of a governmental body.
(c)
It is painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object.
(d)
It is displayed on a vehicle parked and visible from a public right-of-way, unless the vehicle is used for the normal day-to-day operation of a business on the premises. The intent of this provision is to prohibit the use of a sign on a vehicle to circumvent sign limits on a lot.
(2)
Sign font and logos shall not be legible from the rear of the sign.
(3)
Signage shall not be painted directly upon the wall or any other part of the building, except for windows.
(4)
Building signs in nonresidential districts shall be placed on the front face of the building only, except in instances where the entrance door to the business is on the side or the rear of the building. However, no signs in nonresidential districts may face an immediately adjacent residential zoning district.
(5)
Illuminated window signs shall include lit signs placed inside a window facing the exterior of the building. A permit shall be required for illuminated window signs.
(a)
Illuminated window signs shall not be placed above the ground floor of the building and/or more than 10 feet above the grade level of the building.
(b)
Illuminated window signs shall not exceed a size of 16 square feet. Anything exceeding this size shall be deemed the building sign to which the business is entitled. Any combination of illuminated window signs grouped in an area not to exceed 16 square feet will be permitted.
L.
Sign Landscaping.
(1)
Ground Signs. For each visible sign face, the landowner and/or developer shall provide landscaping equivalent to 1.5 square feet for each square foot of sign area (both faces). Landscaping shall consist of a combination of deciduous and evergreen ornamental grasses, ground cover and/or small shrubs. Turf grass shall not be considered as landscaping for ground signs.
(2)
Pole Signs. For each visible sign face, the landowner and/or developer shall provide landscaping equivalent to three square feet for each square foot of sign area (both faces). Landscaping shall consist of a combination of deciduous and evergreen ornamental grasses, ground cover and/or small shrubs. Turf grass shall not be considered as landscaping for ground signs.
M.
Liability.
(1)
The provisions of this section shall not be construed as relieving or limiting in any way the responsibility or liability of any person, firm or corporation erecting or owning any sign or resulting from the negligence or willful acts of such person, firm or corporation, its agents, employees or workmen in the construction, maintenance, repair or removal of any sign erected in accordance with a permit issued hereunder; nor shall issuance of such permit be construed as imposing on the Township or its officers or employees any responsibility or liability by reason of approval of any sign's structural integrity, construction methods, materials, electrical or mechanical devices or other components, which shall be the sole responsibility of the person, firm or corporation erecting, owning, repairing or removing such sign.
§ 27-1003 General Regulations.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
A.
A sign permit shall be required for all proposed signs or modifications to existing signs.
B.
No animated sign (except time-and-temperature indicators), no sign illuminated by a flashing, pulsating or intermittent source, no strung pennants or bare bulbs, and no signs lighted in such a manner as to create glare conditions on adjacent properties or any adjacent street shall be permitted.
C.
Signs shall be considered as structures for purposes of location on a property; except that, in a front yard between side lot lines, they may be placed no closer than 10 feet to an adjacent right-of-way line.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
D.
Signs containing an integral lighting source, as well as their structural supports, shall be made of noncombustible materials, meaning those materials which will not ignite or deform at temperatures below 1,200° F.
E.
No sign shall exceed the height limitations specifically enumerated in further sections of this Part.
F.
The construction of each sign shall comply with applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania State Building Code.
G.
No sign shall be located so as to block doors, fire escapes, operable windows or access to them; nor shall a sign be attached to a fire escape. No sign shall, by reason of location or message content, create a traffic hazard by obstructing sight distances or confusing motorists. The Zoning Officer may modify other portions of this Part to gain compliance with this subsection.
H.
No sign shall be painted directly on a wall, but letters or other devices prepared elsewhere may be applied directly to a wall or to a display window.
I.
Where glass panels on any sign exceed three square feet in area, they shall be wire glass or shatterproof glass; otherwise, glass areas shall be at least one-fourth-inch-thick safety or plate glass.
J.
No sign shall be permitted to hang from or be placed over a second sign, except that signs may be placed on, but not extended beyond, any vertical face of a marquee or canopy. This does not exclude separate placards from being independently attached to the same supporting structure, as long as the total area of all combined does not exceed the area limitation.
§ 27-1004 Prohibited Signs.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
The following signs shall not be permitted:
A.
A-frame, sandwich-board or other incidental signs, unless otherwise approved by this chapter.
B.
Portable or wheeled signs.
C.
Banners and pennants, other than temporary event or displays authorized by this chapter. Banners used as temporary signs are permitted as long as they are secured, not waving or fluttering, comply with the maximum size permitted and are erected no more than 14 days prior to an event and are removed within five days of the event. National, state or municipal flags shall not be considered a banner or pennant.
D.
Moving or flashing signs otherwise not authorized by this chapter.
E.
Roof signs.
F.
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs.
G.
Signs that imitate traffic control devices.
H.
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or walls.
I.
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public lot or private lot, other than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, which are visible from the public right-of-way and where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby lot.
J.
Signs that, by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
K.
Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exitway.
L.
Signs that make use of words as "stop," "look," "one way," "danger," "yield," or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
M.
Misleading Information. No sign shall be created which states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
N.
Electronic variable message signs, meaning an electrically or electronically activated sign whose message content, either in whole or in part, may be changed by means of electronic programming, shall not be permitted, with the exception of time-and-temperature signs.
§ 27-1005 Major Types and Classes of Permanent Signs.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
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 section.
§ 27-1006 Minor Types of Permanent Signs.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
The following types of signs are considered minor and are permitted for all land uses and within all zoning districts of the Township:
A.
Notification: signs bearing legal and/or lot notices, such as "no trespassing," "private property," "no turnaround," "safety zone," "no unauthorized hunting" and similar messages and signs posted by a governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general public.
(1)
In all zoning districts, the number, location and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall be in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth. In all zoning districts, legal notification signs posted on private lots by landowners and/or developers, such as "no trespassing," "no hunting," and the like, shall be limited to a surface area not exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum notification signs permitted along a property line shall be one sign for every 100 feet of property line length.
(2)
Said signs shall not apply to the permitted signage allotment outlined in Table 9.
B.
Memorial/historical plaques: commemorative plaques placed by a recognized agency of the Township, county, state or federal government.
C.
Governmental signs: signs erected by a governmental agency, including street signs and official traffic signs.
§ 27-1007 Temporary Signs.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
The following classes of temporary signs are permitted for all land uses and within all zoning districts:
B.
Provisions for Use of Temporary Signs:
(1)
Real Estate Signs. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall be permitted on each lot, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed six square feet. The real estate sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area when located on a lot with any residential use and shall not exceed 32 square feet on any other lot. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the lot on which it is located.
(2)
Development Signs. One nonilluminated temporary development sign shall be permitted on each lot, provided that the surface area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. The development sign shall not exceed six feet in height when located on a lot with any residential use and shall not exceed 10 feet in height on any other lot. 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.
(3)
Construction Signs. Two nonilluminated, temporary construction signs announcing the names of institutions, contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises shall be permitted on a lot, provided that:
(a)
Each sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(b)
The signs shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.
(c)
The establishment wishing to display such signs shall contact the office of the Zoning Officer prior to displaying to give notice of the intent and the period during which the sign will be displayed.
(d)
Construction signs shall be removed within 30 days of work.
(4)
Temporary Special Event Signs.
(a)
One nonilluminated temporary special event sign, as defined by this chapter, shall be permitted to be erected on the face of the lot's principal structure, provided that the area of the signs shall not exceed 40 square feet, and provided that the sign is displayed for a period no longer than 30 days and is removed within five days following the event.
(b)
Portable signs shall not be permitted as temporary event signs.
(c)
Temporary event signs shall be nonilluminated.
(e)
Landowners and/or developers found violating the provisions set forth within this section will forfeit their right to be issued a temporary sign permit for a period of one year commencing from the date said violation is found to have occurred.
(5)
Political Signs. Landowners may place such signs in the public right-of-way portion of their property, provided that such signs do not interfere with motorist or pedestrian visibility or safety and the sign is otherwise not of a type restricted by this chapter.
(6)
Incidental Business Signs. One nonilluminated sign shall be permitted to be located on the lot so long as the sign does not exceed 10 square feet and is placed indoors at the end of the business day.
§ 27-1008 Other Sign Provisions.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
A.
Lots With Multiple Street Frontage. In all zoning districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have one sign of authorized sign types as defined by this Part for each street frontage.
B.
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a streets or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street.
C.
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, shall be directed upon the sign face and not towards adjoining lots or streets so that the source of illumination is not visible. Internal illumination of signs shall be permitted only in accordance with the lighting performance standards established with this chapter. Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as to not create glare and to be compatible with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding lots. Electronic variable-message signs, meaning an electrically or electronically activated sign whose message content, either in whole or in part, may be changed by means of electronic programming, shall not be permitted, with the exception of time-and-temperature signs.
E.
Removal of Signs.
(1)
Whenever any business, activity or product on a lot is discontinued, vacated or no longer sold, all signs relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be removed within 30 days of the vacation or discontinuance of the business or activity.
(2)
If the landowner and/or developer fails to remove the sign by the end of the 36th day from when the permit had been issued, the Township shall be permitted to remove the sign at the landowner's and/or developer's expense.
F.
Permits. No permit shall be required for the following types of signs, as described above: construction signs erected by a governmental agency, notification, and real estate. Permits shall be required for all other signs authorized by this chapter. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application that complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of the Township Board of Supervisors.
G.
Expiration of Permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently pursued.
H.
Sign Location. All signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended to serve.
§ 27-1009 Size Regulations of Major Signs.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
A.
The maximum total area of signage that an individual use may potentially apply to the subject lot shall be calculated in accordance with Table 9, Signage Allotment. The square footage of a business directory/development plan sign shall not apply to the overall sign area allotment permitted for the district in which the lot is located. The first 50 square feet of signage placed on a lot shall not apply to the allotment outlined in said Table.
B.
Table 10, Major Permanent Sign Types by Zoning District, outlines the types of signs which uses with the Township's zoning districts can apply to a development.
C.
Tables 11, 12 and 13 identify the number of signs, size, height and other associated minimum and/or maximum sign provisions for various types of development within the Township's zoning districts. All sizes refer to the graphic area of the sign, exclusive of supporting structure.
Table 9: Signage Allotment | |
|---|---|
Zoning District | Sign Area Allotment |
NC/CC/MU | 3 square feet per linear foot of building frontage |
CM/M | 2 square feet per linear foot of building frontage |
RR/RA/RL/RM/ RH/PCO | 1 square foot per linear foot of building frontage |
Table 10: Major Permanent Sign Types by Zoning District | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
• = Permitted Type | ||||||
Zoning Districts | ||||||
NC/CC/MU/ CM/M | ||||||
Sign Type | Multi-tenant | Single Tenant | RR/RA/RL/ RM/RH/PCO | |||
Business directory/ development plan | ||||||
Ground | • | • | ||||
Business/ occupation identification | ||||||
Ground | • | • | ||||
Pole | • | |||||
Wall | • | • | • | |||
Projecting or arcade | • | • | ||||
Building identification | ||||||
Ground or wall | • | • | ||||
Directional (on-premises) | ||||||
Ground | • | • | • | |||
Display | ||||||
Changeable-copy | ||||||
Ground | • | |||||
Wall | • | • | • | |||
Window | • | • | ||||
Table 11: Multitenant Nonresidential Zoning District Sign Regulations [Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoning Districts NC/CC/MU/CM/M | ||||||
Sign Type | Number of Signs (maximum) | Maximum Size (square feet) | Height (feet) | Restrictions | ||
Business directory/ development plan | ||||||
Ground | 1 per development | 120 | 8 | |||
Business/ occupation identification | ||||||
Wall | 1 per business | 120 along Rt. 8; 50 in MU District | Below roofline | 12-inch maximum projection from wall | ||
Projecting or arcade | 2 per business | 8 | N/A | For shopping centers/office complexes with roofed pedestrian accessway, marquee or exterior arcade | ||
Building identification | ||||||
Ground or wall | 1 per building | 20 | Below roofline | |||
Directional (on-premises) | ||||||
Ground | 4 (per lot if lot is less than 1 acre); 6 (per first acre if lot is greater than or equal to 1 acre) and 2 additional (per each additional lot acre or portion of an acre) | 4 (per sign) | 3 | |||
Display | ||||||
Changeable-copy | ||||||
Ground | 1 per lot | 16 | 4 | Permanently affixed to authorized ground/pole sign on the lot | ||
Wall | 1 per lot | 32 | 6 | |||
Window | Less than 50 feet of frontage = 3 50 to 100 feet of frontage = 5 Greater than 100 feet of frontage = 7 | 15 | N/A | |||
NOTE: Multitenant consists of two or more tenants. |
Table 12: Single-Tenant Nonresidential Zoning District Sign Regulations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoning Districts NC/CC/MU/CM/M | ||||||
Sign Type | Number of Signs (maximum) | Maximum Size (square feet) | Maximum Height (feet) | Restrictions | ||
Business/ occupation identification | ||||||
Ground | 1 ground or 1 pole (if ground sign, no pole sign; if pole sign, no ground sign) | 90 | 8 | 10 feet from property line or right-of-way | ||
Pole | 75 | 25 at top; 15 minimum at bottom | 10 feet from property line or right-of-way | |||
Wall | 1 per business | 120 along Rt. 8; 50 in MU District | Below roofline | 12-inch maximum projection from wall | ||
Projecting or arcade | 1 per business | 8 | N/A | N/A | ||
Directional (on-premises) | ||||||
Ground | 4 (per lot if lot is less than 1 acre); 6 (per first acre if lot is greater than or equal to 1 acre) and 2 additional (per each additional lot acre or portion of an acre) | 4 (per sign) | 3 | N/A | ||
Display | ||||||
Changeable-copy | ||||||
Wall | 1 per lot | 32 | 6 | |||
Window | Less than 50 feet of frontage = 3 50 to 100 feet of frontage = 5 Greater than or equal to 100 feet of frontage = 7 | 15 | N/A | N/A | ||
NOTE: Upon Township review and approval, a single-tenant use greater than 75,000 square feet of gross floor area and possessing ancillary uses may be permitted a maximum of two additional wall signs, both to not to exceed 30 square feet each. The location of said additional signs shall be within proximity to the entrance of the ancillary use. |
Table 13: Residential Zoning District Sign Regulations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoning Districts RR/RA/RL/ RM/RH/PCO | ||||||
Sign Type | Number of Signs (maximum) | Maximum Size (square feet) | Maximum Height (feet) | Restrictions | ||
Business directory/ development plan | ||||||
Ground | 1 per development | 24 | 6 | |||
Business/ occupation identification | ||||||
Ground | 1 per business | 12 | 4 | For businesses other than home occupations and no-impact home-based businesses, maximum height of 4 feet | ||
Wall | 1 per business | 1 | N/A | For home occupation | ||
Building identification within the PCO | ||||||
Ground or wall | 1 per building | 10 | 6 (ground) N/A (wall) | |||
Building identification in all other residential districts | ||||||
Ground or wall | 1 per lot | 10 | 6 (ground) N/A (wall) | |||
Display | ||||||
Changeable-copy | ||||||
Wall | 1 per building | 16 | N/A | Non- residential uses only | ||