Verona City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Signs
§ 250-75 General requirements.
All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good repair. The Zoning Officer may require the owner of a sign to repair it if, in the Officer's opinion, it has become dilapidated. If after 30 days from the date of written notice to repair has been sent the sign is not repaired, the Zoning Officer may order it removed within a period of 30 additional days.
Freestanding signs may occur only in yards abutting a street, with no portion of a sign closer to a side property line than 10 feet, and no portion, except supporting members, less than eight feet off the ground.
No sign shall exceed the height limitations in the zone district in which it is located, and no sign shall be permitted to be placed upon the roof of any structure or to project above the cornice line of a flat-roofed building or above the gutter line of a sloped-roofed building.
All signs over 60 square feet in area shall be constructed of noncombustible material.
No animated signs, no signs illuminated by a flashing, pulsating or intermittent source, or no signs lighted in such a manner as to create glare conditions on adjacent properties or any adjacent street shall be permitted.
Separate permits shall be required for all signs having a gross area of more than six square feet if erected as separate projects not included in the construction of a building.
Temporary signs in the public interest may be approved by the Zoning Officer for erection in accordance with the requirements of this chapter for a period not to exceed 60 days.
No freestanding sign shall have more than two sides, but areas of signs indicated in this chapter shall be the maximum for one side.
§ 250-76 Signs in residential districts and Public and Private Recreation District.
Permitted kinds of signs.
Identification of property limited to name and address of occupant or nature of home occupation, if applicable, or in the case of apartment buildings, the name of the building and phone number of the management agency.
Signs advertising property for sale or rent, indicating only owner or broker name, address and phone number.
Signs identifying public or semipublic institutions or recreational clubs in the Public and Private Recreation District and activities carried on by them.
Artisans' signs, indicating name, address, phone number and type of service performed by contractor on the premises, to be removed not more than 30 days after work on which artisan is employed is completed.
Public service or public safety signs installed by a public agency and unrestricted as to size or location.
Size of signs. Identification signs shall not exceed one square foot in area; signs advertising property for sale or rent or artisans' signs shall not exceed six square feet in area; and signs identifying public or semipublic institutions shall not exceed 30 square feet in area. Signs identifying nonconforming uses shall not exceed six square feet in area.
Location of signs. Only one sign of each type permitted shall be allowed on any property, except that, where a property abuts two or more public streets, two signs of each type shall be permitted, no more than one on each of two frontages.
Illumination. No sign in any residential zone district or in the Public and Private Recreation District shall be illuminated except signs identifying public or semipublic institutions or recreational clubs, provided such lighting is from an indirect source.
§ 250-77 Signs in the C District and LM and LM-2 Districts.
[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 9-1998]
Permitted types of signs.
Signs applied flat to a wall surface but not painted directly on the surface.
Freestanding signs fastened to the ground.
Signs projecting from and attached to a wall shall not be permitted.
Signs advertising goods or services not sold or produced on the premises containing the sign shall be prohibited.
Size of signs.
Signs applied flat to a wall surface shall not exceed 10% of the area of the wall surface or an area of 60 square feet, whichever is greater. Where a building abuts two or more streets, each side abutting a street, not to exceed two streets, shall be considered a separate wall surface to receive signs.
Where several businesses occupy the ground floor of a building, each business shall be entitled to a sign not to exceed in area an amount proportionate to the width of the building frontage occupied by the business or an area not to exceed 60 square feet, whichever is greater.
Businesses occupying upper-floor or basement rooms may each post a sign in a window or painted on a window, not to exceed in area six square feet per business on any wall surface, such signs allowed in addition to those permitted by Subsection C(2) above.
Signs shall not be more than 15 inches in depth measured from the wall surface to the outermost surface of the sign, nor project above or beyond the wall surface.
Freestanding signs shall not exceed 100 square feet in area on either face, with the area considered only the contiguous area of the message and not the supporting framework.
Location of signs.
No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on any property.
Signs applied flat to a wall surface shall occupy only the area between the heads of windows or doors opening into the ground floor of a building and the sills of windows opening into the second story or the top of the wall parapet if the building is only one story in height.
No sign shall be so located that it impedes the view of vehicle drivers using streets adjacent to or in the vicinity of the property containing the sign. The Zoning Officer may amend other regulations of this article to assure compliance with this requirement.
Where a freestanding sign extends over a vehicular or pedestrianway on the property where the sign is located, the lowest point of such a sign shall not be less above the ground level below than 14 feet for vehicular passage or 10 feet for pedestrian passage.
No part of any sign may extend beyond a property line into a public right-of-way except for signs applied flat to a building wall that abuts a right-of-way, in which case such sign may extend up to 12 inches into the right-of-way if its bottom edge is at least 10 feet above the ground elevation adjacent to the wall.
§ 250-77.1 Specific regulations for signs at properties fronting on Allegheny River Boulevard between South Avenue and Center Avenue. [1]
[Added 9-12-2012 by Ord. No. 9-12]
Purpose and intent. The Verona Borough (the "Borough") recognizes that signs perform an important function in identifying properties, businesses, services, events, and other matters of public interest within the business district (the "district"). It is the intent and purpose of this section to:
Promote signs that are expressive of the identity of individual properties and businesses and are compatible with and enhance the landscape, streetscape, and historic and architectural character of the district;
Encourage design, placement and color of signs that are respectful and complementary to the architectural character of buildings and the overall harmonious historic character of the district;
Encourage signs that enhance the traditional Main Street image and visual environment that the Borough seeks to promote; and
Avoid excessive competition for large or multiple signs, so that permitted signs provide identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness, confusion, and hazardous distractions to motorists.
Conformance required. From the effective date of this section, no sign, whether permanent or temporary, may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, altered, illuminated, substantially altered, or displayed in the district unless in accordance with the provisions of this section and the applicable provisions and requirements of the Borough's Zoning Ordinance and the Borough's Building Code.[2] This section shall supersede any conflicting language in the Zoning Ordinance or Building Code, and this section shall govern and control whenever a conflict exits or arises with the provisions of other ordinances.
Definitions. For purposes of this section, the terms and words herein shall be interpreted as follows unless otherwise expressly stated:
A sign which no longer identifies or advertises an existing business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
A sign with action or motion, flashing, color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners or specialty items. Animated signs include time and temperature signs.
Decorative elements of a building's facade, such as cornices, brackets, lintels, columns, quoins, decorative brickwork, windows, and other unique details that give a building its character.
Any sign painted on or applied to a structure made of cloth, canvas, metal or similar material, which is affixed to a building and projects from it.
A temporary sign constructed of cloth, canvas, or similar fabric materials, which is attached at both extremities to poles, standards, or other permanent supports.
Where a source of electric light, whether portable or fixed, is used to cast a concentrated beam of light generally skyward as a means of attracting attention to its location rather than to illuminate any particular sign, structure or other object.
A rigid multisided structure covered with fabric, metal, or other material supported by columns or posts embedded in the ground.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place or suspend, alter, and/or repair, which shall also include the painting of wall signs and/or other graphics.
The exterior of a building.
Any illuminated sign or device in which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and/or constant in intensity and color at all times.
A sign and supporting structure that is secured in the ground and independent of any building, fence, or other support. Freestanding signs include ground signs and pole signs.
An old, faded sign and/or advertisement painted directly on brick.
A sign designed to be viewed at eye level, the bottom of which is no more than three feet from the ground.
A sign designated by the Borough Council as being historic.
Any sign illuminated by an internal lighting source that is part of the sign.
A roof-like structure bearing a sign that projects over an entrance as to a movie theater or similar place of entertainment but not supported by the ground.
Any type of sign that has moveable or changeable lettering.
A large picture or artwork applied or affixed directly to the wall of a building.
Any sign composed of glass tubing containing a large proportion of neon gas. A neon sign may be a wall sign, projecting sign or window sign.
Any sign which is constructed or erected with a fixed and unchanging location either on the ground or attached to a building or other support structure.
Any sign painted directly on or etched in the glass of a window.
Signs detached from a building and supported by no more than two poles or other structural supports, which are architecturally dissimilar to the design of the sign.
Any sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure, or the ground, which is designated and constructed so that it may be moved from one location to another.
A projecting or hanging sign is a sign which is attached directly to any building wall and which extends more than four inches from the face of the wall.
A temporary sign pertaining only to the rental or sale of the property upon which said sign is located.
Any sign or sign structure any portion of which extends on or above the building roofline or canopy.
A movable sign consisting of two faces, connected and hinged at the top.
Any display, structure, device or object which incorporates lettering, logos, colors, lights, or illuminated inert gas tubes visible to the public from a building or structure, which either conveys a message to the public, or intends to advertise, direct, invite, announce, or draw attention to goods, products, services, activities, or facilities.
A board usually constructed of wood bearing a sign that is attached directly to a structure.
The entire area upon which pictorial, graphic or written material or information is placed for viewing in a single direction.
Any sign painted on a previously unpainted brick, tile or masonry surface with the exception of painting over an area that was previously painted such as an existing wall sign, but excluding ghost signs.
A supporting structure erected and used for the purpose of physically supporting a sign, situated on any premises where a sign may be located. Sign structure may include, but is not limited to, a building, fence, wall or earthen berm.
Any informational sign or advertising sign, banner, or other display device constructed of cloth, canvas, wood, or other temporary material, with or without a structural frame, and intended for a limited period of display not exceeding 45 days as further specified by the terms of this section.
Any sign placed upon the outside or inside of a window, not extending beyond six inches from the surface of the window, facing the outside.
See "permanent window sign;" "temporary sign."
General regulations and restrictions. The following regulations and restrictions shall apply to all signs erected in the district:
Right-of-way restrictions. Except as otherwise set forth in this section, no sign or any portion thereof shall be constructed, erected or so located or placed within the right-of-way lines of any public highway or street except for official traffic signs or for street or road signs as required and erected by local, state, and/or federal governmental agencies or authorities or permitted projecting signs and temporary signs.
Height. No sign or portion thereof shall extend beyond the roof of a building.
Sign area. The sign area consists of the letters and/or symbols that encompass the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape that can enclose such letters and/or symbols. In cases of cylindrical signs, signs in the shape of cubes, or other signs, which are three-dimensional with respect to their display surfaces, the entire sign face or faces is included in the computation of area.
Double-faced signs. Where a sign consists of an identical double face, only one side shall be considered for the purpose of calculating total sign area. Where both sides are not identical or where the interior angle formed by the faces of a sign is greater than 45°, all sign faces shall be considered in calculating the total sign area.
Spacing between signs. Any spacing between signs designating different or separate occupants or uses of a building shall not be counted as sign area.
Maximum sign area. Unless more restrictive provisions are specified elsewhere in this section, a sign shall not exceed the maximum sign area of 60 square feet.
Content. Sign content shall be limited to business name, business logo, telephone number, products or services sold on the premises and the name of the owner or the manager of the place of business.
Materials. All signs, excluding canopy, awning and window signs, shall be constructed only from durable materials such as wood, metal, stone or other material with painted, engraved or raised messages.
Maintenance. All signs shall be constructed of durable materials, kept in good repair, and in a sound, secure condition, so that all sign information is clearly legible. Any sign found by the Zoning Officer to show deterioration, including rust, faded colors, discoloration, holes and missing parts or informational items, shall constitute a violation of this section.
Lighting. Signs may be only externally illuminated. With the exception of marquee signs and neon signs permitted by conditional use under Subsection K of this section, all internally illuminated signs are prohibited. Internally illuminated signs include, but are not limited to, plastic signs, fluorescent or flashing signs.
Sign removal. All permanent signs shall be removed within 30 days following the cessation of circumstances leading to the erection of such signs. Signs shall be removed in a sensitive manner so as not to cause permanent damage to a building. Upon removal of a sign, all damage caused by the mounting or removal shall be repaired and the building returned to its original condition.
General guidelines. In reviewing applications and granting sign permits under this section, the Zoning Officer or other authorized official shall adhere to the following guidelines:
Colors/color scheme. Colors and color schemes used in signs should be appropriate in style and to the color scheme of the supporting building upon which the sign is being placed. Colors should be coordinated with and complementary to supporting buildings and adjoining properties. Colors used on the painted exterior detailing of a building, such as window trim and cornices, should be used in signs to unify the various components of a facade.
Content. Sign verbiage should be kept simple and to the point. It is recommended that a font be selected for a sign that defines the business and product or service to be advertised while complementing other signs within the district. Using lettering fashionable to the time period of the building is also recommended.
Design. Sign designs should be kept simple so as not to be too detailed or cluttered. Graphic elements, details of the building, and architectural motifs should be used as part of the sign design when feasible.
Installation. Signs shall be mounted on a building so that holes can be easily patched. Where possible, holes should be made in mortar joints and not directly in masonry units. Existing holes or hangers should be used when possible.
Lighting. Sign lighting should be directed to the sign itself and not used to light the surrounding area; separate fixtures or sources of lighting should be used for area lighting.
Lighting fixtures. Lighting fixture designs, if visible, should be consistent across the facade of a building and should complement the architectural period of the building. Lighting fixtures should be good quality, style, and design that fits well with the scale and character of a building. Gooseneck lighting fixtures are recommended.
Lighting sources. Lighting sources should be as inconspicuous as possible and shielded from all adjacent properties and streets. Lighting should not be of such intensity as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists. The use of compact fluorescents or LED energy-efficient light bulbs is recommended.
Location/placement. Signs should be installed in locations so as not to cover up or destroy architectural features or historically significant details such as cornices, trim, windows, decorative brickwork, or other unique details. Signs should be placed where they fit within the architectural detailing of a building. When possible, historic photographs of buildings shall be referenced to see how signs relate to and fit into a building's architectural details.
Material. Sign material should complement the original construction materials and architectural style of the building's facade on which it is to be displayed. Artisan-crafted signs and quality sign materials manufactured specifically by the sign industry are preferred.
Number of signs. When more than one sign is permitted on a building or premises, the signs should be complementary and relate to each other in terms of design, height, proportion, color and background value.
Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited in the district unless specifically permitted as temporary signs under Subsection H of this section:
Abandoned signs.
Animated signs.
Beacon light.
Internally illuminated signs, excluding neon signs as permitted under Section 1(G)(2)(f); (K)(3) and marquee signs in accordance with Section 1(K)(1) of this section.
Flashing signs.
Movable/changeable lettering signs.
Roof signs.
Pole signs.
Portable signs.
Signs painted on brick.
Signs advertising for other locations: signs advertising goods or services not sold or produced on the premises on which the sign is located.
Permitted signs. The following permanent signs, and the associated requirements thereto, shall be permitted in the district:
Permitted kinds of signs.
Signs permitted in all districts. Any sign authorized in this section.
Business identification sign. Identification or business signs, indicating the services or products sold on the premises, as per the following requirements:
Basement/upper floors. Businesses located in the basement or upper floors of a building shall have no more than one business identification sign, which shall not exceed a maximum sign area of 12 square feet and a height of 2.5 feet. Such signs shall be located on the first floor near the basement or upper floor entrance or point of access.
First floor commercial. Businesses located on the first floor shall have no more than one business identification sign per facade fronting a street with a maximum of two signs per building. Such signs shall not exceed a maximum sign area of 50 square feet and a height of 2.5 feet.
Traffic or parking sign. Each business may erect signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter. Such signs shall be limited to such information or instructions as necessary for the convenience of vehicular traffic in reaching such business. Such signs shall not exceed a gross sign area of four square feet and may be illuminated in accordance with Subsections D(7) and E(5) of this section.
Trespassing or private number sign. A freestanding trespassing sign or a sign indicating the private nature of a driveway or property or restricting the use of a driveway or property may be erected and maintained, provided that the sign area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet. Only two such signs are permitted per property unless such property fronts on more than one street in which event two signs may be erected on each frontage. Such signs shall not be illuminated but may be reflective.
Permitted types of signs.
Architectural statue. Only one architectural statue is permitted per first floor commercial business. The architectural statue shall not exceed a maximum height of six feet and must be placed within six inches of the storefront, not obstructing ordinary public traffic. Architectural statues shall not be illuminated in any manner and shall only be displayed during the regular business hours of the associated business.
Freestanding signs. A freestanding sign is not permitted except when the front wall of the building is set back more than 10 feet from the front lot line. Permitted freestanding signs are ground signs and pole signs.
Awning and canopy signs. One canopy sign shall be permitted above each entrance providing public access to a building. One awning sign shall be permitted above each entrance providing public access to a building and above windows. Awnings and canopies should be proportional to the scale of the building so as not to overpower the proportions of windows and facades. Awnings and canopies should be attached to a building in accordance with Subsection E(4) of this section and so that the structure does not cover architectural elements of a building.
Awnings and canopy signs may display the name and nature of the business on the front face and/or side facings with lettering and business logos not exceeding a maximum height of eight inches and subject to a maximum coverage of all lettering and business logos not to exceed 25% of the overall exposed awning or canopy surface. Signs on the opposite ends of an awning or canopy shall be considered a single sign. Awning and canopy signs shall not be less than seven feet above the sidewalk.
Awnings may be used on street level and in upper floors as long as they are appropriately scaled and designed to maintain the architectural style of a building. Canopies are only permitted on the first level.
Both fixed-position and retractable/operable awnings are acceptable.
Awnings and canopies shall be made of weather-resistant materials.
Projecting (hanging) signs. Projecting signs shall not exceed a maximum sign area of 15 square feet. A projecting sign may not extend more than four feet from a wall and must clear the sidewalk by at least 10 feet. Projecting signs shall be created from the lightest-weight materials available to create the message desired on the sign. Every projecting sign shall be designated and anchored to withstand a steady, horizontal wind pressure of at least 100 miles per hour.
Wall signs. A wall sign is any sign mounted, attached, or painted flush against a building having only one sign face visible from outside the building. Such signs shall not project more than six inches from the wall of the building. The sign area of a wall sign shall not exceed a maximum of 50 square feet and 2.5 feet in height.
Permanent window signs. A permanent window sign placed upon a building's display window shall occupy and/or cover not more than 20% of the window area or glass. Interior neon windows signs shall be permitted but shall be restricted to an overall dimension of two square feet.
Special provision for upper floor/basement occupants. Upper floor and basement occupants shall only be permitted to erect wall signs or projecting signs.
Temporary signs.
Temporary on-premises signs.
Political signs.
Sandwich board signs. Provided that there are no more than two sandwich board signs with an aggregate sign area of 12 square feet or less and further provided that they do not remain outside a building after hours and do not block sidewalks. Sandwich board signs shall not be illuminated.
Special event signs.
Temporary window signs.
Exempt signs. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section:
Flag or emblems. Flags or emblems of a government, political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization displayed on private property.
Governmental signs. Signs placed by a governmental body, including but not limited to, promotional activities, traffic or directional devices, legal notices and warnings, instructional or regulatory signs, and official notices placed by public officers and/or employees.
Historic signs. Restoration, preservation and/or reconstruction of such signage that does not otherwise comply with the provisions of this section must first be presented to and designated as an "historic sign" by Borough Council which shall have the sole right to make such designation and to impose any requirements or restrictions on the same. Historic signs include ghost signs. Historic signs, whenever possible, shall be retained and maintained in accordance with the National Park Service Preservation Brief No. 25—The Preservation of Historic Signs. Where historical documentation exists, historic signs may be recreated in accordance with the historical documentation.
Incidental signs. Incidental signs displayed inside a window of a commercial establishment to advertise special sales of products sold, credit cards accepted, or those required by law or ordinance.
Nonconforming signs. Legally nonconforming signs existing prior to the enactment of this section may remain until the sign is altered in any way. At that point, the sign shall be immediately brought into compliance with this section, or the sign shall be removed.
Conditional uses. Where Borough Council has been assured that the standards and criteria governing the granting of conditional use as provided for in this section have been met within the purpose and intent of this section, signs erected for the following uses may be approved:
Marquee signs. Marquee signs, provided that the height of a marquee sign shall not extend above the parapet wall of the building, and the lowest point of the marquee sign shall not be less than seven feet above the grade.
Wall murals and artwork. Wall murals and other artwork of noncommercial nature shall be sympathetic to the historical nature of the district. Murals shall not become a predominating visual element of the streetscape.
Neon signs. Neon signs advertising a personal business message that add to the unique character of the district shall be permitted as a conditional use. Neon signs provided by national distributors are not appropriate.
Permits.
Additional application requirements. In addition to any other required permit, an application for a sign permit in the business district shall include the following information:
A current photograph of the property;
An illustration of the building facade showing the proposed sign;
A scaled drawing showing the sign itself and including the size, materials, colors, lighting, lettering and method of attachment;
For ground signs, a site plan indicating the location of the sign; and
Type of illumination, if any.
Review of application. In granting sign permits, the Zoning Officer shall take the purposes and intent of this section into consideration.
Violations and penalties. Any person, partnership or corporation who violates any provision of this section shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement, be subject to a judgment of not more than $500 together with all the court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred, said judgment to accrue to the benefit of the Borough of Verona pursuant to § 617.2 of the MPC. Each day that the violation exists shall constitute a separate violation. Notwithstanding same, the Borough reserves the right to avail itself of any civil remedy available either in law or in equity.
[1]
Editor’s Note: The title of this section was changed 9-8-2015 by Ord. No. 04-2015.
§ 250-78 Review and approval procedure.
Persons desiring to erect a sign or signs, whether as a separate project or part of other construction requiring a permit, shall apply to the Zoning Officer and submit a plan of their proposal indicating the location of the sign on the property, dimensions to property lines, dimensions of the sign, including height of the top and bottom above ground level, and construction details indicating materials to be used and details of the method of attachment to the building or ground, including guying. The Zoning Officer shall issue a permit if all applicable parts of this article are adhered to, provided the sign or signs are of such size to require permits.