[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Canonsburg 12-16-1997 by Ord. No. 1216. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
Unless it appears from the context that a different meaning
is intended, the following words shall have the meanings given them
in this section:
The Borough of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
Any sign urging the election or defeat of any candidate seeking
any political office or urging the passage or defeat of any ballot
measure, but does not mean or include any billboard owned or maintained
by a commercial firm or advertising company.
All publicly owned property, including streets, rights-of-way,
easements and everything affixed thereto and thereover.
Includes any bill, poster, placard, handbill, flyer, painting,
sign or written matter in words, symbols or pictures or in any combination
thereof.
The Borough Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer.
A.Â
Posting on public right-of-way prohibited. It shall be unlawful for
any person to post a political campaign sign on or over any public
property in the Borough.
B.Â
Posting on utility poles prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any
person to post a political campaign sign on any public utility pole
or other public utility structure or to post paint or otherwise affix
such signs to trees, rocks or other natural features.
C.Â
Size of signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect any political
campaign sign which exceeds 12 square feet, and it shall be unlawful
to erect political campaign signs on any lot, the total message area
of which exceeds six square feet.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 1283]
A.Â
It shall
be unlawful for any person to post a political campaign sign more
than 30 days prior to the election for which the sign is posted, and
it shall be unlawful to fail to remove a political campaign sign within
12 days after the election for which the sign was posted.
B.Â
Notwithstanding
anything in this chapter to the contrary, said time limit shall not
apply to signs posted inside a building or residence and displayed
in a window, which signs shall have no limitation as to time prior
to an election or after an election.
[Added 2-8-1999 by Ord. No. 1224]
The erector of such signs or an authorized agent of the political
party or candidate shall apply for and obtain a permit from the Borough
and deposit with the Borough, at the time of his application, a sum
in an amount as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough
Council as a guaranty that all signs will be removed promptly within
12 days after the date of the election to which such sign relates.
If such signs are not removed at the end of the twelve-day period,
the Borough shall have them removed and keep the full sum deposited
to reimburse the expense incurred by it.
The Zoning Officer or his authorized agents are hereby authorized
to remove any political campaign sign found posted within the corporate
limits of the Borough when such sign is in violation of the provisions
of this article.
For the purpose of removing political campaign signs, the Zoning
Officer or his authorized agents is empowered to enter upon the property
where the signs are posted, and the director is further authorized
to enlist the aid or assistance of any other department of the Borough
and to secure legal process to the end that all such signs shall be
expeditiously removed from any property where posted.
When the Zoning Officer or his agents find that a political campaign sign has been posted in violation of this article or without the payment of the permit fee set forth in § 142-4, he shall attempt to contact the candidate, committee or person responsible for the posting of such sign. If successful, he shall give 24 hours' advance telephonic notice of his intention to remove the sign and indicate the nature of the violation and the location of the sign. If, after such notification, the illegal sign remains in violation, the Zoning Officer or his agents shall remove said sign and store it in a safe location. If, after reasonable diligence, the Zoning Officer is unable to contact the candidate, committee or person responsible for the sign, he may dispense with the notice requirement and remove the sign, storing it in a safe location.
If the Zoning Officer or his agents remove any political campaign sign, he shall keep a record of the location from which the sign was removed. He shall store the political campaign sign in a safe location for at least 90 days and shall immediately notify, by telephone, the candidate, committee or person responsible for the posting of the sign, indicating the fact of removal and the location where it may be retrieved. If the Zoning Officer is unable to make telephone contact, he shall provide written notice if the address of the candidate, committee or person is known or can be ascertained. The Zoning Officer shall return any political campaign sign upon the payment of the fee provided in § 142-4.
The Borough shall be entitled to receive a sum as set forth
from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council for every political
campaign sign removed by the Zoning Officer for which no permit had
been obtained, to cover the expense of removal, notice and storage.
In cases where unusual effort is needed to remove a sign, such as
the cutting or removal of supporting structures, use of aerial devices,
towing of trailer signs or other unusual situation, the Borough shall
collect from the person responsible a sum sufficient to cover the
costs and hourly wages of employees so utilized.
In a campaign for political office, the candidate for such office
shall be deemed the person responsible for the posting of political
campaign signs, unless he first notifies the Borough Zoning Officer
of another person who is responsible. In such case, the candidate
shall provide the name, address, telephone number and signed consent
of such other responsible person. In a campaign regarding a ballot
measure, the president of the committee supporting or opposing such
ballot measure shall be deemed responsible, unless he first notifies
the Zoning Officer of some other person responsible, in the manner
described above. The candidate or, in the case of the ballot measure,
the committee president, or other responsible person, if so designated,
shall be liable to pay any fees or costs for the removal and storage
of illegal signs as set out herein. Further, such candidate, committee
president or other designated person shall be subject to prosecution
for any violation of this article. Nothing in this section shall be
interpreted to make any person liable, civilly or criminally, for
any sign posted by persons unknown to him or her or by persons over
whom he or she has no control.
Political campaign signs in violation of this article are hereby
declared to be public nuisances and may be abated as such by the Borough.
The collection of removal fees shall not preclude the Borough from
prosecuting any person for violating this article.
The Borough Zoning Officer is hereby authorized and empowered
to revoke any permit issued by him pursuant to this article or any
preceding sign ordinance upon failure of the holder of such permit
to comply with any provision of this article.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall erect, alter, remove
or shall do or cause to be done any work in the erection, alteration,
removal or repair of any without first having obtained the permit
required by this article or who shall fail to comply with any of the
requirements of the permit or of this article or who shall fail to
comply with any regulation, order or direction of the Borough of Canonsburg
Department of Code Enforcement or who shall violate any of the provisions
in this article in any way shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding
before any Magisterial District Judge of Washington County, be punishable
by a fine of not more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution for each
and every offense or, upon default in payment of the fine and costs
not caused by indigence or lack of sufficient assets, by imprisonment
in the Washington County prison for a period not to exceed 30 days.
Each day that such violation is continued after notice shall constitute
a new and separate offense, punishable by like fine and penalty or
imprisonment; and, further, notices to the offender shall not be necessary
in order to constitute such continuance as an additional offense or
offenses.
A.Â
ADVERTISING DISPLAY AREA
ERECT
LOCATION
PERSON
PUBLIC BODY
ROOFLINE
SEMIPUBLIC BODY
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
The area encompassed within any regular geometric figure
which would enclose all parts of the .
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix,
and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
Any lot premises, building, structure, wall or any place
whatsoever upon which a is located.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization, singular or plural, of any kind.
Any government or governmental agency of the Borough of Canonsburg,
County of Washington, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.
Any organization operating as a nonprofit activity and serving
a public purpose or service, including such organizations as noncommercial
clubs, lodges, theater groups, recreational and neighborhood associations,
cultural activities and schools.
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof or any
device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly on
a structure or mobile surface or any other surface that shall display
or include any letter, work, insignia, logo, flag or representation
used as or which is in the nature of an advertisement, announcement,
visual communication or direction or which is designed to attract
or bring the subject to the attention of the public not on the premises.
B.Â
BANNER
BENCH SIGNS
BILLBOARD SIGN
BUSINESS SIGN
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
DIRECTORY SIGN
FREESTANDING SIGN
GROUND/POLE SIGN
ILLUMINATED SIGN
INTEGRAL SIGN
MARQUEE SIGN
MOBILE/PORTABLE SIGN
NONCONFORMING SIGN
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
ON-PREMISES SIGN
PARALLEL OR WALL SIGN
POINT-OF-SALE SIGN
PROJECTING SIGN
(1)Â
(2)Â
REAL ESTATE SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SNIPE SIGN
SPECIAL EVENTS SIGN
STREET BANNER SIGN
TRAILER SIGN
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Classification of signs. Signs shall be classified as follows:
Any intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing
characters, letters, illustrations or ornaments applied to paper,
plastic or fabric of any kind, national flags, flags of political
subdivisions and symbolic flags of any institution or business which
shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this section.
A sign located on any part of a surface of a bench or seat
placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
A sign other than one indicating a business conducted on
the premises, a sign upon which advertising matter of any character
is printed, posted or lettered, and it may be either freestanding
or attached to a surface of a building or other structure.
An on-premises sign which advertises or directs attention
to a business commodity, service, industry or other activity which
is sold, offered or conducted other than incidentally on the premises
upon which such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
A sign that is designed so the characters, letters or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged without altering the face of the surface
of the sign.
Any sign giving the name or names of principal contractors,
architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on
the site where the sign is placed, together with other information
included thereon.
A sign on which the names and locations of occupants or use
of a building is given. This definition shall include office buildings
and church directories.
Any self-supporting sign resting or supported by means of
poles or standard. The height of the freestanding sign shall be measured
from the average grade at the top of the sign. It shall not hang over
sidewalks or roadways. It shall be located 10 feet behind all established
rights-of-way, and no sign shall be closer than 15 feet to any adjacent
lot or property line.
Any sign which is supported by structure or supports in or
upon the ground and independent of support from any building.
Any sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light
source.
Any memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date
of erections when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed
of bronze or other incombustible materials mounted on the face of
a building.
Any sign attached to and made a part of a marquee. A "marquee"
is defined as a permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a
building or extending along and projecting beyond the building's wall
and generally designed and constructed to provide protection against
the weather.
Any mobile or portable sign or sign structure not securely
attached to the ground or any other structure. This definition shall
not include trailer signs as defined in this section.
Any sign which does not conform to the regulations of this
section.
Any sign that advertises a business, person, activity, goods,
products or services or directs persons to a different location from
where sign is installed, also commonly known as an "off-site" or "outdoor
advertising sign."
Any on-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs
attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity
which is sold, offered or conducted on the premises upon which such
sign is located or to which it is affixed.
Any sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building
surface. Parallel signs shall not extend beyond the end of any wall
or other surface to which they are mounted or shall not project more
than eight inches from its surface.
Any sign which carries only the name of the firm, major enterprise
or products offered for sale on the premises or a combination of these
things.
Any sign, other than a wall sign, affixed to any building or
wall, whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall.
Any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical building surface
other than a parallel sign. Projecting signs shall not project more
than two feet from the wall or surface to which they are mounted,
shall not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which
they are mounted, shall be at least eight feet to the bottom of the
sign above the ground level immediately below and shall not in any
way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Any sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the
property upon which the sign is placed.
Any sign erected or constructed wholly upon and over the
roof of any building and supported solely on the roof structure.
Any sign of any material whatsoever that is attached in any
way to a utility pole, tree or any other object located or situated
on public or private property.
Any portable signs and window signs erected on the premises
of an establishment having a grand opening or special event.
Any banner sign which is stretched across and hung over a
public right-of-way.
Any sign mounted on a vehicle normally licensed by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania and used for advertising or promotional purposes.
Any sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to
the face of or erected and confined within the limits of the outside
wall of any building and supported by such wall or building and which
displays only one advertising surface.
Any sign placed inside or upon a window facing the outside
and which is intended to be seen from the exterior.
A.Â
Area of signs.
(1)Â
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording
and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background,
whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed. If a sign consists
of individual letters or symbols attached to a building wall or window,
the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle
or regular geometric shape which encompasses all of the letters and
symbols.
(2)Â
In computing the square-foot area of a double-faced sign, only one
side shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical.
If the interior angle formed by the two faces of the double face sign
is greater than 45°, then both sides of such sign shall be considered
in calculating the sign area. However, for permit purposes, it shall
be construed as two signs.
B.Â
Illumination of signs. A directly illuminated sign is designed to
give forth artificial light directly or through transparent or translucent
material from source of light within such sign, including but not
limited to neon and exposed lamp signs.
(1)Â
Festoon lighting. Festoon lighting is a directly illuminated sign,
including either a group of incandescent light bulbs hung or strung
overhead located to attract attention or used to outline a sign or
other structure, but not including festive lighting. Festoon lighting
is not permitted.
(2)Â
Indirectly illuminated sign. A sign illuminated with light so shielded
that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where
said illumination occurs. If such shielding device is defective, such
sign shall be deemed to be a directly illuminated sign.
(3)Â
Flashing sign. An illuminated sign on which the artificial light
is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at
all times when in use. Included are oscillating or revolving lights
or animation. Flashing signs are not permitted because of normal competition
with traffic and other safety lighting.
(4)Â
Nonilluminated sign. A sign which is not illuminated either directly
or indirectly.
(5)Â
Beacon light. Any light with one or more beams capable of being directed
in any direction or directions or capable of being revolved automatically.
C.Â
All lighting and illumination of signs shall conform to regulations
regarding traffic hazards as specified in local and state regulations
and shall not cause undue distraction, confusion or hazard.
A.Â
The following types of on-premises signs and no other shall be permitted
in residential districts:
(1)Â
Public signs. Nonilluminated signs of a public or noncommercial nature
displayed for the direction, safety or convenience of the public,
including signs which identify restrooms, telephone booths, parking
entrances and exits, freight entrances, public utilities, public transit,
safety signs and danger signs, provided that the area of any one side
of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(2)Â
Flag signs. Flags representing governmental, educational or religious
organizations, not to exceed 40 square feet.
(3)Â
Address signs. One nonilluminated sign posted in conjunction with
doorbells and mailboxes, provided that the area on any one side of
any such sign shall not exceed one square foot.
(4)Â
Home occupation. One sign for home occupation or accessory office
indicating only names of persons and their occupation, provided that
the area of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot.
(5)Â
Institutional signs. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
bulletin or announcement board or identification sign for permitted
public, religious or charitable institution, park, school or church
use, provided that the area on any one side of any such sign shall
not exceed 20 square feet and no more than one sign shall be placed
on each street frontage.
(6)Â
Nonconforming signs. One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated
sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use, provided
that the area on any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12
square feet.
(7)Â
Real estate sign. One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or
rental of the premises upon which said sign has been erected, provided
that the area of any such sign does not exceed six square feet and
such sign shall be removed upon settlement or rental of the property.
All signs shall be located within the property line; for the advertising
of sale or rental of commercial property, the area of said sign shall
not exceed 25 square feet.
(8)Â
Subdivision or tract name sign. One nonilluminated sign not to exceed
32 square feet in area per exclusive entrance to a subdivision or
tract. Such signs are restricted to the name of the subdivision or
tract.
(9)Â
Construction sign. One nonilluminated sign erected in connection
with the development or proposed development of the premises by a
builder, contractor, developer or other persons interested in such
sale or development, provided that the erection of any such sign shall
not exceed 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied
or within six months after the final inspection by the Code Enforcement
Officer, whichever occurs first. Such a sign shall not exceed six
square feet.
(10)Â
Announcing sign. Temporary, nonilluminated signs of mechanics
or artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such person
or persons are performing work on the premises. Such signs shall be
removed upon completion of work by the mechanic or artisan, and the
total areas of all such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(11)Â
Trespassing signs. Signs announcing "no trespassing," indicating
the private nature of a road, or "no fishing" are permitted, provided
that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed two
square feet.
(12)Â
Plaques. Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated memorial signs
or historical signs or tablets, not to exceed one square foot.
(13)Â
Political signs. A nonilluminated sign advocating or opposing
a candidate for public office or a position on an issue to be determined
in an election, provided that such signs are removed within seven
days after election.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 1283]
B.Â
Off-premises signs are not permitted in residential areas, except
as follows (signs permitted within this section may also be on-premises):
(1)Â
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic,
street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings and
other official signs which are similarly authorized or directed by
a duly constituted governmental body.
(2)Â
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits,
shows or events may be erected subject to the following requirements:
(a)Â
Permission is granted by the property owner, in writing, that
the sign may be erected.
(b)Â
Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area, and banner signs
shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.
(c)Â
Signs shall not be posted earlier than four weeks before the
occurrence of the exhibit, show or event and shall be removed within
one week after the termination of the exhibit, show or event.
No on-premises sign shall be permitted except as follows:
A.Â
All classifications of signs permitted in residential districts.
B.Â
Parallel, projecting and business signs, provided that:
(1)Â
Only one sign per building shall be permitted, except for buildings
on corner lots which may have two signs.
(2)Â
The total area of all parallel and projecting signs for each establishment
shall not exceed one square foot for each foot of length of the face
of the main building wall nearest parallel to the street line, the
length of that portion of such wall which is devoted to such establishment.
Corner buildings may divide total square feet on signage permitted
to two sides, as long as said signs do not project beyond the ends
of the wall to which they are attached.
(3)Â
If such establishment does not occupy any floor area on the ground
level of the building other than an entry way, the maximum area per
foot of length of front face of the main building wall nearest parallel
to the street line shall be only 1/2 of a square foot.
(4)Â
Interior window signs shall be considered parallel signs and included
in the above computations.
(5)Â
Portable signs, banner signs and flag signs may be erected on the
premises of an establishment having a grand opening or special event,
provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period not to exceed
seven calendar days within any six-month period, and the total square
footage is not to exceed 40 square feet.
C.Â
Freestanding business signs are permitted as follows:
(1)Â
Only one such sign shall be permitted on each property and can be
in addition to a parallel, projecting and/or business sign.
(2)Â
The area of any such sign shall not exceed 48 square feet. Such signs
may be double-faced.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 1283]
(3)Â
Freestanding signs mounted or otherwise affixed to the roof of a
building are not permitted.
(4)Â
The maximum height of freestanding business signs shall be 25 feet
from curb level to top of sign.
(5)Â
All signs shall be at least 10 feet behind all street rights-of-way.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 1283]
(6)Â
No part of any sign shall be closer than 20 feet to any adjacent
lot.
(7)Â
No part of any sign may project into the right-of-way of a street
or highway.
D.Â
In addition to an individual wall sign for each enterprise in a group
of business establishments sharing an integrated shopping area with
limited access, one ground sign having two faces and not over 25 feet
in height, having a maximum sign area of 50 square feet per side and
located not closer than 20 feet to any public right-of-way and not
closer than 20 feet to an adjoining lot line may be erected to serve
such group of business establishments. However, in such a case, all
the individual wall signs shall be no larger than one square foot
per linear foot of the building or part of the building occupied by
such business.
No billboards are permitted in the Borough, except in conformance with Chapter 170, Zoning.
A.Â
The Borough Manager is authorized to prepare and utilize such forms
as may be required for carrying out the provisions of this article
pertaining to signs.
B.Â
All signs must comply with all applicable federal, state and local
laws and regulations.
C.Â
Flashing, animated or moving signs shall not be permitted in any
district.
D.Â
All signs except temporary signs shall be constructed of durable
material and kept in good condition and repair.
E.Â
Nonconforming signs existing at the time of the passage of this chapter
which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be
considered nonconforming signs and, once removed, shall be replaced
only with conforming signs; provided, however, that nonconforming
signs may be repainted or repaired, provided that such repainting
or repair does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign. Lawful
signs in existence at the effective date of this chapter or amendments
thereto may be continued subject to the following regulations:
(1)Â
Moving. No nonconforming advertising sign, billboard, commercial
advertising structure or statuary shall be moved to another position
on the building or lot on which it is located after the effective
date of this chapter or amendment thereto.
(2)Â
Structural alterations. A nonconforming sign on a nonconforming use
may be continued, but the area of such sign or signs shall not be
increased and such sign or signs shall not be structurally altered.
(3)Â
Damage or destruction. In the event that any nonconforming advertising
sign, billboard, commercial advertising structure or statuary is damaged
by any means to the extent of 50% of its cost of replacement at the
time of destruction, such sign shall not be restored or replaced.
(4)Â
Discontinuance of signs. Whenever any use of building or structure
of land or of a combination of buildings, structures and land ceases,
all signs accessory to such use shall be deemed to become nonconforming
and shall be removed within six calendar months.
F.Â
No signs except those of a duly constituted governmental body, including
traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, shall be allowed within
street rights-of-way.
G.Â
Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the
carrying of such sign or signs no longer is incidental to the vehicle's
primary purpose but becomes a primary purpose in itself shall be considered
a freestanding sign and as such be subject to the provisions regarding
freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle is located.
H.Â
A sign that is not expressly permitted in any given zoning district
is prohibited by this section.
I.Â
All signs must comply with applicable federal and state regulations
concerning permissible wind pressure pounds per square foot for both
solid and open signs.
J.Â
Any sign that is located on property which becomes vacant and is
unoccupied for a period of three months or more or any sign which
pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies shall
be deemed to have been abandoned and shall be removed by the owner
of the sign or owner of the premises. The sign may be removed by the
Borough at the expense of the owner.
K.Â
No person shall permit a dangerous or defective sign to remain on
any premises owned or controlled by him as set forth in these regulations.
If said sign is not repaired or removed, the Borough may remove it
at the owner's expense.
L.Â
The Code Enforcement Officer shall cause to be removed any sign which
endangers public safety, such as an abandoned, dangerous or materially,
electrically or structurally defective sign or a sign for which no
permit has been issued. Said Code Enforcement Officer shall prepare
a notice and shall describe the sign and specify the violation involved
at which he will state that if the sign is not removed and the violation
is not corrected within 10 days, the sign shall be removed in accordance
with the provisions of this article. Notices shall be sent by certified
mail, and any time periods provided for in this article shall be deemed
to commence on the date of the receipt of the certified mail. Any
person having an interest in the sign may appeal the determination
of the Code Enforcement Officer by filing a written notice of appeal
with the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days of the date of mailing
of the notice. Notwithstanding the above, in cases of an emergency,
the Code Enforcement Officer may cause the immediate removal of a
dangerous or defective sign without notice.
M.Â
No illuminated signs are permitted residential districts.
N.Â
Freestanding roof signs are prohibited, and freestanding ground signs
may not exceed six feet in height. Said ground signs must be located
a minimum of 20 feet from street rights-of-way.
O.Â
Projecting signs or portions of such signs shall not be located less
than eight feet to the bottom of the sign or more than 12 feet above
the ground level immediately below said sign.
P.Â
Parallel signs or portions of such signs shall not be located more
than 12 feet above the ground level immediately below such sign.
Q.Â
No sign shall be permitted that is deemed to constitute a hazard
of any kind, to obscure light or air from a building, to prevent ingress
or egress from any window or exit or to interfere or obstruct the
view of motorists or pedestrians.
R.Â
Signs may not be attached to utility poles or street trees except
for municipal purposes.
In addition to the setback requirements stated elsewhere for
specific signs, the following general setback requirements shall be
observed:
A.Â
There are no setback requirements for signs whose area does not exceed
two square feet, except that no sign is permitted in any street right-of-way.
B.Â
Real estate signs or bulletin boards for a church, school or other
public or semipublic religious or educational institution may be erected
within 10 feet of the right-of-way of any street or highway, provided
that such sign or bulletin board does not obstruct traffic visibility
at street or highway intersections.
A.Â
Where a business or manufacturing district abuts a residential district
or is separated from a residential district by a public roadway, no
sign which faces a side or front lot of any lot in such residential
district shall be permitted to be closer than 100 feet to such lot
line, including the width of such roadway.
B.Â
Signs larger than one square foot shall be erected or placed in conformity
with the side and rear yard requirements of the district in which
it is located, except no sign larger than one square foot in area
shall be closer than 50 feet to a side or rear line of a lot in any
residential district.
C.Â
Signs permitted in residential districts shall be placed no closer
than 40 feet to a side or rear yard line.
D.Â
Ground signs in residential districts shall be set back a minimum
of 25 feet from the established right-of-way line of any street or
highway.
E.Â
All signs and/or advertising structures which do not wholly conform
and cannot be altered to conform to all applicable provisions of this
section but which were constructed in compliance with previous regulations
and possess no variance shall be removed within three years of the
effective date of article.
It shall be unlawful to erect, construct or alter any sign without
first having filed with the Code Enforcement Officer for an application,
in writing, and obtaining a formal building permit from the Borough
of Canonsburg. Said application will be submitted to the Code Enforcement
Officer on such terms as prescribed by the Borough of Canonsburg.
A.Â
Plans. Applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by a scale
drawing showing the following:
(1)Â
The dimensions of the sign and, where applicable, the dimension of
the wall surface of the building to which it is to be attached.
(2)Â
The dimension of the sign supporting numbers and the maximum and
minimum height of the billboard.
(3)Â
The proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the
building in front of which it is to be erected.
(4)Â
The proposed location of the sign in relation to the boundaries of
the lot upon which it is to be situated.
(5)Â
Where the sign is to be attached to an existing building, a current
photograph of the face of the building to which the sign is to be
attached.
(6)Â
A description of the construction details, materials of the sign
structure, type of lettering and the intensity and type of lighting
to be provided.
(7)Â
A written statement showing the name of the owner of the sign, address,
telephone number and the name of the person in control of the building
or premises where such sign is to be located. The name of the sign
contractor or erector is also required.
(8)Â
The owner of any advertising sign shall provide the Borough with
a certificate of insurance, issued by a qualified and licensed insurance
company, naming the Borough as an additional insured against all claims
in the face amount of $250,000 for property damage and personal injury
connected with said sign. The amount of the deductible pertaining
to the Borough shall not exceed $2,500.
(9)Â
A statement evaluation as to cost of construction.
(10)Â
Whenever a proposed sign is included in the presentation of
a new or amended site plan application, the sign permit application
shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission prior to
the issuance of a sign permit by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(11)Â
Approval of a certificate of occupancy for each new business,
facility or office desiring to continue using or to create a new sign
shall be contingent upon approval of a sign permit.
B.Â
Fees. The Borough Council may, by resolution, establish reasonable
fees for permanent applications and inspections, the cost of which
is in direct correlation with such inspection as referred to herein.
No permit shall be issued without the application and first year's
inspection fee having first been paid at the time of approval and
subsequent issuance of permit.
(1)Â
Permit fees shall be in an amount as set forth from time to time
by resolution of the Borough Council.
(2)Â
An annual inspection fee shall be paid per sign in an amount as set
forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
(3)Â
When plans require a formal plans check, as determined by the Code
Enforcement Officer, a plan check fee, in addition to the permit fee,
shall be collected in an amount as set forth from time to time by
resolution of the Borough Council.
(4)Â
If a permit is not obtained within 90 days after the applicant has
been notified that the plans are approved, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall assume that the application is withdrawn and may destroy the
plans. Renewed action on said plans shall require reapplication and
new fees.
(5)Â
Should any person, firm or corporation actually begin work for which
a permit is required and do so without taking out a permit therefor,
he or it shall pay, in addition to the fees above described and provided,
an additional amount equal to 100% of the fees above described and
shall be subject to all the penal provisions of this chapter.
(6)Â
A reinspection charge shall be assessed for each inspection after
the second made to determine compliance. These cumulative charges
shall be as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough
Council.