Borough of Canonsburg, PA Chapter 142 Signs

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Canonsburg 12-16-1997 by Ord. No. 1216. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Political Signs

§ 142-1 Definitions.

Unless it appears from the context that a different meaning is intended, the following words shall have the meanings given them in this section:

BOROUGH

The Borough of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

PERSON

Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGN

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.

PUBLIC PROPERTY

All publicly owned property, including streets, rights-of-way, easements and everything affixed thereto and thereover.

SIGN

Includes any bill, poster, placard, handbill, flyer, painting, sign or written matter in words, symbols or pictures or in any combination thereof.

ZONING OFFICER

The Borough Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer.

§ 142-2 Restrictions.

A. 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. 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. 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]

§ 142-3 Posting time limits.

A. 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. 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]

§ 142-4 Permits; deposit.

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.

§ 142-5 Removal of signs.

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.

§ 142-6 Right of entry.

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.

§ 142-7 Notice of violation.

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.

§ 142-8 Storage; notice of removal; recovery.

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.

§ 142-9 Cost of removal.

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.

§ 142-10 Responsible persons.

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.

§ 142-11 Nuisances.

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.

§ 142-12 Revocation of permits.

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.

§ 142-13 Violations and penalties.

[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.

Article II Use Regulations

§ 142-14 Terminology.

A. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ADVERTISING DISPLAY AREA

The area encompassed within any regular geometric figure which would enclose all parts of the .

ERECT

To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.

LOCATION

Any lot premises, building, structure, wall or any place whatsoever upon which a is located.

PERSON

Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization, singular or plural, of any kind.

PUBLIC BODY

Any government or governmental agency of the Borough of Canonsburg, County of Washington, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

ROOFLINE

The juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.

SEMIPUBLIC BODY

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. Classification of signs. Signs shall be classified as follows:

BANNER

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.

BENCH SIGNS

A sign located on any part of a surface of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.

BILLBOARD SIGN

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.

BUSINESS SIGN

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.

CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN

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.

CONSTRUCTION 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.

DIRECTORY SIGN

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.

FREESTANDING SIGN

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.

GROUND/POLE SIGN

Any sign which is supported by structure or supports in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building.

ILLUMINATED SIGN

Any sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source.

INTEGRAL SIGN

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.

MARQUEE SIGN

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.

MOBILE/PORTABLE SIGN

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.

NONCONFORMING SIGN

Any sign which does not conform to the regulations of this section.

OFF-PREMISES SIGN

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."

ON-PREMISES 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.

PARALLEL OR WALL SIGN

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.

POINT-OF-SALE SIGN

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.

PROJECTING SIGN

(1) Any sign, other than a wall sign, affixed to any building or wall, whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall.

(2) 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.

REAL ESTATE SIGN

Any sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.

ROOF SIGN

Any sign erected or constructed wholly upon and over the roof of any building and supported solely on the roof structure.

SNIPE SIGN

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.

SPECIAL EVENTS SIGN

Any portable signs and window signs erected on the premises of an establishment having a grand opening or special event.

STREET BANNER SIGN

Any banner sign which is stretched across and hung over a public right-of-way.

TRAILER SIGN

Any sign mounted on a vehicle normally licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and used for advertising or promotional purposes.

WALL SIGN

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.

WINDOW SIGN

Any sign placed inside or upon a window facing the outside and which is intended to be seen from the exterior.

§ 142-15 Area; illumination.

A. Area of signs.

(1) 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) 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. 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) 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) 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) 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) Nonilluminated sign. A sign which is not illuminated either directly or indirectly.

(5) 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. 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.

§ 142-16 Signs permitted in residential districts.

A. The following types of on-premises signs and no other shall be permitted in residential districts:

(1) 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) Flag signs. Flags representing governmental, educational or religious organizations, not to exceed 40 square feet.

(3) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) Plaques. Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated memorial signs or historical signs or tablets, not to exceed one square foot.

(13) 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. Off-premises signs are not permitted in residential areas, except as follows (signs permitted within this section may also be on-premises):

(1) 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) Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows or events may be erected subject to the following requirements:

(a) Permission is granted by the property owner, in writing, that the sign may be erected.

(b) Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area, and banner signs shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.

(c) 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.

§ 142-17 Signs permitted in commercial and industrial districts.

No on-premises sign shall be permitted except as follows:

A. All classifications of signs permitted in residential districts.

B. Parallel, projecting and business signs, provided that:

(1) Only one sign per building shall be permitted, except for buildings on corner lots which may have two signs.

(2) 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) 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) Interior window signs shall be considered parallel signs and included in the above computations.

(5) 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. Freestanding business signs are permitted as follows:

(1) Only one such sign shall be permitted on each property and can be in addition to a parallel, projecting and/or business sign.

(2) 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) Freestanding signs mounted or otherwise affixed to the roof of a building are not permitted.

(4) The maximum height of freestanding business signs shall be 25 feet from curb level to top of sign.

(5) All signs shall be at least 10 feet behind all street rights-of-way.

[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 1283]

(6) No part of any sign shall be closer than 20 feet to any adjacent lot.

(7) No part of any sign may project into the right-of-way of a street or highway.

D. 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.

§ 142-18 Billboards.

No billboards are permitted in the Borough, except in conformance with Chapter 170, Zoning.

§ 142-19 General sign regulations.

A. 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. All signs must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

C. Flashing, animated or moving signs shall not be permitted in any district.

D. All signs except temporary signs shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair.

E. 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) 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) 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) 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) 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. 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. 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. A sign that is not expressly permitted in any given zoning district is prohibited by this section.

I. 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. 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. 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. 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. No illuminated signs are permitted residential districts.

N. 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. 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. Parallel signs or portions of such signs shall not be located more than 12 feet above the ground level immediately below such sign.

Q. 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. Signs may not be attached to utility poles or street trees except for municipal purposes.

§ 142-20 General setback provisions.

In addition to the setback requirements stated elsewhere for specific signs, the following general setback requirements shall be observed:

A. 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. 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.

§ 142-21 Special provisions.

A. 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. 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. Signs permitted in residential districts shall be placed no closer than 40 feet to a side or rear yard line.

D. 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. 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.

F. Notwithstanding § 142-19C above, digital electronic message center signs shall be permitted when recommended by the Planning Commission.

[Added 7-12-2004 by Ord. No. 1255]

§ 142-22 Permit requirements and fees.

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. Plans. Applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by a scale drawing showing the following:

(1) 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) The dimension of the sign supporting numbers and the maximum and minimum height of the billboard.

(3) The proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the building in front of which it is to be erected.

(4) The proposed location of the sign in relation to the boundaries of the lot upon which it is to be situated.

(5) 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) 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) 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) 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) A statement evaluation as to cost of construction.

(10) 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) 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. 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) Permit fees shall be in an amount as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.

(2) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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.