The purposes of this article are to regulate the type and dimensions
of signs in the various zoning districts of Parkside Borough, to recognize
the commercial communication requirements of all sectors of the business
community, to protect the public from damage or injury caused by or
attributable to distractions and obstructions caused by improperly
designed or located signs, and to safeguard property values by encouraging
the use of signs that are consistent and harmonious in relation to
the buildings and areas where they are placed.
A.
Any sign hereafter erected shall conform to the provisions of this
article and any other ordinance or regulations of the Borough relating
thereto. Any sign not specifically authorized by the provisions of
this article shall not be erected in the Borough.
C.
Application for such permits shall be made in writing to the Borough in accordance with § 182-89.
D.
The Zoning Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any
permit issued by the Borough upon failure of the holder thereof to
comply with any provision of this article.
E.
The provisions of this article shall not apply where signage is erected
and maintained by the Borough for Borough purposes, provided that
the Borough obtains all other required government permits prior to
their use.
A.
The size of any sign shall be determined in accordance with the provisions
of this article and the following:
(1)
When a sign consists of actual letters, numbers, and/or logos and
not a lettered board and such sign is erected on or attached to a
building wall or other similar surface, the size of such sign shall
be measured by the geometric shape formed by the extreme outside edge
of the largest letters, numbers, or logos contained in the sign.
(2)
When a sign consists of a lettered board and such sign is erected
on or attached to a building wall or other similar surface, the size
of such sign shall be determined by calculating the area of the lettered
board.
A.
Prohibited signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following
signs:
(1)
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated, inflatable, aerial,
crane, or lighted moving signs, including automatic color changing
and rotating lamps and other moving objects that call attention to
the sign.
(2)
Advertising cloth or paper banner or signs of any similar character
suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary banners. However,
banners and pennants for public purposes shall be permitted in the
C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts.
(3)
Wall bulletins or any other signs painted directly on the facade
of a building or other structure.
(4)
Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached, or suspended from
any outdoor bench, chair, or similar structure.
(5)
Swinging and hanging signs.
(6)
Signs, letters, posters, and advertisements which are tacked, pasted,
tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences or other
structures located on public property or within public rights-of-way
in the Borough of Parkside.
(7)
Signs placed, inscribed, or supported upon the roofline or any structure
that extends above the roofline of any building.
(8)
Freestanding signs advertising or identifying a business in the C-1
and C-2 Commercial Districts.
(9)
Digital movable billboard signs.
B.
Projecting signs. No new projecting signs shall be erected after
the date of enactment of this chapter. Projecting signs in existence
at the enactment of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming
signs and shall be allowed to continue.
C.
General restrictions and standards. The following restrictions shall
apply to all permitted signs:
(1)
Where not inconsistent with this article, all signs constructed or
erected under the provisions of this article shall comply with the
standards set forth in the latest applicable version of the Pennsylvania
Uniform Construction Code.
(2)
Where applicable, the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation in relation to signs shall be followed.
(3)
No sign shall be located, arranged, or placed in a position where
it will cause danger to traffic or will interfere with traffic through
glare; block required sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways;
or cause confusion with a traffic control device by reason of color,
location, shape, or other characteristics or through any other means.
(4)
Except for traffic signs, no sign shall be erected within the right-of-way
lines of any public street except in the C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts,
nor shall any such sign be closer than six feet to the right-of-way
line of a public street, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances
and regulations of the Borough of Parkside or other governmental bodies
or agencies having jurisdiction or regulatory authority in the matter.
(5)
No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or
permitted use is not open.
(6)
Every sign must be constructed of durable materials and shall be
solidly and firmly attached, supported, and/or anchored to the supports
or framework.
(7)
Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign that
is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by and at the expense
of the landowner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
(8)
Except for traffic signs, incidental signs, and billboards, all permanent
signs shall be located on the property to which their text or message
applies.
(9)
Freestanding signs, wall signs, canopy signs, and awning signs shall
have a clearance of not less than eight feet between the ground and
the bottom of the sign.
D.
Area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than
one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign
faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are
placed back to back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point
at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign
structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall
be computed by the measurement of one of these faces.
E.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
The bottom or lowest edge of any freestanding sign shall be no closer
to the ground than eight feet. At least six feet of the upper portion
of the eight-foot space shall be open and unobstructed. No more than
two feet above the ground level can be devoted to and maintained for
flowers, ground covers and low spreading shrubs. If such plantings
are installed, they shall be maintained at the maximum height of two
feet and shall be free of weeds, debris, and other undesirable material.
(2)
All single-post freestanding signs shall be made of metal, except
for those used in residential districts which may be made of pressure-treated
timbers. All such posts shall be embedded in the ground at least three
feet, six inches, unless otherwise directed by the Zoning Officer.
(3)
Freestanding signs will be permitted in residential areas only when
set back a minimum distance of six feet from the front property line.
(4)
Freestanding signs shall only be illuminated by concealed or indirect
lighting.
(5)
There shall be a distance of not less than 75 feet between freestanding
signs.
F.
G.
Window signs. A maximum of 25% of the total window area may be used
for permanent signs that are etched, painted or permanently affixed
to the window.
H.
Temporary signs.
(1)
The use of any temporary sign, except for sales or price change signs and signs exempt by § 182-85, shall require a permit which shall be effective for not more than 30 days.
(2)
Temporary signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct vehicular or
pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.
(3)
Such signs shall not obstruct access to or from any door, window,
fire escape, or ventilating equipment, nor be attached to any standpipe
or fire escape.
(4)
Temporary signs shall be removed immediately upon expiration of the
permit.
(5)
The size of these signs shall not exceed 1/3 of a square foot of
sign area for each linear foot of building width.
(6)
Temporary commercial advertising signs shall not be attached to fences.
I.
Sales or price change signs.
(1)
The use of any sales or price change signs shall require a permit
that shall be effective for not more than one year.
(2)
The size of these signs combined shall not exceed 50% of the area
of the door, window or wall area to which they are affixed.
(3)
These signs shall not be attached to fences.
The following signs are exempt from the need to secure a permit
but are subject to all other applicable provisions of this article:
A.
Public notice, warning, or official traffic sign required by a federal,
state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
B.
Any sign inside a building not attached to a window or door that
is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the
lot line of the property on which such sign is located.
C.
Building markers; that only include building name, date of construction,
or historical data on an historical site, provided that there is only
one per building with a maximum area of six square feet.
D.
Flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, foreign
nations having diplomatic relations with the United States or any
other flag adopted or sanctioned by an elected legislative body of
competent jurisdiction, provided that such flag does not exceed 60
square feet in area and shall be flown from a pole not more than 40
feet in height.
E.
Incidental signs containing no commercial message of any kind, provided
that such signs do not exceed eight square feet.
F.
Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises or lot upon
which they are erected, provided that there is no more than one such
sign per street frontage. Such sign shall be neither illuminated nor
exceed six square feet. All such signs shall be removed on or before
the date of settlement.
G.
Signs advertising the development of the premises where they are
erected. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in residential
districts and 32 square feet in nonresidential districts. All such
signs shall be removed on or before the date of settlement.
H.
Nameplate signs on private residences, provided that they do not
exceed 108 square inches.
I.
Decorations for an officially designated holiday; provided, however,
that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
J.
Yard sale or garage sale signs, provided that they do not exceed
two square feet and are removed within 24 hours after such sales.
K.
Signs announcing educational, charitable, civic, religious, or similar
campaigns or events, provided that such signs are erected for a period
not to exceed 30 days or more than four times in any calendar year
for a maximum annual total of 120 days. Such signs shall not exceed
eight square feet. However, if these signs are proposed for placement
on telephone poles, a permit shall be required.
L.
Changeable copy signs for churches, schools, and other uses which
by their nature require such signs, provided that only one such sign
shall be permitted. However, in the case of a corner property, one
additional sign is permitted on the side of the property. The size
of such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet.
The following signs, as described under each zoning district or group of districts, are permitted, provided that they meet the conditions in § 182-84 and a sign permit has been obtained:
A.
Signs in the R-1, R-2, and RM. The following types of signs and no
others shall be permitted:
(1)
Nameplate signs, not exceeding 108 square inches. Not more than one
such sign per dwelling shall be permitted.
(2)
Identification signs for apartment buildings or complexes, schools,
churches, hospitals and similar permitted uses other than individual
dwellings, provided that:
(a)
Such signs shall be freestanding signs, ground signs, or wall
signs only. Freestanding or ground signs shall not exceed four feet
in height.
(b)
Not more than one wall sign and one freestanding or ground sign
shall be permitted for each frontage.
(c)
The size of freestanding, ground, and wall signs shall not exceed
15 square feet.
(3)
Signs identifying nonresidential uses permitted as valid nonconforming uses, provided that they meet the same requirements as Subsection A(2) above.
(4)
Signs identifying major home occupations and home professional offices
(accessory use signs).
B.
Signs in the C-1 Commercial District.
(1)
Any sign permitted in residential districts.
(2)
Wall signs, projecting signs, freestanding signs, freestanding ground
signs, freestanding pole signs, awning signs, and canopy signs.
(4)
Not more than three types of permitted signs shall be permitted on
any premises, provided that the combined area of these signs shall
not exceed 50 square feet.
C.
Signs in the C-2 Commercial District.
(1)
Any sign permitted in residential districts or the C-1 District.
(2)
Wall signs, projecting signs, freestanding signs, freestanding ground
signs, freestanding pole signs, awning signs, and canopy signs.
(4)
Not more than three types of permitted signs shall be permitted on
any premises, provided that the combined area of these signs shall
not exceed 70 square feet.
D.
Signs in the OS Open Space District. The following signs and no others
shall be permitted in the OS Open Space District.
The following provisions relating to billboards are designed
to promote and protect the general public health, safety, and welfare
by regulating existing and proposed billboards. They are intended
to reduce billboard advertising distractions that may contribute to
traffic accidents and personal injuries and other hazards that arise
out of the proliferation of billboards within a limited geographic
area. The provisions are also designed to protect property values,
create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance the
physical appearance of the community, and generally provide a pleasing
and enjoyable environment.
A.
Billboards shall be permitted only in the C-2 as a use by special
exception.
B.
Billboards shall only be allowed as freestanding signs and shall
not be located on top of or be attached in any manner to a building
or other structure.
C.
Billboards shall be independently supported and have vertical supports
of metal that are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust
and corrosion.
D.
Only one billboard shall be permitted on a lot at any given time.
E.
Each face of a billboard shall be demonstrated to be oriented toward
the road upon which the billboard fronts or faces to cause the least
impact upon neighboring properties.
F.
No billboard shall be erected within 1,000 feet of another billboard.
G.
The maximum size of billboards shall be 100 square feet.
H.
The minimum distance from a street right-of-way shall be 35 feet.
I.
The height of billboards shall not exceed the maximum permitted building
height by more than 20 feet.
J.
External illumination of any and all sign faces on a billboard shall
be shielded to prevent the light source from being seen from adjacent
or nearby residential properties, streets, or sidewalks.
K.
Notwithstanding the above, no billboard shall be located within the
safe clear sight distance or safe stopping distance of a signalized
intersection, which distance shall be determined in accordance with
applicable PennDOT standards; and no part of a billboard sign shall
interfere with or obstruct vehicle traffic, travel, or ingress and
egress to a public street or generally where it will obscure the vision
of motorists and thereby create a safety hazard.
M.
Where a billboard structure contains no advertisement or message
for a period of 120 consecutive days, the Zoning Officer shall forward
a notice to the owner of the sign advising the owner of the unused
status of the sign structure. The owner shall be required to remove
the sign structure, provided that no advertising or message is placed
thereon within 180 days from the original notice.
N.
A removal bond, in form and amount satisfactory to the Borough, shall
be posted with the Borough to ensure that a billboard sign will be
properly removed upon abandonment or other termination of use.
Signs that are nonconforming or identify nonconforming uses
shall be governed by the following requirements.
A.
A sign which is nonconforming at the effective date of this chapter may be continued although such sign does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, but the size of any such nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged, except as permitted in § 182-132.
B.
A nonconforming sign may be changed to or replaced by another nonconforming
sign provided that the degree of nonconformity is not greater than
that of the original sign. Whenever a nonconforming sign has been
changed to a more restricted nonconforming sign, such sign shall not
thereafter be changed to a less-restricted nonconforming sign.
C.
Where the owner of the establishment is changed, any nonconforming
sign at such establishment must be removed, and any new sign must
conform to the provisions of this chapter.
D.
No nonconforming sign which has been damaged to more than 50% of
its value or has been removed or discontinued for 90 days shall be
repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, except as a conforming sign (or when
authorized as a special exception).
E.
If a nonconforming use of a building ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of 12 months or more and such nonconforming use is deemed to be abandoned as per § 182-135 of this chapter, any nonconforming sign on the premises shall also be considered abandoned and any subsequent signs erected or maintained on the premises shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
A.
Except as otherwise provided in § 182-85 relating to exempt signs, no sign shall be erected in the Borough until a permit therefor has been obtained in the following manner:
(1)
An application in writing, filed on forms provided by the Borough,
shall be made to the Zoning Officer by the person desiring the permit.
(2)
The application submitted to the Zoning Officer shall give full particulars
regarding the size, shape, material, and supports of the sign as well
as a sketch or sketches showing the location of the sign on the building
or lot, the distance from the curbline, and the height of the sign.
The application shall be sufficiently specific to enable the Zoning
Officer to determine if the sign complies with this chapter as well
as any other ordinance or regulation of the Borough relating thereto.
A fee, as Borough Council may establish from time to time by resolution,
shall accompany such application.
(3)
If the person submitting the application is not the owner of the
property upon which the sign is to be erected, the written consent
of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected shall
accompany the application.
B.
Whenever any sign or sign face is replaced by another sign, enlarged in any manner or altered, dismantled, damaged or otherwise destroyed, a permit shall be required as provided in Subsection A above before the sign is replaced, enlarged, altered, or repaired.
C.
Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Zoning Officer shall find that
any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe
or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or
erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this
chapter, he/she shall give written notice thereof to the permittee.
If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply
with the standards set forth herein within 10 days after such notice,
such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered
to comply by the Zoning Officer at the expense of the permittee or
owner of the property upon which it is located. The Zoning Officer
shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses
to pay costs so assessed. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or
other advertising structure that causes immediate peril to persons
or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
D.
Inspections and fees. The Zoning Officer shall cause a routine inspection
of all signs in the Borough to be made at least once every three years
and at any other times when he or she deems such inspection necessary.
He or she shall report to Borough Council all unsafe signs, all signs
failing in any respect to conform to the requirements of this article,
and all signs not licensed by the Borough. To cover the cost of inspection
of all signs, as required by this section, the owner of every sign
located in the Borough shall pay a license or inspection fee to the
Borough. The rate of such fee in each case shall be based upon the
area of such sign and is hereby fixed at $0.10 per square foot, with
a minimum fee of $25.
E.
All signs for which a permit has been issued must be completely constructed
within six months after the date of issuance of the permit. Upon written
request, the Zoning Officer may grant one extension for an additional
three-month period, provided that the applicant presents reasonable
grounds for the extension.
A.
Temporary, sidewalk, sandwich or "A" frame signs, movable freestanding
signs, banners, pennants, and similar types of signs shall be abated,
removed, or brought into compliance within 90 days after enactment
of this chapter.
B.
Signs painted on walks, fences, or benches shall be removed, abated,
or brought into compliance within two years after enactment of this
chapter.
C.
Any sign copy that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted
on the property on which said sign is erected must have the sign copy
covered or removed within 30 days after written notification from
the Zoning Officer. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the code
official is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign copy.
Any expense, incident thereto, shall be paid by the owner of the building,
structure, or ground on which the sign is located.
D.
Any sign which ceases to be in use for a period in excess of 120
consecutive days shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be removed
within 30 days of written notification from the Code Official; and,
upon failure to comply with such notice, the Zoning Officer is hereby
authorized to cause removal of such abandoned sign, and any expense
incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, structure,
or ground on which the abandoned sign is located.
