[Ord. 378, 2/14/2005, § 1200]
The regulations contained in this chapter shall apply to all signs in all Zoning Districts.
[Ord. 378, 2/14/2005, § 1201]
1. 
Signs in all Zoning Districts shall be categorized according to the types and classes described below and shall comply with the requirements for those types and classes described in this section:
A. 
Classes. Signs are classified by physical attributes into the following categories:
(1) 
Freestanding. A sign supported on a foundation or by one or more uprights, poles or braces permanently affixed to the ground and not attached to any building or other structure, including:
(a) 
Pole Sign. A freestanding sign which is supported by one or more poles, uprights or braces and which has a minimum clearance between the bottom edge of the signs and the adjacent ground level, as specified by this chapter.
(b) 
Ground Sign. A freestanding sign which is affixed to the ground by means of a permanent foundation and which provides a maximum clearance of 18 inches between the bottom edge of the sign and the adjacent ground level.
(2) 
Wall. A sign attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of a building, projecting outward no more than 12 inches from the wall of the building.
(3) 
Bulletin. A type of changeable copy sign constructed to allow letters or symbols to be changed periodically such as those used by churches and schools or other public or semi-public buildings to announce events.
(4) 
Roof Sign. A sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building which projects no more than six feet above the roof.
(5) 
Overhanging. A sign, other than a wall sign or arcade sign, affixed to a building or wall whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall more than 12 inches, including awnings, marquees or similar structures used for business identification.
(6) 
Billboard. An off-premises sign which advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service which is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises where the billboard is located.
(7) 
Indirectly Illuminated. A sign which is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices external to, and reflected on, the sign, which lighting is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times and which is shielded so that the illumination is concentrated on the face of the sign and there is no spillover of illumination or glare beyond the face of the sign.
(8) 
Internally Illuminated. A sign which is lighted by means of lamps or lighting devices internal to the sign, which lighting is either behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign structure and the advertising effect.
B. 
Types. Signs are categorized by use, function or purpose into the following types:
(1) 
Residential Identification. A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant of the premises in the case of a single-family and two-family dwellings or the name of the building and the address in the case of a multi-family residential building.
(2) 
Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign advertising the sale or rental of premises. The signs may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending," or "rented" across their face.
(3) 
Construction. A temporary sign announcing the name of financing institutions, design professionals, contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
(4) 
Notification. Signs bearing legal and/or property notices including, but not limited to, notice of application or public hearing notices, no trespassing, private property, no turnaround, safety zone, no hunting and similar messages and signs posted by a governmental agency for traffic control or the safety of the general public.
(5) 
Political Sign. A temporary sign which indicates the name, cause or affiliation of anyone seeking public office or which refers to an issue concerning which a public election is scheduled to be held.
(6) 
Business Identification Sign. A sign which contains the name, address and goods, services, facilities or events available on the premises.
(7) 
Memorial/Historical Plaque. Commemorative plaques recognized by an agency of the Borough, County, Commonwealth or Federal government or a nonprofit historical or veteran's organization.
[Ord. 378, 2/14/2005, § 1202; as amended by Ord. 386, 1/12/2009, § 1]
1. 
The following regulations shall apply to signs in all Zoning Districts:
A. 
Restricted Signs. The following signs shall not be permitted in any Zoning District:
(1) 
"A-frame" or sandwich board signs.
(2) 
Portable or wheeled signs.
(3) 
Banners.
(4) 
Inflatable display devices of any kind.
(5) 
Search lights, oscillating, moving or flashing signs, except for that portion of a permitted sign which indicates time or temperature which changes at intervals no less frequently than every five seconds.
(6) 
Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs.
(7) 
Signs which imitate traffic control devices.
(8) 
Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or walls.
(9) 
Strings of lights, flashers, flags, pennants or other display paraphernalia, except those displays specifically authorized by this chapter.
(10) 
Overhanging signs, as defined herein.
(11) 
Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property, other than temporarily for overnight storage on the site of a business or for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location, which are visible from the public right-of-way and where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
B. 
Exempt Signs. The following signs shall be exempt from these regulations:
(1) 
Holiday decorations displayed for recognized Federal or State holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or do not, in any other way, become a public safety hazard.
(2) 
Memorial/historical plaques, as defined herein.
(3) 
Signs authorized by Borough Council or erected by a governmental agency, including street signs and official traffic signs.
C. 
Lots with Multiple Street Frontage. In all Zoning Districts, lots fronting on more than one street shall be permitted to have any sign authorized on the lot on each street frontage, provided the street frontage does not face residential property.
D. 
Temporary Signs. In all Zoning Districts where authorized by § 27-1204, real estate and construction signs shall be considered temporary signs which shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of sales or construction.
E. 
Notification Signs. In all Zoning Districts, the number, location and size of legal notification signs erected by public agencies shall be in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth. In all Zoning Districts, legal notification signs posted on private property by property owners such as "no trespassing," "no hunting" and the like shall be limited to a surface area not exceeding two square feet. The placement and maximum number of signs permitted along road frontages shall be one sign for every 100 feet of road frontage.
F. 
Visibility. No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device. No sign, other than official traffic signs and off-premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within the clear sight triangle defined in § 27-202 of this chapter and illustrated in Appendix 27-B.
G. 
Illumination. Illumination, when authorized by this chapter, may be either indirect or internal as defined in § 27-1202A(7) and (8). Such illumination shall be directed upon the sign face and not towards adjacent properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall not be permitted. Lighting shall be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times. The intensity of any source of illumination of any sign, whether indirect or internal, shall be controlled so as to not create glare and to be compatible with the intensity of ambient light and illumination on surrounding properties.
H. 
Maintenance and Inspection. All signs shall be constructed of a durable material and maintained in good condition. Any sign found to be in an unsafe condition upon inspection shall be declared to be a public nuisance and the Zoning Officer shall give notice as provided for in § 27-1704.2 to the owner in writing to repair or remove the sign within 10 days. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Borough shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
I. 
Removal of Signs. Whenever any business is discontinued or vacated, all signs relating to the discontinued or vacated business shall be removed within 30 days of the vacation or discontinuance of the business. Upon failure of the owner to comply, the Borough shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
J. 
Permits Required. No permit shall be required for signs erected by a governmental agency or for notification, political, construction or real estate signs as defined by § 27-1202B above, except that temporary real estate signs in the I-1 District shall require a permit as set forth in this section. Permits shall be required for all other signs authorized by §§ 27-1204 through 27-1206. The Zoning Officer shall issue the required permits upon submission of an application which complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and payment of the required fee established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council.
(1) 
Temporary real estate signs in the I-1 District shall require a permit. Such signs shall be limited to one per lot, shall be non-illuminated and meet all dimensional limits of § 27-1204B. The permit application and the permit itself shall describe the exact property or building or part thereof to be sold or rented. The permit shall authorize the erection of a temporary real estate sign in accordance with this chapter for a period of 180 days or 30 days after the sale or rental of the property, whichever comes first. A permit may be extended for one additional period, of 180 days or 30 days after the sale or rental of the property, whichever comes first, by application to the Zoning Officer, which includes proof of continuing effort to sell or rent the property and continuing inability to do so.
(a) 
The proof of continuing effort to sell or rent the property must include, but is not limited to, written, detailed explanations of those efforts taken, in addition to the erection of the sign, to advertise the availability of the property, copies of the advertisements, copies of the actual sign(s) giving the information of the available parcel, and information regarding the real estate listing or company providing a listing for the property. Applications for an initial permit or an extension shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council, and by 10 copies of the request for an extension and of all proof submitted in support of the request.
(b) 
After issuance of the first 180-day permit extension, up to two additional extensions of 90 days each may be issued upon proof of continuing effort to sell or rent the property as described above, except that such proof shall relate to the period of the preceding extension.
(c) 
The maximum duration of a temporary real estate sign, including any extensions, is 1 1/2 years from the date of the issuance of the original permit. After the expiration of such one-and-one-half-year period, the sign shall be removed from the premises and no temporary real estate sign shall be permitted for a period of 30 days after removal of the sign. At the end of such thirty-day period, an original application for a temporary real estate sign may be submitted and shall be processed and extensions granted, if appropriate, subject to the procedures set forth above in this section.
(d) 
Any temporary real estate sign existing as of the date of adoption of this chapter, and which has been in place continuously for a year of more prior to the adoption of this chapter, shall be removed unless a new permit for such sign has been applied for and issued, pursuant to § 27-1203J(1) above, within 60 days after the date of adoption.
K. 
Expiration of Permits. Any permit issued by the Zoning Officer for erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months of the date of issuance if work authorized by the permit has not been initiated and diligently pursued.
L. 
Sign Location. Except for billboards and political signs, as defined herein, where authorized by this chapter, all signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended to serve.
[Ord. 378, 2/14/2005, § 1203]
1. 
The following signs are authorized in all Zoning Districts:
A. 
Bulletin Sign. One bulletin sign which is nonilluminated and which does not exceed 24 square feet in surface area, shall be permitted in connection with any church, school, library or similar public or semi-public building.
B. 
Real Estate Sign. One nonilluminated temporary real estate sign shall be permitted on each lot provided the sign shall not exceed six feet in height. The real estate sign shall not exceed six square feet in surface area when located in any "S" Conservancy or "R" Residential Zoning District and shall not exceed 12 square feet in any other Zoning District. Such sign shall be removed within 30 days of the sale or rental of the property on which it is located.
C. 
Construction Sign. One nonilluminated temporary construction sign as defined by this chapter shall be permitted on a lot, provided the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of the work.
D. 
Political Signs. Nonilluminated temporary political signs erected during a political campaign shall be permitted, provided that they are not of a type restricted by § 27-1202A(1) of this chapter and provided that the surface area of such signs shall not exceed six square feet. The signs shall not be erected before 45 days prior to the election and shall be removed within five days after the election for which they were erected.
E. 
Residential Identification Signs. One nonilluminated residential identification sign shall be permitted to be mounted on the wall of a single-family dwelling, provided the dimensions of the sign shall not exceed one foot in length by six inches in height.
F. 
Public Park Identification Signs. One nonilluminated freestanding ground sign shall be permitted at each entrance to a public park which shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
[Ord. 378, 2/14/2005, § 1204]
1. 
Business Identification Signs.
A. 
Wall Signs.
(1) 
Each business establishment shall be permitted to have wall signs which shall be nonilluminated. The aggregate area of all wall signs shall not exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of width of the front wall of the building or portion of the building, occupied by the business or a maximum of 64 square feet for all businesses, whichever is less. The number and location of wall signs shall be further subject to § 27-1203C. Wall signs shall not be permitted on side or rear walls of the building, unless the side or rear wall fronts on a street which does not face residential property as provided in § 27-1203C.
(2) 
The wall sign shall not be located on the roof nor extend above the height of the building.
B. 
Ground Signs. In addition to the wall signs, one free-standing ground sign shall be permitted per lot, regardless of the number of businesses on the lot, provided that:
(1) 
The maximum surface area of the ground sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(2) 
The height and location of the ground sign shall be designed so as to not interfere with the clear sight triangle nor obstruct visibility for vehicular traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling on any street and in no case shall the total height exceed six feet.
(3) 
Ground signs may be nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated. The maximum illumination of the ground sign shall not exceed 1.5 footcandles on the sign face.
(4) 
All free-standing ground signs shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line, except where property abuts on a public right-of-way, the ground sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way or at least 15 feet from the edge of the cartway if the right-of-way is not contiguous with the front lot line.
[Ord. 378, 2/14/2005, § 1205; as amended by Ord. 394, 6/11/2012, § I.E]
1. 
Billboards shall be permitted only as conditional uses on property located in the I-1 General Industrial District following a public hearing by Borough Council, provided all of the following requirements are met:
A. 
Location. Billboards shall be authorized as a conditional use only in the I-1 General Industrial District, provided all of the following requirements are met:
(1) 
Billboards shall not be erected within 100 feet of the boundary line of any "S," "P" or "R" District or within 100 feet of any public or private school, church or cemetery, said 100 feet being measured along the radius of a circle from the center-most point of the billboard structure extending in all directions.
(2) 
Billboards shall maintain a lateral minimum spacing between any existing or proposed billboard structure of 750 feet. Required spacing shall be measured along both sides of the same roadway frontage from the center-most point of the billboard structure along a line extending from the center-most point of the billboard which is parallel to the centerline of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented.
(3) 
No part of any billboard shall be located closer than 10 feet to any public street right-of-way.
(4) 
No billboard shall be erected over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
(5) 
The minimum side and rear yard requirements applying to a principal structure as set forth within the Zoning District in which the billboard is to be located shall apply to each billboard structure.
(6) 
No billboard shall be erected in such a manner as to block the view from the road or street, of any existing business identification sign, residential or nonresidential structure, or limit or reduce the light and ventilation requirements.
(7) 
No billboard shall be constructed within the clear sight triangle of the public street or road on which it is situated and shall not in any case obstruct or impede traffic safety.
(8) 
Billboards shall not be part of a roof or wall nor shall they be mounted on the roof, wall, or other part of a building or any other structure.
B. 
Size and Height. A billboard shall have a maximum allowable gross surface area of 200 square feet per sign face. This gross surface area shall be permitted, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:
(1) 
A billboard shall have no more than two sign faces per billboard structure which may be placed back to back or in a V-shaped configuration having an interior angle of 90° or less.
(2) 
The dimensions of the gross surface area of the billboard's sign face shall not exceed 10 feet in total height or 20 feet in total length, provided the total allowable gross surface area for the sign face is not exceeded.
(3) 
A billboard structure shall have a maximum height above the curb of the roadway from which it is intended to be viewed of 20 feet.
C. 
Construction Methods. Billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code, and shall meet all of the following additional requirements:
(1) 
A billboard structure shall have a maximum of one vertical support being a maximum of three feet in diameter or width and without additional bracing or vertical supports.
(2) 
A billboard sign face shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal which are galvanized or constructed of approved corrosive-resistant, noncombustible materials. Structures constructed with galvanized metal shall be painted.
(3) 
The one vertical support shall be capable of enabling the entire sign face to be able to withstand a minimum 100 mile per hour wind load. Structural design computations shall be made and certified by a registered engineer and shall be submitted to the Borough with the application for the conditional use.
(4) 
The base shall be installed using a foundation and footings approved by the Borough Engineer for the type of construction proposed.
(5) 
The entire base of the billboard structure parallel to the sign face shall be permanently landscaped with suitable shrubbery and/or bushes of minimum height of three feet placed in such manner as to screen the foundation of the structure.
(6) 
Landscaping shall be maintained by the sign owner in an attractive and healthy manner in accordance with accepted conservation practices.
(7) 
No bare cuts shall be permitted on a hillside.
(8) 
All cuts or fills shall be permanently seeded or planted.
(9) 
A billboard with display lighting shall be constructed so that it does not glare upon adjacent property and shall not exceed a maximum of 0.5 footcandle upon the adjacent property.
(10) 
Display lighting shall not operate between 12 midnight and 5:00 a.m., prevailing local time.
(11) 
No billboard structure, sign face or display lighting shall move, flash or emit noise. No display lighting shall cause distractions, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic, aircraft or other properties.
(12) 
The use of colored lighting shall not be permitted.
D. 
Maintenance.
(1) 
A billboard structure shall be entirely painted every two years, unless constructed of an approved corrosive-resistant material.
(2) 
Every year, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a qualified Pennsylvania registered engineer and shall provide to the Borough a certificate from the engineer certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.
(3) 
Annual inspections of the billboard shall be conducted by the Borough to determine compliance with this chapter.
(4) 
Billboards found to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days upon proper notification by the Borough.
(5) 
Billboards using removable vinyl, paper or other materials shall be maintained in such condition as to eliminate loose or frayed material protruding or hanging from the structure. All paper and other waste materials shall be removed from the site and disposed of properly whenever any sign face is changed.
E. 
Liability Insurance. The applicant for a sign permit to erect a billboard shall provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and property damage which holds the Borough harmless the amount of insurance to be maintained shall be determined and adjusted from time to time by resolution of Borough Council. The insurance certificate shall contain a clause stating that the insurance shall not be cancelled or reduced without first giving 10 days' notice to the Borough.
F. 
Permits.
(1) 
Prior to submission of an application for sign permit, the applicant for a billboard shall obtain and submit with the application, approvals from the Allegheny County Department of Aviation or the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), when applicable.
(2) 
Approval of the conditional use shall be valid for six months from the date of action by Borough Council granting the conditional use. If the applicant fails to obtain a sign permit for the approved billboard within the six-month period, approval of the conditional use shall expire automatically, without written notice to the applicant.
(3) 
The issuance of a sign permit for a billboard which has been granted approval of a conditional use shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT") for billboards along State Highways. If the applicant fails to submit evidence of the required approval by PennDOT within 90 days of the issuance of the conditional sign permit, the sign permit shall be revoked by the Zoning Officer who shall provide written notice to the applicant.
(4) 
The applicant may reapply for the required sign permit, upon submission of evidence of PennDOT approval, without payment of any additional sign permit fee, provided the application is filed within the six-month period during which the conditional use approval is valid.
G. 
Application Fees. Said application shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount equal to that set from time to time by resolution of Borough Council.
H. 
Nonconforming Billboards.
(1) 
Any billboard which does not conform to the requirements of this section shall not be enlarged or moved unless the billboard complies with all provisions of this section.
(2) 
Any billboard which is damaged or destroyed by more than 51% of its replacement value at the time of damage or destruction shall be reconstructed only in compliance with all provisions of this section.