§ 440-25. Commercial, industrial and mixed-use districts., Article VII. Sign Regulations, Chapter 440. Zoning, Part II. General Legislation, Code of Ordinances, Munhall

Permits required.

(1)

A building permit and a sign permit is required for each sign in a commercial, industrial or mixed-use district.

(2)

A single building permit and single sign permit shall be required for each banner location not part of a banner cluster, although the banner located there may be changed as permitted herein. A single building banner permit and a single sign permit shall be required for each banner cluster, although the banners which are part of the banner cluster may be changed as permitted herein.

Number of business signs permitted.

(1)

Each individual detached building in any commercial or general service (industrial) district may be permitted one freestanding sign and shall be permitted any number of flush-mounted signs, in accordance with the requirements of Subsections C and D of this section.

(2)

In any shopping center in the RDD, individual businesses situated within the principal structure shall only be permitted any combination of flush-mounted exterior or interior (in a mall) signs.

(3)

In any shopping center in the RDD, individual businesses situated elsewhere upon the same lot within a separate principal structure may be permitted one freestanding monument-type sign and any number of flush-mounted signs.

(4)

In any shopping center in the RDD that is comprised of 10 or more business establishments (including businesses located in the Boroughs of Homestead and West Homestead), the shopping center, not each individual business, may be permitted one additional freestanding sign at each approved principal entrance to the shopping center site, identifying the group of businesses as a single unit. Any such development sign shall be limited to either a monument sign with an overall height not greater than 15 feet above the finished grade or a pylon sign with an overall height not greater than 60 feet above finished grade. In addition, any such development sign shall have an area not greater than 250 square feet of sign area per side and shall be situated on site. Any such sign, shall be limited to the name and address of the development and/or a complete or partial listing of its tenants.

(5)

Banners may only be located on streetlights within or adjacent to a public right-of-way within the RDD. No more than two banners may be located on a single streetlight.

(6)

Banner clusters may only be located along Waterfront Drive in the RDD. No more than one banner cluster may be located along Waterfront Drive at one time.

(7)

In the RDD, one monument sign of no more than 50 square feet shall be permitted for each building of less than 100,000 square feet containing commercial, warehouse, office and/or flex office use(s) and either two monument signs of no more 50 square feet or one monument sign of no more than 100 square feet shall be permitted for each building of 100,000 square feet or larger containing commercial, warehouse, office and/or flex office use(s). Multiple buildings whose combined GFA totals at least 100,000 square feet and which share a common curb cut are permitted to use a single monument sign of no more than 100 square feet. Signs mounted on a building shall be permitted as provided in Subsection B(3) and (4) herein.

Size of signs permitted.

(1)

Commercial district. The total gross surface area in square feet for all permitted signage shall not exceed a ratio of one time the lineal feet of the lot's frontage on a dedicated public or approved private street right-of-way.*

(2)

Industrial district. The total gross surface area in square feet for all permitted signage shall not exceed a ratio of two times the lineal feet of the lot's frontage on a dedicated public or approved private street right-of-way.*

*Where a lot has frontage on more than one public or approved private street, only the frontage on the one street upon which the lot has the greater or greatest frontage shall be used in determining the total gross surface area for all permitted signage.

(3)

Riverfront Development District (RDD).

(a)

Permitted sign area of each use in the RDD shall be 10% of the total area of the front building facade of that use (building height x building width x 0.10 = permitted sign area). Permitted sign area shall be increased by 25% for uses having frontage on more than one public right-of-way. No more than 75% of permitted signage may be used for signs mounted on the wall of a building.

(b)

Shopping center. For any shopping center situated in the RDD that is comprised of 10 or more business establishments, one or more development signs shall be permitted at approved locations which represent major points of vehicular ingress/egress to/from the site. The cumulative gross surface areas in square feet for all of the permitted development signs for a particular development shall not exceed 2 1/2% of the cumulative total of all of the front building facades in the development.

(c)

Large identification signs are permitted for any multifamily dwelling units. Small identification signs are permitted for any multifamily dwelling containing 50 units or less. No permit shall be required for any identification signs.

(d)

Banners may not exceed eight feet in height and three feet in width, not including brackets by which the banners are affixed to each streetlight.

Location of signs.

(1)

All portions of business signs shall be a minimum of five feet from any dedicated public right-of-way unless flush-mounted.

(2)

All parts of any sign other than a development sign or a banner shall be within 15 feet of the general ground level over which it is located, unless flush-mounted.

(3)

A sign shall be placed so as not to interfere with the safe, regular and orderly flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

(4)

Flush-mounted signs shall be permitted on all sides of a building, provided they are in conformance with the area requirements and other provisions of this chapter.

(5)

Freestanding signs shall be permitted in any yard area, provided they are in conformance with the performance standards of this article and other applicable provisions of this chapter.

(6)

Identification signs in the RDD shall be no closer than 10 square feet to any property line or public right-of-way.

Illumination.

(1)

No sign may generate glare.

(2)

Flashing and/or intermittent signs are prohibited.

(3)

The lighting source for indirectly illuminated signs may not be visible from any public right-of-way.

(4)

Indirectly illuminated signs, neon signs and internally illuminated signs are permitted.

(5)

Electronic time/temperature and/or message board signs are permitted, subject to the other regulations of this article.

Temporary signs. Temporary signs may be permitted for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive calendar days and more not more than 28 calendar days in any one calendar year. There shall be no limit as to the number or size of temporary signs, except that such signs must be located on the lot of the business whose opening, sale or ownership is being advertised, and that such signs shall not constitute a hazard or impediment to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Directional signs. Two directional signs are permitted for each means of ingress and egress, and each such sign may not exceed four square feet in total surface area. Directional signs shall not be included when determining permitted signage.

Menu boards. In addition to other permitted signs, a fast-food restaurant may provide a menu board for drive-through customers. A menu board shall not be located within the required front yard setback area, shall not exceed 20 square feet in total surface area, and shall not impede the safe flow of traffic.

Automobile service stations.

(1)

Not more than two price signs may be attached to the permitted freestanding sign. The area of these signs shall be included in the total permitted signage surface area. The total surface area of all freestanding signs shall not exceed 50 square feet.

(2)

Additional signs are permitted on and above gasoline pump islands, provided they do not extend beyond the edge of the island and are within 15 feet of the ground. The total surface area of all permitted freestanding and pump island signs shall not exceed 200 square feet.

(3)

State inspection shingles, where applicable, shall not exceed 24 inches by 26 inches in dimension and may be flush-mounted on the structure.

Awning signs. Signs on awnings are exempt from the limitations imposed by this article regarding the location of signs with respect to the public right-of-way. An awning sign shall be affixed flat to the surface of the awning; may be internally illuminated (backlighted), provided that it generates no glare; may only list the business name and/or address and shall otherwise conform to the regulations outlined under this article.

Marquee signs.

(1)

Number. Only one sign shall be permitted for each use.

(2)

Size. The maximum depth of the sign shall be one foot, and the maximum area of the sign shall be five square feet in surface area.

"For sale" or "for rent" signs.

(1)

Number. Only one such sign shall be permitted for each business and may be located in a required front yard.

(2)

Size. Any such sign shall not exceed 10 square feet in total surface area and shall, unless affixed to the face of the building, not be closer than five feet to any private property line or public right-of-way.

(3)

Real estate "for sale" or "for rent" signs in any commercial, mixed-use or general service (industrial) district shall not exceed five feet in height unless approved by Council.

Banner signs. Banner signs may be bracketed to any streetlight along Waterfront Drive; provided, however, that no more than two banners may be located on a single streetlight. Banners shall be exempt from the other limitations imposed by this article unless specifically made applicable to banners.