ORDINANCE NO: 787 - 08

THE BOROUGH OF ZELIENOPLE

BUTLER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF ZELIENOPLE, BUTLER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY SIGNS IN THE STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY.

WHEREAS, in order to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Borough of Zelienople, Butler County, Pennsylvania, the Borough Council has determined it necessary to provide guidelines for temporary signs within the street right-of-way.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF ZELIENOPLE, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY AND WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE SAME THAT:

SECTION 1: Definitions

Sandwich Board Signs - Sandwich Board Signs are self-supporting, A-shaped, freestanding, temporary signs with only two (2) visible sides that are situated adjacent to a business, typically on a sidewalk, which contain commercial speech.

Street Right-of Way – That publicly owned land which contains both street and that strip of land on either side of the street which has been designated to be used for street improvements, such as sidewalks, curbs, utility lines, sewers, etc.

SECTION 2: Scope

It is the intent of this Ordinance to regulate only those signs placed in the street right-of-way.

SECTION 3: Permitted Uses

Sandwich Board Signs may be permitted for legal business located in a commercial district only, subject to the following regulations:

1.                  The maximum area shall be six (6) square feet per side of sign with a maximum height of forty-two (42) inches as measured from the ground.

2.                  Sandwich Board signs shall be limited to advertising for business purposes only.

3.                  Acceptable sandwich board materials include the following: steel, iron, metal and finished wood. Synthetic materials such as chalkboard and whiteboard are acceptable accent materials but are limited to fifty (50) percent of the sign area on each side. The sign lettering should be professionally painted or applied. A graffiti look, hand painted, or paint stenciled letters are not acceptable.

4.                  Only one (1) sandwich board per business shall be permitted. Such sign shall not be placed more than six (6) feet from the front primary entrance of the business.

5.                  Sandwich Board signs shall not be placed so as to cause the width of the sidewalk to be reduced below four (4) feet in width, nor shall they be erected or maintained in a manner that prevents free ingress or egress from any door, including vehicle doors, window or fire escape. No sign may obstruct parking meters, utility poles or any structure/device necessary for Borough operation.  No sign may obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

6.                  A temporary sign permit is required prior to the installation of the sandwich board sign. Only one temporary sign permit for a sandwich board sign is allowed per business and such permit is non-transferable. Upon obtaining a permit for a sandwich board sign, the business shall be permitted to use the sign for six (6) months per permit.  After the expiration of a permit, the business owner must apply for a new permit.  

7.                  A sketch including dimensions, content, materials, and location of the sandwich board sign must be attached to the permit application. The permit application must be approved and signed by Borough staff before the sandwich board sign may be displayed. If a sign is displayed prior to obtaining a sandwich board sign permit, the application may be denied.

8.                  Sandwich board signs shall not be illuminated, nor shall they contain moving parts or have balloons, streamers, pennants, or similar adornments attached to them.

9.                  Attaching sandwich board signs to structures, poles, objects, etc. by means of chains, cords, rope, wire, etc. is prohibited.

10.              Sandwich board signs shall be removed from the street right-of-way during inclement weather. Inclement weather includes but is not limited to wind, rain, snow, etc. Once removed for inclement weather, said sign shall not be replaced until the inclement weather has ceased. Sandwich board signs shall not be placed when there is snow accumulation on the sidewalk.

11.              Sandwich board signs are only to be placed during the permitted business’ regular hours of operation but in no event may signs remain on the street right-of-way after dusk.

12.              Sandwich board signs placed in violation of this Ordinance will result in immediate removal of said sign and the business’ temporary sign permit privileges shall be denied for the remainder of year.

13.              Sandwich board signs within the street right-of-way may be moved/removed by the Borough for municipal purposes, i.e. code enforcement, snow removal, traffic issues, maintenance, etc.

14.              Sandwich Board Signs shall not be permitted for home occupations. Signage for home occupations shall continue to be governed by the Borough of Zelienople Zoning Ordinance.

SECTION 4:  Conflict

Any Ordinance, Resolution or part thereof in conflict herewith, is hereby repealed to the extent of said conflict.

SECTION 5: Authorization

The Borough Council of the Borough of Zelienople is hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance.

ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF ZELIENOPLE THIS _______ DAY OF _________________, 2008.

ATTEST                                                          BOROUGH OF ZELIENOPLE

_________________________                      By: _______________________

Donald Pepe                                                        Charles Underwood

Manager                                                               Council President

EXAMINED AND APPROVED BY ME THIS _______ DAY OF _________________, 2008.

_________________________

Thomas Oliverio

Mayor