Title
Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article VI, Chapter 919, Signs, to create and establish the North Shore Entertainment District and set forth regulations for Neighborhood or District Gateway signs.
(Sent to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation on 1/29/25)
(Resent to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation on 6/27/25)
Body
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article VI, Chapter 919, Signs, is hereby Amended as follows:
919.06. North Shore Entertainment District Sign Regulations
919.06.A. General
919.06.A.1. Purpose
The North Shore contains the City of Pittsburgh’s largest geographically concentrated area of Public Destination Facilities, including Acrisure Stadium, PNC Park, Stage AE, Rivers Casino, Carnegie Science Center and Warhol Museum. These facilities collectively attract over 20 million visitors per year and generate significant revenue that supports the local and regional economy. Signs on major highways direct traffic to the “North Shore” as a major City destination.
These facilities and the surrounding areas on the North Shore are characterized by unique activities, entertainment programs, sponsorships and large-scale temporary events that promote the City to the world. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for sophisticated modern signage efforts on the North Shore. The North Shore Entertainment District is intended to encourage the orderly development, placement, and usage of two and three-dimensional destination, identification, digital accessory, non-accessory, and video displays on buildings and in opens spaces.
919.06.A.2. Conflicts
The provisions of this section shall take precedence over any conflicting provisions in Article VI, Chapter 919 relating to signs.
919.06.B. Establishment of North Shore Entertainment District
The provisions of this section apply only to all land within the North Shore Entertainment District, which is generally bounded by Reedsdale St. and the Allegheny River and generally extends from the Rivers Casino to Sandusky Street as depicted in Figure 919.06.B.
Figure 919.06.B.
919.06.B.1.Subdistricts
The North Shore Entertainment District shall be divided into five (5) “Subdistricts,” referred to as “Acrisure Stadium District,” “PNC Park District,” “Casino District,” “Science Center District,” and “Pop District,” inclusive. The Subdistricts shall be located in those areas as depicted in Figure 919.06.B.1.
Figure 919.06.B.1.
Acrisure Stadium Subdistrict is bounded:
By a line beginning at the intersection of the centerline of Reedsdale Street and Allegheny Avenue, and continuing along the centerline of Reedsdale Street to the intersection of Reedsdale Street and Art Rooney Avenue, then continuing south along the centerline of Art Rooney Avenue to the intersection of Art Rooney Avenue and West General Robinson Street, then continuing along the centerline of West General Robinson Street to the intersection of West General Robinson Street and Chuck Noll Way, then along the centerline of Chuck Noll Way to the intersection of Chuck Noll Way and North Shore Drive, then along the centerline of North Shore Drive and the centerline of Allegheny Avenue to the place of beginning.
Acrisure Stadium Subdistrict shall also include that portion of tax parcel 8-J-98 indicated on Figure 919.06.B.1.
PNC Park Subdistrict is bounded:
By a line beginning at the intersection of Federal Street and West General Robinson Street and continuing along the centerline of Federal Street until the 6th Street Bridge, then along the eastern edge of tax parcel 8-L-8 until its intersection with the Allegheny River, then along the southern boundary of tax parcel 8-L-8, then north to the shared boundary of tax parcel 8-L-8 and Mazeroski Way, then north along the centerline of Mazeroski Way to the intersection of Mazeroski Way and the southern boundary of tax parcel 8-K-36, then along the southern boundaries of tax parcels 8-K-36 and 8-K-37 to the western boundary of tax parcel 8-K-37, then along the western boundary of tax parcel 8-K-37 across General Robinson Street on an arc to the southwestern corner of tax parcel 8-K-5, then along the northern boundary of tax parcel 8-K-5 until the intersection of the northern boundary of tax parcel 8-K-5 and Mazeroski Way, then along the centerline of Mazeroski Way to the intersection of Mazeroski and West General Robinson Street, then along the centerline of West General Robinson Street to the place of beginning.
Casino Subdistrict is bounded:
On the east, by the centerline of Sproat Way and, upon the termination of Sproat Way, by the eastern boundary of tax parcel 7-L-32;
On the south, by the southern boundary of tax parcel 7-L-32, the southern boundary of tax parcel 7-G-122 and the southern boundary of tax parcel 7-F-273;
On the west, by the centerline of Belmont Street and the western boundary of tax parcel 7-F-262 until the intersection of the western boundary of tax parcel 7-F-262 and Reedsdale Street; and
On the north, by the centerline of Reedsdale Street until the intersection of Reedsdale Street and Casino Drive, then by the centerline of Casino Drive.
Science Center Subdistrict is bounded:
On the east, by the center line of Allegheny Avenue and North Shore Drive;
On the south, by the southern boundary of tax parcel 7-M-500;
On the west, by Sproat Way, then, from the intersection of Sproat Way and Casino Drive - by the centerline of Casino Drive until its intersection with Reedsdale Street; and
On the north, from the intersection of Reedsdale Street and Casino Drive - by the centerline of Reedsdale Street, and for the remainder of the subdistrict - by the northern boundary of tax parcel 7-M-2-1.
Pop District Subdistrict is bounded:
By a line beginning at the intersection of Range Way and East Lacock Street, and continuing along the centerline of East Lacock Street to the eastern boundary of tax parcel 8-H-166, then along the eastern boundary of tax parcels 8-H-166 and 8-H-163 to the point where such boundary intersects with East General Robinson Street, then along the centerline of East General Robinson Street to the intersection of East General Robinson Street and Sandusky Street, then along the centerline of Sandusky Street to the intersection of Sandusky Street and Silver Street, then along the centerline of Silver Street to the intersection of Silver Street and Vulcan Way, then along the centerline of Vulcan Way to the intersection of Vulcan Way and East General Robinson Street, then along the centerline of East General Robinson Street to the intersection of East General Robinson Street and Range Way, then along the center line of Range Way to the place of beginning.
919.06.B.2. Special Definitions
The following special definitions shall apply throughout the North Shore Entertainment District regulations of this section.
Broadcast Content means the live broadcast of sporting events and performances and related programs at the facility or at remote venues during the day of an event. Broadcasts may include commercials that typically occur during such broadcasts.
Changeable Content means static messaging showcasing internal facilities and events, the name, logo and/or tagline of a NS Public Destination Facility or Open Space, the primary or secondary tenants of a NS Public Destination Facility or Open Space, or a Sponsor associated with a NS Public Destination Facility, a tenant thereof or Open Space, and cross-marketing of other facilities and events within the North Shore Entertainment District.
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs means any and all permanent free standing Public Destination Facility Signs located within a Subdistrict’s Open Space that is not attached to any building.
Major Temporary Event means a one-time event or event that does not occur on an annual basis (ex. the NFL Draft, the Winter Classic & All-Star Game) or an annual event with an attendance or patronage of at least one hundred thousand (100,000) people.
Marquee-Style Ground Based Public Destination Facility Sign means a large-scale, two or three-dimensional sign designed to serve as a prominent visual landmark for a public destination facility. These signs may include integrated architectural features or lighting and are intended to provide identity and distinction for major destinations within the district. Marquee-Style signs are distinct from standard ground signs in their scale, design complexity, and role as focal points within the Open Space.
Minor Temporary Event means a specific event, including but not limited to sporting events, concerts, festivals and parades, which takes place not more than once per year.
NS Garage in the North Shore Entertainment District means a structure or any portion thereof designed for the parking of one (1) or more automobiles that is owned or operated by a local agency or authority.
NS Large Video Display in the North Shore Entertainment District means an electronic sign that features real-time, full-motion, or pictorial imagery of television quality or better and may include Broadcast Content or Changeable Content.
NS Public Destination Facility means a structure providing as its primary use one (1) of the following: a NS Garage, community center, hospital, cultural services (limited and general), public assembly (general) recreation and entertainment facilities (general, indoor and outdoor) and gaming enterprises and any other accessory structure attached thereto.
Open Space means that portion of a lot or lots which are not occupied by buildings, parking areas, driveways, streets or loading areas.
Public Destination Facility Signs means signage that carries the name, logo and/or tagline of a NS Public Destination Facility or Open Space, the primary or secondary tenants of a NS Public Destination Facility or Open Space, or a Sponsor associated with a NS Public Destination Facility, a tenant thereof or Open Space. Public Destination Facility Signs include Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs and Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs.
Sponsor means a person, entity, or organization that provides financial and other support for a tenant, event, product, service or activity associated with a NS Public Destination Facility.
Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs means any and all permanent Public Destination Facility Signs attached to the NS Public Destination Facility and includes, but is not limited to, the following types of signs: Business, Identification, Electronic, Marquee, Canopy and Projecting Signs.
Temporary Event Sign means a sign that advertises a specific event and the Sponsor thereof, including but not limited to sporting events, concerts, festivals and parades, which takes place not more than once per year.
Temporary Event Sign Plan means a plan that provides for the locations, quantities and sizes of all Temporary Event Signs on the zoning lots and facilities located thereon under the control or ownership of the primary occupant of such lots and facilities.
919.06.B.3. Regulations Applicable Throughout the North Shore Entertainment District
The following regulations apply to all developments located within the North Shore Entertainment District.
1. Temporary Event Signs
1. The locations of all Temporary Event Signs are to be provided for in a Temporary Event Sign Plan.
2. The determination of whether an event is a Major Temporary Event or Minor Temporary Event shall be determined by the Special Permit issued by the Special Events Committee. A copy of the Special Permit must be submitted to the Department of City Planning when the application for the Temporary Event Signs for the event is filed.
(a) For Major Temporary Events, the signs may be in place up to two (2) months before the start of the event and until two (2) weeks after the close of the event; and
(b) For Minor Temporary Events, the signs may be in place up to two (2) weeks before the start of the event and until two (2) weeks after the close of the event.
3. An application for a Temporary Event Sign Plan must be submitted to the Department of City Planning for review and approval. The Public Art & Civic Design Commission must review and approve any locations within a Public Right-of-Way or on City-owned property.
2. Other Signs Not Located in a Subdistrict
Except for NS Garages, all other signs that are not located in a North Shore Entertainment District Subdistrict shall be subject to the regulations set forth in Chapter 919 relating to non-advertising signs.
NS Garages may permit Public Destination Facility Signs subject to the regulations set forth in Section 919.06.B.4.
919.06.B.4. Regulations Applicable Throughout North Shore Entertainment District Subdistricts
1. Public Destination Facility Signs
A. Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs
1. Location
(a) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be located on building facades, canopies, marquees, parapets, and roofs of a NS Public Destination Facility or other building within the same Subdistrict as a NS Public Destination Facility.
(b) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may extend beyond the roof peak or parapet wall.
2. Content
Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may include Changeable Content.
3. Size
(a) For a NS Public Destination Facility, the aggregate area for all Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall not exceed 5% of the total amount of all facades on the NS Public Destination Facility.
(b) For buildings other than a NS Public Destination Facility, the size requirements set forth in Section 919.03.M.7(a) shall apply.
(c) The perimeter of the logo or typography shall be used to determine the square footage for all Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs.
4. Visibility
(a) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be internally or externally illuminated 24 hours per day. They may have direct face, and/or edge and/or halo illumination caused by neon, incandescent, fluorescent, L.E.D. lamps or any other solid state electronic component.
(b) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs may include physical moving elements if they do not pose a public safety hazard and/or directly face the riverfront.
(c) Motion may include actual movement of Sponsor-related graphics (e.g. a slowly turning logo) or of a feature (e.g. the rocking of a pirate ship) or may use lighting effects to convey motion (e.g. the apparent pouring of Coca-Cola from a bottle created by chasing lights).
5. Review & Approval Process
(a) Structure Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall be subject to Design Review.
(b) The applicant must provide square footage numbers for existing signage and façade area at the time of application.
B. Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs
1. Location
(a) Except as provided for in this section, Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be located anywhere in Open Space provided that the location does not present an impediment to pedestrian traffic.
(b) Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall not be located within one hundred (100) feet of the rivers, a Riparian Buffer or be directed primarily towards the rivers.
(c) No Ground Based Public Destination Facility Sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise physically interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or to obstruct or physically interfere with the driver’s view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
2. Content
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs may include Changeable Content.
3. Size
(a) The total square footage of all Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs located in Open Space shall be two (2) square feet of signage for every lineal foot of street frontage in the Subdistrict.
(b) Up to three (3) Marquee-Style Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs may be permitted per Subdistrict, each not to exceed a maximum face area of two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet.
(c) The maximum size of all other Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs per Subdistrict shall not exceed a total face area of two hundred fifty (250) square feet.
(d) Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall not be more than fifty (50) feet in height.
4. Review & Approval Process
Ground Based Public Destination Facility Signs shall be subject to Design Review.
2. NS Large Video Displays
1. Location
(a) A NS Large Video Display may be located on a NS Public Destination Facility facade or Open Space.
(b) NS Large Video Displays shall not directly face towards the riverfront.
2. Content
(a) NS Large Video Displays may contain Broadcast Content and Changeable Content.
3. Size
The maximum size of a NS Large Video Display shall be 1,200 square feet.
4. Visibility
(a) Luminance shall be no greater than 2,500 nits by day and 250 nits by night for NS Large Video Displays directed toward the river.
(b) Luminance shall be no greater than 4,500 nits for all other NS Large Video Displays.
5. Review & Approval Process
NS Large Video Displays shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council as Conditional Uses according to the Conditional Use Standards and Procedures of Section 922.06 and the standards set forth above.
919.06.B.6. Acrisure Stadium Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.06.B.7. PNC Park Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.06.B.8. Casino Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.06.B.9. Science Center Subdistrict
RESERVED
919.06.B.10. Pop District Subdistrict
RESERVED
Section 2. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article VI, Chapter 919, Signs, Section 919.01, is hereby Amended to add the following definition:
25. NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT GATEWAY SIGN - means a sign that is intended to convey the name of the City Neighborhood or subdistrict thereof, and/or where applicable, the cultural heritage, unique character, or special purpose thereof.
Section 3. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article VI, Chapter 919, Signs, Section 919.03.R, Neighborhood Gateway Signs, is hereby amended as follows:
R. Neighborhood or District Gateway Signs. Neighborhood Gateway Signs may be permitted in order to identify the major entrance gateways, or significant areas within a City neighborhood in accordance with the following standards:
1. Shall be located at or near neighborhood or district boundaries and placed as to clearly convey entry to that neighborhood, district, or area;
2. Shall be limited to one (1) sign for each entrance;
3. Shall not contain advertising matter attached to or integrated with or as part of such sign;
4. May be illuminated, but shall not be an Electronic Sign;
5. Shall be subject to the following dimensional standards:
(a) Ground Signs shall be designed to fit the scale and context of the location. Sign text should be scaled to be readable at a distance appropriate to the context and visibility of the site and surroundings, using a formula of one inch of letter height per 10 feet of distance as a guideline, but in no case shall exceed six (6) feet in letter height.
(b) Wall Signs, where appropriate, shall be limited to text area that is no greater than 1 square foot per 1 linear foot of wall length, to a maximum of 40 square feet.
(c) Non-text and non-logo signage elements and graphics related to a neighborhood, district, or area’s unique character or cultural heritage, such as artwork integrated with the structure, or as a wall mural, is encouraged, and is not limited in size, subject to Design Review.
6. Shall be subject to Design Review and approval by the City Planning Commission except in locations where Public Art and Civic Design Commission approval is required.