Business owners across Pittsburgh receiving violations for signs on their buildings

Chuong’s Cleaners has been a staple in the community right along Brookline Boulevard for more than  20 years.

But the owners were blindsided by a violation notice from the city of Pittsburgh that requires them to file a permit of occupancy, among other issues.

“’You're ordered to correct the following violations prior to the next release inspection date,’” quoted owner Elaine Chuong.

“It just said it was for the occupancy signage, but we really didn't understand exactly what it was for.”

They have to get a permit for their sign that has been here for a long time, but they have to get a permit for occupancy before they can even do that. The city can’t seem to find one on record.

“I can't imagine there wouldn't be a permit even though this has been such an old business,” she said. “There has to be a record of it somewhere.”

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Readshaw Funeral Home on Brownsville Road has been around since the 1912. The owner says he got a violation notice, too, all over problems with the size of his sign and issues with the name board.

Channel 11 found the IGA in Beechview got a violation because one of its signs doesn’t have a permit.

City Councilman Anthony Coghill and others voiced their concerns about these sudden violations in council meetings.

Channel 11 reached out to city officials about the complaints. And 11 investigates learned that the city's inspections department is working to determine which signs are appropriate and which signs are not. 
They say sign ordinances have never been applied before now.

“Very frustrated. People think it’s a little bit ridiculous since this business has been here for so many years,” Chuong said.

Cox Media Group