The Steelers have appealed a Pittsburgh zoning board ruling that denied the team permission to paint a sign in the end zone seating at Heinz Field.

PSSI Stadium LLC, a team affiliate, contends the Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment decision in August “constitutes an abuse of discretion and an error of law,” according to the 38-page appeal filed Monday with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

PSSI Stadium alleges the board ignored its own precedent in denying the sign and evidence provided by PSSI that proved the sign conformed with zoning regulations. It also contends the board failed to apply correct legal standards, issued a decision without legitimate grounds for denial and acted “arbitrarily and capriciously.”

Tim McNulty, spokesman for Mayor Bill Peduto, declined comment.

PSSI sought permission to paint words on seats in the north end of the stadium that would identify the stadium to people inside on non-game days. The wording has not yet been disclosed. PSSI argued that the sign would not be used for advertising purposes and would only be able to be seen from inside the stadium.

Under the zoning code, signs on the inside of buildings that are not designed to be visible from the outside and are not used for advertising are “permitted in any district with unlimited size and interior location.”

PSSI noted that the board previously permitted Highmark Stadium, home of the Riverhounds soccer team, to print the word “Hounds” on seating and that PNC Park features center field shrubbery spelling out the name “Pirates.”

The board determined that PSSI did not show that the proposed sign would be a non-advertising sign, because it did not specify what words or logos might be included, and that it did not offer evidence that the sign would not be visible from the stadium’s exterior.

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