Article 12.
Sign Ordinance.
Sec.
(A)
These regulations are designed to
promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community by
establishing standards for the construction, maintenance and usage of signs
within the corporate limits of the City of
(B) The provisions of this article are
specifically designed in order to lessen the distraction hazard signs can
create for motorists; reduce potential fire hazards; encourage proper
construction of signs; reduce possible injury to person or property; and,
preserve property values and aesthetic integrity of property in the City of
Sec.
This ordinance shall be known as the "City of
Sec.
This ordinance is enacted pursuant to Chapter 256, Oklahoma
Municipal Code, Article XLI, Sections 41-101 through 41-114 approved
Sec.
This ordinance shall govern the erection and maintenance of
signs within the corporate limits of the City of Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Sec.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this
ordinance shall have the meanings given to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) "Area
of sign, or display surface area":
The area of the largest single face of the sign within a perimeter which
forms the outside shape including any frame, forms an integral part of the
display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may
be placed. If the sign consists of more
than one section or module, all areas will be totaled.
(2) "Changeable
copy sign": A sign on which a
copy is changed manually with changeable letters or changeable pictorial
panels.
(3) "Erect": To build, construct, attach, hang, place,
suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
(4) "Facing
or surface": The surface of the
sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on
the sign.
(5) "Future
location signs": Signs
identifying the future occupancy of an appropriately zoned tract of land.
(6) "Ground sign": A free-standing accessory sign of limited
height which is secured to a fixed base, usually at ground level or a slight
elevation above ground rather than being pole mounted.
(7) "Illuminated
sign": Any sign which has
characters, letters, figures, designs or the outline illuminated by electric
lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.
(8)
"Incombustible material": Any material, which will not ignite at or
below a temperature of one thousand two hundred (1,200) degrees Fahrenheit and
will not continue to burn or flow at the temperature.
(9)
Ingress/egress sign": A sign for
directional purposes located at points of entering and existing from alleys or
driveways;
(10) "Nonilluminated sign" Any sign which has characters, letters,
figures, designs or the outline which is not illuminated by electric lights or
luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.
(11) "Other
advertising structure": Any
marquee, canopy, awning or street clock as further defined herein.
(12) "Off-premise
sign": Any sign, including a
billboard or general outdoor advertising device, which advertises or directs
attention to a business, commodity, service or activity conducted, sold, or
offered elsewhere than on the same lot or within the same building upon which
such sign is located.
(13) "Pole
sign": An accessory sign, which
is attached to or part of a completely self-supporting structure. The supporting structure is not attached to
any building or any other structure and is anchored firmly to or below the
ground surface.
(14) "Portable
sign": A transportable sign
designed for temporary or permanent use in compliance with the structural and
electrical code of the City of
(15) "Primary
highway": Any highway at any
time officially designated a part of the federal-aid primary system by the
State Department of Transportation and approved by the appropriate authority of
the federal government.
(16) "Project
sign": A sign located upon the
property under development for purposes of identifying construction site or
future occupant.
(17) "Real
estate sign": A sign indicating
the availability for sale, rent or lease of the lot or parcel of land, building
or portion of a building upon which the sign is erected or displayed.
(18) "Rear entrance
signs": Wall mounted signs
identifying entrances or parking located in the rear of the subject occupancy.
(19) "Roof
sign": A sign painted on the
roof of a building; supported by poles, uprights or braces extending from the
roof of a building; or projecting above the roof line of a building, but not
including a sign projecting from or attached to a wall as permitted by this
code.
(19)
"Setback line": The line or lines described as coincidental
to the property line.
(20)
"Sight-triangle": An area which is clear of all structures or
other sight impediments formed by measuring back equal distances along two
intersecting lines of street right-of-way, curb lines, or driveway lines then
connecting the points to form a triangle adequate to provide safe ingress and
egress for vehicular traffic, as determined by the City of Chickasha.
(22) "Sign
contractor": Any person engaged
in the business of manufacturing, installing, erecting, repairing, altering,
servicing or removing signs.
(23) "Sign": Any structure or part thereof or any device,
permanently or temporarily attached to, painted on, supported by, or
represented on a building, fence, post or other structure which is used or
intended to be used to attract attention.
(24) "Special
event directory sign": A sign,
which directs the public to a special event, located at a place other than
where the sign is located.
(25) "Special
event": One sign, which carries
a message, regarding a special event or function, which is of general interest
to the community.
(26) "Wall
sign": An attached accessory
sign painted on or attached to the wall or surface of a building or display
surface which is parallel to the supporting surface.
(27) "Window
sign": Any accessory sign
painted on the surface of, located on the interior of, or flashing through a
display window. (Ord. No. 1806,
8/28/86).
Sec.
(A) No sign shall be erected, relocated or
maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or
fire escape.
(B) No sign of any kind shall be attached to
a standpipe or fire escape.
(C) No sign or other advertising structure as
regulated by this article shall be erected at the intersection of any streets
or at any location in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision.
(D)
No sign or advertising structure
shall be erected at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or
color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any
authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words,
"STOP", "LOOK", "DRIVE-IN", "DANGER",
or any other word, phrase, symbol or character tending to interfere with,
mislead or confuse traffic.
(E) No sign, including the message area and
supports, shall be permitted to extend beyond the setback line as defined
herein; unless a revocable permit has been issued by the city council.
(F) No sign shall be placed or maintained
within the sight triangle, except where the bottom of the sign is not less than
ten (10) feet in height above the ground line, and the supports, including
ornamental work, shall not exceed one foot in diameter. (Ord. No. 1806, 8/28/86).
Sec.
All illuminated signs shall be subject to the provisions of
the City's Electrical Code. (Code, 1982, Chapter 4, Article 6). (Ord. No. 1806, 8/28/86).
Sec.
Gooseneck lights shall be permitted on ground signs, roof
signs and wall signs; provided the lights shall be used in such a manner as to
concentrate the illumination on the face of the sign and prevent glare upon the
street or adjacent property. (Ord.
No. 1806, 8/28/86).
Sec.
The following special signs are permitted subject to
provisions found elsewhere in this article:
(1) "Special
event" - One sign providing that sign does not exceed thirty-two (32)
square feet per sign face, does not exceed seven (7) feet in height or be
erected for a period longer than thirty (30) days;
(2) "Special
event directory sign" - Provided that such sign not exceed nine (9)
square feet per sign face, four (4) feet in height, or be erected for a period
longer than thirty (30) days;
(3) "Rear
entrance signs" - Providing that such sign be wall mounted and not to
exceed an aggregate display surface area equal to two (2) square feet per
linear foot of street frontage;
(4) "Ingress/egress
signs" - Limited to one sign at each point of ingress and egress, not
exceeding four (4) square feet per sign face;
(5) "Window
signs" - Not to exceed an area equaling twenty percent (20%) of the
window and/or glass area such sign is painted on or displayed in;
(6) "Project
sign" - One sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet per sign
face, located on the premises being developed, which shall be removed within
fifteen (15) days of the issuance of the occupancy permit for the subject
property;
(7) "Future
location signs" - One sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet
per sign face and seven (7) feet in height; and
(8) "Changeable
copy sign" - One sign not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet per
sign face. (Ord. No. 1806,
8/28/86).
Sec.
(A)
A "temporary sign"
includes any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed
of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials,
with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a short period of time
only. Such signs are permitted in the
"C-1", "C-2", "C-3", "I-1" and
"I-2" Zoning District provided that:
(1)
No temporary sign of combustible
material shall exceed four (4) feet in one of its dimensions or one hundred
(100) square feet in area; such signs in excess of sixty (60) square feet shall
be made of rigid materials, that is, of wall board or other light materials
with frames;
(2)
Every temporary sign weighing in
excess of fifty (50) pounds must be approved by the building inspector as
conforming to the safety requirements of the building code of the city;
(3)
Temporary signs of flashing or
intermittently lighted types shall be prohibited;
(4)
No temporary sign shall extend
over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare. Temporary wall signs shall not extend a
distance greater than four (4) inches from the wall upon which it is erected,
and such sign shall not be placed or projected over any wall opening;
(5) Every temporary
wall sign shall be attached to the wall with wire or steel cables and no
strings, ropes or wood slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be
permitted;
(6) Permits for
temporary signs shall authorize the erection of the signs and their maintenance
for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days; and
(7) The
advertisement contained on any temporary sign shall pertain only to the
business, industry, or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which
such sign is erected or maintained. This
provision shall not apply to signs of a civic, political or religious nature.
(B) A "portable sign" includes any
sign or rollaway, portable, or mobile advertising display:
(1) No portable
sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height as measured from ground level. Portable signs in excess of thirty-two (32)
square feet in single face area shall be prohibited;
(2) Portable signs
of flashing or intermittently lighted types shall be prohibited;
(3) All such signs
shall be constructed of noncombustible material and all wiring and conduit
running to, in, or around the sign shall meet all requirements of this
code. Electrical cord from sign body to
an appropriate outlet shall not exceed six (6) feet in length;
(4) No portion of a
portable sign shall be placed upon, extend over, or extend into any street,
alley, sidewalk, driveway, or public thoroughfare;
(5) Portable sign
locations shall be regulated as provided in Section
(6) Portable signs shall be anchored with
chains or steel cables attached to bolts embedded in pavement, a standard auger
type of flex-type trailer anchor or approved equal;
(7) Permits for
portable signs shall authorize erection of signs and their maintenance for a
period not exceeding thirty (30) days. (Ord. No. 1806,
8/28/86)
Sec.
To be enforced as directed in City Code. (Ord. No. 1806, 8/28/86)
Sec.
No sign or advertising structure shall display any obscene,
indecent or immoral matter or language. (Ord.
No. 1806, 8/28/86).
Sec.
To be addressed at a future date. (Ord. 1806, 8/28/86).
Zoning District Regulations:
Sec.
The following provisions shall apply to all signs in all
zoning districts unless otherwise noted:
(1) Pole mounted
signs shall maintain a minimum clearance of nine (9) feet between the sign
panel base and average ground level;
(2) All hanging
signs shall overhang at a height not less than nine (9) feet, and shall not
have a projection of greater than seventy-two (72) inches;
(3) No portion of a
roof sign shall exceed the structural height limitations of the zoning district
it is located within;
(4) Ground and pole
mounted signs shall not exceed the maximum height allowed for structures in the
zoning district upon which it is located, unless specifically limited elsewhere
in this article;
(1)
No signs shall be permitted upon
lots not containing one business establishment, except as provided elsewhere in
this article;
(6) Signs may be lighted, provided
that the lighting is from within the sign or by spotlights illuminating the
face of the sign. No flashing or
intermittent lighting shall be permitted on the sign nor shall exposed bulbs be
permitted; except that electronic message signs may be permitted where all other
requirements have been satisfied.
(7) All codes
concerning wiring and construction standards shall be met prior to the issuance
of a sign permit;
(8) Every sign
shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times; and
(9) Off-premise
signs providing direction to, or identifying lots for sale within new
residential additions shall be permitted for a period of two (2) years after
the issuance of a use-on-review permit, subject to the size, height and setback
provisions found elsewhere in this article.
The planning commission may grant renewals allowing extensions on the
two (2) year placement period. (Ord. No. 1806,
8/28/86)
Sec.
Signs constructed in "A-1", shall be required to
meet the following criteria. Any change
of existing signs shall comply with these standards:
(A) Agricultural
related business signs:
(1) Shall not
exceed fifteen (15) feet in height, or eighty (80) square feet in surface
display area;
(2) Only one sign
per street frontage;
(3) Shall only
advertise goods, services or activities conducted on the premises; and
(4) Shall not apply
to identification or advertisements when placed upon grain storage silos.
(B) Real estate signs:
(1) One sign per
street frontage, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in surface display area
may be erected. Such sign shall
advertise only the sale, rental or lease of premises on which the sign is
located; and
(2) All portions of
the sign must be a minimum of ten (10) feet from the curb line. No sign, on a corner lot shall be allowed
within the sight-triangle of the street intersection.
(C) Signs advertising lots within
subdivisions:
(1)
Shall only advertise the sale or
lease of property within the development upon which the sign is placed;
(2)
Permits are valid for a two (2)
year period from date of issuance;
(3)
Shall be removed by developer
upon sale of all lots and/or residences within the addition;
(4) Shall not
exceed fifteen (15) feet in height or eighty (80) square feet in surface
display area; and
(5) Only one sign
per street frontage.
(D) Subdivision entrance signs:
(1) A subdivision
entrance sign is permitted, provided that it is approved by the Chickasha City
Council in conjunction with final plat approval of the subdivision it is
located within; and
(2) Proposed
subdivision entrance signs; for existing subdivisions or subdivisions for which
the final plat has been previously approved, shall require approval by the
Chickasha City Council.
(E) Home occupation signs:
(1)
One non-illuminated name plat or
sign attached to the main building two (2) square feet in display surface area
is permitted.
(F) Educational, religious, institutional
or similar uses:
(1) Sign shall not
exceed fifteen (15) feet in height or eighty (80) square feet in surface display
area;
(2) One sign or
bulletin board not exceeding fifteen (15) feet in height and forty (40) square
feet in surface display area announcing special activities for a period not
exceeding forty-five (45) days; and
(3) One sign per
street frontage. (Ord. No. 1806, 8/28/86)
Sec.
Signs constructed in "R-1", "R-2",
"R-3", "R-M-O", shall be required to meet the following
criteria. Any change of existing signs
shall comply with these standards.
(A) Real estate signs:
(1) One sign per
street frontage, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in surface display area
may be erected. Such sign shall
advertise only the sale, rental or lease of premises on which the sign is
located; and
(2) All portions of
the sign must be a minimum of ten (10) feet from the curb line. No sign, on a corner lot shall be allowed
within the sight-triangle of the street intersection.
(B) Signs advertising lots within
subdivisions:
(1) Shall only
advertise the sale or lease of property within the development upon which the
sign is placed;
(2) Permit is valid
for a two (2) year period from date of issuance;
(3) Shall be
removed by developer upon sale of all lots and/or residences within the addition;
(4) Shall not
exceed fifteen (15) feet in height or eighty (80) square feet in surface
display area; and
(5) Only one sign
per street frontage.
(C) Subdivision entrance signs:
A subdivision entrance sign is
permitted, provided that it is approved by the Chickasha City Council in
conjunction with final plat approval, of the subdivision it is located
within. Proposed subdivision entrance
signs for existing subdivisions or subdivisions for which the final plat has been
previously approved shall require approval by the Chickasha City Council.
(D) Home occupation signs:
One non-illuminated nameplate or
sign attached to the main building, not exceeding two (2) square feet in
display surface area.
(E) Educational, religious, institutional
or similar uses:
(1) Sign shall not
exceed fifteen (15) feet in height or eighty (80) square feet in surface
display area;
(2)
One sign or bulletin board not
exceeding fifteen (15) feet in height and forty (40) square feet in surface
display area announcing special activities for a period not exceeding
forty-five (45) days; and
(3) One sign per
street frontage. (Ord. No. 1806,
8/28/86).
Sec.
Signs constructed in the "R-4" district shall be
required to meet the following criteria.
Any change of existing signs shall also comply with these standards:
(A) One business sign, not exceeding
thirty-two (32) square feet in display area may be erected on each street
frontage of the lot. If the sign is pole
mounted, it shall not exceed the height of the building in which the principal
use is located, or twenty (20) feet, whichever is lower.
(B) Wall signs may be erected not exceeding
an aggregate display surface area equal to two (2) square feet per linear foot
of street frontage.
(C) No signs advertising products not sold on
the premises will be permitted.
(D) No signs shall be permitted upon lots not
containing one business establishment, except as provided elsewhere in this
article.
(E) Real estate signs:
(1) One sign not
exceeding twenty (20) square feet in surface display area may be erected. Such sign shall advertise only the sale,
rental or lease of premises on which the sign is located;
(2) Only one sign
per street frontage; and
(3) All portions of
the sign must be a minimum of ten (10) feet from the curb line. No sign on a corner lot shall be allowed
within the sight triangle of the street intersection.
(F) Educational, religious, institutional or
similar use signs shall follow the provisions of Section
Sec.
Signs constructed in "C-1", "C-2",
"C-3", and "H-1" districts shall be required to meet the
following criteria. Any change of
existing signs shall comply with these standards:
(A) Wall or canopy signs may be erected, not
exceeding an aggregate surface display area of three (3) square feet per each
linear foot of building wall to which the sign or signs are affixed.
(B) A lot containing one business
establishment may erect pole or ground signs of two (2) square feet of display
area per linear foot of street frontage providing however that if more than one
such pole or ground sign is erected, an aggregate display area not exceeding
1.0 square foot per linear foot of street frontage shall be allowed. In determining display area size, only one
side of a sign shall be considered in making such determination.
(C) Ground or pole signs shall not exceed the
maximum height allowed for structures in the zoning district upon which it is
located.
(D) Off-premises advertising on developed and undeveloped lots is prohibited.
(E) Real estate signs shall follow the
provisions of Section
(F) Educational, religious, institutional or
similar use signs shall follow the provisions of Section
Sec.
Signs constructed in "I-1" and "I-2"
districts shall be required to meet the following criteria. Any change of existing signs shall also
comply with these standards:
(A)
Wall or canopy signs may be erected, not
exceeding an aggregate surface display area of three (3) square feet per linear
foot of building wall to which sign or signs are affixed. In addition to the wall or canopy signs
permitted hereinabove, a lot containing one business establishment or vacant lot
may utilize for business sign or outdoor advertising one projecting or ground
sign of two (2) square feet of display area per linear foot of street
frontage. In determining display area
size, only one side of a sign shall be considered in making such determination.
(B) Ground or pole signs shall not exceed the
maximum height allowed for structures in the zoning district upon which it is
located.
(C) Real estate signs shall follow the
provisions of Sec.
Administrative and Enforcement Procedures:
Sec.
(A) Permits shall be required for all signs,
and change or alterations to existing signs, except for message change in
changeable copy signs. The City of
(B) Application content shall include:
(1) Name, address,
telephone number and signature of the owner of the premises upon which sign is
to be located;
(2) Name, address,
telephone number and signature of sign contractor, if any;
(3) Legal
description of property upon which the sign is to be located;
(4) A scale drawing
of the sign;
(5) A plot plan of
sign location, drawn to scale;
(6) Current zoning
of sign location; and
(7) The type and
approximate value of the sign to be installed.
(C) The following types of signs shall be
exempt from the requirements of obtaining a permit, subject to the terms and
conditions contained below:
(1)
Traffic or other municipal signs,
legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and such temporary, emergency or
nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the city
council;
(2)
Flags, provided that such flags
are erected for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) days;
(3)
Seasonal/holiday signs, provided
that their erection shall not occur prior to thirty (30) days before the
holiday and their removal shall take place no more than thirty (30) days after
the holiday; and
(4)
Political signs provided that
such signs are removed within thirty (30) days after the election to which the
sign pertains.
(5)
Window signs painted on the
surface of the glass or vinyl letters adhering to the surface of the glass of a
business establishment when the surface area of the sign is 36 square feet or
less.
(6)
Awning signs painted on or
adhering to the surface of awnings provided the awning has been previously
permitted.
(7) Repainting or
refreshing of existing signs when the surface are of the sign is 36 square feet
or less. (Ord. No. 98-06,
(D) The state highway department shall be
called upon to approve applications or signs to be placed on primary highways
within the City of
Sec.
(A) The building inspection officer shall
inspect at such times as he deems necessary each sign or other advertising
structure regulated by this article for the purpose of ascertaining whether the
sign or structure is secure or insecure, and whether it is in need of removal
or repair.
(B) If the building
inspection officer or other enforcement officer charged with enforcement of
this article finds that any signs or other advertising structure regulated
herein is unsafe or creates an immediate hazard to life and property,
or the sign is located in any designated right-of-way; the
officer or employee may cause such advertising sign to be removed summarily and
without notice. (Ord. No. 1806, 8/28/86)
Sec.