Section 4.9. Sign regulations.
A. Purpose.
The regulations established in this section are intended to provide minimum
standards to safeguard life, property, and public welfare regulating and
controlling the use, materials, construction, location, number, maintenance,
and the permitting of certain signs and sign structures. In addition, the
ordinance is intended to enhance the beauty of the city by limiting visual
clutter. The provisions of this section are not intended to permit a violation
of any provision of any other ordinance or federal or state law.
B. Definitions.
For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
Area of sign. The total area
within the extreme rectangular perimeter of the attraction area intended to
draw attention to the sign. Supporting structures shall not be included in
calculations. The area of the sign with two faces, approximately opposed, shall
be that of the larger face if such condition prevails; but, if the angle
between the panes of the opposing faces exceeds 30 degrees, the total area of
both faces shall be considered the sign area. For multisided or circular signs,
the calculation shall include allof the projected area.
Awning. An architectural projection which provides weather protection,
identity, or decoration, and is supported by the building to which it is
attached. It is composed of a lightweight rigid or retractable skeleton
structure over which another cover is attached, which may be of fabric or other
material. Such sign may be raised or retracted to a position against the
building, and may be illuminated.
Banner. A sign made of
paper, plastic, or fabric, with or without a frame, containing characters,
letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic, or fabric.
Banner does not include a flag.
Billboard. A sign which
directs attention to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place,
commodity, product, or service conducted, sold, or offered at a location other
than the premises on which the sign is located.
Builder's directional
sign. A temporary sign which provides direction or
instruction to guide persons to sites where new homes are under construction,
usually off-premise.
Canopy. A structure
made of metal or other material with a frame supported by either one or more
columns or the building to which it is accessory, and is open on two or more
sides.
Construction sign. A temporary
sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design, construction,
wrecking, financing, or improvements of the premises where work is under
construction.
Directory sign. A sign which indicates the name and/or address of the tenants or
occupants, the address of the premises, and/or identification of any business
or occupation which may exist on the premises.
External illumination. Illumination of a sign by an artificial source of light which is
not contained within the sign itself.
Flag. Any fabric containing distinctive color, pattern, or symbols, used
as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, nonprofit organization, or
corporation that is flown from flagpoles.
Flashing sign. An illuminated
sign on which the artificial source of light is not maintained stationary or
constant in intensity and color at all times when the sign is illuminated. For
the purpose of this ordinance, any moving illuminated sign affected by
intermittent lighting shall be deemed to be a flashing sign.
Gross surface area. The area of the smallest rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of
characters, lettering, illustrations, ornamentation, or other fixtures,
material, or color forming part of the sign. Structural supports bearing
no sign copy shall not be included in gross surface area; however, if any
portion of the required structural supports become enclosed for decorative or
architectural purposes, that portion will be included in the total gross
surface area of the sign. Gross surface area shall be measured on one sideonly
of a two-faced (back to back) sign carrying the same image and message on both
faces. Two-faced signs carrying different messages and images on each side
shall be considered as separate signs.
Ground sign. A sign not
wholly supported on a building, or which has its main supporting structure
depending on the ground for attachment.
Illuminated sign. A sign which
has characters, letters, figures, or designs illuminated by electric lights,
luminous tubes, or other means that are specifically placed to draw attention
to, or provide night time viewing of, the subject matter on the sign
face.
Illumination,
external. Lighting by means of an unshielded
light source (including neon tubing) which is effectively visible as an
external part of the sign.
Illumination,
internal. Lighting by means of a light which is within a sign
having translucent background, silhouetting opaque letters or designs, on which
letters or designs are placed, which are themselves
made of translucent material.
Incidental signs. Small signs of
a noncommercial nature, intended primarily for convenience of the public.
Included are signs designating restrooms, address numbers, hours of operation, entrances to buildings, directions, help wanted, public
telephones, and so forth.
Inflatable sign. Any display
capable of being expanded by air or other gas and used on a permanent or
temporary basis to advertise a product or event.
Instructional sign. A sign limited
to directional messages, principally for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, such
as one-way, entrance, and exit.
Logo. Any design or insignia of an organization, individual, company, or
product which is commonly used in advertising to identify that organization,
individual, company, or product.
Marquee. Any hood or awning or permanent construction projecting from the
wall of a building or other structure containing either permanent or changeable
advertising.
Menu board. A sign displaying the menu for a drive-up window for a food
establishment.
Monument sign. A permanent ground
sign generally constructed out of brick, stone, or cast concrete supported on a
concrete foundation across the entire base of the structure.
Moving sign. A sign which
revolves, rotates, swings, undulates, or otherwise
attracts attention through the movement of parts or through the impression of
movement, including automatic electronically controlled copy changes, but not
including flags, banners, or pennants.
Nameplate sign. An on-premises
non-illuminated sign identifying only the name, address, and/or profession of
the occupant of the premises on which the sign is located.
Off-premises sign. A sign which
directs attention to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place,
commodity, product or service not conducted, sold, or offered upon the premises
on which the sign is located.
On-premises sign. A sign which
promotes or advertises a business, person, organization, activity, event,
place, commodity, product, or service which is conducted, sold, or offered upon
the premises where the sign is located.
Pennant. A wind device
usually made of lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material whether or not
containing a message of any kind, usually triangular in shape and attached to a
single cord.
Permanent sign. A sign which is fixed in nature that is erected, affixed, or
maintained on a premises for a period of time which is regulated by Table 1,
Schedule for permanent signs.
Pole sign
(also
called "pylon sign"). A freestanding ground sign supported by one or
more poles columns, uprights, or braces placed in or upon the ground and having
no guys or braces to the ground or to any other structure.
Political sign. A temporary sign pertaining to any national, state, county, or
local election that supports or opposes an announced candidate, political
party, or issue of political significance.
Portable sign. Any temporary
sign supported by the ground but not attached to the ground, which can be
regularly moved from a location at periodic intervals, and which is located
upon the premises where the business, profession, activity, commodity, service,
or entertainment referred to by the sign is located. The term "portable
sign" shall include the following:
1. A sign which is
mounted on a trailer or wheels or is part of a trailer and by its design can be
towed from one location to another by the use of attached wheels or by
attaching an axle to existing mounts;
2. An
"A-frame" type sign;
3. A
sign affixed by pole or poles to a portable base made of wood, metal, or
concrete;
4. A sign suspended or
attached to a stand with an inverted "T" base; and
5. Any sign that the
base is inserted into a sleeve mounted or driven into the ground which can be
easily extracted from said sleeve by simply lifting or removing bolts.
Premises. A lot or tract,
or a combination of contiguous lots or unplatted tracts if the lots or tracts
or combination are under a single ownership and are reflected in the plat or
deed records of
Projecting sign. A sign suspended from a building or structure and projecting out
there from more than one foot.
Pylon sign. See "pole
sign".
Qualified street
frontage. The width of property along the
street of a commercial or industrial development which bears the address of the
property.
Reader board sign. A sign
comprised of non-permanent letters, numerals, or symbols which may be changed
by adding, removing, or rearranging the letters, numerals, or symbols, either
manually or electronically.
Real estate sign. A sign relating
to the sale, lease, or rental of the premises upon which such a sign is
placed.
Roof sign. A sign mounted
upon, against, or directly above the roof or parapet line of a building or
structure, or that is wholly dependent upon a building for support and that
projects above the top walk or edge of a building with a flat roof, the eave
line of a building with a gambrel, gable, or hip roof, or the deck line of a
building with a mansard roof.
Search light. A large outdoor
lighting apparatus used to attract attention to a business or a specific
location.
Secondary sign. A sign located
on premises identifying individual uses in a mixed use multi-tenant commercial
shopping center.
Sight triangle. An area of unobstructed visibility on either corner of a street
and/or driveway of at least 25 feet in any direction.
Sign. Any name,
number, identification, description, announcement, declaration, demonstration,
device, display, flag, banner, pennant, illustration, logo, balloon, streamer,
valance, advertising display, poster, beacon, light, or insignia, illuminated
or non-illuminated, affixed directly or indirectly to or upon any building,
window, door, or outdoor structure, which is visible to the general public and
calls attention to any business, person, organization, event, commodity,
object, product, service, place, or activity, including any permanently
installed or situated merchandise or facsimile.
Street grade. The average
elevation of the projected corners of a property, adjacent to a dedicated
street right-of-way or roadway easement, the elevation of the corners being
measured at the top of the curb, or the centerline of the street if no curb is
present.
Temporary event. An event such as a "grand opening," or a "going out
of business sale" which lasts for a period of time not to exceed 60 days.
Temporary sign. A nonpermanent
sign designed or intended to be displayed for a short period of time erected,
affixed, or maintained on a premises and regulated by
Table 2, Schedule for temporary signs. Trailer and portable signs are
classified as temporary signs.
Vehicular sign. Any sign, not
including bumper stickers, on or in a vehicle moving along the ground or on any
vehicle parked temporarily, incidental to its principal use for transportation.
This definition shall not include signs which are being transported to a site
of permanent erection or lettering of company vehicle that advertises only the
company name, address, and/or logo, or temporary signs (with an area less than
three feet) attached to vehicles which may be removed daily.
Wall sign. A sign attached
or affixed to an exterior wall of a building or structure or dependent upon a
building for support with the exposed face of the sign located in a place
substantially parallel to the exterior building wall to which it is attached or
by which it is supported and not extending more than 12 inches from said wall.
A wall sign shall not extent above the wall or parapet to which the sign is
attached. For the purpose of this section, awnings, canopy fascias, mansards
extending along a building sideshall be considered a
part of the wall.
Warning sign. A sign containing no advertising material, warning the public of
the existence of danger.
Window sign. A sign attached
to, placed upon, or painted on the exterior or interior of a window or door of
a building, which is intended for public viewing from the exterior of such
building.
Yard sign. Any sign of a
temporary nature other than a development, real estate, builders or
construction sign, which includes the advertisement of a service which has been
performed on premise, or construction/repair that has been performed on
premises.
C. General standards.
1. The Uniform Sign
Code, as enacted by the International Conference of Building Officials, 1994
edition, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, is
adopted by reference as though such code were copied at length in this section,
except as such code may be amended by the provisions in this article.
2. Height of signs: Sign
height shall be measured from ground level at the base of the sign to the
highest part of the sign.
3. Building and
electrical codes applicable: All signs must conform to the regulations and
design standards of the building code and other ordinances of the city. Wiring
of all electrical signs must conform to the electric code of the city.
4. Illumination of
signs: Signs shall be designed, located, shielded, and directed to prevent the
casting of glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon adjacent
public right-of-way and surrounding property.
5. Requirement to
repair: Whenever a sign is damaged by wind, is inadequately maintained, is of
faulty construction, or is damaged by any other cause, it shall be considered a
public nuisance and the owner shall be required to repair such sign
substantially to its original condition as determined by the designated
official, or at the owner's election such sign shall be removed. A sign which
has been permitted to remain in place as a nonconforming use shall be removed
when the sign, or a substantial part of it,is blown
down or otherwise destroyed or dismantled for any purpose other than
maintenance operations or for changing the letters, symbols, or other material
on the sign. For purposes of this ordinance, a sign or a substantial part of it
is considered to have been destroyed if the cost of repairing the sign is more
than 60 percent of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same
location.
6. Placement of signs:
No sign may be erected or placed on public right-of-way. Any signs so erected
or placed may be removed by the designated official without notice. No sign may
be erected or placed on vacant lots or tracts unless written permission has
been given by the property owner and such documentation is provided to the
designated official upon the official's request.
7. Sight triangle: No
permanent or temporary sign shall be located to block the visibility in the
required sight triangle as defined above.
8. Noncommercial
messages: Any sign authorized in this ordinance is allowed to contain a
noncommercial message in place of any other authorized message.
9. Off-premises signs:
Off-premises signs shall be prohibited in the City of
10. Painted signs: No
sign shall be permitted which is painted on the wall of any building or on any
part of a building.
11. Weekend advertising:
The city policy for weekend advertising, as expressed in this chapter is
extended to homebuilders for the purpose of guiding the weekend motoring public
to available residential properties in the city. The policy is intended as a
benefit also to the buying public. These provisions are designed to allow
temporary directional signs without resulting in excess that may prove offensive
to others of the public. The policy should also serve as common sense
guidelines in places where direct application is unclear.
(1) Registration.
In order for a builder/developer to be eligible to participate in this weekend
advertisement he must be registered with the building inspection office. An
annual fee as provided in appendix C must be paid by each
builder/developer/owner wishing to advertise under this section. Such annual
fee must be paid and/or renewed during the month of January each year.
(2) Schedule.
Signs will be allowed between
(3) Sign size.
Signs shall not exceed 24 inches by 30 inches in size, not to exceed three feet
above grade.
(4) Spacing of signs.
A minimum of 30 feet must be held between all signs, and signs for one
advertiser must be at least 200 feet apart.
(5) Sign location.
Individual sign locations shall adhere to the following criteria:
(a) No closer than 40
feet to a street intersection or median opening.
(b) Signs may be placed
in the city right-of-way, but no closer than three feet from the edge of the
sign to the street curb or edge of the pavement. Signs should not encroach either the sidewalks or the street.
(c) No sign shall be
placed in a visibility triangle. Generally, if a sign is close to blocking
motorist visibility, it should be removed.
(d) No signs should be
placed further than three miles from the subject property.
(6) Sign construction
and criteria. Signs should be rigid, two-dimensional displays that
advertise new residential property, guiding the motorists to a specific
location in the city.
These are the guidelines under which this
policy will be administered, relating particularly to the weekend/motoring
customer. It is the responsibility of the builder/owner to secure permission of
the property owner for placement of the signs on private property. This policy
does not grant unlimited access and use of the city right-of-way. Violations of
this policy will be cause for confiscation of the signs. Any signs which are
confiscated by the building official and or their appointee may be reclaimed
bythe owner of such sign, but each sign so confiscated will be subject to a
redemption fee as provided in appendix C per sign. If signs remain unclaimed
for a period of 30 days, the city will dispose of such signs as may be
appropriate. Excessive general violations may require that the policy be
suspended for a period of time. The building official shall notify the city
council if the suspension of this policy is put into effect indicating the
causes and the period of the suspension. All builders/owners areoffered the use
of the provisions of this section equally. In so doing, the city asks that the
builders/owners aid in maintaining a neat and orderly appearance throughout the
entire city.
D. Schedule for
permanent signs. No permanent sign shall be erected, placed,
displayed or located except in accordance with Table 1, Schedule for Permanent
Signs.
City of
TABLE INSET:
|
Type of Sign |
Districts |
Maximum Area |
Maximum |
Number |
Requirements |
|
Individual commercial and industrial
|
RC, GC, LI |
Any one development may have one sign:
Choice of ground sign, monument sign, roof sign or projecting sign (see below)
|
|||
|
Major com./industrial development
|
RC, GC and LI |
0.005 s.f. per s.f.
of floor area to a 500 s.f. max. |
50 ft. |
1 pylon sign on 1 street frontage
|
50,000 s.f. or greater in buildings
|
|
Freestanding ground (pole/pylon)
|
RC, GC and LI |
1 s.f. per linear ft. of qualified st. frontage,
300 s.f. max. per sign |
25 ft., plus 1 ft. for each ft. setback
from property lines to a max. of 50 ft. |
1 per 300 linear ft. of qualified
street frontage |
50 ft. min. qualified street frontage,
must be permanently attached to ground, height may not exceed 1/2 distance to
nearest AG or residential zoning |
|
Freestanding monument commercial
|
RC, GC and LI |
150 s.f. |
6 ft. |
1 per development (choice of ground
sign, monument sign, roof sign or projecting sign) |
Different regulations for monument
signs in residential districts |
|
Roof (attached) |
RC, GC and LI |
1 s.f. per linear ft. of qualified st.
frontage, 200 s.f. max. |
10 ft., above apparent flat roof or
eaves line height |
1 per development (choice of ground
sign, monument sign, roof sign or projecting sign) |
Shall not project horizontally over
edge of roof or eaves |
|
Projecting (attached) |
RC, GC, LI |
1 s.f. per linear ft. of qualified st.
frontage, 100 s.f. max. |
5 ft., above apparent flat roof or
eaves line height |
1 per development (choice of ground
sign, monument sign, roof sign or projecting sign) |
Shall not extend more than 4' from any
wall facing |
|
Theater marquee |
RC, GC, LI |
1 s.f. per linear ft. of qualified st.
frontage, 300 s.f. max. per sign |
10 ft., above apparent flat roof or
eaves line height |
1 per development |
May be substituted for Projecting sign
|
|
Ground for auto dealership |
RC, GC, LI |
1 s.f. per linear ft. of qualified st.
frontage, 300 s.f. max. per sign |
25 ft., plus 1 ft. for each ft. setback
from property lines to a max. of 50 ft. |
1 per 150 linear ft. of qualified
street frontage |
50 ft. min. qualified street frontage,
must be permanently attached to ground, height may not exceed 1/2 distance to
nearest AG or residential zoning |
|
Commercial wall (attached) |
RC, GC, LI |
15 percent of wall area |
Not above apparent flat roof or eaves
line height |
Signage area can be composed of
multiple signs |
Includes any valance or permanent
window signs |
|
Canopy |
O, C, LI |
15 percent of canopy fascia area
|
Top of parapet wall or roof eave height
|
Signage area can be composed of
multiple signs |
Includes signs suspended on the canopy
supports |
|
Residential freestanding monument
|
SF-20, SF-9.6, SF-8.4, SF-7.2 SF-6
|
50 s.f. |
4 ft. |
2 matching at main entrance to
subdivision |
Monument signs not allowed in AG
|
|
Multifamily wall or ground |
MF |
50 s.f. total |
Ground--4 ft., Wall--height of masonry
screening wall |
1 per street frontage |
For identification purposes only, No
encroachment into sight triangle |
|
Residential wall (attached)
|
SF-20, SF-9.6, SF-8.4, SF-7.2 SF-6
|
2 s.f. each |
Roof eave height |
2 per occupancy |
No encroachment into sight triangle, No
permit required |
|
Private traffic control |
RC, GC, LI |
2 s.f. |
3 ft. |
No number specified |
Vehicular or pedestrian, No logos
symbols or shapes |
|
Commercial flags |
RC, GC, LI |
Company and award flags 100 s.f. or
less than |
25 ft. |
1 flag of each type per site
|
|
|
Flags in residential |
SF-20, SF-9.6, SF-8.4, SF-7.2 SF-6, MF
|
No area maximum |
20 ft. in MF, 15 ft. in SF-20, SF-9.6,
SF-8.4, SF-7.2 and SF-6 |
1 flag of each type per site
|
US & state flags only |
E. Schedule for
temporary signs. No temporary sign shall be erected, placed,
displayed, or located except in accordance with Table 2, Schedule for Temporary
Signs.
City of
TABLE INSET:
|
Type of Sign |
Permit Req. |
Districts |
Maximum Area |
Maximum Height |
Time Limit |
Requirements |
|
Portable |
Yes |
Nonresidential |
50 s.f. |
8 ft. |
60 days with 60 days between
|
150 ft. separation 20 ft. from R.O.W.
|
|
Real estate |
No |
All |
5 s.f. |
3 ft. |
Remove within 1 week of sale or lease
|
1 per lot |
|
Commercial real estate |
No |
Nonresidential RC, GC, LI and PD
|
100 s.f. |
Height of wall |
Remove within 1 week of sale or lease
|
Unlighted flat against wall
|
|
Undeveloped property |
No |
All |
1 s.f. per linear ft. of st. frontage
or 100 s.f. whichever is smaller |
15 ft. |
|
1 per street frontage, unlighted
|
|
Weekend builders advertising
|
Yes, annual reg. fee |
All |
5 s.f. 24" × 30" |
3 ft. |
|
3 ft. from curb, 30 ft. spacing, 200
ft. same builder spacing, 40 ft. min. from intersection, no lighting, within
3 miles of site |
|
New subdivision development
|
Yes |
Residential SF-20, SF-9.6, SF-8.4,
SF-7.2 SF-6 and PD |
150 s.f. |
15 ft. |
1 year or completion of project, 1 year
renewal available |
1 on-site & 1 off-site, 25 ft.
behind curb, 200 ft. apart |
|
Trade construction |
Yes |
All |
50 s.f. |
4 ft. |