ARTICLE VI
SIGN REGULATIONS
VI.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Article is to permit such signs
that will not, by their reason of size, location, construction, or manner of
display endanger the public safety of individuals; confuse, mislead, or
obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety; or otherwise endanger public
health, safety, and morals; and to permit and regulate signs in such a manner
as to support and complement land use objectives as set forth in this Zoning
Ordinance; to engender a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing environment; and
that is fair to the business community.
VI.2 General
Requirements
A. No sign of any type or any part thereof shall be
erected, painted, posted, placed, replaced or hung in any zoning district
except in compliance with these regulations. A sign permit is required unless
expressly covered by Section VI.3 of this Article.
B. Each application for a sign permit shall be made
in writing upon forms furnished by the Zoning Administrator and shall contain
or has attached the following information:
A drawing
approximately to scale showing the design of the sign, including dimensions,
method of attachment or support, source of illumination, and showing the
relationship to any building or structure or ground to which it is or is
proposed to be installed or affixed.
A
plot plan approximately to scale indicating the location of the sign relative
to property lines, easements, streets, sidewalks, structures, utilities and
other signs.
C. Sign plans shall be submitted to and approved by
the Zoning Administrator prior to a permit being issued. A record of such
applications, plans and the action taken thereon shall be kept in the office of
the Zoning Administrator.
D. Each applicant before being granted a sign permit
shall pay to the City of
E. All signs hereafter
erected, altered, relocated or installed shall comply with all applicable
provisions of the City of Dodge City Building and Electrical Codes. A separate
building and/or electrical permit may be required.
F. In addition to the detailed regulations set forth
in other provisions of this Article, all signs displayed within the
jurisdiction of this Ordinance (including those listed in Section VI.3) shall
comply with the following standards:
Obstruction
to Exits. No sign shall be
erected so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door
opening intended as a means of egress.
Obstruction
to Ventilation or Light. No sign
shall be erected which interferes with any opening required for ventilation
and/or light to a structure.
Clearance
from Surface and Underground Utilities. Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and
non-interference with all surface and underground utilities. Furthermore, sign
placement shall not interfere with natural or improved drainage, or surface or
underground water.
Obstruction
to corner visibility. No sign or
sign structure shall impair the visibility of intersecting streets and drives
as defined by Section II.4 (Intersection Visibility) of this Ordinance.
Setbacks. Unless otherwise specifically regulated herein,
signs may be permitted in required yards, but not on or over the public
rights-of-way. Awnings, canopies and marquees where permitted, may be
constructed over sidewalks to within two feet of the curb line. When over a
public right-of-way, such applicant shall hold the City of
VI.3. Special
Sign Regulations
The following types of signs are regulated as per
the provisions of this Section VI.3. In addition to the requirements of these
provisions, such signs shall also comply with all other applicable provisions
of this Article. Because these signs may be permitted in several or all of the City zoning districts, because they are temporary
in nature, and/or because they provide public service information, these signs
need not comply with Section VI.4.
Property
identification. Two square feet
maximum per occupant, up to eight square feet maximum per zoning lot,
unlighted, displaying only the name/address of the occupant. (Permit not
required)
Flags
and governmental insignia. Except in connection with commercial promotions. (Permit not
required)
Legal notices,
informational, and directional signs erected by a public agency. (Permit not
required)
Integral
structural features. When cut or
set into the building surface, the name, date of erection, and/or address of a
structure. (Permit not required)
Private
traffic signs. Directing
traffic/parking on private property, limited to three signs no larger than four
square feet each in area per zoning lot. (Permit required)
Sign repair and
maintenance. For conforming signs, includes the replacement of copy. (Permit
not required)
Auto
service stations. Up to six
square feet of signage per service/pump island indicating services offered, and
other relevant information. (Permit not required)
Drive-up,
drive-thru services. Menu
boards, price lists, and other displayed information not visible/readable from
a public street are not regulated as signs. (Permit not required)
Real
estate, construction, political campaign signs. One sign per street frontage,
unlighted. No larger than eight square feet in agricultural and
residential zones (5 feet high), and two square feet per each five linear front
feet with a maximum of sixty-four square feet in non-residence zones (15 feet
high). Such signs shall be removed within one week following the property
closing/construction completion/election. (Permit not required)
Public,
civic, religious. One
on-premises sign per street frontage for public, civic, or religious
institutions or events, not to exceed thirty-two square feet in area; up to
three off premises directional signs, unlighted, per institution or event, with
a maximum sign area of six square feet. (Permit required)
Historical
plaques. When erected by
recognized historical agencies. (Permit not required)
Temporary
interior signs. Signs painted or
displayed on interior windows and interior spaces. (Permit not required)
Open
House Signs. Up to three
unlighted directional signs may be displayed off premises on the days of any
advertised open house for sale, each sign shall not
exceed four square feet in area. (Permit not required)
First
Amendment Signs. One sign per
zoning lot may be permitted which gives a non-commercial opinion of the
property owner or occupant. Such sign shall not be larger than twenty square
feet, no more than six feet high, be unlighted in residential zoning districts,
and be placed parallel to the lot frontage. (Permit required – no
fee)
VI.4 Permitted
Signs
Only signs as described herein and as may be
permitted otherwise in this Article will be allowed. No sign described by this
Section shall be erected unless the Zoning Administrator has issued a permit
for the same.
A. Agricultural and Residential Districts
Permanent identification
signs for subdivisions, mobile home parks, and travel trailer campgrounds not
exceeding thirty-two square feet in area are permitted. One sign may be erected
at each major entrance to the subdivision, mobile home park
or travel camp ground; and shall be no closer than ten feet to any property
line. No sign shall exceed six feet in height above ground level, and shall be
parallel to the street frontage.
One permanent identification
sign for multi-family residential development may be erected at each major
entrance to the property. Such signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in
area and may be flat mounted against the wall of an apartment building or may
be freestanding. If freestanding, such signs shall be set back a minimum of ten
feet from the property line and shall not exceed six feet in height above
ground level, and be parallel to the street frontage.
Signs for home
occupations shall be limited to one sign not exceeding four square feet in
area. Such signs shall be unlighted and mounted flat against the wall of the
principal building.
One permanent,
freestanding sign for non-residential uses permitted as a matter of right,
conditionally, or as non-conformities (other than home occupations) may be
erected on the premises, provided such signs do not exceed thirty-two square
feet in area. No freestanding sign shall be located closer than
ten feet to any property line nor exceed six feet in height above ground
level. Such signs shall be parallel to the street frontage.
Non-residential uses
permitted as-of-right, conditionally, or as non-conformities (other than home
occupations) may have a flat-mounted wall sign. No single sign shall exceed
thirty-two square feet in area.
B. Commercial: Downtown and Commercial Office
With the C-1 Commercial Downtown and the C-O
Commercial Office Districts as shown on the Zoning Map, only the following
types of signs shall be permitted:
1. One permanent, freestanding on-premises sign is
permitted for each zoning lot. The area of the sign shall not exceed one square
foot for each one foot of lot width, provided no such sign shall exceed one
hundred square feet. Any such sign shall not exceed thirty-five feet in height
2. Flat-mounted wall on-premises signs are permitted
for each separate business establishment, provided the total allowable sign
area for all such signs shall not exceed the larger of 32 square feet or one
and one-half square feet for each linear foot of building wall facing a
non-residential public street or common drive (such as in a unified office
center).
3. Awnings or canopies with fabric material covering
may be installed over the public rights-of-way within two feet of the curb
line. The structure shall maintain eight-foot vertical clearance from the
sidewalk. Unlighted signage no greater than one-half square foot per lineal
foot of awning area may be permitted, identifying the name/logo of the business
only.
4. Theater marquees, canopies integral with historic
structures, and awnings/canopies erected under governmental authority may be
within the public rights-of-way. See VI.2.F.5 above.
5. One identification sign per business may be
suspended from or attached to the underside of a canopy or marquee provided such
sign does not exceed six square feet in area, and shall maintain a clear
distance of at least eight feet between the sidewalk and the bottom of the
sign.
C. Commercial/Highway
Within the C-2 Commercial/Highway districts as shown
on the Zoning Map, only the following types of signs shall be permitted:
1. One permanent,
freestanding on-premises sign is permitted for each zoning lot. The area of the
sign shall not exceed two square feet for each one linear foot of street
frontage, or a total of two hundred square feet in area, whichever is less. Any
such freestanding sign shall not exceed thirty-five feet in height.
2. Unified shopping centers and other zoning lots
with more than two hundred feet of street frontage may have one additional
on-premises freestanding sign for each additional two hundred feet of street
frontage or portion thereof. The ratio stated in VI.4.C.l shall apply to such
additional signage, as if the additional frontage was a separate lot.
3. Permanent flat-mounted on-premises wall signs are
permitted for each separate business establishment, provided the total
allowable sign area for all such signs shall not exceed the larger of 48 square
feet or three square feet for each linear foot of building wall facing a
non-residential public street or common drive (such as a unified shopping
center).
4. One on-premises sign projecting from a building
facade per street frontage is permitted for each business establishment in the
absence of permanent flat-mounted wall signs. Such sign shall not project more
than ten feet from the building facade, and shall not exceed thirty-two square
feet in area. Projecting signs shall not extend above the top of the building
facade; shall maintain a clear distance of at least ten feet above the sidewalk;
and shall be totally on/over private property.
5. One identification sign per business
establishment may be suspended from or attached to the underside of a canopy or
marquee (not over a public right-of-way), provided such sign does not exceed
six square feet in area and maintains a clear distance of at least eight feet
between the sidewalk and the bottom of the sign.
D. Industrial Districts
Within the I-1 and I-2 Industrial districts as shown
on the Zoning Map, only the following types of signs shall be permitted.
One permanent,
freestanding on premises sign is permitted for each zoning lot. The area of the
sign shall not exceed two square feet for each linear foot of lot width, or a
total of two hundred square feet whichever is less. Any such freestanding sign
shall not exceed thirty-five feet in height.
Unified industrial parks
and other zoning lots with more than two hundred feet of street frontage may
have one additional on-premises freestanding sign for each additional two
hundred feet of street frontage or portion thereof. The ratio stated in
VI.4.D.l shall apply to such additional signage, as if the additional frontage
was a separate lot.
One industrial park
identification sign is permitted on each park frontage, not to exceed two
hundred square feet in area or thirty-five feet in height.
Permanent flat-mounted
on-premises wall signs are permitted for each separate business, provided the
total allowable sign area for all such signs shall not exceed the larger of 48
square feet or three square feet for each linear foot of building wall facing a
non-residential public street or common drive (such as in a unified industrial
park).
One on-premises sign
projecting from a building facade per street frontage is permitted for each
business establishment—in the absence of permanent flat-mounted wall signs.
Such sign shall not project more than ten feet from the building, and shall not
exceed thirty-two square feet in area. Projecting signs shall not extend above
the top of the building facade; shall maintain a clear distance of at least ten
feet above the sidewalk; and shall be totally on/over private property.
One identification sign
per business establishment may be suspended from or attached to the underside
of a canopy or marquee (not over public right-of-way), provided such sign does
not exceed six square a feet in area and maintains a clear distance of at least
eight feet between the sidewalk and the bottom of the sign.
Outdoor Advertising
Within the I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts as shown on
the zoning map, one outdoor advertising sign structure is permitted on each
zoning lot. Such structure shall meet all building setback and yard
requirements of the zoning district, or at least ten feet back from all
property lines (whichever is greater). In addition, such signage shall be no
closer than seventy-five feet to a residential zone. Three hundred feet shall
separate one structure from another (on the same side of a street or around a
corner). On a zoning lot with more than three hundred feet of street frontage,
one outdoor advertising structure is permitted for each additional three
hundred feet of street frontage (or portion thereof). Outdoor advertising signs
shall not exceed three hundred square feet in area per facing, with no more
than one facing per side, and no more than thirty-five feet in height.
VI.5
Illumination
Where illuminated signs are permitted, they shall
conform to the following requirements:
All signs illuminated under the provisions of this
section shall be constructed/installed to meet the
requirements of the National, State, and local Electrical Codes.
Signs that contain, include
or are lighted by any flashing, intermittent or moving lights are prohibited.
Theater marquees and electronic changeable copy message boards are permitted.
Self-illuminated signs shall be limited to those
lighted internally with glass or plastic faces bearing the advertisement;
provided, however, that exposed neon tubing and exposed incandescent or other
bulbs not creating glare distracting to motorists or nearby residential areas shall
be permitted.
Flood and display lighting shall also be shielded so
as to prevent direct view of the light source to a residence or residential
district and/or vehicles approaching on a public right-of-way from any
direction.
VI.6
Prohibited Signs
Unless otherwise permitted, the following signs are
prohibited:
Signs advertising an
activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon
which the sign is located.
Signs
which, because of their location, nature, color, shape, or message would tend
to be confused with, or obstruct the view of, traffic and emergency signals or
signs.
Signs
which display copy of an immoral or indecent nature. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall resolve any
questions pertaining to this provision, applying local community standards.
Roof signs, projecting above a
roof or parapet.
Signs attached to trees, utility poles, fences,
and/or traffic signals.
Signs installed within a public right-of-way.
VI.7 Nonconforming
Signs
All nonconforming signs in all zoning districts
shall comply with the following:
No nonconforming sign shall have any changes made in
the message displayed on the sign unless the sign is specifically designed for
periodic change of message.
No nonconforming sign
shall be structurally altered so as to change the shape, size, type or design
of the sign, nor shall any nonconforming sign be relocated, unless such move
shall create a conforming situation.
No nonconforming sign or
sign structure shall be allowed to remain after the activity, business, or use
to which it relates has been discontinued.
VI.8 Portable
Signs,
Portable signs, mobile signs, temporary signs, and
banners are all regulated under this section. For convenience they are all
described herein as portable signage. Portable signage may be permitted
for short periods of time in order to advertise special events. Such portable
signage shall comply with the following:
Portable signage shall be limited to one sign,
thirty-six square feet in area, per zoning lot.
Portable signage may be displayed
on a non-residential zoning lot (or residential zoning lot with legitimate
non-residential special exception or nonconforming use) for no longer than
sixty days, and for no more than twelve occasions within any twelve month
period (or any combination of signs or dates, the total time frame shall not
exceed sixty days and twelve occasions within any twelve month period).
Cube shaped portable
signage (limited to 40"w x 40"d x 54"h and two per zoning lot)
may be displayed on commercial/industrial zoned property in addition to any
other permitted signage. They shall be installed off city rights-or-way,
easements, vehicular parking and maneuvering areas, and not within sight vision
triangles.
Signage with fabric,
plastic, or similar semi-durable materials (not paper or cardboard) installed
within permanent framed areas on exterior building walls shall be
considered wall signage and not portable signage.
Portable signage,
unlighted, may be permitted on a residential zoning lot for a non-commercial message
for no longer than seventy-two hours within any twelve month period.
Portable signage shall
comply with all other applicable provisions of this Article.
With City Commission
approval, recognized events such as festivals sponsored by business associations
or the City may place portable signage in or above the public rights-of-way.
Portable signage shall
have no vested nonconforming rights.
VI.9 Murals,
Wall Paintings
Murals or wall paintings may be permitted in
addition to regulated signs. They must be artistic in nature and not display
any commercial message. To be permitted they must be approved by an appropriate
neighborhood, business or historical organization, or the planning commission
if no other such organization has jurisdiction.
VI.10 Sign Maintenance.
All signage within the City of