1.170 SIGNS AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING. No signs shall hereafter be built, and no existing signs shall be moved or remodeled unless such sign complies, or will thereafter comply, with the conditions set forth in Article 24.

 

(q) Billboard Sign - Any board or panel greater than sixty-four (64) square feet in area which is erected, constructed or maintained for the purpose of displaying outdoor advertising by means of painted letters, posters, pictures and pictorial or reading matter, either illuminated for non-illuminated, when such sign is supported by uprights or braces placed upon the ground.

 

ARTICLE 24

SIGNS AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING

Sections:

24.010 Purpose and Intent

24.020 General Requirements

24.030 Location Standards

24.040 Exceptions

24.050 Permitted Signs

24.060 Signs Prohibited

24.070 Nonconforming Signs

24.010 PURPOSE AND INTENT. It is the intent of this regulation to control the construction, size, and uses of signs and outdoor advertising to prevent needless cluttering and reasonable number, location, size, and illumination of signs.

24.020 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The following general requirements shall apply to all signs and outdoor advertising structures erected within the 3 Mile Zone, unless otherwise provided by this Zoning Regulation.

1. PERMITS - No persons shall erect, alter, construct, rebuild, remodel, relocate, or expand any sign or outdoor advertising structure in Finney County without first obtaining a sign permit from the Building Inspector.

(A) Electrical permits shall be obtained for electrical signs.

(B) No permit shall be issued by the Building Inspector until an application has been filed showing the plans and specifications, and materials and details of conditions, locations, and method of anchoring the proposed sign.

(C) PERMIT FEES. In addition to fees for electrical and other permits, any person, firm or corporations desiring a sign permit, which is required under the provisions of this Article, shall at the time of receiving such permit pay to the City a fee as follows:

(1) For all signs having a valuation from One Dollar ($1.00) to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), the fee shall be Five Dollars ($5.00).

(2) For all signs which exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) in valuation, the fee shall be computed on the basis of Five Dollars ($5.00) for first One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and Twenty Cents ($0.20) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of cost or fraction thereof for the remainder.

(3) For additional inspections or reinspection the fee shall be Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($7.50) per inspection.

2. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR - Every sign erected in Finney County shall be maintained in a safe, presentable, and good structural condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, or repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. The Building Inspector shall require compliance with all standards of this Article. If the sign is not made to comply with adequate safety standards, the Building Inspector shall require its removal.

3. SIGNS ON PREMISES - Within the Building Overlay Zone and except as provided within the provisions of the respective zoning districts, and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Article, no signs shall be permitted which are not used exclusively to advertise the ownership, sale, or lease of property upon which said sign is placed, or to advertise a business conducted, services rendered, or goods produced or sold upon such premises, or to advertise or identify any other lawful activity conducted upon such premises.

4. METAL SIGNS - Signs constructed of metal and illuminated by any means shall have all electrical components enclosed within the sign structure and shall be properly grounded. Accessory lighting fixtures attached to a sign shall maintain a clearance to grade of ten (10’ ) feet.

5. ILLUMINATED SIGNS.

(A) All electrical components and/or lighting equipment is labeled and rated for outdoor use.

(B) Ceilings (soffits) are required and may consist of “ egg crate,” mesh fabric or solid plastic material. Removable panels may be provided to allow access for service and cleaning.

(C) Minimum clearance to grade shall be eight (8’ ) feet unless projecting over a vehicular right-of-way in which case clearance must be sixteen (16’ ) feet.

24.030 LOCATION STANDARDS. All signs and outdoor advertising structures shall comply with the following location requirements:

1. LOCATION - No sign shall be erected in the public right-of-way.

2. TRAFFIC - No free-standing or projecting signs shall be erected at any intersection improved for vehicular traffic within the vision clearance area unless same in its entirety is less than two (2’ ) feet or more than ten (10’ ) feet above grade and no part of its means of support shall have a single or joined horizontal dimension exceeding twelve (12” ) inches.

3. UTILITY LINES - No sign shall be erected or maintained which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from communication lines and energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the State of Kansas or rules and regulations duly promulgated by agencies thereof.

4. TREES AND POLES - No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole on public property.

24.040 EXCEPTIONS. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this Article:

1. The display of official notices used by any court, or public body or official, or the posting of notices by any public officer in the performance of a duty, or by any person giving legal notice.

2 . Any official flag, pennant, or insignia or any nation, state, city or other political unit, civic, educational, or religious organization.

3 . Any sign of a non-commercial nature when used to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the general public.

4 . Directional, warning, or information signs of a public or semi-public nature, directed and maintained by an official body or public utility ( e.g. railroad crossing, no dumping, no parking, etc.)

5 . Political or campaign signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on election ballots provided that said signs are subject to the following regulations:

(A) Said signs may be erected not earlier than sixty (60) days prior to said election and shall be removed within ten (10) days following said election.

( B ) No sign shall be located within or over the public right-of-way.

6 . Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation, provided that the content and size of the signs do not exceed the requirements of such law, order, rule, or regulation.

7 . Scoreboards in athletic stadiums.

24.050 PERMITTED USES. Signs for special purposes set forth in this section shall be permitted as provided herein.

1. For Sale, Rent, or Lease Signs - In all zoning districts, signs may be erected to advertise the sale, rent, or lease of property upon which said signs are placed. Said signs shall be limited to one (1) sign per street face, unless otherwise provided by the zoning provisions, and shall not exceed an area of six (6) square feet in residential zones or thirty-two (32) square feet in non-residential zoning districts. Said signs shall be exempt from site plan approval.

2. Directory Signs - In all districts where group occupancies in office buildings, commercial buildings, or industrial buildings are permitted, directory signs may be erected displaying the names of occupants of a building who are engaged in a particular profession, business, or industrial pursuit. Said sign shall be situated at least two (2’ ) feet inside the property line and not exceed eight (8’ ) feet in height. Said sign shall not exceed an area of sixty (60) square feet and shall not be placed within the clear-vision area of a corner lot.

3 . Construction Project Signs - Signs may be erected in conjunction with construction projects and used for the purpose of publicizing the future occupants of the building, the architects, the engineers, and construction organizations participating in the project. In residential districts no such signs shall exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area. In other districts no such sign shall exceed an area of sixty (60) square feet and no free-standing signs shall exceed ten (10’ ) feet in height. All such signs shall be removed before a final occupancy inspection by the Building Inspector.

4 . On-Off Site Directional Signs - Directional signs may be erected for the purpose of facilitating or controlling the efficient or safe movement of pedestrians or vehicles on or into private property, and shall be located on the properties to which they pertain. No such sign shall be used for advertising purposes and shall not exceed six (6) square feet.

5 . Open House Signs - Open house signs advertising real estate open for inspection for a prospective sale may be placed on private property in all districts with the consent of the owners, lessee, or occupant. Such signs may state the name of the person or firm sponsoring the open house. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.

6 . Church, Quasi-Public Organizations, Apartment House and non-conforming Mobile/Manufactured Home Park Identification Signs - In all districts a church or quasi-public organization may erect one (1) sign on the premises to identify the name of the organization and announce activities thereof. Apartment houses and non-conforming mobile/manufactured home parks may erect one (1) sign on the premises to identify the name of the apartment complex and to vacancies.

7 . Development Promotional and Directional Signs - In all residential zones one development promotional sign may be placed on the premises of each subdivision or planned development having five (5) or more lots or approved dwelling unit sites. Said promotional sign may have an area of sixty (60) square feet, plus five (5) additional square feet for each lot or dwelling unit in said development in excess of five (5), up to a maximum area of one hundred (100) square feet. In addition, two directional signs may be located off site to contain only the name and direction of any subdivision or planned development. Said signs may have a maximum area of six (6) square feet each and shall not be located in the right-of-way of any public street.  All of the above signs shall be removed not later than fifteen (15) days following the initial sale of all lots or dwelling units in said development.

8 . Advertising signs which direct attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at the premises on which it is located or at the premises which it advertises, provided that:

( A ) No free standing sign shall have a height greater than twenty-five (25’ ) feet above grade, except those signs within the “ Sign Overlay Zone” which may have a maximum height of thirty (30’ ) feet above grade. (Reso. # 26-96, 6/10/96)

(B) No sign shall be permitted in the public right-of-way or be located in a manner to constitute a traffic hazard.

(C) No sign shall be allowed unless it is permanently affixed or anchored.

(D) The direct rays of light illuminating any sign shall not beam upon any part of an adjacent property, residence, or public right-of-way.

9. Computer generated message signs may be approved via Conditional Use Permit contingent upon the impact of movement that would materially or practically tend to create a traffic hazard.

24.060 SIGNS PROHIBITED. The following signs shall be strictly prohibited in all districts.

1 . Animated and Intensely Lighted Signs - No signs shall be erected which are so designed and operating to have rotating parts, flashing or sequence lighting, or create an illusion of movement, that they will materially or practically tend to create a traffic hazard (See 24.050.9.).

2 . Sound - No signs shall be designed for the purpose of emitting sound.

3 . Abandoned Signs - Signs which are no longer used such as business signs or other signs that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted or available on the premises on which the sign is located shall be prohibited.

4 . Swinging or Twirling Signs - Swinging or twirling signs are prohibited in all zoning districts of the 3-Mile Zone .

5 . Billboards - Billboards are prohibited in all zoning districts with the exception of Commercial or Industrial zoning districts.

6 . “A” Frame Sign Banjo and Movable Free-Standing Signs - Temporary “A” frame signs and movable free-standing signs shall be prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to signs mounted upon or painted upon vehicles or trailers which are parked for extended periods of time expressly and exclusively for the purpose of calling attention to or advertising a specific business establishment or product.

7 . Banners, Pennants, and Searchlights - Balloons or other gas filled objects, portable signs, and search lights shall not be used on a permanent basis.

8. Others - The following signs are also prohibited which:

(A) Emit an odor or audible sound.

(B) Affect traffic safety in any manner.

(C) Are attached to a tree or utility pole.

(D) Have visible moving parts or any portion of which moves or gives the illusion of motion.

24.070 NONCONFORMING SIGNS.

1. No nonconforming signs shall be in any manner be, enlarged, altered, reconstructed, or moved without being made to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Article provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the normal maintenance and repair, painting or repairing of the face, or the replacement of a removable face of said nonconforming sign.