Section 18-9-1-901 Short title.
This article shall be known
as the “sign ordinance” or “sign regulations” of the city.
Section 18-9-1-902 Definitions.
A. As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings given in this section:
1. “A-frame
sign" means a ground sign which resembles the shape of the letter
"A" in profile view. Sometimes designated as "sandwich
board," "sidewalk board" or "curb sign."
2. “Abandoned
sign" means a sign which is located on property which becomes unoccupied
or unused for a period of six or more consecutive months or any sign which
pertains to a business, product, service, event, or purpose which no longer
applies shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because
of a change of ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed
abandoned unless the property remains unoccupied for a period of time greater
than six months. Structural components
of abandoned signs may remain while a property is unoccupied but any
nonstructural message components shall be removed by the owner of the sign or
owner of the premises where it is located.
The structural components shall, during the period of nonuse, be maintained. If said components become unsafe, blighted,
or a detriment to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community, the
exception provided above shall not apply as said structural components shall be
deemed abandoned and a public nuisance as defined in Chapter 15 of this code.
3. “Alteration:
means any change of copy, sign face, color, size, shape, illumination,
position, location, construction, or supporting structure of any sign.
4. "Animated
sign" means a sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion.
Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as defined and
regulated by this code, include the following types:
a. Electrically activated: Animated signs
producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical, or
electro-mechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement
through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications
noted below.
b. Flashing: Animated signs or animated
portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in
which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period
of nonillumination.
For the purposes of this ordinance, flashing will not be defined as
occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds
four seconds.
c. Patterned illusionary movement:
Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is
characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation
of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light
patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
d. Environmentally activated: Animated
signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes or other natural
environmental input. Includes
spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings, and/or other devices or displays that
respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
e. Mechanically activated: Animated signs
characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical
system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
5. “Apartment
sign” means a sign containing the name of and/or information about a
multi-family dwelling.
6. “Awning sign”
means a cloth, plastic or other nonstructural covering that either is
permanently attached to a building or can be raised or retracted to a position
against the building.
7. "Banner,
flag or pennant" means any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material used for advertising purposes attached to
any structure, staff, pole, line, framing, not including official flags of the
United States, the State of Oklahoma, and other states of the nation, counties,
municipalities, and official flags of foreign nations.
8. “Banner sign”
means a sign usually of cloth, paper, plastic, or other nonrigid
materials that is enclosed in a rigid frame attached and secured to the ground
or mounted to a building.
9. "Bench
sign" means any advertising sign attached to or painted on a bench which
is placed on public right-of-way.
10. “Billboard”
means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or
entertainment not conducted, sold or offered on the premises where the sign is
located.
11. “Building
mounted sign” means a sign which is permanently affixed to the building for
which the sign is intended to identify or advertise.
12. “Bus or
transit shelter” means a small structure designed for the protection and
convenience of waiting transit passengers that has a roof and usually two or
three sides.
13. “Cabinet sign”
means a sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single
enclosed cabinet and may or may not be illuminated.
14. "Canopy
sign" means any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy, made of
fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door or entrance.
A canopy sign is not a marquee and is considered a building mounted sign.
15. “Certificate
of occupancy” means a certificate issued by the code official allowing the
occupancy or use of a building and certifying that the structure or use has
been constructed or will be used in compliance with all provisions of the
Lawton City Code.
16.
"Changeable copy sign" means a sign on which a copy is changed
manually in the field.
17. “Church
directional sign, off-premise” means a sign located on streets classified as
arterials defined on the most recently adopted Federal Highway Administration
Functional Classification Map which directs attention to a church not on the
premises where the sign is located.
18. “Civic event
sign” means a temporary sign, other than a commercial sign, posted to advertise
a civic event sponsored by a public agency, school, church, civic-fraternal
organization, or similar noncommercial organization.
19. “Common
access” means a private driveway serving two or more lots or businesses.
20.
"Copy" means any sign wording, logo, or other representation
that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a
business, product, service or other business activity.
21. “Dilapidated sign”
means any sign which is structurally unsound, has defective parts, or is in
need of painting or maintenance.
Neglected or dilapidated signs shall be manifested by the following:
rust or holes on or in the sign or sign structure or broken, missing, loose, or
bent parts, faded or flaking paint, non-operative or partially non-operative
illuminating or mechanical devices or missing letters in sign copy.
22. “Directional
sign, on-premise” means an on-premise sign designed to be read by a person
already on the premises and used only to identify and locate an office,
entrance, exit, telephone, or similar place, service, or route.
23.
“Display area” - see sign area.
24.
"Electrical sign" means any sign containing electrical wiring
in, on or attached to it or which is intended to be energized by an electrical
energy source.
25.
“Electronic message center and display screen” means any sign or portion
of a sign that uses changing lights to display an electronic image, video, or
text messages. The rate of change of the
messages or images is electronically programmed and can be modified by
electronic processes. This definition
includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat screens, LED
screens, video boards, and holographic displays.
26.
“Facade” means the side of a building below the eaves.
27.
“General business sign” means an on-premise sign which directs attention
to a business, product, activity, or service that is conducted, sold, or
offered on the premises where the sign is located.
28.
“Grand opening sign” means a promotional activity not exceeding thirty
(30) calendar days used by newly established businesses within two months after
initial occupancy to inform the public of their location and services available
to the community. “Grand Opening” does
not mean an annual or occasional promotion by a business.
29.
"Ground mounted sign" means a freestanding sign with a
twelve-inch (12") minimum vertical solid base directly and continuously
connected to at least fifty percent (50%) of the sign face width or is borne by
two or more supports which are a minimum of twelve inches (12") but less
than eight feet (8') above grade.
30.
“Height” means the vertical distance from finished grade to the top of
the highest attached component of the sign, excluding decorative
embellishments, to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade
beneath the sign whichever is less.
31.
"Illegal nonconforming sign" means a sign which was in
violation of any of the laws of the city governing the erection, placement, or
construction of such sign at the time of its erection, and which sign has never
been erected or displayed in conformance with all such laws, including this
article.
32.
“Illuminated sign” means any sign, except a neon sign, designed to give
forth artificial light or designed to reflect light from one or more sources of
artificial light erected for the purpose of providing light for the sign.
33.
“Illumination, direct” means a lighting by means of an artificial light
source, including neon tubing, which is visible either through exposed lighting
on the sign face or through transparent or translucent material from a light
source within the sign.
34.
“Illumination, indirect” means a sign which does not produce artificial
light from within itself but which is opaque and backlighted
or illuminated by spotlights or floodlights not a part of or attached to the
sign itself, or a sign within but with no exposed or exterior bulbs, tubes or
other light source which are not visible to persons viewing the sign from any
street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.
35.
"Intensely lighted sign" means any sign, except time,
temperature and date signs, having lights of over forty (40) watts per lamp;
36.
“Institutional sign” means a sign placed on a premise of institution
containing the name of and/or information relating to such uses. Uses allowed: public facilities, schools,
religious assembly, hospitals, or government-owned facilities.
37.
"Legal nonconforming sign" means any sign which was lawfully
erected and maintained prior to the enactment of this article, December 22,
2005, but which does not conform to all the applicable regulations and
restrictions of this article.
38.
“Monument sign” means a freestanding sign that has a solid supporting
base equal to or greater than the width of the sign face, generally made of
stone or concrete, with no separation between the sign and base.
39.
“Multi-tenant sign” means an on-premise sign identifying individual
businesses within a commercial building or buildings where the uses share the
same lot, access, and/or parking facilities or a coordinated site plan.
40.
“Multi-prism sign” means a billboard made with a series of triangular
sections that rotate and stop, or index, to show three images or messages in
the same area at different times.
41.
“Mural” means a work of graphic art painted or applied to a building
wall(s) which contains no advertising or logos.
42.
“Nameplate” means any sign which designates the name, using plates, of
the person(s) occupying the premises.
43.
“Nonconforming sign” means an existing sign that was lawfully
constructed or installed prior to the adoption or amendment of this article,
December 22, 2005, and was in compliance with all of the provisions of this
code then in effect but which does not presently comply with the provisions of
this article as they now exist.
44.
“Outparcel” means a portion of a larger parcel
of land generally designed as a site for a structure or business separate from
the larger tract. An outparcel must be shown on the site plan and must
meet the subdivision regulation requirements.
45.
“Pole sign” means a freestanding sign connected to the ground by one or
more supports, where any portion of the lower edge of the sign device is separated
vertically from the ground by air a distance of eight feet, or greater than
twenty-four (24) inches in height as measured from grade.
46.
"Political sign" means a temporary sign larger than four
square feet but not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet identifying, either
singly or combined, a political candidate, slate of candidates, issue, or
party. These signs are used or intended
to be used for the display of any announcement, advertisement, or notice of any
individual candidate or slate of candidates for any public office or similar
political purposes.
47.
"Portable sign" means a sign designed to be transported,
including but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of
wheels, signs of A-frame or T-frame or mounted on springs, menu and sandwich
board signs, balloons used as signs, umbrellas used for advertising.
48.
“Rigid banner frame” means a rigid structure to which a banner can be
attached at several points around the perimeter of the banner.
49.
"Roof" means the exterior surface and its supporting structure
on the top of a building or structure; the structural make-up of which conforms
to the roof structure, roof construction, and roof covering sections of the
International Building Code.
50.
“Roof line” means the uppermost edge of the roof or in the case of an
extended facade or parapet, the uppermost height of said facade.
51.
“Roof sign” means any sign erected and constructed wholly on and above
the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending
vertically above the highest portion of the roof.
52.
“Rotating sign” means any sign that spins or rotates around a fixed
point or axis.
53.
“Setback” means the minimum allowable horizontal distance from a given
point of line of reference, such as a street right-of-way, to the nearest
vertical wall or other element of a building or structure.
54.
"Sign" means all or part of any object, structure, or device
intended to be viewed by the public for advertisement or identification of a business,
location, object, person, institution, organization, product, service, or event
by means of including words, pictures, logos, symbols, colors, motion,
illumination, or projected images. The
term "sign" may be used in conjunction with other terms; for example,
"ground" or "roof" to further define the term and usage.
55.
“Sign area” consists of the entire surface area of the sign on which
copy could be placed. The supporting
structure or bracing of a sign shall not be counted as a part of the sign face
unless such structure or bracing is made a part of the sign’s message. If the sign consists of more than one section
or module, all areas will be totaled.
The area of an irregularly shaped sign shall be computed using the
actual sign face surface. Where a sign
has two display faces back to back, the area of only one face shall be
considered the sign face area. Where a
sign has more than one display face, the maximum area that can be viewed
simultaneously from any point shall be considered the sign face area. In the case of a freestanding or wall sign
whose message is applied to a background which provides no border or frame,
sign area shall be the area of the smallest rectangle which can encompass all
words, letters, figures, emblems, and other elements of the sign message.
56.
“Sign area measurement”
a. Sign area, ground mounted, monument,
or pole signs. The sign area shall be
the extreme outer dimension of the freestanding structure. The supporting base is not used in the
calculation of overall sign area unless it is internally illuminated. If the supporting base has a message, the
area of the smallest rectangle which can encompass the words, letters, figures,
emblems, and other elements of a sign message will be added to the total area.
b. Sign area, cabinet. The sign area is determined by calculating
the measurements of the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding
the sign.
c. Backed (double-faced) signs. When two sign faces supported by the same
sign structure are placed back to back or the angle does not exceed forty-five
degrees (45E).
d. Multiple cabinets. For freestanding and projecting signs that
contain multiple cabinets on one structure, the area of each module will be
figured separately and then added together.
e. Round or three-dimensional signs. Where a sign consists of one or more
three-dimensional objects (i.e., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture,
or statue-like trademarks), the sign area shall be measured as their maximum
visible surface area from any vantage point.
f. Individual sign elements. When signs are constructed of individual
elements, the area of all sign elements, which together convey a single,
complete message, shall be considered as a single sign. The sign area is determined by calculating
the area of an imaginary rectangle drawn around the sign elements. Sign elements will be measured as one unit
when the distance between the elements is less than two
times the dimension of each element.
57.
"Sign structure" means any part of a sign, including the base,
supporting columns or braces, display surface, or any appendage thereto.
58.
“Sight triangle” is defined in Chapter 18, Section 18-4-1-404.1.
59 "Site plan" means an
accurately scaled development plan that illustrates the existing conditions on
a land parcel as well as depicting details of a proposed development. Among the features generally required on a
site plan are the property boundaries and lot lines, existing streets and
impervious surfaces, existing buildings and other structures, major features of
the landscape, proposed street and utility networks and planned access points,
but can also include any other specific information requested by the code
official.
60.
“Street frontage” means the length of the property line(s) or lot
line(s) bordering a public road. For
corner lots, each streetside property line shall be a
separate street frontage. The frontage
for a single use or development on two or more lots shall be the sum of the
individual lot frontages.
61.
“Subdivision entry sign” means a sign integrated into the entrance
treatment (i.e., entrance wall) with the name of the subdivision or planned
unit development on one or both sides of each principal entrance. Subdivision entry signs shall be located on
private property and shall not obstruct any public right-of-way or easement.
62.
“Survey" means a professional examination of a property. A survey
usually will reveal the size of a property, its boundary distances and
relationship to surrounding tracts of land, ground contours and where
improvements or alterations have been made.
It can also show buildings, other improvements, topographic features,
utility lines and any other specific information requested by the code
official.
63.
“Suspended sign” means a sign suspended from the ceiling of an arcade,
marquee, canopy, or other architectural projection as herein defined.
64.
"Swinging sign" means a sign installed on an arm or spar that
is not, in addition, permanently fastened to an adjacent wall or upright pole.
65.
“Temporary construction project sign” means any sign used for the
purpose of identifying a new construction project and/or owner, developer,
contractor, and architect located on the property where the advertised use is
to be located.
66.
“Temporary directional real estate sign” means a sign that directs
attention to property not on the premises where the sign is located.
67.
"Temporary real estate sign" means any temporary sign which
announces the sale, rental, or lease of property by the owner or real estate company.
68.
“Temporary residential sign” means any temporary on- or off-premise sign
of a commercial nature placed on a residential property by a person or
business, including but not limited to garage sale sign and auction sign.
69.
"Temporary sign" means any on-premise sign or advertising
display which is intended for a temporary period of display and constructed out
of cloth, canvas, cardboard, wall board, plywood or other light temporary
material with a structural frame.
70.
“V-type sign” means a sign structure which consists of multiple sign
facings placed at angles to each other, oriented in different directions and
not exceeding ten (10) feet apart at the nearest point to each other.
71.
"Vehicle-mounted sign" means a sign mounted or displayed on
any truck, bus, car, trailer, boat or other vehicle which is not in operating
condition and not currently registered and licensed to operate on public
streets and not actively used as a vehicle.
72.
"Wall sign" means a sign attached to or painted on the
exterior wall of a structure with the display surface of the sign approximately
parallel to the building wall.
73.
"Zoning district" means any section of the city for which the
regulations governing the use of land and the use, density, bulk, height and
coverage of buildings and other structures are uniform for each class of
building therein.
B. When an interpretation is required for a
definition that is not included in this article, the code official will make a
determination.
(98-43,
Amended,
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-903 Statement of
purpose.
A. The purpose of this article is to:
1.
Protect and enhance the character, property values, and stability of new
and existing residential neighborhoods and commercial and industrial districts
in the city.
2.
Establish a regulatory framework for the use of signs as an adjunct to
economic and social activities of the residents, institutions, and businesses
of the community.
3.
Conserve the taxable value of land and buildings.
4.
Reduce sign clutter and to eliminate the potential for the distraction
of motorists and the degradation of the appearance of the community that
results from an excessive number of signs.
5.
Protect aesthetic values and to establish and maintain standards of
community appearance with respect to signs, canopies, and awnings.
6.
Provide standards and procedures for the removal, elimination, or
relocation of signs which fail to conform to those standards as established
herein.
7.
Establish an administrative framework for the enforcement of the
standards and regulations established herein.
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-904 Scope.
The provisions of this
article shall apply to the manufacturing, installation, alteration, location
and maintenance of all signs within the city.
Section 18-9-1-905 Exceptions.
A. The following shall be exempt from the
provisions of this article except as otherwise specifically indicated:
1.
Banners placed by any entity for events co-sponsored by the city. No banner shall be larger than sixteen (16)
square feet in size. No banner shall be
placed for longer than thirty (30) days in a twelve (12) month period and no
person or entity shall place a banner more than twice in the twelve (12) month
period. Such banners will be placed on
the event site.
2.
Changing the copy of a sign and/or performing maintenance that does not
involve structural changes.
3.
Commemorative signs or plaques of historical organizations.
4.
Directional, warning or informational signs required or authorized by
law which are erected by federal, state, county, or city officials.
5.
Flag, emblem, pennant, or insignia of any nation, organization of
nations, state, county or city; any religious, civic, or fraternal
organization; or any educational institution.
Additionally, one corporate name or logo-bearing flag not exceeding
twenty-four (24) square feet in size will be allowed.
6.
Home occupation signs.
7.
Incidental signs showing credit cards accepted, notices of services
required by law, trade affiliations, and the like, attached to a freestanding
sign structure or to a building, provided that all of the following conditions
are met:
a. The number of signs shall be limited
to a maximum of four.
b. No such sign projects beyond any
property line.
c. No such sign shall exceed five square
feet of area per face.
8.
Maintenance or repainting without changing wording, composition, or
colors or minor nonstructural repairs.
9.
Murals as defined in this article.
10.
Nameplates, street address signs, and combination nameplate/street
address signs containing no advertising provided they are located entirely on
the property to which they pertain, do not exceed two square feet in area per
face, and are illuminated only by nontermittent white
lighting (if illuminated).
11.
“No Trespassing” and “No Parking” and similar warning signs.
12.
Signs displayed on trucks, buses, trailers, or other vehicles which are
being operated or stored in the normal course of a business, such as signs
indicating the name of the owner or business which are located on moving vans,
delivery trucks, rental trucks and trailers, provided that the primary purpose
of such vehicles is not for the display of signs and provided they are parked
or stored in areas appropriate to their use as vehicles.
13.
Signs that are not intended to be viewed from public streets and/or
beyond the premises and are not legible therefrom such as signs in interior
areas of shopping centers, commercial buildings and structures, ball parks,
stadiums, and similar uses of a recreational or entertainment nature.
14.
Signs erected during the Christmas holidays as identification of
temporary sales areas for Christmas trees and other holiday oriented
items. Signs shall not be erected before
Thanksgiving Day and shall be removed prior to New Year’s Day.
15.
Temporary displays of a civic, political, patriotic, religious, or
charitable nature.
16.
Temporary window signs constructed of paper, cloth, or similar
expendable material provided the total area of such signs shall not exceed
twenty-five percent (25%) of the window area.
Such signs shall be affixed only to the interior window surface for a
period of thirty (30) days to promote a particular sale of produce or
merchandise.
17.
Neon signs located in windows of businesses indicating messages, i.e.,
open, closed, or services on premises.
(98-43,
Amended,
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-906 Prohibited signs.
A. The
following types of signs shall be prohibited within the corporate limits of the
city:
1.
A-frame, wheeled signs.
2.
Abandoned signs.
3.
Animals or human beings, live or simulated, designed or used so as to attract
attention to the premises or business or services advertised.
4.
Dilapidated signs.
5.
Illegal signs.
6.
Mirror devices used as part of a sign.
7.
Open flames used to attract public attention to a place of business or
to an advertising sign.
8.
Portable signs other than temporary signs as defined in this article.
9.
Revolving, rotating, flashing, or blinking beams or beacons of light
shall be prohibited as a part of a sign display including signs in windows or
as a device to attract attention.
Flashing or blinking lights that are incorporated into an electronic
changeable message board may be allowed and are regulated elsewhere in these
regulations.
10.
Roof signs.
11.
Swinging or moving signs.
12.
Vehicle-mounted signs.
13.
Signs which conflict with or imitate any traffic control device due to
color, wording, design, location or illumination or which interfere with the
safe and efficient flow of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.
14.
Signs at intersections.
15.
Signs which obstruct access to or from a door, window, fire escape,
ventilation system or other required exit.
16.
Signs that do not comply with the provisions of the sight triangle
requirements established by this chapter.
17.
Signs erected upon or projecting into or over any public property,
public right-of-way, or public street easement except those signs erected by
federal, state, county, or city officials.
This prohibition extends to individuals carrying signs and standing upon
public rights-of-way, street easements, or public property.
18.
Signs affixed to any structures, trees, or other natural vegetation,
rocks, or poles used for utilities or traffic controls.
19.
Signs continuously outlined with individual light bulbs or string of
lights including lights that outline property lines, sales areas, or any
portion of a structure and are intended to advertise or draw attention to a
business or commercial activity, except as follows:
a. Lights used temporarily as holiday
decorations.
b. Lights or other devices used on a
temporary basis on parcels on which carnivals, fairs, or other similar
temporary activities are held.
20.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor.
21.
Signs erected or maintained without the consent of the owner of the real
property or the person or entity in legal possession of the real property.
22.
In addition to those signs specifically prohibited, any sign not
specifically allowed under these provisions is prohibited.
(98-43,
Amended,
(2005-90,
Section 18-9-1-907 Off-premise
signs.
A. Billboards.
1.
Billboards shall be located on streets classified as arterials by the
most recently adopted Federal Highway Administration Functional Classification
Map.
2.
Billboards may be permitted in C-4 Tourist Commercial, I-1 Restricted
Manufacturing and Warehousing, I-2 Industrial Park, I-3 Light Industrial, and
I-4 Heavy Industrial Districts.
3.
The maximum area shall be two hundred eighty-eight (288) square feet per
face. Double-face signs shall be
allowed; however, stacked signs shall not be allowed.
4.
Maximum height shall be eighty (80) feet.
5.
Billboards shall sit a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the
property line. Signs that cantilever
into the right-of-way shall not be permitted.
6.
Billboards shall be spaced a minimum of nine hundred (900) linear feet
between signs. Radial distance between
signs shall be a minimum of five hundred (500) feet.
7.
Billboards shall be located a minimum of two hundred (200) feet from any
residential district.
8. Billboards may
have direct or indirect illumination.
9.
Billboards shall be constructed as either ground mounted or pole signs.
10.
Multi-prism sign is a type of billboard and shall be subject to the same
requirements.
11.
Billboards located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest
edge of the right-of-way of an interstate or Federal-aid primary highway shall
be required to obtain a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
in conformance with Title 69, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1271, et. seq.
B. Church Directional Signs.
1.
Church directional signs are to provide directions to churches only and must
be located on streets classified as arterials by the most recently adopted
Federal Highway Administration Functional Classification Map.
2.
Church directional signs are permitted in all zoning districts.
3. Maximum area
shall be twelve (12) square feet in sign area.
4.
Maximum height shall be eight feet.
5.
Signs shall sit a minimum of ten (10) feet from the property line.
6.
Signs shall be located a maximum of two thousand (2,000) linear feet
from the property which it identifies.
7.
Signs shall not be illuminated.
8.
Signs shall be constructed as either ground mounted or pole signs.
C. Temporary Directional Signs.
1.
Temporary directional signs are permitted in all zoning districts.
2.
Maximum area shall be five square feet in sign area.
3.
Maximum height shall be three feet.
4.
No portion of a sign can overhang or extend past the property line.
5. Signs shall not
be illuminated.
6.
Signs shall be constructed as either ground mounted or pole signs.
7.
A permit shall not be required for temporary directional real estate
signs.
(98-43,
Amended,
(2005-90, Repealed & Replaced,
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-919 Structural
and electrical requirements.
A. All signs shall comply with all applicable
building codes which are currently in force within the city.
B. All electrical signs shall comply with the
applicable electrical codes which are currently in force within the city. All electrical signs shall be listed and
labeled by an approved electrical testing service and shall be installed by a
licensed sign contractor or electrical contractor registered with the
city. The electrical supply to signs
containing electrical components shall comply with the electrical codes
currently in force within the city.
(98-43, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-920 Enforcement.
A. The code official is hereby authorized and
directed to enforce all provisions of this article. The code official shall appear for and on
behalf of the city in all matters regarding the interpretation and application
of this article. Upon giving notice to
the property owner and upon proper presentation of proper credentials, the code
official or his authorized representative may enter at reasonable times any
building, structure or premises within the city to perform any duty imposed on
him by this article.
B. The code official shall examine all
applications for permits for erection of signs, authorize the use of signs
which conform to the requirements of this article, record and file all
applications for permits with any accompanying plans and documents, make
inspections of all signs in the city, and make such reports as the city may
require.
(98-43, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-921 Permits required.
A. It is unlawful to display, construct, erect,
relocate, or alter any sign within the city without first filing with the code
official and obtaining a sign permit, except for signs listed in paragraph B of
this section and those exceptions listed in Section 18-9-1-905. When a sign permit has been issued by the
code official, it is unlawful to change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate
from the terms or conditions of the permit without prior approval of the code
official. A written record of such
approval shall be entered upon the original permit application and maintained
in the files of the code official.
B. A sign permit shall not be required for the
following signs:
1.
Political signs.
2.
Temporary directional signs.
3.
Temporary real estate signs.
4.
Temporary residential signs.
5.
Temporary window signs.
(98-43,
Amended,
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-922 Application
for permit.
A. The application for a sign permit shall be
made by the property owner or a sign contractor licensed by the city. Such applications shall be made in writing on
forms furnished by the city and shall be signed by the applicant. If the applicant is a sign contractor, the
application shall also be signed by the property owner or a letter of
authorization from the property owner must be attached to the application.
B. The application shall consist of the
following:
1.
An application form providing the name, address and telephone number of
the owner or persons entitled to possession of the sign and of the sign
contractor or erector and the location of the proposed sign structure by
address and legal description of the lot or parcel.
2.
A site plan and/or survey, drawn to scale, with the following information:
a. The location of the building, structure, or
lot to which or upon which the sign or sign structure is proposed to be
constructed, erected, replaced, altered, attached, or relocated, including the
street address.
b. The elevation of the building, with
dimensions, to which or upon which the sign is proposed to be attached if sign
is to be building mounted or painted wall sign.
c. The total linear feet of site frontage upon
which any freestanding sign is proposed to be constructed, erected, replaced,
altered, attached, or relocated if sign is a ground mounted or pole sign.
d. A depiction of the location of all
above ground utilities that will be within eight feet of any portion of the
sign or sign structure.
e. The sign, sign structure, and building
as they would appear in relation to each other and other signage on the
property, including a depiction or description of the number and total area of
all existing signs on the property.
3. A photograph of
existing building elevations with signage, preferably in electronic format.
4. A plan drawn to
scale depicting the sign and sign structure shall be required for all signs
greater than four square feet.
5. Technical
specifications pertaining to the method of construction and method of
attachment or erection of the sign or sign structure shall be required for all
signs greater than one hundred (100) square feet or more than thirty (30) feet
in height.
6. Calculations
demonstrating that the sign structure is designed to carry all loads in
compliance with the International Building Code 2003 and any adopted amendments
may be required by the code official.
7. Structural
detail plans for any sign and sign structure greater than one hundred (100)
square feet or over thirty (30) feet in height shall be prepared by a
professional engineer registered in the state of
8. A description
or depiction of the method of illumination, including but not limited to a
description of the electrical wiring for the illuminated sign.
9. A statement of
valuation;
10. The required
fee as set out in Appendix A, Schedule of Fees and Charges; and
11. In addition to
the aforementioned application requirements, the code official may require such
additional information or submittals as may be deemed necessary to verify
compliance with this article and all applicable codes.
(98-43,
Amended,
Section 18-9-1-923 Action on
application.
A. The code official shall either
approve, deny or return the application required by Section 18-922 for
more information if the information supplied is insufficient.
B. If the application is denied, the code official shall give written notice of the denial
to the applicant, together with a brief written statement of the reasons for
denial.
C. If the application is approved, a sign permit
shall be issued upon complete payment of all required fees. (98-43, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-924 Permit fees.
The fee for sign permits
shall be the same as set out in Appendix A,
Schedule of Fees and Charges.
(98-43,
Amended,
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-925 Revocation
of permits.
A. If the code official finds that work under
any permit issued is not in accordance with the information supplied in the
permit application or is in violation of this article or any other applicable
provisions of this code, or should he find that there has been any
misrepresentation in connection with the application for permit, he shall
notify the sign owner or erector of such findings and that the violation must
be corrected immediately. If such
correction is not made, the code official shall revoke the permit and serve
written notice thereof upon the sign owner or erector. No person shall proceed with any part of such
work after such notice is received.
B. If actual work on the sign is not commenced
within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of any permit issued, or if
substantial building operations under any permit issued are suspended for a
period of sixty (60) consecutive days, the permit shall automatically become
null and void; however, delays which are not a result of willful acts or
neglect of the permit holder, owner or erector shall not be cause for
revocation, and the code official may grant a sixty (60) calendar day extension
of time in which to start or complete the work.
All requests for extension and approval thereof shall be in writing.
C. When any permit has been revoked under the
terms stated in Subsection A or B of this section, permit fees shall not be
refunded.
(98-43, Amended,
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-926 Inspections.
All signs shall be subject
to inspection by the city. Footing inspections may be required on the day of
excavation for ground mounted, monument, and pole signs.
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-927
Identification and marking.
Each sign erected or
remodeled shall have affixed to it a clearly legible identification plate or
sticker stating the name of the person responsible for its construction and
erection, with installation date and permit number thereon. Electrical signs shall be marked with input
amperes at full load input. All electrical signs shall be listed and
labeled by an approved electrical testing service and shall be installed by a
licensed sign contractor or electrical contractor registered with the city.
(2005-90, Amended,
Section 18-9-1-928 Maintenance.
Every sign, including those
specifically exempt from this article in respect to permits, permit fees or
other provisions, shall be maintained in good structural condition at all
times. All signs shall be kept neatly
painted, including all metal parts and supports thereof that are not of
rust-resistant metals. The code official
or his authorized representative shall inspect and shall have authority to
order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of any sign which constitutes
a hazard to health, safety or public welfare by reason of abandonment,
dilapidation, inadequate maintenance or obsolescence. (98-43, Amended,