ARTICLE XV1

SIGN REGULATIONS

SECTION 1.  GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:  

1.         It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, move, alter, change, repair, place, suspend, or to cause or permit to be erected, moved, altered, changed, repaired, placed, suspended, or attached any sign in violation of this Zoning Ordinance and this Article.

2.         It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to fasten, paste, place, post, paint, or attach in any way any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement, or notice of any kind or sort, whether political or otherwise, or to cause the same to be done, in or upon any curbstone, lamp post, telephone, telegraph, or electric light pole, tree, or bridge.  It shall be unlawful to paste, place, paint, or attach any sign on any building, street, or property of the City.

SECTION 2.  DISTRICT REGULATIONS:

1.         Sign regulations for R-R, R-S, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, M-H, and M-P Districts.

            (a)       Unilluminated name plates subject to the following restrictions:

1.         The name plate shall not exceed one square foot in area.

2.         The name plate shall show only the name and/or address of the occupant.

3.         There shall be no more than one name plate for each dwelling unit.

4.         The name plate shall be affixed to the principal building, flat against the wall.

            (b)       Unilluminated “For Sale’ and “For Rent” single or double-faced business signs subject to the following regulations:

1.         Only one sign shall be permitted per lots.

2.         No sign shall exceed four square feet in area.

3.         Signs shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection.

4.         When said sign is affixed to a building, it shall not project higher than 10 feet above the ground level.

5.         Ground signs shall not project higher than four (4) feet above ground grade.

            (c)        Bulletin boards and signs for churches and other public institutions subject to the following regulations:

1.         One sign or bulletin board shall be permitted on each street side if located on the same site as the principal building.

2.         If sign or bulletin board is illuminated, the lights shall be directed away from adjoining residential uses.

3.         No sign or bulletin board shall exceed 24 square feet in area.

4.         No sign shall be located closer than eight feet from any side or rear property line.

5.         A sign or bulletin board located in the front yard shall be no closer to the street line than one-half the required front yard.

6.         A sign or bulletin board, affixed to a building, shall not project higher than 10 feet above the ground level.

7.         The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of any sign of an advertising or business sign shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of separate frontage of the lot occupied by the building; each side of the lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a building shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign.  Individual letters, with no background, shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.

8.         Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have the lowest elevations at least 10 feet above the curb level.

9.         Where signs are affixed to canopies and marquees, the canopy or marquee shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the Building Code of the City.

(10)     Temporary (portable) signs not to exceed 7 days for an event taking place on the property.

2.    Sign regulations for C-0 and C-1 Districts.

(a)    Where buildings or structures are established or are hereafter established on the property line, in C-1 District, advertising and business signs shall conform with the following requirements, providing they are constructed and maintained in accordance with the Building Code of the City.

1.     The advertising or business sign shall be affixed flat against the face of the building or the front edge of a marquee. The front edge of the marquee shall be considered that portion of the marquee which is parallel to the street.

2.     Where a sign is illuminated by light directed upon it, the direct rays of light shall not beam upon any part of any existing residential district.

3.     Lighted signs in direct vision of traffic shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.

4.     Flashing signs shall be allowed only upon approval of the Building Official, providing it is first determined that the sign will in no way create a traffic hazard or confusion with traffic lights or with lights on emergency vehicles. 

5.     The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of any sign of an advertising or business sign shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of separate frontage of the lot occupied by the building; each side of the lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a building shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. The total surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign. Individual letters, with no background, shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.

6.     Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have the lowest elevations at least 10 feet above the curb level.

7.     Where signs are affixed to canopies and marquees, the canopy or marquee shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the Building Code of the City.

8.  Temporary (portable) signs not to exceed 7 days for an event taking place on the property.

3.    Sign regulations for C-2 and C-3 Districts. Business signs (single- or double- faced) shall be allowed subject to sign regulations set forth in the Building Code.

        (a)   Flashing signs are not permitted within 150 feet of a residential zoning district.

(b)   Nonflashing signs shall be permitted providing said sign is illuminated only during business hours or until 11:00 p.m., whichever is later, when said sign is located adjacent to a residential district; providing that where the sign is illuminated by a light or lights reflected upon it, direct rays of light shall not beam upon any residential building, or into any residential district or into any street. Clocks and/or thermometers installed for public convenience and information are exempt from the time limitation.

        (c)   Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.

        (d)   The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of any business sign on a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of the building; each side of a lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a structure shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. The total surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign. Individual letters, with no background, shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.

        (e)   Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have its lowest elevation at least 10 feet above curb level.

        (f)    Signs within 50 feet of a residential district shall be affixed to or be a part of the building.

        (g)   A maximum of two signs (only one on a facade) shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises.

        (h)   No sign shall be permitted in or overhanging the road, street or alley right-of-way and no sign shall be located in a manner to constitute a traffic hazard.

        (i)    Sandwich board signs may be allowed providing said sign is permanently affixed to the surface on which it rests.

        (j)    Temporary (portable) signs not to exceed 7 days for an event taking place on the property.

4.         Sign Regulations I-1 AND I-2 Districts.

            (a)       Advertising and business signs (single-or double-faced) shall be allowed in I-1 and I-2 Industrial Districts subject to the following regulations and subject to construction standards set forth in the Building Code or other regulations of the City.

1.         Flashing signs shall be permitted only upon approval of the Building Official providing it is first determined that the location and colors will in no way create a traffic hazard or confusion with traffic lights and with lights on emergency vehicles and that the direct rays of the sign will not be directed into any residential district.

2.         Nonflashing signs shall be permitted, providing that where the sign is illuminated by a light or lights reflected upon it, direct rays of lights shall not beam upon any residential building, or into any residential district or into any street.

3.         Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.

4.         The gross surface area, in square feet on one side of any business sign on a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of the lots; each side of a lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage.  Individual letters, with no background, shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.

5.         Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have its lowest elevation at least 10 feet above curb level.

6.         Signs within 50 feet of a residential district shall be affixed to or be a part of the building.

7.         A maximum of two signs (only one on a façade) shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises.

8.         No sign shall project over any alley, road, street or highway right-of-way.

9.         Sandwich signs may be allowed providing said sign is permanently affixed to the surface on which it rests.

(b)       Billboards will be permitted in I-1 and I-2 Industrial District if they conform to the following provisions:

1.         The owner shall agree, at the time of issuance of the permit, to place and maintain on such billboard the name of the person owning, in charge of, or in control of said billboard.

2.         A permit shall be required for the erection, construction or alteration of any sign in the Ulysses-Grant County Planning Area.

3.         A charge shall be set by ordinance for each permit granted.

4.         If a sign, for which a permit is granted, is not erected within 60 days from the date of the permit, the permit shall, unless renewed, become void.

5.         Advertising painted or placed on a structure shall be deemed subject to these regulations if permanent and over 12 square feet in area.

6.         All signs shall be constructed, located and placed in accordance with local ordinances and the laws of the State of Kansas.

7.         Permits are issued for the life of the sign so long as it is kept in good condition, and changing conditions do not make it a hazard or undesirable to adjoining property owners.  In such case, the City or County, whose jurisdiction shall apply, may direct its removal.

(c)        Temporary (portable) signs not to exceed 7 days for an event taking place on the property.

SECTION 3.  NONCONFORMING SIGNS.           The lawful use of land for advertising, business signs or bulletin boards which are not installed or maintained in accordance with this Article and other City, County, State and Federal requirements pertaining to construction, location and size shall be removed or converted to conform with this Article and other City, County, State and Federal regulations within five years after the passing of these regulations.

SECTION 4.  REMOVAL OF SIGNS FROM VACANT BUILDINGS.  Signs located on vacant buildings shall be removed by the property owner or an authorized agent within 15 days after said premises are vacated.