Editor's Note — Ord. no. 1636 §1, adopted September
18, 2007, superseded ch. 520 "sign regulations" and enacted new provisions
set out herein. Former ch. 520 derived from CC 1970 §27-1; ord.
no. 1076 §§27-1 — 27-2, 27-4 — 27-14, 27-16,
27-18 — 27-23, 1-2-1985; ord. no. 1159 §§1 —
3, 4-18-1989; ord. no. 1237 §§1 — 2, 2-16-1993; ord.
no. 1261 §1, 12-7-1993; ord. no. 1304 §1, 7-5-1995; ord.
no. 1307 §1, 9-5-1995; ord. no. 1337 §§1 — 4,
12-3-1996; ord. no. 1365 §1, 12-16-1997; ord. no. 1366 §1,
1-6-1998; ord. no. 1377 §1, 6-2-1998; ord. no. 1414 §1,
11-16-1999; ord. no. 1463 §§1 — 2, 5-7-2002.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
The purposes of these sign regulations are: to encourage the
effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City; to
enhance the aesthetic environment and reduce visual clutter; to create
a premier business environment to enhance the City's ability to attract
sources of economic development and growth; to improve pedestrian
and traffic safety; to minimize the adverse effect of signs on nearby
public and private property; to allow for the exercise of free speech;
and to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions.
This sign ordinance is adopted under the zoning authority of the City
in furtherance of the more general purposes set forth in the zoning
ordinance and the goals set forth in the Comprehensive Plan.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
A sign
may be erected, placed, established, created, painted or maintained
in the City only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions
and other requirements of this Chapter. The effect of this Chapter
as more specifically set forth herein, is:
1.
To establish
a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in commercial
and industrial districts and a limited variety of signs in other districts,
subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this Chapter;
2.
To allow
certain signs that are small, unobtrusive and incidental to the principal
use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the
substantive requirements of this Chapter, but without the requirement
for permits;
3.
To provide
for temporary signs without commercial messages in limited circumstances
in the public right-of-way;
4.
To prohibit
all signs not expressly permitted by this Chapter; and
5.
To provide
for the enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007; Ord. No. 1765 §1, 2-25-2013]
Words and phrases used in this Chapter shall have the meanings
set forth in this Section. Words and phrases not defined in this Section
but defined in the zoning ordinance of the City shall be given the
meanings set forth in such ordinance.
All other words and phrases shall be given their common ordinary
meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
Any sign that advertises a product, service or business that
is no longer on the premises where the sign is located.
Includes banners affixed on poles, wires or ropes and streamers,
wind- operated devices, flashing lights, searchlights, stuffed animals
and other similar devices and characters.
A plastic material more than one-twentieth (1/20) inch thick
which burns at a rate of not more than two and one-half (2.5) inches
per minute when subjected to ASTM Standard Test for Flammability of
plastics in sheets of six one-hundredths (.06) inch thickness.
A roof-like cover, usually of canvas material that is attached
to a structure or building.
Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning or other
fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance,
window or outdoor service area. A marquee is not an awning.
Any balloon used as a sign. Any balloon sign is considered
a temporary sign.
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
permanently or temporarily mounted to a pole or a building by a frame
at one (1) or more edges or by some other means. National flags, State
or municipal flags shall not be considered banners. Any banner sign
is considered a temporary sign.
Any light with one (1) or more beams directed into the atmosphere
or directed at one (1) or more points; also, any light with one (1)
or more beams that rotate or move.
An outdoor sign advertising an article or product not manufactured,
assembled, processed, repaired or sold upon the premises upon which
the sign is located or advertising a service not rendered upon the
premises upon which the sign is located.
The Building Commissioner of the City and/or any delegates
or assistants duly appointed by the Board of Aldermen of the City.
Any sign indicating the name of a building or date and incidental
information about its construction (also known as a cornerstone) which
sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or some other
permanent material.
Any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted
to a freestanding sign.
Any building or group of buildings owned or controlled by
any common interest such as a person, firm, partnership, corporation
or holding company that contains three (3) or more businesses is construed
as a business center.
Any building or group of buildings owned or controlled by
any common interest such as a person, firm, partnership, corporation
or holding company that contains three (3) or more businesses and
have more than seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet of leasable
area upon the property.
Any building or group of buildings owned or controlled by
any common interest such as a person, firm, partnership, corporation
or holding company that contains three (3) or more businesses and
have at least twenty thousand (20,000) but not more than seventy-five
thousand (75,000) square feet of total leaseable area upon the property.
A directory sign which relates only to the names of stores,
offices and shops within a business center.
Any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy or other
fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance,
window or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
Any sign, including reader board signs or portion thereof,
with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged
without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which
the message changes more than once per day shall be considered a dynamic
display and not a changeable copy sign for the purposes of this Chapter.
A City of Rock Hill agent designated for the implementation
and enforcement of this Chapter.
Any sign, wording, logo or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business,
product, service or other commercial activity.
Any site with one (1) or more businesses that is zoned "C-1"
Commercial District; "C-2" Planned Commercial District; "PD" Planned
Development District; or "D" Business District and that has a combined
total leasable area of seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet.
Words, pictures, logos, directions, colors, landscapes or
similar such that are painted upon or attached to a construction fence
lawfully erected for new construction only.
A temporary sign indicating the names of the architects,
engineers, landscape architects, contractors and similar artisans
involved in the design, including lending institutions and construction
of a structure, complex or project only during the construction period
and only on the premises on which the construction is taking place.
Construction signs shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in
size.
Any characteristics of a sign that incorporates a technology
or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having
to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components.
Such technologies or methods may include, but are not limited to,
Cathode-ray tube (CRT), light-emitting diode (LED) displays, plasma
displays, liquid crystal displays (LCD) or other technologies used
in commercially available television or in computer or video monitors.
This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking
or animated display or structural element and any display that incorporates
rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, "digital
ink" or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to
present a series of images or displays. Signs with this technology
that a government or public agency installs for directing or regulating
pedestrian or motor vehicle movement are exempt from this definition.
Any fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors,
patterns or symbols used as a symbol of a government or political
division, i.e., flags of the United States, the State of Missouri,
St. Louis County, the City of Rock Hill, foreign nations having diplomatic
relations with the United States and any other flag adopted or sanctioned
by an elected legislative body of competent jurisdiction.
Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on or anchored into the ground in a permanent fashion that are independent
from any building or other structure. This category includes signs
that are commonly known as pole signs, post signs, ground signs and
monument signs. The top part of the sign shall be six (6) feet or
less above grade, except for community, regional or neighborhood business
center signs.
Any sign advertising goods for sale at the residence of an
individual operating the sale. Such sales would include garage sales,
yard sales, estate sales and similar type sales. Garage sale signs
shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size.
Any freestanding sign erected for the purpose of providing
directions to entities not otherwise visible from the highway on which
the sign is located. Any sign which has the top part of its face less
than six (6) feet above the ground and which is erected, constructed
or maintained for the purpose of providing directions by means of
pictures and/or reading matter when such sign is supported by one
(1) or more uprights or solid foundation, placed upon or affixed in
the ground and not attached to any part of a building.
A building sign that includes only the name of the occupant
and address and is no larger than one (1) square foot in size.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking",
"entrance", "loading only", "telephone" and other similar directives.
No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off of the
lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental. Incidental
signs shall not be considered in the overall signage allowed.
An electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior
or electronic signals of drivers.
Signs accessory to a business or activity located on the
same site may be authorized no more than two (2) signs in total. No
one (1) sign shall exceed twelve (12) square feet in size, nor shall
any portion of the lettering exceed twelve (12) inches in overall
height. In addition to other restrictions applicable to all signage,
no box or other type of signs not fully integrated into the architecture
of the kiosk shall be authorized.
Any hood or awning of permanent construction and supported
entirely by the building which projects from the wall of a building
and over a sidewalk or pedestrian thoroughfare.
Any sign affixed to a marquee supported or constructed to
appear supported, in whole or in part, from a building.
A plan that contains minimum requirements for scale and dimensions
of all signs located on a lot, parcel or acreage that is being developed
for planned unit development or other official plan required by the
City for proposed development. For common signage, owners of two (2)
or more contiguous parcels or a single lot with more than one (1)
building are required to submit the same plans as for master signage
and will be allowed a ten percent (10%) increase in the minimum requirements
for signs and limit the number of freestanding signs to three hundred
(300) feet of frontage.
A sign or box that may or may not be lighted from within
the box frame, with a transparent face that contains a sample menu
from the restaurant located on the property on which the menu sign
is attached.
Any sign designed as an A-frame, T-frame, platform sign,
three- or four-sided signs with a similar base, menu and sandwich
board signs, balloons, umbrellas, stuffed animals or figures, animated
devices and persons dressed as advertising characters to draw attention.
Real estate signs and garage sale signs are a type of movable sign
for purposes of this definition and are further regulated in this
Chapter.
Any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this
Chapter.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire
or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.
Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that
its leading edge extends more than twelve (12) inches beyond the surface
or plane of the wall or building.
A thoroughfare used by vehicles and/or pedestrians that is
owned and maintained by a government entity.
A sign pertaining to the sale, rent or lease of real estate
on which the sign is located. Real estate signs, open signs, for rent,
lease, sale and directional signs include both residential and commercial
signs and are further regulated in this Chapter.
Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and/or over the
roof of a building, supported by the roof structure and extending
vertically above the highest portion of the roof.
Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially
integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that
no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of
the roof. Signs shall not be placed on the parapet extending above
the roof line.
A type of movable sign constructed of two (2) independent
faces whose top edges are hinged or otherwise attached and whose bottom
edges are kept apart so that its side view resembles a triangle.
The distance from the property line to the nearest part of
the applicable building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly
to the property line.
Any device, fixture, placard or structure that uses any color,
form, graphic, illumination, symbol, logo or writing to advertise,
announce the purpose of or identify the purpose of a person or entity
or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
The total area of the space to be used for advertising purposes,
including the spaces between open-type letters and figures, the background
structure, other decorations or additions which are an integral part
of the sign. Sign supports shall be excluded in determining the area
of a sign. A double-faced sign shall have double the total area as
a single-face sign. Time and temperature devices will not be included
in determining the sign area, but shall have a maximum size of twenty
percent (20%) of the allowed sign.
The distance for which a lot line of a lot adjoins a public
street, from one lot line intersecting said street to the furthest
distant lot line intersecting the same street.
A sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal
plane and supported by such surface.
A type of movable sign similar to a sandwich board sign but
with a single vertical plane supported by a horizontal base.
Any sign intended for use for a limited or intermittent time
period of display.
Any sign mounted on, painted on or attached to a trailer
or a similar vehicle whether or not the trailer is towed about or
stationed at a specific location.
A type of movable sign in which an umbrella is used to convey
a commercial message of any kind.
Any sign attached to or painted on vehicles used for transportation
purposes in the normal day-to-day operations of the business that
are parked and visible from the public right-of-way. In order to be
considered mobile, the vehicle must be operational, properly licensed
and moved at least weekly.
Any sign attached to or painted on vehicles not used for
transportation purposes in the normal day-to-day operations of the
business that are parked and visible from the public right-of-way.
A vehicle not moved at least once weekly is considered stationary.
Any painted sign, poster, fixture or assembly on any surface
or plane that may be painted on or affixed to the front, sides or
rear wall of the building.
Any sign, pictures, symbols, product labels, logos or similar
combination thereof designed to communicate information about an activity,
business, commodity, event, sale or service, which is placed inside
a window or upon the exterior window glass and is visible from the
exterior of the property. Window signs are limited to thirty percent
(30%) of the window area.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
The following
principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.
1. 
Computation of area of single-faced signs. The area of a
sign face shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle,
rectangle or triangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the
writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any
material or color forming an integral part of the background of the
display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure
against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework,
bracing or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise
meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the
display itself.
2.
Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area
for a sign with more than one (1) face shall be computed by adding
together the area of all sign faces visible from any one (1) point.
When two (2) identical signs are placed back to back, so that both
faces cannot be viewed from any one (1) point at the same time and
when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not
more than forty- two (42) inches apart, the sign area shall be computed
by the measurement of one (1) of the faces.
3.
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed
as the distance from the base of a sign at normal grade to the top
of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall
be construed to be the average grade level at the base of the sign.
4.
Computation of maximum total permitted sign area for a lot. The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a lot shall
be computed by applying the formula contained in the following Table,
Maximum Total Sign Area Per Lot By Zoning District, to the lot frontage,
building frontage or wall area, as appropriate, for the zoning district
in which the lot is located. Lots fronting on two (2) or more streets
are allowed the permitted sign area for each street frontage. However,
the total sign area that is oriented toward a particular street may
not exceed the portion of the lot's total sign area allocation that
is derived from the lot, building or wall area frontage on the street.
|
|
Maximum Total Sign Area Per Lot By Zoning District
|
|---|---|
|
|
The maximum total area of all signs on a lot except billboards,
incidental, building marker and identification signs, certain allowed
portable signs such as sandwich board signs (1) and table umbrella
signs, flags (b) and allowable temporary signs shall not exceed the
lesser of the following:
|
|
Zoning Districts
| ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
C-1
|
C-2
|
D
|
E
|
PD
|
G
|
INS*
| |
|
Maximum total square feet of signage
|
8
|
50
|
200
|
200
|
200
|
200
|
200
|
200
|
100
|
100
|
|
Maximum total square feet of signage as a percentage of square
feet of elevation of wall
|
NA
|
NA
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
|
*INS — This column applies to institutional uses permitted
under the zoning ordinance in residential zoning districts and includes
churches and schools, libraries, parks, playgrounds and community
buildings owned or operated by the City.
|
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
All signs
shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the
following standards:
1.
All
signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the International
Building Codes as adopted by the City of Rock Hill.
2.
Except
for banners, flags, temporary signs, window signs, awning signs and
canopy signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this
Chapter, all signs shall be constructed of rigid permanent materials
and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building or another
structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure.
Awning signs and canopy signs do not have to be constructed of rigid
permanent materials, but must be attached to rigid permanent materials.
3.
All
signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance
with all applicable building and electrical codes and in conformance
with this Code at all times.
4.
Examples
of signs considered in violation of this Section include, but are
not limited to:
a.
Signs
with surfaces that are obviously faded, discolored, scratched, chipped,
cracked, dented, pierced or broken;
b.
Signs
with one (1) or more burnt out or non-functioning bulbs, that are
used for illumination of the sign;
c.
Signs
with exposed electrical wires;
d.
Signs
with letters or other parts that are obviously missing or that are
out of place;
e.
Signs
that are tilting in an obviously unintended way; or
f.
Signs
that have been moved in any way from their original permitted position
as indicated in the approved master signage plan or common signage
plan.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
No permit
shall be issued for an individual sign requiring a permit under a
master signage plan or a common signage plan for the lot or lots on
which the sign will be erected until a master or common signage plan
has been submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved
by the Building Commissioner as conforming to this Section.
1.
Master signage plan.
a.
For
any lot, parcel or acreage on which the owner proposes to erect one
(1) or more signs requiring a permit, unless such lot, parcel or acreage
is included in a master or common signage plan, the owner shall submit
to the Building Commissioner a master signage plan containing the
following:
(1)
An accurate plot plan of the lot at a one (1) inch equals twenty
(20) feet scale;
(2)
Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways and landscaped areas
on such lot;
(3)
Elevations of all building facades on which proposed signs are to
be erected or painted at a one-quarter (¼) inch equals one
(1) foot scale;
(4)
Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for
individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding
signs allowed on the lot, parcel or acreage, included in the plan
under this Chapter; and
(5)
An accurate indication on the plot plan of the proposed location
of each present and future sign of any type, whether requiring a permit
or not, except that incidental signs need not be shown.
b.
Other provisions of the master signage:
(1)
A master signage plan including window signs and temporary signs
must specify the exact dimension, placement and nature of every permanent
window sign.
(2)
The master signage plan may contain such other restrictions as the
owners of the lots may reasonably determine for themselves but not
less restrictive than this Chapter.
(3)
The master signage plan shall be signed by all owners or their authorized
agents in such form as required by the City of Rock Hill.
(4)
A master signage plan shall be included in any development plan,
site plan, planned unit development plan or other official plan required
by the City for the proposed development and shall be processed simultaneously
with other such plan.
(5)
A master signage plan may be amended by filing a new master signage
plan that conforms with all requirements of the ordinance then in
effect.
(6)
After approval of a master signage plan, no sign shall be erected,
altered, placed, painted, repaired or maintained, except in conformance
with such plan and such plan may be enforced in the same way as any
provision of this Chapter. In case of any conflict between the provisions
of such a plan and any other provisions of this Chapter, the sign
ordinance shall prevail.
2.
Common signage plan. Means the owner(s) of two (2) or more
contiguous (disregarding intervening streets and alleys) lots or parcels
or the owner of a single lot with more than one (1) building (not
including any accessory building) files with the Building Commissioner
for such lots a common signage plan conforming with the provisions
of this Section, a ten percent (10%) increase in the maximum total
signage area shall be allowed each included lot. This bonus shall
be allocated within each lot as the owner(s) elects.
a.
Provisions of common signage plan. The common signage plan
shall contain all of the information required for a master signage
plan and shall also specify standards for consistency among all signs
on the lots affected by the plan with regard to:
Lettering or graphic style;
Lighting;
Location of each sign on the buildings and property;
Material;
Sign proportions.
b.
A
common signage plan including window signs must specify the exact
dimension, placement and nature of every permanent window sign.
c.
The
common signage plan, for all lots with multiple uses or multiple users,
shall limit the number of freestanding signs to a total of one (1)
for each three hundred (300) feet of frontage for each street on which
the lots included in the plan have frontage and shall provide for
shared or common usage of such signs.
d.
The
common signage plan may contain such other restrictions as the owners
of the lots may reasonably determine for themselves but shall not
be less restrictive that this Chapter.
e.
The
common signage plan shall be signed by all owners or their authorized
agents in such form as the City of Rock Hill shall require.
f.
A
common signage plan shall be included in any development plan, site
plan, planned unit development plan or other official plan required
by the City for the proposed development and shall be processed simultaneously
with other such plan.
g.
A
common signage plan may be amended by filing a new common signage
plan that conforms with all requirements of the ordinance then in
effect.
h.
If
any new or amended common signage plan is filed for a property on
which existing signs are located, it shall include a schedule for
bringing into conformance, within three (3) years, all signs not conforming
to the proposed amended plan or to the requirements of this Chapter
in effect on the date of submission.
i.
After
approval of a common signage plan, no sign shall be erected, altered,
placed, painted, repaired or maintained, except in conformance with
such plan and such plan may be enforced in the same way as any provision
of this Chapter. In case of any conflict between the provisions of
such a plan and any other provisions of this Chapter, the sign ordinance
shall prevail.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Every sign erected or proposed to be erected shall be classified
by the Building Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of
this Chapter. Any sign which does not clearly fall within one (1)
of the classifications provided herein shall be placed in the classification
which the sign, in view of its design, location and purpose, most
nearly approximates. Such classification by the Building Commissioner
and Planning and Zoning shall be final.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
The Planning
and Zoning Commission shall be responsible for consulting to the City
of Rock Hill Board of Aldermen for the administration and changes
to this Chapter. With regard to the sign review responsibilities of
the Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Administrator and the
Building Commissioner shall serve as exofficio members of the Commission
without vote.
B.
The Building Commissioner of the City of Rock Hill shall have the authority to enforce the ordinance and all decisions made by the Planning and Zoning Commission and shall be authorized to issue temporary permits as per Section 520.170.
C.
Any person,
firm or corporation may appeal any order, requirement, decision or
determination made by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the enforcement
of this Chapter to the Board of Adjustment of the City of Rock Hill
within twenty (20) days of the date of the order, requirement, decision
or determination.
1.
Such
appeal shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a filing fee
of five hundred dollars ($500.00).
2.
The
Board of Adjustment shall have the power to:
a.
Affirm,
modify or reverse the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission
or Building Commissioner and/or his or her designees if the Board
finds that an error has been made in any order, requirement, decision
or determination in the enforcement of this Chapter.
b.
Permit
variations where practical difficulties, unnecessary hardships or
results inconsistent with the general purpose of this Chapter result
from the strict application of this Chapter. If it is determined that
the applicant for a variance is subject to such difficulty, hardship
or result, then the Board must also determine whether the proposed
sign:
(1)
Will not be inappropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains
to the scale of the building to which it is related or to the aesthetic
environment of the surrounding structures and land use, and
(2)
Will not materially diminish or impair established property values
within the surrounding area, and
(3)
Will not in any other respect impair the public health, safety, comfort,
morals and welfare of the City of Rock Hill.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
No sign
of any type defined in this Chapter shall be erected, nor the location,
size or face of any existing sign be changed, until the Planning and
Zoning Commission shall have reviewed the sign and given approval.
The Building Commissioner or his designee shall issue a permit upon
approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission provided that proper
plans have been submitted showing specifications, including dimensions,
material and details of construction of the proposed structure. All
the provisions of this Chapter relative to such structure shall have
been complied with; and each application shall be accompanied by the
fee hereinafter prescribed. The Building Commissioner may prescribe
suitable regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Chapter, concerning the form of or contents of all applications for
the various types of permits herein required.
The following procedures shall govern the application for and
issuance of all sign permits under this Chapter and the submission
and review of common signage plans and master signage plans.
1.
All
applications for sign permits of any kind and for approval of a master
or common sign plans shall be submitted to the City of Rock Hill on
an application form or in accordance with application specifications
published by the City.
2.
The
fees for sign permits and plans for the period beginning October 1,
2007 shall be:
Master signage plan, application fee: $100.00.
Common signage plan, application fee: $100.00.
Sign permit, initial, including inspection, per lot: $75.00.
Reinspection fee: $35.00.
Sign permit, continuing, per lot: $25.00.
Temporary sign permit, private property, per sign: $100.00.
Temporary sign permit, public property: $ 25.00; or
plus per sign: $2.00.
The permit fees herein provided shall cover the inspection of
the location of the proposed sign and inspections during and after
construction and erection; and all money so collected by the City
of Rock Hill shall be turned over to the City Treasurer for deposit
in the General Revenue Fund of the City.
Each application for a sign permit or for approval of a master
or common signage plan shall be accompanied by the applicable fees
which shall be established by the Rock Hill Board of Aldermen from
time to time by resolution.
3.
Within
ten (10) working days of receiving an application for a sign permit
or for a master or common signage plan, the Building Commissioner
shall review it for completeness. If the Building Commissioner finds
that it is complete, the application shall then be processed. If the
application is found to be incomplete, the Building Commissioner or
his designee shall, within a ten (10) working-day period, send to
the applicant a notice of the specific ways in which the application
is deficient, with appropriate references to the applicable Sections
of this Chapter.
4.
Upon
submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Building
Commissioner or his designee shall either:
a.
Forward
the application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval;
or
b.
Reject
the sign permit if the sign(s) that is the subject of the application
fails in any way to conform to the requirements of this Chapter and
of the applicable master or common signage plan.
c.
In
case of a rejection, the Building Commissioner shall specify in the
rejection the Section or Sections of the ordinance or applicable plan
with which the sign(s) is inconsistent and forward to the Planning
and Zoning Commission for final consideration. Planning and Zoning
may modify the decision of the Building Commissioner.
5.
On any
application for approval of a master or common signage plan, the Building
Commissioner shall take action on the applicable one of the following
dates:
a.
On
the date of final action on any related application for building permit,
site plan or development plan for signs involving new construction.
b.
On
or before such applicable date, the Building Commissioner shall either:
(1)
Approve the proposed plan if the sign(s) as shown on the plan and
the plan itself conforms in every respect with the requirements of
this Chapter and forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission for
approval; or
(2)
Reject the proposed plan if the sign(s) as shown on the plan or the
plan itself fails in any way to conform to the requirements of this
Chapter. In case of a rejection, the Building Commissioner shall specify
in the rejection the Section or Sections of the ordinance with which
the plan is inconsistent and forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission
for final consideration.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, the owner of any lot or other premises
on which exists a sign that does not conform with the requirements
of this Chapter or for which there is no current and valid sign permit
shall be obligated to remove such sign or, in the case of a non-conforming
sign, to bring it into conformity with the requirements of this Chapter.
1.
For
any sign existing in the City on October 1, 2007, an application for
a sign permit must be submitted to the Building Commissioner before
October 1, 2017. For any sign on property annexed at a later date,
applications for sign permits shall be submitted within six (6) months
of the effective date of the annexation or within such period as may
be established in an annexation agreement between the City and the
landowner. Signs that are the subject of applications received after
the applicable date set forth in this Chapter shall not be entitled
to the protection of Section 520.041(1).
Applications for permits for existing signs submitted within
two (2) years of the effective date of this Chapter shall be exempt
from the initial fees adopted under the authority of this Chapter,
but not from renewal and subsequent fees.
2.
A sign
that would be permitted under this Chapter only with a sign permit,
but which was in existence on October 1, 2007 or on a later date when
the property is annexed to the City and which was constructed in accordance
with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date
of its construction, but which by reason of its size, height, location,
design or construction is not in conformance with the requirements
of this Chapter, shall be issued a non-conforming sign permit if an
application in accordance with Section 520.041(1) is timely filed.
Such permit shall allow the sign(s) subject to such permit,
which were made non-conforming by the adoption of this Chapter, to
remain in place and be maintained for a period ending no later than
ten (10) years from the date of this Chapter, provided that no action
is taken which increases the degree or extent of the non-conformity.
Such signs are also subject to the provisions of Section 520.041(3).
A change in the information on the face of an existing non-conforming
sign is allowed. However, any non-conforming sign shall either be
eliminated or made to conform to the requirements of this Section
when any proposed change, repair or maintenance would become beyond
repair.
3.
A continuing
sign permit shall lapse automatically if not renewed or if the business
license for the premises lapses, is revoked or is not renewed. A sign
permit shall also lapse if the business activity on the premises is
discontinued for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more
and is not renewed within thirty (30) days of a notice from the City
to the last permittee, sent to the premises, that the sign permit
will lapse if such activity is not renewed.
A non-conforming sign permit shall lapse and become void under
the same circumstances as those under which any other sign permit
may become lapse or void.
4.
A sign
that was erected, constructed, painted, installed or maintained in
conformance with a permit under this Chapter, but for which the permit
has lapsed or not been renewed or for which the time allowed for the
continuance of a non-conforming sign has expired, shall be forthwith
removed by the business owner without notice or action from the City.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
Any of
the following shall be a violation of this Chapter and shall be subject
to the enforcement remedies and penalties provided by this Chapter,
by the zoning ordinance and by Missouri State law:
1.
To install,
create, erect or maintain a sign requiring a permit without such a
permit;
2.
To install,
create, erect or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with
any plan or permit governing such sign or the lot on which the sign
is located;
3.
To fail
to remove any sign that exists in violation of this Chapter or for
which the sign permit has lapsed.
B.
Each
day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation.
C.
Each
separate sign that exists in violation of this Chapter shall be considered
a separate violation.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
Any violation
or attempted violation of this Chapter or of any condition or requirement
adopted pursuant hereto may be restrained, corrected or abated, as
the case may be, by injunction or other appropriate proceedings pursuant
to law. A violation of this Chapter shall be considered a violation
of the zoning ordinance of the City. The remedies of the City shall
include the following:
1.
Issuing
a stop work order for any and all work on any signs on the same lot;
2.
Seeking
an injunction or other order of restraint or abatement that requires
the removal of the sign(s) or the correction of the non-conformity;
3.
Imposing
any penalties that can be imposed under the Municipal Code of Ordinances
and
4.
In the
case of a sign that poses an immediate danger to the public health
or safety; taking such measures as are available to the City under
the applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance and building code
for such circumstances.
5.
The
City shall have other such remedies as are and as may from time to
time be provided for or allowed by law for the violation of the zoning
ordinance.
6.
All
such remedies provided herein shall be cumulative. To the extent that
law may limit the availability of a particular remedy set forth herein
for a certain violation or a part thereof, such remedy shall remain
available for other violations or other parts of the same violation.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Any abandoned sign, including the support structure, shall be
removed within thirty (30) days after the business or product is no
longer present.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
The following
signs shall be exempt from regulation under this Chapter:
1.
Any
public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable Federal,
State or local law, regulation or ordinance.
2.
Any
sign inside a building and not attached to a window or door and that
is not legible from the lot line of the lot or parcel on which such
sign is located.
3.
Holiday
lights and decorations with no commercial message.
4.
Incidental
signs on private property, such as stop signs, yield signs and similar
signs and which contain no commercial message of any sort. Incidental
signs shall not interfere with, obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic.
5.
Flags,
provided that such a flag shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet
in area and shall not be flown from a pole the top of which is more
than forty (40) feet in height. Any flag not meeting any one (1) or
more of these conditions shall be considered a banner sign and shall
be subject to regulation as such.
6.
Building
marker signs.
7.
Identification
signs.
8.
Political,
religious or non-commercial signs.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007; Ord. No. 1765 §2, 2-25-2013]
A.
The following
signs and locations are prohibited under this Chapter:
1.
Signs
or devices which by color, location or design resemble, conflict or
interfere with traffic control signs or devices.
2.
Dynamic
display signs.
3.
Signs
other than those used for the naming, designating or identifying of
said business, enterprise located on or within the premises.
4.
Signs
that emit automated sound.
5.
Beacons.
6.
Pennants.
7.
Roof
signs.
8.
Stationary
vehicle signs.
9.
Trailer
signs, where such signs are placed at a specific location as a means
of circumventing the provisions of this Chapter.
10.
Paper
posters applied directly to the wall of a building or pole or support
and letters or pictures in the form of advertising, printed or applied
directly on the wall of a building and the exterior use of advertising
devices as defined in this Chapter.
11.
Signs
erected in such a manner that any portion of a sign or its support
is attached to or will interfere with the free use of any fire escape,
exit or standpipe or obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic.
12.
Sign
placed, in any manner, or maintained on any fence.
13.
Signs
on any benches.
14.
Signs
containing any obscene language, pictures or symbols.
15.
Signs
erected in any residential district except as allowed in this Chapter.
16.
Changeable
copy signs with the exceptions of filling stations, religious institutions,
schools and governmental institutions.
17.
Window
signs, individually or in total, which occupy more than thirty percent
(30%) of the total window area.
18.
Banner
or temporary signs placed on vehicles or trailers except that magnetic
signs not exceeding twelve (12) inches by eighteen (18) inches in
size may be allowed on two (2) sides of a vehicle or trailer.
19.
Reader
boards.
20.
Unsafe
signs as defined by the Building Commissioner.
21.
Interactive
signs.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
The following
signs shall be exempt from other provisions of this Chapter except
for the following requirements and all other signs not specifically
listed below are prohibited in residential districts. Regulations
listed in the following table pertaining to size, height and number
represent maximums allowed.
1.
Campaign signs. All signs relating to political campaigns,
candidates for political office or ballot issues are allowed provided:
a.
Such
signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area for residential
zones and thirty-two (32) square feet in area for commercial zones.
b.
All
signs shall be erected upon the property upon which they serve by
the owner or with the owner's permission.
c.
Only
two (2) signs per any candidate, ballot issue or proposition will
be allowed per lot of ground or address.
2.
Real estate. All signs advertising the sale, rent or lease
of real estate, including "OPEN" signs, may be allowed provided:
a.
Such
signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area in residential;
thirty-two (32) square feet for commercial; and twenty-four (24) square
feet for subdivisions.
b.
All
real estate signs shall be erected within the property lines upon
which it is serving.
c.
No
real estate sign shall be placed on any property owned or regulated
by the City or upon property other than the property for sale, rent
or lease.
3.
Construction signs. (Includes financial lending signs and
announcement of future site/construction signs.) All construction
signs must be allowed provided:
a.
Such
signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area in residential
areas. They shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in commercial
and institutional areas.
b.
All
construction signs shall be erected within the property lines upon
which it is serving.
c.
Only
one (1) sign is allowed per site, per contractor. A double-faced sign
will be allowed when posted on a "V" angle to each other.
4.
Garage sale signs. All garage sale signs shall be allowed
provided:
a.
No
sign advertising a garage, estate or other temporary sale shall exceed
six (6) square feet in size.
b.
Each sign advertising a garage sale, yard sale, estate sale or other temporary sale shall not be erected without first obtaining a permit as required in Section 610.020.
c.
No
such sign shall be placed on a utility pole or on any sign in the
public right-of-way which regulates traffic or provides information
to passersby, nor on the structure thereof, nor on any vehicle parked
in the City right-of-way, nor on any property owned by the City other
than City right-of-way.
d.
No
garage sale sign shall be posted more than three (3) days in advance
of the commencement of the sale and each sign shall be removed within
twenty-four (24) hours of the close of business of the sale.
5.
Political, religious or other non-commercial message signs. All signs related to political or religious expression or other
similar non-commercial messages are allowed provided:
a.
Such
signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area for residential
zones and thirty-two (32) square feet in area for commercial zones.
b.
All
signs shall be erected upon the property which they serve by the owner
or with the owner's permission.
c.
Only
two (2) signs per any issue will be allowed per lot of ground or address.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
Only
billboards mandated by State or Federal law are permitted and such
billboards must meet the following requirements:
1.
Billboards
shall not exceed seven hundred fifty (750) square feet per sign face,
with each face having a maximum vertical dimension of thirty (30)
feet above pre-existing grade and a maximum horizontal dimension of
sixty (60) feet. Maximum size limitations shall apply to each side
of the billboard.
2.
No more
than one (1) billboard shall be permitted per lot.
3.
Billboards
must be located within seven hundred fifty (750) feet of the nearest
edge of the right-of-way of a primary highway (as defined by the Missouri
Department of Transportation).
4.
No billboard
structure shall be erected within one thousand (1,000) feet of an
existing billboard. The measurements in this Section shall be the
minimum distances between billboard structures measured along the
nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the
signs.
5.
Billboards
may only be placed on land zoned "E" Industrial.
6.
Billboards
shall not be placed within six hundred (600) feet of any lot located
within any "A" or "B" residential zoning district.
7.
No billboards
shall be so lighted as to allow light to fall directly or indirectly
on any parcel or property other than the one upon which the sign is
erected. No lighting shall be so installed or maintained as to interfere
with the vision of persons traveling on nearby roadways. Billboards
shall not be visible as a result of illumination of the sign from
dusk until dawn from any property and in any dwelling unit thereon
located in a residential zoning district in the City. Lighting cannot
exceed a twenty (20) foot-candle average.
8.
Billboards
shall not revolve, flash, have prismatic abilities, be grotesque in
appearance or sexually explicit in any way.
9.
The
distance between signs shall be measured along the nearest edge of
the highway pavement between points directly opposite the signs. All
other distance measurement points shall be those which yield the shortest
distance between relevant points. If signs are angled or V shaped,
the nearest point of the structure to the other relevant point is
to be used.
10.
The
size and area of signs contained within a frame or having a defined
edge shall be measured by the outside dimensions of the frame or edge.
Other signs shall be measured by the blocked-out area of the letters,
logo or other graphic presentation by using the smallest square, rectangle,
triangle, circle or combination thereof which will encompass the entire
sign.
11.
No
outdoor advertising structure or billboards may be attached to any
other structure or building.
12.
The
maximum height of any sign shall not exceed thirty (30) feet from
the highest point on the sign structure to the surrounding grade where
the sign is installed.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
For the
purpose of this provision, a community or regional business center
shall have a total leasable area of more than seventy-five thousand
(75,000) square feet.
B.
Any business
center qualifying as a community or regional business center hereunder
may erect a freestanding sign having a maximum height of eight (8)
feet above grade on the property of the business center, which shall
be so located as not to obstruct the view for exiting the business
center, on which individual signs may be placed in accordance with
the following standards:
1.
Maximum total sign area of all such signs: one hundred (100) square feet per face, subject to Subsection (B)(6) of this Section.
2.
The
background of each such sign shall be compatible with the background
of all other signs on the freestanding sign.
3.
The
content of such signs shall be limited to the name of the business
center and the name of the occupants of such business center.
4.
Existing
pole or street signs in areas which qualify as shopping centers must
be removed no later than ten (10) years after the adoption of this
Section.
5.
No more
than one (1) new permit will be issued for freestanding signs of any
type for each three hundred (300) feet of frontage in areas that qualify
as community or regional business centers.
6.
Any
existing shopping center sign must be brought into conformance with
this Section or removed no later than ten (10) years after the adoption
of this Section.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
For the
purpose of this provision, a neighborhood business center shall have
a total leasable area of more than twenty thousand (20,000) square
feet and less than seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet.
B.
Any business
center qualifying as a neighborhood business center hereunder may
erect a freestanding sign having a maximum height of seven (7) feet
above grade on the property of the business center, which shall be
so located as not to obstruct the view for exiting the business center.
Individual signs may be placed on the freestanding sign in accordance
with the following standards:
1.
Maximum total sign area of all signs: Seventy-five (75) square feet per face, subject to Subsection (B)(6) below.
2.
The
background of each sign shall be compatible with the background of
all other signs on the freestanding sign.
3.
The
content of such signs shall be limited to the name of the business
center and the name of the occupants of such business center.
4.
Existing
pole or street signs in areas which qualify as shopping centers must
be removed no later than ten (10) years after the adoption of this
Section.
5.
No more
than one (1) new permit will be issued for freestanding signs of any
type for each three hundred (300) feet of street frontage in areas
that qualify as neighborhood business centers.
6.
Any
existing shopping center sign must be brought into conformance with
this Section or removed no later than ten (10) years after the adoption
of this Section.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Changeable copy signs shall only be permitted in conjunction
with churches, schools, fraternal organizations and gasoline service
stations. Changeable copy signs for churches, schools and fraternal
organizations shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements
for freestanding signs. For gasoline service station or automotive
service centers changeable copy signs shall be constructed in accordance
with the requirements for freestanding signs, except that there may
be no more than one (1) changeable copy sign not exceeding twenty-five
(25) square feet for each face and the text shall be limited to the
identification and price of the various blends and types of fuel.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
The following requirements shall apply to freestanding signs, except as provided in Sections 520.076 and 520.077.
1.
No freestanding
sign shall be at any point over six (6) feet above the ground level
and every freestanding sign shall be stoutly constructed and anchored
in a secure and substantial manner.
2.
The
ends of all such signs shall be at least six (6) feet distant from
any wall or fence or any obstruction which would prevent a clear passage
around the ends. No freestanding sign shall exceed thirty-six (36)
square feet in area. Not more than one (1) freestanding sign shall
be erected on any one (1) lot or tract of land, except that one (1)
sign for each three hundred (300) feet of frontage may be erected;
provided, that such signs are located at least three hundred (300)
feet apart on such lot or tract of land.
3.
Freestanding
signs shall include the address and must be clearly visible from the
street on which the sign is located. The address may be on either
the edge or face of the sign.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Chapter, one
(1) ground-mounted directional sign shall be allowed for commercial
entities located within seven hundred fifty (750) feet of State primary
highways which businesses are not otherwise visible from such highway.
Such signs may be double-faced not exceeding thirty-six (36) square
feet in area per sign face and the top part of the sign face shall
be less than six (6) feet above the ground on which it is erected.
Such sign shall be a freestanding sign and not attached to any part
of a building. The design of such sign shall be subject to Sign Review
Board recommendation and approval of the Board of Aldermen. Such signs
shall be located on a parcel of land facing such highway with at least
fifty (50) feet frontage.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
Wall
signs shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the facade of all the
buildings except that the total sign area shall not exceed two hundred
(200) square feet and need not be smaller than twenty-five (25) square
feet.
B.
No wall
sign shall extend or project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the
face of the wall to which it is attached.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Suspended signs, typically located under awnings, canopies,
covered walkways or marquees, shall bear only the name of the business
to which the sign is attached, the sign shall not exceed four (4)
square feet in area; shall not project horizontally beyond the awning,
canopy, covered walkway or marquee or nearer to the curb line than
two (2) feet; extend downward nearer than ten (10) feet to the ground
or pavement; and every suspended sign shall be securely attached to
the awning, canopy, covered walkway or marquee.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
All projecting
signs shall be made of sheet metal or other non-combustible material.
No projecting sign shall extend above the roof line. Every projecting
sign shall be constructed and braced to withstand a horizontal wind
pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds for every square foot
of surface exposed and shall be securely attached to the building
wall in an approved manner.
B.
The supporting
pole or other part of all projecting signs shall be installed and
located behind the established building line.
C.
The area
for projecting signs permitted in this Section shall not exceed fifty
(50) square feet.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Marquee signs may extend to a point two (2) feet back of the
curb line, but no such marquee or sign at its lowest point shall be
less than eleven (11) feet above the level of the ground. There may
be placed thereon an illuminated sign which may extend the entire
length and width of the marquee; provided, that such signs do not
extend more than one (1) foot above nor one (1) foot below such marquee
and shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area. Only one (1)
such sign shall be attached to a marquee.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
One (1) building directory sign which does not exceed twenty-five
(25) square feet in area may be erected on private property in front
of any office building in addition to other signs allowed.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
The Building Commissioner shall be authorized to issue permits
for one (1) temporary sign of up to forty (40) square feet for each
business. Temporary signs shall not be permitted for a single business
or a group of businesses more than four (4) times per year and shall
not exceed ten (10) days per application period, so long as the application
is within the spirit and intent of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
Sandwich board signs or T-frame signs are not to exceed three
(3) feet in height and two (2) feet in width and shall not be placed
where they impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic or to pose a danger
or visual obstruction and they are to be used only during the posted
business hours of the occupant and are to be taken inside during windy
weather conditions which in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer
may result in the sign being blown from its location. Each business
that can lawfully use a sandwich board sign or a T-frame sign in accordance
with this Chapter is limited to the use of one (1) such sign at any
one time.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
The Building Commissioner shall cause any signs of immediate
danger or hazard to persons or property to be removed without notice.
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or permit to remain
upon any premises owned, leased, occupied or used by him/her any unsafe
or insecure sign liable to injure any person or property or to maintain
or permit to remain on any such premises any sign which, because of
condition or appearance, would have a damaging effect upon property
in the City.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
Awning/canopy
signs shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area for each
building or store; except, that any building occupied by one (1) business
only and having a front wall area of over two thousand (2,000) square
feet adjoining a public street may have an awning/canopy sign with
an area not in excess of five percent (5%) of the area of the front
wall of such building. However, any building having a front wall area
of less than two thousand (2,000) square feet and adjacent to a public
street shall be permitted an awning/canopy sign not to exceed five
percent (5%) of such wall area or twenty-five (25) square feet, whichever
is greater. A building on a corner lot may have wall signs on each
street side of such building, the size of each of such signs to be
determined by the area of the wall on which it is placed.
B.
All awning/canopy
signs must be composed of fire-retardant material approved by the
Building Commissioner.
C.
Integral
roof signs shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet of the area
of the roof upon which the sign will be placed. However, any building
having a front roof area of less than two thousand (2,000) square
feet and adjacent to a public street shall be permitted an integral
roof sign not to exceed five percent (5%) of such roof area or twenty-five
(25) square feet, whichever is greater, but not to exceed one hundred
(100) square feet overall. Integral roof signs shall not be placed
higher than the natural roof line. Flat roofs with false mansards
or parapet walls are not to be considered as part of the roof or part
of the calculations, where they extend above the natural roof line.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
A.
No permit shall be issued for a sign, nor shall any sign be erected, installed, maintained or displayed, except signs described in Section 520.090, in any location except in commercial, business and industrial districts, as such districts are established by the zoning regulations of the City and the erection or maintenance of any signs contrary to the zoning regulations of the City shall be illegal.
B.
Signs
permitted under the zoning regulations of the City shall be deemed
to meet the requirements of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 1636 §1, 9-18-2007]
The Code Enforcement Officer shall make inspections of all signs
in the City at least semi-annually.
