[R.O. 2008 § 410.070; Ord. No. 6232 § 1, 6-9-2016]
A. The following standards relate to the number,
design and appearance of all signs permitted on a lot within all zoning
districts unless specifically exempted elsewhere in this Chapter:
1.
Maximum Number Of Signs. The maximum
number of signs per lot is defined as the sum of the total allowable
number of freestanding signs and the total allowable number of wall
signs.
a.
Freestanding Signs. A maximum of
one (1) freestanding sign is allowed per lot.
b.
Wall Signs.
[Ord. No.
6596, 8-22-2019]
(1) Single-Tenant Buildings.
A maximum of one (1) wall sign per facade will be allowed, except
in cases where the facade fronts onto an adjacent property that is
residentially zoned. Attached wall signs are prohibited on any facade
fronting on property that is zoned or used for residential purposes
unless it is determined by the Planning Director that a sufficient
combination of distance and buffer exists between the residential
property and the proposed sign so that the sign will not be visible
from such residential property. A sign approved in this manner shall
not be illuminated.
(2) Multi-Tenant Buildings.
A maximum of one (1) wall sign is allowed on each tenant unit with
a public entrance and on any facade with a view from a roadway or
parking lot. In the case of an end-cap unit the tenant of said unit
will be allowed one (1) wall sign on the side of the building facing
the roadway or parking lot. Common walls (elevations with no entrances
or accesses) may have one (1) additional sign. In cases where all
the tenants are accessed through one (1) common entrance, one (1)
sign per tenant is allowed, as long as the total square footage of
all signage on the facade added together does not exceed the maximum
amount of signage allowed for that facade. Attached wall signs are
prohibited on any facade fronting to property that is zoned or used
for residential purposes unless it is determined by the Planning Director
that a sufficient combination of distance and buffer exists between
the residential property and the proposed sign so that the sign will
not be visible from such residential property. A sign approved in
this manner shall not be illuminated.
(3) In non-residential zoning districts, additional secondary wall signs are permitted, provided, the separately calculated sign areas of such secondary signage and the primary signage shall not cumulatively exceed the allowable wall signage found in Section
410.070(A)(3)(a)(2) and
(4). (Example usage: Signs displaying the occupation, service and/or product located upon the premises.)
2.
Height Of Sign. Wall signs shall
not extend beyond the limits of the wall they are attached to. For
freestanding signs, the overall sign structure may not exceed twelve
(12) feet in height. Only wall signs and freestanding signs not exceeding
eight (8) feet in height are permitted in residential zoning districts,
unless a property in a residential zoning district is not a residential
use in which case the overall permissible sign structure may not exceed
twelve (12) feet in height. However, pylon signs up to thirty-five
(35) feet in height are permitted in the interchange sign district.
Signs up to twenty (20) feet in height may be permitted within large
shopping centers located on a site in excess of ten (10) acres or
more. Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary,
any freestanding sign less than twelve (12) feet in height shall be
a monument sign, with the exception of ground signs as permitted by
this Chapter.
3.
Sign Area. "Sign area" is defined
as the size of the sign face (panel) measured in square feet as determined
by the calculations herein. The supporting structure or bracing of
a sign shall not be counted as a part of the sign area unless such
structure or bracing is made a part of the sign's message. Where a
sign has two (2) display faces (panels) back to back, the area of
only one (1) face (panel) shall be considered the sign area. Where
a sign has more than one (1) display face (panel) not back to back,
the maximum area which can be viewed simultaneously from any point
shall be considered the sign area.
a.
Calculations. The maximum permitted
sign area of an individual sign is computed based on the type of sign
as follows:
(1) Freestanding Signs For
Single-Tenant Buildings. The size of the sign face shall be no greater
than seventy-five one hundreds of a percent (0.75%) of the floor area
of all primary and accessory structures on site or seventy (70) square
feet, whichever is less. A permitted ground sign face may be at least
twenty-four (24) square feet regardless of the building's floor area
or may be smaller than twenty-four (24) square feet at the applicant's
discretion.
(2) Freestanding Signs For
Multiple-Tenant Developments. Multiple-tenant developments shall be
allowed to erect either:
(a) A single sign of the
following dimensions, and subject to the following restrictions:
(i) The sign area shall
be equal to either thirty-five percent (35%) of the development's
linear footage along the right-of-way or one hundred fifty (150) square
feet, whichever is less.
(ii) If the sign has two
(2) faces (back to back), the panels shall have the same configuration
on both sides.
(iii) No other freestanding
signs are permitted, except as specifically called out in this Chapter.
(3) Freestanding Signs For
Large Shopping Centers. A multi-tenant shopping center occupying a
site in excess of ten (10) acres in size shall be permitted to have
a single sign, not exceeding twenty (20) feet in height and two hundred
twenty-five (225) feet in sign area. Signs mounted upon an individual
pole shall be prohibited.
(4) Wall Signs. The maximum
permitted area of a wall sign for an individual tenant unit or building
facade shall be equal to a percentage of the square footage of the
respective tenant unit or building face. For multi-tenant buildings
with a common entrance, this percentage applies to the allowable wall
signs per facade for the structure as a whole, therefore only one
(1) such sign shall be allowed if the maximum percent or maximum sign
area square footage is used in a single sign. The following sign area
percentages shall apply:
TABLE 1: ALLOWABLE WALL SIGN
AREA
|
---|
Building or Tenant Unit Face
(in square feet)
|
Percent of Building Face Allowed
for Signage
|
Maximum Sign Area
(in square feet)
|
---|
0 – 1,000
|
7.50%
|
70
|
1,001 – 2,500
|
7.25%
|
150
|
2,501 – 5000
|
6.00%
|
250
|
5,001 – 7,500
|
5.00%
|
325
|
7,501+
|
4.50%
|
375
|
(5) Accessory Signs. Accessory
signs are regulated in the same manner as other wall signs. The maximum
permitted area of an individual accessory sign shall be equal to five
percent (5%) of the square footage of the accessory building's wall
or canopy facade or thirty (30) square feet, whichever is less.
4.
For purposes of traffic safety, each
permitted freestanding sign under this Section shall contain a placard
that displays the assigned numerical street address of the subject
property. The dimensions of the placard shall be a size not more than
ten percent (10%) of the allowed square footage of the sign face (for
signs for single-tenant developments) or thirty percent (30%) of the
allowed square footage of the sign face (for multi-tenant developments).
This additional square footage shall not count against the sign's
allowed square footage.
5.
Illumination. All illuminated signs shall comply with all applicable codes and regulations, including Section
400.277 of the O'Fallon Zoning Code that refers to exterior lighting standards. In addition, all electrical equipment and devices shall be UL listed and approved for their proposed use.
6.
Placement. Any sign erected within
the City limits must be placed in accordance with the following regulations:
a.
Setbacks For Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet away from any right-of-way line and/or property line and a minimum of three (3) feet from the back of any curbing or sidewalk. All signs shall abide by the regulations for visibility at corners, including visibility corners from driveways and the street it intersects per Section
400.260(F) of the O'Fallon Zoning Code.
b.
Location Of Wall Signs. Wall signs
may only be placed on a facade that does not front on residentially
zoned property. No maximum permitted height is provided for wall signs
except that no sign shall be higher than the building wall on which
it is mounted. Signs shall not encroach upon any window, doorway or
architectural feature.
c.
Placement Within Or On A Frame. All
signs designed for a pre-existing structure or frame shall be designed
to fit the frame or structure as though it were the original sign.
Any portion of any sign or unused remaining frame or structure shall
be subject to removal.
d.
Additions To Existing Signs. No sign
over four (4) square feet in area may be attached to another sign
without being designed as an integral part of the original sign. No
signs may be attached to, or cover up, any portion of a sign's frame,
structure or base unless originally designed or subsequently redesigned
for that purpose.
[R.O. 2008 § 410.080; Ord. No. 6232 § 1, 6-9-2016]
A. Periodically, owners, lessees or other
authorized persons or entities having an interest in a property located
in the non-residential zoning districts may obtain a permit to temporarily
erect additional signage on their lot. The following rules shall apply
to temporary signs.
1.
Number. Once an owner, lessee or
other authorized person or entity having an interest in a property
obtains a temporary sign permit, they may display one (1) sign for
each permit obtained. [In the case of lot with multiple frontages,
the applicant may display one (1) such temporary sign per each street
frontage on a single permit, so long as each sign is facing a different
street.]
2.
Duration. Temporary sign permits may be obtained in any number for any length of time provided that the applicant does not exceed ninety (90) days of display time during any one (1) calendar year. The start date is specified by the applicant at the time the permit is obtained. For purposes of this limitation, the City shall consider all temporary sign permits for the applicant and applicants related entitles as defined in Section
100.012 of the Municipal Code; as a result, an applicant and the applicant's related entities shall be limited to a display time of ninety (90) days per calendar year.
3.
Size. Temporary signs authorized
pursuant to this Section shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square
feet in size. This includes attention-getting devices and signs carried
by barkers. The area of streamers and similar displays shall not be
limited or included within this maximum square footage.
4.
Type. Temporary signs may be wall
signs, freestanding signs, banners or barkers. Out of the ordinary,
unique attention-getting devices, such as, but not limited to, pennants,
streamers, tassels, balloons, etc., shall be prohibited as part of
or attached to the sign. Changeable copy signs, electronic message
signs or any signs otherwise prohibited by this Chapter are not permitted.
5.
Height. Freestanding temporary signs
shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in height. Signs or attention-getting
devices attached to the building shall not exceed the height of the
principal structure nor be erected upon or above the roof including
when hung from poles or other accessory structures.
6.
Placement. Temporary signs may be
moved within the limits of the lot at any time during the duration
of the permit, so long as each sign complies with the following:
a.
Setbacks For Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs must be fully contained within the subject property; shall be located on the subject property a minimum of five (5) feet from the right-of-way line or property line; a minimum of three (3) feet from the back of any curb; and shall abide by the regulations for visibility corners including visibility corners from driveways and the street it intersects per Section
400.260(F) of the O'Fallon Zoning Code. The applicant will be asked to call out the location of the sign when the permits are issued and spot inspections may be used by staff to verify the sign is suitably located.
b.
Location Of Wall Signs. No maximum
permitted height is provided for wall signs (including banners), except
that no sign shall be higher than the building wall on which it is
mounted. Signs shall not encroach upon any window, doorway or architectural
feature.
c.
Barkers. Barkers may only operate
under permission of the owner of the site on which the event occurs
or in a designated public space (common ground, sidewalks, etc.) and
may not operate in the public right-of-way. Their activities shall
not impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic or constitute a safety
hazard. For each barker on site under the age of sixteen (16), there
shall be one (1) competent person of legal majority on site to supervise
their activities.
7.
Installation And Removal. Banners
shall remain securely mounted and tightly hung to two (2) posts, or
by an alternative method approved by the Administrative Officer, for
the duration of time that the banner is installed. Flag banners, such
as feather and teardrop flags must be secured by being staked into
the ground. All mounting devices (posts, stakes, etc.) shall be removed
at the time that the temporary sign is removed.
[R.O. 2008 § 410.090; Ord. No. 6232 § 1, 6-9-2016]
A. The sign types and sign uses in this Section
are ones which, by their design or purpose, require special regulations
in addition to those for typical wall or freestanding signs. These
special signs are considered permanent signs and require permits.
The exceptions to this rule are the subdivision construction signs
and the off-premises signs; they require permits, but are considered
temporary signs.
1.
Interchange Sign. An interchange
sign is a modified freestanding sign that can be installed on a lot
adjacent to the right-of-way of a highway or service road. Interchange
signs are to be used in place of, not in addition to, the permitted
freestanding signs allowed on the site. Interchange signs are allowed
only on non-residentially zoned properties adjacent to the right-of-way
for Interstates 70 and 64 and Route 364; or fronting on East or West
Terra Lane. Properties fronting on Veteran's Memorial Parkway; Technology
Boulevard; or the outer roads adjacent to Highway 40/64 and Route
364 may be granted pole signs if they can prove, via a sight line
study, that they have visibility from I-70, I-64 or Route 364.
a.
A maximum of one (1) freestanding
interchange sign per lot shall be permitted to be installed up to
a maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet.
b.
The sign face shall have a clearance
of at least ten (10) feet from the surrounding ground level.
c.
Interchange signs will be allowed
to increase their size by adding in fifty percent (50%) of their allowed
area to their total. A permitted interchange sign face may be at least
seventy (70) square feet regardless of the building's floor area or
may be smaller than seventy (70) square feet at the applicant's discretion.
d.
Interchange signs shall comply with
all other requirements for freestanding signs unless amended by this
Chapter.
e.
As part of the sign permit application,
the applicant will be required to submit a scaled drawing/rendering
showing the size of the proposed sign in relation to the surrounding
structures and topography. The drawings shall be prepared by a licensed
or registered professional (i.e., architects, engineers).
2.
Changeable Copy Signs. Changeable
copy signs will only be allowed as wall or freestanding signs, if
they are included as part of the permitted permanent signage. The
lines of changeable copy shall be designed as an integral part of
the sign and not added to the same pole or structure without being
designed as part of the original sign.
3.
Electronic Message Signs. Electronic
message signs will only be allowed as wall or freestanding signs,
if they are included as part of the permitted permanent signage. The
electronic message center shall be designed as an integral part of
the sign and not added to the same pole or structure without being
designed as part of the original sign. All electronic message centers
shall adhere to the following:
a.
A maximum of one (1) display shall
be permitted during each item frame. No continuous or rolling displays
shall be permitted.
b.
The minimum time per display shall
be five (5) seconds.
c.
The intensity of the lights used in the message board shall not constitute a visual hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic and shall comply with all requirements of Section
400.277 of the O'Fallon Zoning Code.
4.
Auxiliary Signs. Auxiliary signs shall only be permitted subject to the review and approval by the Planning and Development Department as to whether the sign meets the definition of an auxiliary sign. Said signs shall be calculated independently of the maximum number of signs [Section
410.070(A)(1)]. There shall be a limit of two (2) such signs on a single lot and the total square footage for both signs added together shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet. Such signs shall conform to all design, location and other applicable regulations. Auxiliary signs shall not exceed a maximum height of eight (8) feet, if freestanding. For properties containing drive-through service, two (2) additional signs shall be permitted per additional service lane, not to exceed a total of four (4). The total square footage of the four (4) signs shall not exceed ninety (90) square feet. Such signs shall be located within ten (10) feet of the vehicle traffic lane used in connection with the drive-through service.
[Ord. No.
6596, 8-22-2019]
5.
In MUTDD zoned areas, HTCD zoned areas and/or other specially designated areas where different types of activities, entities or zonings are brought together as a single "community" or "neighborhood style" development, the owner(s) may seek additional signage located within the limits of the development, upon receiving the approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning and Zoning Commission in accordance with Chapter
400 of the Municipal Code. The proposed size, height, configuration, design and number of the sign(s) allowed shall be reviewed and approved as part of the conditional use permit application. All signs designated as community signs will have to abide by the following conditions of approval:
a.
Such signs shall abide by all other
applicable provisions of this Chapter.
b.
Such signs may be located on private
or public property, but not within the right-of-way.
c.
Such signs shall conform to the visibility requirements of the City pertaining to intersections per Section
400.260(F) of the O'Fallon Zoning Code.
d.
Such signs shall not be counted toward
the total allowed signage on the subject property.
6.
Common Sign Package — Multiple-Building
Developments. All multiple-tenant developments containing two (2)
or more buildings on separate lots may install signs for the development
as a whole in conjunction with signage for the individual entities
within the development. These types of comprehensive sign packages
shall be composed of two (2) parts and be structured in the manner
listed below:
a.
External Development Signage. One sign (primary sign) may be installed within the subdivision pursuant to Section
410.070 of this Chapter. The calculations for this sign shall be based on the largest street frontage on the site (to be designated as the primary frontage). In addition to the allowed primary sign, a second sign (secondary sign) may be installed on one (1) additional street frontage if that frontage is in excess of one hundred twenty-five (125) linear feet and contains an entrance to the site from a public right-of-way. The secondary sign will be installed as close to the entrance on the secondary frontage as reasonably possible.
b.
Internal Outlot Signage. In addition to the external signage allowed for in Section
410.090(A)(7)(a),
a single freestanding sign may be installed on each lot within the development. These signs shall be limited to a maximum of twenty-four (24) square feet in size. In the case of multi-tenant buildings, such signs with a maximum size of forty-eight (48) square feet will be allowed.
7.
Residential Land Use Signs.
a.
Multiple-Family Or Institutional Residential Lots With More Than Four (4) Dwelling Units. For each development made up of multiple-family or institutional residential lots containing more than four (4) dwelling units, one (1) sign, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area, is permitted per entrance. Such signs shall comply with the City's visibility standards for intersections per Section
400.260(F) of the O'Fallon Zoning Code.
b.
Subdivision Entrance Signs. Subdivisions are permitted to place signs not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. A maximum of two (2) such signs is permitted per entrance to the subdivision. Such signs shall comply with the City's visibility standards for intersections per Section
400.260(F) of the O'Fallon Zoning Code.
c.
Subdivision Construction Signs. For
each real estate subdivision that has been approved in accordance
with the O'Fallon Zoning Code, one (1) temporary sign is permitted
per entrance. Each such sign shall be not more than seventy-two (72)
square feet in area and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height (if
freestanding). Such signs shall be allowed to have two (2) faces if
placed back-to-back or in a "V" shape. These signs shall comply with
the City's visibility standards pertaining to driveway and street
intersections. All signs shall be removed upon the cessation of the
presence of an active sales office within the subdivision.
d.
Internal Construction Subdivision
Signs. A sign that shall be placed within the limits of a residential
development. These types of signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32)
square feet in size and eight (8) feet in height. The signs shall
be placed no closer than five (5) feet from the right-of-way and shall
not impede traffic circulation. These types of signs shall be removed
when building permits have been issued for all lots within a subdivision.
8.
Off-Premises Signs. City will allow
persons and entities, with valid permits, to install, at specified
locations within the City, additional signage. Such signs shall be
divided into two (2) categories:
a.
Annual Use. These signs are semi-permanent;
once installed, they may be left in place as long as they do not interfere
with traffic safety, are not in a State of disrepair and apply for
renewal on a yearly basis. In addition to all other applicable parts
of this Chapter, all signs used under this Section must adhere to
the following:
(1) The owner of the sign
must be either a resident, business owner, non-profit entity, or active
development located within the City of O'Fallon.
(2) Signs shall be freestanding
and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign face size.
(3) These signs shall be
out of any public rights-of-way, out of the applicable sight triangles
and shall require the written approval of the property owner of the
lot on which the signs are placed.
(4) A separate annual permit
shall be required for each annual use off-premises directional sign
installed within the City. The permit fee is identified in the Schedule
of Fees, Costs and Expenses within Appendix B of Title IV: Land Use.
Failure to pay the fee prior to placement of the sign shall result
in a citation. Each sign shall be considered a separate violation.
Each annual use sign will expire at the end of the calendar year and
will be subject to submitting a renewal application. The fee for a
renewal is identified in the Schedule of Fees, Costs and Expenses
within Appendix B of Title IV: Land Use.
b.
Weekend Use. These signs are to be
displayed during the higher volume traffic periods on the weekends.
In addition to all other applicable parts of this Chapter, all signs
used must adhere to the following:
(1) Signs may only be displayed
between 6:00 p.m. Fridays and 6:00 A.M. Mondays of the same weekend.
(2) Shall be freestanding
and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area or six (6) feet
in height from the adjacent finished grade.
(3) Placement of such signs
shall be prohibited on private property without the express permission
of the property owner.
(4) Signs shall not be placed
as to interfere in any way with public health or safety. Such signs
placed within the State right-of-way are further subject to the rules
and regulations of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
(5) No such sign shall be
attached to any utility structure, tree, fence or any public or existing
private sign standard.
(6) An annual permit shall
be required for each entity requesting to place weekend use signs
within the City. The annual permit fee is identified in the Schedule
of Fees, Costs and Expenses within Appendix B of Title IV: Land Use.
Failure to pay the fee prior to placement of the signs shall result
in a citation. Each sign shall be considered a separate violation.
c.
Billboards, as defined in Section
410.060 are not considered to be off-premises signs.
9.
In non-residential zoning districts,
additional signs may be located on a project, site or development
exceeding ten (10) acres in size, provided that the signs located
on any site shall not exceed twenty-eight (28) square feet in area
and no sign should be more than ten (10) feet in height or located
closer than fifty (50) feet to a public or private right-of-way. (Example
usage: Signs designed to accommodate the names of all business/buildings
with directional arrows within a development.)
[R.O. 2008 § 410.095; Ord. No. 6232 § 1, 6-9-2016]
A. Special conditions may exist within large-scale
developments which make application of the sign requirements set forth
in this Chapter inappropriate or problematic. A planned signing program
is intended to provide maximum incentive and latitude to encourage
variety and aesthetic design and to allow flexibility in response
to special circumstances, but shall not be used to circumvent the
objectives of this Chapter. A planned signing program may be used
with regard to land areas that contain a single large-scale community
style development that is broken into several different components
of development interconnected by common areas and which is characterized
by unique or disjointed topography, environmentally sensitive areas,
features of historic significance or components containing public
amenities, such as active or passive communal recreation areas or
lifestyle enhancing amenities.
1.
Procedure. An application for a planned signing program shall be processed in conjunction with a PD/PUD area plan application or amended area plan application in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article
V of Chapter
400 of the Municipal Code.
2.
Requirements.
a.
The planned signing program shall
include and provide for all signs to be used within the boundaries
of the development. No sign will be permitted for any area within
the development unless such sign has been made a part of the planned
signing program.
b.
All signage must be alike with regard
to design and materials and shall be crafted specifically for the
development in which they are used.
c.
No sign shall be located within any
right-of-way.
d.
All signs shall comply with the visibility requirements of the Municipal Code pertaining to intersections as set forth in Section
400.260(F) of the Code.
e.
All signs shall comply with Article
VI, Prohibited Signs, of this Chapter.
f.
All signs shall comply with the safety and maintenance requirements set forth in Section
410.110 of this Chapter.
3.
Standards.
a.
The planned signing program shall
provide for an adequate number of signs in order to suit the needs
of the development, and link the separate components of the development
as part of the larger overall community style or neighborhood style
development. However, the planned sign program shall not include an
overabundance of signage so as to detract from the aesthetics of the
development, cause confusion to motorists or otherwise violate the
objectives of this Chapter.
b.
The planned signing program shall
provide for sizing as appropriate to accomplish the objectives of
the program while keeping the aesthetic character of the development.
c.
The planned signing program shall
be developed so as to minimize the impact on environmentally sensitive
areas.
d.
The design and materials used shall
be environmentally friendly, shall complement the aesthetic character
of the development and shall be compatible with the buildings and
improvements within the development.
e.
Natural colors and design shall be
used as thoroughly as possible.
f.
All signage shall be designed and
placed in a manner that allows it to blend in with the surrounding
area.
4.
Effect Of Denial. In the event that
a planned signing program is denied, the applicant and/or property
owners may apply for appropriate sign permits for each individual
sign within the development in accordance with the provisions of this
Chapter applicable for such signs.