City of O'Fallon, MO Signage Use and Design Standards

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

Calculations. The maximum permitted sign area of an individual sign is computed based on the type of sign as follows:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Placement. Any sign erected within the City limits must be placed in accordance with the following regulations:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Section 410.080 Regulations For The Use Of Temporary Signs.

[R.O. 2008 § 410.080; Ord. No. 6232 § 1, 6-9-2016]

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.

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.]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Section 410.090 Supplemental Regulations For Special Use Signs.

[R.O. 2008 § 410.090; Ord. No. 6232 § 1, 6-9-2016]

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.

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 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.

The sign face shall have a clearance of at least ten (10) feet from the surrounding ground level.

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.

Interchange signs shall comply with all other requirements for freestanding signs unless amended by this Chapter.

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).

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.

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 maximum of one (1) display shall be permitted during each item frame. No continuous or rolling displays shall be permitted.

The minimum time per display shall be five (5) seconds.

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.

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]

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:

Such signs shall abide by all other applicable provisions of this Chapter.

Such signs may be located on private or public property, but not within the right-of-way.

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.

Such signs shall not be counted toward the total allowed signage on the subject property.

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:

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.

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.

Residential Land Use Signs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

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.

Signs shall be freestanding and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign face size.

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.

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:

Signs may only be displayed between 6:00 p.m. Fridays and 6:00 A.M. Mondays of the same weekend.

Shall be freestanding and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area or six (6) feet in height from the adjacent finished grade.