Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
City of St. Charles, MO
St. Charles County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1440; R.O. 2009 § 156.701; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002]
The signs listed in this Division 2 are permitted, subject to the criteria listed under each sign and the other applicable Sections of this Article.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1450; R.O. 2009 § 156.702; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002]
A. 
An "address sign" is a sign consisting of numerals and letters identifying a property address. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Letter and numeral height shall not exceed twelve (12) inches; and
2. 
No sign permit is required unless such sign is illuminated.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1460; R.O. 2009 § 156.703; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 05-101, 4-13-2005; Ord. No. 10-142 § 4, 7-8-2010]
A. 
An "awning sign" is a sign which is printed, painted or affixed to an awning. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Sign copy including logo shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet or fifty percent (50%) of awning face area, whichever is less;
2. 
Such sign shall only be displayed on the ground floor awnings; and
3. 
Flashing or intermittent illumination of awnings is prohibited.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1470; R.O. 2009 § 156.704; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002]
A. 
A "banner sign" is a sign which is painted or otherwise permanently affixed upon cloth or other flexible material and which is building mounted only. Requirements are as follows (see also Section 400.1640 Sale, Lease or Rent Signs or Banners for additional banner requirements):
1. 
A banner sign for which a permit is not required shall be limited to an area of twenty-four (24) square feet;
2. 
All signs shall include wind cuts to reduce the tendency of the banner to billow or sail;
3. 
The amount of time a banner may be displayed shall be limited to seven (7) days and no one (1) business shall be allowed to display a banner for more than twenty-eight (28) days per calendar year and there shall not be more than one (1) banner per licensed business on display at any one time;
4. 
Private sponsors of such signs may be identified by a trademark or symbol which shall be secondary in order of placement and shall comprise no more than one-tenth (1/10) of the banner face;
5. 
Temporary signage for "Going Out of Business" and "Grand Opening" events is regulated under those respective Sections separate from these requirements;
6. 
A sign permit is not required except under the following situations:
a. 
Through the approval of a sign permit, banners not meeting the size and time limitations listed above may be approved where it is demonstrated that the event or announcement depicted on the banner will not have a detrimental impact on the aesthetic qualities of the surrounding area and that it meets one (1) of the following:
(1) 
It is of civic or community wide interest;
(2) 
It is necessary given the particular situation of a property in terms of size and/or location;
(3) 
It is for a seasonal or annual event or sale that typically engenders a time period longer than one (1) week;
(4) 
In no case shall a banner be approved for longer than one hundred twenty (120) days per calendar year.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1480; R.O. 2009 § 156.705; Ord. No. 08-95, 5-15-2008; Ord. No. 09-42, 3-6-2009; Ord. No. 09-76, 4-24-2009; Ord. No. 09-211, 12-3-2009]
A. 
Street Banner Sign Defined. For purposes of this Section, a "street banner sign" is a sign which is painted or otherwise permanently affixed upon metal, cloth or other flexible material and which is vertically mounted on or hung from a single street light standard in a public right-of-way. A "street banner sign" is not a sign which is attached to public facilities on opposite sides of a public street and extends over a public street or sidewalk.
B. 
Permit Required. It is unlawful to erect or maintain a street banner sign without a valid permit issued in compliance with this Section.
C. 
Permit — Who May Obtain. Permits for the erection or maintenance of street banner signs may be obtained only by fraternal, charitable, civic or veterans' organizations, the City of St. Charles, political subdivisions of the State providing services within the municipal boundaries of the City of St. Charles, a university, a hospital, a church or a historic preservation district located within and recognized by the City of St. Charles.
D. 
Permit Application And Approval Procedure.
1. 
Applicants desiring to erect or maintain a street banner sign shall make application to the Department of Community Development not more than twelve (12) calendar months nor less than two (2) calendar months in advance of the starting date requested for display of the street banner sign. The application shall contain the following information:
a. 
The name and local address of the organization seeking the permit;
b. 
The dimensions of the street banner sign for which the permit is sought, together with a color rendering of the words and graphics to be displayed thereon;
c. 
A map showing the exact proposed locations where the street banner signs will be hung;
d. 
The dates on which the street banner signs are sought to be displayed;
e. 
A letter of approval from the Missouri Department of Transportation where it has maintenance responsibility for the right-of-way;
f. 
The name of the contractor who has been retained by the applicant to create the proposed attachment mechanism or connection device and hang the banner sign upon receipt of approval; and
g. 
A copy of the contractor's plan detailing the proposed attachment mechanism or connection device for review and approval by the Department of Public Works.
2. 
The applicant must provide at the time of submitting an application the following:
a. 
An executed maintenance and indemnification agreement on a form provided by the City which sets forth the light standard attachment device design; who will be responsible for the installation, removal and maintenance of the attachment device and street banner sign; and that the applicant is responsible for any damage caused to the light standard by the installation of the attachment device, support structure or street banner sign; and
b. 
A certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Missouri which names the City of St. Charles as an additional insured and provides liability insurance in the minimum amounts as set forth in Section 537.610, RSMo., as adjusted for inflation, arising out of a single occurrence or for any one (1) person in a single accident or occurrence for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the street banner sign, its attachment device or support structure.
c. 
All applications for a permit to erect or maintain street banner signs shall be presented to the Department of Community Development at which time the Director of Community Development shall make a determination if the requirements of this Section have been satisfied and a recommendation for the issuance of a permit. Thereafter, the application shall be forwarded to the City Council for approval or denial as a consent agenda item.
E. 
Permit Fee. The fee for a street banner sign permit shall be the non-refundable sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each calendar year which must be paid to the City Finance Department before the permit will be issued. Fees shall be waived when the City of St. Charles is the street banner sign applicant.
F. 
Specifications.
1. 
A street banner sign shall not exceed three (3) feet in width and seven (7) feet in length. A street banner sign must hang from the light standard lengthwise and must be finished on both sides. The bottom edge of a street banner sign must be at least twelve (12) feet above a sidewalk or parkway, except in the "HDD" where the bottom of a street banner sign must be at least eight (8) feet above a sidewalk or parkway. The bottom edge of a street banner sign must be at least sixteen (16) feet above street grade, except in the "HDD" where the bottom of a street banner sign must be at least eleven (11) feet six (6) inches above the street grade. No more than one (1) street banner sign is allowed per light standard. Street banner signs shall not be lit.
2. 
Street banner signs may promote the existence, identify the location of or define the boundaries of the permittee. The street banner sign may contain the permittee's name, logo, symbols, renderings of mascots or phrases or slogans. Street banner signs shall not promote or contain information regarding specific events, advertising material, including the permittee's address and phone number. A street banner sign shall not contain any form of commercial advertising, political or religious content, or solicitation.
3. 
Street banner signs must be uniform in color, size and content and the sign supports must be of uniform design and appearance. Street banner signs may be installed on City light standards or other light standards or utility poles with the owner's written approval. Street banner signs shall not be located on or attached to traffic signals, street signs, buildings, mailboxes, wires or posts or be attached to two (2) or more light standards or utility poles so as to hang between them, nor shall street banner signs be hung across a street.
4. 
A street banner sign must be installed so as not to block or otherwise interfere with any traffic control device, traffic sign or any public safety device. A street banner sign may not obstruct or shield the light produced by the light standard on which it is located.
5. 
The City's Department of Public Works shall have the right to inspect the installation of all attachment mechanisms or connection devices.
G. 
Maintenance Responsibility — Violations Thereof. Street banner signs and their supports shall be maintained in good condition. Street banner signs that exhibit any of the following conditions shall be deemed to be in violation of this Division:
1. 
Any portion of the perimeter of the sign is frayed;
2. 
The sign fabric is ripped or torn or any stitching is loose;
3. 
The sign is faded to a degree that the original content of the sign cannot be easily recognized by passing motorists or pedestrians;
4. 
The sign is partially disconnected from its support; or
5. 
Any metal portion of the sign, sign support or frame contains rust or rust stains.
If a permittee is cited by the Code Enforcement Division of the Department of Community Development for a violation of this Division, the permittee shall repair the street banner sign to its original condition or shall remove the sign within two (2) weeks from the date of the citation. The City shall have the right to remove any street banner sign that has been cited for a violation and has not been repaired or removed within the time specified. If the City removes a street banner sign, the entity that installed the sign shall be liable for the cost of removal.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1490; R.O. 2009 § 156.706; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 10-142 § 5, 7-8-2010; Ord. No. 21-065, 4-20-2021]
A. 
A "building-mounted sign" is one that is directly attached to the facade or face of a building. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such sign shall be supported solely by the facade of the building;
2. 
Such sign may be flag-mounted in situations where the character of the area may be preserved and enhanced by the use of such sign;
3. 
Such sign shall not protrude beyond any property line on which the building itself is located;
4. 
Sign area shall be regulated by the provisions of Division 3 of this Article;
5. 
Including the business name, a maximum of eight (8) items of information may be displayed on a building mounted sign; and
6. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1500; R.O. 2009 § 156.707; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 05-46, 1-28-2005; Ord. No. 10-142 § 6, 7-8-2010]
A. 
A "changeable copy/marquee sign" is one which utilizes changeable letters, text or copy. Any State licensed learning institution is authorized to utilize changeable letters, text or copy without prior approval of the City. However, all other such signs shall be for theaters only. Changeable signs shall also comply with the following requirements:
1. 
Such signs shall be subject to the requirements for building-mounted or freestanding signs; and
2. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1510; R.O. 2009 § 156.709; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002]
A. 
A "construction sign" is one which identifies the parties included in an "in-progress" construction project. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall only be displayed on the actual construction site;
2. 
Such sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height nor thirty-two (32) square feet in area;
3. 
All such signs shall be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the site; and
4. 
No sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1520; R.O. 2009 § 156.710; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002]
A. 
A "directional sign" is one which includes copy offering pertinent directional information for the purpose of assisting in the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall not exceed three (3) feet in height if freestanding, nor two (2) square feet in area;
2. 
Such signs shall not include identification or advertising copy;
3. 
Must be placed to avoid conflicts with vehicular traffic;
4. 
Such signs are permitted in all zoning districts; and
5. 
No sign permit is required unless such sign is illuminated or meets the following:
a. 
Through the approval of a sign permit, directional signs not meeting the size limitation listed above may be approved where it is demonstrated that such signs will not have a detrimental impact on the aesthetic qualities of the surrounding area and that it is necessary given the particular situation of a property in terms of size and/or location.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1530; R.O. 2009 § 156.711; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 10-142 § 7, 7-8-2010]
A. 
A "directory sign" is a wall-mounted sign that lists the name, use or location within a building, building complex or multi-tenant development. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs maybe utilized in all non-residential zoning districts;
2. 
Such signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height nor six (6) square feet in area;
3. 
Such signs shall not include any advertising copy; and
4. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1540; R.O. 2009 § 156.712; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 08-191, 9-17-2008; Ord. No. 10-142 § 8, 7-8-2010]
A. 
An "on-premises electronic message sign" is a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations that can be electronically changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign and directs attention to a business, product, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall be subject to the requirements for building-mounted or freestanding signs;
2. 
A sign permit shall be required for such signs to determine the appropriateness of the proposed location of such sign and to set standards for the operational characteristics, such as, but not limited to, the ability to scroll messages, the time frames between messages and the safety impacts on the general public of such a display. Such signs which display only the time and temperature and are eight (8) or less square feet in area are not subject to approval. Electronic message signs shall operate in accordance with the following standards:
a. 
No portion of the message may flash, twirl, or scroll.
b. 
Each message shall have a minimum duration of eight (8) seconds and shall be a static display.
c. 
The electronic message sign shall be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one position, or shut off, if a malfunction occurs.
d. 
All messages must relate to the business located on the subject property.
e. 
The sign must be equipped with an automatic nighttime dimmer.
3. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection (A)(3), which provided that a sign permit was required, was repealed 12-18-2018 by Ord. No. 18-285.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1550; R.O. 2009 § 156.713; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 10-142 § 9, 7-8-2010]
A. 
This category applies to official flags for corporations and decorative flags used for commercial purposes. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Flagpole height is not limited;
2. 
No more than one (1) flag shall be flown on any one (1) site or structure;
3. 
The maximum size of any flag shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet with no one (1) dimension to exceed six (6) feet in any direction; and
4. 
A sign permit is required to display any corporate or decorative commercial flag.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1560; R.O. 2009 § 156.714; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 05-101, 4-13-2005; Ord. No. 10-244 § 10, 11-18-2010]
A. 
A "freestanding identification sign" is one which is erected or mounted on its own self-supporting permanent structure or base detached from any supporting elements of building. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs, including their supporting structures, shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and such signs shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area except in the following circumstances:
a. 
The property and the use in question justifies the additional area and height to provide visibility from motorists on I-70, Highway 94 south of I-70, Highway 364 or Highway 370. In such cases, a freestanding sign shall be limited to a maximum height of thirty (30) feet and maximum area of eighty (80) square feet.
2. 
All such signs shall have monument-type bases of masonry construction or materials which complement the primary structure being identified or the prevailing character of the structures in the area;
3. 
All such signs shall require a landscape area equal to four (4) square feet for each square foot of sign area. This landscape area shall be located around the base of the sign and shall be surrounded by a six-inch high vertical concrete curb. Said landscape area may be modified by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee where it is found that due to pre-existing circumstances the provision of said landscape area will cause an undue burden on the ability to effectively use the property;
4. 
Such signs shall only identify the name of the business, the center/complex or place for which the sign is intended;
5. 
Including the business name, a maximum of eight (8) items of information may be displayed on a freestanding sign;
6. 
Address numerals shall be included on all freestanding sign structures. The numerals shall be no smaller than four (4) inches in height; and
7. 
A sign permit is required.
B. 
Pole signs are permitted as freestanding identification signs on a lot that directly adjoins the right-of-way of the following streets and highways: Interstate 70; Highway 370; Highway 364; Highway 94; Zumbehl Road between Interstate 70 and Highway 94; New Town Boulevard; Truman Boulevard; and West Clay Street. Pole signs shall be permitted at these locations only under the following conditions:
[Ord. No. 15-178 § 1, 8-11-2015]
1. 
The property must be zoned C-2 General Business District, C-3 Highway Business District, I-1 Light Industrial District or 1-2 Heavy Industrial District;
2. 
One (1) pole sign is permitted per lot;
3. 
The maximum height of a pole sign shall not exceed thirty (30) feet;
4. 
The maximum area of a pole sign is one (1) square foot of signage for every one (1) lineal foot of building frontage and under no circumstances shall the area of a pole sign exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet;
5. 
Pole signs shall be permitted only when the ground level elevation of the building is lower than the elevation of the adjoining roadway;
6. 
Pole signs shall not count toward the maximum square feet of signage permitted under Section 400.1720, Legal, Non-Residential Uses; and
7. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1570; R.O. 2009 § 156.715; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002]
A. 
A "future development sign" is one which announces the proposed development of property, prior to the issuance of building permit. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall include copy identifying the name(s) of the project architect, developer and contractor;
2. 
Such signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area nor eight (8) feet in height;
3. 
Such signs may be maintained for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months prior to obtaining building permits for a development and shall be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy;
4. 
Such signs shall not be internally illuminated;
5. 
All such signs shall be located on the development site;
6. 
Only one (1) sign shall be displayed per street frontage; and
7. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1580; R.O. 2009 § 156.716; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002; Ord. No. 10-142 § 11, 7-8-2010]
A. 
A "going out of business sign" is a wall sign not greater than twenty-four (24) square feet indicating that the business displaying the sign will cease and be discontinued at a specific location. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
All businesses shall be permitted to display going out of business signs for an initial period of thirty (30) consecutive days which may be renewed by City staff for an additional fifteen (15) consecutive days upon request by the applicant. Additional time may be requested by the applicant through the approval of the Director of Community Development subject to such request being filed prior to expiration of any prior permits;
2. 
The business shall cease and be discontinued at that specific location upon the disposal of the stock of goods on hand or after forty-five (45) days, whichever comes first, after the going out of business signage is first displayed unless such additional time has been granted by the Director of Community Development but in no case shall such temporary signage be displayed beyond ninety (90) days from the initial display;
3. 
Vehicle-mounted and portable signs and flashing lights are prohibited from use as going out of business signs; and
4. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1600; R.O. 2009 § 156.719; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002]
A. 
A "lead-in sign" is a temporary portable sign used to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to a home (or residential unit) which is for sale or rent. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall not exceed three (3) feet in height nor three (3) square feet in area with no illumination;
2. 
No more than four (4) such signs shall be displayed for each home for sale or rent;
3. 
Complexes, developments or subdivisions shall not display more than four (4) such signs;
4. 
Such signs shall not be placed so as to create a traffic hazard, in a traffic median, public sidewalk, bicycle path on City property or in City right-of-way between the sidewalk and the curb; and
5. 
No sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1610; R.O. 2009 § 156.720; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002; Ord. No. 10-142 § 13, 7-8-2010; Ord. No. 10-244 § 1, 11-18-2010]
A. 
A "menu board" is a permanently mounted sign advertising the bill of fare for a restaurant, drive-in or drive-through restaurant. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Menu boards shall not exceed six (6) feet in height nor thirty (30) square feet in area;
2. 
Freestanding menu boards shall have a monument base of masonry construction and shall have a landscape area at the base of the sign equal to at least two (2) square feet for each square foot of sign area. The landscape area may be modified by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee where it is found that due to pre-existing circumstances, the provision of the landscape area will cause an undue burden on the ability to effectively use the property;
3. 
Only one (1) such sign per drive-through lane is allowed and the sign shall be located in a manner which provides the least impact on adjacent or nearby land uses. Additionally, one (1) preview board may be installed per drive through lane. Such preview board shall not exceed six (6) feet in height nor twenty (20) square feet in area;
4. 
The sign area for a menu board shall not be counted in the total aggregate sign area for the business; and
5. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1620; R.O. 2009 § 156.721; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 10-142 § 14, 7-8-2010]
A. 
A "permanent residential subdivision sign" is a permanent sign used to identify a recorded subdivision. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall not exceed five (5) feet in height nor twenty-four (24) square feet in area. A twenty-four (24) square foot sign may be displayed on either side of a street providing direct access to the subdivision and serving as a major entry;
2. 
Such signs shall be wall mounted or freestanding and shall include a landscape area equal to at least two (2) square feet for each square foot of sign area; and
3. 
A sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1630; R.O. 2009 § 156.722; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 06-191, 7-28-2006]
A. 
A "political sign" is a temporary sign used to advertise the candidacy of an individual, ballot proposition/issue or to encourage citizens to vote. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall not be located on City property except as stated in Subsection (A)(4) or in City right-of-way;
2. 
Such signs shall be located so as to not create a traffic hazard; and
3. 
No sign permit is required.
4. 
Political signs may be located in Blanchette Park on election day when Memorial Hall is being used as a polling place.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1640; R.O. 2009 § 156.723; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002; Ord. No. 10-244 § 1, 11-18-2010]
A. 
A "sale, lease or rent sign or banner" is a temporary sign used to advertise the availability of non-residential real property. Note that signs for residential real estate are covered by Section 400.1600, Lead in Signs. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in area or ten (10) feet in height and except for banners may be freestanding;
2. 
Such signs shall only be displayed on the property for which they pertain. Only one (1) sign shall be displayed per street frontage;
3. 
Such signs shall not be illuminated; and
4. 
A sign permit is not required except under the following situation:
a. 
Through the approval of a sign permit, sale, lease or rent signs or banners not meeting the size limitation listed above may be approved where it is demonstrated that such signs will not have a detrimental impact on the aesthetic qualities of the surrounding area and that it is necessary given the particular situation of a property in terms of size and/or location.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1650; R.O. 2009 § 156.724; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 05-101, 4-13-2005; Ord. No. 10-142 § 15, 7-8-2010]
A. 
A "service station identification/price sign" is a permanently mounted, two (2) component sign displaying business identification and the retail cost of a gallon of gas/diesel on the premises of the service station. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
One (1) such sign is allowed per street frontage;
2. 
Such sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area nor six (6) feet in height except in the following circumstances:
a. 
The Director of Community Development or his/her designee finds that the property and the use in question justifies the additional area and height to provide visibility from motorists on I-70, Highway 94 south of I-70, Highway 364 or Highway 370. In such cases, a freestanding sign shall be limited to a maximum height of thirty (30) feet and maximum area of eighty (80) square feet.
3. 
The price component of the sign shall not exceed five (5) feet in height, nor twelve (12) square feet in area except in the following circumstances:
a. 
The Director of Community Development or his/her designee finds that the property and the use in question justifies the additional area and height to provide visibility from motorists on I-70, Highway 94 south of I-70, Highway 364 or Highway 370. In such cases, a freestanding sign shall be limited to a maximum height of thirty (30) feet and maximum area of eighty (80) square feet.
4. 
The sign shall have a landscape area at the base of each sign equal to at least four (4) square feet for each square foot of sign area which shall be surrounded by a six-inch-high concrete vertical curb. The landscape area may be modified by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee where it is found that due to pre-existing circumstances, the provision of the landscape area will cause an undue burden on the ability to effectively use the property;
5. 
All such signs shall have monument-type bases of masonry construction or materials which complement the primary structure being identified or the prevailing character of the structures in the area; and
6. 
A sign permit is required. Where such signs do not exceed six (6) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in area and meet all design and landscape criteria, staff may administratively approve the permit.
B. 
A "pump-topper sign" is a sign which is affixed to the top or sides of an operable fuel dispensing pump. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Such signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area;
2. 
Such signs shall only display instructional information or price information and shall not include advertising copy pertaining to any product, sale or promotion;
[Ord. No. 20-102, 7-21-2020]
3. 
No sign permit is required; and
[Ord. No. 20-102, 7-21-2020]
4. 
Pump topper signs shall not be permitted on electric vehicle charging stations; provided, it is accessory to a principal use.
[Ord. No. 20-102, 7-21-2020]
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1670; R.O. 2009 § 156.726; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002; Ord. No. 07-162, 6-11-2007; Ord. No. 08-191, 9-17-2008]
A. 
Signs that are not specifically authorized are expressly prohibited. These prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. 
Any non-public signs in public right-of-way or on public property, except as otherwise provided and except approved banner signs installed pursuant to the City's banner program guidelines. The City may install signs on its own property to identify public buildings and uses and to provide necessary traffic control;
2. 
All roof-mounted signs;
3. 
Flag-mounted signs, except as otherwise provided;
4. 
All signs having intermittent or flashing illumination, animated or moving parts or that emit sound, except as otherwise permitted through the approval of a conditional use permit for an electronic message board;
5. 
Freestanding changeable copy signs, except as otherwise provided;
6. 
All banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, flags, searchlights, strobe lights, beacons, inflatable signs, perimeter window lighting, except as otherwise provided;
[Ord. No. 16-245 § 1, 11-15-2016]
7. 
Service or bay-mounted sign banners or advertising;
8. 
Any sign imitating an official traffic control sign or device or any sign or device obscuring such traffic control signs or devices;
9. 
All signs mounted on or applied to trees, utility poles, rocks or City-owned property, except as otherwise provided;
10. 
Any sign placed on private property without the property owner's written approval;
11. 
Off-premises/off-site signs, except as permitted elsewhere in this Article;
12. 
All portable signs, except as otherwise provided. Portable signs shall include, but are not limited to, signs which are mounted, attached or painted on trailers, boats or vehicles when used as additional signage on or near the business premises. Business vehicles displaying signage or advertising shall be parked in an assigned parking space which is not immediately adjacent to a street frontage;
13. 
Signs attached to, suspended from or painted on any vehicle which is regularly parked on any street or private property when one (1) of the purposes of so locating such vehicle is to display, demonstrate and advertise or attract the attention of the public:
a. 
It is not a violation of this Section merely to have a common logo or business sign attached to, suspended from or painted on a company vehicle regularly engaged in the business of the owner; and
b. 
When it is determined by appropriate authorities that a vehicle is being regularly parked in a manner that violates this Article, the City will issue a single notice of warning to the owner of the vehicle, who will be provided an opportunity for an informal hearing by representatives of the City consisting of the Mayor, Director of Community Development and the Chairperson of the HLPARB or their designated representatives prior to the institution of formal application to the HLPARB and/or judicial proceedings;
14. 
All painted plywood signs except as may be approved as temporary signs;
15. 
Nudity and sexually explicit signs. No person shall design or allow the display of the following on a billboard or sign in a public place:
a. 
Any material which exposes to public view any pictorial material that is obscene;
b. 
Any material showing males or females in a state of nudity where the purpose of the material is sexual arousal, gratification or affront;
c. 
Any statements or words describing explicit sexual acts, sexual organs or excrement where such statements or words have as their purpose or effect sexual arousal, gratification or affront;
d. 
Any picture or illustration of a person's genitals, pubic hair, perineum, anus or anal region where such picture or illustration has as its purpose or effect sexual arousal, gratification or affront: or
e. 
Any picture or illustration depicting explicit sexual acts as defined in this Section where such picture or illustration has as its purpose or effect sexual arousal, gratification or affront; and
16. 
Signs which are not expressly permitted by this Article.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1680; R.O. 2009 § 156.727; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 02-276, 11-22-2002]
A. 
A "window sign" is a sign or signage placed in windows so as to attract the attention of persons outside of the building where the sign or signage is placed. Requirements are as follows:
1. 
Window signage shall be limited to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total window area on each face of the building in which it is placed;
2. 
Window signage shall not be placed above the ground floor of the building; and
3. 
No sign permit is required.
[R.O. 2011 § 400.1690; R.O. 2009 § 156.728; Ord. No. 02-172, 7-10-2002; Ord. No. 06-341, 12-14-2006]
A. 
An "unauthorized sign" is one which is displayed in the City right-of-way or on City property without City permission. Such signs may be removed by City staff without notice. These signs may be disposed of, if unclaimed within seven (7) days.
B. 
City staff shall give written notice for any sign otherwise erected or maintained in violation of this Article. Upon failure to correct the violation, City staff shall enforce this Article in accordance with Section 400.1860.
C. 
Subsection (A) shall not apply to a cross or flowers placed along the right-of-way as a memorial, provided the memorial is temporary, does not obstruct the line of vision and is not a nuisance.