A.
It
is the intent and purpose of these Sign Regulations to qualify, supplement,
or define the allowable uses of the several types of signs allowed
in the district regulations appearing elsewhere in this Article, and
to accomplish the following intent:
1.
To encourage the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs;
2.
To enhance the physical appearance of the City;
3.
To reduce visual clutter;
4.
To prevent blighting influences;
5.
To protect property values;
6.
To provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health and property
by regulating and controlling the size, height, design, quality of
materials, construction locations, electrification and maintenance
of all signs and sign structures; and
7.
To authorize the use of signs which are compatible with their surroundings.
Any sign shall, by definition, be a structure. No land or building
or structure shall be used for sign purposes except within the stipulated
districts listed in Sign Use Regulations specified herein. All signs
legally existing at the time of passage of this Article may remain
in use under the conditions of legal non-conformance. Signs in legal
non-conformance shall not be enlarged, moved, lighted, or reconstructed;
however, the change of the advertising display shall not be restricted
except as previously stated. After the affective date of this regulation,
no sign shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, or otherwise installed
without first obtaining a sign permit, and a sign permit shall be
legally issued only when in compliance with this Sign Regulation.
All signs shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material
that they shall be safe and substantial. Scale drawings of the sign
and manner of supports shall be furnished to the City Clerk in application
for a sign permit for all signs.
A.
BILLBOARD SIGN
BULLETIN BOARD SIGN
BUSINESS SIGN
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
FLASHING OR MOVING SIGNS
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
LOGO SIGN
NAME PLATE SIGN
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Functional Types. (See Illustration 1. in Subsection 405.400(D)(7) of this Title)
A sign which directs the attention of the public to any goods,
merchandise, property, business, service, entertainment, or amusement
conducted or produced which is bought or sold, furnished, offered,
or dealt in elsewhere than on the premises where such sign is located
or to which it is affixed.
A sign that indicates the name of an institution or organization
on whose premises it is located and which contains the name of the
institution or organization, the name or names of persons connected
within, and announcement of persons, events, or activities occurring
at the institution. Such sign may also present a greeting or similar
message.
A sign which directs attention to a business or profession
conducted, or to products, services, or entertainment sold or offered
upon the premises where such sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
A temporary sign indicating the names of the architects,
engineers, landscape architects, contractors, and similar artisans
involved in the design 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.
Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not
constant in intensity and color at all times. For the purpose of this
regulation, any revolving, rotating, moving, animated, signs with
moving lights, or signs which create the illusion of movement shall
be considered as a flashing sign.
A sign giving the name and address of a building, business,
development, or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partially
devoted to a readily recognized symbol.
A distinctive company signature, trademark, or service mark
as used by a manufacturer, dealer or supplier of services to distinguish
a product or service from those competitors, and usually registered
and protected by law. The logo sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square
feet. A permit shall be required for each logo sign as defined, and
a permit fee and annual permit fee shall be required.
A sign giving the name and/or address of the owner or occupant
of a building or premises on which it is located and, where applicable,
a professional status.
A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of a lot or tract
of land on which the sign is located, or to the sale or lease of one
(1) or more structures or a portion thereof on which the sign is located.
B.
AWNING, CANOPY OR MARQUEE SIGN
BANNER SIGN
GROUND SIGN
POLE SIGN
PORTABLE SIGN
PORTABLE SWINGER SIGN AND "A"-FRAME OR SANDWICH SIGN
PORTABLE TEMPORARY ATTRACTION SIGN BOARD
PROJECTING SIGN
READER BOARD SIGN
ROOF SIGN
ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Structural Types.
A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning,
canopy, or marquee. No such signs shall project above, below, or beyond
the awning, canopy, or marquee.
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges. National
flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution
or business shall not be considered banners.
Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independently
of the principal building or structure on the property, where the
bottom edge of the sign is no greater than six (6) feet above the
elevation of ground. The support structure for the sign shall be no
less than one-half (½) the width of the display surface area,
and shall be decorative stone. Other materials proposed for use in
construction of support structure must be approved by action of the
Planning and Zoning Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independently
of the principal building or structure on the property where the bottom
of the sign is six (6) feet or more above the ground level.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other
permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including,
but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels;
signs converted to "A"- or "T"-frames; menu and sandwich board signs;
balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs
attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public
right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day
operations of the business.
An advertising device which is ordinarily in the shape of
an "A" or some variation thereof, located on the ground, easily movable,
not permanently attached thereof, and which is usually two-sided.
A single or double surface painted or poster panel type sign
or some variation thereof, which is temporary in nature, usually mounted
on wheels, easily movable, not permanently attached thereto.
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building
for support and which projects more than twelve (12) inches from such
building.
A portion of a ground sign designed to give information relative
to the business where it is located, which information may change
frequently; and a free-standing informational sign not exceeding fifty
(50) feet, in conjunction with drive-in services designed to display
information that may change frequently.
A sign totally supported on the roof of a structure. Roof
signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the face
of the building.
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, and such that no part of the sign is separated from the
rest of the roof by a space of more than six (6) inches.
A sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a building or
structure in such a manner that the wall becomes merely the supporting
structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project
more than twelve (12) inches from such building, nor above the roof
of the building.
Any sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof, designed
to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the
window.
C.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA
ILLUMINATED, DIRECT
ILLUMINATED, INDIRECT
NON-CONFORMING SIGN
OFF-SITE SIGN
ON-SITE SIGN
SHOPPING CENTER
STREET FRONTAGE
Definitions Of Sign-Related Terms, Phrases And Words. As
used in this Article, the following terms shall have these prescribed
meanings:
Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business,
product, service, sale or sales event or other commercial activity.
The net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of
the sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, characters
and delineations; provided however, "display surface area" shall not include the structural supports for free-standing signs.
Illumination which is so arranged that the light is directed
into the eyes of the viewer from the light source.
Illumination so arranged that the light is reflected from
the sign to the eyes of the viewer.
A sign existing at the effective date of the adoption of
this regulation which could not be built under the terms of this regulation.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere
than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. The term off-site
sign shall include an outdoor billboard sign on which space is leased
or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purposes of conveying
a commercial or non-commercial message.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing on
the same lot where such sign is displayed; provided, an on-site sign
may also display a non-commercial message.
Two (2) or more retail stores and/or service establishments,
or one (1) retail store and one (1) service establishment, sharing
customer parking areas, regardless of whether said stores and/or establishments
occupy separate structures or are under separate ownerships.
The distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a
public street, from one (1) lot line intersecting said street to the
furthest distance lot line intersecting the same street.
A.
Prohibited
signs are as follows:
1.
Portable temporary attraction signs on wheels. Under
no circumstances will portable temporary attraction signs be allowed,
whether mounted on vehicles, wheels, platforms, or freestanding.
2.
Signs on public property. Any sign installed or
placed on public property, except in conformance with these requirements,
shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation, except
that logo signs on public athletic fields shall be allowed. In addition
to other remedies hereunder, the City shall have the right to recover
from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal
and disposal of such sign.
3.
Obscene or indecent advertisement. No person shall
display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene,
indecent or immoral matter.
4.
Flashing signs. Flashing signs shall not be permitted.
A sign whereon the current time and/or temperature is indicated by
intermittent lighting shall not be deemed as a flashing sign if the
lighting changes are limited to the numerals indicating the time and/or
temperature and are not more frequent than every fifteen (15) seconds.
5.
Off-site signs. (Billboard signs). Off-site signs
are prohibited. Except signs promoting civic, philanthropic or community
betterment are allowed with a special use permit and must comply with
all other requirements of this Article.
A.
The
following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this Article:
1.
Flags or emblems of a governmental or of a political, civic, philanthropic,
educational, or religious organization displayed on private property.
2.
Signs of a duly constituted Governmental Body, including traffic
or similar regulatory signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings,
and other instructional or regulatory signs having to do with health,
hazards, parking, swimming, dumping, etc.
3.
Memorial signs and tablets displayed on private property.
4.
Small signs, not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, nor four
(4) feet in height, displayed on private property for the convenience
of the public, including signs to identify entrance and exit drives,
parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, freight entrances, and other
similar signs.
5.
Score boards in athletic stadiums.
B.
The following signs are exempt from the sign permit Section 405.370 of this Article, but shall comply with all of the other regulations imposed by this Article.
1.
Name plate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross area
accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling.
2.
Bulletin board signs not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet in gross
area accessory to a church, school, or public or non-profit institution.
3.
Temporary signs for the sale of household goods at a residence (garage
sale) for a period not to exceed three (3) days.
4.
Real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area for the
sale of the property on which it is located.
5.
Construction signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area
only during the period of construction.
6.
Political campaign signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area,
displayed during no more than an eight (8) week period preceding and
a one (1) week period following an election, except that a successful
candidate in a primary election may leave political signs in place
until one (1) week following the next general election.
A.
Requirement. No person shall erect, repair, structurally
alter, relocate or maintain within the City any sign or other advertising
structure as defined in this regulation without first obtaining a
permit from the enforcement agency and making payment of the fee as
set forth herein, with the exception that repairs and changes in the
painted or printed copy are permitted on conforming and non-conforming
signs, as long as such repairs and changes do not alter the structure,
and with the exception that structural alterations involving minor
extensions shall require a permit based on the square footage of the
extension. All such repairs and changes shall be done under the supervision
of the enforcement agency.
B.
Application For Permanent Sign. Application for permits
shall be made on forms provided by the enforcement agency, and shall
contain or have attached thereto the following information:
1.
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
2.
Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the
sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected.
3.
Position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to
nearby buildings or structures.
4.
Two (2) blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications
and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the
ground.
5.
Copy of the stress sheets and calculations showing the structure
is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the
amount required by this and all other laws of the City.
6.
Name of person erecting structure.
7.
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land to
which or on which the structure is to be erected.
8.
Any electrical permit required and issued for the sign.
9.
Insurance policy or bond as required.
10.
Such other information as the enforcement agency shall require to
show full compliance with this and all other laws of the City.
C.
Application For Temporary Sign.
1.
Permits for temporary signs erected for sales or special occasions
or purposes shall be authorized for a period not to exceed ten (10)
consecutive days, with further restrictions of three (3) temporary
permits issued per calendar year. One (1) temporary sign per business
site shall be allowed at any one (1) time.
2.
Permits for temporary signs erected to provide identification of
construction projects or new building may be authorized for a six
(6) month period and, upon application to the enforcement agency,
may be renewed for successive six (6) month periods; provided, that
no additional fee shall be required for renewal of such permits.
D.
Term Of Permit. The enforcement agency shall, upon filing
of an application for a permit, examine such plans and specifications
and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect
the sign or other advertising structure, and if it shall appear that
the proposed structure is in compliance with all of the requirements
of this regulation and all other laws of the City, the enforcement
agency shall issue the permit. The applicant must commence work authorized
under an erection permit within sixty (60) days of the date of issuance
or the permit shall become null and void. Work authorized under the
permit shall proceed in a diligent and workmanlike manner until work
authorized under the permit is completed.
E.
Revocation.
1.
All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this regulation
or any amendment thereto are mere licenses revocable for cause at
any time by the Board of Aldermen, and all such permits shall contain
this provision.
2.
The enforcement agency is hereby authorized to recommend the revocation
of any permit upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with any
provision of this regulation.
F.
Fee Schedule. Each application for a sign permit or for
approval of a Master Signage Plan shall be accompanied by the applicable
fees, which shall be established by the Board of Aldermen from time
to time by resolution.
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Fee Schedule
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The fees for sign permits and plans for the period beginning
with this regulation shall be as follows:
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Master Signage Plan, Application Fee
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$50.00
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Sign Permit, Initial, including inspection, per zone lot
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$25.00 plus
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$ 0.25 per sq. ft.
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Additional Fee (Initial and Continuing) for signs extending
over public right-of-way, per sign
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$50.00 annually
and a $10,000.00 liability policy
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Non-conforming sign repair
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None
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G.
Penalties. Any person erecting, constructing or altering
any sign structure without obtaining a permit or paying the permit
fee as required in this regulation shall, in addition to the payment
of such permit fee, pay an additional penalty fee of fifty dollars
($50.00).
A.
Existing Sign Maintenance. All signs shall be designed,
constructed, and maintained in compliance with applicable provisions
of the Building Code and the Electrical Code of the City. Except for
banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all
respects with the requirements of this regulation, all signs shall
be constructed of 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.
B.
Removal Of Unsafe Or Illegal Signs. If the enforcement
agency shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated
herein is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has
been constructed or erected, or is being maintained in violation of
the provisions of this regulation, it shall give written notice to
the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the
structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within
ten (10) days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure
may be removed or altered to comply by the enforcement agency at the
expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is
located. The enforcement agency shall refuse to approve a permit to
any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The enforcement
agency may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is
an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily
and without notice.
C.
Sign Maintenance Enforcement.
1.
All signs within the City shall be maintained in a safe condition
and in such a manner that they shall not become a visual detriment
to the community at large. The designated official shall be charged
with the responsibility and authority to inspect all signs within
the City and direct the maintenance of said signs. Maintenance of
signs is defined as keeping sign structures in a safe condition, free
of rust, with broken glass or plastic replaced, electrical lights
and other electrical operations in operable condition, letters and
other sign components in the equivalent condition as on the sign permit
or as approved.
2.
Should the enforcement agency find a non-maintained sign as defined
above, it shall cause the owner of said sign to be notified as to
the deficiency and the corrective action that needs to be taken.
3.
Should the owner fail to exhibit evidence of compliance within thirty
(30) days after the mailing of the letter of notification, the enforcement
agency shall cause the owner to be cited for violation of this regulation.
D.
Painted Sign Maintenance. The owner of any sign as defined
and regulated by this regulation shall be required to have properly
painted at least once every two (2) years all parts and supports of
the sign, unless the same are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent
rust.
A.
For
the purpose of this Section, a "non-conforming sign" shall be defined as a sign existing at the effective date of this
regulation which could not be built under the terms of this regulation
or under the terms of other City regulations.
B.
On-Site Non-Conforming Signs. All on-site non-conforming
signs not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this regulation
shall be removed or shall be altered to conform to the provisions
of this regulation:
1.
When the nature of the business conducted on the premises changes
and the sign is changed or modified either in shape, size, or legend,
or
2.
When the name of the business changes and the sign is changed or
modified either in shape, size, or legend, or
3.
On or before January 1, 2017, whichever occurs sooner.
C.
Off-Site Non-Conforming Signs. Off-site non-conforming signs
not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this regulation shall
be removed or shall be altered so as to conform with the provisions
of this regulation on or before January 1, 2017.
D.
Signs
which are non-conforming, as provided in this regulation, shall not
be repaired, altered or moved unless it be made to comply with the
provisions of this regulation. No alteration of non-conforming signs
shall be undertaken without the issuance of a permit. No fee will
be charged for the permit, provided the alterations do not substantially
alter the basic design or concept of the sign.
E.
Should
any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more
than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at the time of damage,
it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions
of this regulation.
A.
"A-1" Flood Plain Districts And "A-2" Agricultural Districts.
3.
Number of signs permitted. One (1) sign per zoning
lot.
4.
Maximum gross area.
a.
Bulletin board and identification signs. Sixteen
(16) square feet.
c.
Construction signs. Sixteen (16) square feet.
d.
Name plate signs. Two (2) square feet.
e.
Real estate signs. Six (6) square feet.
f.
Identification signs for churches, hospitals, police stations,
fire stations and other similar public facilities. Sixty-five
(65) square feet.
5.
Maximum height. Ten (10) feet.
6.
Required setbacks. None.
7.
Illumination. Bulletin board and identification
signs that do not exceed twelve (12) square feet on one (1) face for
churches, hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and other similar
public facilities may be indirectly illuminated.
B.
"R-1" Residential Districts And "R-2" Residential Districts.
1.
Functional types permitted.
3.
Number of signs permitted. One (1) sign per zoning
lot.
4.
Maximum gross area.
a.
Business signs. Fifty (50) square feet.
b.
Home occupations. Two (2) square feet.
c.
Bulletin board and identification signs. Six (6)
square feet.
d.
Construction signs. Twenty (20) square feet.
e.
Name plate signs. Two (2) square feet.
f.
Real estate signs. Six (6) square feet, provided
that one (1) sign not more than one hundred (100) square feet in area
announcing the sale of lots and/or houses in a subdivision may be
located on said development. Said sign shall be removed at the end
of three (3) years or when seventy-five percent (75%) of the lots
have been sold, whichever occurs sooner.
g.
Identification signs for churches, hospitals, police stations,
fire stations, apartment buildings and other similar public facilities. Sixty-five (65) square feet.
5.
Maximum height. Ten (10) feet.
6.
Required setback. No sign shall be placed closer
to the front property line than one-half (½) the distance of
the front yard.
7.
Illumination. Bulletin boards and identification
signs may be indirectly illuminated with incandescent or fluorescent
lighting.
C.
"C-1" Commercial District.
D.
"I-1" Industrial.
4.
Maximum gross surface area. Signs shall not exceed
a gross surface area of three hundred (300) square feet; projecting
signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet; ground signs shall
not exceed one hundred (100) square feet and twenty (20) feet in height.
6.
Required setbacks. None, except that advertising
signs shall maintain the same setback that is required for principal
structures and shall be no farther from a dedicated State highway
right-ofway than one hundred (100) feet, and shall be no closer than
five hundred (500) feet to another advertising sign.
7.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted.
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ILLUSTRATION 1. FUNCTIONAL SIGN TYPES
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