ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Table of Permitted Sign Types
[CC 1987 §525.010; Ord. No. 95-2 §1(a), 2-14-1995]
The purpose of these regulations is to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communications, to maintain and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the City, and to facilitate and improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety. These regulations are intended to promote the public health, safety and general welfare through a comprehensive set of reasonable standards and requirements. This Article is further intended to allow for the identification of places of commerce, the communication of public and commercial information necessary for efficient and safe traffic movement; to allow for freedom of speech in a manner acceptable to the community and within good taste; to protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs; to lessen hazardous situations, confusion and visual clutter caused by a proliferation of signs competing for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and to enhance the attractiveness and economic well-being of the City of Northwoods. These regulations are not intended to prohibit the erection or display of a sign with a political message or a sign advertising a premises for sale, lease or rent.
[CC 1987 §§525.020 — 525.030; Ord. No. 78-18 §§1 — 2, 11-24-1978]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
ACCESSORY SIGN
A sign which names, without the use of illustrations or trademarks, a major service or commodity offered on the premises on which the sign is located.
BILLBOARD
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, industry, or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which the sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
BULLETIN BOARD
A structure on which notices are posted in the form of removable letters or posters pertinent to the business on the premises.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A sign pertaining to the construction, alteration, rehabilitation, or remodeling of real estate.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which is supported by posts or braces in or upon the ground and which is not attached to any other support. The posts or other supporting structure shall be considered as a part of the sign, except that they shall not be included in the gross area.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign pertaining only to the use of the premises on which the sign is located. Depending on the uses permitted in the zoning district where the sign is located, it may contain any of the following information: the name of owner, occupant, or management of the use; the address; the kind of business, profession, service, or activity; the type or types of products offered.
OPEN LETTERED SIGN
A sign consisting of individual letters or connected script lettering that, although mounted against either a building, wall, or integral architectural building element, stands out in relief from that surface. The surface on which the letters are mounted may not be illuminated from behind.
PAINTED SIGN
A sign painted on the outside wall or roof of a building or structure.
PAPER SIGN
A sign normally for temporary use made of paper, cardboard or a similar material.
PARKING DIRECTION SIGN
A sign indicating the entrance or exit to a parking lot.
PARKING REGULATION SIGN
A sign stating the regulations for use of a parking lot.
PERMANENT SIGNS
All signs which are not temporary signs.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign pertaining to the sale, lease, or rental of real estate.
ROOF SIGN
A sign which is erected, constructed, or maintained on a roof.
SIGN
A name, identification, description, display, distinctive and unusual architectural element or unusual color or combination of colors, or illustration which is affixed to, or points out, a building structure, or piece of land, or which directs attention to an object, product, place, person, activity, institution, organization or business.
SIGN, GROSS AREA
The gross area of a sign shall include the entire area within a single rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of the sign.
SIGN, HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the ground below the sign to the highest point of the sign.
TEMPORARY SIGNS
Temporary signs shall include, but not be limited to, real estate signs, construction signs, banners, pennants and wind propelled signs.
WALL SIGNS
A sign attached and parallel to a wall or other similar surface which is an integral part of a building.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign painted on or posted in a window.
[CC 1987 §525.040; Ord. No. 78-18 §3, 11-24-1978]
A. 
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this Article:
1. 
Official public notices and notices posted by public officers in the performance of their duties.
2. 
Governmental signs for the control or direction of traffic and other regulatory purposes.
3. 
House numbers, "no parking", "no trespassing", "no solicitation", "beware of bad dog" signs which are no larger than one (1) square foot in gross sign area.
4. 
Flags, emblems, insignia or posters of any nation, or temporary displays of patriotic, religious, charitable or civic character.
5. 
Any sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross sign area which is used to advertise professional services or home occupations permitted in the zoning district where the sign is located, if the sign is attached to a building or is set back at least twenty (20) feet from the nearest curb line.
6. 
A single identification sign for all buildings other than single-family homes and two-family dwellings not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet in gross sign area and indicating only the name and address of the building and the name of the management thereof.
7. 
Window signs in commercial districts not exceeding one (1) square foot in gross sign area for each business located on the premises.
8. 
Single identification signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in gross sign area which are hung below a canopy or awning so long as they allow a clearance of seven (7) feet from the sidewalk.
9. 
Any sign warning the public of immediate danger.
[CC 1987 §525.050; Ord. No. 78-18 §4, 11-24-1978; Ord. No. 95-2 §1(b),(c), 2-14-1995]
A. 
The following types of signs are prohibited in all zoning districts of Northwoods:
1. 
Moving signs of which all or any part of the sign moves or which appears to move by any means, including fluttering or rotating. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, pennants, flags or propellers.
2. 
Signs displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except for time and temperature signs.
3. 
Strips or strings of lights, outlining property lines, sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows, wall edges or other architectural features of a building.
4. 
Any lot in a residentially-zoned area shall be permitted one (1) sign with a maximum sign area of six (6) square feet per sign face and maximum of two (2) sign faces. Such sign may contain a political message or other information provided it carries no commercial message other than information advertising the premises for sale, lease or rent. No permit shall be required for such a sign provided that the sign is erected by the owner or with the owner's permission.
5. 
Signs which are not securely affixed to the ground, or otherwise affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure.
6. 
Signs attached to, painted on, or placed on any vehicle including a trailer that is parked on private property. This provision is not to be construed as prohibiting the identification of a firm or its principal products on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business.
7. 
Signs visible from a public right-of-way that use the word "stop" or "danger", or otherwise present or imply the need or requirement of stopping, caution, the existence of danger, or which for any reason are likely to be confused with any sign displayed or authorized by a public authority.
8. 
Signs which blend with or can be confused with traffic signals.
9. 
Painted wall and roof signs that are visible from the public right-of-way.
10. 
Billboards.
11. 
Signs remaining thirty (30) days after the person (either owner or tenant ) to whom the sign refers has vacated the premises.
12. 
Signs installed, erected, enlarged or structurally altered in violation of the provision of this Article.
13. 
Signs which have become deteriorated or damaged to an extent that the cost of the reconstruction of such sign is in excess of fifty percent (50%) of its replacement value exclusive of foundations.
14. 
Signs not lettered in accordance with professional standards.
15. 
Other signs not expressly permitted by this Article.
[CC 1987 §525.060; Ord. No. 78-18 §5, 11-24-1978]
A. 
The following types of signs, subject to the limitations prescribed for them, shall be the only signs permitted in all residential districts:
1. 
Real estate signs as provided for in Section 515.080.
2. 
Construction sign as provided for in Section 515.090.
3. 
Signs for a garage sale, yard sale, basement sale, etc., may be allowed by an ordinance regulating such sales.
[CC 1987 §525.065; Ord. No. 95-2 §1(d), 2-14-1995]
Within forty-five (45) days prior to and ten (10) days after any election held within St. Louis County, temporary political signs may be allowed with the owner's permission in addition to the permitted signage allowed on any residentially-zoned lot or parcel of land in the City. Each lot or parcel of land shall be permitted one (1) or more single or double-faced signs, although no single sign face shall exceed twelve (12) square feet. Not more than one (1) political sign per individual candidate and/or proposition shall be permitted per lot or site area.
Any and all political signs shall not be placed on the City's right-of-way, nor may said signs be placed within ten (10) feet of any adjacent property line.
[CC 1987 §525.070; Ord. No. 78-18 §6, 11-24-1978]
A. 
Signs in commercial districts other than those signs specifically exempted by Section 515.030 of this Article and those regulated by Section 515.100 Automobile Service Signs, shall conform to the following provisions:
1. 
Area regulations. The total of the gross sign areas of all the permitted signs, except parking direction and parking regulation signs, shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in gross sign area per business occupying the ground floor of the premises. The total gross sign area may be increased to forty (40) square feet if the building frontage of the part of the building occupied by the business exceed nineteen (19) feet and zero (0) inches and this total gross area may be increased to eighty (80) square feet, if the building frontage of the part of the building occupied by the business exceeds ninety (90) feet.
2. 
All signs in commercial districts shall be located within the property line or not less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest curb line of the street, whichever is greater, except, when the structure is within fifteen (15) feet of the curb line at the street, the sign may be affixed flat against the structure.
3. 
A permit must be obtained from the Building Commissioner before the erection of any sign. The fee for such a permit, except signs in residential districts, shall be the fee provided by the Building Code of the City, provided however, that the minimum fee shall be seven dollars ($7.00).
[CC 1987 §525.080; Ord. No. 78-18 §7, 11-24-1978; Ord. No. 08-13 §§1 — 2, 11-25-2008]
A. 
One (1) temporary non-illuminated sign which advertises the property for sale, lease or rental is permitted for each parcel of property. Said signs will be located at least twenty (20) feet from the curb line.
B. 
Each such sign shall not exceed thirty (30) inches by twenty-four (24) inches, but may have two (2) faces.
C. 
Each sign must be mounted in or on the ground and may not exceed a height of four (4) feet.
D. 
A "sold" sign shall not exceed one (1) square foot and must be removed within five (5) days following removal of the property from the market.
E. 
A permit must be obtained from the Building Commissioner for real estate signs. No fee shall be charged for such permit(s).
[CC 1987 §525.090; Ord. No. 78-18 §8, 11-24-1978]
One (1) temporary construction sign is permitted on each parcel of ground where construction is taking place. The sign shall not exceed thirty (30) inches by twenty-four (24) inches and must be removed within five (5) days following completion of the project to which it refers. Such signs shall be located at least twenty (20) feet from the closet curb line of the street. A permit must be obtained from the Building Commissioner for a construction sign. The fee for such a permit shall be seven dollars ($7.00).
[CC 1987 §525.100; Ord. No. 78-18 §9, 11-24-1978]
A. 
For automobile service and filling stations in any zoning district, only the following signs are permitted subject to the stated conditions:
1. 
A maximum of two (2) oil company signs, only one (1) of which may be freestanding, shall be permitted. The area of any oil company sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet of gross sign area per face and shall not exceed a height of twenty-two (22) feet.
2. 
All other permanent and temporary signs customarily incidental to the service and filling station business shall not exceed a total gross sign area of fifty (50) square feet. On all service and filling station windows, the area between three and one-half (3½) feet and seven (7) feet above the sales floor shall remain clear of all signs.
3. 
Price signs shall not exceed one (1) square foot in gross sign area and shall only be mounted on pump tops or all mounted bulletin board.
[CC 1987 §525.110; Ord. No. 78-18 §10, 11-24-1978]
A. 
All existing signs which are not specifically permitted or which do not comply with all the provisions of this Article shall be considered non-conforming signs and may not, after the effective date of this Article, be enlarged, structurally altered or extended unless such sign shall be made to comply with all the provisions of this Article.
B. 
Normal repairs and repainting of non-conforming signs is permitted. However, when a non-conforming sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to the extent of fifty percent (50%) of its present day replacement value, it shall not thereafter be restored, unless such sign shall be made to conform to all the provisions of this Article.
[CC 1987 §525.120; Ord. No. 78-18 §11, 11-24-1978]
A. 
The Building Commissioner may remove any prohibited or non-conforming temporary signs.
Notice shall be posted at the premises where the sign was located stating that the sign was removed as evidence of a violation of this Article; that it will be held by the Building Commissioner and may be reclaimed at the office of the Building Commissioner by the owner of the sign with the payment of ten dollars ($10.00) to cover the cost of removing and storing said sign.
The Building Commissioner, before returning the offending sign, shall determine that the person reclaiming the sign is the legal owner and take a receipt for the sign from that person.
If the sign is not reclaimed within thirty (30) days, the Building Commissioner may properly dispose of the sign.
B. 
Permanent Signs. The Building Commissioner shall give written notice to the owner or person or firm maintaining the sign requiring the removal or correction of the condition that makes the sign violate the provisions of this Article.
If a prohibited permanent sign has not been removed or made to conform with the provisions of this Article within three (3) days after notice has been given by the Building Commissioner to conform, the provision of Subsection (A) above shall govern the treatment of said sign.
C. 
Flashing And Moving Signs. If, within thirty (30) days after notice has been given, a flashing or moving sign is not made to conform with the provisions of this Article, the Building Commissioner may initiate whatever action is necessary in order to achieve compliance with the provisions of this Article.
D. 
Other Permanent Non-Conforming Signs. Owners of all other permanent non-conforming signs shall have three (3) years from the date such signs first became non-conforming with respect to this Article (or any previous sign provisions), or five (5) years from the date construction of said signs was completed, whichever period shall terminate last, to remove them or bring them into conformity with the provisions of this Article. If this provision is not complied with, the Building Commissioner may then initiate whatever action is necessary in order to achieve compliance with the provisions of this Article.
[Ord. No. 14-3[1] §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
The purpose of this Article is to promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare by regulating signs located within the overlay district in order to:
1. 
Stabilize and reinforce property values to protect private and public investment;
2. 
Preserve and reinforce the natural, historic and architectural character of the overlay district;
3. 
Create a regular and impartial process for those seeking to erect signs;
4. 
Reduce sign distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents; and
5. 
Reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way.
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 2 of this ordinance designated Sections 515.010 through 515.120 as Article I of Chapter 515.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
The Natural Bridge Sign Overlay District includes those lots having frontage on Natural Bridge Road within the boundaries of the City.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
The regulations of the overlay district shall supersede or supplement, as applicable, the regulations of the City's Sign Code. Where a conflict exists between the regulations of the overlay district and the provisions of the City's Sign Code, the provisions of the overlay district shall control.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
The definitions set forth in Section 515.020 of the City's Code of Ordinances are hereby incorporated into this Article.
B. 
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings herein indicated:
ABANDONED SIGN
Any sign pertaining to a business, use, occupancy, service, product or activity that has not been conducted or offered on the premises where the sign is located for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days.
AWNING
A roof-like covering extending outward from a building wall consisting of any pliable material attached to a rigid frame.
BANNER
A temporary sign composed of lightweight material either enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, secured or mounted so as to allow movement of the sign caused by movement of the atmosphere.
BUILDING
Structural entity separated by four (4) or more exterior walls.
CANOPY and/or MARQUEE
A structure above and sheltering an area or forming a sheltered walk to the entrance of a building.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
A person or persons designated as such by the Board of Aldermen.
COPY
The text and/or images displayed on a sign; does not include graphic treatment in the form of striping or patterns.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign commonly associated with and used to promote traffic safety by providing information and directions necessary for persons traveling to and from a property, including signs marking entrances, parking areas, one-way drives, rest rooms, pickup and delivery areas and the like.
ELECTION SEASON
The period beginning sixty (60) days prior to any election in which the residents of Northwoods are eligible to vote and continuing until two (2) weeks after that election.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
A variable message sign which utilizes computer-generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.
ERECT
To build, construct, alter, repair, display, relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix or maintain any sign, and shall also include the painting of exterior wall signs.
GOVERNMENTAL SIGN
A sign erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function or required by any law or ordinance or governmental regulation. This includes signage for state-run institutions.
GROUND SIGN
Sign that is affixed to the ground, as opposed to a wall or building.
INFORMATIONAL/INSTRUCTIONAL SIGNS
Signs providing directional information for motorists and/or pedestrians.
MONUMENT SIGN
A ground sign generally having a low profile with little or no open space between the ground and the sign.
MULTITENANT SIGN
A freestanding sign used to advertise multiple businesses that occupy a common building or zoning lot.
NEON SIGN
A sign manufactured utilizing neon tubing, which is visible to the viewer and displayed to the outside of a building for the primary purposes of identifying a business or service.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date of this Article or any amendments thereto.
OPEN HOUSE SIGN
Temporary ground sign advertising a one-day real-estate open house.
PARCEL
A piece of real property which is defined on an approved subdivision map recorded with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds, or is legally defined on a survey map certified by a licensed land surveyor or engineer.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign attached to a building or structure, or to the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
POLE SIGN
A sign that is mounted on a stationary pole or posts and not attached to any part of a building.
POST AND PANEL SIGN
A freestanding sign supported by more than one (1) non-flammable support that is relatively low to the ground and features empty space between the ground and bottom of the sign.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than eighteen (18) inches from such building.
PYLON SIGN
A freestanding sign with the support structure enclosed with a pole cover and/or sign topper.
ROUTED SIGN
A freestanding monument sign into which letters or images are carved or routed.
SIDEWALK SIGN
A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A.
TENANT
Any single business or organization occupying a space in a building.
VEHICLE SERVICE CANOPY
A fixed structure of any material projecting from and connected to a building, column, or post or supported by a frame extending from a building and/or posts used to cover areas for the servicing of motor vehicles or as active fueling stations.
VEHICLE SIGN
Any sign or part thereof on a vehicle parked on a public right-of-way or public property or on private property so as to be intended to be viewed from a motorized vehicular public right-of-way, which has for its basic purpose the providing of advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property or any other premises.
ZONING LOT
A parcel of land considered or treated as a single unit. A zoning lot may or may not correspond with a lot of record.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
This Article is intended to regulate all on- and off-premises signs yet to come into existence, which are to be located in the overlay district. This Article shall supersede all other related signage zoning regulations in the applicable area.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
The following types of signs are permitted, pursuant to the provisions of this Article:[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Permitted Sign Types is included as an attachment to this Chapter.
B. 
Number of signs allowed.
1. 
No tenant or business may have more than two permanent signs displayed at any time on or along Natural Bridge frontage, in addition to exempt signs. This does not include window signs.
2. 
Lots with a frontage of three hundred (300) feet or less can have one (1) freestanding sign, with each tenant or business within having (1) wall sign.
3. 
Lots with a frontage of more than three hundred (300) feet can have up to two (2) freestanding signs, with each tenant or business within having (1) wall sign. The freestanding signs must be at least fifty (50) feet apart.
C. 
Except for those signs listed above where no fee is charged, a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged for each sign permit, or renewal thereof.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
The following signs are allowed with permits:
1. 
Temporary signs are allowable for a period of up to forty-five (45) days with a permit. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. 
Sidewalk signs.
b. 
Banners.
c. 
Inflatable animals or other objects.
d. 
Flags and other decorative accessories not representing a governmental entity.
2. 
Neon signs.
3. 
Construction sign (allowed with the granting of a building permit; no separate sign permit required).
4. 
See Section 515.180(A) for specific sign-type requirements.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
All permanent signs with a setback of less than twenty-five (25) feet must have individual letters whose heights are a minimum of seven (7) inches and maximum of fifteen (15) inches. If the setback is between twenty-five (25) feet and fifty (50) feet, the minimum individual letter height is nine (9) inches and the maximum individual letter height is twenty (20) inches. If the setback is more than fifty (50) feet, the individual letter heights must have a minimum of eleven (11) inches with a maximum height of twenty-four (24) inches.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
Any sign not permitted in Section 515.180 Allowed Signs, or Section 515.190, Additional Signs Allowed with Permits, of this Article and any sign specifically designated in this Section as prohibited is prohibited.
B. 
Signs specifically prohibited are as follows:
1. 
Roof signs.
2. 
Pole signs.
3. 
Pylon sign.
4. 
Projecting signs.
5. 
Post and panel signs.
6. 
Vehicle signs. This Subsection is not intended to prohibit any form of vehicular signage, such as a sign attached to a bus or lettered on a motor vehicle or signs that are part of a vehicle such as a construction trailer, whose primary purpose is not advertising to the public right-of-way.
7. 
Flashing, rotating or revolving signs or lights, including roaming spotlights, with the exception of barber poles and holiday decorations.
8. 
Any sign other than an exempt sign placed on any curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, or tree.
9. 
Any sign erected or maintained which might be confused with any traffic control device or which might interfere with the vision or discernment of any traffic sign or which might cause danger to public travel.
10. 
Private signs on public lands and rights-of-way.
11. 
Canopy and/or marquee, other than vehicle service canopies.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
The following signs are exempt from the provisions or requirements of this Article:
1. 
One (1) self-service identification sign which does not exceed two (2) square feet per self-service fuel pump island.
2. 
One (1) full-service identification sign which does not exceed two (2) square feet per full-service fuel pump island.
3. 
Fuel pump and price signs required by Federal, State or local legislation.
4. 
Street number identification plates.
5. 
Historical site markers.
6. 
No-trespassing signs.
7. 
Governmental signs.
8. 
Utility line identification and location signs.
9. 
Disabled parking and access signs.
10. 
Vacancy/no vacancy signs which do not exceed three (3) square feet.
11. 
Accessory signs identifying such use as parking, no parking or office, which do not exceed two (2) square feet each.
12. 
Holiday decorations erected for and during the particular holiday they relate to or symbolize.
13. 
Open/closed business signs that do not exceed two (2) square feet.
14. 
Street identification, traffic and governmental signs and control devices required by law, ordinance or regulation.
15. 
Official public information signs, memorial signs, building names, erection dates or similar information cut into masonry or other permanent surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet.
16. 
Signs and markers in cemeteries designating graves and memorials.
17. 
Informational and direction signs provided to clarify traffic patterns.
18. 
One (1) ground sign of six (6) square feet or less in all residential districts, sixteen (16) square feet or less in all other districts, provided that in each instance any such sign is located on private property with the owner's permission. Additional ground signs are permitted under this Subsection during the election season, not to exceed the total number of questions or candidates on the ballot for that election season.
19. 
Real estate and open house signs.
20. 
Municipal banners.
21. 
Signs put in place by a state-run institution.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
The following signs are deemed illegal signs and in violation under this Article:
1. 
Sign types contained in Section 515.210, Prohibited signs.
2. 
Abandoned signs.
3. 
Any temporary signs erected for which no sign permit was issued or which has had its permit revoked.
4. 
Any sign not properly maintained, such as but not limited to signs that are structurally unsound or are hazardous or unsafe.
B. 
The Code Enforcement Official shall cause a notice of such violation to be served on the owner of the building, structure or lot where said sign is located and the lessee or tenant of the part of or the entire building, structure or lot where said sign is located, requiring the owner and lessee or tenant to remove the illegal sign within ten (10) business days. The notice may be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested. It shall be unlawful and punishable as provided in Section 110.080 of this Code of Ordinances to maintain or fail to remove an illegal sign. Each day an illegal sign is maintained and each day an illegal sign is not removed shall constitute a separate offense. Owners, lessees and tenants shall be jointly and severally liable for maintaining or failing to remove an illegal sign. Upon failure of said owner or lessee or tenant to remove the sign within ten (10) business days after notice is provided, the City shall be authorized to have its designee(s) enter upon said property and remove therefrom any said illegal sign at the cost of the owner, lessee and tenant. No liability shall attach to the City or its officers, employees, agents or designees in connection with the removal of any such illegal sign.
C. 
In cases of emergency, the Code Enforcement Official may cause the immediate removal of a dangerous or defective sign without notice.
D. 
Any sign may be inspected for adequate maintenance, freedom from any hazardous condition and structural soundness. If a sign is found to be unsafe, the sign owner shall have thirty (30) days to correct any defect. If the defect has not been corrected by the expiration of thirty (30) days, the sign permit shall become null and void and the sign shall be illegal.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
Illumination of signs shall be accomplished by means of shielded light sources or in such other manner that no glare shall extend beyond the property lines of the property upon which such signs are located, and no glare shall disturb the vision of passing motorists or constitute a hazard to traffic.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
All sign fabrication, erection and attachment shall conform to the requirements of the latest edition of the Building Code adopted by the City and other applicable codes and regulations.
B. 
Lighting fixtures and wiring shall conform to the requirements of the latest edition of the Building Code adopted by the City and other applicable codes and regulations, and all electrified signs shall bear the Underwriters' Laboratories label or approved equal.
C. 
Transformers, wires and similar items shall be concealed.
D. 
All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
E. 
All signs, sign finishes, supports and electrical work shall be kept in good repair and safe condition, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any temporary sign, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign. These directives shall not be construed to require any permit for a change of copy of any sign, provided that the person, place, establishment, business or service identified remains the same, nor for the repainting, cleaning and the normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued under this Article, so long as the sign or sign structure is not modified in any way.
B. 
Contents Of The Applications.
1. 
Application for a sign permit shall be made, in writing, by the owners, lessee, occupant or agent for whom the sign is intended. It shall be accompanied by a set of plans of the sign, drawn or rendered to scale. Sign plans shall include dimensions, proposed design/copy and structural details. A map showing the exact location of the proposed sign shall also be included.
2. 
Sign plans shall include a statement that the proposed sign as shown on the plan is structurally sound and will withstand wind loads as prescribed by the City's Building Code. Plans shall bear the signature of the owners, applicant and person responsible for design of the sign.
3. 
The application shall be made to the City or its designee on forms prescribed.
C. 
The proposed sign application, when complete, shall be submitted to the City or its designee for its review within a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days of receipt thereof.
D. 
A temporary sign permit will allow the permitted sign to be in place for a maximum duration of fifteen (15) days. The permit may be renewed up to two (2) times within three hundred sixty-five (365) days following the date of issuance.
E. 
Construction sign permits will be allowed for a duration of ninety (90) days. The permit may be renewed up to three (3) times within three hundred sixty-five (365) days following the date of issuance.
F. 
There is a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each temporary sign permit or renewal thereof.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
A. 
Intent. The intent of this Section is to allow certain provisions of this Article to be modified where such modification will encourage excellence in the planning and design of signs. This is particularly true in areas where certain types of otherwise prohibited signs, such as historically inspired wall mural signs, may be desirable. In addition a sign variance can be acquired to permit neon wall or freestanding signs. The Board of Aldermen shall make these determinations.
B. 
Guidelines. The following guidelines shall be considered by the Board of Aldermen, in determining whether a variance shall be issued. The proposed sign should:
1. 
Not be detrimental to other property.
2. 
Not create a hazard or a nuisance.
3. 
Not interfere with the use of public lands or streets.
4. 
Be in harmony with the purposes of this Article contained in Section 515.130.
C. 
Once granted, the sign variance is approved for the duration that the sign is maintained, including if the approved sign is damaged and thereafter replaced with a substantially similar sign within one (1) year.
D. 
Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Board of Aldermen may appeal a decision to the St. Louis County Circuit Court within fifteen (15) days of the decision, by filing an appropriate action under Chapter 536 RSMo.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Article is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Article.
[Ord. No. 14-3 §1, 6-24-2014]
Whenever a commercial sign would be permitted under this Article, subject to the landowner's consent, a non-commercial sign may be installed in its place, or vice versa, provided that it otherwise complies with this Article. Such substitution of message may be made without any additional approval or permitting. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary within this Article. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech, or vice versa. This provision does not create a right to increase total signage on a parcel, nor does it affect the requirements that the sign comply in all other respects with the provisions of this Article.