[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
All signs and sign support structures shall conform to the requirements
of this Chapter and all other applicable provisions of Strafford ordinances.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
The
purpose of this Article is to promote the public safety and welfare
by regulating:
1.
To improve the visual environment and foster economic development
while providing adequate standards for meeting sign owner's needs;
2.
To benefit the public and sign owners through improved sign legibility,
readability and visibility;
3.
To provide equal opportunity for the display of commercial messages;
4.
To ensure the design, construction, installation, repair and maintenance
of signs will not interfere with traffic safety, or otherwise endanger
public safety;
5.
To ensure that City rights-of-way are not appropriated to private
use or used in a manner inconsistent with the public interest;
6.
To reduce incompatibility between signs and their surroundings;
7.
To ensure that an adequate opportunity will be available to sign
users without dominating the visual appearance of the area.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of the provision
of any other ordinance or regulation applicable to signs. Signs located
in areas governed by several ordinances and/or applicable regulations
shall comply with all such ordinances and regulations. If there is
a conflict between this Article and any other ordinance or regulation,
the more stringent shall apply.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
No sign shall be displayed in the City limits until the City has issued a permit for it, unless it is exempt from a permit in accordance with Section 400.830 of this Article. No permit shall be issued unless the applicant demonstrates that the proposed sign meets the requirements of this Code. All face changes, except changeable copy signs, shall require a permit. Mere repainting or changing the message of a sign shall not, in and of itself, be considered a substantial alteration. Minimum submittal requirements and sign permit applications are available at City Hall.
B.
If
plans submitted for a conditional use permit or preliminary plat include
sign plans in sufficient detail that the permit-issuing authority
can determine whether the proposed sign or signs comply with the provisions
of this Chapter, then issuance of the requested conditional use permit
or preliminary plat shall constitute approval of the proposed sign
or signs.
C.
No
sign except a "public sign" shall be located on any City-owned utility
pole or within public rights-of-way.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
When a sign permit is requested for a parcel where illegal or
prohibited signs exist, no sign permit shall be issued until all such
signs are removed or brought into conformance with this Article.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
The
following non-illuminated signs may be erected in compliance with
this Article without the issuance of a sign permit. Such signs may
be permitted in addition to all other signs permitted and shall conform
to setbacks, placement requirements and other physical characteristics.
1.
Real estate signs located on site;
2.
Construction signs;
3.
Election signs;
4.
Yard/garage sales announcements;
5.
Public signs;
6.
Theological signs;
7.
Memorial signs;
8.
Flags;
9.
Holiday decorations;
10.
On-site information signs;
11.
Window signs;
12.
Church identification, bulletin boards;
13.
Licensed and operable motor vehicles.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
For the purpose of this Article, the following words shall be
defined as set forth herein:
A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide
business, lessor, service, owner, product or activity or for which
no legal owner can be found for a period of one hundred eighty (180)
days.
Any sign that uses movements of change of lighting to depict
action or create a special effect or scene.
Any one (1) of the following:
For a building containing one (1) use, any exterior wall having
visibility from or abutting a publicly dedicated street or any exterior
wall facing the parking lot of the use.
For a building containing two (2) or more uses:
Any exterior wall of one (1) individual use that has a primary
public entrance and exit; or
Any exterior wall of one (1) individual use on or below the
first (1st) story, which faces an abutting public, designated roadway,
alley, or the customer parking lot of the building. Any substantial
difference in the building plane on the facade of the building shall
be eligible for consideration as a separate approved wall area.
A wall sign that is painted, stitched, sewn or stained onto
the exterior of an awning. An awning is a shelter supported entirely
from the exterior wall of a building and composed of non-rigid materials
except for the supporting framework.
Any number or sizes of balloons used to draw attention to
a business.
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
permanently mounted to a pole or a building by a permanent frame 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 light with one (1) or more beams directed into the atmosphere
or directed at one (1) or more points not on the same zone lot as
the light source; also, any light with one (1) or more beams that
rotate or move.
Any off-premises sign owned by a person, corporation or other
entity that engages in the business of selling advertising.
A sign stating the name of a building or identifying the
major tenant of a building.
Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental
information about its construction, which sign is cut into masonry
surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
A sign which states only the name of such development as
shopping centers, business park or similar use.
A permanent sign or portion thereof with characters, letters,
or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering
the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes
more than eight (8) times per day shall be considered an animated
sign and not a changeable copy sign for purpose of this Article. A
sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical
indication of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and
temperature" portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for
purposes of this Article.
Any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business,
product, service or other commercial activity.
A sign that advertises the future use or occupancy of a parcel
or a building or buildings or subdivision under construction. Such
sign may identify the project, the owner or developer, architect,
engineer, contractor and subcontractor, funding sources, and may contain
related information including, but not limited to, sale or leasing
information.
A sign that identifies candidates or issues on the ballot
in an upcoming election.
Signs where the source of the illumination is primarily outside
the sign and light is directed toward, across, or by backlighting
techniques from a source not within the sign structure itself. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, sources of external illumination
for such signs may include ground-based (upward directed) or sign-structure
based (downward directed) spotlights, luminous tubing such as neon,
and back-lit sign shapes which create a halo effect on the sign surface
area behind the letter, number, or shape.
[Ord. No. 940, 8-15-2022]
Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors,
patterns, or symbols used as a symbol. National flags, State, or municipal
flags shall be exempt from this Section.
A sign that is attached to, erected on, or supported by some
structure (such as a pole, mast, frame, or other structure) that is
not itself an integral part of or attached to a building or other
structure whose principal function is something other than the support
of a sign. A sign that stands without supporting elements, such as
a "sandwich sign", is also a freestanding sign. If the message is
removed from a structure that was originally designed and used as
a freestanding sign, this structure shall be considered a sign.
The vertical distance measured from the finish grade on the
parcel adjacent to the pole or structure to the uppermost point of
the sign or structure is located.
Signs in the nature of ornamentation, which are clearly incidental
and commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday.
Any non-commercial sign which expresses a religious, political,
social or other philosophical message.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the lot in which it is located, such as "no parking",
"entrance", "loading only", "telephone", and other similar directives.
No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the
zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
Signs where the source of the illumination is inside the
sign and light emanates through the message of the sign, rather than
being reflected off the surface of the sign from an external source.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, signs that consist
of or contain tubes that:
Are filled with neon or some other gas that glows when an electric
current passes through it; and
Are intended to form or constitute all or part of the message
of the sign, rather than merely providing illumination to other parts
of the sign that contain the message, shall also be considered internally
illuminated signs.
A sign that serves as a common or collective identification
for two (2) or more businesses or other non-residential uses on the
same lot or parcel.
Any sign attached to or made a part with manual or electronically
changeable copy.
A sign or tablet identifying a site, structure or building
which may include, but is not limited to, names and/or dates of construction,
use or historical designation.
Any single use that does not include an area designed as
a dwelling unit in the principal use.
A sign that draws attention to or communicates information
about a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or
other enterprise or activity that exists or is conducted, sold, offered,
maintained, or provided at a location other than the premises on which
the sign is located. A sign that draws attention to a cause or advocates
or proclaims a political, religious, or other non-commercial message
shall also be an off-premises sign.
A sign that draws attention to or communicates information
about a business, service, commodity, accommodations, attraction,
or other enterprise or activity that exists or is conducted, sold,
offered, maintained, or provided on the premises where the sign is
located.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire,
or string, usually in a series, designated to move in the wind.
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, designated 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.
The building in which is conducted the principal use of the
zone lot on which it is located.
A sign stating the name of a subdivision, phase of subdivision
or otherwise identifying a residential housing project. A realtor
having exclusive marketing rights of said parcel may attach a reality
sign to the project identification sign.
Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that
its leading edge extends more than six (6) inches beyond the surface
of such building or wall.
Any sign giving information about public places owned and
operated by Federal, State, County, local or other governmental entity
which is required by law or is necessary for public information.
A sign which advertises the sale, rental, or lease of the
land, or building upon which the sign is located.
Any sign located in a district zoned for residential uses
that contains no commercial message except advertising for goods or
devices legally offered on the premises where the sign is located,
or offering such service at such location conforms with all requirements
of the Zoning Ordinance.
Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof
of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically
above the highest portion of the roof.
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.
The distance from the property line to the nearest part of
the applicable building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly
to the property line.
A triangular shaped portion of land established at street
intersections and street driveway intersections in which nothing may
be erected, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to limit
or obstruct the sight distance of persons entering or leaving the
intersection.
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any
color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise,
announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity,
or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
The square footage of all that area within the outside dimensions
of the sign, not including support structure. In the case where letters
or symbols are attached directly to a wall or structure with no other
background, the sign area shall be the square footage contained within
the smallest single continuous perimeter of no more than eight (8)
straight lines. When a sign has two (2) parallel display faces, the
area of one (1) face shall be the total sign area; however, when a
sign face is not parallel and is "v" shaped, where the distance separation
is greater than five (5) feet, the area of all faces shall be included
in determining the total sign area. All riders or attachments to signs
or sign structure whether temporary or permanent shall be included
in determining the total sign area.
The distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a
public street, from one (1) lot zone intersecting said street to the
furthest distant lot line intersecting the same street.
A sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal
plane surface and is supported by such surface.
A sign that is used in connection with a circumstance, situation,
or event that is designed, intended, or expected to take place or
to be completed within a reasonably short or definite period after
the erection of such sign.
Any sign, picture, 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 panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
A sign that advertises the location of a yard or garage sale
or personal property.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
No
one (1) use may have more than four (4) signs per street frontage,
and no one (1) use shall exceed a maximum number of five (5) signs,
not to include on-site directional signs. The following number of
each type of sign is allowed for any one (1) use provided that the
maximum number of five (5) signs is not exceeded:
B.
Multiple Use Buildings. If there is more than one (1) business
in a building or if the buildings in a group are associated by ownership,
joint identification or center signs are the only freestanding signs
permitted.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
Types of signs permitted in the respective zoning districts
of the City are as set out in the Permitted Signs By Zoning District
Table contained in Attachment 1 to this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
All
signs and all components thereof, including, without limitation, supports,
braces, and anchors, shall be kept in a state of good repair. With
respect to freestanding signs, components (supporting structures,
backs, etc.) not bearing a message shall be constructed of materials
that blend with the natural environment or shall be painted a neutral
color to blend with the natural environment.
B.
If
a sign other than a billboard advertises a business, service, commodity,
accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is
no longer operating or being offered or conducted, that sign shall
be considered abandoned and shall within thirty (30) days after such
abandonment be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where
the sign is located, or other property owner having control over such
sign.
C.
If the message portion of a sign is removed, leaving only the supporting "shell" of a sign or the supporting braces, anchors, or similar components, the owner of a sign or the owner of the property where the sign is located or other person having control over such sign shall either replace the entire message portion of the sign or remove the remaining components of the sign. This Subsection shall not be construed to alter the effect of Section 400.860 which prohibits the replacement of a non-conforming sign. Nor shall this Subsection be construed to prevent the changing of the message of a sign.
D.
The
area within ten (10) feet in all directions of any part of a freestanding
sign shall be kept clear of all debris and all undergrowth more than
twelve (12) inches.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
No
person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility
of any sign, damage, trim, destroy, or remove any trees, shrubs, or
other vegetation located:
1.
Within the right-of-way of any public street or road, unless the
work is done pursuant to the express written authorization of the
City or other agency having jurisdiction over the streets.
2.
On property that is not under the ownership or control of the person
doing or responsible for such work, unless the work is done pursuant
to the express authorization of the person owning the property where
such trees or shrubs are located.
3.
In any area where such trees or shrubs are required to remain under
a permit issued under this Article.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Subject
to the remaining restrictions of this Section, non-conforming signs
that were otherwise lawful on the effective date of this Article may
be continued until they are required to be removed under this Section.
B.
No
person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent
of non-conformity of a non-conforming sign. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, no conforming sign may be enlarged or altered in
such a manner as to aggravate the non-conforming condition. Nor may
illumination be added to any non-conforming sign.
C.
A non-conforming
sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete
conformity with the Chapter.
D.
If
a non-conforming sign is destroyed by natural causes, it may not thereafter
be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformance with
all the provisions of this Chapter, and remnants of the former sign
structure shall be cleared from the land. For the purpose of this
Section, a non-conforming sign is "destroyed" if damaged to an extent
that the cost of repairing the sign to its former stature or replacing
it with an equivalent sign equals or exceeds the value (tax value
if listed for tax purposes) of the sign so damaged.
E.
The
message of a non-conforming sign may be changed so long as this does
not create any new non-conformance (for example, by creating an off-premises
sign under circumstances where such a sign would not be allowed).
F.
Subject
to the other provisions of this Section, non-conforming sign may be
repaired and renovated so long as the cost of such work does not exceed
fifty percent (50%) of the value (appraised or tax value if listed
for tax purposes) of such sign.
G.
If
a non-conforming sign other than a billboard advertises a business,
service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise
or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted,
that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed within
thirty (30) days after such abandonment by the sign owner, owner of
the property where the sign is located, or other party having control
over the sign.
H.
If
a non-conforming billboard remains blank for a continuous period of
one hundred eighty (180) days, that billboard shall be deemed abandoned
and shall, within thirty (30) days after such abandonment, be altered
to comply with this Article or be removed by the sign owner, owner
of the property on which the sign is located, or other person having
control over such sign. For purposes of this Section, a sign is "blank"
if:
1.
It advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction,
or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being
offered or conducted; or
2.
The advertising message it displays becomes illegible in whole or
substantial part; or
3.
The advertising copy paid for by a party other than the sign owner
or promoting an interest other than the rental of the sign has been
removed.
[Ord. No. 952, 9-19-2022]
A.
Review. The Board of Aldermen shall be responsible for the consideration
of variances related to signs.
B.
Variance Intent. A variance allows the Board to modify an otherwise legitimate restriction when, due to unusual conditions, the restriction may be more burdensome than was intended. The variance must not impair the public purpose of the sign regulations per Section 400.810 (Purpose).
C.
Adherence To General Sign Requirements. A sign variance application
does not guarantee an approval. Aside from the specific variance request
sought, the sign must meet all other City of Strafford requirements
in this Article.
D.
Application And Review Process.
1.
An applicant for a sign variance shall provide the following
information to the Board of Aldermen in consideration of a sign variance:
a.
A written request detailing the Section of Article XIX (Signs) that the variance is being sought, an explanation why the sign cannot adhere to the Sign Ordinance, and why a sign variance is necessary.
b.
A rendering of the proposed sign showing dimensions, height,
sign composition, construction details, type of illumination (if any),
distance of projection from wall, and any other pertinent information.
c.
A plan, drawn to scale, which shows the location of the sign
at the business where the sign variance is proposed and the address
of the business.
d.
For variances for wall signs, a building elevation, drawn to
scale, shall be provided that shows the location of the proposed sign
on the building. The building elevation shall also show the entire
frontage or facade of the business with the appropriate dimensions
of where the sign variance is needed, the proposed square footage
of the sign, the total square footage of the building facade upon
which the sign will be placed, the percent of the wall surface area
that proposed sign will cover, and the building height and length
dimensions.
e.
For freestanding signs, a site plan, drawn to scale, shall be
provided that shows the location of the proposed sign on the property,
the location of the property line, the distance of the sign from the
front and side property lines, and information that indicates that
the sign is of adequate height that drivers can see other traffic
approaching.
2.
The Board of Aldermen shall utilize the following in considering
the merits of an exception to the Sign Ordinance:
a.
That the exception will not be detrimental to or cause undue
hardship to the surrounding neighborhood and property owners, or to
the public safety.
b.
That the exception is in keeping with the purpose of the sign
code.
c.
That the exception to be granted is one (1) that will require
the least modification to the prescribed regulations and the minimum
variance that will accomplish the purpose.
d.
That the literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance
will result in restrictions inconsistent with the purpose of the applicable
section.
E.
Sign variances shall only be granted for the size, location, and
number of signs. Variances will not be granted for prohibited signs.
