[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
No new on-premise signs shall be erected within the political boundaries of the City of St. Robert, except those that meet the requirements of this regulation and only after receiving the proper permit.
B. 
Any sign copy that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on the property, which said sign is erected, must have the copy covered or removed within thirty (30) days after written notification from the Land Use Administrator. Upon failure to comply with the written notification after the thirty (30) day period, the Land Use Administrator shall cause to have said signage removed and any expense incident to that removal shall be paid by the owner of the building, structure or ground on which the sign is located.
C. 
As authorized by this regulation, the following general guidelines illustrate the types of on-premise signs that are permitted within the City of St. Robert after review and approval of a sign permit application by the Land Use Administrator.
1. 
Facade signs.
a. 
Each business shall be allowed facade signs on any wall. In the event the business does not front on a street, it shall be allowed signage as if it fronted on a local street. These signs shall extend no further than eighteen (18) inches from the wall. Facade signs do not include signs located on the inside of the premises or lettering and graphics attached to windows. A facade sign shall not extend beyond the outer edges of the exterior walls.
Figure 9 Facade Sign Calculation
b. 
The total sign surface area of all facade signs allowed for a business shall be calculated based upon the lineal footage of each wall having frontage on a street (building frontage) as shown in Figure 9. The gross surface area, either for individual facade signs or in aggregate for multiple facade signs, shall not exceed four (4) square feet per lineal foot of building frontage length.
c. 
If a premises or building contains walls that face more than one (1) property line or encompasses property frontage bounded by more than one (1) street or other property usages, the sign area(s) for each building wall or property frontage will be computed separately for each building wall facing a different frontage.
2. 
Freestanding signs.
a. 
Each premise shall be permitted no more than one (1) freestanding sign, unless specifically authorized by other Sections of this regulation.
b. 
Each residential development or subdivision shall be permitted one (1) freestanding sign at each entrance to the residential subdivision development.
c. 
No freestanding sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected or placed within five (5) feet of any street right-of-way or public utility easement.
d. 
Projecting components of freestanding signs shall not be allowed any closer than ten (10) feet to the furthest projection of overhead electrical distribution system conductors.
e. 
No freestanding sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street, parking lot or vehicle access area in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision by interfering with or obstructing the view of motorists.
f. 
No freestanding sign shall encroach or be constructed within any easement or street right-of-way.
g. 
Premises which have more than four hundred twenty-five (425) feet of property frontage along a street may have one (1) additional freestanding sign for each additional four hundred twenty-five (425) feet of property frontage or fraction thereof, provided a minimum of three hundred (300) feet of separation is maintained between all freestanding signs on a given premise and a setback of twenty-five (25) feet from adjacent property lines is maintained for all freestanding signs on the premise.
h. 
Each retail complex, mixed-use building or joint-use development shall reserve one (1) freestanding sign to identifying the businesses co-located in the joint-use site, retail complex or the mixed-use for which the signage is intended to serve. Joint-use sites shall establish a sign easement that accommodates the freestanding sign for all businesses within the development site.
i. 
A premise fronting on a local or collector street shall be allowed an on-premise freestanding sign with an effective area determined by adding fifty (50) square feet to a ratio of one (1) square foot of effective area per lineal foot of property frontage along the local or collector street.
j. 
A premise fronting on an arterial street or interstate shall be allowed a freestanding sign with a surface area determined by adding one hundred (100) square feet to a ratio of two (2) square feet of surface area per lineal foot of property frontage along the arterial street or interstate as illustrated in Figure 10 below.
Figure 10 Freestanding Sign Calculations
k. 
The maximum surface area for any freestanding sign shall not exceed three hundred fifty (350) square feet and the maximum height for any freestanding sign shall not exceed eighty (80) feet.
3. 
Roof signs.
a. 
A premise may only have one (1) roof sign and only if the premise does not have a projecting sign or facade sign.
b. 
A roof sign is any sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof as shown in Figure 5. Roof signs shall be set back from the outside walls of the building no less than two (2) feet and no part of the sign shall extend beyond any exterior wall or common fire separation wall.
c. 
The maximum height of any roof sign shall not exceed five (5) feet.
d. 
The method used to determine the sign surface area allowed for wall signs shall be used to calculate the sign surface area allowed for roof signs as shown in Figure 11 below.
Figure 11 Freestanding Sign Calculations
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
The following are expressly prohibited unless specifically stated otherwise in this regulation:
1. 
Off-premise signs, except as permitted by other Sections of this regulation.
2. 
Animated and moving signs. Signs employing movement by mechanical or natural means which are adjacent to road rights-of-ways including, but not limited to, changeable copy signs, propellers, discs and searchlights.
3. 
Flashing signs. Signs that include lights which flash, blink or turn on and off intermittently, not including time and temperature signs.
4. 
Glaring signs. Signs employing direct, indirect, internal, flashing or other illumination with light sources or reflectivity of such brightness that constitute a hazard to ground or air traffic or a nuisance as determined by the Administrator.
5. 
Inflatable signs and objects. Sign devices which are not used as a temporary sign for the advertisement of a special event, promotion or sale. Upon the completion of the advertised promotion or event, the temporary sign or object shall be removed immediately.
6. 
Simulated traffic signs and obstructions. Any sign which may be confused with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal, obstruct the sight distance triangle at any street or highway intersection or extend into the public right-of-way.
7. 
Vehicular signs. Signs displayed on or in parked or stationary vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers where the primary purpose is to advertise a product or business or to direct people to a business, event or activity. For the purposes of this regulation, vehicular signs shall not include business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily used for other business purposes.
8. 
Any sign which may project, by graphic illustration or wording, an advertisement that may be construed as obscene or offensive.
B. 
Prohibited or illegal signs shall be removed immediately upon written notification from the Land Use Administrator. An appeal to the Board of Adjustment, which has been filed in the Land Use Administrator's office, shall temporarily stay the removal of any prohibited or illegal sign by the appellant until a decision has been rendered by the Board of Adjustment.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this Chapter and do not require a permit or fee payments under Section 408.019 but must meet the other requirements of this regulation:
1. 
Temporary decorative banners, streamers and pendants that do not exceed twenty (20) square feet in sign area and are not used as permanent signage for the business.
2. 
Traffic safety control signs.
3. 
Yard sale and garage sale signs.
4. 
Construction signs provided there is only one (1) sign per construction site entrance and it does not exceed six (6) feet in height or forty-eight (48) square feet in gross area.
5. 
Temporary signs as defined by this regulation and meeting the permit requirements set forth in Section 408.019.
6. 
Flags of any nation, government or non-commercial organization.
7. 
Scoreboards and sponsor advertisements on athletic fields.
8. 
Window signs in the interior of a mercantile or business.
9. 
Signs of less than six (6) square feet in outline area indicating the name of the building, date of erection, monumental citation, commemorative tablet and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other type of permanent type of construction material and made an integral part of the structure.
10. 
Barber poles that are no more than six (6) inches in diameter or more than two (2) feet in overall height.
11. 
Holiday decorations that meet all existing fire and safety codes.
12. 
Interior signs located within a building interior, enclosed lobby or building courtyard.
13. 
Real estate signs located on the premises being advertised for sale, lease or rent.
14. 
Drive-thru restaurant menu boards, vehicle service bay signage and hotel/motel drive entrance and exist signs.
15. 
Replacement signs as defined by this regulation.
16. 
Changing the copy or display face of any billboard within the City of St. Robert that has been authorized by the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
Every sign and billboard permitted by this regulation shall be kept in good condition and repair. When any sign or billboard becomes unsecure, in danger of falling or is deemed unsafe by the Land Use Administrator or his representative or if any sign or billboard shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of any provisions of this regulation, the owner thereof or the person or firm using same shall, upon written notice by the Land Use Administrator, make said signage or outdoor advertisement conform to the requirements of this regulation within ten (10) days of the written notice. In the case of immediate danger of collapse, structural failure or electrical hazard, the Land Use Administrator shall direct the owner thereof or the person or firm using same to have the dangerous hazard conditions removed immediately.
B. 
All signs, sign support structures and billboards, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
C. 
The owner of any property upon which any sign or billboard is placed and the person maintaining the sign shall be equally responsible, individually and jointly, for the condition of the area in the vicinity of the sign and shall be required to keep it clean, sanitary and free from obnoxious or offensive substances, rubbish or weeds.
D. 
If any sign or billboard herein regulated is or becomes unsecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe or violates any provision of this regulation, the Land Use Administrator shall notify the owner of the property on which the sign is situated or the owner of the sign or the permit holder or the person maintaining the sign by personal contact or serving a written notice or sending it by certified mail to one (1) of the above indicated people to remove the same within ten (10) days or at the end of that ten (10) days such sign or advertising structure or device may be removed or altered by the City under the direction of the Land Use Administrator at the expense of the owner of the sign or permit holder or owner of the property or person maintaining the sign as determined by the Land Use Administrator.
E. 
When any sign that is in such hazardous condition as to be immediately dangerous to the safety of the public, the Land Use Administrator is hereby authorized to take all necessary legal action to protect the public or property.
F. 
Any sign or billboard that, because of lack of maintenance or upkeep, vandalism, accumulation of litter, refuse or debris or general deterioration, becomes unsightly or unsafe is hereby declared to be a nuisance and shall be subject to abatement by the City in the same manner as all other nuisances on private property.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
Signs and billboards shall be designed and constructed to comply with the provisions of this regulation and the building codes of the City for use of materials, illumination, loads and stresses.
1. 
Wind loads. Freestanding signs, roof signs and billboards shall be designed and constructed to resist wind forces as specified in the Building Code.
2. 
Seismic loads. Freestanding signs, roof signs and billboards shall be designed and constructed to resist seismic forces as specified in the Building Code.
3. 
Working stresses. In freestanding signs, roof signs and billboards, the allowable working stresses shall conform to the requirements of the Building Code.
4. 
Attachment. Facade signs and roof signs attached to masonry, concrete or steel shall be safely and securely fastened by means of metal anchors, bolts or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to safely support the loads applied.
5. 
Electrical service and illumination. All signs and billboards shall not be illuminated by other than electric means and electrical service, electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Electrical Code.
B. 
The following inspections shall be scheduled with Building Department Permit Clerk and inspected by the Land Use Administrator during the installation and erection of all permitted signs to ensure that work is compliance with this Chapter and the adopted building codes of the City:
1. 
Foundation/footing systems.
2. 
Structural framework and mounting assemblies.
3. 
Electrical wiring and connections.
4. 
Final inspections when all work has been completed.
C. 
Failure to schedule required inspections by the property owner, the business owner or the company performing the work shall be cause for the approved construction permit to be repealed and the signage to be removed from the premises.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
Any on-premises sign or billboard which exists at the time that this regulation becomes effective shall, within limitations, be permitted to exist so long as the criteria hereinafter stated exist. For the continuation of an existing on-premises sign or billboard to continue to be in use, that sign must be structurally sound, present no safety threat to any person or any property, does not create a nuisance and be constructed and located in such a manner that it does not impede fire-fighting operations.
B. 
Continuance. Each non-conforming sign and sign structure shall be allowed to continue in use pursuant to the express provisions of Subsection (A) of this Section.
C. 
Removal. Once a sign no longer meets the express criteria for continued use as a non-conforming use as set forth in Subsection (A) cited above, that sign or non-conforming sign shall be removed at the owner's or leaser's expense upon written notice from the Land Use Administrator.
D. 
Non-conforming signs and sign structures shall be removed at the owner or leaser's expense under the following circumstances.
1. 
The sign is abandoned for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days.
2. 
The sign becomes damaged or dilapidated to fifty percent (50%) or more of its physical structure or economic value.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
A permit is hereby required prior to the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, moving or conversion of any sign, except as elsewhere exempted by this Chapter.
B. 
The Administrator shall have the responsibility and full authority to administer and enforce all the provisions of this regulation, other than those provisions specifically reserved for the authority of St. Robert Board of Aldermen, Planning and Zoning Commission or Board of Adjustment.
C. 
The Land Use Administrator is authorized to order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this regulation or the adopted building codes of the City.
D. 
The Administrator, upon finding that any provision of this regulation or any condition of a permit issued under this regulation is being violated, is authorized to institute legal proceedings to enjoin violations of this regulation.
E. 
Any person applying for a sign permit who is denied a permit may appeal the decision to the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment may uphold, overturn or modify the Administrator's decision in accordance with the appeal procedures established in other Chapters of this regulation.
F. 
The Administrator shall investigate any complaints of violations of this regulation and may revoke a permit if there is any violation of the provisions of this regulation or there was misrepresentation of any material facts in either the application or plans.
G. 
The Administrator may remove or order the removal at the expense of the sign owner or leaser of any illegal sign and any sign, other than a non-conforming sign governed by Section 408.015, not in compliance with the provisions of this regulation.
H. 
Any sign which poses an immediate peril to persons or property shall have the sign removed. If the Administrator cannot locate the sign owner, tenant, occupant or leasee for immediate removal of the sign, he shall remove or order the removal of the sign at the expense of the sign owner.
I. 
A person who violates the provisions of this regulation or the conditions of a permit shall be guilty of a civil violation. Each day of the violation constitutes a separate offense subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and up to ninety (90) days of confinement. Such persons shall also be liable for court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the local jurisdiction.
J. 
Any person, corporation or group may file an appeal with the St. Robert Board of Adjustment concerning any matter pertaining to the disapproval of a sign application by the Land Use Administrator. Appeals shall be filed on the forms provided by the City for that purpose and in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Chapter 409 of this regulation.
K. 
Any person, corporation or group who need relief from the specific dimensional requirements set forth in this regulation may seek approval of a variance. A variance request shall be filed on the forms provided by the City for that purpose and in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Chapter 409 of this regulation. The following dimensional requirements shall be eligible for a variance by the St. Robert Board of Adjustment:
1. 
Minimum and maximum height limitations.
2. 
Minimum and maximum area limitations.
3. 
Minimum setback distance limitations.
L. 
The Board of Adjustment shall not have the authority to grant a variance or appeal that would allow any increase in the number of permitted signs per premise or allow the construction, alteration, expansion, relocation or enlargement of any sign specifically prohibited by this regulation.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A. 
All signs, except as otherwise provided in Section 408.009 of this Chapter, shall require a construction permit prior to being constructed, reconstructed, moved, altered, placed or repaired. Construction permits shall be issued by the Administrator. Applications for a sign permit shall be made to the City Building Department Permit Clerk upon forms provided by the City for that purpose.
B. 
All applications for on-premises signs shall be accompanied with plans and specifications of the proposed sign as required by the Land Use Administrator. Supporting documents may include, but are not limited to, engineered site plans, graphic illustrations including dimensions, material descriptions, structural plans and details that specify design loads and stresses and any additional information as may be required to assure compliance with this regulation and the building codes of the City.
C. 
The application shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the signage is to be erected or installed.
D. 
All applications for sign permits shall be submitted to the Administrator and shall contain following information to be considered complete.
1. 
Filing fee submitted with application.
2. 
Applicant/owner information with mandatory signatures.
3. 
General sign criteria which include material descriptions, dimensional specifications and placement locations.
4. 
Applicant's signature.
5. 
All designs, graphics, plans, drawings, technical specifications and engineering which is identified on the application. Missing or omitted supporting documentation will delay processing of the application until the necessary information is submitted.
6. 
Any other information or supporting documentation that may be requested by the Administrator in order to carry out the purpose and intent of these regulations.
E. 
The following schedule of fees shall be paid by all persons, corporations or companies submitting applications for sign permits to the City:
1. 
Facade signs. Sixty dollars ($60.00) per signable building frontage.
2. 
Freestanding signs. One hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per sign structure.
3. 
Billboards. Five hundred dollars ($500.00) plus all billboards subject to this regulation may be assessed an annual business tax at a rate not to exceed two percent (2%) of the gross annual revenue produced by the outdoor advertising sign located within the City of St. Robert.
4. 
Copy change and temporary signs. There will be no fee for copy changes, temporary signs or temporary portable signs. Structural or electrical modifications will require a new sign permit.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
If any Section, Subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Chapter is 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 thereof.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
Any sign, display or device allowed under this Chapter may contain, in lieu of any other copy, any otherwise lawful, non-commercial message, including any political message, that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit or to a commodity or service for sale and that complies with all other requirements of this regulation.