[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.
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Figure 9 Facade Sign Calculation
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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.
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Figure 10 Freestanding Sign Calculations
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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.
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Figure 11 Freestanding Sign Calculations
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[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:
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.
[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:
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.
