Editor's Note — Ord. no. 2060 §I, adopted September
18, 2012, repealed ch. 425 and enacted new provisions set out herein.
Former ch. 425 derived from R.O. 2006 §§425.010 —
425.130, 425.145; ord. no. 803 §§I — II, 7-5-94; ord.
no. 1161 §I, 1-2-01; ord. no. 1278 §I, 8-20-02; ord. no.
1368 §I, 1-6-04; ord. no. 1567 §I, 12-6-05; ord. no. 1568
§§I — II, 12-6-05; ord. no. 1646 §I, 11-7-06;
ord. no. 1647 §I, 11-7-06; ord. no. 1648 §I, 11-7-06; ord.
no. 1649 §§I — II, 11-7-06; ord. no. 1726 §§I
— V, 11-20-07; ord. no. 1733 §§I — III, 12-18-07;
ord. no. 1774 §I, 5-6-08; ord. no. 1807 §§II —
IV, 10-21-08; ord no. 1827 §I, 1-20-09; ord. no. 1945 §§I
— IV, 1-4-11; ord. no. 1984 §§I — IV, 7-19-11;
ord. no. 2016 §I, 1-17-12; ord. no. 2017 §§I —
II, 1-17-12; ord. no. 2027 §I, 11-1-11; ord. no. 2035 §§I
— II, 6-19-12.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
This Chapter shall hereafter be known and cited as the "Sign
Ordinance of the City of Warrenton."
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
The provisions of this Chapter shall govern the erection of all signs
and outdoor display structures, together with their appurtenant and
auxiliary devices, in respect to size, color, duration, number, construction,
location and structural and fire safety.
1.
Zoning law establishes district. The City Zoning
Code shall govern the area of the City in which any sign or outdoor
display structure shall be located.
2.
Building Code applicable. In the absence from
this Chapter of specifications governing details of sign construction,
the applicable standards listed in the Building Code shall apply.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2105 §I, 7-2-2013; Ord.
No. 2117 §I, 8-20-2013; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
As used in this Chapter, the following words shall mean:
A plastic material more than one-twentieth-inch thick which
burns at a rate of not more than two and one-half (2 1/2) inches
per minute when subjected to the ASTM Standard Test for Flammability
of Plastics in sheets of six one-hundredths-inch thickness.
Any structure entirely supported by the wall to which it
is attached and which has a frame covered by canvas, cloth or other
similar temporary material and/or which can be retracted or rolled
to the structure by which it is supported.
All signs which advertise products or businesses which are
not located on the same premises as the sign. This includes billboards,
detached pole signs on separate parcels, wall signs and signs otherwise
attached to buildings and/or supported by uprights or braces on the
ground.
Any structure attached to a building at the inner end and
supported on the outer end.
The City of Warrenton, Missouri.
To build, construct, attach, hang, rehang, place, affix or
relocate, including the painting and repainting of permanent window
signs.
The length of the lot along the street side. A front of a
lot bordering more than one (1) street is considered separate for
each street.
A person, his/her agents and employees, who has secured a
business license from the City.
A parcel, tract, plot or area of land accessible by means
of a street or other permanently reserved principal means of access.
It may be a single parcel separately described in a deed or plat which
is recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Deeds, or it may
include parts of or a combination of such parcels when adjacent to
one another and used as one.
Any permanent structure supported entirely by the building
and which projects from the wall of a building.
Any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
A development of at least five (5) shops and stores, at least
one (1) of which shall be a major outlet of not less than ten thousand
(10,000) square feet of gross floor area.
That portion of a lot or building occupied by a single occupant,
exclusive of common areas, if any, shared with adjacent occupants.
A device, structure or part of a structure, including structural
trim, which displays or upon which is displayed any colors, message,
name or symbol of any kind for the purpose of advertising, announcing,
directing or attracting attention from the outside of a building.
Sign supports are not a part of the sign.
The area of the sign face. The sign area of a multifaced
sign is the sum of the sign areas of each face, including structural
trim, which can be seen from a single location on an adjacent street
and which displays or upon which is displayed any color, message,
name or symbol of any kind for the purpose of advertising, announcing,
directing or attracting attention from the outside of a building.
If a sign is attached to a building or suspended in any manner whereby
there is no apparent trim or confining border, the sign area shall
be computed by drawing an imaginary straight line around a generally
rectangular margin and measuring the area so encompassed by such line.
Any surface of a sign upon, against or through which the
advertising message is displayed or illustrated on the sign, including
structural trim, which displays or upon which is displayed any color,
message, name or symbol of any kind for the purpose of advertising,
announcing, directing or attracting attention from the outside of
a building and which can be seen from a single location on an adjacent
street, provided that the ends or thickness of a sign shall not be
counted as a separate sign face unless an advertising message is conveyed
thereon.
A wall sign or projecting sign attached to a building wall
or the generally vertical plane of a mansard-type roof.
A sign constructed from vinyl or cloth that can be rolled
or folded and typically temporary in nature.
A sign or accessory light which is illuminated on an intermittent
cycle. Electronically controlled message centers shall be classified
as electronic signs.
A sign typically temporary in nature, supported by a single
pole inserted into the ground or a base structure with a movable section
similar to a flag.
Any detached sign on the same lot or parcel as the use it
advertises which has its bottom portion erected upon or supported
by the ground, a ground planter box or other supports.
Any sign hanging entirely beneath a canopy, portico or marquee.
Any pole sign within the Highway Commercial Overlay District
("HCOD") as set forth in Appendix A of Section 405.090(F)(6), which
advertises for three (3) or less retail stores with a minimum of thirty
thousand (30,000) square feet of retail space per store.
[Ord. No. 2388, 2-20-2018]
Any sign which is illuminated by light sources mounted on
or in the sign or some other location.
A sign attached to or illustrated on a marquee, canopy or
awning, respectively.
A sign, all or any part of which moves by any means. Such
sign includes a fluttering sign and pennants and excludes flag signs.
Any detached sign located on the same lot or parcel as the
use it advertises, which sign is supported by one (1) or more stationary
poles longer than three (3) feet above the mean grade line of the
ground at its base, provided that this shall not include a permitted
ground sign as set forth herein.
Any sign which projects more than fifteen (15) inches beyond
the plane of the wall on which the sign is erected or attached.
Any sign which contains the signage for three (3) or more
businesses within a single retail center or development that contains
a minimum of seventy thousand (70,000) square feet of retail space
within the specific single retail center or development.
[Ord. No. 2388, 2-20-2018]
Any sign erected on a roof but excluding marquee and canopy
signs and excluding wall or projecting signs which do not project
greater than twenty-four (24) inches above a parapet wall. The generally
vertical plane of a mansard-type roof shall be interpreted as the
same as a wall of a building.
The sign and all parts associated with its construction.
All structures by which a sign is held up, including, for
example, poles, braces, guys and anchors.
The permanent part of a building which typically is an integral
part of the structure made out of limestone or similar type material.
Any sign intended for a limited or intermittent period of
display. Such signs shall be not greater than six (6) square feet
per sign face in residential districts or twenty-four (24) square
feet per sign face in all other districts. Signs that would otherwise
be defined as banner signs shall not be considered as temporary signs.
A sign erected or attached against the wall of any building
with the plane of the face parallel to the plane of the wall below
the roofline.
A sign that is permanently affixed to either side of the
glass of an exterior door or window. For the purpose of this Chapter,
a glass brick wall shall be deemed a window.
A temporary sign affixed to the inside of an exterior window
or glass door.
The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing
and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
The Zoning Ordinance of the City, and/or Title IV of this
Code, and the current district map related thereto.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
Subject to limitations hereinafter set forth, only the following
signs shall be permitted in "AG" Agricultural and "R-1," "R-2" and
"R-3" Residential Districts:
1.
Ground signs;
2.
Pole signs;
3.
Wall signs;
4.
Tablet signs;
5.
Official governmental flags;
6.
Temporary signs;
7.
Banner signs;
8.
Signs which prohibit trespassing or indicate privacy of premises,
driveways or roads;
9.
Signs in residential areas are restricted to not more than two
(2) sign faces.
10.
All illuminated signs within residential districts shall be
extinguished at the time of business closing or 10:00 P.M., whichever
is earlier, provided that this shall not prohibit continuous illumination
of permitted flags. No sign shall be illuminated between the hours
of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2129 §I, 12-17-2013; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
All buildings in the "RC-1" Planned Business District and in the "RC-2" Planned Residential Commercial District that front on Highway 47 shall be permitted the following type signs only: temporary signs, permanent window signs, temporary window signs, ground signs and attached signs in accordance with Section 425.090, Standards for Signs. Businesses that front on Cherry Lane shall be allowed temporary signs and ground signs only. See Section 405.110(A)(1) through (4).
B.
No sign erected shall be neon type or contain flashers, animators
or mechanical moving or contrivance of any sort.
C.
For the purpose of determining the number of signs, a "sign" shall
be defined as a single display surface containing elements organized,
related and composed to form a unit. Where matter is displayed in
a random manner without organized relationship of elements, each element
shall be considered to be a single sign.
D.
No display devices shall be permitted. Display devices include, but
are not limited to, satellite dishes.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017; Ord. No. 2388, 2-20-2018[1]]
A.
Subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, only the following
signs shall be permitted in "C" and "M" Districts:
1.
Attached signs;
2.
Ground signs;
3.
Hanging signs;
4.
Illuminated signs;
5.
Marquee, canopy and/or awning signs;
6.
Permanent window signs;
7.
Temporary window signs;
8.
Projecting signs;
9.
Temporary signs;
10.
Wall signs;
11.
Pole signs;
12.
Flag signs;
13.
Banner signs;
14.
Retail center multitenant signs;
15.
Highway Commercial Overlay District pole signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2388 only changed the title of this
Section from "Signs in "C" Commercial, "M" Light Industrial" to "Signs
in "C" Commercial, "M" Industrial."
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017; Ord. No. 2321 §§ I — II, 3-21-2017; Ord. No. 2388, 2-20-2018[1]; Ord. No. 2682, 6-21-2022]
A.
Subject to the provisions of Subsection (B), outdoor signs shall be permitted within four hundred fifty (450) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of any interstate or primary highway in areas zoned industrial or commercial, subject to the following regulations:
1.
Lighting.
a.
No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates
any emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign.
b.
External lighting such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck
reflectors are permitted, provided the light source is directed upon
the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent
beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the
main traveled way of the interstate or Federal-aid primary highway
and the lights are not of such intensity so as to cause glare, impair
the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle, or otherwise interfere
with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
c.
No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the
effectiveness of, or obscures, an official traffic sign, device, or
signal.
2.
Size of signs.
a.
The maximum area for any one (1) sign shall be nine hundred
(900) square feet with a maximum height of thirty (30) feet and a
maximum length of sixty (60) feet, inclusive of border and trim but
excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members.
b.
The maximum size limitations shall apply to each side of a sign
structure, and signs may be placed back to back, double-faced, or
in V-type construction with not more than two (2) displays to each
facing, but such sign structure shall be considered as one (1) sign.
c.
The maximum height of any sign structure, including border,
trim, base, apron, supports, and other structural members, shall be
forty-five (45) feet.
3.
Spacing of signs.
B.
No outdoor sign shall be permitted within two hundred fifty (250)
feet of a residential district except signs, displays and devices
advertising activities conducted on the property upon which they are
located, or services and products therein provided. "Outdoor signs,"
as used in this Section, means an outdoor sign, display, device, figure,
painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing
designed, intended or used to advertise or inform, any part of the
advertising or information contents of which is visible from any point
of the traveled ways of the City.
C.
All permitted signs in commercial districts shall be governed by
the following restrictions:
1.
No building sign shall be permitted on the rear or side of any building located on commercial property, if such building sign is directly facing any residential district and within two hundred fifty (250) feet of said residential district or the center line of any street abutting said residential district. However, this shall not prohibit unlighted directional signs and signs not greater than two (2) square feet per sign face which contains the words "loading zone," "service entrance," "entrance," "no parking," "loading area" or similar directional words and symbols as permitted by Section 425.090(A)(4).
2.
Subject to the further limitations set forth in Section 425.090(A)(3)(c), an aggregate sign display area equal to the amounts shown in Table S-1 below (excluding windows) shall be permitted on the side of a commercial business unit facing a commercial district.
|
TABLE S-1
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Building Face
(in square feet)
|
Percent of Building Face Allowed for Signage
|
Maximum Sign Area
(in square feet)
|
|
0 to 2,500
|
15%
|
150
|
|
2,501 to 5,000
|
6%
|
250
|
|
5,001 to 7,500
|
5%
|
325
|
|
7,501+
|
5%
|
5% of building, face, with no single sign greater than 400 square
feet
|
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2388 only changed the title of this
Section to include "Outdoor" at the beginning of the title.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
The following types of signs shall be prohibited in the City:
1.
Any permanent sign which does not meet the flammability test
of approved combustible plastic.
2.
(Reserved)
3.
Moving signs.
4.
Roof signs.
5.
Signs painted directly on the walls of a structure.
6.
(Reserved)
7.
If any sign becomes hazardous to pedestrian or vehicular traffic
by reason of obstruction of walkways or fire access or exit lanes
or by restricting sight distances for vehicle or pedestrian traffic,
or if any sign is located so close to travel lanes or parking areas
that it is struck by maneuvering vehicles, then such sign shall be
relocated, removed or corrected by the Chief of Police.
8.
No sign regulated by this Chapter shall make use of the words
"stop," "look," "yield," "danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol
or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse
traffic.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2105 §§II — V, 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 2182 §I, 7-15-2014; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017; Ord. No. 2388, 2-20-2018; Ord. No. 2714, 9-20-2022]
A.
The following standards and conditions shall be applicable to the
signs listed herein:
1.
No sign shall be located within the right-of-way of any street.
2.
The Planning and Zoning Commission may adopt and, if adopted, may publish City construction standards or prototypes for directional signs to promote uniformity of directional signage in the City. If adopted and approved by the Board of Aldermen, such provisions shall become mandatory, and all such signs shall be brought into compliance as set forth in Section 425.090.
3.
Attached signs shall be subject to the following regulations:
a.
Such signs shall include both wall signs and projecting signs.
b.
Such signs shall not extend horizontally beyond the plane of
the wall to which they are attached more than twenty-four (24) inches.
c.
Such signs shall not exceed the maximum size limitations shown in Table S-1, per Section 425.060(C)(2).
d.
Such signs shall not project greater than twenty-four (24) inches
above the parapet wall or roofline.
e.
Such signs shall maintain a clearance of at least ten (10) feet
above the ground or pavement where vehicular movement is possible
under such sign and at least seven (7) feet above the ground or pavement
where pedestrian movement is possible under such sign.
f.
Such signs shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet above the
grade level of the front of the building.
g.
Such signs shall be constructed and braced to withstand a pressure
of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of exposed surface
and shall be securely attached to the building or wall.
h.
No attached wall signs shall be permitted for businesses fronting
on Cherry Lane.
4.
Marquee, canopy and awning signs shall be subject to the following
regulations:
a.
Such signs shall not exceed four (4) feet in height of sign
area.
b.
Such signs shall meet the same standards of strength as an attached
sign.
c.
Such signs shall maintain a clearance of at least ten (10) feet
above the ground or pavement where vehicular movement is possible
under such sign and at least seven (7) feet above the ground or pavement
where pedestrian movement is possible under such sign.
d.
Awning signs shall be painted or otherwise permanently affixed
to the awning.
5.
Ground signs shall be subject to the following regulations:
a.
Such signs shall be located in any required front yard or setback
area and not closer than one-third (1/3) of the required setback distance
from the property line.
b.
Such signs shall be located so as not to obstruct vision at
an intersection or a vehicular entry or exit from the property.
c.
Such signs may be supported by a post or poles that do not exceed
a height of three (3) feet plus a planter box. The sign shall not
exceed a height of four (4) feet. In no event shall posts, poles,
planter boxes and sign elevation exceed a height of seven (7) feet.
d.
Such signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the surface of the building wall which they are in front of or relate to, provided that the total of all permanent attached signs and ground signs on a frontage shall not exceed the maximum size limitations shown in Table S-1, per Section 425.060(C)(2), except as otherwise provided in Section 425.060.
e.
Landscaping shall be placed at the base of and around any ground
sign for a distance equal to at least one-half (1/2) the total height
of the sign or three (3) feet, whichever is greater.
f.
In addition, businesses fronting on Cherry Lane shall limit
ground signs to three (3) feet in height and ten (10) square feet
of sign area.
6.
Hanging signs shall be permitted in addition to all other signs,
provided that such signs do not exceed three (3) square feet per sign
face.
8.
Pole signs shall be subject to the following regulations:
a.
Not more than one (1) pole sign shall be erected on any one
(1) street frontage.
b.
The bottom of any pole sign shall be at least ten (10) feet
above the main ground level on which the sign is placed if it is within
vehicular traffic areas and at least seven (7) feet above the main
ground level on which the sign is placed if it is within pedestrian
traffic areas, and shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet to
the top of the sign above the ground level.
c.
Pole signs shall be located not closer than fifteen (15) feet
to any right-of-way.
d.
Sign area shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.
e.
Highway 47 Pole Signs. For properties that are contiguous to
the Highway 47 right-of-way, located between Veterans Memorial Parkway
and Anwijo Way only, including the properties contiguous to both Anwijo
Way and Highway 47, the following pole sign regulations shall apply:
(1)
Not more than one (1) pole sign shall be erected
on any one (1) street frontage with a maximum of two (2) pole signs
per property or development. Only one (1) pole sign shall be allowed
to exceed a height of thirty-five (35) feet to the top of the sign
above the main ground level on a property.
(2)
The bottom of the sign shall be at least ten (10)
feet above the main ground level on which the sign is placed if it
is within vehicular traffic areas and at least seven (7) feet above
the main ground level on which the sign is placed if it is within
pedestrian traffic areas and shall not exceed a height of fifty (50)
feet to the top of the sign above the main ground level.
(3)
Pole signs shall be located not closer than fifteen
(15) feet to any right-of-way.
(4)
Sign area shall not exceed one hundred (100) square
feet for a sign at a height of or less than thirty-five (35) feet.
Sign area shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet for
a sign at a height of or less than fifty (50) feet to the top of the
sign above the main ground level.
f.
Highway Commercial Overlay District Pole Signs. For anchor store pole signs within the "HCOD" as set forth in Appendix A below (Subsection (A)(8)(f)(6)), the following pole sign regulations shall apply:
(1)
The anchor pole sign must be within the same lot,
retail center or development as the business it advertises.
(2)
Such signs shall be located so as not to obstruct
vision at an intersection or a vehicular entry or exit from the retail
center property or development.
(3)
The bottom of any anchor store pole sign shall
be at least ten (10) feet above the main ground level on which the
sign is placed if it is within vehicular traffic areas and at least
seven (7) feet above the main ground level on which the sign is placed
if it is within pedestrian traffic areas, and shall not exceed a height
of sixty (60) feet to the top of the sign above the ground level.
(4)
Anchor store pole signs shall be located not closer
than fifteen (15) feet to any right-of-way.
(5)
The total anchor store pole sign signage area shall
not exceed four hundred (400) square feet per side.
(6)
Appendix A. Map of Highway Commercial Overlay District.
|
Map of Highway Commercial Overlay District
 |
9.
Electronic Message Board Signs.
a.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD SIGN
Definitions.
A sign or portion thereof with a fixed or changing message
composed of a series of lights that may change through electronic
means and may incorporate LED or other lighting methods, excluding
signs displaying time and temperature only.
b.
Location.
(1)
No sign shall be located in such a manner as to
obstruct or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness
of an official traffic sign or signal or obstruct or physically interfere
with a motor vehicle operator's view of approaching, merging or intersecting
traffic.
(2)
Placement of any electronic message board sign
shall be on the same lot as the business it advertises.
c.
Illumination. Direct or reflected light from the electronic
message board sign shall not create a traffic hazard to operators
of motor vehicles or create glares affecting residential properties.
All electronic message board signs shall be required to have an automatic
dimmer control and shall be programmed to meet the requirements of
this Subsection to the satisfaction of the Board of Aldermen's designee.
d.
Size. The maximum sign area for any one (1) sign per side shall
not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet.
e.
Highway Electronic Message Board Signs. For properties that
are contiguous to the Interstate 70 right-of-way; contiguous to the
Veterans Memorial right-of-way; and contiguous to the Highway 47 right-of-way,
located between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Interstate 70 only,
the following additional electronic message board sign regulations
shall apply:
(1)
Only one (1) electronic message board sign shall
be allowed with a maximum sign area of fifty (50) square feet per
side, up to a height of thirty-five (35) feet to the top of the sign
above the main ground level on a property or development.
10.
Banner Signs.
a.
All banner signs must meet the following guidelines:
(1)
Must be located at least fifteen (15) feet back
from the street edge.
(2)
May be a maximum size of thirty-two (32) square
feet in commercial/industrial districts.
(3)
May be a maximum size of twelve (12) square feet
in residential districts.
(4)
Banner signs may be located on the property which
it advertises.
(5)
In the case of a lot with multiple street frontages,
the entity may display two (2) banners as long as each banner is facing
a different street.
(6)
Off-site advertisement is allowed, provided the
entity has written permission from the property owner.
(7)
Any banner sign not maintained shall be subject
to the enforcement Section of the City of Warrenton Code.
(8)
The maximum number of banners per entity at any
time shall be limited to one (1) per street front.
b.
Prohibited.
(1)
Banner signs may not be affixed to any utility
pole, including telephone, electric, street and traffic poles.
(2)
Pendants and streamers.
(3)
Banners shall not be roof mounted or higher than
the building on which it advertises.
(4)
Banner signs shall not interfere with vehicular
or pedestrian traffic.
11.
Temporary And Flag Signs — Size And Location Requirements.
a.
Such signs shall be not greater than six (6) square feet per
sign face in residential districts or thirty-two (32) square feet
per sign face in all other districts.
b.
Such signs shall be posted only on private property with the
permission of the property owner or lessee.
c.
Such signs shall not be placed within ten (10) feet of another
temporary or flag sign.
d.
Any temporary or flag sign not maintained shall be subject to
the enforcement Section of the City of Warrenton Code.
12.
Retail center multi-tenant signs shall be subject to the following
regulations:
a.
Such signs shall be located so as not to obstruct vision at
an intersection or a vehicular entry or exit from the retail center
property or development.
b.
Not more than two (2) retail center multi-tenant signs shall
be erected on any one (1) street frontage.
c.
The bottom of any retail center multi-tenant sign shall be at
least ten (10) feet above the main ground level on which the sign
is placed if it is within vehicular traffic areas and at least seven
(7) feet above the main ground level on which the sign is placed if
it is within pedestrian traffic areas, and shall not exceed a height
of sixty (60) feet to the top of the sign above the ground level.
d.
Retail center multi-tenant signs shall be located not closer
than fifteen (15) feet to any right-of-way.
e.
The total retail center multi-tenant signage area shall not
exceed eight hundred (800) square feet per side.
f.
Retail center multi-tenant signs may contain electronic message
board signs subject to the following additional regulations:
(1)
No electronic message board sign shall be located
in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise physically interfere
with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign or signal or obstruct
or physically interfere with a motor vehicle operator's view of approaching,
merging or intersecting traffic.
(2)
The electronic message board sign shall only advertise
for businesses within the single retail center or development.
(3)
Illumination. Direct or reflected light from the
electronic message board sign shall not create a traffic hazard to
operators of motor vehicles or create glares affecting residential
properties. All electronic message board signs shall be required to
have an automatic dimmer control and shall be programmed to meet the
requirements of this Subsection to the satisfaction of the Board of
Aldermen's designee.
(4)
Size. The maximum electronic message board sign
area per side shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
Except as hereinafter provided, all signs shall be subject to the
following general construction standards and maintenance standards:
1.
All signs and supports shall be maintained in good repair so
as to prevent rust, peeling, flaking or fading. Broken panels, missing
letters, flaking or peeling paint and other visual damage to a sign
shall be repaired within forty-five (45) days of the occurrence or
within thirty (30) days of notification by registered letter from
the City.
2.
Every permanent sign shall be constructed of rigid weather-proof
materials, and provisions shall be made for electric grounding of
all metallic parts.
4.
No sign shall be erected or maintained so that, by its position,
shape, wording, device or color, it might interfere with, obstruct
the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal
or device.
5.
All signs on a single parcel or lot or in a planned business
center shall be of generally uniform appearance as approved by the
City.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord.
No. 2204 §I, 12-16-2014; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
The following signs shall not require the issuance of a sign permit,
provided that such signs fully comply with the definitions and specifications
of this Chapter and are not illuminated:
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
An application for a permit for any sign not included in Section 425.120 shall be made upon forms provided by the City.
B.
Every applicant, before being granted a permit hereunder, shall pay
to the City a minimum fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for processing the
application, plus a fee of one dollar ($1.00) per square foot of sign
area over ten (10) square feet.
C.
Nothing in this Chapter shall exempt signs from meeting the requirements
of the City Electrical and Building Codes.
D.
If the work authorized under a sign erection permit has not been
completed within six (6) months after the date of approval, it shall
become null and void.
E.
The sign permit becomes null and void immediately if the applicant's
business closes and/or no longer exists on the premises.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
Any sign legally existing on the effective date of this Chapter shall
be exempt from this Chapter according to the following:
1.
No non-conforming sign shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed
or structurally altered, except as may be required by law.
2.
No non-conforming sign shall be moved to any other portion of
the lot or parcel occupied by such a sign.
3.
Any non-conforming sign damaged to the extent of more than sixty
percent (60%) of its reconstruction value, exclusive of the foundations,
at the time of damage by fire, explosion, war, riot or act of God,
shall not be restored or reconstructed as before such happening. However,
if less than sixty percent (60%) of such a sign is damaged above the
foundation, it may be restored or reconstructed, provided that such
restoration or reconstruction is done within four (4) months of such
happening, and is done with like or similar materials and size.
4.
When the use of a non-conforming sign has been discontinued or abandoned for one (1) year, the sign shall be removed in accordance with Section 425.140.
5.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening
or restoring to a safe condition of any sign or part thereof declared
to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety
upon the order of such official.
6.
On any sign that is non-conforming, work may be done on ordinary
repairs, or on the repair of non-structural members or wiring, provided
that the sign does not further depart from the regulations of this
Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
The City of Warrenton shall be responsible for the enforcement of
this Chapter and may at any reasonable time inspect any sign regulated
by this Chapter.
B.
Written Notice To Be Given Of Violations.
1.
Permanent signs. If it is found that any permanent
sign has been erected in violation of this Chapter, the City shall
give written notice to the owner of the sign or, if the owner cannot
be located within thirty (30) days by the City, to the owner of the
premises on which the sign is located, or if the sign erection is
not complete, to the sign erector stating:
a.
The violations found;
b.
The specific standards which must be met;
c.
The conditions must be brought into compliance within thirty
(30) days;
d.
Failure to comply with the terms of such notice shall constitute
grounds for the City to order removal of the sign at the expense of
the sign owner and/or owner of the premises, as provided by this Chapter;
and
2.
Temporary signs. If it is found that any temporary
sign has been placed in violation of this Chapter, the City shall
give written and verbal notice to the owner of the property on which
the sign is placed or, if the owner cannot be located, to the tenant
of the premises on which the sign is located stating:
a.
The violation found;
b.
The sign must be either removed or brought into compliance within
forty-eight (48) hours; and
c.
Failure to comply with the terms of such notice shall constitute
grounds for the City to order removal of the sign at the expense of
the sign owner and/or owner of the premises, as provided by this Chapter;
and
C.
Signs not brought into compliance may be removed by the City. The
City may remove a sign if the violations set out in a written notice
have not been corrected within the specified time period after delivery
of the notice.
D.
Costs To Sign Owner, Premises Owner, Or Sign Erector. The cost of sign repair or removal shall be a joint and several
obligation of the owner of the sign and/or the owner of the property
on which the sign is located.
E.
Expenses Incurred To Be Assessed As Lien On Property. In the event of failure by any party to reimburse the City within
sixty (60) days for the cost incurred for repair or removal ordered
by the City, the Board of Aldermen shall certify the charges for repair
or removal to the City Administrator as a special assessment represented
by a special tax bill against the real property on which the sign
had been erected. The tax bill shall be a lien upon the property and
shall be enforced to the same extent and in the same manner as all
other special tax bills. The assessment shall bear interest at the
rate of eight percent (8%) per annum until paid.
F.
Persons Owing Costs Of Sign Repair Or Removal Not To Be Issued
Further Sign Permits. The City shall not issue any further
sign permits to persons refusing to pay costs assessed for the removal
of illegal signs nor to agents or representatives of such persons.
[Ord. No. 2060 §I, 9-18-2012; Ord. No. 2270 §I, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 2292 §§I — II, 8-16-2016; Ord. No. 2310 §I, 1-3-2017]
A.
Any provision of this Code to the contrary notwithstanding, any owner
of real property on which a sign was located prior to condemnation
or threat of condemnation resulting in said sign being located outside
of any present or planned City, County or State rights-of-way but
within a setback area designated by City Code that does not cause
any present or future safety risks and where the property owner continuously
maintains the lot, buildings, fixtures and signs located on the property
shall be allowed continued use of the sign as a legal non-conforming
sign.
B.
Any provision of this Code to the contrary notwithstanding, any owner
of real property on which a sign is located that has been taken or
caused to be removed by condemnation or threat of condemnation by
a government agency may relocate said sign at the same or greater
distance from the right-of-way established after such taking or removal
as said sign was located from the right-of-way line prior to such
taking or removal. Any such relocation under the provisions of this
Section must be completed by such person within two (2) years after
the property upon which sign was located became the property of the
government agency.
