Editor's Note — Ord. no. 1974 §1 adopted March 18, 1997, repealed ch. 425 and enacted the new provisions set out herein. Former ch. 425 derived from CC 1976 §§29½-16 — 29½-40; ord. no. 1556 §§1 — 16, 11-21-89; ord. no. 1755 §1, 3-8-94; ord. no. 1864 §1(E), 8-1-95.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997]
A. 
This Chapter shall be known as the Sign Code of the City of Pacific, and may be so cited and pleaded, and shall be referred to herein as "this Chapter".
B. 
The provisions of this Chapter shall govern the erection of all signs and related advertising devices, together with their appurtenant and auxiliary devices, in respect to size, location, and structural fire safety.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2076 §1(A), 1-19-1999]
As used in this Chapter the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
APPROVED COMBUSTIBLE PLASTIC
A plastic material more than one-twentieth (1/20) inch thick which burns at a rate of not more than two and one-half (2½) inches per minute when subjected to ASTM Standard Test for Flammability of plastics in sheets of six-one-hundredths (6/100) inch thickness.
AWNING
Any structure entirely supported by the wall to which it is attached and which has a frame covered by a temporary material and/or which can be retracted against the wall by which it is supported.
BANNER
A sign produced on cloth, vinyl or similar flexible material.
BILLBOARD
A sign which is erected under permit of the Missouri Department of Transportation and this City which advertises a product, service or activity sold, rented, or conducted or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.
CANOPY
Any structure attached to the building at the inner end and supported on the outer end in conformance with the Building Code of the City of Pacific.
CITY
The City of Pacific.
COMMISSIONER
The Building Commissioner of the City of Pacific and his/her assistants, unless otherwise specified.
ERECT
To build, attach, hang, rehang, place, affix, or relocate and includes the painting and repainting of wall and window signs.
FRONTAGE
The length of the lot along the street side. The front of a lot bordering more than one (1) street is along the shortest street side.
INFLATABLE ADVERTISING DEVICE
A non-porous bag filled with air and tethered to an immobile object used for advertising purposes.
LOT
A parcel of land intended to be separately owned, rented, leased, developed or otherwise used.
MARQUEE
Any hood or awning of permanent construction and supported entirely by the building which projects from the wall of a building and over a sidewalk or pedestrian thoroughfare.
PERSON
A firm, organization, association, partnership, trust, company, corporation, or government entity or official as well as an individual.
PREMISES
That portion of a lot or building occupied by a single occupant, exclusive of common area, if any, shared with adjacent occupants.
SHOPPING CENTER
Any commercial premises having two (2) or more occupants with separate street entrances.
SIGN
Any surface displaying advertising or a message for public consumption and designed and placed so as to be seen from outdoors. Sign supports are not a part of the sign.
SIGN AREA
The area of the sign face. The area within a single rectangle or circle enclosing the extreme limits of the sign, but not including structural supports, except that in the case of an individual letter sign, only two-thirds (⅔) of the enclosing rectangle or circle shall be counted as the gross area of the sign. The "sign area" of a multifaced sign is the sum of the sign areas of each face.
SIGN AREA, GROSS
The total allowable sign area for a premises.
SIGN AREA, TOTAL
The sum of all sign areas for a particular type of sign.
SIGN, DIRECTORY
A sign containing the name and/or logo of the complex or center, listing only the name of the business or businesses, with a maximum height of ten (10) feet, and a maximum width of ten (10) feet. The base of said sign shall be landscaped.
SIGN FACE
The entire area within a parallelogram which encloses the extreme limits of the sign lettering and/or graphic message.
SIGN, PORTABLE
A sign, constructed with or without wheels, and intended to be easily moved. Some portable signs are commonly known as commander boards.
SIGN STRUCTURE
The sign and all parts associated with its construction.
SIGN SUPPORTS
All structures by which a sign is held up, including, for example, poles, braces, guys, and anchors.
SIGN, AWNING AND CANOPY
Signs attached to an awning or canopy.
SIGN, GROUND
Any detached sign which has its bottom portion erected upon or supported by the ground.
SIGN, HANGING
Any sign hanging entirely beneath a canopy or marquee.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
Any sign which is illuminated by light sources either mounted on the sign or at some other location.
SIGN, INCIDENTAL
Any portable sign or any sign attached to a sign support which exists in addition to the primary wall, ground, marquee, or awning sign at any commercial premises.
SIGN, MARQUEE
Any sign attached to a permanent structure designed as a roof over a pedestrian walkway.
SIGN, NON-CONFORMING
A sign existing on the effective date of this Chapter, March 18, 1997, which could not be erected under the terms of this Chapter.
SIGN, POLE (Also commonly known as a post or standard sign)
Any detached sign supported by one (1) or more stationary poles longer than five (5) feet above the mean grade line of the base or ground.
SIGN, PROJECTING
Any sign which projects more than fifteen (15) inches beyond the plane of the wall on which the sign is erected.
SIGN, ROOF
Any sign erected on a roof.
SIGN, SHOPPING CENTER
Shopping center identification sign.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
Any sign intended for a limited or intermittent period of display.
SIGN, VEHICLE MOUNTED
Any sign installed, mounted, positioned, located, situated, displayed, or exhibited on a motor vehicle. This shall not include painting or decaling on a commercially licensed vehicle or manufacturer's painting or decaling on a personal vehicle.
SIGN, WINDOW
Any sign that is permanently applied to either side of the glass of an exterior door or window. For the purposes of this Chapter a glass brick wall shall be deemed a window.
STRUCTURAL TRIM
The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing, and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Zoning Code of the City, as amended, and the current district map related thereto (See Chapter 400).
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2076 §1(B), 1-19-1999]
A sign permit shall not be required for the following signs:
A. 
Municipal signs, traffic control signs, legal notices, no trespassing and no dumping signs, danger signs and signs required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
B. 
Signs and bulletin boards for churches, undertaking establishments, or charitable, fraternal, religious or public institutions, as follows:
1. 
Do not exceed twenty (20) square feet per face,
2. 
Do not exceed forty (40) square feet in total sign area,
3. 
Are not over five (5) feet above grade if ground sign,
4. 
There is not more than one (1) sign and one (1) bulletin board structure, and
5. 
Are located on institution's premises.
C. 
Directional signs and parking regulation signs, if:
1. 
They aid patrons in functioning on the premises,
2. 
They are not larger than three (3) square feet, and
3. 
They contain no advertising message or logo.
D. 
Outdoor menu boards provided that:
1. 
The sign area shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet, and
2. 
Maximum height shall not exceed five (5) feet.
E. 
Signs affixed to the inside of a window and advertising commercial situations related to goods or services sold on the premises, provided that the total of all signs (including permitted signs) in that window shall have a gross sign area no greater than one-third (⅓) of the window's area.
F. 
Signs placed within any premises, but not including window signs as herein regulated.
G. 
Signs designating business hours of less than one (1) square foot in total sign area.
H. 
Building address numbers, provided such numbers do not exceed twelve (12) inches in height, and house address numbers.
I. 
Memorial signs or tablets denoting the name of a building and date of erection, if:
1. 
Cut into any masonry surface, or
2. 
Constructed of bronze or other metallic materials.
J. 
Professional name plates and occupational signs denoting the business name of an occupation conducted on the premises, provided that:
1. 
The sign is non-illuminated, and
2. 
The sign area of all such signs does not exceed two (2) square feet.
K. 
Signs identifying commercial uses in residential structures provided that the sign:
1. 
Does not exceed two (2) square feet,
2. 
Is not internally illuminated, and
3. 
Is approved as part of the conditional use permit as established in the Zoning Code.
L. 
Subdivision and apartment complex identity signs, provided that:
1. 
Only one (1) sign is erected at each entry to the subdivision or apartment complex,
2. 
If there is more than one (1) entrance, that the sign's separation along the perimeter is at least two hundred (200) feet,
3. 
The sign area of individual signs does not exceed twelve (12) square feet on both sides of a two (2) sided sign or eight (8) square feet on a one (1) sided sign,
4. 
The sign does not advertise the availability of units for sale or rent,
5. 
The sign is located at least fifteen (15) feet from the curbline of the street from which it is to be viewed,
6. 
The sign has a landscaped base, and
7. 
The sign(s) are approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission as part of the site plan review.
M. 
Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor of a building project, provided that:
1. 
Signs shall only be placed on the lot where the construction is in progress,
2. 
Total sign area shall not exceed forty (40) square feet, and
3. 
Signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the completion of the construction.
N. 
Temporary real estate signs which meet the following criteria:
1. 
For signs which advertise the availability for sale, rental or lease of the individual premises on which the sign is located:
a. 
Signs shall be non-illuminated,
b. 
Not more than one (1) sign per public street frontage,
c. 
Signs shall not be placed within a public right-of-way,
d. 
Total sign area of real estate signs shall not exceed the following allowable gross sign areas for the zoning district in which it is located:
(1) 
"R" Districts: eight (8) square feet,
(2) 
"NU", "C" and "M" Districts: forty (40) square feet, and
e. 
Signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the closing date of the sale, rental, or lease of the premises.
2. 
For signs which advertise the subdivision of multi-family development on which the sign is located:
a. 
Signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet,
b. 
Signs shall not be placed within any public right-of-way and shall not obstruct the view of traffic, and
c. 
Signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the sale, rental or lease of the last dwelling unit or lot in the subdivision or development.
3. 
For signs which advertise premises open for inspection and which are located either on the premises to be inspected or on other private property with that property owner's or tenant's permission:
a. 
Signs shall not have a sign area greater than four (4) square feet,
b. 
Signs shall be removed when the advertised premises are not open for inspection, and
c. 
Signs shall not be placed within any public right-of-way and shall not obstruct the view of traffic.
O. 
Temporary signs pertaining to events or drives of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, provided that:
1. 
Signs are no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet;
2. 
No more than three (3) signs are erected, of which two (2) may be off premise;
3. 
Signs are non-illuminated;
4. 
Signs are placed no more than thirty (30) days before said event and are removed no more than seven (7) days after the event; and
5. 
In the case of drives, signs are placed only during said drives, and in no instance, more than sixty (60) days.
P. 
Political signs, meeting the following criteria:
1. 
Residential zoning districts — Total area of a political sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet per side for each candidate or issue.
2. 
Non-residential zoning districts — Total area of a political sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.
3. 
Signs shall be placed on private property only with permission of the property owner or tenant.
4. 
Signs shall not be posted more than, sixty (60) days prior to the election or activity to which they pertain.
5. 
Signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the election or activity to which they pertain.
Q. 
Yard and estate sale signs provided that:
1. 
Signs are no larger than three (3) square feet,
2. 
No more than one (1) sign is placed at the residence where the sale is conducted, and no more than two (2) signs are placed at other locations, with no more than three (3) signs total per sale,
3. 
No signs are placed in the public right-of-way or affixed to any traffic control device, utility pole or tree in the public right-of-way,
4. 
Signs are placed no more than three (3) days before the event and removed no later than one (1) day after the event.
R. 
Flags of any political entity, or any religious or charitable organization, or any corporate entity on its premises provided that:
1. 
Shall not exceed six (6) feet by ten (10) feet,
2. 
No more than three (3) flags are displayed, and
3. 
Flags shall maintain clear height of eight (8) feet above any sidewalk.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2604 §§1 — 2, 11-18-2008]
A. 
Permits Required. A permit from the appropriate state agency must be obtained prior to obtaining a permit from the Commissioner. Billboards shall comply with all State regulations.
B. 
Zoning. Billboards shall be placed only in the "C" and "M" zoning districts.
C. 
(Reserved)
D. 
Location Restrictions. Billboards shall not be permitted:
1. 
At any location which is more than one hundred (100) feet from the Interstate Highway 44 right-of-way. This dimension is measured perpendicular to the interstate highway right-of-way line at the proposed sign.
2. 
In addition to (1) above, no billboard shall be permitted south of Osage Street.
E. 
Spacing. Billboards shall be spaced:
1. 
Not less than seven hundred fifty (750) feet apart. This dimension is measured linearly along the centerline of Interstate Highway 44.
2. 
Not less than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet from the property line of any residential property.
F. 
Size Of Signs. The sign area of each billboard shall not exceed three hundred seventy-eight (378) square feet.
G. 
Number Of Sign Faces. At any site, no more than one (1) sign structure consisting of two (2) sign faces not exceeding seven hundred fifty-six (756) square feet in total sign area shall be permitted.
H. 
Height Of Signs. Billboards shall not exceed a height of more than thirty (30) feet measured from the existing grade prior to construction. Height shall be measured from the existing grade prior to construction. Height shall be measured from grade at the center point of the sign vertically to the top of the face.
I. 
Lighting. Illuminated billboards shall not have any flashing or blinking lights or rotating beacons, nor shall any beam of light be projected through a mechanism which periodically changes the color of the light projected onto the sign. Changeable copy or scrolling copy shall be permitted provided that it does not blink or flash. All illumination shall be oriented so as to prevent glare onto traffic or onto adjacent property or structures or such as to create traffic hazards.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2076 §1(C), 1-19-1999; Ord. No. 2500 §1, 3-27-2006]
A. 
Streamers and pennants may be installed, without permit from the Commissioner, provided that:
1. 
Total length of the individual streamer or pennant does not exceed eighteen (18) inches,
2. 
(Reserved)
3. 
Are erected at least eight (8) feet above grade, and
4. 
Are maintained in good repair.
B. 
Banners may be installed, without permit from the Commissioner, provided that:
1. 
Banners do not exceed forty (40) square feet,
2. 
No more than five (5) banners shall be permitted at any commercial premises,
3. 
Are erected observing a clear height of eight (8) feet above grade, if erected at a location intended to allow the passage of persons beneath,
4. 
(Reserved)
5. 
Are not placed in the public right-of-way,
6. 
Are installed in conformity with the construction regulations and location restrictions established in Section 425.110, General Technical Requirements,
7. 
Are removed within ninety (90) days of the installation date, and
8. 
The same banner is not erected more than two (2) times in a twelve (12) month period, and at least thirty (30) days elapse between the removal and re-erection of the same banner.
C. 
Inflatable advertising devices may be installed, without permit from the Commissioner, provided that:
1. 
No such device shall rise higher than twenty (20) feet from ground level,
2. 
Are installed in conformity with the construction regulations and location restrictions,
3. 
Are removed within thirty (30) days of the installation date.
Streamers, pennants, banners and inflatable advertising devices placed, installed or erected not in conformity with this Chapter are prohibited.
[1]
Editor's Note — Ord. no. 2066 §1, enacted October 6, 1998, repealed former section 425.080 entitled procedure for review and approval of signs. Said former section derived from ord. no. 1974 §1, 3-18-97. We have left this section reserved for the city's future use. Ord. no. 2066 §2 set out new provisions concerning design regulations for signs at section 425.110(A).
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2500 §2, 3-27-2006]
A. 
Sign Permit Required. Except as provided by Sections 425.050 and 425.070, a sign permit shall be obtained from the Commissioner before a sign may be erected or altered. No permit shall be required for cleaning, repainting or replacing of the same copy, normal maintenance or minor repair, not involving structural changes of a sign. A permit shall not be required for the change of face of an existing legal sign for the same business being advertised on the existing sign.
B. 
Fees. Fees shall be in accordance with Section 425.100.
C. 
Electrical Permit Fee. Illuminated signs shall not be exempted from the permit fees required by the Electrical Code.
D. 
Period Of Validity. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within six (6) months after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
E. 
Permit Issuance Not A Defense. No permit for a sign issued hereunder shall be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to maintain an unlawful sign nor shall any permit issued hereunder constitute a defense in an action to abate an unlawful sign.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2239 §1, 9-4-2001]
A. 
Application for permits shall be filed with the Commissioner, together with a permit fee for each sign as specified hereunder:
1. 
All permits are subject to a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) processing fee which will be collected when applying for a permit. This processing fee is not refundable.
2. 
Application fee:
0 to 24 square feet
$25.00
25 to 49 square feet
$50.00
50 to 99 square feet
$75.00
100 to 199 square feet
$150.00
200 to 299 square feet
$300.00
Each additional 50 square feet
add $25.00
Footing inspections, each
$25.00
Electrical inspections, each
$25.00
Final inspection
$25.00
3. 
Annual adjustment. This fee structure shall be reviewed and adjusted annually to offset any inflationary cost and the Consumer Price Index, as determined by the United States Department of Commerce, shall be applied as the adjusting factor. The fee shall be rounded to the next highest dollar.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2066 §2, 10-6-1998; Ord. No. 2076 §1(D), 1-19-1999; Ord. No. 2500 §3, 3-27-2006]
The following general technical requirements apply to all signs subject to the Sign Code.
A. 
Design Regulations.
1. 
Gross sign area limitation.
a. 
Each single occupant commercial or industrial premises shall be allowed the following sign types:
(1) 
Wall,
(2) 
Marquee,
(3) 
Canopy,
(4) 
Awning, or
(5) 
Roof
sign with a maximum gross sign area equal to no more than ten percent (10%) of the wall space.
b. 
Additionally, each single occupant commercial or industrial premises shall be allowed one (1) ground sign limited to two (2) sides, with a maximum sign area of forty (40) square feet per side.
c. 
Shopping centers with total lot area of less than ten (10) acres and office parks, allowed one (1) ground identification sign subject to the size limitation for ground signs set forth in (A)(1)(b) above. Shopping centers with total lot area of ten (10) or more acres shall be allowed ground identification signs not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet, to be erected at the main entrances to the shopping center. All shopping center and office park identification signs shall contain only the shopping center's or office park's name and logo and shall conform to the height limitation for ground signs. Additionally, each individual tenant may erect one (1) of the following sign types: wall, marquee, canopy or awning sign, subject to the technical requirements contained in this Chapter.
d. 
Commercial or industrial premises having a common entrance shall be permitted the same signage allowed in (A)(1)(a) and (A)(1)(b) above.
e. 
Pole signs shall be allowed in all "C" zoning districts within five hundred (500) feet of Osage and five hundred (500) feet north of the north right-of-way of Interstate Forty-Four. Pole signs shall be limited to thirty-five (35) feet in height and the sign shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet per face. No to exceed one hundred sixty (160) total square footage per sign.
f. 
Exempted signs in Section 425.050 shall not be included in the gross sign area except for non-conforming signs, which shall be included in the gross sign area limitation.
g. 
Subdivision and apartment complex shall be allowed ground signs to identify the complex provided that:
(1) 
Only one (1) sign is erected at each entry to the subdivision or apartment complex.
(2) 
If there is more than one (1) entrance, that the sign's separation along the perimeter is at least two hundred (200) feet.
(3) 
The sign area of individual signs does not exceed forty (40) square feet per side.
(4) 
The sign does not advertise the availability of units for sale or rent.
(5) 
The sign is located at least fifteen (15) feet from the curbline of the street from which it is to be viewed.
(6) 
The sign has a landscaped base.
h. 
Electronic changeable signs or electronic message devices shall be allowed in all "C and M" zoning districts.
(1) 
The message on an electronic changeable sign will be allowed to scroll but flashing will be prohibited.
(2) 
A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) sign area in square feet of the lot street frontage or lot street facing upon which the sign will be located, in linear feet, subject to a maximum area of one hundred (100) square feet.
(3) 
No electronic message device shall exceed forty (40) square feet when incorporated into the sign area of an allowable pole sign.
2. 
Message permitted.
a. 
The identification, message or graphic display contained on any sign shall pertain only to the business, industry or pursuit legally conducted on, or to the products sold on or within, the premises on which the sign is permitted.
b. 
Changeable copy signs are permitted.
3. 
No advertising to be placed on sign supports. No advertising other than a permitted sign shall be placed on any sign support.
B. 
Construction Regulations.
1. 
Conformance to Code. Every sign shall be designed to conform to the requirements of this Chapter and to the currently adopted Building Code of the City of Pacific. In the absence from this Chapter of specifications governing details of sign construction, the applicable standards listed in the currently adopted Building Code of the City of Pacific shall apply. The conformance shall be subject to approval by the Commissioner. Where appropriate, the Commissioner may require working drawings prepared by a qualified engineer registered in the State of Missouri.
2. 
Illuminated signs. All illuminated signs shall be subject to the following requirements.
a. 
Conformance to Code. All illuminated signs and their electrical wiring shall conform to the currently adopted National Electrical Code and other applicable ordinances of the City of Pacific.
b. 
Valid electrical permit. All illuminated signs and signs with electrical wiring must be covered by a valid electrical permit.
c. 
Weather-resistant and shatterproof design. All electrical illumination devices shall be designed to be weather-resistant and shatterproof.
d. 
Relettering. Relettering which requires a change of piping or sign wiring shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner.
e. 
Voltage designation. The voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection with the sign shall be conspicuously placed on that apparatus.
f. 
Flashing and blinking lights prohibited. Illuminated signs shall not have any flashing or blinking lights or rotating beacons, nor shall any beam of light be projected through a mechanism which periodically changes the color of the light reaching the sign.
g. 
Illumination not to glare. All illumination shall be oriented so as to prevent glare onto traffic or onto adjacent property or structures.
3. 
Materials. Except as provided in Sections 425.070 and 425.120, every sign shall be constructed of rigid weatherproof materials, and provision shall be made for electric grounding of all metallic parts.
4. 
Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All signs shall be designed and constructed to meet the currently adopted Building Code requirements for wind pressure, earthquake, dead load, and foundation specifications.
5. 
Transparent sign face. A transparent sign face may be constructed of glass or approved combustible plastic. If constructed of glass the sign face shall be safety glass or plate glass at least one-quarter (¼) inch thick. Provided however, that if the area of a pane of glass exceeds three (3) square feet it shall be wired glass.
6. 
Movable parts to be secured. All movable parts of a sign shall be securely fastened to the sign so as to avoid any danger of the parts falling. All items such as covers to service openings shall be secured by chains or hinges.
7. 
Sign structure to be free of hazardous protrusions. Any sign structure erected at less than eight (8) feet above the mean grade line of the ground over which it is erected shall be free of sharp or pointed protrusions which might endanger the public's safety.
8. 
Maintenance. All signs and their supports shall be kept in repair in accordance with the Property Maintenance Code of the City.
C. 
Location Restrictions.
1. 
Setbacks for signs. A setback of ten (10) feet from the public right-of-way shall be observed, except upon a street in the "C-1" or "C-2" zoning district with a zero (0) setback.
2. 
Property owner consent required. No sign or advertising structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the property owner or tenant.
3. 
Obstruction of adjacent premises prohibited. No sign may be located as to obstruct the view from a public thoroughfare of an existing sign, display window, or major entrance of an adjacent business.
4. 
Obstructions to building openings prohibited. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
5. 
Sign not to constitute traffic hazard.
a. 
No sign shall be erected at any intersection in such a manner as to obstruct clear vision.
b. 
No sign shall be erected so that by its position, shape, or color it might interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
c. 
No sign shall make use of the words "Stop", "Slow", "Caution", "Danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
6. 
Signs on fire safety equipment. No advertising sign of any kind may be attached to a standpipe, hydrant or fire escape or to any other fire-safety related device.
7. 
Signs to be removed from premises. Any sign structure which advertises a business no longer conducted or a product no longer sold on the premises or lot shall be removed within ninety (90) days after the business or product is no longer present by the owner, agent, or person having beneficial use of the premises or lot upon which the sign is erected.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 2076 §1(E), 1-19-1999; Ord. No. 2500 §4, 3-27-2006]
All signs regulated by the Sign Code shall comply with the following specific technical requirements. If a sign is subject to more than one (1) classification, the regulations governing the various applicable classifications shall apply. In case of conflict, the more stringent regulations shall govern.
A. 
Awning And Canopy Signs. All awning and canopy signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Materials. Signs may either be:
a. 
Made of rigid weatherproof materials,
b. 
Made of the same material as the awning or canopy, or
c. 
Painted with weather-resistant paint directly on the awning or canopy material.
2. 
Location. Signs may be affixed flush to the sides or front of an awning or may be hung beneath a canopy. No sign may project below the minimum clearance line required by the Building Code, nor above any portion of the face to which it is attached.
3. 
Vertical dimension. Maximum vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches.
4. 
Method of attachment. All signs constructed of materials other than paint or the material with which the canopy or awning is covered shall be permanently attached to the frame of the awning or canopy.
5. 
Illumination. Sign may be illuminated.
B. 
Ground Signs. All ground signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Height limitation. No sign shall be higher than five (5) feet above the mean level of the grade on which the sign is located, exclusive of any filling, berming, or mounding done solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
2. 
Building address. Any building located more than fifty (50) feet from the nearest public right-of-way line, except buildings in shopping centers, shall have the address number and street name placed on the ground sign.
3. 
Location at street intersections. Signs on a corner shall not be closer than fifteen (15) feet from the intersection of right-of-way lines, so as not to obstruct a clear vision.
C. 
Marquee Signs. All marquee signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Location.
a. 
Signs may be affixed to the sides or front of the marquee, or may be hung entirely beneath it.
b. 
No portion of any sign may project below the minimum clearance line required for marquees by the Building Code or above any portion of the face to which the sign is affixed.
2. 
Height limitation. No sign shall exceed five (5) feet in height.
3. 
Method of attachment. Except for hanging signs, all signs shall be attached flush with the face on which they are placed.
D. 
Projecting Wall Signs. All projecting signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Location.
a. 
Signs shall hang at least eight (8) feet above any sidewalk over which they are erected or eighteen (18) feet above any street or alley, and
b. 
The innermost point of the sign shall be no more than one (1) foot from the plane of the wall nor be within four (4) feet of the curb line or edge of any public street or alley.
c. 
The sign structure shall not project more than three (3) feet from the plane of the wall nor be within four (4) feet of the curb line or edge of any public street or alley.
2. 
Construction limitations.
a. 
Thickness limitation. The maximum distance between the principal faces of any projecting sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches.
b. 
Display faces. Every projecting sign shall contain two (2) display faces.
E. 
Wall Signs. All wall signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Location. Signs shall not:
a. 
Extend above the top of the wall.
b. 
Extend beyond the ends of the wall.
c. 
Project more than six (6) inches beyond the plane of the wall on which it is erected.
2. 
Materials. Signs may be painted on the wall with appropriate permanent paint.
F. 
Window Signs. All window signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Area limitation. The sign area of any one (1) sign shall not cover more than one-third (⅓) of the window or glass door upon which it is applied.
2. 
All signs, including exempt signs, in one (1) window shall be deemed to be one (1) sign for the purposes of this paragraph.
G. 
Pole Signs. All pole signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Signs shall hang at least eight (8) feet above any sidewalk.
H. 
Roof Signs. All roof signs shall meet the following requirements.
1. 
Signs shall be limited in size to a sign area not greater than ten percent (10%) of the area of the front wall of the building or portion of the building occupied or one hundred (100) square feet, whichever is less.
2. 
Only the business conducted in the building upon which the sign is mounted shall be advertised.
3. 
Not extend beyond the exterior walls of the building upon which the sign is mounted.
4. 
Be constructed of non-combustible materials.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997]
A. 
Any non-conforming sign may not be enlarged or altered in any way which would increase its non-conformity.
B. 
Should any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter.
C. 
Any non-conforming sign not otherwise prohibited by this Chapter's provisions shall be removed or shall be altered to conform to the provisions of this Chapter when the nature or the name of the business conducted on the premises changes and the sign is changed or modified either in shape, size, or legend.
D. 
Any non-conforming sign not located on the premises where the business, service, or activity is conducted and not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this Chapter shall be removed at the time any modification in the mechanical features, supporting structure, size, shape, or legend is attempted.
E. 
All incidental signs, banners, streamers or inflatable advertising devices as defined herein existing on the effective date of this Chapter, March 18, 1997, are not subject to the provisions of law allowing the continuing use of non-conforming signs and shall be removed upon the issuance of a violation notice by the Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997; Ord. No. 3419, 7-2-2024]
A. 
Authority. The Commissioner and his/her assistants, shall be responsible for the enforcement of this Code, and may inspect any sign structure, at any time he/she deems necessary.
B. 
Violation. It shall be a violation of this Code for any owner, tenant of premises, or sign erector to:
1. 
Erect or permit a person to erect a sign without filing an application with the Commissioner and obtaining the required permit, or
2. 
Erect or permit a person to erect a sign or permit a sign on the premises which does not conform to this Code.
C. 
Penalty. Any person who shall violate a provision of the Sign Code or fail to comply with a notice issued under the provisions of the Sign Code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine as prescribed in Section 100.170 of the Pacific City Code. Each day's violation of, or refusal or neglect to comply with any provision of this Code shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
D. 
Dangerous Signs May Be Removed By Commissioner Without Notice. Any sign which is an immediate threat to the safety of persons or property may be removed immediately and without notice to the sign owner or premises owner.
E. 
Costs To Sign Owner, Premises Owner, Or Sign Erector. The cost of sign repair or removal shall be charged:
1. 
To the sign owner,
2. 
If the sign owner cannot be located by the Commissioner within thirty (30) days, to the premises owner, or
3. 
If the sign erection was not complete at the time notice of violation was given, to the sign erector and shall be collected from his/her bonding agent if the erector is bonded.
F. 
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 costs incurred for repair or removal ordered by the Commissioner, the City Clerk shall certify the charges for repair or removal 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.
G. 
Persons Owing Costs Of Sign Repair Or Removal Not To Be Issued Further Sign Permits. The Commissioner shall not issue any further sign permits to persons refusing to pay costs assessed under Subsections (B) and (C), to agents or representatives of such persons.
H. 
Removal By City, Charges. Any sign which is placed, installed or erected on public right-of-way without proper authorization may be removed, confiscated and destroyed by the City without notice. The owner of the sign or premises owner or sign erector shall be charged for removal costs in accordance with Subsections (E) and (F) above.
I. 
Maintenance And Repair. All signs shall be constructed of new or good used material and in accordance with the methods of construction which conform to the requirements of the appropriate Building Code listed in Title V of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Pacific. Additionally, they shall be maintained in a state of good repair, free and clear of all debris, trash and weeds in accordance with the requirements of the International Property Maintenance Code listed in Title V of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Pacific. Any dilapidated, dangerous or unsightly signs shall be repaired or removed. When a sign has deteriorated more than fifty percent (50%), it can no longer be repaired, it must be reconstructed or removed. Routine maintenance of a sign does not require a permit. When a sign is located on an adjoining lot line, the owner responsible for constructing said sign shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of that sign. All signs shall be maintained in their original condition.
[Ord. No. 1974 §1, 3-18-1997]
A. 
The Board of Adjustment is empowered to review or modify the Building Commissioner's order or determination with respect to signs covered by this Chapter. In addition the Board of Adjustment may grant variances from this Chapter as provided by this Section.
1. 
Guidelines for overturning or modifying commissioner's decision. The Board of Adjustment shall, in considering appeals from the Commissioner's order or determination, establish that the sign or application in question complies with all of the requirements of this Chapter. If it is determined that the Building Commissioner's interpretation or application of this Chapter to the appellant's sign or request for a permit is erroneous, then the Board of Adjustment may overturn or modify the Building Commissioner's decision.
2. 
Grounds for granting variances. The Board of Adjustment may grant variances from this Chapter where it is found that, because of (a) the limitations on character, size, or dimensions of a sign, or (b) the regulations controlling the erection or installation of a sign, the permittee would be subject to undue hardship. Undue hardship is not a mere loss of a possible advantage or convenience to the applicant. If it is determined that the applicant for a variance is subject to an undue hardship, then the Board of Adjustment shall also determine that the proposed sign:
a. 
Will not be inappropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains; to the scale of the building to which it is related; or to the aesthetic environment of the surrounding structures and land use.
b. 
Will not adversely affect the visual character of the neighborhood.
c. 
Will not adversely affect the general safety and welfare of the neighborhood.
d. 
Will not significantly and unreasonably impair visibility of adjacent permitted signs and property.
3. 
No use variance shall be granted. A use variance is one which would permit a particular type of signs to be located within a zoning district in which it would otherwise be prohibited.
4. 
Procedure for requesting and hearing appeals and variances — fee. The procedure for requesting an appeal or variance shall be as established in Chapter 407 of the Pacific City Code, and fees assessed shall be as established in Chapter 405 and in Title V of the Pacific City Code.