Cross References — As to subdivision signs on city property, §405.130; as to discontinuance of non-conforming use of signs, §400.760.
[R.O. 2010 §530.010; CC 1970 §27-1; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 13-89 §1, 7-17-1989; Ord. No. 11-97 §1, 10-20-1997; Ord. No. 04-05 §1, 3-21-2005; Ord. No. 03-25, 2-18-2025]
For the purposes of this Chapter the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
ATTACHED SIGN
A wall sign or projecting sign attached to a building wall or the generally vertical plane of a mansard type roof.
AWNING
Any structure 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.
BILLBOARD
See "STANDARD OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURE".
BULLETIN BOARD
A sign attached to the exterior of a public, charitable or religious institution or located elsewhere on the premises and used to indicate the services or activities of the institution and including the name of the institution if desired.
CANOPY
Any structure attached to a building at the inner end and supported on the outer end.
DETACHED SIGN
Any sign which is supported by one (1) or more stationary poles three (3) feet or less above the mean grade line of the ground at its base.
DIRECTIONAL (ENTER/EXIT) SIGNS
A sign which indicates a direction for vehicular or pedestrian traffic or other movement.
FLASHING SIGN
An illuminated sign on which, or around which artificial or reflected light is not steady or in which colors change and shall include such lights in windows in which temporary signs are sometimes displayed, whether or not such temporary signs are being displayed at the time.
FLUTTERING SIGN
A sign which flutters and includes banners, flags or other flexible material which moves with the wind or by some artificial means.
HANGING SIGN
Any sign hanging entirely beneath a canopy, portico or marquee.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which is illuminated by light sources mounted on it or in the sign or at some other location.
MARQUEE
Any permanent structure supported entirely by the building and which projects from the wall of a building.
MARQUEE, CANOPY AND AWNING SIGN
A sign attached to or illustrated on a marquee, canopy or awning respectively.
MONUMENT SIGNS
Any permanent detached sign which has its bottom portion erected upon or supported by the ground with not more than two (2) feet of supports standing above the ground.
MOVING SIGN
A sign, all or any part of which, that moves by any means.
POLE SIGN
Any sign which 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.
PORTABLE SIGNS
A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure or ground and that may be readily moved or relocated, placed on trailers and other transportable devices.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign attached to a building, the sign face of which extends away from the building at an angle.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected on a roof. The generally vertical plane of a mansard type roof shall be interpreted as the same as a wall of a building.
SIGN AREA
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. If a wall sign consists of letters without a defined margin, differentiated background, or structural trim, the area shall be computed by extending parallel lines across the highest and lowest points of the letters or insignia and along the left and right extremity of the same. The area shall be that portion enclosed in the rectangle thus formed.
SIGN CONSTRUCTION
A temporary sign used during construction of new buildings or reconstruction of, or additions to, existing buildings, such as those identifying the project and denoting the owner, architect, engineer or contractor of the project.
SIGN FACE
The portion or side of the sign on which the message or advertisement is contained.
STANDARD OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURE
All signs which advertise products, services or businesses which are not located on the same premises as the sign, including 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. Real estate signs are excluded from this definition.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign intended for a limited or intermittent period of display, made of non-rigid material. For the purpose of this Chapter, the term "temporary" means three (3) months or less.
VEHICLE SIGNS
A sign that is permanently or temporarily affixed to a vehicle or trailer that is parked within fifteen (15) feet of the Manchester Road right-of-way.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached to a building wall or the vertical plane of a mansard roof, the sign face of which is parallel to the wall or mansard roof and which does not extend away from the building.
[R.O. 2010 §530.020; CC 1970 §27-2; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 15-02 §1, 10-7-2002; Ord. No. 07-05 §5, 4-18-2005; Ord. No. B10-13 §5, 12-2-2013]
Any person desiring to erect and maintain any permanent commercial sign in the City shall first make written application to the City, which application shall be on a form to be furnished by the City Clerk. The application shall contain full and exact information on the exact dimensions of the sign, the wording of the sign, the coloring of the sign and whether the sign is to be illuminated and, if so, in what manner, the location of the sign and the materials of which the sign is constructed. Each application for a permit for each sign shall be accompanied by payment of a permit fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). This application shall be reviewed by the Building Commissioner (or his or her designee) and either approved, rejected or approved with conditions and returned to applicant. When required by the Building Code, a building permit shall be obtained from the St. Louis County Department of Public Works.
[R.O. 2010 §530.030; CC 1970 §27-3; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 03-25, 2-18-2025]
The granting of such license and permit shall not grant the holder of such permit a vested right and in the event that at any time, the sign violates this Chapter, it shall be removed at the direction of the Board of Aldermen.
[R.O. 2010 §530.040; CC 1970 §27-4; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
All permanent signs approved and existing before passage of this Chapter which are non-conforming as stated in this Chapter shall be removed upon change of ownership, or within three (3) years, whichever is later. Temporary window signs which are non-conforming must be removed by November 10, 1978. For other obsolete signs, see Section 515.070(B).
[R.O. 2010 §530.050; CC 1970 §27-5; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 10-84 §1, 4-23-1984; Ord. No. 4-88 §1, 4-18-1988; Ord. No. 2-90 §1, 2-20-1990; Ord. No. 11-97 §3, 10-20-1997; Ord. No. 04-05 §2, 3-21-2005; Ord. No. 03-25, 2-18-2025]
A. 
Each commercial establishment or business in the City shall be authorized to erect not more than three (3) permanent signs that are in compliance with this Section. Any such sign may state the name of the business, contain a registered trademark or logo and include a statement of the nature or purpose of the business if necessary to identify the business to be conducted.
1. 
Monument signs shall be subject to the following additional requirements:
a. 
No monument signs shall be permitted on any streets except Manchester Road and monument signs shall be restricted to lots having a minimum frontage of one hundred (100) feet on Manchester Road.
b. 
No business or commercial center shall be permitted more than one (1) monument sign. In the event one (1) monument sign is used for several businesses occupying separate stores on the same premises, it may contain the name of the shopping center and name each business located therein.
c. 
No portion of the monument or monument sign shall be located closer than five (5) feet of the right-of-way or more than fifteen (15) feet from the right-of-way.
d. 
No portion of the monument sign shall be six (6) feet higher than above the street grade on which the sign is placed.
e. 
No monument sign on a one hundred (100) foot lot on Manchester Road shall exceed forty (40) square feet per sign face. For each five (5) feet of additional frontage in excess of one hundred (100) feet on Manchester Road, the sign area may be increased by two (2) square feet to a maximum of eighty (80) square feet in area.
f. 
No monument sign shall have more than two (2) sign faces.
g. 
Signs on a street corner shall not be closer than ten (10) feet from the intersection of the intersection of paved streets, so as to not obstruct a clear vision. No part of any sign shall be permitted on any street right-of-way.
2. 
Wall or facia signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:
a. 
In case of single tenant buildings, the area of a wall (or fascia) sign shall not exceed one (1) square foot for each running foot of the side of the building or wall to which it is attached or a maximum of sixty (60) square feet, whichever is the lesser of the two (2). Where more than one (1) side of a building or unit is used for signage, the same limitations shall apply to each side used.
b. 
In the case of a multi-tenant building, each tenant shall be permitted a wall or fascia sign of a size to be determined by the owner/leasing agent of the building; provided, that the total square footage of wall signs on each wall shall not exceed one and one-half (1½) square feet per lineal foot of wall on each level and no sign shall exceed forty (40) square feet. Such sign shall be a minimum of three (3) feet from any other wall or fascia sign and must be located on that area of wall occupied by the business to which it relates.
c. 
The height of any sign shall not exceed its width and all signs on any individual wall/fascia shall be of uniform height.
d. 
No sign shall be permitted to be attached to any wall advertising a business not located on the premises and not utilizing a portion of that wall.
3. 
Supplemental signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:
a. 
Filling stations shall be permitted to have one (1) additional double-faced "price sign". Such sign shall not be placed within five (5) feet of the right-of-way or have an area greater than nine (9) square feet. All signs shall be securely and permanently anchored to a monument sign or to the ground.
b. 
Each business shall be permitted a sign on the door or window not to exceed one (1) square foot showing the days and hours of operation and a window sign not exceeding three (3) square feet providing the name, address and phone number of the business.
c. 
Directional (enter/exit) signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area used to assist customers in accessing a parking lot. No more than two (2) signs per entrance for each business location. No part of these signs may be located in the street right-of-way.
d. 
Supplemental signs shall not be counted in the total for permanent signs permitted under this Section for a commercial establishment or business.
4. 
Temporary window signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:
a. 
Signs may be of no more than fifty percent (50%) of the window or glass to which they are applied; provided that a grocery store shall be excluded from this limitation.
b. 
Temporary signs shall be maintained in good repair and shall be displayed for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. The most recent date of installation shall be clearly shown on the sign in two (2) inch letters placed on the bottom right-hand corner of the front of such sign.
c. 
In the case of a grocery store, temporary window signs shall not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the area of the window or glass to which they are attached. All signs used for the promotion of weekly specials must be removed at the end of seven (7) days.
d. 
Signs to be located on a commercial establishment premises as provided for in this Chapter shall be erected on the premises on which the commercial establishment is located.
e. 
All illuminated signs for a commercial establishment shall be illuminated from the inside. Signs with intermittent or flashing lights are prohibited.
f. 
All signs installed under Subsections (1) and (2) of this Section shall be made of either metal or plastic materials and shall not be composed of particle or pressboard, plywood or similar materials.
5. 
Real Estate Signs. Unilluminated commercial real estate signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located may be erected without a permit, provided that only one (1) sign is erected on a building or premises per lot and such sign is not located within the public right-of-way. This requirement shall not preclude the placement of an additional window sign which shall designate the actual area for sale, rent or lease pursuant to Subsection (A)(4) herein. Any such sign shall refer only to the sale or lease of the building or premises; the name, address and telephone number of the agent; the zoning designation; and the amount of space available. All signs must be removed within ten (10) days of the sale closing or lease initiation date.
[R.O. 2010 §530.060; CC 1970 §27-7; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
A yearly inspection shall be made of all signs by the City. The purpose of this inspection is to determine that there are no signs in violation of this Chapter, that all signs are well maintained, neatly painted and secured in the approved manner and that the number of signs does not exceed those allowed.
[R.O. 2010 §530.070; CC 1970 §27-8; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
A. 
Unsafe Signs. If the City shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated under the provisions of this Chapter is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this Chapter, written notice of such condition shall be given to the permittee or owner of the premises on which the structure is located and shall direct that any such condition be remedied or the structure removed within ten (10) days from the date of issue of such notice. If the structure is not repaired or removed as provided by this Section within ten (10) days after such notice, such signs or other advertising structure may be removed or altered and repaired to comply with this Chapter by the City, at the cost of the permittee or owner of the property on which the sign is located. A permit shall not be issued to any permittee who fails to pay such costs. The City may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is in immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
B. 
Obsolete Signs. Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold within the City on the premises, shall be taken down and removed by the property owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the business or structure upon which the sign may be found, within ten (10) days after written notification from the City to do so, and upon failure to comply with this notice within the time specified, the City is authorized to have the sign removed. The expenses incident to such removal shall be paid by the owner of the premises on which such sign is located.
[R.O. 2010 §530.080; CC 1970 §27-9; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 03-25, 2-18-2025]
A single temporary sign not exceeding twelve (12) square feet upon property in commercial districts may be displayed for a period of not more than fifteen (15) consecutive days. Such a temporary sign shall not be permitted more often than once every sixty (60) days.
[R.O. 2010 §530.090; CC 1970 §27-10; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 10-84 §2, 4-23-1984; Ord. No. 11-97 §2, 10-20-1997; Ord. No. 04-05 §3, 3-21-2005; Ord. No. 03-25, 2-18-2025]
A. 
The following signs are prohibited:
1. 
Wall signs painted directly onto the wall of a structure.
2. 
Paper posters applied directly to the wall of a building or wall of a support, letters or pictures in the form of advertising printed or applied directly on the exterior wall of a building.
3. 
Flashing signs.
4. 
Fluttering signs or flags.
5. 
Roof signs.
6. 
Moving signs.
7. 
Projecting signs.
8. 
If a sign is in the direct line of vision of any traffic signal (as viewed from any point in the traffic lanes) and is located within one hundred (100) feet from the traffic signal as one approaches the traffic signal (measured from the sidewalk line at the traffic signal), it shall not have red, green or amber illumination. No signs 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.
9. 
Pole signs. Existing pole signs shall be grandfathered until such time as the business advertised thereon is closed or the property sold or they are removed, become in substantial disrepair or become dangerous.
10. 
Portable signs.
11. 
Vehicle signs.
12. 
Any sign located in the public right-of-way.
13. 
Within the sight triangle at the intersection of any two (2) streets, as determined by the City Traffic Engineer.
[R.O. 2010 §530.100; CC 1970 §27-11; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, no commercial establishment shall be allowed to erect more than three (3) permanent signs on their premises.
[R.O. 2010 §530.105; Ord. No. 11-97 §4, 10-20-1997]
A. 
No permit to allow a sign to be newly erected shall be issued without a permit issued by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. Standard outdoor advertising structures may be permitted in the City provided that such signs:
1. 
Are located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of a primary highway as defined by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department;
2. 
Are on property zoned for commercial use; and
3. 
Comply with all provisions of this Section.
B. 
Lighting.
1. 
Lighting cannot exceed a twenty (20) foot-candle average.
2. 
No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates an emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign. No flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights will be permitted except scoreboards and other illuminated signs designating public service information such as time, date or temperature, or similar information, will be allowed.
3. 
External lighting, such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck reflectors are permitted, provided the light source is directed upon the face of the signs 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 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; provided the light source is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from shining on any lot which is used or zoned residential.
4. 
No sign shall be illuminated so that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures any official traffic sign, device or signal.
C. 
Size Of Signs.
1. 
The maximum area per face for any one (1) sign located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of a primary highway as defined by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department shall be one hundred twenty-eight (128) square feet, inclusive of border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports and other structural members, with a maximum vertical dimension of thirty (30) feet and a maximum horizontal dimension of sixty (60) feet.
2. 
The maximum height of any sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet from the highest point on the sign structure to the grade of the highway from which the sign is intended to be read nor exceed fifty (50) feet above the surrounding grade where the sign is installed.
D. 
Spacing Of Signs.
1. 
No sign structure shall be erected within one thousand (1,000) feet of an existing sign on either side of the adjacent primary highway.
2. 
The spacing between structure provisions of Subparagraph (D)(1) of this Subsection do not apply to signs which are separated by buildings, natural surroundings, or other obstructions in such manner that only one (1) sign facing located within such distance is visible at any one (1) time. Directional or other official signs or those advertising the sale or lease of the property on which they are located, or those which advertise activities on the property on which they are located, including products sold, shall not be counted, not shall measurements be made from them for the purpose of compliance with spacing provisions.
3. 
The measurements in this Subsection shall be the minimum distances between standard outdoor advertising structures measured along the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the signs along each side of the highway.
E. 
Set Backs And Location. No standard outdoor advertising structure shall be located within:
1. 
Ninety (90) feet of any property line or roofed structure;
2. 
Ninety (90) feet of any right-of-way;
3. 
One thousand (1,000) feet from any lot which is used or zoned as residential or for any public use, including but not limited to parks, schools, churches, libraries, hospitals, historic districts, landmarks or any area on the National Register of Historic Places;
4. 
Two hundred fifty (250) feet of any on-premises sign located on a building or other non-sign structure;
5. 
One thousand (1,000) feet of any other freestanding on-premises sign; or
6. 
One thousand (1,000) feet of an interchange, intersection at grade, or safety rest area. Such distances shall be measured from beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way.
F. 
Miscellaneous Regulations.
1. 
Only one (1) sign shall be allowed to face in one (1) direction along an interstate or primary highway; while signs may be placed back-to-back on the same sign structure so that two (2) signs are facing in opposite directions, signs of V-type construction are prohibited as is sign stacking.
2. 
No sign shall be located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal or device or obstruct or physically interfere with a motor vehicle operator's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
3. 
No sign shall be located on or attached to the roof of a building or any other non-sign structure.
[R.O. 2010 §530.110; CC 1970 §27-12; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978; Ord. No. 10-84 §3, 4-23-1984; Ord. No. 5-86 §1, 5-5-1986; Ord. No. 20-89 §1, 10-2-1989; Ord. No. 03-25, 2-18-2025]
A. 
Subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth only the following signs shall be permitted in residential districts:
1. 
Public, Charitable Or Religious Institution Bulletin Boards. Bulletin boards not over twenty-four (24) square feet and no linear dimension in excess of six (6) feet, for public, charitable or religious institutions located on premises of the institution are permitted in residentially zoned districts. Institutions wishing to erect such bulletin boards shall submit a sign application to the City Administrator for approval; provided, that the bulletin board be set back from the right-of-way by ten (10) feet and signage shall not violate the provisions of Section 515.090. No charge shall be made for such permit or for the annual inspection thereof, but such bulletin boards shall be safely maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 515.070.
2. 
Temporary Non-Commercial Signs. Temporary signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area having a non-commercial message may be displayed on private property in a residential zone. No illuminated signs of this character shall be erected. Temporary non-commercial signs, such as those announcing political candidates or issues, shall not be posted more than forty-five (45) days in any 3-month period. No signs shall be posted on private property without permission of the property owner. There shall be no more than one (1) sign containing the same message per lot for lots having a width of one hundred (100) feet or less and no more than two (2) signs containing the same message per lot on lots having a width of greater than one hundred (100) feet.
3. 
Property Real Estate Signs. Unilluminated residential real estate signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which the signs are located may be erected, without a permit. There shall not be more than one (1) sign on each lot frontage. One (1) directional sign for each house for sale of a size not exceeding four (4) square feet to be located at the corner of two (2) intersecting streets may also be erected without a permit provided that the sign is located at least two (2) feet from the paved portion of the street, permission is given for the placement of the sign by the property owner, and the sign is only displayed during the hours of an open house. All signs must be removed within ten (10) days following the date of closing on the sale or leasing of the property.
4. 
Temporary Yard Signs. Signs used to indicate a garage sale, estate sale, lawn sale or basement sale shall not be larger than four (4) square feet. No more than one (1) such sign per lot may be posted between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. and all signs must be removed upon conclusion of the sale and shall not be posted for more than four (4) consecutive days.
[R.O. 2010 §530.120; CC 1970 §27-13; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
A. 
The Board of Aldermen is empowered to review or modify the City Administrator's order or determination with respect to signs covered by this Chapter and to that end shall during appeal have the City Administrator's powers. In addition, the Board may grant variances from this Chapter as provided by this Section.
1. 
Grounds for granting variances. The Board of Aldermen may grant variances from this Chapter where it is found that because of the limitations on the character, size or dimensions of a sign or 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.
2. 
Procedure for requesting variances. Application for a variance shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
[R.O. 2010 §530.130; CC 1970 §27-14; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
No person shall paint, post, place, hang, suspend or affix any advertisement, card, poster, sign, banner or streamer, of any nature, or for any purpose, or shall cause the same to be done, on or to any curbstone, flagstone or any other portion of any street or sidewalk, or upon any tree or lamppost standing or erected on any public street, alley or other public place, to carry telephone wire or cables, electric light wires or other electric conductors, or to any hydrant, bridge or any public structure within the City.
[R.O. 2010 §530.140; CC 1970 §27-15; Ord. No. 9-78, 10-26-1978]
A. 
In the event that any sign advertisement, card, poster, banner or streamer is posted, painted, placed, hung, suspended or affixed contrary to the provisions of this Section on public right-of-way, it shall be removed by the Police or Street Department of the City and shall be destroyed unless the sign is in the opinion of the Police Chief a permanent sign of wood or metal, in which event he/she may hold it for a period of not to exceed two (2) weeks after which time it shall be destroyed.
B. 
Any person, whether owner or tenant of premises in the City, who erects or causes to be erected or maintained on any commercial establishment or residential premises or public building, any sign, poster, card, banner or streamer in violation of this Chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor if such sign, card, poster, banner or streamer is not removed within ten (10) days of written notice being given by the Police Department to remove such signs, advertisement, poster, banner or streamer. Each day's violation shall be considered as a separate violation.