[Ord. No. 909 § 400.560, 6-16-2014]
A.
The purpose of this Article is to promote and protect the public
health, safety and welfare by regulating signs located within the
overlay district in order to:
1.
Stabilize and reinforce property values to protect private and
public investment;
2.
Preserve and reinforce the natural, historic and architectural
character of the overlay district;
3.
Create a regular and impartial process for those seeking to
erect signs; and
4.
Reduce sign distractions and obstructions that may contribute
to traffic accidents, and reduce hazards that may be caused by signs
overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.570, 6-16-2014]
The Natural Bridge Sign Overlay District includes those lots
having frontage on Natural Bridge Road within the boundaries of the
City.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.580, 6-16-2014]
The regulations of the overlay district shall supersede or supplement,
as applicable, the regulations of the City's Zoning Code. Where a
conflict exists between the regulations of the overlay district and
the provisions of the City's Zoning Code, the provisions of the overlay
district shall control.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.590, 6-16-2014]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the
meanings herein indicated:
Any sign pertaining to a business, use, occupancy, service,
product or activity that has not been conducted or offered on the
premises where the sign is located for a period of ninety (90) consecutive
days.
The area of the largest single face of the sign within a
perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame, or forms
an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports
or uprights on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists
of more than one (1) section or module, all areas will be totaled.
A roof-like covering extending outward from a building wall
consisting of any pliable material attached to a rigid frame.
A temporary sign composed of lightweight material either
enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, secured or mounted so as
to allow movement of the sign caused by movement of the atmosphere.
Structural entity separated by four (4) or more exterior
walls.
A structure above and sheltering an area or forming a sheltered
walk to the entrance of a building.
A person or persons designated as such by the Board of Aldermen.
A temporary sign erected on the premises on which construction
is taking place, during the period of such construction.
The text and/or images displayed on a sign. Does not include
graphic treatment in the form of striping or patterns.
Any sign commonly associated with and used to promote traffic
safety by providing information and directions necessary for persons
traveling to and from a property, including signs marking entrances,
parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, pickup and delivery areas
and the like.
The period beginning sixty (60) days prior to any election
in which the residents of Bel-Nor are eligible to vote and continuing
until two (2) weeks after that election.
A variable message sign which utilizes computer-generated
messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs
include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper
matrix.
To build, construct, alter, repair, display, relocate, attach,
hang, place, suspend, affix or maintain any sign, and shall also include
the painting of exterior wall signs.
Any sign not affixed to a building.
A sign erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge
of any governmental function or required by any law or ordinance or
governmental regulation. This includes signage for state-run institutions.
A sign that is affixed to the ground, as opposed to a wall
or building.
The vertical distance between the ground level under a sign
and the highest point of the sign structure.
A sign which is limited to the name, address and number of
a building, institution, complex or person.
Signs providing directional information for motorists and/or
pedestrians.
A ground sign generally having a low profile with little
or no open space between the ground and the sign.
A freestanding sign used to advertise multiple businesses
that occupy a common building or zoning lot.
A sign manufactured utilizing neon tubing, which is visible
to the viewer and displayed to the outside of a building for the primary
purposes of identifying a business or service.
Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior
to the effective date of this Article or any amendments thereto.
Temporary ground sign advertising a one-day real estate open
house.
A piece of real property which is defined on an approved
subdivision map recorded with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds,
or is legally defined on a survey map certified by a licensed land
surveyor or engineer.
A sign attached to a building or structure, or to the ground
in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such
as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement of the sign
and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
A sign that is mounted on a stationary pole or posts and
not attached to any part of a building.
A freestanding sign supported by more than one non-flammable
support that is relatively low to the ground and features empty space
between the ground and bottom of the sign.
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building
for support and which projects more than eighteen (18) inches from
such building.
A freestanding sign with the support structure enclosed with
a pole cover and/or sign topper.
Temporary sign erected on a parcel where a building, lot
or property is offered for sale, lease or rent.
Any sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof or
on top of the parapet of a building.
A freestanding monument sign into which letters or images
are carved or routed.
A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or
surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and
most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A.
Any identification, description, illustration or device illuminated
or non-illuminated which is visible from any public place or is located
on private property and exposed to the public and which directs attention
to a message, product, service, place, activity, person, institution,
business or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated
merchandise, or any logo, painting, banner, pennant, placard or temporary
sign designed to advertise, identify or convey information. "Signs"
shall also include all sign structures.
Any sign permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Article
other than a permanent sign.
Any single business or organization occupying a space in
a building.
A fixed structure of any material projecting from and connected
to a building, column, or post or supported by a frame extending from
a building and/or posts used to cover areas for the servicing of motor
vehicles or as active fueling stations.
Any sign or part thereof on a vehicle parked on a public
right-of-way or public property or on private property so as to be
intended to be viewed from a motorized vehicular public right-of-way,
which has for its basic purpose the providing of advertisement of
products or directing people to a business or activity located on
the same or nearby property or any other premises.
A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or
structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure
for, or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not
project more than eighteen (18) inches from such building or structure.
A sign that is applied or attached to the interior of a window
or located within three (3) feet of the interior of the window and
which can be seen from the exterior of the structure. Can include
electronic, non-electric and neon signs.
A parcel of land considered or treated as a single unit.
A zoning lot may or may not correspond with a lot of record.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.600, 6-16-2014]
This Article is intended to regulate all on- and off-premises
signs yet to come into existence, which are to be located in the overlay
district. This Article shall supersede all other related signage zoning
regulations in the applicable area.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.610, 6-16-2014]
A.
The following types of signs are permitted, pursuant to the provisions
of this Article:
|
Sign Type
|
Sign Nature
|
Sign Area Allowances
|
Number Of Signs
|
Setback Minimum
|
Maximum Height
|
Permit Required
|
Additional Requirements
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Awning
|
Permanent Wall
|
15-20% of building elevation facade, with minimum 25
square feet
|
1 per tenant
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
Shall not project beyond the building by more than
4 feet
|
|
Wall
|
Permanent Wall
|
15-20% of building elevation facade, with minimum 25
square feet
|
1 per tenant
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
Shall not project 18 inches above or out from the building
facade
|
|
Channel
|
Permanent Wall
|
15-20% of building elevation facade, with minimum 25
square feet
|
1 per tenant
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
Shall not project 18 inches above or out from the building
facade
|
|
Neon
|
Permanent Wall
|
15-20% of building elevation facade, with minimum 25
square feet
|
1 per tenant
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Yes
|
Shall not project 18 inches above or out from the building
facade
|
|
Neon
|
Permanent Freestanding
|
Up to 98 square feet
|
1 per tenant
|
5 feet
|
30 feet
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
|
Monument / Routed
|
Permanent Freestanding
|
Up to 98 square feet
|
1 per building with no more than 2 within 300 feet
of frontage
|
5 feet
|
30 feet
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
Municipal boundary markers are exempt from lineal requirements
|
|
Electronic Message Center
|
Permanent Freestanding
|
Up to 98 square feet
|
1 per lot with no more than 2 within 300 feet of frontage
|
5 feet
|
30 feet
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
- A minimum display time of 8 seconds for text with
3-second transition time
- The following display features and functions are
prohibited: continuous scrolling and/or traveling, flashing, spinning,
rotating, and similar moving effects, and all dynamic frame effects
or patterns of illusionary movement or simulating movement
- Must have automatic dimming capacity to comply with
illumination standards
- Actual message center can be no more than 80% of
sign area
|
|
Vehicle Service Canopy
|
Permanent Freestanding
|
Copy can be up to 40% of sign face
|
5 feet
|
30 feet
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
Maximum height is distance from group to top of sign
face; sign face can be no more than 30 inches tall
| |
|
Multi-Tenant Sign — Building Setback of 0-100
feet
|
Permanent Freestanding
|
60-98 square feet
|
1 per building
|
5 feet
|
30 feet
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
n/a
|
|
Multi-Tenant Sign — Setback of 101+ feet
|
Permanent Freestanding
|
60-128 square feet
|
1 per commercial complex
|
5 feet
|
34 feet
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
n/a
|
|
Banner
|
Temporary Wall
|
32 square feet
|
Up to 3 signs per business
|
5 feet
|
8 feet
|
Yes
|
Temporary signs are permitted for 15 days and permit
is renewable up to 2 times
|
|
Inflatable Object
|
Temporary Freestanding
|
32 square feet
|
Up to 3 signs per business
|
5 feet
|
8 feet
|
Yes
|
Temporary signs are permitted for 15 days and permit
is renewable up to 2 times
|
|
Freestanding or Portable Signs
|
Temporary Freestanding
|
32 square feet
|
Up to 3 signs per business
|
5 feet
|
8 feet
|
Yes
|
Temporary signs are permitted for 15 days and permit
is renewable up to 2 times
|
|
Advertising Flags
|
Temporary Freestanding
|
32 square feet
|
Up to 3 signs per business
|
5 feet
|
8 feet
|
Yes
|
Temporary signs are permitted for 15 days and permit
is renewable up to 2 times
|
|
Window
|
Permanent/ Temporary Wall
|
25% of area of window
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
n/a
|
|
Construction Sign
|
Temporary Freestanding
|
32 square feet
|
1, in addition to those required by State and/or Federal
funding
|
5 feet
|
8 feet
|
Yes — No fee charged
|
All requirements stipulated with State and Federal
funding are allowed, in addition to 1 construction sign allowed with
a construction permit
|
B.
Number of signs allowed.
1.
No tenant or business may have more than two (2) permanent signs
displayed at any time on or along Natural Bridge frontage, in addition
to exempt signs. This does not include window signs.
2.
Lots with a frontage of three hundred (300) feet or less can
have one (1) freestanding sign, with each tenant or business within
having one (1) wall sign.
3.
Lots with a frontage of more than three hundred (300) feet can
have up to two (2) freestanding signs, with each tenant or business
within having one (1) wall sign. The freestanding signs must be at
least fifty (50) feet apart.
C.
Except for those signs listed above where no fee is charged, a fee
of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged for each sign permit
or renewal thereof.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.620, 6-16-2014]
B.
Neon signs.
C.
Construction sign (allowed with the granting of a building permit
— no separate sign permit required).
D.
See Section 405.330(A) for specific sign-type requirements.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.630, 6-16-2014]
All permanent signs with a setback of less than twenty-five
(25) feet must have individual letters whose heights are a minimum
of seven (7) inches and maximum of fifteen (15) inches. If the setback
is between twenty-five (25) feet and fifty (50) feet, the minimum
individual letter heights is nine (9) inches and the maximum individual
letter height is twenty (20) inches. If the setback is more than fifty
(50) feet, the individual letter heights must have a minimum of eleven
(11) inches with a maximum height of twenty-four (24) inches.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.640, 6-16-2014]
B.
Signs specifically prohibited are as follows:
1.
Roof signs.
2.
Pole signs.
3.
Pylon sign.
4.
Projecting signs.
5.
Post and panel signs.
6.
Vehicle signs. This Subsection is not intended to prohibit any
form of vehicular signage, such as a sign attached to a bus or lettered
on a motor vehicle or signs that are part of a vehicle, such as a
construction trailer, whose primary purpose is not advertising to
the public right-of-way.
7.
Flashing, rotating or revolving signs or lights, including roaming
spotlights, with the exception of barber poles and holiday decorations.
8.
Any sign other than an exempt sign placed on any curb, sidewalk,
hydrant, utility pole, or tree.
9.
Any sign erected or maintained which might be confused with
any traffic control device or which might interfere with the vision
or discernment of any traffic sign or which might cause danger to
public travel.
10.
Private signs on public lands and rights-of-way.
11.
Canopy and/or marquee, other than vehicle service canopies.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.650, 6-16-2014]
A.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions or requirements
of this Article:
1.
One (1) self-service identification sign which does not exceed
two (2) square feet per self-service fuel pump island.
2.
One (1) full-service identification sign which does not exceed
two (2) square feet per full-service fuel pump island.
3.
Fuel pump and price signs required by Federal, State or local
legislation.
4.
Street number identification plates.
5.
Historical site markers.
6.
No-trespassing signs.
7.
Governmental signs.
8.
Utility line identification and location signs.
9.
Disabled parking and access signs.
10.
Vacancy/no vacancy signs which do not exceed three (3) square
feet.
11.
Accessory signs identifying such use as parking, no parking
or office, which do not exceed two (2) square feet each.
12.
Holiday decorations erected for and during the particular holiday
they relate to or symbolize.
13.
Open/closed business signs that do not exceed two (2) square
feet.
14.
Street identification, traffic and governmental signs and control
devices required by law, ordinance or regulation.
15.
Official public information signs, memorial signs, building
names, erection dates or similar information cut into masonry or other
permanent surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible
material, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet.
16.
Signs and markers in cemeteries designating graves and memorials.
17.
Informational and direction signs provided to clarify traffic
patterns.
18.
One (1) ground sign of six (6) square feet or less in all residential
districts, sixteen (16) square feet or less in all other districts,
provided in each instance that any such sign is located on private
property with the owner's permission. Additional ground signs are
permitted under this Subsection during the election season, not to
exceed the total number of questions or candidates on the ballot for
that election season.
19.
Real estate and open house signs.
20.
Municipal banners.
21.
Signs put in place by a State-run institution.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.660, 6-16-2014]
A.
The following signs are deemed illegal signs and in violation under
this Article:
B.
The Code Enforcement Official shall cause a notice of such violation to be served on the owner of the building, structure or lot where said sign is located and the lessee or tenant of the part of or the entire building, structure or lot where said sign is located, requiring the owner and lessee or tenant to remove the illegal sign within ten (10) business days. The notice may be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested. It shall be unlawful and punishable as provided in Section 100.220 of this Code to maintain or fail to remove an illegal sign. Each day an illegal sign is maintained and each day an illegal sign is not removed shall constitute a separate offense. Owners, lessees and tenants shall be jointly and severally liable for maintaining or failing to remove an illegal sign. Upon failure of said owner or lessee or tenant to remove the sign within ten (10) business days after notice is provided, the City shall be authorized to have its designee(s) enter upon said property and remove therefrom any said illegal sign at the cost of the owner, lessee and tenant. No liability shall attach to the City or its officers, employees, agents or designees in connection with the removal of any such illegal sign.
C.
In cases of emergency, the Code Enforcement Official may cause the
immediate removal of a dangerous or defective sign without notice.
D.
Any sign may be inspected for adequate maintenance, freedom from
any hazardous condition and structural soundness. If a sign is found
to be unsafe, the sign owner shall have thirty (30) days to correct
any defect. If the defect has not been corrected by the expiration
of thirty (30) days, the sign permit shall become null and void and
the sign shall be illegal.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.670, 6-16-2014]
A.
Subject to the provisions of this Article, any sign legally in existence
prior to the enactment of this Article shall be considered a non-conforming
sign and may be continued and maintained in accord with the provisions
for other non-conforming uses and structures under the City's zoning
regulations.
B.
Any sign existing at the time this Article is enacted which is altered
in any way related to content, design or structure shall be considered
a new sign and shall be required to conform to the requirements contained
herein.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.680, 6-16-2014]
Illumination of signs shall be accomplished by means of shielded
light sources or in such other manner that no glare shall extend beyond
the property lines of the property upon which such signs are located,
and no glare shall disturb the vision of passing motorists or constitute
a hazard to traffic.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.690, 6-16-2014]
B.
Lighting fixtures and wiring shall conform to the requirements of
the latest edition of the Building Code adopted by the City and other
applicable codes and regulations, and all electrified signs shall
bear the Underwriters Laboratories label or approved equal.
C.
Transformers, wires and similar items shall be concealed.
D.
All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
E.
All signs, sign finishes, supports and electrical work shall be kept
in good repair and safe condition, including the replacement of defective
parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for
the maintenance of said sign.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.700, 6-16-2014]
A.
The provisions of this Article shall be administered and enforced
by the Code Enforcement Official, who shall have the power to make
necessary inspections.
B.
No sign permit shall be approved by the Code Enforcement Official
or their designee except in compliance with the provisions of this
Article.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.710, 6-16-2014]
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any
person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any temporary
sign, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign
permit for each such sign. These directives shall not be construed
to require any permit for a change of copy of any sign, provided that
the person, place, establishment, business or service identified remains
the same, nor for the repainting, cleaning and the normal maintenance
or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously
been issued under this Article, so long as the sign or sign structure
is not modified in any way.
B.
Contents Of The Applications.
1.
Application for a sign permit shall be made, in writing, by
the owners, lessee, occupant or agent for whom the sign is intended.
It shall be accompanied by a set of plans of the sign, drawn or rendered
to scale. Sign plans shall include dimensions, proposed design/copy
and structural details. A map showing the exact location of the proposed
sign shall also be included.
2.
Sign plans shall include a statement that the proposed sign
as shown on the plan is structurally sound and will withstand wind
loads as prescribed by the City's Building Code.[1] Plans shall bear the signature of the owners, applicant
and person responsible for design of the sign.
3.
The application shall be made to the City or their designee
on forms prescribed.
C.
The proposed sign application, when complete, shall be submitted
to the City or its designee for its review within a period of time
not to exceed thirty (30) days of receipt thereof.
D.
A temporary sign permit will allow the permitted sign to be in place
for a maximum duration of fifteen (15) days. The permit may be renewed
up to two (2) times within three hundred sixty-five (365) days following
the date of issuance.
E.
Construction sign permits will be allowed for a duration of ninety
(90) days. The permit may be renewed up to three (3) times within
three hundred sixty-five (365) days following the date of issuance.
F.
There is a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each temporary
sign permit or renewal thereof.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.720, 6-16-2014]
A.
Intent. The intent of this Section is to allow certain provisions
of this Article to be modified where such modification will encourage
excellence in the planning and design of signs. This is particularly
true in areas where certain types of otherwise prohibited signs, such
as historically inspired wall mural signs, may be desirable. In addition,
a sign variance can be acquired to permit neon wall or freestanding
signs. The Board of Aldermen shall make these determinations.
B.
Guidelines. The following guidelines shall be considered by the Board
of Aldermen in determining whether a variance shall be issued. The
proposed sign should:
C.
Once granted, the sign variance is approved for the duration that
the sign is maintained, including if the approved sign is damaged
and thereafter replaced with a substantially similar sign within one
(1) year.
D.
Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Board of Aldermen
may appeal a decision to the St. Louis County Circuit Court within
fifteen (15) days of the decision by filing an appropriate action
under Chapter 536, RSMo.
[Ord. No. 909 § 400.740, 6-16-2014]
Whenever a commercial sign would be permitted under this Article,
subject to the landowner's consent, a non-commercial sign may be installed
in its place, or vice versa, provided it otherwise complies with this
Article. Such substitution of message may be made without any additional
approval or permitting. This provision prevails over any more specific
provision to the contrary within this Article. The purpose of this
provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech
over non-commercial speech, or vice versa. This provision does not
create a right to increase total signage on a parcel, nor does it
affect the requirements that the sign comply in all other respects
with the provisions of this Article.
