[R.O. 1992 § 405.080; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
The general provisions as set forth below apply to all types of signs:
A. 
Building Code Requirements. All signs shall comply in every respect with the Building Code, Chapter 500 of the Washington Municipal Code, including, but not limited to:
1. 
No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, any required exitway, window or door opening used as a means of egress, or to obstruct any other means of egress required by the Building Code of the City of Washington; and
2. 
No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained in a manner that interferes with any opening required for ventilation under the Building Code of the City of Washington.
B. 
Projection Into Right-Of-Way. Except as may be specified in Article III, Section 405.035, Tables A, B, C-1 and C-2 in this Chapter, no sign shall project beyond a right-of-way line, except for the following:
1. 
Wall signs, provided that such signs extend over a public sidewalk and have a bottom clearance of not less than eight (8) feet.
2. 
Projecting signs, provided that such signs extend over a public sidewalk: do not extend more than three (3) feet into the right-of-way; and have a bottom clearance of not less than eight (8) feet.
3. 
Signs mounted on or under a canopy, awning or marque which is permitted to project into a right-of-way, in accordance with Article III of this Chapter, and where the bottom edge of the sign is not less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk or pedestrianway.
4. 
Banner signs, provided that such signs shall not project into the right-of-way by more than two (2) feet and have a bottom clearance of not less than fourteen (14) feet. The structure to which the banner signs are attached (e.g., light standard) shall be able to withstand the additional wind load caused by such sign per the Washington Building Code.
C. 
Sign Illumination.
1. 
Internal and external illumination of signs shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
2. 
Internally or back-lit cabinet signs shall be prohibited within any City Historic District, design review area, or any other district or properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or any historic landmark, unless determined to be a contributing element to the historic district or landmark.
D. 
Miscellaneous Advertising Objects Prohibited. No goods, wares, merchandise or other attention-getting object, other than a sign as defined herein, shall be used as an advertising object. This provision shall not be construed so as to prohibit the display of motor vehicles for sale or other outdoor storage and display of merchandise permitted by this Chapter.
E. 
Signs Not To Constitute Traffic Hazard. No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "stop," "go," "look," "danger," "one-way," "yield" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. Sign placement shall be in accordance with the requirements contained in Chapter 400, Section 400.195(G), Visibility at intersections.
F. 
Electrical Hazards. No freestanding sign shall be erected within eight (8) feet of any line conductors, service drops or power lines.
G. 
Flashing Signs. Flashing signs shall not be animated or have intermittent illumination or flashing lights, except where permitted for emergency signs.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.085; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017; Ord. No. 18-11927, 10-15-2018]
A. 
Purpose. These regulations provide standards and procedures for the safe and appropriate use of electronic message display signs. The regulations are intended to ensure the use of such signs will not have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area or the public welfare, and will be consistent with the purpose and intent of this Chapter.
B. 
Procedures. Electronic message display signs shall be subject to the site plan review and approval processes of Chapter 400, Article IV.
C. 
Modes Of Operation. The following modes of operation are described for electronic message signs:
1. 
Static — Signs which include no animation or effects simulating animation.
2. 
Fade — Signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases in intensity to the point of legibility.
3. 
Dissolve — Signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity or pattern, where the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneous to the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent message.
4. 
Traveling — Signs where the message is changed by the apparent horizontal movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
5. 
Scrolling — Signs where the message is changed by the apparent vertical movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
D. 
Standards. The following describes standards for the installation and use of electronic message display signs:
1. 
Zoning Districts: Electronic message display signs shall be permitted in the "C-1," "C-2," "C-3," "M-1," "M-2" and "PD-C," and "PD-I" Zoning Districts subject to meeting the standards and criteria described herein. Exceptions may be granted for churches, schools, government agencies and institutional uses located in any zoning district.
2. 
Size: The area of the electronic display panel shall vary according to location, as follows:
a. 
Maximum size of one hundred (100) square feet when located along Highway 47 and Highway 100.
b. 
Maximum size of thirty-two (32) square feet when located along all City streets.
3. 
Height: The maximum height shall meet the requirements of the sign type set forth in this Chapter.
4. 
Hours of Operation: Where electronic message display signs may face residential property in adjacent residential zoning districts, such displays shall be turned off by 10:00 P.M. or by a time established in conjunction with the site plan review and approval process.
5. 
Sign Type: Electronic message display signs may be incorporated into freestanding signs or wall mounted signs.
6. 
Number: Only one (1) electronic message display sign shall be allowed as part of a shopping center sign and only one (1) such sign shall be permitted per street frontage for a shopping center. For individual uses, only one (1) electronic message display sign shall be permitted on the premises per use.
7. 
Distance from Residential Use: Electronic message displays signs shall not be located within one hundred (100) feet of any residence or residential zoning district as measured from the sign to the property line of the residential use.
8. 
Distance from Other Signs: Electronic message display signs must be spaced a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) feet from other electronic message display signs.
E. 
Lighting Intensity And Color. Daytime lighting intensity must automatically re-set to a lower level for nighttime hours. To ensure compliance with this Section, the sign must have an automatic brightness control linked to ambient light levels.
1. 
Brightness. Electronic message display shall come equipped with dimming technology that automatically adjusts the display's brightness based on ambient light conditions and comply with maximum nighttime brightness level.
2. 
Electronic message display signs maximum illumination during nighttime hours may only be ten percent (10%) of the maximum illumination of daytime hours. City Council has the authority to determine sign a safety hazard and require the brightness to be adjusted.
F. 
Exemptions. The following shall not require a sign permit:
1. 
Temporary governmental signs, including emergency warning signs, traffic control signs, special event signs, temporary information signs or similar applications using electronic message displays.
2. 
Electronic "Open" or "Closed" type signs displayed in windows of businesses provided they are no more than two (2) square feet in size.
G. 
Exceptions. The following types of electronic signs shall be permitted for approved uses subject to obtaining a sign permit:
1. 
Gasoline price signs with electronic price numbers shall be permitted for service stations and fueling centers where incorporated into permitted on-premises signs.
2. 
Time and temperature signs that provide illuminated numbers only may be located in commercial districts. Such signs may be integrated with signs that identify the primary property use or be installed as independent signs provided the electronic display panel does not exceed eight (8) square feet in area and is in conformance with height standards described in this Section.
H. 
Prohibited Electronic Message Signs.
1. 
Electronic message display signs shall be prohibited within any City Historic District, design review area, or any other districts or properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or any locally designated historic landmark, unless determined as a contributing element to the historic district or landmark.
2. 
Off-premises signs, billboards, portable signs and temporary signs, except where permitted by this Chapter.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.090; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
A. 
Temporary Sign Permit Required. Temporary signs on private property shall be allowed only upon the issuance of a temporary sign permit, which shall be subject to the following requirements:
1. 
A temporary sign permit shall allow the use of a temporary sign for a specified thirty-day period.
2. 
Only five (5) temporary sign permits shall be issued to the same property on the same lot in any calendar year.
3. 
A temporary sign shall be allowed only in districts with a letter "P" for Temporary signs, Wall/Building, or "P" for Other, Freestanding/Ground, on Table A, in Article III, Section 400.035, of this Chapter and subject to all of the requirements for temporary signs as noted therein.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.095; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
A. 
Pre-Existing Signs. The lawful use of an on-premises sign existing immediately prior to the date of the passage of this Chapter adopting these on-premises sign regulations, or any subsequent amendments hereto, may remain in place, although such on-premises sign does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter.
B. 
Limitations On Pre-Existing Non-Conforming Signs. No existing on-premises sign permitted by this Chapter in the district in which such on-premises sign is located, except when required to do so by law or ordinance, shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or structurally altered, unless such sign is changed to one (1) permitted in the district in which such on-premises sign is located.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.100; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
A. 
Unsafe Signs. If any sign is found to be unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, the City shall give written notification to the owner of the property on which such sign is erected or affixed to remove or alter such unsafe or unsecured sign within ten (10) days upon receipt of notification. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified, the City shall find the owner of the sign in violation and take appropriate legal action to remove or repair said sign. The City may cause any sign that is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
B. 
Obsolete Signs.
1. 
Any obsolete sign, not including sign structure, that does not advertise an existing business or a product shall be taken down and removed by the owner of the property on which the obsolete sign is attached within thirty (30) days of tenant or owner moving from the lot or premises.
2. 
A sign structure, not being used for ninety (90) days or which has been replaced, shall be taken down and removed.
3. 
At the termination of a business or commercial enterprise, all signs pertaining thereto shall be removed from public view within ninety (90) days of such termination.
4. 
Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified, the City shall cause for removal of such sign, and any expense incidental thereto shall be paid by said owner.
C. 
Alteration And Maintenance Of Non-Conforming Signs. Any non-conforming sign shall be brought into compliance when the following occurs:
1. 
Damage to a sign which requires repairs which will exceed fifty percent (50%) of the replacement value of the sign;
2. 
Required maintenance which will exceed fifty percent (50%) of the replacement of the sign;
3. 
A change in ownership or tenancy which requires a new certificate of occupancy for the premises on which a legal non-conforming sign is located; or
4. 
Remodeling which encompasses more than fifty percent (50%) of the display frontage of the business to which the sign relates.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.105; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
A. 
Actions Constituting Violations. Any of the following shall be a violation of this Chapter and shall be subject to the enforcement remedies and penalties provided by this Chapter, by the Zoning Code, and by State law:
1. 
To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign or the lot on which the sign is located;
2. 
To install, create, erect or maintain any sign requiring a permit without such permit;
3. 
To install, create, erect, and maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign or the lot on which the sign is located;
4. 
To fail to remove any sign that is installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of this Chapter, or for which the sign permit has lapsed; or
5. 
To continue any such violation. Each such day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this Chapter.
B. 
Number Of Violations. Each sign installed, created, erected, and maintained in violation of this Chapter shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this Chapter.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.110; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
A. 
Ground Signs. Multiple tenants shall not be permitted individual ground signs along the street frontage of the common premises.
B. 
Signage Related To Building Face. Whenever there is more than one (1) occupant in any building, each individual tenant is allowed the allotted square footage for the building face area or street frontage of the individual leased or owned space, whichever is less.
[R.O. 1992 § 405.115; Ord. No. 16-11557, 8-15-2016, effective 3-1-2017]
A. 
Definitions.
1. 
As used in this Section, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
OFF-PREMISES SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS
All signs and billboards within the City which are subject to the regulations set forth in Sections 226.500 through 226.600, RSMo.
2. 
Additional Definitions. The definitions of words and phrases contained in Section 226.510, RSMo., are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and shall apply whenever such word or phrase is used in this Section.
B. 
Applicability To This Chapter And State Statute. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Section of this Chapter to the contrary, the provisions of this Section shall apply to all off-premises signs and billboards on primary highways. All provisions of other Sections of this Chapter, which are not inconsistent with this Section or with Chapter 226, Sections 226.500 through 226.600, RSMo., and applicable rules established by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission (and which may be amended from time to time), shall remain in full force and effect with respect to off-premises signs and billboards on primary highways. To the extent any Sections of this Chapter may be inconsistent with applicable State law or rules and regulations as applied to off-premises signs and billboards on primary highways, the provisions of State statutes and rules and regulations shall apply.
C. 
Regulations For Primary Highways. The following regulations shall apply to off-premises signs and billboards on primary highways:
1. 
Lighting.
a. 
No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates any emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign. 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.
b. 
External lighting, such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck reflectors are permitted, provided that the light source is directed upon the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the main traveled way of the interstate or Federal-aid primary highway and the lights are not of such intensity so as to cause glare, impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle, or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
c. 
No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
d. 
The maximum average lighting intensity level for such sign shall be twenty (20) footcandles.
2. 
Size of Signs.
a. 
The maximum area for any one (1) sign shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet with a maximum height of thirty (30) feet and a maximum length of sixty (60) feet, inclusive of board and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members.
b. 
The maximum size limitations shall apply to each side of a sign structure, and signs may be placed back to back, double-faced, or in V-type construction with not more than two (2) displays to each facing, but sign structure shall be considered as one (1) sign.
3. 
Spacing Of Signs.
a. 
Non-Freeway Federal-Aid Primary Highways. No structure shall be erected within five hundred (500) feet of an existing sign.
b. 
The spacing between structure provisions of this Section do not apply to signs which are separated by buildings, natural surroundings, or other obstructions in such a manner that only one (1) sign facing located within such distance is visible at any one time. Directional or other official signs or those advertising activities on the property on which they are located, including products sold, shall not be counted, nor shall measurements be made from them for the purpose of compliance with spacing provisions.
c. 
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.
d. 
The measurement in this Section shall be minimum distances between outdoor advertising sign structures measured along the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the signs along each side of the highway and shall apply only to outdoor advertising sign structures located on the same side of the highway involved.
4. 
Setbacks, Safety Clearances And Height.
a. 
In order to provide a safety zone to prevent injury to persons or damage to property from collapse of signs caused by acts of God or other causes, each sign shall have a minimum setback of at least ninety (90) feet:
(1) 
From its nearest edge to the right-of-way of any primary highway; and
(2) 
From all property lines and from all roofed structures, overhead electrical lines and public rights-of-way, from all points of the sign.
b. 
In order to further provide a safety zone to prevent injury or property damage from collapse of billboards caused by acts of God or other causes, each off-premises billboard shall have a maximum height, measured from the ground to the highest point of such off-premises billboard, of thirty-five (35) feet. In addition, the applicant for permit shall present documentation to the reasonable satisfaction of the Building Inspector that the applicant has secured the legally enforceable right to prevent the erection of structures within the setback zones. No City building permit shall be issued for construction of any building or structure within the setback zone for any sign.
5. 
Setbacks From Residential Areas. No sign shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of land zoned for residential or agricultural purposes.
6. 
Lighting And Fencing. Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall receive approval for a plan for lighting and fencing around the sign to ensure that the structure will be safe and secure from vandals if deemed necessary and appropriate. Such plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Building Inspector.
7. 
Nuisances. Any sign which, because of a lack of maintenance, upkeep, vandalism, accumulations of litter, refuse or debris, or the deterioration of lighting or fencing, become unsightly or unsafe is hereby declared to be a nuisance and shall be subject to abatement by the City in the same manner as all other nuisances on private property.
8. 
Permits.
a. 
The City shall not issue a permit for any new sign without a permit having first been issued by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
b. 
The City shall charge a permit fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the initial inspection of the sign but shall not charge any subsequent permit or inspection fee for such sign. This provision shall not prohibit the City from imposing a business license tax on such sign.
c. 
Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall submit the following certifications from the appropriate licensed professional:
(1) 
Certification from a licensed soils engineer that the soil and subsoil is capable of accepting the projected loads;
(2) 
Certification from the licensed electrical engineer as to the electrical portion of the sign;
(3) 
Certification from a licensed structural engineer as to the structural strength of the sign; and
(4) 
A certified outboundary survey from a licensed surveyor of the site and its setback and clearance zone.
d. 
Before a permit is issued the applicant shall submit a sign survey to indicate the relative vertical and horizontal distances between the proposed sign and all other signs within five hundred (500) feet.
9. 
The provisions of this Chapter, Sections 405.005 through 405.100 shall apply to all signs regulated by this Section.
10. 
Owners of all signs regulated by this Section shall be required to submit biennially an inspection report from a licensed structural engineer as to the structural integrity of the sign. Such certification shall be supplied to the City on or before June 1 of each year that such certification is required. Failure to submit such certification shall result in the immediate revocation of the permit for the sign.
11. 
The provisions of this Section apply to the erection, alteration, construction, reconstruction and maintenance of all signs in areas zoned either "C-1," "C-2," "C-3," "M-1," "M-2," "PD-C," or "PD-1" within the City.