City of Richmond, MO Chapter 407 Signs

Article I General

Section 407.010 General Provisions.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018[1]]

A. The provisions of the Building Codes of the City of Richmond, Missouri, shall regulate the construction, alteration and maintenance of all signs and outdoor display signs with their permanent and auxiliary devices insofar as they do not conflict with the provisions of this Chapter. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply within the City limits of the City of Richmond, Missouri, to all matters herein set forth.

B. The intent and purpose of this Chapter is to provide content neutral sign regulations that promote the following objectives.

1. Effective communication without excessive proliferation or size of signage;

2. Protection of the public from unsafe signs by requiring proper location, installation and maintenance, and avoiding undue distractions to persons driving motor vehicles; and

3. Provision of a quality community image, thereby protecting and enhancing the economic vitality of the City by ensuring that the City remain a desirable place to live, visit and conduct business.

[1] Editor's Note: Chapter 407, Signs, containing Sections 407.010 through 407.210, was repealed 11-13-2018, by Ord. No. 2470.

Section 407.020 (Reserved)

Section 407.025 Applicability.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. The regulations and requirements of this Chapter apply to all signs that are or are intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, or that are intended to be viewed from outdoor areas of public property. No sign is subject to any limitation based on the content of said sign. Any sign authorized by this Chapter may contain any non-commercial copy in lieu of any other copy.

B. Signs are allowed only in conformance with these sign regulations, or as otherwise provided for non-conforming signs under the provisions of this Chapter.

Section 407.030 Signs — Permit — Exemptions.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Requirement. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, structurally alter, or relocate any sign or other advertising structure in this City without first obtaining a permit from the Community Development Director and making payment of the fee required in Section 407.160, except with respect to a sign specifically exempt herein.

B. Exemptions. A sign permit will not be required for the following listed signs. These exemptions apply only to the requirement of a sign permit and do not relieve the owner of the sign from compliance with all other requirements of this or other City Codes for the particular sign:

1. Temporary event signs;

2. Official signs;

3. Property address sign: A sign limited in content to the street name and address number of the building or property to which it is affixed;

4. Wall signs;

5. Subdivision entrance signs;

6. Copy change on legal existing signs;

7. Official flags;

8. Legal postings.

C. Permits shall not be required for the following activities:

1. Replacing or altering changeable copy on billboards, changeable copy signs, and similar signs; and

2. Sign painting, repairing, cleaning, or maintaining that does not involve a structural change to a sign.

Section 407.040 Signs And Devices Prohibited.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. The following types of signs and devices shall be prohibited:

1. Attention-attracting devices;

2. Fluttering, except flags permitted herein;

3. Paper, cardboard or other similar non-permanent material signs located outside of a building, except for signs not requiring a permit;

4. Signs on parking lot light standards other than on-site informational and directional signs as provided for in Section 407.060;

5. Flashing signs;

6. Animated signs;

7. Snipe signs; and

8. Any sign or other advertising structure that displays or depicts any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.

Section 407.050 Non-Conforming Signs.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Any existing sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date of this Chapter shall be exempt from this Chapter except as hereinafter provided, to wit:

1. Any lawfully existing non-governmental flashing sign shall stop flashing within thirty (30) days after enactment of this Chapter.

2. All temporary/portable signs shall conform to the provisions of this Chapter relating to requirements imposed for ground signs as provided in Section 407.100 of this Chapter within thirty (30) days of the passage of this Chapter.

3. Any sign in violation of Section 407.150(E) shall be prohibited.

4. Nothing in this Chapter shall prevent the ordinary maintenance or repair of a non-conforming sign or replacement of a broken part of a non-conforming sign. Whenever any non-conforming sign or part thereof is altered, replaced, converted or changed, the entire sign must immediately comply with the provisions of this Chapter.

5. Non-conforming signs which are destroyed or damaged or become in disrepair by fifty percent (50%) or more of their value shall not be rebuilt or repaired or maintained except in conformance with this Chapter.

Section 407.060 Signs In Residential Districts.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Subject to limitations hereinafter set forth, the following signs shall be permitted in residential districts:

1. Bulletin boards on religious organizations;

2. Temporary event signs;

3. Directional signs;

4. Official signs;

5. Wall signs;

6. Subdivision real estate signs;

7. Subdivision entrance signs;

8. On-site informational signs;

9. Official flags;

10. Occupational signs; and

11. Special displays.

Section 407.070 Signs On Property In Commercial "B-1," "B-2," "B-3," "I-1," "I-2" And "S & O" Zoning Districts.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Subject to limitations hereinafter set forth, only the following signs shall be permitted in zoning Districts "B-1," "B-2," "B-3," "I-1," "I-2" and "S & O":

1. All signs and flags permitted in residential districts;

2. Sign, ground;

3. Sign, canopy and/or awning;

4. Sign, occupational and/or identification;

5. Sign, wall;

6. Freestanding;

7. Sign, projecting;

8. Sign, portable;

9. Billboards subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 407.130 of this Chapter;

10. Commercial flags;

11. Monument signs; and

12. Off-Premise signs.

Section 407.080 Standards For Signs.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. In addition to the other restrictions listed in this Chapter, the following standards and conditions shall be applicable to the signs listed herein:

1. Construction signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

a. One (1) such sign shall be permitted on the work site of each street frontage of the project in question.

b. Construction signs that are attached to or on trailers on the construction site shall be permitted subject to the duration restrictions of other construction signs but not subject to the restriction of the above Subsection (A)(1)(a).

2. Directional signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

a. All sign supports and frames shall be of a permanent material.

b. Signs may be double-faced not to exceed six (6) square feet per face. Said dimensions shall be exclusive of sign trim or supports.

c. Signs shall be located so as not to obstruct the view of motorists.

d. At least fifty percent (50%) of any directional sign face shall contain one (1) of the following words, phrases or similar traffic directions:

(1) "Entrance" or "Entrance Only";

(2) "One Way";

(3) "Exit" or "Exit Only";

(4) "Do Not Enter";

(5) "No Exit" or "No Entrance";

(6) "Drive-In/Thru Window";

(7) "Right Turn Only" or "No Left Turn";

(8) "Loading Area," "Parcel Pickup Area" or "Loading Zone";

(9) "Service Vehicles Only" or "No Trucks";

(10) Directional arrows.

e. In the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the sign face, there may be provided the name of the business center, development or name of the use or building, trademark, logo or similar matter.

f. There shall be no more than two (2) such signs per entry/exit unless said entry/exit is divided by a raised median in which case each side shall be treated as a separate entry/exit.

3. Religious organization signs, and institutional and governmental signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

a. Religious organization signs may be allowed up to two (2) ground signs per religious organization, totaling not more than fifty (50) square feet in area, indicating activities and services therein provided.

b. Institutional and governmental signs, park signs, playgrounds, etc., shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in size for ground signs or pole signs.

c. No direct light shall be cast upon any residential property from sign illumination for any of the above signs.

4. Wall signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

a. All lawfully pre-existing wall signs are exempt from this Chapter.

b. Any new memorial or tablet sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet unless such signs or tablets are placed by ordinance of, or commission of the United States Government, State of Missouri, or agencies thereof.

5. Banners, pennants affixed to poles, wires, or ropes, and streamers when used for special occasions, may be used no more than sixty (60) days per year.

6. Portable signs may be used for grand openings and other commercial events and shall not exceed forty (40) square feet, and shall be in place no more than thirty (30) days.

7. Flags shall be subject to the following restrictions: no more than three (3) flags (whether official or personal) may be flown from a single flagpole at any one (1) time. The flags' total area shall be included in the total allowed area of signage.

8. Temporary Event Signs. Signs for a temporary event must comply with the following:

a. Temporary Event Signs, Generally. The sign may be placed upon initiation of the temporary event, and must be removed within ten (10) working days of the termination of the event.

(1) Temporary signs allowed at any time:

(a) A property owner may place one (1) sign with a sign face no larger than two (2) square feet on the property at any time.

(b) A property owner may place a sign no larger than eight and five-tenths (8.5) inches by eleven (11) inches in one (1) window on the property at any time.

(2) One (1) temporary sign per twenty-five hundredths (0.25) acre of land may be located on the owner's property for a period of thirty (30) days prior to an election involving candidates for a Federal, State or local office that represents the district in which the property is located.

(3) One (1) temporary sign may be located on the owner's property when: a) that property is being offered for sale through a licensed real estate agent; b) if not offered for sale through a real estate agent, when that property is offered for sale through advertising; and c) for a period of fifteen (15) days following the date on which a contract of sale has been executed by a person purchasing the property.

(4) One (1) temporary sign may be located on the owner's property on a day when the property owner is opening the property to the public; provided, however, the owner may not use this type of sign in a Residential District on more than two (2) days in a year and the days must be consecutive and may not use this type of sign in any Commercial District for more than fourteen (14) days in a year and the days must be consecutive. For purposes of this Section a year is counted from the first day on which the sign is erected counting backwards and from the last day on which the sign exists counting forward.

(5) A person exercising the right to place temporary signs on a property as described in this Section must limit the number of signs on the property per twenty-five hundredths (0.25) acre at any one (1) time to two (2) plus a sign in the window as allowed in Subsection (A)(8)(a)(1).

b. Size Of Temporary Event Signs.

(1) Single-, Two-, And Multi-Family. Temporary event signs located on properties occupied by or zoned for single-family, duplex residences, or multi-family shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area and five (5) feet in height.

(2) Non-Residential. Temporary event signs located on properties occupied by or zoned for office, commercial, industrial or other non-residential uses shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height.

c. Off-Premise Signs. One (1) or more off-premise sign shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) The total area of sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.

(2) Shall not be placed within right-of-way, on utility poles, street signs or street lights or poles or on private property without permission from the owner.

(3) Shall not be placed for more than fifteen (15) days.

Section 407.090 Wall, Awning And Canopy Signs, Projecting Signs.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Wall, awning and canopy signs, and projecting signs shall be permitted providing:

1. Shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the largest exposed wall of the building on which the sign(s) is/are to be installed and shall not extend above the roofline. The area limitation shall include any special display such as banners.

2. A wall sign shall not project beyond the plane of the wall.

3. An awning sign shall not project more than four (4) feet from the face of the building and shall have an eight (8) foot minimum clearance.

4. A projecting sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet and have an eight (8) foot clearance. The sign shall not project more than four (4) feet from the face of the building.

Section 407.100 Ground Signs (Pole Signs).

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Ground signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

1. Located so as to not obstruct vision at an intersection or a vehicular entry or exit from the property.

2. May be supported by posts or poles that do not exceed a height of ten (10) feet above the prevailing grade nor a length of ten (10) feet.

3. The maximum size of ground signs shall be one hundred (100) square feet and shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the back of the curb and located on private property.

Section 407.110 Freestanding Signs.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Freestanding signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

1. One (1) freestanding sign shall be allowed for each building fronting a public street. The foregoing, however, is subject to the specific provisions of this Chapter regarding the total number of signs allowed for each business, as provided for in Section 407.140 of this Chapter.

2. The bottom of the sign shall be at least eight (8) feet above the main ground level on which the sign is placed and shall not exceed a height of fifty (50) feet above the nearest adjacent street level.

3. Every freestanding sign shall be constructed and anchored securely.

4. A freestanding sign may have an area not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet.

Section 407.120 (Reserved)

Section 407.125 Monument Signs.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. On-site monument signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

1. All permanent monument signs shall be located at least ten (10) feet from all property lines.

2. Shall be located not more than seventy-five (75) feet from a main public roadway entrance or intersection into or adjacent to said common commercial subdivision or development.

3. Shall be separated by at least seventy-five (75) feet from freestanding signs located on adjoining properties.

4. Shall not exceed forty (40) feet in height.

5. Shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet.

6. Shall be at least thirty (30) feet from the street intersection.

Section 407.130 Billboards.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Billboards shall be subject to the following restrictions:

1. Billboards shall not be located within three hundred (300) feet of any residentially zoned property.

2. Billboards shall not be erected within one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet of one another on the same side of the road.

3. The maximum gross area of any billboard shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet. For purposes of this provision, each side of a billboard shall be considered a separate sign.

4. No billboard shall be attached to the roof or wall of any building.

5. Billboards may be illuminated by electrical lighting of the surface of the sign face; however, no flashing, blinking or intermittent lighting of billboard sign faces shall be allowed.

6. No junior poster panels shall be erected within one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet of one another on the same side of the road.

Section 407.140 Limitations Of Signage Per Business.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. All wall, projecting, freestanding and ground signs shall be governed by the following restrictions:

1. There shall be no more than two (2) different types of signs on the same side of a building or site frontage, except:

One (1) multi-tenant building and shopping center freestanding sign shall be permitted for every three hundred (300) feet of frontage or fraction thereof.

2. The total signage of all signs except freestanding and ground signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the rear of the largest exposed wall.

Section 407.150 General Restrictions On Sign Regulations And Maintenance And Violations Of This Chapter.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Except as hereinafter provided, all signs shall be subject to the following general construction standards and maintenance standards:

1. The Community Development Director, or his/her designee, shall initiate the necessary procedures to remove any sign of immediate danger or hazard to person or property, as provided in the City's Building Code relating to the abatement of dangerous buildings.

2. No signs or other advertising structure regulated by this Chapter shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of its 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," "look," "drive-in," "danger" or any word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

3. All outdoor signs and supports shall be weather-resistant and shall be maintained in good repair so as to prevent rust, peeling, flaking or fading. Broken panels, missing letters, flaking or peeling paint and other visual damage to a sign shall be repaired within forty-five (45) days of notice to repair. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with all City ordinances, including ordinances concerning nuisances and vegetation.

4. Illuminated signs shall be subject to the following restriction: All illumination shall be oriented so as to prevent casting light onto residential properties.

5. Signs To Be Removed From Premises. Prohibited signs may be removed immediately by an order of the Community Development Director. Any on-premises sign which advertises a business no longer conducted or a product no longer sold on the premises or lot shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having beneficial use of the premises or lot upon which the sign is erected within thirty (30) days after the business or product is no longer in operation or being produced or sold on premises, or within ten (10) days of notification from the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, whichever occurs first.

6. All signs on a single parcel or lot occupied by multi-tenants and all signs in a commercial or industrial planned unit development shall be subject to the following restrictions:

a. Shall be of uniform height, proportions, background color(s), materials and location in relationship to the business and generally uniform thickness appearance and illumination.

b. For any new building or for any existing building which is more than fifty percent (50%) vacant, and which does not have approved uniform standards, the building owner shall submit with, or prior to, the first (or next) sign permit application, a list of requested uniform standards for said building for approval. No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with the uniform standards.

c. Non-conforming signs owned by tenants under a current lease in a multi-tenant building shall not be affected.

7. No sign shall be erected or painted upon retaining walls, fences, rocks or natural objects.

Section 407.160 Application For A Sign Permit.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

Approved permits will be obtained at the office of the Community Development Director upon payment of an application fee pursuant to the fees schedule established by the City Council and adopted by Resolution pursuant to Chapter 400, Section 400.640.

Section 407.170 Enforcement.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. Violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter is hereby declared to be unlawful; and, except as provided elsewhere herein, the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, shall be responsible for the enforcement of this Chapter and may at any time he/she deems necessary inspect any sign structure regulated by this Chapter.

B. Written Notice To Be Given Of Violations. If it is found that a sign is in violation of this Chapter, the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, shall give written notice to the owner of the sign; or, if the owner cannot be located within thirty (30) days by the Community Development Director, to the owner of the premises on which the sign is located; or, if the sign erection is not complete, to the sign erector stating:

NOTE: That failure to comply, or to make good faith efforts to comply with the terms of this notice shall constitute grounds for the Community Development Director to initiate prosecution of enforcement in the appropriate judicial forum as determined by the City Attorney.

Section 407.180 Appeals And Variances.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

Within the purview of its jurisdiction, the Board of Zoning Adjustment is empowered to review or modify the Community Development Director's or his/her designee's order or determination with respect to signs covered by this Chapter and may consider variances as provided by State Statutes. Any applicant may appeal the non-issuance of a sign permit to the Board and a permit holder may appeal the revocation of a validly issued sign permit to the Board.

Section 407.190 Violation Of Article.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this Chapter.

B. Upon conviction, any person found guilty of violating any provisions of this Chapter shall be fined in an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment.

C. Each and every day such violation is committed or continued shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.

Section 407.200 Invalidity Of A Part.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

In case any Section, clause, sentence or paragraph or part of this Chapter shall for any reason be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this Chapter.

Section 407.210 Conformance To Building Codes.

[Ord. No. 2470, 11-13-2018]

A. In addition to the sign permit required by this Chapter, a building permit shall be obtained from the Community Development Director prior to installation or placement of any freestanding sign having a sign structure area greater than fifteen (15) square feet or any building sign having a sign face area greater than six (6) square feet. All signs for which a building permit is required shall be constructed and maintained in conformance with all Building Code and Electrical Code requirements.

B. Plans required for issuance of a building permit for a sign shall be certified as to conformance with all structural and wind-load resistive standards of the Building Code by a structural engineer registered in the State of Missouri, or be prepared using standard drawings prepared by a structural engineer or other qualified professional meeting or exceeding all requirements of the Building Code.

C. All electrical service to a sign shall comply with the Electrical Code.

D. Clearance from all electrical power lines shall conform to the requirements of the Electrical Code.