[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Collinsville 4-12-2004 by Ord. No. 398. Amendments noted where applicable.]
An ordinance to establish regulations and standards for the
construction, maintenance, and removal of signs. This chapter shall
be known as the "Sign Ordinance."
A.
Signs constitute a separate and distinct use of the land upon which
they are placed and affect the use of adjacent streets, sidewalks,
and property.
B.
The provisions of this chapter are made to establish reasonable and
impartial regulations for all exterior signs and to further the objectives
of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Collinsville to protect
the general public's health, safety, convenience, and welfare; to
reduce traffic hazards caused by unregulated signs which may distract,
confuse, and impair the visibility of motorists and pedestrians; to
ensure the effectiveness of public traffic signs and signals; to protect
the public investment in streets, highways, and other public improvements;
to facilitate the creation of an attractive and harmonious community;
to protect property values; and to further economic development.
These sign regulations shall apply to all exterior signs within
the City limits of the City of Collinsville, Texas, and all signs
located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Collinsville,
Texas.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The designated government official whose responsibility it
is to administer the provisions of this chapter. These activities
may include, but are not limited to, reviewing applications for sign
permits, corresponding and/or meeting with applicants, issuing and
denying sign permits, inspecting signs, and interpreting and enforcing
the provisions of this chapter.
Any nonrigid material such as fabric or flexible plastic
that is supported by or stretched over a frame that is attached to
an exterior wall.
A sign placed directly on the surface of an awning.
A sign that is mounted on or attached to a nonrigid surface
such as cloth, fabric, or paper.
See "off-premises sign."
A particular type of changeable copy sign that displays copy
in a casement made of glass or plexiglass.
An extension of the roof of a building or a freestanding
structure that has a roof with support, but no walls.
A sign attached to a canopy.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface
of the sign.
The characters, letters, or illustrations displayed on a
sign face.
A sign that provides on-site directional assistance for the
convenience of the public such as location of exits, entrances, and
parking lots.
A sign which displays the names and/or addresses of the establishments
or uses of a building or group of buildings.
The general term for any on-site sign which is supported
from the ground and not attached to a building.
The length of a building that faces a street, parking area,
or private drive.
The length of that part of a zoning lot that fronts a public
street.
A sign that was constructed in violation of regulations that
existed at the time it was built.
A sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source,
whether internally or externally lit.
A permanent structure other than a roof attached to, supported
by, and projecting from a building and providing protection from natural
elements.
A sign attached to and made part of a marquee or any other
similar projection from a building.
A freestanding sign with a base affixed to the ground which
measures at least two-thirds the horizontal length of the sign.
A sign that met all legal requirements when constructed but
that is not in compliance with this chapter. An illegal sign is not
a nonconforming sign.
Any sign which is not located on the premises that it identifies
or advertises.
A freestanding sign with a base at least seven feet above
the ground which is supported from the ground by a pole or a similar
support structure of narrow width.
A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure,
or the ground or designed to be permanently affixed to a building,
structure, or the ground.
A sign which is supported by an exterior wall of a building
and which is displayed perpendicular to the face of the building.
The land adjoining a street intersection that is kept clear
of obstructions between three feet and seven feet above the ground
to protect the visibility and safety of motorists and pedestrians.
The "projected sight distance area" is the triangle with legs that
are the intersecting flowlines of two streets at an intersection;
where local streets meet, the legs shall extend 35 feet away from
the intersection of the flow lines Where collector or arterial streets
meet, the legs shall extend 45 feet away from the intersection of
the flow lines.
Any device situated outdoors that displays letters, characters,
or graphics to identify a land use or attract the public's attention.
A sign that is displayed only for a specified period of time.
A sign painted on or attached to a wall of a building and
parallel to the wall.
The Administrator shall have the responsibility and full authority
to administer and enforce all provisions of this chapter other than
those provisions specifically reserved for the authority of the Board
of Supervisors or Board of Zoning Appeals.
A.
Permit required.
(1)
No sign or sign structure, except as provided in § 635-10, Exempt signs, and § 635-15, Nonconforming signs, shall be erected, displayed, altered, or replaced until a sign permit has been issued. For the purposes of this chapter, all signs are considered accessory uses of real property and shall be located on the premises of the principal use to which they pertain.
(2)
The cost of this permit application shall be due and payable on application
for permit at a cost of $50.
B.
Permit application. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted
and a form provided by the Administrator and shall contain or have
attached at a minimum the following information in either written
or graphic form:
(1)
Application date.
(2)
Name, address, and telephone number of the sign owner and, if different,
the owner of the land on which the sign will be erected.
(3)
Address of the property where the sign or sign structure will be
erected.
(4)
Signature(s) of the sign owner and, if different, the owner of the
land on which the sign will be displayed.
(5)
Location of the sign on the property in relation to lot lines, buildings,
sidewalks, streets, public rights-of-way, and intersections.
(6)
Type of sign (e.g., monument, wall) and general description of structural
design and construction materials.
(7)
Drawing(s) of the proposed sign which shall contain specifications
indicating height, perimeter, and area dimensions, means of support,
method of illumination, if any, and any other significant aspect of
the proposed sign.
(8)
Any other information requested by the Administrator in order to
carry out the purpose and intent of these regulations.
C.
Permit review, issuance, and recording. The Administrator shall examine
all sign permit applications. Permit applicants shall be issued a
copy of the original permit application, with approval and approval
date noted, for all signs which conform to the requirements of this
chapter. Such approved applications shall serve as sign permits. The
Administrator shall maintain a record of all sign permit applications
with notations of approval or disapproval. All sign permits shall
be dated and numbered in the order of their issuance.
D.
Inspections. A final inspection by the Administrator or his designee
shall be completed after installation of all approved signs. Any discrepancies
between an approved sign and a sign as constructed shall be identified,
in writing, and may result in the halt of construction or sign removal,
if so ordered by the Administrator.
E.
Complaints and revocations. The Administrator shall investigate any
complaints of violations of this chapter and may revoke a permit if
there is any violation of the provisions of this chapter or there
was misrepresentation of any material facts in either the application
or plans.
If an approved sign is not erected within a period of 12 months
of the date the permit was originally issued, the permit shall expire
and become null and void.
A.
Illegal signs. The Administrator may remove or order the removal
of any sign not in conformance with the provisions of this chapter,
at the expense of the sign owner or lessor.
B.
Immediate peril. If the Administrator shall find any sign which is
an immediate peril to persons or property, the sign shall be removed.
If the Administrator cannot locate the sign owner or lessor for immediate
removal of the sign, he shall remove or order the removal of the sign
at the expense of the sign owner or lessor.
B.
Standard of review. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall consider applications
for variances only in situations where the applicant has been denied
a sign permit by the Administrator. The Board of Zoning Appeals may
grant a variance authorized by this section if it finds that the following
special physical conditions exist:
C.
Procedures. All requests for variances must be filed with the Board
of Zoning Appeals within 30 days of the decision by the Administrator.
Sign permits shall not be required for the following:
A.
Address and name of resident. Signs indicating address and/or name
of residential occupants of the premises, not exceeding two square
feet in area, and not including any commercial advertising or identification.
B.
Artwork. Works of art that do not include any commercial messages
or references.
C.
Decals. Decals affixed to windows or door glass panes, as indicating
membership in a such business group or credit cards accepted at the
establishment.
D.
Directional signs. Signs giving on-site directional assistance for
the convenience of the public, not exceeding two square feet in area
or located closer than five feet to any property line. Directional
signs may be internally lit or illuminated by white light only.
E.
Flags, emblems, and insignia of any governmental agency or religious,
charitable, public or nonprofit organization, subject to the following:
No single flag that is flown shall exceed 40 square feet in area and
no single zoning lot shall fly more than three such flags; if the
total area of such flags exceeds 72 square feet, the excess area shall
be included in the sign area calculations for the zoning lot. Flagpoles
shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Wall-mounted flags, emblems, or
insignia shall be limited to one per zoning lot and shall not exceed
40 square feet in area.
F.
Handicapped parking space sign. Signs not exceeding two square feet
in area reserving parking spaces for handicapped motorists.
G.
Home occupation signs. On-premises identification signs for home
occupations shall not exceed two square feet in area and shall contain
only the name of the business and/or business owner. Such signs shall
be located on an exterior wall, window, or door of the premises.
H.
Private drive signs. On-premises private drive signs limited to one
per drive entrance, not exceeding two square feet in area, with language
limited to the words "private drive" and the address of any residences
utilizing the private roadway.
I.
Public signs. Signs erected by government agencies or utilities,
including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing, and identification
signs for public facilities, and any signs erected by the Board of
Supervisors or under the direction of the Board.
J.
Security and warning signs. On-premises signs regulating the use
of the premises, such as "no trespassing," "no hunting" and "no soliciting"
signs that do not exceed two square feet in area in residential areas
and five square feet in commercial and industrial areas.
K.
Temporary real estate signs. Temporary signs indicating the availability
of real property for lease or sale, located on the premises being
leased or sold. Display of such signs shall be limited to one per
property, not exceeding six feet in height and not exceeding four
square feet in area in residential zones and eight square feet in
area in all other zones. Such signs shall be removed within seven
days of the settlement or lease of the property.
The following signs may be erected only after obtaining a temporary
sign permit from the Administrator. The permit shall cite the length
of time the sign may be displayed. If any temporary sign is not removed
by the expiration of the appropriate time limit noted in this section,
the Administrator may remove it and charge the costs of removal to
the individual or enterprise responsible.
A.
Special event signs. Signs announcing special events, including,
but not limited to, auctions, grand openings, new management, going
out of business, and events sponsored by religious, charitable, or
public service groups. Any business, individual, or organization may
display once in a twelve-month period a maximum of two signs for up
to 14 days prior to a special event. Such signs shall be attached
to buildings or existing private sign structures or sign poles with
the permission of the owner and shall not exceed 16 square feet in
area each and shall be removed immediately following the event.
B.
Temporary farm products signs. Temporary on-premises signs announcing
the availability of seasonal farm products. The number of signs shall
not exceed two and the total area of all such signs shall not exceed
20 square feet, nor shall any sign exceed six feet in height.
C.
Construction signs. Temporary signs announcing new buildings or projects,
erected after the commencement of building construction or site development.
Each construction site shall be limited to one construction sign not
exceeding 20 square feet in area, which shall be removed by the time
a permanent sign is erected or a certificate of occupancy for the
building is issued, whichever occurs first.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
A.
Generally. The regulations in this section specify the number, types,
sizes, heights, and locations of signs which are permitted within
___ and which require a permit. Any sign regulations incorporated
into a development plan approved by Council may supersede all or part
of this section.
B.
Determination of sign area. In measuring the area of signs permitted
under these regulations, the entire face of the sign (one side only)
and any wall work incidental to its decoration shall be included.
Where both sides of a sign contain lettering or other allowable display,
one side only shall be used to compute the allowable size of the sign.
Where the sign consists of individual raised letters or a sign face
of irregular shape, the sign area shall include the area of the smallest
rectangle that can encompass the letters or sign face.
C.
Determination of sign height. The height of a sign erected within
30 feet of a street shall be the distance from the grade level of
the nearest curb of the street to the top of the sign or sign structure,
whichever is greater. The height of all signs farther than 30 feet
from a street shall be the distance from the grade level where the
sign is erected to the top of the sign or sign structure, whichever
is greater.
D.
Street frontage requirements for freestanding signs. Freestanding
signs shall be permitted only on zoning lots with 100 feet or more
of street frontage.
E.
Spacing of freestanding signs. No freestanding sign shall be erected
within 100 feet of another freestanding sign.
F.
Installation of wall signs. All wall signs shall be installed flat
against the wall of a building and shall not extend from the wall
more than 12 inches.
G.
Residential districts. Within residential districts, signs authorized in § 635-10, Exempt signs, do not require a permit. Permits are required for all other allowed signs and must conform to the following criteria:
(1)
Single-family subdivision identification signs. Signs that identify
the name of a single-family residential subdivision, located at any
street entrance to the subdivision, shall be erected as follows:
(2)
Multifamily complex signs, signs that identify the name and/or address
of an apartment, townhouse, condominium, or other multifamily residential
complex, located at any street or private drive entrance to the complex,
shall be erected as follows:
H.
Commercial and industrial districts. Within commercial and industrial district, signs authorized in § 635-10, Exempt signs, do not require a permit. Permits are required for all other allowed signs and must conform to the following criteria:
(1)
Signs facing residential areas. Any sign erected within 100 feet
of either an existing residential use or a residential zoning district
shall be nonilluminated and limited to 16 square feet in area and
five feet in height.
(2)
Minimum setbacks. All signs and sign structures must be located at
least 10 feet from any property line and outside of all sight visibility
triangles.
(3)
Zoning lots with one establishment. Any establishment located on
a zoning lot with one establishment may erect signs as follows:
(a)
Number. Maximum of two signs, but in no case shall two freestanding
signs be allowed on the same zoning lot.
(b)
Types: wall; monument, pole, projecting, awning, canopy, or
marquee.
(c)
Maximum sizes and heights.
[1]
Wall or marquee sign. One square foot of sign area per two linear
feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to be attached,
up to a maximum of 14.00 square feet in area for all wall or marquee
signs. The top of all wall and marquee signs shall be below the roofline
and at a height no greater than 20 feet above the ground.
[2]
Pole sign. One square foot of sign area per five linear feet
of lot frontage on which the sign or signs are to be erected, up to
a maximum of 24 square feet in area. The top of the sign shall not
exceed 20 feet in height and the base of the sign shall be at least
seven feet above the ground.
[3]
Monument sign. One square foot of sign area per five linear
feet of lot frontage on which the sign or signs are to be erected,
up to a maximum of 32 square feet in area. The height of a monument
sign shall not exceed five feet.
[4]
Projecting sign. One square foot of sign area per two linear
feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to be attached,
up to a maximum of 12 square feet in area. The top of all projecting
signs shall be located below the roofline and at a height not greater
than 16 feet above the ground. The base of all projecting signs shall
be no less than eight feet above the ground. Projecting signs shall
not project from the exterior wall of a building more than four feet.
[5]
Awning or canopy sign. One square foot per two linear feet of
awning or canopy, up to a maximum of 16 square feet in area. No awning
or canopy sign shall extend above the top of the awning or canopy.
(4)
Multiple establishments on single zoning lots. Multiple establishments
on single zoning lots that do not constitute a shopping center may
erect one monument sign with a maximum size of 32 square feet and
height of five feet or one pole sign with a maximum size of 24 square
feet and height of 20 feet. In addition, each establishment located
on a single zoning lot with two or more establishments may erect one
sign as follows:
(a)
Type. Wall, projecting, awning, canopy, or marquee.
(b)
Maximum size and height:
[1]
Wall or marquee sign. One square foot of sign area per two linear
feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to be attached,
up to a maximum of 100 square feet in area for all wall or marquee
signs. The top of all wall and marquee signs shall be below the roofline
and at a height no greater than 20 feet above the ground.
[2]
Projecting sign. One square foot of sign area per two linear
feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to be attached,
up to a maximum of 12 square feet in area. The top of all projecting
signs shall be located below the roofline and at a height not greater
than 16 feet above the ground. The base of all projecting signs shall
be no less than eight feet above the ground. Projecting signs shall
not project from the exterior wall of a building more than four feet.
[3]
Awning or canopy sign. One square foot per two linear feet of
awning or canopy, up to a maximum of 16 square feet in area. No awning
or canopy sign shall extend above the top of the awning or canopy.
(5)
Shopping centers. Shopping centers with five or more establishments
planned as an integrated development shall be authorized to erect
signs based on the following criteria:
(a)
Center identification sign. One monument or pole sign per street
fronting the center, not to exceed a total of two signs, identifying
the name of the center. The name of any major establishment within
the center may serve as the name of the entire center. In addition
to identifying the name of the center, the sign may identify up to
two individual establishments within the center.
[1]
Monument sign. Each sign shall have a minimum area of 20 square
feet and a maximum area of one square foot per 3,000 square feet of
gross building floor area, up to a maximum sign area of 40 square
feet and a maximum height of 10 feet.
[2]
Pole sign. Each sign shall have a minimum area of 16 square
feet and a maximum area of one square foot per 3,000 square feet of
gross building floor area up to a maximum of 32 square feet. The top
of the pole sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height and the base of
the pole sign shall be at least seven feet above the ground.
(b)
Individual establishment signs. No freestanding sign shall be
displayed for individual establishments located within a center. Any
establishment may display one sign per street frontage, up to a maximum
of two signs, according to the following criteria:
[1]
Wall or marquee sign. One square foot of sign area per two linear
feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to be attached,
up to a maximum of 100 square feet in area for all wall or marquee
signs. The top of all wall and marquee signs shall be located below
the roofline and at a height no greater than 20 feet above the ground.
[2]
Projecting sign. One square foot of sign area per two linear
feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to be attached,
up to a maximum of 12 square feet in area. The top of all projecting
signs shall be located below the roofline and at a height not greater
than 1.5 feet above the ground. The base of all projecting signs shall
be no less than eight feet above the ground. Projecting signs shall
not project from the exterior wall of a building more than four feet.
[3]
Awning or canopy sign. One square foot per two linear feet of
awning or canopy, up to a maximum of 16 square feet in area. No awning
or canopy sign shall extend above the top of the awning or canopy.
(6)
Gasoline stations. Automobile service and gasoline stations shall
comply with all applicable sign regulations within this section, including
the regulations for shopping centers if applicable. The following
additional regulations shall apply to all automobile service and gasoline
stations:
(a)
Changeable fuel price signs. Freestanding signs identifying
the name of the business may include changeable copy indicating the
current price of fuel dispensed on the premises. The area of the fuel
price sign shall be included in determining the sign area for the
business.
(b)
Gas pump signs. Each gas pump shall be permitted a total of
one square foot of sign area to identify the product dispensed.
(7)
Office and/or industrial centers. Office and/or industrial centers
at least two acres in size and planned as an integrated development
shall be authorized to erect signs based on the following criteria:
(a)
Center identification signs. One monument sign per public street
frontage, not to exceed a total of two monument signs, identifying
the name of the center only and not exceeding 40 square feet in area
and six feet in height.
(b)
Individual building signs. Where an office and/or industrial
center is comprised of two or more buildings, each individual building
may erect one monument sign, not to exceed 20 square feet in area
and four feet in height, identifying the principal establishment within
the building.
(c)
Individual establishment signs. Each individual establishment
within an office and/or industrial building may erect one wall sign
of a size which does not exceed one square foot of sign area per two
linear feet of building frontage on which the sign or signs are to
be attached, up to a maximum of 32 square feet in area. The top of
the wall sign shall be located below the roofline and at a height
no greater than 15 feet above the ground.
(8)
Directory signs. Commercial and industrial properties may erect a
directory sign identifying the names and/or addresses of the establishments
within individual buildings. A directory sign shall not exceed 15
square feet in area and six feet in height and precludes the use of
any other freestanding sign for the zoning lot on the same street
frontage.
(9)
Theaters. Theaters are authorized to erect one of the permitted wall
or marquee signs with a changeable copy board displaying the name(s)
and time(s) of the current motion picture or theatrical production.
I.
Other uses. In cases where the regulations within this section do
not specifically address a sign requested in conjunction with a permissible
use, the Administrator shall make a written interpretation of this
chapter, which shall be kept in the permanent record for that application.
The following are expressly prohibited unless specifically stated
otherwise in this chapter:
A.
Animated and moving signs, including, but not limited to, pennants,
flags with commercial messages, banners, streamers, propellers, discs,
and searchlights.
B.
Flashing signs. Any signs that include lights which flash, blink,
or turn and off intermittently, not including time and temperature
signs.
C.
Glaring signs. Signs with light sources or reflectivity of such brightness
that constitute a hazard or nuisance as determined by the Administrator.
D.
Inflatable signs and objects, including, but not limited to balloons.
E.
Off-premises signs, including billboards. Any sign which is not located
on the premises that it identifies or advertises.
F.
Portable signs. Any sign that is not permanently affixed to a building,
structure, or the ground. This shall not apply to authorized temporary
signs.
G.
Posters and handbills. Any signs affixed to trees or other natural
vegetation, rocks, or utility poles.
H.
Roof signs. Any signs which are erected on a roof or which extend
in height above the roofline of the building on which the sign is
erected.
I.
Simulated traffic signs and obstructions. Any sign which may be confused
with or obstruct view of any authorized traffic sign or signal, obstruct
the sight distance triangle at any street intersection, or extend
into the public right-of-way.
J.
Strings of lights, including lights that outline property lines,
sales areas, or any portion of a structure, and are intended to advertise
or draw attention to a business or commercial activity.
K.
Vehicular signs. Any sign displayed on a parked vehicle, where the
primary purpose of the vehicle is to advertise a product or business
or to direct people to a business or activity. For the purposes of
this chapter, vehicular signs shall not include business logos, identification,
or advertising on vehicles primarily used for other business purposes.
A.
Generally. Any sign which does not conform to the provisions herein
on the date of enactment of this chapter or any date on which this
chapter is amended, and any sign which is accessory to a nonconforming
use, shall be deemed a nonconforming sign and may remain at the same
location for a period of years. At the end of this period, the nonconforming
sign must be removed by the owner.
(ALTERNATIVE: Any sign which does not conform to the provisions
herein on the date of enactment of this chapter or any date on which
this chapter is amended, and any sign which is accessory to a nonconforming
use, shall be deemed a nonconforming sign. No nonconforming sign shall
be enlarged, extended, structurally reconstructed or altered in any
manner, except that a sign face may be changed so long as the new
face is equal to or reduced in height, sign area, and/or projection
and a sign permit is issued for the sign face change.)
B.
Removal. Nonconforming signs may remain, provided they are maintained
in good repair, except for the following:
(1)
Damage or destruction of sign. A nonconforming sign which is damaged
or destroyed to the extent of 50% or more of its sign face shall not
be altered, replaced, or reinstalled unless it is in conformance with
these regulations. If the damage or destruction is less than 50% of
the sign face, the sign may be restored within one year of the damage
or destruction, but shall not be enlarged in any manner.
(2)
Damage or destruction of use. A nonconforming sign shall be removed according to the provisions of § 635-8 of these regulations if the structure or use to which it is accessory is damaged or destroyed to the extent of 50% or more of the principal structure's appraised value.
(3)
Change of use. Whenever a land use changes, any previously nonconforming
signs or signs which become nonconforming because of the change in
land use must be modified so as to be in full compliance with these
sign regulations.
The various sections, subsections, paragraphs, and clauses of
this chapter are severable, and in the event that any section, subsection,
paragraph, or clause is adjudged invalid, the remainder of this chapter
shall remain in full force and effect.
Any sign, display, or device allowed under this chapter may
contain, in lieu of any other copy, any otherwise lawful noncommercial
message that does not direct attention to a business operated for
profit or to a commodity or service for sale, and that complies with
all other requirements of this chapter.
