[R.O. 2009 § 485.010; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016[1]]
This Article shall hereafter be known
as the "Sign Code," may be cited as such, and may be referred to herein
as the "Sign Code" or "this Article."
[R.O. 2009 § 485.020; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
This Sign Code is intended to do the following:
1.
Purpose. The provisions of this Article
shall govern the Erection of all Signs and Flags, together with their
appurtenant and auxiliary devices, in respect to size, color, location,
and structural and fire safety. The City has promoted and preserved
its character by systematically adopting and updating its zoning regulations.
As a result, the purpose of this Article is to allow a Property Owner
the ability to make use of his/her Property for free expression without
any content based limitations but in a manner designed to avoid the
visual clutter that is harmful to traffic and pedestrian safety, property
values, business opportunities, and community appearances.
2.
Findings. The Board hereby finds
that:
a.
Sign regulations may impact First
Amendment rights and that these rights are important constitutional
rights that must be protected.
b.
Unregulated signage has direct and
secondary effects that are harmful to the safety and general welfare
of the City as a whole and to its individual citizens.
c.
These direct and secondary effects
result from the visual clutter that occurs as a result of the unregulated
installation and lack of maintenance of Signs.
d.
These direct and secondary effects
include harm to traffic and pedestrians' safety, depreciation of Property
values within the City, decreased business opportunities for individual
and business residents of the City (resulting in decreased sales,
property, and other tax revenues that are necessary to provide an
adequate level of public service to City residents), community blight,
and an overall less pleasing community appearance.
e.
Residents are virtually captive audiences
of Signs displayed by neighbors; Signs are an intrusion into residential
privacy and interfere with the enjoyment of a resident's Property
because the view from the resident's Property may become so marred
by the clutter of Signs that the resident cannot successfully avoid
observing the Sign clutter.
f.
Because of these direct and secondary
effects, the City has a compelling interest in regulating Signs within
the City.
g.
These regulations are content-neutral
and place restrictions that directly advance the City's stated interests.
h.
To the extent that any provisions
of these regulations are content-based, they are intended to further
compelling governmental interests.
i.
A primary and compelling interest
of the City is to allow Property Owners to post Public Interest Signs
to protect the safety of others and to allow all persons to comply
with legal requirements imposed by law or by order of a court requiring
the posting of notices, without being subject to regulation.
j.
The scope of these regulations is
proportionate to the interests served and narrowly tailored to achieve
the desired objective.
k.
A direct nexus exists between the
desired City's goals and the means chosen in these regulations to
achieve its desired goals.
3.
Scope.
a.
Classifications. Regulations in the Sign Code are classified by use, and the definitions in Section 430.280 shall govern with regards to the type of use.
b.
Building Code Applicable. In the
absence from this Article of specifications governing details of Sign
construction, the applicable standards listed in the Building Code
shall apply.
c.
Government Signs. This Article recognizes
that Government Signs are government speech intended to ensure public
safety.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.030; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
The following principles shall control
the computation of Sign Face and Sign height:
1.
Computation Of Sign Face Of Individual
Signs. The area of a Sign Face shall be computed by measuring the
area of the smallest circle, square, rectangle, triangle, or combination
thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation,
emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming
an integral part of the background of the Sign or used to differentiate
the Sign from the back drop or Sign Structure against which it is
placed, but not including the Sign Structure or Facade that is clearly
incidental to the display itself.
2.
Computation Of Multi-Face Signs.
a.
A Double-Faced Sign with two (2)
Sign Faces shall be considered one (1) Sign. Provided, however, to
the extent a Double-Faced Temporary Sign has two (2) Sign Faces that
are not identical, each Sign Face shall be considered a separate Sign
and the area shall be computed by adding together the area of each
non-identical Sign Face.
b.
The Sign area for a Sign with more
than two (2) Sign Faces shall be computed by adding together the area
of all Sign Faces on the Sign.
3.
Computation Of Height. The height
of a Sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the Sign
Structure at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component
of the Sign. Sign height of a Wall Sign shall be computed as the distance
from the base of the Sign to the top of the Sign. Normal grade shall
be construed to be the lowest of: (a) existing grade prior to construction
or (b) the newly established grade, after construction, exclusive
of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose
of locating the Sign. In cases in which normal grade cannot reasonably
be determined, Sign height shall be computed on the assumption that
the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the Sign is equal
to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a Street or
the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the Principal Structure
on the zoned Lot, whichever is lower.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.410; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
As used in this Article, the following
terms shall mean:
A Sign other than a Flag that is made of lightweight material
either enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame and secured or mounted
to allow motion caused by the atmosphere. This definition includes
pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similarly moving
devises.
A Sign which directs the attention to a business, commodity,
service, or entertainment not necessarily sold or offered: (a) elsewhere
than upon the same Lot where such Sign is displayed; (b) not for the
Principal Use of such Lot upon the premises where such Sign is located
or to which it is attached; or (c) any other outdoor advertising subject
to regulation pursuant to Sections 226.500 through 226.600 and Section
71.288, RSMo., as amended.
Use of land or Buildings for office (including medical),
office/warehouse, Financial Institution, Convention Center, Hotel,
or similar uses.
A device designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged instantaneously, either manually or electronically.
Any use wherein goods and services are purchased or sold
to either the consuming public (retail) or to other businesses (wholesale).
Commercial Use includes Business Use and Industrial Use but does not
include Public/Semi-Public Use.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, affix, or locate.
[Ord. No. 3754 § 1, 11-20-2017]
A generally rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design
traditionally raised on a Flagpole.
A pole mounted to the ground and used for flying a Flag.
A hand-painted work of visual art that is either affixed
to or painted directly on the Facade or other exterior surface without
the permission of the Property Owner.
That floor of a Building which is approximately level with
the ground around the Building and which contains the Building's primary
ingress and egress; first floor.
A display for decorative purposes during any nationally recognized
holiday period.
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated in or indirectly from an artificial
source, so shielded that no direct illumination from it is visible
elsewhere than on and in the immediate vicinity of the Sign.
Use of land or Buildings for manufacturing, assembly, fabrication,
warehousing, distribution, freight terminal, wholesale sales, and
other uses of similar intensity.
One (1) or more Buildings containing a minimum of three (3)
or more Dwelling Units per Building.
A form of non-commercial speech wherein a hand-painted work
of visual art is either affixed to or painted directly on the Facade
of a Structure with the permission of the Property Owner. An Original
Art Display does not include: mechanically produced or computer generated
prints or images, including but not limited to digitally printed vinyl;
electrical or mechanical components; or Changeable Copy Panel.
That portion of a Lot or Building occupied by one (1) or
more occupants, exclusive of common areas shared with adjacent occupants,
if any.
An individual or entity who has the right to possess, use,
and convey the Property, Premises, Building, Sign, or Sign Structure.
For the purposes of this Article, the tenant of a Property or Premises
is considered the Property Owner as to the Property the tenant holds
a right to use exclusive of others (or the sole right to occupy).
If there are multiple tenants of a Property or Premises, then each
tenant shall have the same rights and duties as the Property Owner
as to the Property or Premises the tenant leases and has the sole
right to occupy, and the size of the Property or Premises shall be
deemed to be the Property that the tenant has the sole right to occupy
under the lease.
An Educational Facility, Church, Community Center, cultural
facility, library, hospital, or similar place that serves the public
for its educational, cultural, and/or recreational benefit.
Any use wherein individuals or families utilize Single-Family,
Two-Family, and Multi-Family Complex for private housing purposes.
Residential Use does not include Public/Semi-Public Use.
A name, identification, description, display, or illustration,
which is affixed to, painted, or represented directly or indirectly
upon a Building, or other outdoor surface which directs attention
to or is designed or intended to direct attention to the Sign Face
or to an object, product, place, activity, person, Institution, organization,
or business. Signs located completely within an enclosed Building,
and not exposed to view from a Street or sidewalk, shall not be considered
a Sign. A Flag shall not be considered a Sign. This definition includes
Holiday Displays.
A Sign that is made up of or incorporates a Changeable Copy
Panel.
A Sign with two (2) Sign Faces of the same shape designed
to be seen from two (2) opposite directions, supported on the same
support, and at the same elevation.
The entire area within a square, circle, rectangle, triangle,
or combination thereof that encompasses the extreme limits of the
writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any
material or color forming an integral part of the background of the
display or used to differentiate the Sign from the backdrop or Structure
against which it is placed, but not including the Sign Structure or
Facade that is clearly incidental to the display itself.
Any Illuminated Sign on which the artificial light is not
maintained stationary or constant in intensity or color at all times
when such Sign is in use. For the purpose of this Article, any moving
Illuminated Sign or Signs that fluctuate in light intensity or use
intermittent strobe or moving light or light that changes in intensity
in sudden transitory bursts, streams, zooms, twinkles, sparkles, or
that in any manner creates the illusion of movement shall also be
considered a Flashing Sign.
A Sign that is constructed, placed, or maintained by the
federal, state, or local government or a Sign that is required to
be constructed, placed, or maintained by the federal, state, or local
government either directly or to enforce or protect a Property Owner's
rights.
A Sign that is embedded, extruded, or carved into the material
of a Building Facade and customarily made of bronze, brushed stainless
steel or aluminum, stone, or similar material attached to the Building
Facade.
A Sign located inside a Building on a window or door and
exposed to view from a Street or sidewalk. An Interior Window/Door
Sign may be a Temporary or Permanent Sign.
A Sign having the appearance of a solid base of landscape
construction materials such as masonry, stucco, stonework, textured
wood, tile, anodized metal, or textured concrete materials. The base
of a Monument Sign shall be architectural in nature, with a concealed
means of support, and utilize materials consistent with the design
of the Building in which it is associated.
Commercial speech in the form of a Permanent Sign that does
not relate to a use of the Premises on which it is located.
Commercial speech in the form of a Permanent Sign that relates
to a use of the Premises on which it is located.
Any Sign affixed or attached to the ground or a Structure
and which cannot be removed without special handling. Any Sign that
is not a Temporary Sign is deemed to be a Permanent Sign and shall
be governed by the regulations for a Permanent Sign.
Any detached Permanent Sign which is supported by one (1)
or more stationary poles extending more than two (2) feet above the
mean grade line of the ground at its base, provided that this shall
not include a permitted Monument Sign as set forth herein.
Any Sign intended to convey a legal right or restriction
on a Property; a Sign intended to warn the public of a bona fide danger
on the Property; or a Sign placed by order of a court or by a government
official in the normal course of their duties. Public Interest Signs
shall include Signs identifying a Structure or an area as a historic
Structure or place. These Signs are considered government speech.
A Pole Sign of not more than six (6) square feet in area
per Sign Face and not more than three and one-half (3.5) feet in height.
[Ord. No. 4003, 1-23-2020]
A Wall Sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in size.
The support, poles, upright bracing or brackets, and framework
for any Sign that is mounted on or affixed to a Building, Structure,
or the ground. A Sign Structure may be a single pole and may or may
not be an integral part of the Building.
A non-Permanent Sign constructed of paper, cloth, canvas,
plastic sheet, vinyl, cardboard, fiberboard, plywood, or other like
materials and that by design, installation, materials, and/or appearance
is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.
A Sign that uses a vehicle or trailers in such a way as to
function primarily as a Sign, including but not limited to vehicles
that are not operational and parked to display a Sign. Vehicles and
trailers associated with the function of the business on the Premises
shall not be considered a Vehicle Sign.
A Sign affixed directly to a Facade of a Building and confined
within the limits of such Facade. An Integral Sign is considered a
Wall Sign for the purposes of this Article.
A development of land for which there is a duly recorded
Plat approved by the City.
Where not inconsistent with the language or intent herein, the additional definitions set forth in Section 400.030 are incorporated herein and shall apply.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.050; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Article
or the City Code, the following restrictions shall govern all Signs
displayed in the City:
1.
Code Compliance. Signs may only be
displayed in accordance with this Article.
2.
Maintained. All Signs shall be of
sound structural quality, be maintained in good repair and condition,
have a clean and neat appearance and, as appropriate, abide by all
Building, Electrical and other Codes.
3.
Permitted Signs. The following Signs
are permitted in all Zoning Districts:
a.
Government Signs.
b.
Traffic control devices provided
such complies with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Comment: The Federal Highway Administration has established uniform
standards for Signs that regulate traffic or that are erected and
maintained within road rights-of-way or adjacent Property. These uniform
standards are intended to be used by owners of private Property that
is open to the public to reduce confusion and limit the risk of accident.
While these regulations are content specific, they serve an extraordinarily
important public function.
c.
Any Sign necessary for public safety
Erected by utility companies within their respective easements.
d.
Holiday Displays provided that said
display does not traverse any Street or create any traffic problem,
congestion, or safety hazard.
4.
Location. No Flag or Sign shall be
permitted or displayed:
a.
In the public Street or other City
property, except as expressly provided for by this Article or other
City ordinance.
b.
So that its location might obstruct
the view of or be confused with any Street markers, traffic Signs
or signals, other regulatory devices or warnings, or any other Signs
Erected by any governmental body or agency.
c.
So that it is located within a sight
triangle or interferes with the view reasonably necessary for motorists
to proceed safely through Streets and Intersections, or to enter or
exit from Streets.
5.
Temporary Signs. Unless otherwise
provided for specific uses, Temporary Signs:
a.
Shall not exceed three (3) feet in
height.
b.
Shall not be placed on any utility
pole, streetlight pole, tree, fence, or similar object.
c.
Shall not exceed the applicable size
limits allowed for the use type.
d.
Shall be secured or mounted as to
not allow any motion.
e.
Shall be securely attached and flush
at all points when attached to a Facade.
6.
Permanent Sign Materials. All Permanent
Signs shall be constructed of durable, outdoor, and weather-resistant
materials and shall not be primarily constructed with impermanent
materials such as paper, cloth, canvas, plastic, plastic sheet, vinyl,
cardboard, fiberboard, plywood, or other like materials.
7.
Wall Signs. Wall Signs shall be attached
firmly, parallel, and adjacent to the Facade in which the Wall Sign
is attached.
8.
Original Art Displays. Original Art
Displays are allowed provided that they meet the following requirements:
[R.O. 2009 § 485.060; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Residential Uses. Property Owners may have
the following types of Signs for Residential Uses:
1.
Temporary Signs. Temporary Signs
are permitted subject to the following standards:
a.
Three (3) Temporary Signs on the
Property at any time with a Sign Face no larger than four (4) square
feet per Sign.
b.
One (1) Temporary Sign with a Sign
Face no larger than eight and five-tenths (8.5) inches by eleven (11)
inches in one (1) window per Dwelling Unit at a time.
c.
Temporary Signs shall not be Illuminated.
2.
Wall Signs. Wall Signs are permitted
subject to the following standards:
a.
One (1) Wall Sign located on the
Ground Floor of the Front Elevation Line shall be permitted per Dwelling
Unit not to exceed three (3) square feet in area.
b.
Wall Signs shall be flush mounted
and shall not project from the surface of the Facade on which it is
affixed by more than twelve (12) inches at all points.
c.
Walls Signs shall not be Illuminated.
3.
Interior Window/Door Signs. Interior
Window/Door Signs are permitted subject to the following standards:
4.
Monument Signs For Subdivisions.
Each Subdivision for Residential Use will be permitted one (1) Double-Faced
Monument Sign at each Street entrance for such Subdivision, subject
to the following standards.
5.
Multi-Family Complexes. Each Multi-Family
Complex will be allowed one (1) of the following Signs for the clubhouse
or leasing office:
a.
A Monument Sign no more than twenty-four (24) square feet in area per Sign Face, not exceeding six (6) feet in height, and not located closer than five (5) feet to any Lot Line. The Monument Sign may be Illuminated in accordance with Section 430.360.
b.
A Wall Sign no more than sixteen
(16) square feet in area per Sign Face, oriented to the internal Street
system of the complex, located on the Facade of the Front Elevation
Line on the Ground Floor and flush mounted. The Wall Sign shall not
be Illuminated.
6.
On-Premises Signs. On-Premises Signs
are not permitted except for one (1) non-Illuminated Wall Sign or
Interior Window/Door Sign, not exceeding one (1) square foot in size
for a Home Occupation.
B.
Flags And Flagpoles. Flags and Flagpoles
are permitted subject to the following standards:
1.
A Flag shall not exceed fifteen (15)
square feet in size.
2.
Each Property Owner shall have no
more than three (3) Flags on display at any given time either located
on a Flagpole or mounted to the house.
3.
Each Property Owner may have one
(1) Flagpole not to exceed twenty (20) feet in height.
4.
Such Flagpole shall be ground-mounted
and may be located anywhere on the Premises, except within ten (10)
feet of any Lot Line.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.070; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Public And Semi-Public Uses. Public and
Semi-Public Uses located in Residential Districts, "PG" or "PR" Districts,
or St. Louis County Zoning Districts "R-1" through "R-6A" or "PS"
may have the following types of Signs for Public and Semi-Public Uses:
1.
Temporary Signs. Temporary Signs
are permitted subject to the following standards:
2.
Permanent Signs. A maximum of two
(2) Permanent Signs (Wall Signs and/or Monument Signs) are permitted
per Lot, subject to the following standards:
b.
Monument Signs.
(1)
No Monument Sign shall
exceed six (6) feet in height and the Sign Face shall not exceed twenty
(20) square feet in area.
(2)
A Monument Sign may contain an electric Changeable Copy Panel in accordance with Section 430.360.
(3)
A Monument Sign shall
have a landscaped area extending a minimum of three (3) feet on all
sides of the Monument Sign base.
(4)
A Monument Sign may
be located anywhere on the Premises except within five (5) feet of
any Lot Line.
3.
Small Wall Signs. A maximum of one
(1) non-Illuminated Small Wall Sign is permitted per Lot or Premises.
4.
Interior Window/Door Signs. A maximum
of one (1) non-Illuminated Interior Window/Door Sign is permitted
per Lot or Premises.
B.
Flags And Flagpoles. Flags and Flagpoles
are permitted subject to the following standards:
1.
A Flag shall not exceed twenty-four
(24) square feet in size.
2.
Each Property Owner shall have no
more than three (3) Flags on display at any given time.
3.
Each Property Owner may have one
(1) Flagpole not to exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height.
4.
Such Flagpole shall be ground-mounted
and may be located anywhere on the Premises, except within ten (10)
feet of any Lot Line.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.080; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Commercial Uses. Property Owners may have
the following types of signs for Commercial Uses:
1.
Temporary Signs. Temporary Signs
are permitted subject to the following standards:
2.
Wall Signs. Wall Signs are permitted
subject to the following standards:
[Ord. No. 3754 § 2, 11-20-2017]
a.
Wall Signs are allowed per Facade
to a maximum of four (4) Facades having Wall Signs. Where a multi-tenant
Building exists on the Premises, the exterior wall of the space occupied
by the tenant shall be considered to be a separate Facade.
[Ord. No. 4003, 1-23-2020]
b.
Wall Sign Faces shall not exceed
a total of fifteen percent (15%) of the Facade to which it is attached.
However, when more than one (1) Facade is used for Wall Signs, then
the Wall Sign Faces shall not exceed a total of five percent (5%)
of the Facade to which the Wall Signs are attached.
c.
Notwithstanding the above, Wall Signs
permitted herein shall not have Sign Faces exceeding a total of five
hundred (500) square feet per Facade in the "C-1" District or PID
or a total of one hundred fifty (150) square feet per Facade in all
other Zoning Districts.
3.
Small Wall Signs. One (1) non-Illuminated
Small Wall Sign may be installed by each exterior entrance.
4.
Pole Signs And Monument Signs. Pole
Signs and Monument Signs are permitted subject to the following standards:
a.
One (1) Monument Sign or Pole Sign
is permitted per Front Lot Line.
b.
Pole Sign Face shall not exceed one
hundred (100) square feet in area and the Sign Structure shall not
exceed twenty (20) feet in height unless Frontage is along an Interstate
Highway wherein the Pole Sign Face may not exceed one hundred and
fifty (150) square feet in area and the Sign Structure shall not exceed
thirty-five (35) feet in height. Pole Signs may be located anywhere
on the Premises except within five (5) feet of any Lot Line.
c.
No Monument Sign shall exceed seven (7) feet in height and the Sign Face shall not exceed thirty-five (35) square feet in area. A Monument Sign base shall have a landscaped area extending a minimum of three (3) feet on all sides of the Monument Sign base. A Monument Sign may be located anywhere on the Premises except within five (5) feet of any Lot Line. The Monument Sign may contain an electric Changeable Copy Panel in accordance with Section 430.360.
5.
Small Pole Signs. Small Pole Signs
are permitted subject to the following standards:
[Ord. No. 4003, 1-23-2020]
6.
Interior Window/Door Signs. Interior Window/Door Signs may be displayed inside an occupant's windows or doors; provided that the aggregate area of all such Signs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the window or door area upon which the Interior Window/Door Sign is placed. Interior Window/Door Signs may be Illuminated in accordance with Section 430.360.
B.
Flags And Flag Poles. Flags and Flagpoles
are permitted subject to the following standards:
1.
A Flag shall not exceed sixty (60)
square feet in size.
2.
Each Property Owner shall have no
more than three (3) Flags on display at any given time.
3.
Each Property Owner may have three
(3) Flagpoles not to exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.
4.
Such Flagpoles shall be ground-mounted
and may be located anywhere on the Premises, except within ten (10)
feet of any Lot Line.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.085; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Residential Unimproved Land. A Property
Owner may have the following signs for unimproved land in a Residential
District, subject to the following standards:
1.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.090; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Standard Billboards. Property Owners may
have Billboards subject to the following standards:
1.
Size. Each Sign Face shall not exceed
six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet, with a maximum height of
fourteen (14) feet and a maximum length of forty-eight (48) feet.
2.
Type. Billboards may be in a back-to-back
or in a V-type configuration on a single pole support Sign Structure
with not more than one (1) Sign Face per facing.
3.
Height. The overall height of the
Billboard shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet. No portion of the
Billboard, excluding the Support Structure, shall be lower than twenty
(20) feet above the ground at the base of the Sign Face.
4.
Number. Only one (1) Billboard per
Lot is allowed.
5.
Location. Billboards are only allowed
within two hundred (200) feet of the nearest edge of the Street and
visible from the main traveled way of any Highway which is part of
the Interstate Highway System of the State of Missouri and in Non-Residential
Districts.
a.
Under no conditions shall a Billboard
be allowed within:
(1)
Fifteen hundred (1,500)
feet of any Lot located within any Residential District.
(2)
Fifteen hundred (1,500)
feet of any other Billboard on the same side of the adjacent interstate
or Highway. The distance between Billboards shall be measured along
the nearest edge of the Highway pavement between points directly opposite
the Billboards. All other distance measurement points shall be those
which yield the shortest distance between relevant points. If Billboards
are angled or V-shaped, the nearest point of the Billboard to the
other relevant point is to be used.
(3)
A distance equal to
one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the height of the Billboard
from any Lot Line or the nearest Building.
(4)
One hundred (100) feet
of any On-Premises Sign.
(5)
One thousand (1,000)
feet of any park, playground, Educational Facility, library, Medical
Facility, Church, historic district, landmark, or an area on the National
Register of Historic Places.
b.
No Billboard shall be located in
such manner as to obstruct or otherwise 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.
c.
No Billboard shall be located adjacent
to or within one thousand (1,000) feet of an interchange, Intersection
at grade, or safety rest area. Such distances shall be measured from
beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance
to the main traveled way.
d.
No Billboard shall be located on
a Building or non-Sign Structure.
6.
Lighting. Billboards may be Illuminated and may be an electric Changeable Copy Panel in accordance with Section 430.360.
7.
Other Regulations. No permit to allow
a Billboard to be newly Erected shall be issued without a permit issued
by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Committee.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.100; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Purpose. A Sign plan is a creative incentive
for a unified visual statement that integrates the design of Signs
with the design of a Building on which they will be displayed and
with the surrounding area.
B.
When Allowed. The owner(s) or developer(s)
of a Property not used for Residential Use, which is the site of or
is proposed as the site for a single integrated development consisting
of one (1) or more Buildings and Off-Street Parking, may submit an
application for approval of a Sign plan to the Director for Commission
for review and recommendation. The application shall be in a form
prepared by the Community Development Department.
C.
Contents Of Plan. The Sign plan shall contain
a visual representation of the lettering, illumination, color, size,
height, placement, and location of the Signs proposed for display.
When possible, this may be done in conjunction with or as a part of
the Site Plan Review. Any person submitting a Sign plan for consideration
shall pay the fee set forth in Addendum A,[1] of the City Code at the time of submission.
[1]
Editor's Note: Addendum A, Fee Schedule, is included as an attachment to this Chapter.
D.
Necessity. If an Applicant is submitting
a Sign plan that seeks Signs in size, location, or number that is
not permitted under the express requirements of the Sign Code, then
the Applicant shall submit a narrative statement that explains the
need for deviation from the applicable Sign regulations. The statement
shall describe the unique circumstances of the Applicant's site that
warrant a deviation from the provisions of the Sign Code. In no instance
may any deviation be granted to allow a type of Sign that is expressly
prohibited by this Article.
E.
Standards For Approval. The Commission
may recommend approval of and the Board may approve a Sign plan if
the Signs represented in the Sign plan conform to applicable regulations
of this Article except for size, location, illumination, and number
limitations and there is an express legislative finding and determination
that:
1.
The Sign plan is consistent with
and fulfills the intent, spirit, and purposes of this Article;
2.
The Signs described in the Plan are
compatible with the theme, visual quality, and overall character of
the surrounding area;
3.
The approval of the proposed Sign
plan will not be detrimental to surrounding Property;
4.
The Signs described in the plan are
appropriately related in size, shape, materials, lettering, color,
illumination, and character and function of the Building or Premises
on which they will be displayed; and
5.
The requested deviation from the
applicable Sign regulations in size, location, illumination, or number
of Signs is warranted due to the unique characteristics or layout
of the proposed Building(s) or the unique characteristics or topography
of the proposed site.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.110; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Illumination Standards. All Illuminated
Signs shall be subject to the following standards:
1.
External lighting, such as floodlights,
thin line and gooseneck reflectors, are permitted, provided the light
source is directed upon the Sign Face and is effectively shielded
so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any
portion of an adjacent Street or Residential Dwellings or Uses, and
the lights are not of such intensity so as to cause glare, impair
the vision of a driver of a motor vehicle, or otherwise interfere
with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
2.
If a Sign or Flag is externally lighted,
the light source shall be completely concealed and not visible to
pedestrians, motor vehicles, or persons located on adjacent Property
or Lot.
3.
All Signs with internal illumination
shall require an electrical permit and meet all requirements of the
City's Electrical Code and other applicable Codes.
4.
Pole Signs and Monument Signs within
one hundred fifty (150) feet of a Residential Dwelling shall only
be Illuminated by an external light source. All Illuminated Signs
within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of a Residential Dwelling
shall be extinguished at the time of business closing or 11:00 p.m.,
whichever is later, provided that this shall not prohibit continuous
illumination of Flags and Monument Signs for Subdivisions for Residential
Use and Multi-Family Complexes.
5.
No revolving or rotating beam or
beacon of light that simulates an emergency light or device shall
be permitted as part of any Sign. No illumination shall be allowed
that converts the Sign to a Flashing Sign except if reasonably necessary
to convey public service information.
7.
Notwithstanding the above lighting
requirements, no Illuminated Sign shall be of such brightness or 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,
obscure or interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic
control device, Sign or signal or prevent or interfere with the quiet
use or enjoyment of any Lot which is used or zoned residential, or
otherwise be maintained as a nuisance.
B.
Electric Changeable Copy Panels. Electric Copy Changeable Signs shall be subject to the general illumination standards of Subsection (A) of this Section and the following additional regulations:
1.
Duration Of Message Intervals. Messages
must be displayed for a minimum of fifteen (15) seconds for each item
shown or information displayed in the Changeable Copy Sign.
2.
Transition And Display. Message changes
shall be instantaneous without dissolving, growing, melting, traveling
up or down, scrolling, or fading. Messages shall have a static display
and shall not be Illuminated so as to be a Flashing Sign or that in
any manner creates the illusion of movement.
3.
Brightness. The brightness of a Changeable
Copy Sign shall automatically adjust via photocell for use during
daylight hours and non-daylight hours. No Sign may be Illuminated
to a degree of brightness that is greater than necessary for adequate
visibility. The maximum permitted brightness for a Changeable Copy
Sign during daylight hours is five thousand (5,000) NIT (candela per
square meter) and five hundred (500) NIT during non-daylight hours
as measured from the Sign's Face perpendicular to the rays of the
source at maximum brightness. The lighting and other specifications
for a proposed Changeable Copy Sign shall be submitted with the application
proposing to incorporate a Changeable Copy Sign.
4.
Story Advertising. Electric Copy
Changeable Signs shall not display consecutive messages facing the
same traveled way, which constitute a substantially similar theme
or story and is a continuation of any immediately preceding message,
thereby creating a story-boarding effect when viewed by persons operating
a motor vehicle. Nothing contained in this Subsection shall prohibit
the display of identical consecutive messages.
5.
Malfunction And Non-Compliance. Electric
Changeable Copy Signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the
device in one (1) position if a malfunction occurs. The electric Changeable
Copy Signs shall be equipped with a means to promptly discontinue
the display if it malfunctions, and the Sign owner shall immediately
stop the dynamic display when notified by the City that it is not
complying with standards of this Code.
6.
Conversion. Conversions of an existing
Sign to a Changeable Copy Sign is authorized when the Sign is permitted
to be a Changeable Copy Panel by this Article and the Sign complies
with current Code requirements.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.120; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Applicable Permits. Signs are prohibited
unless constructed pursuant to a valid building permit and electrical
permit when required under the City Code and authorized under this
Article.
B.
Prohibitions. The following signs are prohibited
which:
1.
Are of a size, location, movement,
coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or
construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any
traffic or Street Sign or signal.
2.
Contain or consist of Banners.
3.
Are Flashing Signs, except for Holiday
Displays as permitted pursuant to this Article.
4.
Are Graffiti.
5.
Are a Vehicle Sign located within
one hundred and fifty (150) feet of a Street.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.130; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Permits Required. Except as otherwise provided
for by this Article or other City ordinance, it shall be unlawful
for any person or entity to Erect, alter, replace, relocate, convert,
or change any Sign without first obtaining Sign approval via a sign
permit, and paying any applicable permit fee; provided that a permit
is not required for ordinary maintenance and repair of a permitted
Sign.
B.
Application Required. Applications for
a Sign permit shall be made upon forms prescribed for this purpose
by the Director.
C.
Application Process. Applications for a
Sign permit shall be processed through the following procedures:
1.
Every Applicant, before being granted
a permit hereunder, shall pay to the City a minimum fee set forth
in Addendum A.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Addendum A, Fee Schedule, is included as an attachment to Chapter 405.
2.
The Director shall review a Sign
permit within a reasonable period of time and either approve it, reject
it, or notify the Applicant that the application is incomplete with
a specific list of deficiencies in the application.
3.
If approved, the Applicant shall
apply to St. Louis County if a building permit or an electric permit
is required.
4.
If the work authorized under a Sign
permit has not been completed within six (6) months after the date
of approval, the permit shall become null and void.
5.
The Applicant shall notify the Director
within fourteen (14) days of the Sign Erection. The Director shall
within a reasonable period of time thereafter file appropriate documentation
of the permitted Sign.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.140; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Amortization. For the purpose of amortization,
non-conforming Signs may be continued after November 21, 2016, for
a period not to exceed ten (10) years unless under a previous regulation
the Signs were to be amortized and in that case the amortization period
shall be as previously required or ten (10) years, whichever is less.
B.
Changes And Modifications. A non-conforming
Sign shall be brought into conformity with this Article if it is substantially
altered or reconstructed or replaced or relocated. An alteration or
reconstruction shall be considered substantial when such alteration
or reconstruction affects fifty percent (50%) or greater of the non-conforming
Sign and/or Support Structure. Any non-conforming Sign that is damaged
through no fault of the owner may, upon issuance of a permit, be reconstructed
to its original condition without bringing the Sign into compliance
with this Article; provided such change and reconstruction shall not
modify any existing amortization period.
[R.O. 2009 § 485.150; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
The owner of a Property used for a Residential Use aggrieved by a denial of a Sign permit application for that Property by the Director may present to the Board of Adjustment a petition, duly verified, requesting a variance from the Section of the Sign Code upon which such denial was based. The petition shall be presented to the Board of Adjustment within thirty (30) days after the filing of the decision of the Director and shall be in compliance with all requirements of Section 405.120.
B.
The Board of Adjustment may grant a variance
from the requirements of this Article for Residential Uses with regard
to the size, color, location, illumination of, and number of Signs
based upon unique architectural treatments or special project conditions;
provided that in no instance may any deviation be granted to allow
a type of Sign that is expressly prohibited by this Article. In acting
upon a request for variance, the Board of Adjustment shall consider
only the following criteria:
1.
Purpose And Intent Of Code. Is granting
of the variance in compliance with the general purpose and intent
of the Sign Code, Zoning Regulations, and Comprehensive Development
Plan?
2.
Impacts On Adjacent Property. Will
granting of the variance adversely affect neighboring Property Owners,
Property, or residents?
3.
Safety. Will granting of the variance
adversely affect safety?
4.
Visual Clutter. Will granting of
the variance significantly clutter the visual landscape of the area?
5.
Site Constraints. In some situations,
topography, landscaping, existing Buildings, or unusual Building designs
may substantially block or impair the visibility of the Applicant's
existing or proposed Signs from multiple directions. While visibility
of a Sign is not to be guaranteed from all directions, does the site
provide reasonable visibility of the Sign?
6.
Compatibility. Is the Sign compatible
and does the Sign integrate aesthetically with the daytime/nighttime
color, lighting, and architecture of the area as a whole?
[R.O. 2009 § 485.160; Ord. No. 3638 § 1, 11-21-2016]
A.
Vacated Premises — Abandoned Sign.
If a Building or Premises is vacated, any Sign or Sign Structure located
thereon other than Flags, Government Signs, and Temporary Signs shall
be deemed abandoned and if the Property Owner fails to cover or remove
all Signs or Sign Structures in accordance with this Subsection, such
shall constitute a nuisance and/or Code violation.
1.
Interior Window/Door Signs And Wall
Signs. The Property Owner shall remove all Interior Window/Door Signs
and all Wall Signs and restore the Building Facade, windows, or doors
to their normal appearance within thirty (30) days of the Building
or Premises being vacated.
2.
Pole Signs And Monument Signs.
a.
The Property Owner shall arrange
for an opaque surface to cover Sign Faces related to a vacated Building
or Premises located on any type of Pole Sign or Monument Sign within
thirty (30) days of the Building or Premises being vacated.
b.
The Property Owner shall remove all
Sign Faces, lighting fixtures, and Sign Structures related to the
vacated Building or Premises and return the footing area to the natural
grade within six (6) months of the Building or Premises be vacated.
3.
Scope. For the purposes of this Section,
the Property Owner shall include both the tenant of a Sign or Sign
Structure and the Property Owner, if different.
B.
Unsafe Signs. Any Sign or Sign Structure
deemed by the Director to be a danger to the public under any applicable
ordinance or other Statute or otherwise due to its condition shall
constitute a nuisance.
C.
Notice Of Nuisance. The City shall cause
written notice to be served upon the owner of an abandoned Sign or
Sign Structure or the owner of an unsafe Sign or Sign Structure if
the owner cannot be located, to the property management agent of the
Premises on which such Sign or Sign Structure is located. Such notice
shall state, at a minimum:
1.
The violations found.
2.
That the Sign or Sign Structure is
deemed to be a public nuisance pursuant to this Article.
3.
What actions will remedy the public
nuisance.
4.
That the nuisance shall be abated
within thirty (30) days from the date of such notice or other reasonable
time as determined by the Director, but not less than ten (10) days.
D.
Notice Process. Notice shall be affected
by:
1.
Attaching a copy of same to the nuisance.
2.
Posting a copy of same at the Premises
on which the nuisance is situated.
3.
Mailing, by certified mail or certificate
of mailing, a copy of the notice to the owner of the Sign at their
last known address(es) or if the owner cannot be located, to the property
management agent of the Premises on which the Sign is located and
to the occupant of the Property at the Property address.
E.
Penalty. Any Property Owner that fails to remedy the nuisance, shall be subject to the general penalty provisions of the Code provided in Section 100.120.
F.
Sign Removal. Notwithstanding any provision
in this Code, the City may immediately remove without notice (at the
owner's expense when appropriate) any Sign or Sign Structure that
is:
1.
An immediate peril to persons or
property.
2.
On the public Street or City property
without City authorization.
Where a sign or Sign Structure has been removed by the City pursuant to this Subsection, the City shall mail a statement of the cost of removal of said Sign or Signs to the last known address of the owner of record or person in charge of such Property. If such costs are not paid within thirty (30) days from the mailing of such notice, the Director may certify the charges for repair or removal to the City Clerk as a special assessment represented by a special tax bill. The special tax bill from the date of its issuance shall be deemed a personal debt against the owner and shall be a first lien against the Property until paid and shall be prima facie evidence of the recitals thereof and of its validity. No mere clerical error or informality in such lien or in the proceedings leading to its issuance shall be a defense thereto. The certified costs associated with the removal, termination, or abatement of such nuisance shall include all expenses incurred by the City in the removal of the nuisance, including, but not limited to, the actual cost of inspecting the land or Lot, the actual cost of service of notice as provided herein, the actual cost of abatement, attorneys' fees pursuant to Section 100.150, and the actual cost of issuing and recording the tax bill. Such tax bill shall bear interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum if not paid within thirty (30) days after issuance.
G.
Void Permit. Any Sign or Sign Structure removed by the City pursuant to this Section 430.410, or removed pursuant to a court order, will automatically void the Sign permit, if any, associated with such Sign or Sign Structure for violation of this Article.
I.
Violation Of Ordinance. Notwithstanding any provision in this Code, the City may proceed, without providing notice, to issue a citation to an owner of a Sign or Sign Structure for any Sign or Sign Structure believed to be in violation of this Article. An owner of a Sign or Sign Structure found to be in violation of any provision in this Article shall be subject to the general penalty provision of this Code provided in Section 100.120.
J.
Equitable Relief. In addition to any other remedies or penalties established for violations of this Article, the Director or City Prosecutor may, on behalf of the City and after approval by the Board, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such legal or equitable relief as may be necessary to enforce compliance with this Article. In such action the court may grant such legal or equitable relief, including, but not limited to, mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, as the facts may warrant. Upon the successful prosecution of any such action, the City may be awarded by the court reasonable attorney fees pursuant to Section 100.150 and as allowed by law.
