The purposes of this chapter are to provide uniform sign standards that:
(1) 
Promote community pride and a positive image of the City;
(2) 
Protect the rights of persons and businesses to freedom of speech under State of Texas [Texas Constitution Article I, Section 8] and federal [United States Constitution, First Amendment] law;
(3) 
Ensure consistency with State statutes relating to sign regulation;
(4) 
Facilitate economic development;
(5) 
Reduce the confusion and traffic hazards that result from excessive and prolific use of sign displays;
(6) 
Promote public safety and protect persons and property by ensuring that signs do not create a hazard by:
(A) 
Collapsing, catching fire, or otherwise deteriorating or decaying;
(B) 
Confusing or distracting motorists; or
(C) 
Impairing drivers’ ability by obstructing the awareness or visibility of pedestrians, obstacles, or other vehicles, or to read traffic-control devices or signs.
(7) 
Control the number, size, height, location, lighting, and design characteristics of signs to avoid visual clutter which leads to decline in the community’s appearance and property values, and reduces the effectiveness of the signs;
(8) 
Clearly identify various sign types by their physical and structural characteristics in order to make the regulations easy to use, while promoting the City’s goals and objectives relating to the design, appearance, and economic effectiveness of signs;
(9) 
Address the latest and emerging technologies in the sign industry, such as electronic message centers and other types of illuminated signs, in a way that allows persons and businesses to convey and communicate while also:
(A) 
Protecting the use and character of neighborhoods;
(B) 
Enhancing the function and appearance of the City’s commercial corridors; and
(C) 
Promoting the City’s character and design objectives;
(10) 
Implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Bell Boulevard Master Plan, and other related plans and vision statements; and
(11) 
Coordinate the City’s sign regulations with the applicable zoning districts in order to protect and promote the purpose and character of those districts.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)
(a) 
Authority to regulate signs.
This Chapter is authorized by Article XI § 5 of the Texas Constitution, Home Rule Authority inherent under the City Charter, and the Texas Local Government Code including, but not limited to Chapter 211, Municipal Zoning Authority, and Chapter 216, Regulation of Signs by Municipalities.
(b) 
Authority of Sign Administrator.
The Sign Administrator or his/her designee shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, including without limitation:
(1) 
Permits and fees.
Issuing permits and collecting the fees required by this chapter;
(2) 
Inspections.
Conducting appropriate inspections to insure compliance with this chapter;
(3) 
Appeals.
Receiving and processing appeals for the Planning and Zoning Commission;
(4) 
Requiring compliance.
Instituting legal proceedings, including suits for injunctive relief when necessary, to ensure compliance with this article; and
(5) 
Violations.
Investigating complaints of alleged violations of this chapter.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)
(a) 
Generally.
As of the effective date of this chapter, all erection, construction, modification, relocation, repair, maintenance, or conversion of signs within the City and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) shall conform to the standards and requirements of this chapter, all State and Federal regulations concerning signs and advertising, and all applicable Building Codes. Generally, signs are approved by issuance of a sign permit, as provided in section 13.05.001, permitting. However, there are some signs that do not require a permit, which are provided in section 13.05.001(g), no sign permit required.
(b) 
No restriction on content.
This chapter regulates only the sign location, structure, and copy design, and not sign content. No provision of this chapter shall be construed to regulate or restrict sign content or message. Any sign authorized in this chapter may contain any noncommercial copy in lieu of any other copy.
(c) 
Exemptions.
(1) 
Exclusion from sign area calculation.
Because address signs further the compelling governmental interest of assisting emergency service personnel, law enforcement, fire protection, and other public safety officials in identifying locations needing emergency assistance, numbers and letters for addressing are not included in the calculation of sign area if they are less than 14 inches in height in residential zoning districts and 24 inches in height in nonresidential zoning districts.
(2) 
Addressing.
The City finds that posting of the addresses on buildings in locations that are visible from the street is necessary for the effective delivery of public safety services. The efficient and timely delivery of emergency services is a compelling governmental interest. Accordingly, the City requires that street addresses shall be posted as per the adopted Fire Code.
(3) 
Subordination.
Cedar Park is subordinate to the laws of the Federal Government and State of Texas. This Chapter does not prohibit signs, require sign permits, or regulate sign locations or sign characteristics to the extent that they are required to be permitted by State or Federal law or allow signs that are prohibited by State or Federal law.
(4) 
Government signs.
In order to promote the compelling interests of the City, State, and Federal Governments in managing traffic, protecting against public hazards and nuisances, and announcing government programs and the location of facilities, infrastructure, rights-of-way, and other public areas, government signs are exempt from this chapter.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)