A.
The purpose of this Article is to create a clear and uniform set
of sign regulations that promote the following objectives:
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Figure 4.1.1-1: Sign Content Terms Used in this Article
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Character: An individual letter, number, icon, punctuation,
or accent mark.
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Text: A series of Characters intended to form one or more terms,
words, or sentences.
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Symbol: A proprietary picture, image, or logo other than a character,
but which may contain one or more characters. Symbols include, but
are not exclusive to, registered trademarks.
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Message: The total name, phrase, or identification communicated
by the combination of all Characters, Text, and Symbols on the sign.
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1.
Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the City
of Bee Cave (the "City");
2.
Preserve the free speech rights of citizens and
businesses in the City;
3.
Avoid visual clutter that is potentially harmful
to automobile and pedestrian safety, property values, the appearance
of the City and its status as a Platinum-level Scenic City, and the
effectiveness of signs as a visual medium;
4.
Preserve the function of signs as devices that are
intended and located for maximum exposure to drivers, cyclists, and
pedestrians and balance the need for exposure with the government's
interest in regulating the number and size of signs;
5.
Promote efficient traffic movement by using signs
to identify commercial and residential developments in a way that
informs without causing distraction to the public;
6.
Implement the standards and intent of subsection
6.1 [6.2] and preserve Bee Cave's commitment to reducing Light Pollution;
7.
Require that signs integrate with and do not become
primary features of their environment by requiring or regulating the
size and scale of signs, the materials used to construct signs, and
the landscaping used to beautify signs; and
8.
Strengthen the economic stability and tax base of
the City;
B.
The City pursues these objectives in applying the standards of this
Article. This Article is not intended to restrict speech based on
content, viewpoint, speaker, or message. Any classification of signs
in this Article that permits commercial speech will be interpreted
to also allow noncommercial speech.
C.
To the extent that any provision or term in this Article is ambiguous,
the City will interpret the provision or term in a way that does not
regulate the content or the speaker.
D.
The City adopts these regulations under the authority granted to
regulate signage by the State of Texas (TLGC Chapter 216.901 and Tex.
Const. Art. XI, Section 5) and the Home Rule authority under the City
Charter).
(Ordinance 475 adopted 6/28/22)
A.
The regulations in this Article are not intended to regulate religious
or political speech or to impose restrictions on seasonal or religious
decorations, or symbols, or any legal events or expressions protected
by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
B.
This Article applies to all advertising displays in the City and
its ETJ as authorized in TLGC Chapter 216, including any text, character,
symbol, or message used to inform the public for commercial or non-commercial
purposes.
C.
Any sign made non-conforming by adoption of this Article may continue
in use until it is completely or partially removed, destroyed, dilapidated,
abandoned, or expanded in size (see subsection 4.4.2).
(Ordinance 475 adopted 6/28/22)
A.
The following signs are considered public signs exempt from permitting
or regulation under this Article:
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Figure 4.1.2-1: Example of Traffic Control Signs
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Source: Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Revision
2, October 2014
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1.
An official permanent sign authorized or erected
by a department or agency of the City of Bee Cave, Travis County,
or the State of Texas (see Figure 4.1.2-1).
2.
Temporary signs on public or private property or in a public
right-of-way that are authorized or required by an ordinance or resolution
of the City, statute of the State of Texas, other government agency
with jurisdiction to erect a sign, election board, or independent
school district (example: a sign advertising a town festival or homecoming
parade).
3.
Signs erected by a public utility (example: a sign identifying
a force main owned by the PUA or WCID-17; a sign identifying a gas
line).
B.
Ancillary signs as defined and listed in subsection 4.2.2.E.11 are exempt from permitting if they conform to the regulations of this Article 4.
C.
Political signs used in conjunction with a public election that are
erected in accordance with state law are exempt when placed on private
property with the consent of the property owner.
D.
The following signs are exempt from regulation or permitting when
erected, engraved, or applied to public or private property:
1.
Signs not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet placed on a
registered vehicle capable of movement under its own power provided
the vehicle is parked in a dedicated fleet vehicle parking space.
2.
Official government flags mounted on a pole that is fastened
to a building or fastened to the ground with a concrete footing and
meeting the following:
(i)
No more than three (3) flag poles shall be utilized on a property
or lot;
(ii)
In MU, CR, and P districts, flag poles shall not
exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height and no flag shall exceed fifty
(50) square feet in area;
(iii)
In AG and R districts and property in the HCO,
flag poles shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height and no
flag shall exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in area;
(iv)
All flags must be flown in accordance with the
protocol established by Congress for the United States flag.
3.
Grave markers or tombstones;
4.
Permanent characters engraved into marble, limestone, or granite
used as a building face;
5.
Residential or commercial address sign;
(i)
Signs on a residential Dwelling Unit shall not exceed two (2)
square feet for a Single-Family Residential or one (1) square foot
or other types of Dwelling Units.
6.
A copy change on an existing sign that does not alter the size
or structure of the sign and is otherwise conforming with this section.
(Ordinance 475 adopted 6/28/22)
