The purpose of this Article is to protect and enhance the City’s
character and its economic base through the provision of appropriate
sign standards and the avoidance of excessive or obtrusive signs on
privately owned property. This Article also seeks to limit the size,
type and location of signs in order to protect the public safety,
health, and welfare; to maintain the quality of community life; to
maintain the beauty of the City’s natural and architectural
features; to ensure that signs do not visually dominate the zone in
which they are located; and to provide appropriate standards for achieving
the primary intended purpose of identification.
(Ordinance 480-14 adopted 11/20/14)
A.
The City
Manager or his/her designee is hereby empowered to inspect and examine
any tract of land and to order in writing the remedying of any condition
found to exist therein in violation of any provision of this Sign
Section. After any such order has been served, no work shall proceed
on any building, other structure or tract of land covered by such
order, except to correct such violation or comply with the order.
B.
For new
signs associated with new construction of a structure. The sign shall
be approved by the City Council, in accordance with the regulations
of this Section and the Site Plan requirements.
C.
No sign
shall be constructed, established, placed, or painted on a building,
structure, or site, and no existing sign shall be modified except
for change of copy or repair, unless such sign has been approved by
the City Manager or his/her designee and issued a sign permit, unless
exempt from these regulations, or is a temporary sign.
D.
Any sign
authorized in this Article is allowed to contain a noncommercial message
in place of any other authorized commercial or noncommercial message.
(Ordinance 480-14 adopted 11/20/14)
The application for a sign permit and the applicable fee must
be submitted on such forms provided by the City and must be accompanied
by the information, scaled drawings of the sign including placement
thereof and descriptive data to ensure proper regulation of the sign
and to ensure compliance with this Section.
A.
Issuance
of Permits.
If the plans and specifications for a sign
set forth in any application for a permit conform to all of the requirements
of this Section and other City regulations, the administering employee
will issue the appropriate permit.
B.
Permit
Not Required.
A sign permit is not required:
1.
To
repaint a sign or to restore a conforming sign to its original condition
if the sign otherwise complies with this Section;
2.
To
periodically change only the letters, numbers or message portion of
a lawful sign specifically designed for that purpose;
3.
For
the placement or use of a stake sign; or
4.
For
the placement of a temporary freestanding sign as provided for in
this Section.
C.
Duration.
Unless earlier revoked, a sign permit to construct, erect or
place a freestanding or wall sign is valid for one hundred and eighty
(180) days from the date of issuance. The durations of temporary signs
are placed with each sign definition.
D.
Revocation.
A sign permit may be revoked for a violation of this Section.
The City Manager or his/her designee shall give prior written notice
of a proposed revocation to the permittee and an opportunity to respond
to the reasons for revocation prior to making a decision thereon.
E.
Appeals.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of an administering employee
in the application of this Section may appeal the decision to the
Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with the procedures applicable
to appeals of decisions under the City’s zoning regulations.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear and decide appeals in accordance
with the provisions applicable to appeals under the City’s zoning
regulations.
F.
Variances.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment may grant variances to the provisions
of these regulations in accordance with Section 3.2.6.
(Ordinance 480-14 adopted 11/20/14)
A.
Abandoned Sign -
A sign that had a permit,
but the permit has expired and/or does not identify or advertise a
bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, event, or activity,
or pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies. Abandoned
Signs are prohibited in the City.
B.
Athletic fields -
Signs located on the field
side of scoreboards and fences of athletic fields. No sign permit
required.
C.
Audible Sign -
Any sign that emits music, talking,
words, or other sound amplification. Audible Signs are prohibited
in the City with the exception of signs in connection with drive-up
windows menu boards.
D.
Awning Sign (Internally Illuminated) -
Any
sign which is located on or is part of an awning if the awning contains
any form of interior illumination that is intended to or has the effect
of making the sign more readily visible from a public street. Internally
illuminated awning signs are prohibited in the City.
E.
Balloon Sign -
A temporary inflatable device
sign.
1.
Time -
Sign permit required. For commercial
establishments the sign may not be installed for a time period greater
than fourteen (14) days. For authorized community events, which shall
include, but not be limited to, athletic events, parades, street fairs,
and other civic, cultural, or recreational events; such signs shall
be displayed for a period not to exceed the authorized duration of
the event.
2.
Place -
no balloon sign, or portion thereof,
shall extend to, or interfere with, any utility line or wire, or interfere
with any pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or extend into or over any
public right-of-way.
3.
Manner -
No balloon shall exceed eighteen (18)
inches in diameter and shall not be displayed above a height of sixteen
(16) feet or the height of the nearest adjacent wall, whichever is
lower.
F.
Bandit Signs -
Any sign which is not exempt
or allowed by permit. These signs include signs located on or attached
to a streetlight, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, traffic-control device,
street sign, or other city-owned building, facility, structure, or
equipment, and signs attached to trees and shrubs. Bandit signs are
prohibited within the City.
G.
Banners -
A temporary sign having characters,
letters, or illustrations applied to plastic, cloth[,] canvas, or
other light fabric or similar material, with the only purpose of such
nonrigid material being for background. A Banner advertises the business’s
name, opening dates, telephone number, hours of operation, and/or
types of products offered or sold.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required to be issued
by the City Manager or his/her designee. No more than two (2) permits
per calendar year may be issued by the City for any owner, tenant
or occupant of a lot or leased space within a nonresidential zone.
Each permit may be issued for a time period of up to thirty (30) days.
2.
Place -
Banners may only be issued permits
to owner, occupant or tenant of any lot in any nonresidential zoning
district. The banner shall be securely affixed to the wall of the
structure or building, where feasible.
3.
Manner -
Banners shall not exceed sixty (60)
square feet in area. The banner shall have affixed to it a label or
mark identifying the expiration date of the permit.
4.
Maintenance -
All banners must be maintained
in good condition and repair. Any banner which is torn, faded, sagging
or in disrepair shall be replaced at the request of the City Manager
or his/her designee.
5.
Authorization for Removal -
The applicant for
a temporary banner permit shall consent to the City Manager or his/her
designee entering upon the lot or parcel solely for the removal of
the temporary banner if it is not promptly removed at the expiration
of the permitted period. Such entry and removal shall occur only after
not less than forty-eight (48) hours’ written notice posted
upon the property and left with a manager or other responsible person
at the location of the temporary banner.
6.
Deposit -
The applicant for any temporary banner
permit shall deposit a cash deposit in an amount to be set by the
City which shall be forfeit in the event it is necessary for the City
to remove the temporary banner under the provisions of this ordinance.
8.
Appeal -
The applicant may appeal the decision
by requesting a hearing in writing before the City Manager or his/her
designee within ten (10) days of receiving written Notice of Revocation.
The City Council shall hold a hearing as soon as practical. Within
forty-eight (48) hours after such City Council hearing the City Manager
or his/her designee shall mail a written Statement of Decision indicating
therein the factual basis for the decision of the City Council.
9.
The
City Manager or his/her designee may remove any banner by written
notice pursuant to this ordinance if the Notice of Revocation is not
appealed or if, after hearing, the Statement of Decision affirms the
Notice of Revocation.
H.
Billboard -
A sign which is a primary sign
and advertises businesses, commodities, activities, services or persons
which are not usually available or present upon the premises upon
which such sign is located, or which directs persons to any location
not on the premises. Billboards are prohibited in the City.
I.
Business Door Nameplates -
Any sign which identifies
the name of a business and may contain the name and address of the
business.
1.
Time -
No sign permit required. Business Door
Nameplates may be installed permanently on the building.
2.
Place -
Business Door Nameplates may only be
affixed to the door of each individual business or immediately adjacent
thereto.
3.
Manner -
A Business Door Nameplate may not
exceed two (2) square feet in area.
J.
Canopy and Awning Signs -
Signs printed on,
painted on, or attached onto a canopy or awning[.]
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required. Canopy and
awning signs may not be issued for any structure until they have been
permitted by the City Manager or his/her designee.
2.
Place -
Canopy and awning signs shall only
be permitted in conjunction with a nonresidential use in a nonresidential
zoning district. Canopy and awning signs are limited to the ground
floor.
3.
Manner -
Canopy and awning signs shall not
exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the length of the canopy or awning and
shall consist of no more than one line of lettering not exceeding
twelve (12) inches in height, and shall be located on the valance
of such canopy or awning. In addition to lettering, an identification
emblem, insignia, or other similar feature not exceeding an area of
four (4) square feet may be printed on, painted on, or attached onto
any other portion of the canopy or awning.
K.
Construction Sign -
A temporary sign used to
advertise or display contact information of property owners, opening
dates, architects, contractors, engineers, landscape architects, and/or
financiers, who are engaged with the design, construction, improvement
or financing of a residential subdivision with homes under construction
within the subdivision to which it pertains or within a commercial
project to which it pertains.
1.
Time -
No sign permit required. May only be
installed during the period of construction.
2.
Place -
Construction signs shall be installed
no closer than fifteen (15') feet to any property line. The minimum
distance between a construction sign and another construction sign
is two hundred (200') feet.
3.
Manner -
Construction signs are not to exceed
a total of thirty-two (32) square feet. A larger total area may be
permitted subject to the approval of the City Manager or his/her designee
for projects on larger sites with a substantial length of street frontage.
L.
Custom Decorative Flags, Banners and Pennants -
Custom decorative flags, banners, or pennants utilized as an integrated
and permanent part of the architectural design of a building or site
may be permitted pursuant to the approval of the City Council and
subject to the following criteria:
1.
That
the flags, banners or pennants do not contain written material or
text, and are not solely for the purpose of calling attention to the
premises.
2.
That
the flags, banners or pennants contribute to a theme or architectural
harmony or architectural integrity of the project, building, structure,
or site.
3.
That
the flags, banners or pennants do not adversely affect other properties
in the neighborhood.
4.
That
the applicant has provided, or will provide, adequate written assurance
that the flags, banners and pennants will be maintained in good repair
and condition.
M.
Dilapidated Sign -
Any surface element, background,
or support of any Sign that has finished materials that are missing,
broken, bent, cracked, decayed, dented, harmful, hazardous, illegible,
leaning, splintered, ripped, torn, twisted, or unsightly. Signs that
are deteriorated, dilapidated, or unsafe are prohibited within the
City.
N.
Exempt Signs -
The following signs do not require
a sign permit. Refer to each sign’s definition for specific
qualifications. Athletic Fields; Business Door Nameplates; Construction
Sign; Governmental Sign; Holiday Signs and Lights; Mailboxes and addresses;
National or State Flags; Plaques; Private Traffic-Control Sign; Railroad
Sign; Real Estate Sign; Signs on outdoor machines, devices or equipment;
Signs on persons; Unused Signs; Utility or Hazard Signs; Vehicle Sign;
Window and Door Sign.
O.
Governmental Sign -
A Governmental Sign is
any sign which is erected or maintained pursuant to and in discharge
of any governmental function or is required by law, ordinance or governmental
regulation; or used to convey health, safety and welfare information
to the public regarding City, County, State, or Federal government
requirements and regulations such as water restrictions, burn bans,
or other similar information. Governmental signs may also be defined
as those located on property owned, leased or under the control of
a governmental entity. No sign permit required.
P.
Grand Opening Banner -
In addition to the limitations
of this ordinance, the owner, and any tenant or occupant of a lot
shall be permitted a banner, for a period not to exceed sixty (60)
days, whose sole purpose is to announce or advertise the initial opening
of an establishment, project, business or other enterprise.
Q.
Hanging Signs -
A sign that is suspended from
the underside of a horizontal plane surface such as a canopy or marquee
and is supported by such surface.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required.
2.
Place -
Hanging signs shall only be permitted
in conjunction with a nonresidential use in a nonresidential zoning
district. Hanging signs shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet vertical
distance from the sidewalk grade and at approximately a ninety (90)
degree angle to the face of the building.
3.
Manner -
The maximum area of such signs shall
be determined by the following:
4.
The
length of such signs shall not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the projecting
dimension of the awning, canopy, or parapet overhang.
5.
Such
signs shall not exceed two (2) feet in height.
R.
Holiday Signs and Lights -
Temporary signs,
including Christmas lights, containing only holiday messages and no
commercial advertising.
S.
Illegally Placed Sign -
Sign erected without
the permission of the owner, or his agent, of the property on which
or over which such sign is located.
T.
Illuminated Sign (High Intensity) -
Signs which
are illuminated from within or without that:
1.
Are
illuminated to such intensity or without proper shielding so as to
constitute a hazard to the operation of motor vehicles upon a public
street or substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of
residential property; or
2.
Have
any type of intermittent illumination, including flashing, fading,
revolving or blinking lights, or any type of moving, traveling or
changing message by means of lights or illumination.
3.
Are
located or illuminated so that they obscure or interfere with the
entirety of an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or obstruct
or interfere with the view of approaching, emerging or intersecting
traffic, or prevent any traveler on any Street from obtaining a clear
view of approaching vehicles.
4.
Illuminated
Sign (High Intensity) are prohibited in the City.
U.
Imitation Governmental Sign -
Any sign, which,
by color, shape, location or other means endangers public safety by
resembling or conflicting with any traffic-control sign or device
or which due to its dangerous construction, manner of display, or
location is hazardous. Imitation Governmental Signs are prohibited
in the City.
V.
Mailboxes and Addresses -
Addresses and names
located on mailboxes. No sign permit is required.
W.
Mobile Advertisement Sign -
An operable or
inoperable vehicle with illuminated or nonilluminated panels, other
devices, or appendages used to advertise, promote or draw attention
to products, services, events, or other similar purpose. No person
shall park any vehicle or trailer on public property, or on private
property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which vehicle
has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device
for the purpose of providing advertisements of products located on
the same or nearby property or directing people to a business or activity
located on the same or nearby property. This definition is not intended
to apply to standard advertising or identification practices as defined
as a Vehicle Sign. Mobile Advertisement Signs are prohibited in the
City.
X.
Monument Signs -
A sign supported from the grade to the bottom of the sign having
or appearing to have a solid and opaque base and used to identify
tenants or name of a business located within a development or on a
separately platted lot.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required. Monument
signs may not be issued for any parcel until they have been permitted
by the City Manager or his/her designee.
2.
Place -
Monument signs shall only be permitted
in conjunction with a nonresidential use.
3.
Manner -
a)
The maximum sign area permitted shall not be more than one hundred
(100) square feet per face for any monument sign. Not more than two
(2) sign faces shall be permitted, and such sign faces shall be parallel.
b)
Monument signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height above existing
grade, except where otherwise allowed by this Section. Berming incorporated
with the placement of the sign shall be included in any height measurement.
c)
Monument signs shall be placed in a landscaped area of not less than
the area of one face of such sign.
Y.
Moving Sign -
Any sign, sign appendages or
apparatus designed or made to move freely in the wind or designed
or made to move by an electrical or mechanical device. Moving signs,
and/or any sign appendage that moves, are prohibited in the City.
Z.
Multi-tenant Development Sign -
A MTDS is a sign that is supported from the grade
to the bottom of the sign having, or appearing to have, a solid base
or a sign that is supported by poles or supports in or upon the ground
independent of any building and is used to identify multiple tenants
within a development. A MTDS is permissible on a nonresidential zoned
property subject to the following conditions.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required. A sign permit
for a MTDS shall not be issued to erect, install or place a MTDS until
a subdivision plat, and/or site plan for the property has been approved
and after issuance of a building permit for a building within the
development.
2.
Place -
a)
MTDS shall be located within a development that may contain multiple
tenants and/or multiple lots under a single development.
b)
A MTDS is permitted on the same lot as a Monument Sign, but the total
number of MTDS and Monument Signs located within a development shall
generally not exceed the number of lots located within the development.
The total number of signs shall not be permitted to exceed to the
total number of lots in the development when additional MTDS are permitted
on a property.
c)
The minimum front yard setback for a MTDS is fifteen (15') feet from
the property line.
d)
No minimum side yard and rear yard setbacks are required for a MTDS,
but a MTDS shall not be located closer than seventy-five (75') feet
to another MTDS or a Monument Sign.
3.
Manner -
a)
A MTDS shall be constructed of masonry materials and a design consistent
with the buildings located on the property.
b)
The maximum area and height of a MTDS shall be based on the classification
of the streets adjacent to the development.
|
Street Classification
|
Maximum Area
|
Maximum Height
|
|---|---|---|
|
Local and Collector Streets
|
Fifteen (15) square feet per tenant up to 120 square feet inclusive
of development identification
|
Fifteen (15') Feet
|
|
Minor/Major Arterials
|
Twenty-five (25) square feet per tenant up to three hundred
(300) square feet inclusive of development identification
|
Twenty (20') Feet
|
|
State Highways
|
Forty (40) square feet per tenant up to 400 square feet inclusive
of development identification
|
Forty (40') Feet
|
c)
Architectural embellishments for MTDS are encouraged. Exceptions
in maximum height and area may be considered through the review of
the Unified Sign Development Plan.
d)
One MTDS is permitted per street frontage of the development. One
additional MTDS is permitted along a street for each additional seven
hundred and fifty (750') linear feet, or portion thereof, of street
frontage that exceeds seven hundred and fifty (750') linear feet of
street frontage.
AA.
National or State Flags -
A national or state
flag, or both, on any one premises if they do not exceed the total
area regulations applicable to freestanding signs for that premises.
No sign permit required.
BB.
Noncompliant Sign -
Any sign that does not
comply with the standards of this Section or other City ordinances.
Noncompliant signs are prohibited in the City.
CC.
Non-Railroad Related Sign -
A freestanding
sign located on any railroad right-of-way that is not used for or
related to railroad operations. Non-Railroad Related Signs are prohibited
in the City.
DD.
Off-Premise Sign -
A sign that advertises,
promotes or pertains to a business, person, organization, activity,
event, place, service, product, etc. at a location other than where
the business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service,
product, etc. is located. With the exception of political signs, off-premise
signs are prohibited in the City of Sansom Park.
EE.
Plaques -
Historical and commemorative plaques
of recognized historical societies and organizations. No sign permit
is required if the signs are less than fifteen (15) square feet in
total area.
FF.
Portable Sign -
Any sign designed or intended
to be relocated from time to time, whether or not it is permanently
attached to a building or structure, or is located on the ground.
Portable Signs include signs on wheels or on portable or mobile structures,
such as, among other things, trailers, skids, banners, tents or other
portable structures, A-frame signs, T-shaped signs, airborne devices,
or other devices used for temporary display or advertising. Portable
Signs are prohibited in the City except as specifically allowed by
this Ordinance.
GG.
Private Traffic-Control Sign -
Signs on private
property containing no advertising that direct the movement of traffic,
warn of obstacles or overhead clearances, or control parking, including
entrance and exit signs. No sign permit required.
HH.
Prohibited Signs -
It is unlawful for any person
to erect, install, construct, display, maintain, reconstruct, place,
locate, relocate or make use of any of the following signs for advertising
purposes. These signs are specifically defined within this Section.
Abandoned Sign; Audible Sign; Awning Sign (Internally Illuminated);
Bandit Signs; Billboards, Blocking of Public Access Signs; Dilapidated
Sign; Illegally Placed Sign; Illuminated Sign (High Intensity); Imitation
Governmental Sign; Mobile Advertisement Sign; Noncompliant Sign; Non-Railroad
Related Sign; Portable Sign; Off-Premise Sign; Roof Sign; and signs
which interfere with Sight Visibility.
II.
Projecting Signs -
A sign projecting out from
and attached to the exterior wall of any building and forming an angle
of thirty (30) degrees or more to said wall.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required.
2.
Place -
Projecting signs shall only be permitted
in conjunction with a nonresidential use in a nonresidential zoning
district. Projecting signs shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet vertical
distance from the sidewalk grade. No projecting sign shall extend
above the adjacent eave or parapet line of the roof.
3.
Manner -
The maximum sign area per face shall
not exceed one (1) square foot for each linear foot of building frontage.
JJ.
Pylon Sign -
A sign erected on a vertical framework
consisting of two or more uprights supported by the ground independent
of support from any building. Pylon Signs shall only be permitted
on properties zoned Commercial or Industrial.
1.
Time -
A Sign permit is required. A Sign permit
shall not be issued to erect, install or place a Pylon Sign on a property
until a site plan and a sign visibility study has been approved for
development of the property and after the issuance of a building permit
for a building on the property.
2.
Place -
The minimum front yard setback for
a Pylon Sign is fifteen (15') feet from the property line. The minimum
side and rear setback from the property line shall be equal to ten
(10) percent of the lot width. Pylon Signs shall not be placed within
any designated or dedicated public utility easements without the approval
of an Easement Use Agreement from the appropriate utility. Pylon Signs
shall not be placed within two hundred (200) feet of another Pylon
Sign.
3.
Manner -
The maximum
area and height of a Pylon Sign shall not exceed three hundred (300)
square feet in area or exceed forty (40) feet in height.
a)
Pylon Signs, including supporting structures shall be constructed
of masonry materials and a design consistent with the buildings located
on the property.
b)
The maximum area and height of a Pylon Sign shall be based on the
classification of the streets adjacent to the development.
|
Street Classification
|
Maximum Area
|
Maximum Height
|
|---|---|---|
|
Local and Collector Streets
|
Fifty (50) Feet
|
Fifteen (15) Feet
|
|
Minor Arterials
|
One Hundred (100) Feet
|
Twenty (20) Feet
|
|
Major Arterials, including Highway 199 and Azle Avenue
|
One Hundred Fifty (150) Feet
|
Thirty (30) Feet
|
KK.
Railroad Sign -
Any sign on railroad property
placed or maintained in reference to the operation of the railroad.
No sign permit required.
LL.
Residential Nameplate -
An unilluminated nameplate
bearing the family name of the occupants residing in the residence.
MM.
Real Estate Sign -
An on-site, temporary stake
sign used to advertise a home or residential property for sale or
lease. A real estate sign is used to advertise the name of the owner
or realtor, telephone number, property information, and/or website
address[.]
1.
Time -
No sign permit required. A real estate
sign may be erected 24 hours each and every day.
2.
Place -
A real estate sign shall be erected
only on the lot on which the home or property is for sale or lease.
A real estate sign shall be erected no closer than ten (10') feet
from the street pavement.
3.
Manner -
A real estate sign shall not exceed
six (6) square feet in area, except where more than one unit of a
condominium is offered for sale, rent or lease, the signs may be combined
in a single supporting structure, and the sign area shall not exceed
three (3) square feet per unit offered. A maximum of one real estate
sign shall be erected on a lot.
NN.
Roof Sign -
Signs located on a roof or attached
to a building if it projects above the highest point of the facade
or parapet. Roof Signs are prohibited in the City.
OO.
Sight Visibility -
Any sign that violates any
sight visibility regulations of the City. These signs are prohibited
in the City.
PP.
Signs for Permitted Uses within Residential Zones (Unilluminated)
-
A sign for permitted nonresidential uses within
certain residential zones including SF-10, SF-6, SF-5, D, MF and MH.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required.
2.
Place -
Allowed in the SF-10, SF-6, SF-5, D,
MF and MH zoning districts. Nameplate signs shall be set back ten
(10) feet from the property line. Such signs shall not be placed within
twenty (20) feet of drives providing ingress and egress to the property.
These signs shall not be placed higher than twenty-five (25) feet
above grade.
3.
Manner -
These signs shall not exceed thirty
(30) square feet in area.
QQ.
Signs on outdoor machines, devices, and equipment -
Signs located on outdoor machines, devices or equipment which
display the trademark, trade name, manufacturer, cost, or operating
or service instructions or similar information but do not advertise
the business where located. This exemption includes signs on coin-operated
vending machines, fuel dispensing pumps, telephone facilities, automatic
teller machines, automotive vacuum cleaners, amusement rides, and
similar machines, devices, or equipment. No sign permit required.
RR.
Signs on persons -
Hand-held signs on persons.
No sign permit required.
SS.
Stake Sign -
A temporary sign with a base/stake
commonly made of metal, wood or other similar material with an end
for driving into the ground.
1.
Time -
A stake sign may only be displayed between
the weekend hours of 8:00 a.m. on Friday to 10:00 a.m. on the following
Monday. A stake sign that advertises a particular event or happening
must be removed within three (3) days after the conclusion of the
event by the owner of the premises on which it is located.
2.
Place -
A stake sign may not be located within
the right-of-way of a public street or within a railroad right-of-way.
On any public property that is used as an election polling place,
a person may place a stake sign on the public property in a manner
consistent with State law. The City may remove and dispose of any
sign that does not comply with these regulations.
3.
Manner -
A stake sign may not have a total
area in excess of nine (9) square feet or a height in excess of four
(4) feet.
TT.
Temporary Freestanding Sign -
A temporary on-premise
sign.
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required. The permit
shall be valid for one (1) year and renewable for one (1) additional
year for one (1) temporary freestanding sign on any one premises.
The sign must be in compliance with the place and manner sections
of this definition.
2.
Place -
Set back fifteen (15) feet from the
property line and is not located within a sight visibility area.
3.
Manner -
Temporary
freestanding signs shall be constructed as follows:
a)
Is nonilluminated;
b)
The face is fabricated of one-half (1/2) inch thick medium density
overlay plywood of yellow treated pine mounted on both sides of a
frame with dimensions of four (4) feet by four (4) feet where no part
of the frame or posts extend beyond the sign faces at the sides or
top of the sign;
c)
The plywood face of the sign is four (4) feet in width and eight
(8) feet in height and extends down to within six (6) inches of the
ground;
d)
The sign is anchored by two (2) four (4) inch by four (4) inch yellow
pine treated posts anchored in sand-filled holes extending down at
least two feet in the ground; and
e)
The plywood face is securely held to the frame by galvanized nails
or screws installed with the heads flush to the surface; all seams
are tight; all holes are filled and sanded smooth; and all surfaces
are coated with primer and painted with good quality exterior grade
semi-gloss paint.
UU.
Temporary Identification Banner -
In addition
to the limitations of this ordinance any owner, tenant or occupant
of a lot not otherwise having a permitted permanent sign shall be
entitled to a banner for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days to
direct attention to the name of the owner or occupant of the premise
upon which the banner is placed, or identifying the premises; or advertising
goods manufactured or produced or services rendered on the premises
upon which the banner is placed pending the installation of a permanent
sign.
VV.
Temporary Sign -
Any sign used to display information
that relates to a land use, or a sign with a limited duration which
is not rigidly and permanently installed into or on the ground, attached
to a building, or as identified in this Section as Balloon Sign; Banners;
Grand Opening Banner; Temporary Freestanding Sign; Temporary Identification
Banner; Stake Sign; and Wind Device Sign.
WW.
Utility and Hazard Signs -
Signs marking utility
or underground communication or transmission lines and hazards. No
sign permit is required.
XX.
Vehicle Sign -
A sign attached to any vehicle,
truck, car, bus, trailer, boat, recreational vehicle, motorcycle or
any other vehicle; however, any vehicle, whether operable or not,
shall not be parked and/or decorated where the intent is to use the
vehicle as advertising. Vehicle signs shall exclude bumper stickers
and state-required registration or inspection stickers/identifications.
1.
Time -
No sign permit required. Vehicle signs
are allowed 24 hours each and every continuing day.
2.
Place -
Vehicle signs are permitted provided
that during periods of inactivity such vehicle is not parked in the
right-of-way or placed in a manner that the vehicle sign is readily
visible from an adjacent right-of-way. “For sale” signs
placed in or on vehicles when the vehicle is parked or placed in a
manner that the vehicle sign is readily visible from an adjacent public
right-of-way are prohibited, with the exception that one vehicle may
contain a “for sale” sign parked or placed at an occupied
single-family, two-family, townhome, or multifamily dwelling unit
is permitted.
3.
Manner -
Vehicle
signs are permitted provided that:
a)
The primary purpose of the sign is not for display of the sign;
b)
The signs are painted upon or applied directly to an integral part
of the vehicle;
c)
The vehicle is operable, currently registered and licensed to operate
on public streets and actively used in the daily function of the business
to which such sign relates;
d)
The vehicle is not used as a static display, advertising a product
or service, not utilized as storage, shelter, or distribution points
for commercial products or services for the public.
YY.
Wall Sign -
Any sign either painted or erected
against an exterior wall or erected parallel to a wall. A Wall Sign
is a sign erected parallel to and extending not more than eighteen
inches (18") from the facade of any building to which it is attached,
supported throughout its entire length by the building face. A Wall
Sign identifies the name of a business and/or logo of a business.
Neon shall not be installed on any wall sign installed below nine
feet (9') from grade. A Wall Sign may include neon tubing attached
directly to a wall surface when forming a border for the subject matter
or when forming letters, logos, or pictorial designs. This definition
shall not include painted on murals. Wall Signs are permissible subject
to the following conditions and upon issuance of a sign permit:
1.
Time -
A sign permit is required. A sign permit
shall not be issued to erect, place or install a Wall Sign on a property
until a site plan is approved by the City Council for development
of the property and after issuance of a building permit for a building
on the property.
2.
Place -
Wall signs are permitted only in conjunction
with a nonresidential use. When projections on the wall face prevent
the erection of the sign flat against the wall face, the space between
the back of the sign and the wall shall be closed at the top, bottom
and ends with incombustible materials. For buildings with a height
of five (5) stories or greater, a wall sign may extend above the roofline
of the building on which it is attached up to twenty-five (25) percent
of the sign’s height. The Wall Sign must be located on that
portion of the building that is five (5) stories or greater.
3.
Manner -
a)
The total number of Wall Signs allowed shall be as follows:
|
Building (Elevation) Width (in Feet)
|
Number of Allowed Wall Signs
|
|---|---|
|
< 65'
|
1
|
|
66' up to and including 100'
|
2
|
|
101' up to and including 150'
|
3
|
|
=>151'
|
4
|
b)
The total cumulative size of all allowed Primary Wall Signs per elevation
shall be as follows:
|
Building Height Measured at Plate
(Feet)
|
Maximum Sign Height
(Feet)
|
Maximum Percentage of Wall Length*
|
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 20
|
4
|
75
|
|
20 to 30
|
6
|
60
|
|
> 30
|
8
|
50
|
|
*Note: Wall Signs shall not occupy more than the maximum percentage
of the length of any wall on which it is erected. Corporate logos
may exceed the maximum sign height by 50 percent.
|
ZZ.
Wind Device Sign -
Any devices made of cloth,
canvas, plastic or any flexible material designed to float or designed
to move, or moves freely in the wind, with or without a frame or other
structure, used for the purpose of advertising or drawing attention
to a business, commodity, service, sale or product. Wind device signs
may not extend beyond the property lines of the premises where located,
over any public highway, street or sidewalk, or to a greater height
than the maximum height allowed for a structure on the premises. Only
one (1) wind device sign is allowed per lot. Sign permit is required.
AAA.
Windows and Door Sign -
Signs painted
on or placed on and supported by the glass surfaces of windows or
doors, if not illuminated with the intent of being viewed from the
public street. No sign permit required.
(Ordinance 480-14 adopted 11/20/14)
A.
The size
of a sign is determined by its total area. For freestanding signs,
the total area includes the entire structure on which all signs are
placed or mounted.
B.
The setback
is measured perpendicularly from the curb line to the closest point
of the sign.
C.
The height
of a sign is measured from the natural ground level at the base of
the sign to the highest point of the sign.
D.
The width
of a sign is measured along a line drawn from the outermost edges
of the sign, parallel to the ground.
E.
Directional
signs or incidental signs are signs such as “entrance”
or “exit’ that give information but do not contain advertisements.
They require a sign permit but do not count toward the size requirements
of this section.
F.
Informational
signs are signs that give information of a noncommercial or advertising
nature such as historic markers, highway identification markers, or
traffic signs within the parking area of a building. They require
a sign permit but do not count toward the size requirements of this
document.
(Ordinance 480-14 adopted 11/20/14)
A.
Nonconforming
signs are allowed if the sign was erected in compliance with the regulations
in effect prior to the effective date of this ordinance or was lawfully
in place at the time the sign was annexed into the City.
B.
A freestanding
sign becomes nonconforming if not removed within thirty (30) days
of the date the sign becomes an abandoned sign. Within sixty (60)
days of the date a freestanding sign becomes an abandoned sign, the
message portion of the sign must be painted over, covered, removed,
or modified so that the remaining sign structure is left visually
unobtrusive, presents a solid facade, and does not appear to be in
disrepair or dismantled.
C.
Any nonconforming
sign, including its supporting structure, which is destroyed, damaged,
dilapidated or deteriorated must not be replaced, repaired or renovated,
in whole or in part, if such replacement, repair or renovation would
require an expenditure of monies in excess of sixty (60) percent of
the reproduction cost of a new sign, including its supporting structure,
which is substantially the same or similar to the nonconforming sign
destroyed, damaged, dilapidated or deteriorated, unless such alteration
or repair makes the sign conforming. A person may not repair, renovate
or alter a nonconforming sign without first receiving a sign permit.
A permit is not required to repaint a sign.
D.
The City
Manager or his/her designee may, whenever deemed necessary to reasonably
determine the applicability of this Section, require the owner of
the nonconforming sign to submit two or more independent estimates
from established sign companies of the cost of replacing, repairing
or renovating, in whole or in part, the existing nonconforming sign
and two or more independent estimates from established sign companies
of the reproduction cost of a new sign, including its supporting structure,
which is substantially the same or similar to the nonconforming sign
destroyed, damaged, dilapidated or deteriorated.
E.
Any part
of a sign or the supporting structure of a sign that is a nonconforming
use may be repaired or renovated only by the use of the types of materials
and dimensions of materials that are the same as the parts of the
sign or supporting structure being repaired or renovated.
(Ordinance 480-14 adopted 11/20/14)
