Abandoned sign.
Any sign, on- or off-premises, unless owned by a bona fide billboard company, which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person or advertises a bona fide business lessor, owner, product, service or activity.
Advertising vehicle or trailer.
Any vehicle or trailer which has as its basic purpose the advertisement of products or direction of people to a business or activity, whether located on- or off-premises.
A-frame sign.
See definition of “Unattached sign.”
Auxiliary sign.
Any sign indicating general information, such as pricing, trading stamps, credit cards, official notices or services required by law, or trade associations, and signs giving directions to offices, restrooms, exits, and like facilities, and office or church directories.
Banner sign.
Any sign intended to be hung, either with or without frames, made of paper, plastic or fabric of any kind, and which may possess colors, characters, letter, illustrations, or ornamentations. Flags of governmental divisions, or flags carrying the emblem of a business or institution on the same premises, are not to be considered a banner for the purpose of this article, unless displayed in size or in miniatures that such display could reasonably be considered as a display of “prohibited” signs. A banner shall be prohibited the same as those items in section 3.07.005(b)(12) unless it qualifies as a sign meeting the following conditions:
(1) 
Size shall be sixteen (16) square feet or less.
(2) 
The banner shall be securely attached to a structure by not less than all four corners of the material.
(3) 
The banner shall comply with all requirements for a sign, including permit fees, pursuant to all ordinances of the city as amended from time to time.
Bench sign.
Any sign located on any part of the surface of a bench or seat placed in or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
Billboard sign (outdoor advertising).
See the definition of “Off-premises sign.”
Canopy sign.
Any sign attached to a canopy that shall not exceed the following limits:
(1) 
Shall not exceed the width of the canopy.
(2) 
Shall not extend more than three (3) feet above the top of the canopy.
(3) 
Shall not extend more than three (3) feet above the roofline.
(4) 
Shall meet the requirements of a projecting sign when attached upon a canopy projecting from the side of a building.
(5) 
When the canopy is detached from the building, no canopy sign shall:
(A) 
Exceed the width of the canopy.
(B) 
Exceed two (2) feet in height above the top of the canopy.
(C) 
Exceed more than two (2) feet below the canopy but allowing for a minimum of seven (7) feet of ground clearance for pedestrians.
Changeable copy sign.
Any sign that is designed so that letters, numbers, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged without changing the face or surface of the sign. This does not include billboards in which the face of the billboard is changed when changing the advertising message, but the basic sign structure remains the same.
Changeable electronic variable message sign (CEVMS).
A sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED (light emitting diode) or digital sign and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic-control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices approved by the federal or state highway administrator.
Community service sign (public service).
Any sign that solicits support for or advertises a nonprofit community use, public use, or social institution. Such signs may include, but shall not be limited to, seasonal holidays such as Christmas or Easter, school activities, charitable programs, or religious activities, or events of community interest. Such signs shall be placed only by units of local, state or federal governments, by nonprofit organizations, by schools, by the chamber of commerce, or by normally recognized religious organizations. All such signs to be defined as such shall additionally meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Any community service sign for a seasonal celebration shall not have to meet the requirements of other sections of this article except those relating directly to traffic safety.
(2) 
Any community service sign other than subsection (1) above that is placed on a wall or window of a building shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the total wall (including windows) area and shall not be counted against the wall or window sign area permitted.
(3) 
Any community service sign placed in the public right-of-way for a short-term duration for a specific event shall obtain a permit, which shall be reviewed to meet traffic safety standards, and shall be limited to a reasonable, short time limit.
(4) 
A freestanding community service sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height, but need not meet setback requirements, other than those required for traffic safety.
(5) 
Such standards shall not apply where state or federal regulations are in conflict with these standards, state and federal regulations to control over this article.
Construction sign.
A sign temporarily placed on a construction site identifying the project and/or owner, developer, contractor, architect, and other information regarding the project such as opening dates.
Damaged sign.
Any sign that is unsafe, insecure, or disfigured or poorly maintained.
Double-faced sign.
A sign that is one structure containing either:
(1) 
One sign with two faces back-to-back with faces oriented in opposite directions.
(2) 
Two (2) signs back-to-back with faces oriented in opposite directions with a distance of not more than three (3) feet between the two signs.
Flashing sign.
Any sign with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights, regardless of wattage, whether directly or indirectly illuminated, excepting time and temperature and other such public service signs.
Freestanding sign.
Any sign which is permanently affixed to the ground, and which is not affixed to a building, and which is not used for off-premises advertising.
Governmental sign.
Any sign indicating public works projects or other programs or activities conducted or required by any government subdivision. This is also considered a community service sign.
Illuminated sign.
(1) 
Internally illuminated.
Any sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source as an integral part of the sign.
(2) 
Indirectly illuminated.
Any sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source that is detached from the sign.
Integral sign.
Any memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials mounted on the face of a building.
Marquee sign.
Any sign hung from or affixed to a marquee. It shall be synonymous with a canopy sign.
NIT.
A unit of visible light intensity used to specify brightness. One NIT is equivalent to one candela per square meter.
Nonconforming sign.
Any sign that does not conform to the regulations of this article.
Off-premises sign.
Any sign, commonly known as a billboard, that advertises a business, person, activity, goods, products or services not located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained, or that directs persons to a location other than the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
On-premises sign.
Any sign identifying or advertising the business, person, activity, goods, products or services sold or offered for sale on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained when such premises are used for business purposes.
Portable sign.
Any sign specifically designed to be freestanding with a metal or plastic frame and which can be readily moved, but not reasonably expected to be blown about in winds.
Projecting sign.
Any sign, other than a wall sign, which is affixed to any building or wall, whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall. A canopy or marquee sign is not defined as a projecting sign.
Realty sign.
Any sign that is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is located.
Roof sign.
(1) 
Roof sign.
Any sign that is mounted on, and is wholly supported by, the roof of a building and which projects above the highest point of a building with a flat roof; the eave line of a building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof; or the deck of a building with a mansard roof.
(2) 
Sloping roof sign.
Any sign, whether on a frame or painted, which is affixed flat against, or painted onto, the sloping portion of a roof. Said signs shall not project beyond the roof line, and not more than ten (10) percent of any sloping roof area shall be devoted to these signs.
Sandwich sign.
See definition of “Unattached sign.”
Setback.
Setback distance is measured from the nearest part of any sign or sign support to the property line, or, if specifically stated, measured to another point such as the street curb.
Sign.
Any letters, figures, symbols, trademarks, or devices designed to inform people or attract the attention of persons of or to an individual, firm, profession, business, commodity or service, and which are visible from any public street.
Sign area.
The square foot area enclosed by the perimeter of the sign face with each face contributing to the aggregate area; provided, however, that for painted wall signs, the area shall be the sum of the areas of the minimum imaginary rectangles, triangles, or circles which fully contain all words, numbers, figures, devices, designs or trademarks by which anything is made known. However, for double-faced signs as defined herein, faces shall be counted only as the area of one face.
Sign height.
The vertical distance between the highest part of the sign or its supporting structure, whichever is higher, and the average established ground level beneath the sign, unless the curb elevation is higher than the ground level, in which case the height shall be measured from curb level.
Snipe sign.
A sign made of any material when such sign is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, or fences, or to other objects, and the advertising matter appearing thereon is not applicable to the present use of the premises upon which such sign is located. Snipe signs do not include political signs.
Unattached sign.
A sign which is not secured to the ground, building, pole, trailer, vehicle or other secure device, but simply rests upon or against other structures or the ground, or upon persons. Such signs are defined as unattached if placed outside enclosures and can reasonably be expected to be blown about in winds, and could possibly cause injury to pedestrians, or traffic safety problems. Some such signs are often referred to as “A-frame” or “sandwich” signs.
Wall sign.
Any sign that is painted on, or attached to and erected parallel or approximately parallel to the face of, or erected and confirmed within the limits of, the outside wall of any building and supported by such wall or building and which displays only one surface for display/advertising. Such signs shall not extend more than two (2) feet from the building wall or more than three (3) feet above the building wall.
Window sign.
Any sign placed inside, or upon, a window facing the outside and which is intended to be seen from the exterior.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. VIII, adopted 2/6/07; Ordinance adopting Code)
Any firm, person, or corporation who shall violate any provision of this article shall be deemed to be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code, and each day such violation continues or exists shall constitute a separate violation. Nothing herein shall limit the remedies available to the city under the laws of the state to enforce its rights under this article or prevent violations hereof.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. IX, adopted 2/6/07; Ordinance adopting Code)
The provisions of this article, including but not limited to permits and the means of enforcement, shall apply within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. XI, adopted 2/6/07)
Waivers may be granted for existing signs that do not conform to the requirements of this article. The city council may grant the waiver as requested, or in a modified form, or subject to conditions, or it may deny the application on the grounds of being incompatible with a neighboring use, traffic safety or design. In considering a request for a waiver, the city council will consider whether the subject sign is in substantial compliance with this article.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. XII, adopted 2/6/07)
(a) 
Permit required.
Except as provided herein, all signs erected in the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction, not otherwise prohibited by this article, shall require a permit and shall be required to pay a permit fee at the time of filing of any application unless excepted herein.
(b) 
Exemptions from fee.
All signs listed below in this section that do not include electrical elements or parts shall file for a permit to be approved by the city; however, such applicants shall not be required to pay a permit fee so long as such signs are of a size acceptable and reasonable for the type and use of the sign in the area or as specifically limited herein:
(1) 
Non-illuminated signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located.
(2) 
Professional nameplates or “shingle signs.”
(3) 
Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not exceeding four (4) square feet in size.
(4) 
Non-illuminated temporary construction site signs, for a period not exceeding the completion of the construction project and not exceeding twenty-four square feet.
(5) 
Governmental signs.
(6) 
One non-illuminated sign per street frontage of a building that is under construction or structural alteration or repair announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended, including names of architects, engineers, contractors, developers, financiers, and others, not exceeding twenty-four square feet.
(7) 
Community service signs, not placed on the public right-of-way, including any portable or wheeled community service sign.
(8) 
Official flags of governmental jurisdictions, and flags carrying the emblems of business firms on the premises where the flag is displayed. No single flag shall exceed 32 square feet in area, nor shall a myriad of miniature flags that collectively exceed 32 square feet in size or six (6) in number be permitted. The displaying of the American and Texas flags shall be an exception to this subsection as to size and number only.
(9) 
Commemorative plaques placed by governmental or civic organizations, or integral signs.
(10) 
Signs approved in a planned unit development.
(11) 
Rearrangement/replacement of letters, numbers, characters, or pictures on existing signs, provided the sign is not enlarged and the sign is not illuminated in violation of this article.
(12) 
Pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or similar moving or wind-blown items or balloons, provided such shall be removed after a period of seven days. These types of items shall be used only for grand openings or annual anniversary sales, once a year.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. I, adopted 2/6/07; Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
No authorized sign shall be erected, altered, repaired, or relocated within the city limits without first obtaining a permit from the city council or other designated authority.
(b) 
All applications for permits for all signs shall be accompanied by such drawing or descriptions as are necessary to fully advise the city council or other designated authority as to location, construction, and details as to brackets, main guy cables, wired braces, bolts and turnbuckles. If a sign is to be extended from a building wall or walls, information shall be provided as to the height of the building, the weight of the sign, the size of the sign and other details that the city council or other designated authority may deem necessary or request.
(c) 
Where the sign is to be attached to an existing building or is a freestanding sign, a current photograph of the wall face or freestanding sign is to be attached to the application. Each permit shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the owner or persons entitled to possession of the sign, maintenance of the sign, and the name, address and telephone number of the sign contractor/erector.
(d) 
Applicable information that may be required by the city council or other designated authority includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:
(1) 
The dimensions of the sign and, where applicable, the dimensions of the wall surface of the building to which it is to be attached.
(2) 
The dimensions of the sign’s supporting members.
(3) 
The maximum and minimum height of the sign.
(4) 
The proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the building in front of which or above which it is to be erected.
(5) 
The proposed location of the sign in relation to the boundaries of the lot upon which it is to be situated. When a sign permit has been issued, it shall be unlawful to change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of said permit without prior written approval. A written record of such approval shall be entered upon the original permit application and maintained in the files of the city council or other designated authority.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. III, adopted 2/6/07)
(a) 
All applications for permits for all signs requiring a permit fee according to the provisions of this article shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount established from time to time by the city council and maintained in the offices of the city.
(b) 
The fee for a sign with electrical elements or parts shall be in addition to the fee required based on the size of the sign. No portion of any fee collected under this section shall be returned after a permit has been issued.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. VI, adopted 2/6/07; Ordinance adopting Code)
All signs listed below are prohibited within the city limits:
(1) 
Any signs and supports, other than those signs and supports required by governmental authority, or for which a street use license has been issued, and which are located on the public right-of-way, including on public sidewalks, streets, alleys and parkways. This section shall not apply to signs on commercial vehicles or commercial trailers lawfully operated or parked in such areas; however, this exception shall not otherwise be used to legitimate the use of advertising vehicles and trailers or wheeled signs prohibited in this article.
(2) 
Signs or parts of signs that revolve, rotate, whirl, spin or are wind-blown or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention, except as permitted in section 3.07.005.
(3) 
No sign that is illuminated by or contains flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a hazard or nuisance.
(4) 
Any sign that resembles an official traffic sign or signal or which bears the words “Stop,” “Go Slow,” “Caution,” “Danger,” “Warning,” or similar words. Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal or device.
(5) 
Any sign that emits sound, odor or visible matter, which serves as a distraction to persons within the public right-of-way.
(6) 
No sign other than “Entrance,” “Exit,” or directional fire escape notices shall be placed in any form, shape, or manner on any fire escape, or door or window giving access to a fire escape.
(7) 
Abandoned or damaged signs.
(8) 
Unattached signs.
(9) 
Signs placed upon motor vehicles or trailers and used as stationary advertising devices.
(10) 
Snipe signs.
(11) 
Political signs with a surface area of thirty-six (36) square feet or greater.
(12) 
Off-premises signs.
(Ordinance adopted 8/1/17)
(a) 
All damaged signs shall be promptly removed or repaired. Upon failure to so remove or repair, the city shall issue a notice to the responsible party, which notice shall set a number of days within which removal or repairs shall be completed. If the city council or designated authority considers that the damaged sign constitutes an immediate danger to the public, the responsible party shall be so notified and said responsible party shall immediately proceed to remove or repair the sign. Should the responsible party, after due notice, fail to correct any such cited damage, the city council or designated authority may at its option cause such sign and its support to be demolished and removed and/or may file a complaint for ordinance violation in the municipal court.
(b) 
All abandoned signs shall be removed by the city at any time the city council makes a determination that an owner of or responsible party for the sign cannot be located or notified. If a responsible party can be located, such party shall be notified and given a period of days within which to remove the sign. Should the responsible party, after due notice, fail to remove the abandoned sign, the city council or designated authority shall cause such sign to be demolished and removed, painted over, or sand-blasted to remove lettering and graphics. A lien shall be placed against the property on which the sign is located in the amount of the cost of all such work to remove and/or demolish the sign and a copy of the lien provided to the property owner. The city may also file a complaint for ordinance violation with the municipal court and such shall not be a bar to the filing of a lien as provided herein.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. IV, adopted 2/6/07)
Parties responsible for all signs shall be identified in the following manner:
(1) 
All signs shall have printed upon them, in a legible manner, the name and address of the party responsible for the placement, maintenance and removal of said sign.
(2) 
Signs which are located on the property of those parties responsible for the placement, maintenance, and removal of said signs need not meet the requirements of subsection (1) above. However, those property owners shall be responsible for any signs on their property that do not bear the name and address of the responsible party.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. V, adopted 2/6/07)
Any sign that was nonconforming to the requirements of this article as of December 19, 2000, shall be deemed to be a conforming use, provided that such sign shall not be altered, repaired, or relocated without first obtaining a permit in accordance with the provisions of this article. Nothing herein shall be construed so as to authorize a nonconforming use in the event such use should cease, for whatever reason, at the present location of such sign at the effective date of this article.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. VII, adopted 2/6/07)
Every sign, including those specifically exempt from this code in respect to permits and permit fees, shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports thereof that are not galvanized or of rust-resistant material.
(Ordinance 020607, sec. X, adopted 2/6/07)
A changeable electronic variable message sign (CEVMS):
(1) 
May not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet;
(2) 
May use color images;
(3) 
Must operate in a way that its messages remain static for a minimum of four (4) seconds;
(4) 
Must operate in a way that all screen transitions occur within one (1) second such that initial message does not fade, dissolve or travel;
(5) 
May not use motion, such as a scrolling message;
(6) 
May be allowed as a wall sign or window sign instead of a freestanding sign;
(7) 
May not exceed a light intensity of 500 NITs at night or 7,000 NITs during the day; and
(8) 
Operating within two hundred feet (200') of a residential area must be turned off from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
(Ordinance adopting Code)