[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
The purpose of this chapter is to achieve balance among the
following differing, and at times, competing goals:
A.
To
encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication for
businesses, organizations and individuals in Raymore;
B.
To
provide a means of way-finding in the community, thus reducing traffic
confusion and congestion;
C.
To
provide for adequate business identification, advertising, and communication;
D.
To
prohibit signs of such excessive size and number that they obscure
one another to the detriment of the economic and social well-being
of the City of Raymore;
E.
To
protect the safety and welfare of the public by minimizing hazards
to pedestrian and vehicular traffic;
F.
To
preserve property values by preventing unsightly and chaotic development
that has a blighting influence upon the community;
G.
To
differentiate among those signs that, because of their location, may
distract drivers on public streets and those that may provide information
to them while they remain in their cars but out of active traffic;
H.
To
minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and
private property; and
I.
To
implement the goals and objectives of the Growth Management Plan.
A.
Generally.
The regulations of this chapter apply to all signs within the corporate
limits of Raymore unless otherwise expressly stated.
B.
Permits
Required.
[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
C.
Signs
Exempt from Regulation.
[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
1.
The following signs are exempt from regulation under this chapter:
a.
Signs placed by a governmental body, governmental agency, or public
authority, such as traffic signs, signals or regulatory devices or
warnings; public notices; signs of historical interest; or other similar
signs or devices;
b.
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of construction
or establishment when cut into any masonry surface;
c.
Signs inside buildings, inside windows or painted on windows or on
glass portions of doors of buildings;
d.
Banners on public utility pole brackets placed by public entities
for public events or campaigns, such as “Welcome to Raymore”
banners; and
e.
Signs carried by a person; and
D.
Prohibited
Signs. The following signs are prohibited:
1.
Snipe signs;
2.
Vehicle signs;
3.
Portable signs;
4.
Any sign or other advertising structure displaying any obscene, indecent
or immoral matter;
5.
Any sign that obstructs or is attached to a fire escape;
6.
Any sign that obstructs a window, door, opening required for legal
ventilation, or any other opening; or prevents free passage from one
part of the roof to another;
7.
Attention-attracting devices, electrical signs, displays or illuminated
signs that may impair night vision, are a hazard to traffic or interfere
with or conflict with traffic signals, whether inside or outside the
building;
8.
All signs in the public right-of-way or on public property, whether
permanent or temporary, except signs installed by a government entity;
9.
Pole signs; and
10.
Roof signs.
A.
Measurement
of Area of Individual Signs. The area of a sign face will be computed
by means of the smallest square, circle, 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 display or used to differentiate
the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed.
The area of a sign face does not include any supporting framework,
bracing or decorative fence or wall when the fence or wall otherwise
meets the regulations of this chapter and is clearly incidental to
the display itself.
 |
 |
B.
Sign
Height Measurement. For projecting and under canopy signs, the height
of a sign will be computed as the distance from the highest point
of the sign structure to the lowest point on the ground directly below
the sign.
[Amendment 21 – Ordinance 2015-005, 1-26-2015]
 |
For freestanding signs, the height of a sign will be
computed as the distance from the highest point of the sign structure
to the lowest point on the ground directly below the sign. For lots
with an elevation below the adjacent street, the height of the sign
will be computed as the distance from the highest point of the sign
structure to the height of the sidewalk, or curb line of street if
no sidewalk exists, adjacent to the property, provided the sign is
installed within thirty (30) feet of the street right-of-way line.
 |
C.
Building
Façade Area Measurement. Building façade area includes
the entire area of a building wall, including doors, windows, recessed
and projecting areas, and all other features, measured from the ground
to the top of the roof, including architectural features.
 |
D.
Determination
of Visibility or Legibility.
1.
Where this chapter requires a determination of “visibility”
or “legibility,” the standard will be based on the eyesight
of an adult eligible to receive a Missouri driver’s license
(wearing any corrective lenses required by the license). Where the
height of the person is material to the determination, the person
will be presumed to be more than five (5) feet and less than six (6)
feet tall.
2.
In determining visibility of a sign from a residential property,
it will be assumed that a two-story residence will occupy the property
with second-story windows facing toward the sign.
E.
Sign
Face Separation. For the purposes of computing sign area, a single
sign becomes two (2) signs if there is an angle created between the
two (2) outer surfaces of the sign greater than forty-five degrees
(45°).
 |
[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
A.
Materials
and Construction.
1.
Except as otherwise expressly stated in this chapter, all permanent
signs, sign structures and non-structural trim must be constructed
of approved combustible or non-combustible materials.
2.
Letters, figures, characters or representations in cutout or irregular
form maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed upon
any sign must be safely and securely built or attached to the sign
structure.
3.
Illuminated signs produced in quantity (as opposed to signs custom-built
for specific locations) must be constructed in accordance with the
“Standards for Electric Signs” (U.L. 48) of the Underwriters’
Laboratories, Inc.
4.
All electrical signs must be connected to permanent electrical service
installed according to the requirements of the electrical code. All
wiring for newly constructed detached signs must be underground.
5.
Any sign, other advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning
as defined in this chapter must be designed and constructed to withstand
a wind pressure of not less than twenty-five (25) pounds per square
foot of net surface area; and must be constructed to receive dead
loads as required in the building code and/or other City ordinances.
6.
Any sign drawing submitted with a sign permit application for a monument
or projecting sign shall include the signature and seal of an engineer
or architect registered in the State of Missouri.
B.
Obstructions.
C.
Landscaping. All monument signs for new developments must be landscaped according to Section 430.050.
D.
Noncommercial
Messages. Any sign allowed under this chapter may contain, in lieu
of any other message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message, so
long as the sign complies with the size, height and other requirements
of this chapter.
E.
Master
Signage Plan. A master signage plan shall be submitted with any site
plan application for new developments. The signage plan should generally
depict location and design of monument and wall signs. The actual
tenant name does not need to be identified on the signage plan.
[Amendment 2 – Ordinance 29073, 7-27-2009; Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011; Amendment 34 - Ordinance 21-073, 12-13-2021]
Signs are permitted in each zoning district as follows:
|
Zoning District
|
Sign Type
|
Max Number Permitted
|
Maximum Size
(sq ft)
|
Maximum Height
|
Illumination Permitted
|
Additional Requirements
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A
|
Monument
|
1 per street frontage
|
64
|
12
|
Direct or indirect
| ||
|
Wall
|
3 per establishment
|
10% of façade area
|
n/a
|
Direct or indirect
| |||
|
Temporary Event
|
Noncommercial Message
|
1 per street frontage for each event, issue, candidate or belief
|
64
|
12
|
Not permitted
| ||
|
Commercial Message
|
1 per street frontage
| ||||||
|
RE, RR, R-3, R-3A, R-3B, PUD and PR
|
Monument
|
1 per street frontage
|
32
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
| ||
|
Wall
|
3 per establishment
|
10% of facade area
|
n/a
|
Direct or indirect
| |||
|
Temporary Event
|
Noncommercial Message
|
1 per street frontage for each event, issue, candidate or belief
|
32
|
6
|
Not permitted
| ||
|
Commercial Message
|
1 per street frontage
| ||||||
|
R-1A, R-1, R-1.5, and R-2
|
Monument
|
1 per street frontage
|
32
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
| ||
|
Wall
|
3 per establishment
|
10% of façade area
|
n/a
|
Direct or indirect
| |||
|
Temporary Event
|
Noncommercial Message
|
1 per street frontage for each event, issue, candidate or belief
|
16
|
6
|
Not permitted
| ||
|
Commercial Message
|
1 per street frontage
| ||||||
|
PO & C-1
|
Monument
|
1 per street frontage
|
32
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
|
See Section 435.060D
| |
|
PO & C-1
|
Wall
|
3 per establishment plus 1 under canopy
|
10% of facade area
|
n/a
|
Direct or indirect
|
See Section 435.060 A,B,C
| |
|
PO & C-1
|
Temporary Event
|
Noncommercial Message
|
1 per establishment per street frontage for each event, issue
candidate or belief
|
32
|
6
|
Not permitted
|
See Section 435.070
|
|
Commercial Message
|
1 per establishment per street frontage
| ||||||
|
C-2, C-3, BP, M-1 and M-2
|
Monument Sign
|
Individual building with 1 tenant
|
1 per street frontage
|
32
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D
|
|
Individual building 2-4 tenants
|
1 per street frontage
|
48
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D
| ||
|
Shopping center under 100,000 square feet
|
1 per street frontage
|
80
|
15
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D
| ||
|
Shopping center 100,000 square feet or more
|
1 per street frontage
|
300
|
30
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D
| ||
|
C-2, C-3, BP, M-1 and M-2
|
Monument or Ground
|
Billboard on lot under 2 ac
|
1 per street frontage
|
32
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D & E
|
|
Billboard on lot 2-5 ac
|
1 per street frontage
|
48
|
6
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D & E
| ||
|
Billboard on lot greater than 5 ac
|
1 per street frontage
|
80
|
15
|
Direct or indirect
|
See also Section 435.060D & E
| ||
|
C-2, C-3, BP, M-1 and M-2
|
Wall
|
3 per establishment plus 1 under canopy
|
10% of facade area
|
n/a
|
Direct or indirect
| ||
|
C-2, C-3, BP, M-1 and M-2
|
Temporary Event
|
Noncommercial Message
|
1 per establishment per street frontage for each event, issue,
candidate or belief
|
32
|
6
|
Not permitted
|
See Section 435.070
|
|
Commercial Message
|
1 per establishment per street frontage
| ||||||
[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
The following standards are in addition to the applicable standards as specified in Section 435.050.
A.
Wall
Signs.
1.
A wall sign that is attached to a masonry wall shall be secured by
means of anchors, bolts and expansion screws, masonry nails or similar
connectors. A wall sign that is attached to a wall of wood may be
anchored with wood blocks and screws.
2.
Signs advertising special services count against the allowable total
number of signs and sign area (e.g. pharmacy sign on a discount store).
3.
Wall signs are permitted on any side of a building.
B.
Projecting
Signs.
1.
Projecting signs may not project more than five and one-half (5 1/2)
feet beyond the face of the building.
2.
Projecting signs must be a minimum of ten (10) feet above the level
of any sidewalk from the bottom of the sign.
3.
Any projecting sign within twenty-five (25) feet of a street or alley
intersection must be a minimum of fourteen (14) feet above the sidewalk
from the bottom of the sign.
C.
Under
Canopy Signs. Under canopy signs of greater than four (4) square feet
must be rigidly mounted, and there must be ten (10) feet clearance
between the base of any under canopy sign and the sidewalk.
D.
Freestanding
Signs.
1.
A freestanding monument sign shall be supported with a base that
is at least eighty percent (80%) of the width of the sign at its widest
point.
2.
A freestanding ground sign shall be supported by two (2) or more
posts or supports.
3.
Permanent freestanding signs are not permitted within any utility
or drainage easement.
4.
Freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from
all property lines.
E.
Billboard
Signs.
1.
Billboard signs are permitted only along Interstate 49, U.S. Highway
71 or Missouri 58.
2.
No billboard sign may be located within one thousand (1,000) feet
of any existing billboard sign.
3.
A letter of authorization by the property owner is required for application
of any billboard sign.
4.
Billboard signs shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from
all property lines.
F.
Subdivision
Entrance Signs. Subdivision entrance signs may be located at entrances
to the subdivision and shall be within a sign easement, common area,
or private property. The developer or property owners association
is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the subdivision identification
signs. Location of signs shall be subject to the provisions of this
chapter as well as other applicable ordinances. Such signs shall be
monument signs.
G.
Incidental
Signs. Incidental signs are permitted subject to the following limitations:
[Amendment 33 - Ordinance 2020-068, 11-23-2020]
1.
Incidental signs used for directing traffic shall be monument signs
and are subject to the following limitations:
2.
An incidental sign that is used for ordering products, such as a drive-thru menu board, shall comply with Section 435.060I.
3.
No commercial message shall be included on any incidental sign, except
upon a drive-thru menu board.
4.
All other incidental signs must be wall signs and shall not exceed
nine (9) square feet in area.
H.
Electronic
Message Center Signs. Electronic message center signs are permitted
subject to the following limitations:
1.
Not allowed as part of a temporary event sign.
2.
Any portion of the message or image must have a minimum duration
on screen of eight (8) seconds. Exception to this requirement is made
for a sign that displays time and temperature.
3.
The change from one (1) message to the next shall not take more than
one (1) second and shall not involve flashing or movement of text
or images.
4.
In case of malfunction, the sign display shall be defaulted to a
blank screen.
5.
Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall provide
written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity
has been factory pre-set not to exceed seven thousand (7,000) NITS
during daylight hours and two thousand five hundred (2,500) NITS between
dusk and dawn and that the intensity level is protected from end-user
manipulation.
6.
The sign shall not display light of such intensity or brilliance
to cause glare or otherwise impair the vision of the driver, or result
in a nuisance to the driver.
I.
Drive
Thru Menu Boards.
[Amendment 33 - Ordinance 2020-068]
1.
Location of the sign shall be included with development or site plans.
2.
Sign cannot be located between the building and the right-of-way
line or any arterial road.
3.
Restaurants providing drive-thru but not curbside service may have
no more than two (2) menu boards per drive-thru lane, not to exceed
eight (8) feet in height and forty-two (42) square feet in total size
per menu board.
4.
Restaurants providing curbside service may have no more than one
(1) menu board per bay not to exceed six (6) square feet per sign
face for each menu board.
5.
Electronic menu boards are limited to changing three (3) times per
day maximum.
[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
A.
General.
[Amendment 2 – Ordinance 29073, 7-27-2009]
1.
Temporary event signs may be installed as a freestanding sign or
a wall sign.
2.
The only commercial messages allowed on temporary event signs on
residential property are a message pertaining to the sale or lease
of the premises; a message for a business that is completing construction,
remodeling or home improvement work upon the property; or a message
related to an occasional sale (such as a garage sale or yard sale),
held in compliance with all applicable city ordinances.
B.
Permits.
1.
A temporary event sign permit and applicable fee is required prior
to the placement of any temporary event sign that contains a commercial
message and is located on a non-residential zoned property.
2.
A maximum of four (4) temporary event sign permits will be issued
per establishment per calendar year.
3.
A temporary event sign permit is initiated upon the placement or installation of the sign and expires upon the termination of the event as defined in Section 435.070F.
4.
A period of ten (10) days must elapse between the time a prior temporary
event sign is removed and another temporary event sign permit is issued
for the same establishment.
5.
A temporary event sign permit is not required for a real estate sale
or lease sign.
D.
Location.
Temporary event signs must be located entirely on private property.
Temporary event signs that contain a commercial message shall be located
on the parcel where the advertised goods, service or event is available.
F.
Duration.
Temporary event signs may be placed upon initiation of the temporary
event, and must be removed within five (5) days of the termination
of the event. Initiation and termination of particular events shall
be interpreted as follows:
[Amendment 33 - Ordinance 2020-068]
1.
Election. Initiation thirty (30) days prior to the election of candidates
or decision of a ballot question and termination upon the election
of a candidate to office; resolution of a ballot question; or defeat
of a candidate in a primary or general election event, as applicable.
2.
Real Estate/Tenant Space Sale or Lease. Initiation upon the actual
availability of the parcel or tenant space for sale or lease, and
termination upon transfer of ownership of the real estate or occupancy
of the new tenant.
3.
Building Construction or Remodeling. Initiation upon issuance of
a building permit or commencement of the construction or remodeling
work and termination upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy or
completion of the construction or remodeling work.
4.
Sales or Promotional Event. Initiation upon installation of the temporary
event sign and termination upon the ending of the sales or promotional
event. For the purposes of this sub-section, under no circumstance
shall a sales or promotional event exceed thirty (30) days.
[Amendment 6 – Ordinance 2010-50, 6-14-2010; Amendment 13 – Ordinance 2012-074, 9-24-2012]
A.
Signs may be illuminated as permitted in Section 435.050 and other provisions of this chapter. The lighting for any sign that would be visible from any residentially zoned property shall be designed so that no direct glare from any light source is focused, beamed or directed at such property.
B.
Flashing
lights, rapidly changing or intermittent-type illumination, rotating
beams, or illumination resembling emergency lights are prohibited
for the illumination of signs.
C.
The
electric wiring for all illuminated signs must be located underground.
D.
An
electrical permit shall be obtained for any illuminated sign.
[Amendment 9 – Ordinance 2011-22, 4-11-2011]
A.
Any
temporary event sign for which a permit has expired shall be considered
an illegal sign.
B.
Any
sign that fails to meet the maintenance requirements of this chapter
shall be deemed to be abandoned.
C.
Except
as specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter, any sign placed
within the City right-of-way shall be considered an illegal sign.
[Amendment 21 – Ordinance 2015-005, 1-26-2015]
A request to install a sign that is not allowed by this chapter or a request to install a sign that is not in conformance with the standards of this chapter may be filed as a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Section 470.030.
In order to install an inflatable sign, an application shall be filed for an Inflatable Sign Permit. Applications for an Inflatable Sign Permit shall be filed in accordance with Section 470.240.
