Signs use private land near public rights-of-way to inform and
persuade the general public by publishing a message. This article
provides standards for the erection and maintenance of private signs.
All private signs not exempt as provided herein shall be erected and
maintained in accordance with those standards. These standards are
intended to be the minimum necessary and least burdensome to accomplish
the purposes stated in this article. The general objectives of these
standards are to promote health, safety, welfare, convenience and
enjoyment of the public and, in part, to achieve the following:
(1)
Communications efficiency.
To promote the efficient
transfer of information in sign messages by providing that:
(A)
Businesses and services may identify themselves;
(B)
Customers and other persons may locate a business or service;
(C)
No person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight lines
from the public rights-of-way;
(D)
Persons exposed to signs are not overwhelmed by the number of messages
presented, and are able to exercise freedom of choice to observe or
ignore said messages, according to the observer’s purpose;
(2)
Landscape quality and preservation.
To protect the public
welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the cityscape,
by providing that signs:
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
1)
(a)
The
requirements of this article shall be administered and enforced by
the mayor of the city or the mayor’s designated representative.
(b)
The
city council may, upon request of any interested party, permit a variance
from the application of this article to a particular situation.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
2)
The Uniform Sign Code, 1991 edition, is adopted and incorporated
herein by reference. All signs permitted under this article shall
be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this article,
the building code, as adopted by the city, and the Uniform Sign Code.
In the event of a conflict between this article and the Uniform Sign
Code, the provisions set forth in this article shall prevail.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
3)
means a sign:
means a structure made of cloth, metal or other material
possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentation affixed
to a building in such a manner that the structure may be raised or
retracted to a position against the building.
means a sign intended to be hung either with or without a
frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentation
applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind, excluding flags,
emblems and insignia of political, professional, religious, educational
or corporate organizations.
means an off-premises sign containing at least one hundred
twenty-eight square feet face area and which is owned by a person,
corporation or other entity that engages in the business of selling
the advertising space on the sign.
means the mayor of the city or his designee.
means a sign which directs attention to a business, profession,
activity, commodity, service or event conducted, sold or offered upon
the premises where such sign is located, or within the building to
which such sign is affixed.
means a structure other than an awning made of cloth, metal
or other material possessing characters, letters, illustrations or
ornamentations, with frames affixed to a building and carried by a
frame which is supported by the ground.
means a message which refers to the offer for sale or existence
for sale of products, property, accommodations, services or attractions
or attracts attention to a business or to products, property, accommodations,
services, or activities that are offered or exist for hire.
means a sign identifying individuals or companies involved
in the design or construction, wrecking, financing or development
of premises where such sign is placed.
means a sign:
Where any portion of the finished material, surface, or message
portion of the sign is visibly faded, flaked, broken off, missing,
cracked, splintered, defective or is otherwise visibly deteriorated
or in a state of disrepair so as not to substantially appear as it
was intended or designed to appear when originally constructed;
Whose elements or the structural support or frame members are
visibly bent, broken, dented or tom, twisted, leaning or at angles
other than those at which it was originally erected, such as may result
from being blown or by the failure of a structural support.
means a sign, providing no advertisement of any kind, which
provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended
to serve the public such as restrooms, parking, etc.
means a sign which indicates the names and/or addresses of
the occupant(s), the address of the premises and/or identification
of any lawful businesses or the occupations which may exist at the
premises.
means an illuminated sign on which the artificial source
of light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and/or
color at any time when such sign is illuminated.
means the area enclosed by the smallest imaginary regular
shapes that will encompass the extreme limits of the writings, representation,
emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming
an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign
from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed. Gross surface
area includes such features as decorative or ornamental elements or
features, borders, and rims, but not including any supporting structure
which is used solely for support of the sign, such as poles, columns
and cables, or a decorative fence, screening device or wall.
Sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctively
painted, textured or constructed as a background for the sign copy
shall be measured as the area contained within the outside dimensions
of the background panel or surface.
Sign copy mounted as individual letters and/or graphics against
a wall, fence, screening device, awning or fascia of building or other
structure that has not been painted, textured or otherwise altered
to provide a distinctive background of the sign copy shall be measured
as the area enclosed by each individual word or graphic.
means the front and, if applicable, side walls which enclose
a building or a portion thereof, and which abut a public street.
means any individual letter or group of letters attached
to a building which constitutes a sign. The area of such sign shall
be the smallest area encompassing the word in the form of a square,
rectangle, triangle, circle or combination thereof.
means a parcel, tract, or area of land established by plat,
subdivision, or otherwise permitted by law to be used, developed or
built upon a single unit under single ownership or control.
means a permanent structure extending from part of the roof
or wall of a building but not supported by the ground, and constructed
of durable material such as metal, plastic or glass.
means a sign permanently affixed to the ground, not elevated
upon any pole or structure and not attached to or dependant upon any
building for support.
means a sign lawfully existing on the effective date of this
article which does not conform to one or more of the provisions of
this article.
means any district identified in the official zoning map
of the city for uses other than residential uses.
in this article means a material or performance defined in
chapter 43 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended.
means a sign which directs attention to a business, profession,
activity, commodity, service, or other event other than one conducted,
sold or offered upon the premises upon which such sign is located,
or within the building to which the sign is affixed.
means a sign supported by one or more structures or supports
placed upon the ground, and not attached to or dependent for support
from any building.
means a sign not permanently affixed to the ground, a building
or other structure, which is designed to be moved from place to place.
means a single tract or platted lot. In addition, multiple
adjoining tracts or platted lots under common ownership will be deemed
to be a single premises if they meet the following requirements: (i)
lots or tracts are not separated by intervening streets, alleys, utility
or railroad rights-of-way or other interruption, (ii) the property
contains a single primary use, and (iii) the property is not used
for one-or two-family residential purposes. Tracts or platted lots
that are at cross corners or that are connected by narrow strips of
land too small to serve as emergency access easements shall not be
considered to be adjoining.
means the main or principal building located upon a single
zoning lot or the building in which the principal use of the business
is conducted.
means a sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent,
the premises or portions of the premises upon which the sign is placed.
means any district identified in the official zoning map
of the city for residential uses.
means any identification, description, illustration or device,
illuminated or non-illuminated, which is visible to the general public
and directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person,
institution, business or solicitation, or any emblem, painting, flag,
banner, pennant or placard designed to advertise, identify or convey
information.
means a sign used to identify a particular subdivision.
means a temporary off-premises sign used to direct traffic
to a residential section or subdivision or location in the city.
means a nonpermanent sign erected, affixed or maintained
on premises for a short, usually fixed, period of time.
means an imaginary triangle which has two sides which start
at the center point of the intersection of two streets, along the
curb line and measuring ten (10) feet in length down each respective
street along the nearest edge of the driving surface. The line connecting
the end points of these two lines forms the third side of the triangle.
Any signage placed in the visibility triangle will be allowed as long
as it allows an unobstructed view from zero to ten feet in height
from the nearest level of the ground. See diagram attached as exhibit
A [not printed herein].
means a sign attached directly to an exterior wall of a building
or dependent upon a building for support with the exposed face of
the sign located in a place substantially parallel to such exterior
building wall to which the sign is attached or supported by. It includes
letters, words, and characters painted on or attached directly to
the roof. Awning, canopy, marquee and letter signs shall be considered
wall signs for purposes of calculating the maximum effective area.
means a sign containing no advertising material and warning
the public of the existence of danger.
means a sign which is attached to the window and includes
window displays, but does not include signs attached to windows which
have been altered to prevent all light penetration.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
4)
(a)
Permit required.
No sign shall be erected, constructed
or relocated within the city, or its extraterritorial jurisdiction,
until a permit for such sign has been issued and the permit fee is
paid, except as otherwise provided in this article.
(b)
Permit application.
A person shall file an application
with the building official on forms provided by the city. An application
for a sign permit shall include a drawing, to scale, of the proposed
sign and all existing signs maintained on the premises and visible
from the right-of-way, a drawing of the lot plan or building facade
indicating the proposed location of the sign(s), and sign specifications.
(d)
Permit issuance or denial.
The building official shall,
within ten (10) working days of the date of the application, either
approve or deny the application or refer the application back to the
applicant in any instance where insufficient information has been
furnished. The building official shall deny an application if it does
not comply with the requirements of this article. A denial and the
reasons for the denial shall be noted on the application, and the
applicant shall be notified of the denial by notice mailed to the
applicant at the address shown on the application or the last known
address.
(e)
Maintenance and repairs.
All signs shall be maintained
in good structural condition, in compliance with all building and
electrical codes, and in conformance with this article, at all times.
No permit shall be required to perform routine maintenance or changing
of parts or copy of a sign, provided that the maintenance or change
of parts does not alter the gross surface area, height or otherwise
render the sign nonconforming with the requirements of this article.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
5; Ordinance adopted 1/8/01 [1]; Ordinance adopted 1/8/01 [2]; Ordinance adopting 2020 Code)
(a)
No
sign shall be illuminated to an intensity to cause glare or brightness
to a degree that could constitute a hazard or nuisance. Moving, flashing,
intermittently lighted, changing color, strobe lights, rotating beacons,
revolving or similarly constructed signs are prohibited. Under no
circumstances shall a sign constitute a traffic hazard.
(b)
Signs
shall not display gestures or words which are obscene as defined in
this article.
(c)
No
person shall paint a sign, other than a nameplate and address showing
the street number, to a fence, railing or wall which is not a structural
part of the building in or facing a residential zoning district, whether
or not on the property line.
(d)
No
person shall attach any sign, paper or material, or paint, stencil
or write any name or number (except house or street address numbers),
or otherwise mark on any public sidewalk, curb, gutter or street.
(e)
No
person shall attach, erect or maintain any sign upon any public utility
pole or structure, nor on any tree that is located on public land
or in a public right-of-way.
(f)
No
person shall attach, erect or maintain a sign over or in public rights-of-way.
No sign shall be erected in the right-of-way except movement control,
traffic-control devices, street signs or directional signs placed
by the city or state.
(g)
No
sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free
ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign
of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
(h)
No
sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct
free and clear vision or at any location where by reason of position,
shape, color, degree, or manner or intensity of illumination it may
interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(i)
No
sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to interfere
with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic-control
device.
(j)
No
sign shall make use of words, phrases, symbols or characters, or employ
any lamp or light, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead
or confuse traffic.
(k)
Billboards
are prohibited.
(l)
A
sign located in a residential area shall not contain a commercial
message.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
6)
Vehicular signs shall conform to the following restrictions:
(1)
It
shall be unlawful to attach any sign advertising anything other than
the name of a special event or company and the service it provides
to a trailer, skid, or similar mobile structure or vehicle, where
the primary use of said attachment is to provide a base for such sign
or constitute the sign itself. This provision does not restrict the
identification signs on vehicles used for any bona fide business activity.
(2)
Signs
attached to or upon any vehicle shall be prohibited where any such
vehicle is allowed to remain parked in the same location, or in the
same vicinity, at frequent or extended periods of time, where the
intent is apparent to be one of using the vehicle and signs for purposes
of advertising an establishment, service or product.
(3)
It
shall be prima facie evidence that a sign is used to advertise a product
or direct people to a business or activity if the vehicle or trailer
is parked in the same location for a continuous period exceeding seventy-two
(72) hours.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
7)
The provisions in this section shall apply to political signs
in the city. Political signs shall comply with the following restrictions:
(1)
The
sign shall be placed on private property and not be placed in a public
right-of-way.
(2)
The
sign shall be removed no later than the seventh (7th) day after the
election.
(3)
The
gross surface area of the sign shall be not more than thirty-two (32)
square feet per side.
(4)
The
sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
(5)
Portable
signs are permitted for use as political signs.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
8)
Pole signs are subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Each
premises or lot shall have no more than one (1) pole sign per street
frontage.
(2)
No
pole sign may exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height except that pole
signs on properties fronting onto S.H. 199 shall not exceed fifty
(50) feet in height.
(3)
Pole
signs may be located next to, but not into, the public right-of-way
provided that the sign does not create a hazard to traffic or pedestrians.
If placed on a corner, the sign shall not be placed in the visibility
triangle.
(4)
Premises
containing two (2) or more businesses, as permitted by individual
certificate of occupancy permits, may have one (1) pole sign which
advertises multiple occupants.
(5)
Pole
signs are prohibited in areas designated for residential use.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
9)
Monument signs are subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Each
premises shall have no more than one (1) monument sign.
(2)
No
monument sign may exceed thirty-five (35) square feet of gross surface
area for each side.
(3)
Monument
signs may be located next to but not into the public right-of-way
provided that the sign does not create a hazard to traffic or pedestrians,
or if placed on a corner such sign shall not be placed in the visibility
triangle.
(4)
Structures
containing two (2) or more businesses, as permitted by individual
certificate of occupancy permits, may have one (1) monument sign which
advertises multiple occupants.
(5)
Monument
signs are prohibited in areas designated for residential use.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
10)
Wall signs are subject to the following regulations:
(1)
(A)
The front and all sides of a building or leasable space abutting
a public street shall be measured to determine the amount of wall
signage permitted by using the following formula: Width x Height x
15%.
(B)
For buildings or leasable space with a wall height of less than twenty
feet (20'), measured from ground level to the bottom of the roof line,
the following method of measurement shall be used: Width x 20 Feet
x 15%.
(2)
For
multi-occupant structures only the area of leasable space shall be
used to determine maximum allowable signage.
(3)
All
wall signs and sign copy shall be mounted parallel to the building
surface to which they are attached, and shall project no more than
eighteen (18) inches from the building surface.
(4)
Signs
attached to fences shall be calculated as part of the maximum amount
of wall signage and shall be in conformance with the requirements
of this article.
(5)
Wall
signs are prohibited in areas designated for residential use.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
11)
Awning, canopy, marquee and letter signs are subject to the
following regulations:
(1)
Awning,
canopy, marquee and letter signs are calculated as part of the allowed
wall signage.
(2)
These
signs are prohibited in areas designated for residential use.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
12)
(a)
Temporary
signs are subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
Temporary signs in residential zoning districts classified as multifamily
shall be erected for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days per calendar
year.
(2)
Temporary signs in nonresidential zoning districts shall be erected
for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days. The temporary sign shall
be removed in its entirety for a minimum of sixty (60) days prior
to the issuance of a new permit.
(b)
Portable
signs are subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Portable signs shall be erected for a period not to exceed sixty
(60) days per calendar year.
(2)
No portable sign shall be converted to a permanent sign.
(3)
Portable signs must be removed within three (3) days of termination
of the activity, service, product or sale which is advertised on the
sign.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
13)
Construction signs are allowed in all zoning districts and are
subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
One
temporary on-site construction sign per contractor, financier, architect,
engineer or to advertise the coming of a new residential development
on the premises to which the sign pertains is allowed.
(2)
Such
signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of a building or
development permit for the project to which the sign pertains and
must be removed at the time of final approval of the construction
or development by the building official.
(3)
Such
signage shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet per side or exceed
six (6) feet in height.
(4)
Two
(2) temporary off-site construction signs are allowed for residential
subdivisions. Developers may erect one (1) temporary off-site construction
sign until eighty (80) percent of the lots in the advertised subdivision
are built. The second off-site construction sign may remain up to
one year after the subdivision has been accepted by the city or until
eighty (80) percent of the lots in the advertised subdivision are
built, whichever comes first. Off-premises signs shall not exceed
thirty-five (35) feet in height. The gross surface area shall not
exceed thirty-two (32) square feet for each side.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
14)
Signs identifying a residentially zoned subdivision are allowed
and are subject to the following restrictions:
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
15)
Real estate signs are allowed in all zoning districts and are
regulated under the following restrictions:
(1)
Developed property.
(A)
One (1) real estate sign is allowed on each street frontage.
(B)
No off-premises real estate signs are allowed in residentially zoned
developed subdivisions.
(C)
The total gross surface area of each sign shall not exceed sixteen
(16) square feet per side.
(D)
Each sign shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height.
(2)
Undeveloped property.
Real estate signs may be erected
on undeveloped property as follows:
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
16)
Off premises temporary real estate directional signs are allowed
in all zoning districts and are subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
A
permit is required prior to the placement of temporary real estate
directional signs.
(2)
The
applicant shall place no more than twenty-five (25) temporary real
estate signs at a time.
(3)
Each
sign shall have a city-issued identification sticker affixed to the
face of the sign.
(4)
Signs
shall not constitute a traffic hazard or impair visibility.
(5)
Temporary
real estate directional signs shall not be placed in the right-of-way.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
17)
The following signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts
and do not require a permit and must meet all other requirements of
this article:
(1)
Protective
signs that have as their purpose the protection of life and property.
(2)
Signs
or marks giving information about the location of underground electric
transmission lines, telegraph or telephone properties and facilities,
pipelines, public sewers or water lines or other public utilities.
(3)
Signs
erected by an agency of the state or a political subdivision of the
state.
(4)
The
display of a national flag or state flag, emblem, insignia, legal
notices or informational, directional or traffic signs which are legally
required or necessary to the essential functions of government agencies
(state, federal, or City of Reno). Flags are permitted in all zoning
districts except that each flag in a residentially zoned district
shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height.
(5)
Signs
with street names and/or street numbers.
(6)
Memorial
signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut
into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible
materials.
(7)
Temporary
or portable decorative displays for holidays, public demonstrations,
or civic, school or religious events, or community service announcements
which do not contain advertising.
(8)
Signs
which state the name of the company which constructed a fence, not
to exceed one (1) square foot in size.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
18)
(a)
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this article, any sign that may display a commercial
message may also display a noncommercial message, either in place
of or in addition to the commercial message, so long as the sign complies
with the other requirements of this article and other city ordinances.
(b)
Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this article or other ordinance, any sign
that may display one type of noncommercial message may also display
any other type of noncommercial message, so long as the sign complies
with the other requirements of this article and other city ordinances.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
19)
Air navigation facilities such as directional beacons are allowed
and a permit is required.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
20)
Any sign lawfully existing or under construction on the effective
date of this article which does not conform to one or more of the
provisions of this article may be continued in operation and maintained
as a legal nonconforming sign. A nonconforming sign shall be allowed
to remain until such time as:
(1)
The
sign is abandoned;
(2)
The
property owner or tenant changes or alters the sign in any manner
other than by normal maintenance to the configuration existing at
the time of enactment of this article; or
(3)
It
is determined by the building official that the sign is a threat to
health, safety, or welfare of the citizens.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
21)
Signs erected without a permit, or otherwise maintained in violation
of this article, are illegal signs. It shall be unlawful to maintain
any illegal sign.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
22)
(a)
Deteriorated signs.
Pursuant to Texas Health and Safety
Code chapter 342, as amended, a sign that is visible from a public
place and that is dilapidated, deteriorated, unsafe, insecure, or
is a hazard to the health or safety of the public is hereby declared
a public nuisance. The nuisance shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation,
demolition or removal in accordance with these procedures and as provided
by law.
(b)
Abandoned signs.
Pursuant to Texas Health and Safety
Code, chapter 342, as amended, a sign that is abandoned and is visible
from a public place is hereby declared a public nuisance. The nuisance
shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in
accordance with these procedures and as provided by law.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
23)
(a)
If
the building official shall determine that any sign is dilapidated,
deteriorated, unsafe, insecure, or is a hazard to the public, he shall
give written notice to the property owner, lessee or sign erector
to repair, replace or remove such sign. If the property owner, lessee
or sign erector fails to remove or repair the sign within ten (10)
days after such notice, the building official shall remove the sign
at the expense of the owner of the property upon which the sign is
located. The building official shall cause any sign which is an immediate
hazard to persons to be removed without notice and the cost of same
shall be paid by the property owner.
(b)
Any
sign which is removed by the building official pursuant to this section
shall be impounded and stored by the building official. Records of
where such signs are located and when removed shall be kept. The building
official shall send a letter to the owner of such sign, if known,
or, if not known, to the owner or person in control of the premises
where such sign was located, giving notice of such impoundment.
(c)
The
building officer shall hold the sign in storage for at least thirty
(30) days after notice of impoundment has been mailed. Any sign may
be redeemed by the owner upon payment of the costs of removal of and
hauling the sign to storage by the building official.
(d)
Any
sign not reclaimed by the owner thereof within thirty (30) days of
the mailing of the notice of impoundment shall be disposed of in accordance
with applicable law.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
24)
(a)
The city hereby assesses the expenses incurred pursuant to section 4.06.024 of this article against the real estate on which the nuisance is abated, and [shall] charge the owner of the property for the same. The city shall send the owner of the property upon which the work was done a notice. The notice shall include:
(1)
An identification of the property;
(2)
A description of the violation;
(3)
A statement that the city abated the condition;
(4)
A statement of the city’s charges and expenses in abating the
condition;
(5)
An explanation of the property owner’s right to request a hearing
within ten (10) days; and
(6)
A statement that, in the event the owner fails or refuses to pay
the expense within thirty (30) days after the 1st day of the month
following the one in which the work was done, the city shall obtain
a lien against the property by filing with the county clerk of the
appropriate county a statement of the expenses so incurred.
(b)
The
lien is security for the expenditures made and interest accruing at
the rate of ten (10) percent per annum from the date of payment by
the city.
(c)
When
the statement is filed, the city shall have a privileged lien on the
property, second only to tax liens and liens for street improvements.
(d)
For
any such expenditures and interest, suit may be instituted and recovery
and foreclosure had by the city. The statement of expenses or a certified
copy thereof is prima facie proof of the expenses incurred by the
city in doing the work or making the improvements, all as more particularly
specified in Texas Health and Safety Code Ann. section 342.007, as
amended, which is adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
25)
(a)
Any
appeal from a decision of the building official under the terms of
this article shall be made to the city council.
(b)
The
city council will conduct a hearing if the property owner submits
a written request within ten (10) days of the notice. The board may
find, if a preponderance of the evidence presented so shows, that
the charges are erroneous and may adjust the charges.
(Ordinance adopted 10/2/00, sec.
26)
