Any sign located within 25 feet of a nonbusiness district boundary shall conform to the requirements of nonbusiness zoning district signs found in division 3 of this article.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7, 5-13-1997]
Detached signs are permitted in business districts (those districts zoned C-1, C-2, I-1, and I-2) as follows:
(1) 
a. 
Each separately owned premises with frontage along only one public right-of-way, including both premises with one user and shopping centers and other properties with multiple tenants, is permitted to erect a maximum of either: (1) one detached monument sign, or (2) one detached pole sign, subject to the limits provided in this chapter, and further subject to the limitations specified in this section.
b. 
Each separately owned premises with at least 100 feet of frontage along each of two or more public rights-of-way, including both premises with one user and shopping centers and other properties with multiple tenants, is permitted to erect a maximum of either: (1) two detached monument signs, or (2) one detached pole sign and one detached monument sign, subject to the limits provided in this chapter, and further subject to the limitations specified in this section. If the owner of a property meeting the qualifications contained in this subsection elects to erect the maximum of two detached signs, the two detached signs allowed may not be placed adjacent to the same public right-of-way.
(2) 
Monument signs shall be subject to the following limits:
a. 
Maximum size: 60 square feet.
b. 
Maximum height: 12 feet.
c. 
Setbacks:
1. 
Fifteen feet from street right-of-way (provided, however, that this distance may be reduced with building official approval to no less than three feet from street right-of-way based upon exigent circumstances, such as interference from trees, power lines, easements and other obstructions).
2. 
Ten feet from property lines other than those property lines fronting the street right-of-way.
3. 
Five hundred feet from any other detached sign on the same property, calculated by measuring in a straight line between the two detached signs on the property, regardless of whether the two signs are adjacent to two different public rights-of-way.
4. 
Fifteen feet from any drive approach.
(3) 
Pole signs shall be subject to the following limits:
a. 
Maximum size: The maximum sign size for a lot with 200 linear feet of street frontage or less will be no more than one square foot of sign area per linear foot of street frontage. The maximum sign size for a lot with more than 200 linear feet of street frontage will be 200 square feet, plus an additional one square feet of sign area for each additional 50 feet of street frontage. Maximum size shall not exceed 300 feet.
b. 
Maximum height: 25 feet.
c. 
Setbacks:
1. 
Ten feet from street right-of-way (provided, however, that this distance may be reduced with building official approval to no less than three feet from street right-of-way based upon exigent circumstances, such as interference from trees, power lines, easements and other obstructions).
2. 
Ten feet from property lines other than those property lines fronting the street right-of-way.
3. 
Five hundred feet from any other detached sign on the same property, calculated by measuring in a straight line between the two detached signs on the property, regardless of whether the two signs are adjacent to two different public rights-of-way.
4. 
Fifteen feet from any drive approach.
5. 
Two detached signs are permitted
(4) 
Nothing contained in this chapter notwithstanding, if any business is entitled to erect more than one detached sign on any lot, the maximum size of the smaller sign shall be the lesser of the limits allowed elsewhere in this section and 50 percent of the square footage allowed in this section for the larger sign.
Other provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, any business or property owner that is entitled to erect a pole sign under this chapter, or which maintains a pole sign as a legal, non-conforming use, shall be entitled to erect, in lieu of such pole sign, a monument sign, including an electronic message center, of like size, subject to the restrictions on such signs are, height, setback, and location provided in this chapter for monument signs.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7(A), 5-13-1997; Ord. No. 924-02, § 2, 2-12-2002; Ord. No. 981-04, § 2, 3-23-2004; Ord. No. 1028-05, § 3, 9-27-2005]
Attached signs are permitted in business areas in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) 
Location.
All signs and any figure, graphic design, picture, letter, word, or symbol on such sign shall be mounted parallel to the building surface to which they are attached, and shall project no more than 18 inches from that surface. No sign shall be mounted on or attached to the roof surface or support members, and no part of any sign shall project directly above the roof of a building.
(2) 
Effective area.
Attached signs shall not exceed the following schedules:
a. 
An attached sign located at a height of 36 feet or less, the sign area is limited to one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage not to exceed 300 square feet.
b. 
An attached sign located above a height of 36 feet shall be permitted an increase in maximum effective area. Such increases shall not exceed four square feet in effective area for each additional one foot of height above 36 feet measured from the base of the sign. Signs may be increased to a maximum size of 400 square feet.
c. 
Attached signs may be located on each facade; however, the sum of the effective area of all attached signs shall not exceed twice the allowable effective areas specified in subsections (2)a. and b. of this section. The maximum sum of effective area for signs is as follows:
1. 
The maximum sum of effective area for signs located 36 feet or less in height shall be 300 square feet.
2. 
The maximum sum of effective area of signs located at a height above 36 feet shall be 400 square feet.
(3) 
Canopies.
Signs shall not be attached to canopies (e.g., service station canopies). However, signs may be stenciled or painted on the canopy provided that a permit is issued for an attached sign.
(4) 
Industrial zoned property.
Buildings located within an area zoned I-1 or I-2 are allowed attached signs as follows:
a. 
Height: Letter/logo
Wall Height Above Grade
(Feet)
Maximum Letter Height
(Inches)
0—50
48
50—100
60
100—150
72
150—200
84
Above 200
96
b. 
Area:
Maximum Letter/Logo Height
(Inches)
Maximum Area
(Square Feet)
48
200
60
250
72
300
84
350
96
400
1. 
Horizontal and vertical signs shall not exceed 75 percent of the wall width (or height, if vertical) of such building or store front.
2. 
One letter or one logo may be 25 percent taller than maximum letter/logo height.
c. 
Number.
There shall be one sign per elevation per business.
(5) 
Awning, marquee and letter signs.
a. 
Awning, canopy, marquee and letter signs are permitted in nonresidential zoning districts, provided that awning, canopy, marquee and letter signs are calculated as part of the maximum permitted attached signage.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7(B), 5-13-1997; Ord. No. 1028-05, § 4, 9-27-2005; Ord. No. 1041-06, § 12, 1-10-2006]
(a) 
Banner signs.
(1) 
Application and permit fee.
No banner signs will be permitted without a permit, which will not be granted except as expressly permitted by this section. The permit application for the sign must include the date the sign will be placed on display, the date the sign will be removed, a drawing showing the location of the sign, and a description of the method by which such sign will be anchored or affixed to the adjacent structures. The permit fees for erecting and displaying temporary banner signs as provided herein shall be as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
(2) 
Size, materials, placement and anchoring.
Banner signs may be either single or double sided. The area of banner signs shall not exceed 40 square feet per side. Banner signs shall be constructed of cloth or canvas material and must be anchored in such a way that would prevent the sign from moving freely in the wind. Banner signs must be affixed either to the primary structure or between permanent poles outside of any right-of-way or easement, must comply with all setback regulations, may not be located in any public right-of-way or visibility triangle, and, when viewed from any public right-of-way, may not block visibility of any traffic control or device, or of any portion of a public right-of-way.
(3) 
New business advertising banners.
During the first six months of occupancy and operation, upon application and receipt of a permit, a business shall be permitted to erect one temporary banner sign, or, if such business is located with street frontage on two streets, two temporary banner signs, upon obtaining a permit from the city. A new permit for such a sign shall not be issued within thirty (30) days of the date that any temporary banner sign was previously displayed at the occupancy. Upon application and receipt of a permit, during the second six-month period of operation, a business would be permitted to erect one temporary banner sign for a maximum of 30 days. Such permit may be renewed only once during such six-month period. Such permit periods may run sequentially.
(4) 
Existing business advertising banners.
A business that is not a new business as defined in this chapter shall be permitted to erect one temporary banner sign at an occupancy three times per calendar year. Such signs shall be erected a maximum of 15 days for each permit. A new permit, for such a sign, shall not be issued within 30 days of the date that any temporary banner sign was displayed at the property.
(5) 
Going out of business advertising banners.
A business may display a "going out of business" or "store closing" banner, or similar message, one time during the existence of that business. Such signs shall be erected a maximum of 60 days.
(b) 
Balloons, streamers and flags.
(1) 
Application and permit fee.
No balloons, streamers or flags (other than standard size U.S., Texas, city and corporate flags, which shall be governed by section 62-141) will be permitted without a permit, which will not be granted except as expressly permitted by this section. The permit application must include the date the balloons, streamers or flags will be placed on display, the date the balloons, streamers or flags will be removed, a drawing showing the location of the balloons, streamers or flags, and a description of the method by which such sign will be anchored or affixed to the adjacent structures. The permit fees for erecting and displaying temporary banner signs as provided herein shall be as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code, provided, however, that if a business has requested a permit for a temporary banner sign as permitted in this chapter, no additional permit fees shall be required.
(2) 
Size, materials, placement and anchoring.
The maximum size of permitted balloons shall be 80 inches in circumference at the widest point, and the maximum number of permitted balloons shall be 50; the maximum size of permitted streamers shall be 18 inches in height and 36 inches in length, and the maximum number of permitted streamers shall be ten; and the maximum size of permitted flags shall be 48 inches in height and 72 inches in length, and the maximum number of permitted flags shall be ten. All such items must be outside of any right-of-way or easement, must comply with all setback regulations, may not be located in any public right-of-way or visibility triangle, and, when viewed from any public right-of-way, may not block visibility of any traffic control or device, or of any portion of a public right-of-way.
(3) 
New business advertising balloons, streamers and flags.
Upon application and receipt of a permit, balloons, streamers, and flags would be permitted for a maximum of 30 days within the first six months following the date of opening of a new business.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7(C), 5-13-1997; Ord. No. 1074-06, § 2, 12-12-2006]
(a) 
Owners and occupants may erect nonilluminated real estate sale signs until the ownership has been transferred. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet and shall be located no closer than ten feet from any property line. No more than one sign shall be located for every two acres in a tract of land or portion thereof. No permit or permit fee is required.
(b) 
Owners may erect signs that advertise the sale, lease or rent of the property on which the sign is located. Once 75 percent of the property has been rented or leased the sign must be removed. Signs must be spaced a minimum of 50 feet apart and there shall be no more than four signs per lot. Each sign shall not exceed 36 square feet in effective area. Permits allowing such signs shall be limited to a period of one year from the date of permit issuance. Signs allowed under this section shall be deemed a privilege of ownership and the right to erect any such sign shall be with the owner rather than any particular agent. Authorization by the owner to an agent to erect such signs, shall be dated and signed by the owner. Signs erected under the provisions of this subsection shall be located a minimum of ten feet from all property lines.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7(D), 5-13-1997]
Builders and developers may erect one temporary construction sign. Such signs are intended to identify the contractor, financier, architects or engineers or to advertise the name and use of the construction project on which the sign is located. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of a building or utility construction permit for the property to which the sign pertains. The sign must be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or letter of acceptance of the utility construction work from the city. Such signs shall conform to the following provisions:
(a) 
Maximum size: 100 square feet.
(b) 
Maximum height: 12 feet.
(c) 
Setbacks: 15 feet from the street right-of-way.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7(E), 5-13-1997]
(a) 
Application and permit fee.
No temporary portable signs will be permitted without a permit, which will not be granted except as expressly permitted by this section. The permit application for the sign must include the date the sign will be placed on display, the date the sign will be removed, and a drawing showing the location of the sign. The permit fees for displaying temporary portable signs as provided herein shall be as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
(b) 
Size, materials and placement.
Temporary portable signs may be either single or double sided. The area of banner signs shall not exceed 40 square feet per side. Temporary portable signs must be constructed of durable material, be in good condition, and placed outside of any right-of-way or easement, must comply with all setback regulations, may not be located in any public right-of-way or visibility triangle, and, when viewed from any public right-of-way, may not block visibility of any traffic control or device, or of any portion of a public right-of-way. Temporary portable signs may be off-premises signs, provided, however, that prior to the issuance of an off-premises temporary sign permit, the applicant must submit a notarized statement from the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located authorizing the placement of the sign on the property.
(c) 
New business temporary portable signs.
Upon application and receipt of a permit, during the first initial 12 months of operation, a new business may erect or display one temporary portable sign for a maximum of 40 days. Such permit may be renewed only twice during such 12-month period, and no permit shall be issued within 80 days of the date that the temporary portable sign was previously displayed.
(d) 
Existing business temporary portable signs.
Upon application and receipt of a permit, during the first initial 12 months of operation, a new business may erect one temporary portable sign one time a year for a maximum of 15 days.
(e) 
Use of temporary portable signs for city purposes.
The city may erect or display one temporary portable sign at any time and for such time to inform the public regarding current governmental issues and upcoming municipal and civic events, if such use is approved by either (1) any city board, committee and the city manager; or (2) as directed or requested by the city council.
[Ord. No. 817-97, § 7(F), 5-13-1997; Ord. No. 1074-06, § 3, 12-12-2006; Ord. No. 1143-09, § 1, 4-28-2009]
(a) 
Permitted.
An electronic message center may be constructed, in whole or in part, as only with approval of the city council. No electronic message center will be permitted without a permit, which will not be granted except as expressly permitted by this section. The permit application for the sign must include the date the sign will be placed on display, a description of the design of the sign and the materials form which it will be constructed, and a drawing showing the location of the sign. The permit fees for displaying temporary portable signs as provided herein shall be as provided in the fee schedule. Except as provided in this section, electronic message centers shall not be permitted in the city. Except as provided otherwise herein, any electronic message center shall be included in calculating the allowable signage for the subject property.
(b) 
Exemptions from council approval.
The city and the Birdville Independent School District may, upon issuance of the appropriate permit, display one permanent electronic message center at each separate facility, in addition to any other permitted signs, for the purpose of informing the public of upcoming public events and ceremonies, without the separate consent of the city council.
(c) 
Size, materials and placement.
Such permitted electronic message center may flash, change color and scroll, regardless of other provision of this chapter. Any electronic message center may be either single or double sided. The area of such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet per side. Such sign may be either a pole sign or a monument sign, and shall conform to the appropriate height requirements for such type of sign. Any permitted electronic message center must be constructed of durable material, be in good condition, and placed outside of any right-of-way or easement, must comply with all setback regulations, may not be located in any public right-of-way or visibility triangle, and, when viewed from any public right-of-way, may not block visibility of any traffic control or device, or of any portion of a public right-of-way. Only one electronic message center shall be allowed on any lot.
[Ord. No. 981-04, § 3, 3-23-2004; Ord. No. 1074-06, § 4, 12-12-2006]
During the initial 12 months of operation, a business fronting Highway 121 which is located in the I-1 Light Industrial or I-2 Heavy Industrial zoning districts may erect and display along such Highway 121 frontage one air-supported structure. Such structure shall not exceed 25 feet in height or eight feet in width or length. Such structure shall not contain any signs or lettering of any form, including the name of the business, a description of merchandise or services being sold, or pricing, except words such as "Now Open", "Grand Opening" or other words indicating that the business has opened. The permit fees for erecting or displaying a temporary air-supported structure as provided herein shall be as provided in the fee schedule.
[Ord. No. 1074-06, § 5, 12-12-2006]
(a) 
In addition to the sign or signs otherwise permitted by this chapter, owners of a lot zoned as a commercial (C-1 restricted commercial, C-2 general commercial, and/or C-3 multi-story general commercial) zoning district, or as an industrial (I-1 light industrial or I-2 heavy industrial) zoning district, and/or a PUD planned unit development zoning district may erect and maintain the following additional signs:
(1) 
No more than three non-illuminated signs each not to exceed three square feet in size on the lot directly relating to the sale, lease or proposed sale or lease of mineral rights regarding such lot; and
(2) 
One non-illuminated banner sign directly relating to the sale, lease or proposed sale or lease of mineral rights regarding such lot, not to exceed 40 square feet in size. For purposes of this section only, the term "banner sign" shall include plastic inserts specifically designed for chain link fencing signage, which may be affixed to a chain link fence to display the appropriate message.
No permit or permit fee is required.
(b) 
Such additional signs shall be permitted for the greater of the following:
(1) 
One hundred eighty days each calendar year; or
(2) 
Until such time as the sale or lease is concluded, or until negotiations regarding the proposed sale or lease are concluded.
(c) 
On lots where a sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, any such sign shall be located between the sidewalk and the primary structure, and no closer than three feet to the edge of such sidewalk. On lots where no sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, the sign shall be located at least three feet from the edge of the street pavement. Each such sign shall be located so as not to interfere with any driveway, fire lane, or required parking spaces.
[Ord. No. 1127-08, § 1, 10-14-2008]