A.
Except
where the context clearly indicates to the contrary, the following
words and phrases shall have the indicated meaning when used in this
Chapter:
1.
Apartment or mobile home park identification sign:
A permanent on-premise sign for the identification of an apartment
building, housing complex, or mobile home park.
2.
Apartment or mobile home park information sign:
A sign providing direction for access or parking of vehicles or direction
to the office or the manager of the project, and may include public
safety signs such as fire lane and parking regulations.
3.
Banner:
A temporary sign composed of lightweight,
flexible material on which letters, symbols or pictures are painted
or printed.
4.
Billboard:
An off-premise sign directing attention
to a business, activity, commodity, service, entertainment or communication,
none of which are conducted, sold, or offered on the premises where
the billboard is located.
5.
Building frontage:
The length of a building
wall.
6.
Canopy:
A permanent roof-like shelter extending
from part or all of a building or independent of a building, including
any rigid material or cloth or fabric supported by a structural frame.
7.
Canopy sign:
A sign affixed to or supported
by a canopy.
8.
Construction sign:
A temporary on-premise sign
identifying any or all of the property owners, engineers, architects,
mortgagees or other participants in the construction or improvement
of the premises.
9.
Development sign:
A temporary on-premise sign
identifying and promoting one or more developments, projects or buildings
proposed or currently under construction.
10.
Directional sign:
A sign which contains only
information designed to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to
the location of a facility on the property on which the sign is located.
Such signs may include, but be not limited to, arrows, words or logos.
No goods or services for sale may be listed on a directional sign.
11.
Flag:
A sign made of cloth, bunting or similar
material, often attached to a pole, with specific colors, patterns,
or symbolic devices, used as a national, state or local symbol, or
to indicate membership in an organization.
12.
Freestanding sign:
A sign which is attached
to or a part of a completely self-supporting structure such as a frame
or one or more poles which is not attached to any building or any
other structure and is anchored firmly to or below the ground surface.
13.
Gasoline price sign:
A sign with changeable
copy letters and numbers or an electronic display without movement
affixed to a gasoline pump canopy or its supports or a freestanding
sign with the intent to display the current price of motor fuels.
14.
General business sign:
An on-premise sign which
identifies a business or which advertises or promotes a commodity
or service offered on the premises where such sign is located.
15.
Government sign:
A sign indicating public works
projects, public services or other programs or activities conducted
by any governmental agency.
16.
Ground sign:
Any sign which is attached to
either the ground or to a footing set flush with the ground with a
maximum height not to exceed 48 inches above adjacent grade.
17.
Institutional identification sign:
A sign for
the identification of a school, university, church, hospital or other
similar use.
18.
Institutional information sign:
A sign erected
on the premises of the institution to provide information as to the
program and services of the institution or to provide direction for
access, parking of vehicles or guidance to various elements or units
or to provide public safety information.
19.
Logo:
An identifying symbol used for advertising
purposes, which may or may not be a registered trademark or service
mark of the entity identified.
20.
Menu board:
A sign displaying the menu for
drive-up window service.
21.
Monument sign:
A sign with a display surface
that is an integral part of the support structure, which in turn is
affixed or permanently fixed in the ground, as contrasted to any other
freestanding sign that has separate support or supports attached to
the display surface. Any ground sign exceeding 48 inches in height
or any pole sign with less than nine feet of ground clearance shall
be considered a monument sign.
22.
Nameplate sign:
An on-premise sign showing
only the name and/or address of the occupant.
23.
Office identification sign:
An on-premise sign
which identifies an office building or any or all of the owners, occupants
or tenants of an office building and the services related thereto.
24.
Off-premise sign:
A signs which advertises
or directs attention to a business, product, service, or activity
which is not available on the premises where the sign is located.
25.
On-premise sign:
A sign which advertises or
directs attention to a business, product, service or activity which
is available on the premises where the sign is located.
26.
Pennant:
A display made of lightweight material
which tapers to a point, with or without logo or an advertising message
printed or painted on it.
27.
Political sign:
A temporary sign announcing
or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any
national, state or local election.
28.
Portable sign:
A sign not permanently affixed
or anchored to the ground or to a building or other structure and
which is designed to permit removal and reuse, and which includes
but is not limited to signs mounted on a trailer, wheeled carrier,
motorized and nonmotorized vehicle, or other portable structure. The
term "portable sign" shall specifically include an outdoor advertising
display located in or on a vehicle, except where:
a.
Such
a sign merely identifies the vehicle as belonging to such business
by displaying the name, address and/or telephone number of such business
and/or identifies the type of product or service offered by such business;
and
b.
The
primary use of such vehicle is for the daily transportation of products
or the delivery of services in connection with such business; and
c.
Such
vehicle is currently licensed and inspected in the State of Texas
and is in operable condition; however, if such vehicle remains parked
for longer than 72 hours in the same parking space, it shall be deemed
a portable sign.
29.
Projecting sign:
A sign which is attached or
affixed to a building, wall or structure other than a pole and which
extends more than 15 inches from such wall or structure.
30.
Reader board:
An on-premise sign announcing
events or identifying products and services offered, including cinema
signs, which is oriented to a street, the message of which is periodically
or continuously changed through manual or electronic means. "Reader
board sign" does not include time-temperature devices.
31.
Real estate sign:
A temporary sign pertaining
to the sale or lease of the premises, or a portion of the premises,
on which the sign is located.
32.
Retail shopping and/or office center:
A group
of four or more retail and office establishments which is planned
and developed as a business center with common access and parking.
33.
Roof sign:
A sign erected upon or above the
roof of a building.
34.
Setback:
The distance measured from a property
line to the closest point of the sign or its supporting structure.
35.
Sign:
Means any structure, object, device,
display or advertising artwork, situated outdoors or in a window,
visible from a public or private street or alley, which is used entirely
or in part to advertise, display, direct or attract attention to an
object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service,
event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures,
designs, logos, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images.
36.
Sign area:
The entire area within a single
continuous perimeter enclosing the actual message or display area
of a sign, and shall include the border and trim, but excluding supports.
Only one side of a double-faced sign is measured in calculating sign
area.
37.
Sign face:
Means that portion of the sign that
is or can be used to identify, display, advertise, or communicate
information, or for a visual representation which attracts or intends
to attract the attention of the public for any purpose.
38.
Sign height:
The vertical distance between
the highest point of the sign or its supporting structure and the
adjacent grade directly below the sign.
39.
Sign structure:
Means any structure which is
designed specifically for the purpose of supporting a sign, has supported,
or is capable of supporting a sign. This definition shall include
any decorative covers, braces, wires, supports, or components attached
to or placed around the sign structure.
40.
Sponsor panel:
A portion of a sign displaying
the name of a product, service or company offering goods or services
on-site or having a promotional relationship for events occurring
on the premises.
41.
Streamers:
A display made of light, flexible
materials, consisting of long, narrow, wavy strips with or without
a logo or advertising message printed or painted on them.
42.
Street frontage:
The length of the property
line of the premises immediately adjacent to a public or private street.
43.
Subdivision identification sign:
An identification
sign at the main entrance or entrances to a residential subdivision
or planned development project, provided that such sign shall not
exceed 200 square feet in area, may be indirectly illuminated and
shall make no reference to the sale or lease of the lots or houses
located within said identified subdivision.
44.
Time-temperature sign:
An electronic or mechanical
device which shows time and/or temperature but contains no business
identification or advertising.
45.
Visibility clearance areas:
Visibility clearance areas are triangular-shaped areas as defined in Section 10-1-10 of the Midland City Code and which are located at the intersection of street and alley rights-of-way and the intersection of streets and driveways.
46.
V-type sign:
A sign structure composed of two
signs with the faces oriented in opposite directions and in the general
shape of the letter "V," provided, however, that only one face can
be viewed from any one direction from any public street, and with
a maximum angle between the faces of 60 degrees.
47.
Wall sign:
A sign which is painted on or attached
directly to a fence or a building surface, including window areas
(translucent areas which are visible from a street or alley), that
extends not more than 15 inches from the face of the fence or wall.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
(A)
Permit
required.
A sign permit issued by the City building official
shall be required prior to the erection, repair, alteration or relocation
of a sign except for routine maintenance or repair. Acceptance of
the permit shall require compliance by the applicant with all applicable
regulations of Title IV of the Midland City Code, as amended, as well
as the regulations set forth in this Chapter.
(B)
Licensed
electrician required.
Any sign requiring a permit and incorporating any electrical lighting or wiring shall be installed, repaired, maintained, and removed by someone who is licensed and bonded for electrical sign work in the City of Midland in accordance with Chapter 4-2 of the Midland City Code, as amended.
(C)
Visibility
clearance area restrictions.
No sign shall be located,
installed, or otherwise maintained within any visibility clearance
area.
(D)
Similarity
to traffic control signs.
No sign shall be designed and/or
located so as to interfere with or confuse the control of traffic
on public rights-of-way.
(E)
No
beacons, etc.
No sign shall use a rotating beacon, beam
or flashing illumination resembling an emergency signal.
(F)
Minimum
ground clearance.
All signs except ground signs and monument
signs must maintain a minimum clearance from adjacent grade of nine
feet.
(G)
Artificially
increasing height.
No freestanding pole, ground, or monument
signs shall be placed on a berm or other structure so as to artificially
increase the height above the maximum allowed.
(H)
Projection
into right-of-way.
No sign shall be erected so as to project into the public right-of-way of any street or alley. It shall be a defense to a violation of this Section 11-7-2(H) if:
(1)
The sign is located in a C-1 Central Area District; and
(2)
The sign does not extend outward from any building face to the public
right-of-way for a distance of more than ten feet or less than 18
inches of the street curb, whichever is more restrictive; and
(3)
The sign has a minimum clearance of nine feet above the sidewalk
grade or ground level.
(I)
Illumination
restrictions.
Light from any source intended to illuminate
a sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed in such a way so that
the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect the vision
of pedestrian or vehicle operators on public or private streets, driveways,
or parking areas, or operators of aircraft in the approach path to
any airport runway, and shall not adversely affect any of the surrounding
premises. Illumination from any sign shall not interfere with the
effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal or device.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
(A)
Purpose.
The purpose of a master sign plan is to allow a property owner
or developer, subject to approval of the City, the option of designating
an area that will allow flexibility in sign location due to peculiarities
in the location or configuration of parcels of real property, such
as parcels with no street frontage, or multiple parcels organized
into combined uses, or to allow creative sign management in exchange
for a cumulative reduction in sign area, sign height or the total
number of signs.
(B)
Minimum
requirements.
To qualify for a master sign plan, an area
must:
(C)
Required
submittals.
In order to obtain a master sign plan, the
owner(s) of the property located within the proposed master sign plan
area must sign and submit an application to the City's department
of engineering and development, planning division, on a form provided
by the planning division, which application must be accompanied by
the following:
(1)
A site plan showing the proposed boundaries of the master sign plan
area.
(2)
A site plan showing the location of all existing or proposed freestanding
signs.
(3)
A table showing the type, square footage and heights of each sign
indicated on the site plan.
(4)
The application fee established by the City for the processing of
such applications.
|
Upon completion of the application, the planning division shall
forward the master sign plan to the planning and zoning commission
for final consideration.
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(D)
When
effective.
A master sign plan shall not become effective
until all owners of the property within the master sign plan area
have signed an agreement which indicate the property owners' agreement
that:
(1)
The master sign plan can be amended only by the written consent of
all parties or their successors, and the City.
(2)
The agreement is binding on all successors in interest to the property
within the master sign plan area.
(3)
Each party waives any right to apply for or install any sign inconsistent
with the provisions of the master sign plan, even though such sign
might otherwise be allowed under this Chapter.
(E)
Single
premises.
Once approved, the area described in the master
sign plan will be deemed to be a single premises for the purpose of
determining whether a sign is an on-premise sign. A sign which advertises
a use on a lot within the master sign plan area which is not a use
which occurs on that lot shall be termed a master sign plan ("MSP")
sign. The use advertised on an MSP sign shall be defined as an MSP
use.
(F)
City
review of signs.
All freestanding signs included within
a master sign plan area shall be individually subject to review and
approval of placement, size and height, as approved by the City of
Midland.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
(A)
Required
identification sign.
Every residence and/or business location shall be adequately identified by a nameplate sign indicating a street address, e.g., street numbers and/or street name, in accordance with Chapter 9-2 of this Code. A nameplate sign shall not exceed two square feet in area. House number and nameplate signs which comply with this subsection (A) or with Section 9-2-5 of this Code shall be exempt from the permitting requirement of Section 11-7-2.
(B)
Institutional
identification and institutional information signs.
No
more than one freestanding identification sign or institutional information
sign may be installed on each street frontage. The maximum sign area
of all institutional identification or institutional information signs
located on a premises shall collectively not exceed 150 square feet.
(C)
Apartment
and mobile home park identification signs.
No more than
one freestanding or wall-type apartment identification sign or mobile
home park identification sign shall be placed or installed on each
street frontage of the premises. The maximum sign area of each apartment
identification sign or mobile home park identification sign shall
be 64 square feet.
(D)
Directional
signs.
In addition to such other signs that may be allowed
by this Chapter, a maximum of one directional sign is allowed for
each street access to a premises. No directional sign may exceed a
sign area of 24 square feet or a height of 48 inches above adjacent
grade; except that a directional sign with a property line setback
of ten feet or more may exceed 48 inches in height.
(E)
Monument
signs.
All monument signs must be installed or constructed with a minimum ten-foot setback from the front property line. For purposes of this subsection (E), each street frontage on a lot shall be considered a front property line for determining setback requirements.
(F)
Banners.
In addition to such other signs as may be allowed by this Chapter,
banners may be displayed on premises for a period not to exceed 60
consecutive calendar days if:
(G)
Pennants
and streamers.
In addition to such other signs as may
be allowed by this Chapter, pennants and streamers may be displayed
on premises for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive calendar days,
but only if the pennants or streamers are used to advertise a temporary
special sales event or grand opening.
(H)
V-type
signs.
Only the largest face of a V-type sign shall be
measured in determining the total sign area of the sign. A two-face
sign that is in a "V" shape, both faces of which (1) can be seen from
the same public street, or (2) are at an angle of greater than 60
degrees to each other, shall be considered two separate signs for
all purposes under this Chapter.
(I)
Wall,
canopy, and roof signs.
The sign area of one or any combination
of two or more wall, canopy, or roof signs which are painted or otherwise
affixed to any wall of a building collectively shall not exceed the
greater of 75 square feet or 15 percent of the area of the wall to
which such signs are painted or affixed.
(J)
General
business signs and shopping center/office center signs.
Not more than one freestanding general business or shopping/office center sign shall be constructed or installed on each street frontage with less than 150 feet of street frontage. Not more than two freestanding general business or shopping/office center signs shall be constructed or installed on each street frontage with a street length of 150 feet, which signs must be no closer than 75 feet from each other. Except as permitted by Section 11-7-4(P) and (Q), no general business or shopping center/office center sign shall exceed a height of 30 feet. The total sign area of all general business signs or shopping center/office center signs collectively shall not exceed the total sign area allowed pursuant to Section 11-7-4(K), (L), (M), (N), (O), and (P).
(K)
Individual
business signs.
(1)
When no more than one nonresidential user is located on a single
lot or tract, said user may install not more than one freestanding
sign with a sign area not to exceed the number of square feet equal
to two times the linear feet of street frontage of the lot or tract
on which the business is located, but in no case shall the total sign
area exceed 300 square feet.
(2)
When more than one but not more than three nonresidential users are
located on a single lot or tract, each user may install not more than
one freestanding business sign with a sign area not to exceed the
number of square feet equal to two times the linear feet of street
frontage of the lot or tract on which the businesses are located,
but in no case shall the total sign area exceed 400 square feet collectively
on such a lot.
(L)
Office
signs.
(1)
When no more than one office user is located on a single lot, said
user may install not more than one freestanding sign with a sign area
not to exceed the number of square feet equal to 1½ times the
linear feet of street frontage of the lot or tract, but in no case
shall the total sign area exceed 300 square feet.
(2)
When more than one but not more than three office users occupy a
single lot or tract, each office user may install not more than one
freestanding sign with a sign area not to exceed the number of square
feet equal to 1½ times the linear feet of street frontage of
the lot or tract on which the businesses are located, but in no case
shall the total sign area for all the offices or uses collectively
exceed 400 square feet.
(M)
Shopping
center development.
In a shopping center development
(four or more businesses), the property owner and/or user of the property
may install no more than one freestanding sign on each street frontage
with each sign area not to exceed the number of square feet equal
to two times the linear feet of the street frontage on which the sign
is located, but in no case shall the total sign area of all freestanding
shopping center signs located on any site collectively exceed 400
square feet. In addition to the other signs otherwise permitted by
this Chapter, the property owner of a shopping center may install
not more than one freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of 250
square feet, which sign only identifies an on-premises movie theater
and advertises current and future movie attractions to said theater.
(N)
Shopping
mall sign.
A shopping mall is allowed one freestanding
sign on each street frontage, with the sign area of each sign not
to exceed the number of square feet equal to two times the linear
feet of the street frontage on which the sign is located, but in no
case shall the sign area of all freestanding shopping mall signs collectively
exceed 400 square feet. In addition to the other signs otherwise permitted
by this Chapter, the property owner of a shopping mall may install
not more than one freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of 250
square feet, which sign only identifies an on-premises movie theater
and advertises current and future movie attractions to said theater.
(O)
Office
center signs.
The property owner of an office center
may install not more than one freestanding sign per street frontage
with the sign area of each sign not to exceed the number of square
feet equal to 1½ times the linear feet of the street frontage
on which the sign is located, but in no case shall the sign area of
all freestanding office center signs collectively exceed 400 square
feet.
(P)
Loop
250 frontage.
A property owner may install not more than
one on-premise freestanding sign that exceeds the 30-foot maximum
height on any lot located in an LR-1 Local Retail District, or less
restrictive zoning district, which lot has street frontage on Loop
250, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
The height of such sign shall in no case exceed 37 feet.
(2)
Measuring from the edge of the sign face or sign base closest to
the nearest zoning district boundary, the setback of the sign from
any property located in an MF-2 Multifamily District or more restrictive
zoning district must be not less than 75 feet.
(3)
All signs must be placed and comply with state and federal regulations,
even if more restrictive than the foregoing regulations.
(4)
Any sign taller than 33 feet shall have structural plans signed by
a registered professional engineer.
(5)
No signs described in this subsection (P) shall be placed in any
airport runway protection zone.
(Q)
Interstate
Highway 20 frontage.
A property owner may install not
more than one on-premise freestanding sign that exceeds the 30-foot
maximum height on any lot located in a LR-1 Local Retail District,
or less restrictive zoning district, which lot has street frontage
on Interstate Highway 20, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
The height of such sign shall in no case exceed 55 feet.
(2)
The maximum sign area shall be 600 square feet.
(3)
Measuring from the edge of the sign face or sign base closest to
the street, the minimum setback of the sign from any street right-of-way
shall be ten feet.
(4)
Measuring from the edge of the sign face or sign base closest to
the nearest zoning district boundary, the setback of the sign from
any property located in an MF-2 Multifamily District or more restrictive
zoning district shall not be less than 75 feet.
(5)
All signs must be placed and comply with state and federal regulations,
even if more restrictive than the foregoing regulations.
(6)
Any sign taller than 33 feet must have structural plans signed by
a registered professional engineer.
(7)
No signs described in this subsection (Q) shall be placed in any
airport runway protection zone.
(R)
Motor
vehicle and heavy equipment dealerships.
Car and truck dealerships, boat dealerships, recreational vehicle dealerships, mobile home dealerships, or construction equipment dealerships located on an individual lot or combined lots or parcels may install one freestanding sign for each 100 linear feet of street frontage. The sign area for each sign installed pursuant to this subsection (R) shall not exceed 300 square feet, but in no case shall the sign area of all such freestanding signs installed by a single dealership collectively total more than 750 square feet.
(S)
Planned
districts.
In addition to the sign regulations set forth
in this Chapter, additional sign regulations for a particular parcel
or development located in a planned district may be set forth in the
applicable planned district ordinance.
(T)
Construction
signs.
Construction signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts without complying with the permitting requirement of Section 11-7-2; provided, however, construction signs must be removed not later than 30 days after issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The sign area for any construction sign allowed shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(U)
Development/project
signs.
Development/project signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts without complying with the permitting requirement of Section 11-7-2; provided, however, all development/project signs must be removed upon the completion of 90 percent of the project. The sign area of each development or project sign shall not exceed 240 square feet.
(V)
Real
estate signs.
Real estate signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts without complying with the permitting requirement of Section 11-7-2. The sign area of a real estate sign may not exceed ten square feet if the sign is located in a residential district or 40 square feet if the sign is located in a nonresidential district.
(W)
Certain
signs not counted against total sign area.
The following
signs shall be allowed in nonresidential zoning districts only and
shall require a permit but shall not be used in computing total allowable
sign area:
(1)
Time and temperature signs without advertising matter.
(2)
Freestanding menu boards for drive-through service, provided that
the sign structures shall observe the same setbacks required for buildings
or other structures in the district in which they are located, the
sign area does not exceed 32 square feet, and the sign does not exceed
six feet in height.
(X)
Sign
locations by zoning district.
Except as otherwise permitted by this Chapter, the following types of signs may be located only in the zoning districts indicated below as defined by Chapter 11-1 of the City Code:
|
Type Sign
|
Zone Permitted
|
|---|---|
|
Nameplate
|
Permitted in all districts
|
|
Institutional identification and information sign
|
Permitted in all districts where institutions are allowed
|
|
Apartment or mobile park identification sign
|
Permitted in any districts where apartments or mobile home parks
are allowed
|
|
Apartment or mobile home information sign
|
Permitted in any districts where apartments or mobile home parks
are allowed
|
|
Billboard sign
|
C-2, C-3, LI and HI; allowed by specific use permit in LR-2,
LR-3, C-1 and BP
|
|
General business sign
|
P, O-1, O-2, NS, LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, IP, IP-1,
IP-2, IP-3 LI, HI, BP by ordinance in PD
|
|
Office identification sign
|
P, O-1, O-2, NS, LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, IP, IP-1,
IP-2, IP-3 LI, HI, BP by ordinance in PD
|
|
Shopping center sign
|
LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, IP, IP-1, IP-2, IP-3, LI, HI,
BP by ordinance in PD
|
|
Office center sign
|
P, O-1, O-2, NS, LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, IP, IP-1,
IP-2, IP-3 LI, HI, BP by ordinance in PD
|
|
Directional signs
|
P, O-1, O-2, NS, LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, IP, IP-1,
IP-2, IP-3, LI, HI, BP by ordinance in PD
|
|
Portable signs
|
P, O-1, O-2, NS, LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, IP, IP-1,
IP-2, IP-3, LI, HI and BP
|
|
Construction signs
|
Permitted in all districts
|
|
Development signs
|
Permitted in all districts
|
|
Real estate signs
|
Permitted in all districts
|
|
Banners, pennants, streamers
|
MF-1, MF-2, P, O-1, O-2, NS, LR-1, LR-2, LR-3, C-1, C-2, C-3,
IP, IP-1, IP-2, IP-3 LI, HI, BP
|
|
Political signs
|
Permitted in all districts
|
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995; Ordinance 7876, sec. 3, adopted 9/28/99)
Freestanding billboards may be located in accordance with Chapter 11-1 of the Midland City Code, and must comply with the following restrictions:
(A)
Height.
No billboard other than billboards located on property fronting
on Interstate Highway 20 may exceed 30 feet in height. Billboards
located on property fronting on Interstate Highway 20 may not exceed
42.5 feet in height.
(B)
Setback
and side yard requirements.
A billboard must be installed
in such a manner as to comply with the same yards and setbacks required
for buildings or other structures in the zoning district in which
it is located.
(C)
Limits
of sign faces.
A billboard may not consist of more than
two panels.
(D)
Maximum
sign area.
The sign area of the sign faces of a billboard
collectively shall not exceed a total of 672 square feet.
(E)
Minimum
separation.
No billboard sign may be installed within
500 feet of an existing billboard sign or property zoned with a specific
use permit for location of a billboard located on the same side of
the street.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
(A)
Nonconforming
signs defined.
Nonconforming signs are those which do
not comply with the intent and regulations of this Chapter. Any sign
which existed at the time of adoption of this Chapter that was legally
erected prior to enactment of this Chapter but fails to conform to
the provisions specified herein shall be regarded as a nonconforming
sign, which may remain in place so long as it is kept in good repair
and maintained in a safe condition.
(B)
Loss
of legal nonconforming status.
A nonconforming sign shall
immediately lose its nonconforming designation and must be brought
into compliance with these regulations, or be removed, if:
(1)
The sign is replaced; but not including the replacement of the face(s)
to accommodate a new business, express a different message, or upgrade
conditions and appearance of the sign.
(2)
The sign is relocated.
(3)
The sign is part of an establishment that discontinues its operation
for a period of six months.
(4)
The sign is damaged or structurally altered to an extent greater
than 50 percent of the current estimated replacement value.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
Political signs may be erected and maintained as follows:
(A)
Cardboard
signs.
Cardboard signs with a sign area not exceeding
30 inches by 30 inches and a height not more than 30 inches above
the adjacent grade may be located on any private property within the
City.
(B)
Other
political signs.
Political signs with a sign area not
exceeding four feet by eight feet in size may be located on any private
property within the City provided that:
(C)
Oversize
political signs.
Any political signs larger than those referred to in subsections (A) and (B) above must be located in a C-2 Central Area District or less restrictive zoning district in accordance with the applicable regulations pertaining thereto or at locations for which a specific use permit with term for an outdoor advertising display has been obtained.
(D)
Time
limit for display.
All political signs relating to a
election matter which is the subject of an election may be erected
not earlier than 120 days preceding the election to which the sign
pertains and must be removed not later than 14 days following the
day of such election.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
(A)
Applicability
of Section.
The following regulations shall be applicable
to all temporary signs, as defined herein, except as follows:
(B)
License
required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage
in the business of leasing or renting temporary signs for the placement
of such signs on property not owned by such person without first having
obtained a temporary sign company license in accordance with and subject
to the following regulations:
(1)
Upon application and payment made to the City building official of
an annual license fee of $50.00 per temporary sign, a temporary sign
company license will be issued for a term not to exceed one year.
(2)
In addition to any other penalty provided by this Code, the City
building official may deny applications and revoke licenses issued
under the provisions of this Section after notice and hearing for
any of the following causes:
(a)
Any violation of this Chapter by the licensee.
(b)
Any violation of this Chapter by anyone renting or leasing signs
from a licensee. Licensees shall be deemed to be held strictly responsible
for the compliance with the terms of this Chapter by such person leasing
or renting signs from such licensee.
(3)
Notice of the hearing for denial of an application or revocation
of a license shall be given in writing, setting forth specifically
the grounds of complaint and the time and place of hearing. Such notice
shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the licensee or applicant at
his last known address at least five days prior to the date set for
the hearing.
(4)
Any person aggrieved by the action of the City building official
in the denial of an application for a license or in his decision with
reference to the revocation of a license shall have the right to appeal
to the City Council. Such appeal shall be taken by filing with the
City Council, not later than 14 days after notice of the action complained
of has been mailed to such person's last known address, a written
statement setting forth fully the grounds for the appeal. The City
Council shall set a time and place for a hearing on such appeal and
notice of such hearing shall be given to the appellant in the same
manner as provided in paragraph (3) above for notice of hearing on
denial or revocation. The decision and order of the City Council on
such appeal shall be final and conclusive.
(C)
Permits
required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place
or locate any temporary sign on any property within the City, or to
suffer or allow the placement or location of any temporary sign on
premises within the City owned or controlled by such person, unless
a permit for such temporary sign and such location has first been
obtained from the City building official in accordance with the following
regulations:
(1)
Temporary sign permits may be issued for the location or placement
of temporary signs on stated tracts of land within the City for periods
of time not to exceed 60 days. An individual permit fee of $15.00
shall be charged, except that temporary sign company licensees shall
not be charged permit fees.
(2)
No permit shall be issued for the placement or location of any temporary
sign for any tract of land within the City stated in a previously
issued permit until a period of 60 days has elapsed since the term
of duration of the previous permit has expired.
(3)
It shall be unlawful for any person to suffer or allow any temporary
sign to remain on premises owned or controlled by such person for
a period of time in excess of that stated in the permit obtained in
compliance with the terms of this Section, and it shall further be
unlawful for any person to place or locate, or suffer to be placed
or located on premises owned or controlled by such person, any temporary
sign within the waiting period provided for in subsection (C)(2),
above.
(D)
Standards.
(1)
The sign area of temporary signs shall not exceed 35 square feet.
(2)
Temporary signs shall be secured to the ground at a minimum of four
separate points by metal pins penetrating the ground by a distance
of not less than three inches.
(3)
All temporary signs owned by holders of a temporary sign company
license shall have permanently affixed thereto the name and address
of the owner of such signs and an identifying individual number assigned
by the owner for such sign.
(4)
Temporary signs may be lighted with a white light or lights only,
and such light or lights shall not be of a flashing, intermittent,
moving or similarly lighted type.
(5)
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained within this
Code, all electrical connections to temporary signs shall be three-prong
(grounded) type using grounded, all-weatherproof outlets. Electrical
cords must be all-weatherproof type and may not exceed ten feet in
length. In addition, such cords must be so positioned as to not be
subject to vehicular traffic.
(Ordinance 7484, sec. 1, adopted 11/14/1995)
