This sign standards section applies to the following zoning districts: PR, AG, AC, ER, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, TR, LR, MH, UV, IS, NC, DC, C1, C2, HC, I1, I2, I3, HI.
The intent of the sign standards is to accomplish the goals of the Angola Comprehensive Plan; to regulate time, place, and manner characteristics of signs; to avoid the unnecessary proliferation of signs; to provide businesses with appropriate identification; to create a consistent streetscape; to maintain and enhance the aesthetics of the city; to eliminate potential hazards to motorists and pedestrians resulting from sign location, excessive distraction and clutter; and to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of zoning jurisdiction of the City of Angola. The following standards apply:
(A)
Freedom of Speech. Any permanent sign or standard temporary sign permitted by the sign standards may be used for freedom of speech purposes for any length of time.
(B)
Permits.
(1)
Improvement Location Permit. An improvement location permit shall be required for all signs located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or altered unless otherwise specified in this section.
(2)
State Permit. All signs proposed to be located along a state-owned interstate or highway shall obtain the proper state sign permit or written authorization from the Indiana Department of Transportation prior to seeking an improvement location permit.
(3)
Easement Holder Approval. All signs proposed to be located within an easement shall obtain written approval from the easement holder for the proposed sign prior to seeking an improvement location permit. For example, a sign proposed within a county legal drain easement shall obtain written approval from the County Drainage Board before applying for an improvement location permit.
(C)
Cross-Reference.
(1)
Home Businesses. Signs associated with a home business shall be exempt from the sign standards, but shall comply with the standards in AMC § 18.160.220 through § 18.160.240, Home business standards.
(2)
Lighting Standards. When illumination of signs is permitted by this chapter, all illumination and lighting associated with signs shall meet the glare, light trespass, and other standards in AMC § 18.160.250, Lighting standards.
(D)
Exempt Items. The following items shall be exempt from the sign standards because they are not considered signs and/or are not considered a commercial message (freedom of speech). Therefore, these items are exempt from obtaining an improvement location permit as a sign.
(1)
Flags. A flag, pennant, or insignia of any nation, state, city, or other political unit. However, when a flag, pennant, or insignia of any nation, state, city, or other political unit is used as an integral component of a commercial message, it shall comply with the sign standards for the applicable zoning district. (For example, an American flag integrated into a corporation's brand or logo.)
(2)
Outdoor Scoreboard. An outdoor scoreboard used in conjunction with a legally established sport field. However, when the scoreboard is visible from a public street and contains a commercial message, it shall comply with the sign standards for the applicable zoning district.
(3)
Addresses. Posting of a street address on a mailbox, building, or other prominent location to provide adequate property identification. However, when a street address is used as a commercial message or is disproportionately large, it shall comply with the sign standards for the applicable zoning district. (For example, the numbers in an address being illustrated with ladders and slides for a store selling children's play sets, or a commercial property that brands itself by its address and wants its address displayed using numbers six feet tall.)
(4)
Public Safety Message. Posting of a public safety or private property message; provided, that no individual posting exceeds the maximum area permitted for a standard temporary sign in the applicable zoning district or four square feet, whichever is greater. (For example, "Beware of Dog," "Private Property," "No Trespassing," "Gas Line," "Weight Limit," "Video Surveillance," and "No Turnaround.")
(5)
Operational Limitations or Information. An outdoor posting of operational limitations and information provided the posting is no larger than necessary for the intended reader, with an absolute limit of four square feet. (For example, hours of operation, admittance requirements, "Employees Only," "Men's Restroom," "Women's Restroom," "Visitor Parking," and "No Deliveries.")
(6)
Required Postings. Messages required by a local agency, state agency, state law, federal agency, federal law, public utility or utility regulated by the government, provided the area of the message and height of posting be the minimum size required by the agency or law. (For example, a gas pipeline marker).
(7)
Indoor Commercial Messages. Commercial messages displayed inside a building that cannot be viewed legibly by pedestrians or drivers outside the building. (For example, a commercial message on a scoreboard inside a gymnasium, a wall clock inside a restaurant with a product name and logo, or a large banner with an image of a product mounted on the wall of a retail store.)
(8)
Minuscule Commercial Messages. Minuscule commercial messages displayed on or near a primary entrance provided that the area of each minuscule commercial message does not exceed 30 square inches and the cumulative area of all minuscule commercial messages does not exceed 240 square inches per primary entrance. (For example, "Visa," "Master Card," "Diner's Club," "ATM," and corporate logos.)
(9)
Religious Symbols. Symbol associated with a religion. However, when a religious symbol is used as an integral component of a commercial message, it shall comply with the sign standards for the applicable zoning district. (For example, a Christian cross integrated into a Christian bookstore's brand or logo.)
(10)
Holiday Decorations. Decoration or display associated with a nationally recognized holiday. However, when holiday decorations are used as an integral component of a commercial message, it shall comply with the sign standards for the applicable zoning district. (For example, Christmas tree lights integrated on the façade of a retail store that sells artificial Christmas trees and decorations.)
(11)
Murals. Any murals.
(12)
Political Campaign Signs. Political campaign signs; provided, that the sign area and duration standards for each sign do not exceed the sign area and duration standards applicable to temporary signs for the applicable zoning district, or if a temporary sign standard does not exist in the applicable zoning district the permanent ground sign maximum sign area shall be used. No limit of quantity shall apply.
(E)
Prohibited Signs.
(1)
Types.
(a)
Animated. Signs that gain attention through animation shall not be permitted, including any of the following:
(i)
Flashing signs.
(ii)
Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter.
(iii)
Signs that have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights; or changing light intensity, brightness, or color; or that give such illusion.
(iv)
Signs that shoot laser light, cast intense or visible light beams, or cast laser or projector-created light images onto the ground, sidewalk, wall or other visible surface.
(b)
Vehicle Signs. Vehicles with signs greater than eight square feet in cumulative area shall not be permitted to be parked for the primary purpose of displaying the sign. Prohibited vehicle signs shall not be construed to include vehicles with signs on them that:
(i)
Are lawfully parked overnight or during nonbusiness hours in a discreet location.
(ii)
Are making deliveries, sales calls, transporting persons or property, or customary practices relating to operating the business.
(iii)
Are used in conjunction with customary construction operations on a construction site.
(c)
Lights. Strobe lights, search lights, beacons, or any light or lights that rapidly flash, project light in visible beams skyward, or project light horizontally in a circle shall not be permitted regardless if the light is part of or independent of a sign.
(d)
Signs With Moving or Movable Parts. Signs or devices with visibly moving parts, including humans holding or acting as signs, shall not be permitted.
(F)
Prohibited Location.
(1)
Prohibited. Signs, regardless of type, shall not be permitted in any of the following locations:
(a)
Right-of-Way. Signs shall not be permitted in any right-of-way unless authorized by the Board of Public Works and Safety, except as specified in AMC § 18.180.060, Downtown commercial.
(b)
Poles. Signs shall not be permitted on any traffic control device, street sign, construction sign, or utility pole.
(c)
Fences. Signs shall not be permitted on any fence.
(d)
Trees. Signs shall not be permitted to be attached to any tree, shrub, or other natural object.
(e)
Benches. Signs shall not be permitted to be attached to or integrated into any bench.
(f)
Towers. Signs shall not be permitted to be attached to or integrated into any telecommunication antennas, telecommunication tower, television antennas, or similar towers.
(g)
Roofs. Signs shall not be permitted to be attached to or be perceived to be attached to the roof of a structure. This provision includes signs integrated into the roofing material.
(h)
Fire Safety Obstruction. Signs shall not be permitted on a fire escape or in a manner that substantially blocks view from the right-of-way to a fire door.
(i)
Obstructs Circulation. Signs that obstruct or interfere with internal or external safe movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall not be permitted.
(j)
Artificial Elevation. Artificially altering the elevation of the ground to improve the height or visibility of a sign shall not be permitted. Likewise, increasing the height of a wall or creating a parapet wall to improve the visibility of a sign shall not be permitted.
(k)
Vision Clearance. Signs shall not be permitted in areas prohibited by AMC § 18.160.520, Vision clearance standards.
(G)
Maintenance. All signs and sign components shall be kept in good repair and in safe, clean, and working condition. If landscaping is required around the base of a sign, it shall be maintained in living condition, consistent in character with the approval, and not overgrown.
(H)
Sign Illumination. Any sign that is permitted to be internally or externally illuminated, or a sign which utilizes electronic changeable copy, shall be subject to the light trespass and glare regulations within the lighting standards. Also, when electronic changeable copy is permitted, it shall have a failsafe means to monitor ambient light and automatically dim the electronic message and sign face proportionately as the daylight is lost (e.g., during storms or nightfalls) and maintain that dimmed status until daylight returns. The maximum light from electronic changeable copy source during daylight hours in direct sunlight shall be 4,500 nits. The maximum light from electronic changeable copy source during night time hours shall be 500 nits. All lighted signs shall be at least 300 feet from any existing residential dwelling unit.
(Ord. 1746-2023; Ord. 1352-2010; Ord. 1286-2008; UDO § 5.67)