A.
Purpose. The purposes of the sign regulations under this article are to:
(1)
Protect the public health, safety, and welfare by
minimizing traffic hazards created by signage that may onerously distract
a driver's attention from the road;
(2)
Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the County;
(3)
Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and
the County's ability to attract and retain sources
of economic development and growth;
(4)
Protect the rural appearance of the County in areas where rural character predominates;
(5)
Conserve the scenic beauty of the County;
(6)
Improve traffic and pedestrian safety;
(7)
Minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and
(8)
Enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
B.
Intent. The sign regulations under
this article are not intended to regulate or infringe upon any type
of free speech and shall be applied to all advertising displays regardless
of the content of the sign message.
A.
In general. Sign area shall be measured
in the following manner.
B.
Freestanding, projecting, and marquee signs.
(1)
In the case of a freestanding, projecting,
or marquee sign, sign area consists of the
entire surface area of the sign on which copy could
be placed.
(2)
The supporting structure or bracing
of a sign shall not be counted as part of the sign's area.
(3)
If a sign has two display faces back-to-back
that are no more than two feet apart, the area of only one face shall
be considered as the sign face area.
(4)
If a sign has more than one display
face, all areas that can be viewed simultaneously shall be considered
the sign face area.
C.
Other signs; border. In the case
of a sign, other than a freestanding, projecting,
or marquee sign, whose message is fabricated together with
the background that borders or frames that message, sign face area shall be the total area of the entire background.
D.
Other signs; no border. In the case
of a sign, other than a freestanding, projecting,
or marquee sign, whose message is applied to a background
which provides no border or frame, sign face area
shall be the area of the smallest polygon that can encompass all words,
letters, figures, emblems, and other elements of the sign message.
B.
General illumination. With general illumination, the sign itself neither is lighted internally nor has an external
source of light specifically directed at it. Rather, the sign depends on the general illumination of the area (e.g., parking lot, traffic, or pedestrian areas) for its illumination.
C.
Internally illuminated sign. With
an internally illuminated sign, the sign is made of translucent material with internal lights.
D.
Internally illuminated letter sign. With an internally illuminated letter sign, the sign is made of metal, wood, or other material that is not
translucent, and the message is made of a translucent material that
is lighted from within the sign. Signs that consist of or contain tubes that:
(1)
Are filled with neon or some other gas that glows
when an electric current passes through it; and
(2)
Are intended to form or constitute all or part of
the message of the sign, rather than merely providing
illumination to other parts of the sign, shall be
considered internally illuminated letter signs.
E.
Backlight illumination. With backlight illumination,
the sign message is opaque and is raised beyond the sign's background, and the diffused-lighting sources illuminate
the background.
F.
Shielded spotlight illumination. With shielded spotlight
illumination, the sign is lighted by spotlights specifically
directed at the sign and fully shielded so that the
source is not visible from streets or adjoining property.
A.
Sign permit needed; exceptions.
(2)
Allowed signs without a permit. The
following signs are allowed, subject to the restrictions
under this subsection, without a sign permit.
(a)
Signs not exceeding four square
feet in area that are customarily associated with a residential
use and that are not of a commercial nature, such as:
(b)
Signs erected by or on behalf
of or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body, including
legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional, or regulatory signs.
(c)
Official signs of a noncommercial
nature erected by public utilities.
(d)
National, state, local, and nonprofit or service
organization flags when not displayed in connection with a commercial
promotion or as an advertising device.
(e)
Internal decorative or architectural features
of buildings or works of art, as long as such features
or works do not contain letters, logos, trademarks, or moving parts.
(f)
Signs directing and guiding
traffic on private property that do not exceed four square feet and
that do not bear advertising matter.
(h)
Signs painted on or otherwise
permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles that are
not primarily used as signs.
(j)
One property security system identification sign, provided that the sign does not exceed
one square foot in area.
(k)
Crop identification signs,
provided each sign does not exceed 32 square feet
in area and is not illuminated.
(l)
Political signs.
[1]
Political signs advertising
political parties or candidates for election.
[3]
Unsuccessful candidates in a primary election
must remove their political signs within 30 days
after the primary election.
[4]
All political signs must be
removed within 30 days after a general election.
[5]
The erector of a political sign or an authorized agent of the political party or candidate shall
be required to obtain a temporary sign permit from the Zoning Office.
(m)
(n)
Signs advertising permitted
temporary produce sales, provided that the signs are in conformance with § 18:1-53D(6) of this Chapter 18:1.
(o)
(p)
Displays, including lighting, erected in connection
with the observance of County, state, or federally
recognized holidays, provided that such display is removed within
10 days following the holiday.
(q)
Signs attached to the interior
of a building window or glass door.
(3)
Sign alterations. The repainting,
changing of parts, and preventative maintenance of signs are not deemed alterations requiring a sign permit.
(4)
Moving signs generally prohibited.
Except for time and/or temperature signs, and other
permitted electronic signs, no flashing, fluttering,
undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving signs, pennants, or other decorations are permitted.
(5)
Obstructing traffic prohibited. A sign may not obstruct a clear view of traffic along any street right-of-way,
entrance, or exit. Signs located at the intersection
of public roads shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 23 of this Code.
(6)
Sign location. Except for signs of a duly constituted governing body, a sign, including a traffic sign or similar regulatory
notice, may not project or be located within road right-of-way lines.
(7)
Height and clearance.
(a)
The height of a freestanding sign may be measured from the grade of an adjoining road, provided that the road is within 50 feet of the
location of the proposed sign. If there is no road located within 50 feet, or if the natural grade of
the sign site is higher than the
grade of the adjoining road, the height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the existing natural
grade of the ground below the proposed sign.
(b)
The clearance of a projecting sign shall be measured from the base of the sign face
to the ground below finished grade. Clearance of a projecting
sign shall be at a minimum of seven feet above finished grade.
(8)
Wall signs. A wall sign may not extend beyond the facade edge of a building. Wall signs may not extend beyond
the edge of any wall to which they are mounted, nor may they project
more than 18 inches from the wall surface. A sign attached to the roof is considered a wall sign and
may not extend beyond the edge of a roofline or higher than the roofline.
(9)
In buffer yard. A sign may not be located within a required buffer yard unless the buffer yard is adjacent to a public road or right-of-way.
(10)
Sign performance standards
for permanent freestanding, wall, and projecting signs.
[Amended 9-7-2004 by Ord. No. 04-26]
(a)
The number of freestanding signs allowed is as follows.
[1]
In the UC, TC, SC, SI, SIBE, LIHS, VC, GVC,
SHVC, GNC, and GGMC Districts, a nonresidential development site (single- or multiple-use site) is allowed one freestanding sign or,
if the site has more than 500 feet of road frontage on a single road or has frontage on two
or more adjoining roads, two freestanding
signs. If a site has adjoining frontage
on multiple roads, only one freestanding
sign is allowed on each frontage unless that frontage exceeds
500 feet. In no case shall a development site have more than two freestanding signs with a total combined freestanding sign surface area exceeding that which is allowed under this Chapter 18:1.
[Amended 1-24-2012 by Ord. No. 11-17]
[2]
In the AG, CS, E, SE, SR, UR, and NC Districts,
a legally permitted nonresidential development site (single- or multiple-use site) is allowed one freestanding sign.
(b)
The freestanding sign surface
area is as follows.
[1]
In the UC, TC, SC, SI, SIBE, LIHS, VC, GVC,
SHVC, GNC, and GGMC Districts, the total maximum freestanding
sign surface area for a nonresidential development site (single- or multiple-use site) shall be determined in accordance with the following
table.
[Amended 1-24-2012 by Ord. No. 11-17]
Development Site
|
Maximum Freestanding Sign Surface Area (square feet)
| |
---|---|---|
0 - 24,999 square feet gfa or 0 - 299 feet linear road frontage
|
150
| |
25,000 - 49,999 square feet gfa or 300 - 499
feet linear road frontage
|
200
| |
50,000 square feet gfa or 500 or more feet linear road frontage
NOTES:
gfa = gross floor area
|
250
|
[2]
In the AG, CS, E, SE, SR, UR, and NC Districts,
a legally permitted nonresidential development site (single-or multiple-use site) is allowed a maximum of 35 square feet of total freestanding
sign surface area.
(c)
Freestanding sign height, setback,
and base restrictions are as follows.
[1]
In the UC, TC, SC, SI, SIBE, LIHS, VC, GVC,
SHVC, GNC, and GGMC Districts, the maximum height of a freestanding
sign shall be determined in accordance with the following
table.
[Amended 1-24-2012 by Ord. No. 11-17]
Distance of Sign to Nearest
Property Line
(foot setback)
|
Maximum Height
(feet)
| |
---|---|---|
At property line to 24
|
20
| |
25 to 49
|
25
| |
50 or larger
|
30
|
[2]
In the AG, CS, E, SE, SR, and NC Districts,
the maximum height of a freestanding sign is 10 feet.
[3]
No portion of a freestanding sign may extend beyond a property line of the development site onto another property or public right-of-way.
[4]
All freestanding signs shall
have an architectural base or a landscaped area consisting of low
shrubs, ornamental grasses, or similar vegetation at the base of the sign that is at least as long as the sign face area and a minimum of four feet in width. A freestanding
sign support may not consist of bare poles or posts entering
the ground.
(d)
Wall or projecting sign surface
area restrictions are as follows.
[1]
A nonresidential development (single- or multiple-use site)
is allowed a maximum wall or projecting sign surface
area per use. The maximum total area can be used solely for wall signs, solely for projecting signs, or for a combination of wall and projecting signs.
[2]
In the case of a nonresidential development site with multiple uses on a parcel
of record, wall or projecting sign permits may be issued in the name of the parcel owner or the owner's
agent rather than in the name of individual businesses requesting
a particular sign. The property owner or agent may
proportionately allocate total wall or projecting sign area among various uses or tenants. The County is
not responsible for enforcing any provisions of an owner's allocation
formula, lease arrangements, or other private contractual restrictions.
[3]
In the UC, TC, SC, SI, SIBE, LIHS, VC, GVC,
SHVC, GNC, and GGMC Districts, total maximum wall or projecting
sign surface area per nonresidential use shall be determined
in accordance with the following table.
[Amended 1-24-2012 by Ord. No. 11-17]
Gross Floor Area of
Individual Uses
(square feet)
|
Maximum Wall or Projecting Sign Surface Area
(square feet)
| |
---|---|---|
0 - 24,999
|
60
| |
25,000 - 49,999
|
80
| |
50,000 or larger
|
100
|
[4]
In cases where a property owner or agent has devised and submitted an allocation formula for a multiple-use development site, wall or projecting sign area for a specific use may exceed that allowed in the above table, provided that the overall
total wall or projecting sign surface area for the
entire multiple-use development is
not exceeded.
(e)
In the AG, CS, E, SE, SR, UR, and NC Districts,
a legally permitted nonresidential development site is allowed 20 square feet of wall or projecting
sign area per use.
(f)
As long as total wall or projecting
sign surface area is not exceeded, there is no limit on the
total number of wall or projecting signs.
(g)
A property owner may increase
total wall or projecting sign surface area by transferring
up to 25% of the development site's total freestanding sign surface area to wall signage
if a reduced size freestanding sign is used. If no freestanding sign is used, a property owner may transfer up to 50% of the development site's total freestanding sign surface
area to wall signage.
(11)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
section, a nonresidential use in the UC, SC, SI, LIHS, or VC District that adjoins a navigable waterway is allowed the following signage in addition to what is otherwise allowed under this Chapter 18:1.
(12)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
section, all permitted and conditional, commercial, and institutional
uses in the CS District that are located on property within
1,000 feet of an arterial road are allowed one freestanding sign with a total sign area
not exceeding 150 square feet and not exceeding 20 feet in height.
(13)
Electronic signs, including light-emitting
diode ("LED") signs, are permitted as freestanding signs subject to the following limitations:
(a)
No electronic sign shall exceed 60 square feet
of the maximum freestanding sign surface area otherwise
permitted pursuant to § 18:1-81A(10)(b)[1] above; and
(b)
Surface area copy may not change more frequently than every
30 seconds.
[Amended 2-14-2017 by Ord. No. 16-12]
(c)
Electronic signs shall have no revolving, flashing,
moving, scrolling, rotating or similar intermittent lights or features
that simulate movement.
(d)
An electronic sign may not be animated, play
video or audio messages or blink in any manner.
(e)
An electronic sign shall consist only of alphabetic
or numeric characters on a plain background but may include company
or business logos and graphic, pictorial, or photographic images,
provided the same are not distasteful or distracting.
[Amended 2-14-2017 by Ord. No. 16-12]
(f)
Electronic signs shall not exceed a maximum
illumination of 7,500 nits during daylight hours and a maximum illumination
of 750 nits for the time period between sunset and sunrise as measured
from the sign's face at maximum brightness. The applicant
shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been preset not to exceed
the levels specified above, and the intensity level is protected from
end-user manipulation by password protected software or other appropriate
methods.
A.
Development identification signs.
(1)
On-premises development identification signs are permitted, provided that a sign:
(2)
Lighting of a development identification sign may be by internal lighting, backlighting, general illumination
lighting, or by shielded spotlights.
(3)
A development identification sign for a rental or lease development may contain the
name and telephone number of the leasing agent, together with such
wording as "Rental Information," "Leasing," or other related wording,
provided this information is limited to less than eight square feet
or 1/4 of the total sign area, whichever is less.
(4)
Not more than two on-premises development identification signs are permitted per development access road.
B.
Marquee signs. Theaters, museums,
and auditoriums are permitted one marquee sign, provided
that:
C.
Directional information on certain on-premises freestanding signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 18:1-81A(10) of this Chapter 18:1, any on-premises freestanding sign in the UC, SC, SI, LIHS, VC, and GGMC Districts that is oriented
towards a controlled access highway may incorporate a ten-square-foot
increase in sign area, provided that a minimum of
10 square feet is used for highway exit information.
[Amended 1-24-2012 by Ord. No. 11-17]
D.
Off-site directional signs.
(1)
Except as provided under Subsection D(4) of this section, a permanent off-site directional sign stating the
name of a business or business area is allowed in all districts in
accordance with this subsection.
(2)
The business or business area sign shall be located on a local or collector street and shall be at least 1,000 feet of road distance
from a major highway or arterial roadway.
(3)
An off-site directional sign may
only be used for:
(a)
Any other use determined by
the Planning Commission to be tourism related.
(b)
Bed-and-breakfasts;
(c)
Campgrounds;
(d)
Clubs, lodges, and fraternal and service organizations;
(e)
Community business areas;
(f)
Conference centers;
(g)
Country store;
(h)
Cultural, historical, or environmental education sites;
(i)
Golf courses;
(j)
Hotels, motels, and country inns;
(k)
Marinas;
(l)
Pick-your-own-produce stands;
(m)
Plant nurseries;
(n)
Produce stands;
(o)
Restaurants;
(p)
Shooting clubs; and
(q)
Waterfront event sites.
(4)
Off-site directional signs may not
be used for home occupations.
(6)
Each sign shall be constructed in
accordance with standards adopted by the County Department of Public
Works.
(7)
Not more than four signs may be supported
by a single structure.
(8)
Not more than one sign for a single
business or business area is allowed in one direction at any intersection
on any major highway or arterial roadway.
(9)
Not more than two structures that
support the signs are allowed in any one direction
at an intersection located on a major or arterial roadway.
(10)
The Planning Commission may
allow additional signs in excess of the number allowed
under this subsection at not more than two intersections of collector or local roads leading to a business
or business area.
(11)
An off-site directional sign may not be illuminated by an external source of light specifically
directed at it.
(12)
Approval shall be obtained from the Department
of Planning and Zoning authorizing the installation of a sign. Application for approval shall be made to the Department and shall include:
(13)
There is a fee of $150 for each sign. All fees for the installation and maintenance of the sign are to be paid when required.
(14)
The person requesting approval
of an off-site directional sign shall provide a sign that conforms to the standards adopted by the County
Department of Public Works.
(15)
The Department of Public Works is responsible
for the installation of each sign.
E.
Public/quasi-public directional signs.
(1)
Off-premises directional signs are
permitted so as to give sufficient notice of the location of governmental
facilities, hospitals, colleges, schools, unincorporated communities,
or general commercial areas, provided that a sign may not exceed eight square feet in area.
F.
Banners.
(1)
Banners are allowed as a temporary sign in the UC, SC, SI, LIHS, VC, and GGMC Districts, subject to the
conditions under this subsection.
[Amended 1-24-2012 by Ord. No. 11-17]
(2)
A temporary sign permit is required.
(3)
A permit for a banner is valid for 15 days.
(4)
A maximum of six banner permits are allowed per use per year.
(5)
A banner may not exceed 60 square feet of sign area.
(6)
A banner must be securely fastened to a solid wall
of a permanent on-site structure and may not be supported
by freestanding poles or deck railings, hung on the side of a vehicle,
or be located on any roof.
(7)
A banner may be used only to advertise activities
conducted on the property on which the banner is located or to present
public service information.
G.
Special event activities.
(1)
On-premise signs and banners for
a special event, such as a grand opening, fair, carnival, circus,
festival, or other similar event, are allowed, subject to the conditions
under this subsection.
(2)
A sign or banner may not be erected
earlier than four weeks before the event and shall be removed not
later than one week after the event. There may not be more than two signs or banners per event.
(3)
A sign or banner may not exceed 32
square feet in sign area.
(4)
Banners used as special event signs may be supported by freestanding poles.
(5)
Periodic sales events and promotional marketing for
an existing business do not constitute special events for purposes
of this subsection.