The purpose of this article is to provide fair,
comprehensive and enforceable regulations that will foster a quality
visual environment for the City, enhancing it as a place to live,
visit and conduct business. Signs are herein regulated to help maintain
the health, comfort and well-being of the public; to prevent adverse
community appearance from the unrestricted use of signs; to allow
signs appropriate to the character of each zoning district; to promote
traffic safety; and to aid police protection and fire-fighting. This
article is intended to improve the legibility and effectiveness of
signs by preventing over-concentration, improper placement, excessive
height, area and bulk and by regulating sign illumination.
The provisions of this article shall apply to
the construction, erection, alteration, use, location of and the maintenance
of signs.
A. Government Signs. The provisions of this article shall
not apply to traffic signs and all other signs erected or maintained
by a governmental body or agency for public informational purposes,
including danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of noncommercial
nature required by law.
B. Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from provisions of this article except for the public safety requirements contained in sections
24-73, electrical signs; 24-77, location; 24-80, occupation of or projection into public right-of-way; 24-85, traffic hazard; and 24-86, visibility at intersections:
(1) Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot
or parcel upon which they are located, or from any public thoroughfare
or right-of-way;
(2) The flag, pennants or insignia of any nation, state,
county, City or other political entity, or any church or religious
organization;
(3) Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary or remembrances
of persons or events of a noncommercial nature;
(4) Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction
with a commercial enterprise, which enterprise may derive commercial
gain from such display;
(5) Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the
occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays;
(6) Signs on a truck, bus, car, boat, trailer or other
authorized vehicle and equipment; provided all the following conditions
are met:
(a)
The primary purpose of such vehicle or equipment
is not the display of signs;
(b)
Signs are painted upon or applied directly to
an integrated part of the vehicle or equipment;
(c)
The vehicle or equipment is in operating condition,
currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when
applicable, and actively used in the daily function of the business
to which the signs relate;
(d)
The vehicles or equipment are not used primarily
as static displays, advertising a product or service, nor utilized
as storage, shelter or distribution points for commercial products
or services for the general public;
(e)
Vehicles and equipment engaged in active construction
projects and the on-premises storage of equipment and vehicles offered
to the general public for rent or lease shall not be subject to this
condition;
(7) Political signs, having an area of thirty-two square
feet or less, which are erected with the permission of the owner of
the property on which it is located;
(8) Nameplates, street address signs and combination nameplates
and street address signs containing no advertising copy and not exceeding
six square feet in area;
(9) Directional signs not exceeding three feet in height
nor six feet in area, containing no business logo;
(10) Price panels, "self-serve" and credit card information
signs.
(11)
Signs located on property owned by the City of Evanston and
which are authorized and approved by the governing body of the City
of Evanston.
[Added 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. 13-04]
C. Permits Not Required. All provisions of this article
shall apply to the following, except that a permit or permit fee shall
not be required:
(1) Changing copy on a legal sign where no structural
changes are made; replacing damaged sign surfaces or the changing
of interchangeable letters on signs designed for such letters. However,
any repainting of painted wall signs when more than fifty percent
of the copy is being changed shall require that a written notice of
the proposed repainting be received by the planning department prior
to repainting. Change on any sign when an increase in square footage
occurs shall require a permit. The nonconforming status of a sign
shall not be affected by repainting;
(2) Temporary, nonilluminated signs, not over sixteen
square feet in area and advertising the sale or rental of premises
on which the sign is located or directing traffic to such premises,
are used or erected;
(3) Temporary, nonilluminated signs not over sixteen square
feet, erected in connection with new construction work when displayed
only during the actual construction period. Such signs shall be located
on the construction site and may identify the architects, engineers,
contractors or other firms, involved in the construction, but shall
not advertise any product;
(4) Bulletin boards for charitable or religious organizations
and churches which appertain to a legal use which do not exceed the
area allowed for their district or thirty-two square feet, whichever
is less;
(5) Tablets, such as memorials and cornerstones, or the
name, date of erection and use of a building when built into its walls,
are installed.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
AWNING SIGN
A sign affixed to the surface of an awning.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (AUTOMATIC)
An automatic changeable copy sign is an electronic sign where
advertising copy changes through mechanical means, utilizing digital
technology and other similar graphic and visual technologies.
[Amended 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (MANUAL)
A manual changeable copy sign is a sign where copy is changed
manually with changeable letters.
[Amended 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign which is designed solely for the purpose of traffic
or pedestrian direction, located on the property to which the directions
apply.
FLASHING, ANIMATED, OR MOVING SIGN
A sign that intermittently emits or reflects artificial or
natural light; a sign which has movement of any illumination, such
as intermittent flashing or varied intensity; or a sign that has any
visible portion in motion, not including automatic changeable copy
sign.
FREESTANDING OR POLE SIGN
A sign supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces
in or upon the ground with a minimum clear space of eight and one-half
feet between the bottom of the sign and the ground.
FREEWAY-ORIENTED SIGN
Any freestanding sign, the primary purpose of which is to
attract the attention of travellers on Interstate 80 and located such
that any copy is clearly readable from Interstate 80.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign that is lighted by means of any light source (including
neon tubing) which is a component of the sign.
MAJOR RETAIL SHOPPING BUILDING
Any building with thirty thousand square feet or more of
floor space, at least eight percent of which is used for the retail
sale of merchandise.
MONUMENT OR GROUND SIGN
A sign with no clear space between base of sign and existing
grade, not exceeding eight feet in height above grade.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN
A sign, located on a lot or parcel, which has no relationship
to the service, function, or activity of the lot or parcel on which
it is located.
ON-PREMISE SIGN
A sign relating to the service, function, or activity of
the lot or parcel on which it is located.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign which is not permanently attached to the ground or
other permanent structure and which can be moved or relocated without
involving any structural or support changes.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign, other than a wall sign, that extends outward from
the wall of a structure.
SIGN
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any
color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise,
announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity,
or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
A.
If, for any reason, it cannot be determined
whether or not an object is a sign, the planning director shall make
a determination in accordance with the intent and definition of this
section.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign shall be measured in conformance with
the following regulations:
A.
In computing the area of a sign, standard mathematical
formulas for common regular geometric shapes (triangle, parallelogram,
circle and ellipse, or combinations thereof) shall be used.
B.
In the case of an irregularly shaped sign or
a sign with letters and/or symbols directly affixed to or painted
on the wall of a building, the area of the sign shall be the entire
area within the singular continuous rectilinear perimeter or not more
than eight straight lines enclosing the extreme limits of writing,
representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together
with any material or color forming an integral part of a background
of the display or as used to differentiate such sign from the backdrop
of structure against which it is placed.
C.
In computing sign area, only one side of a back-to-back
or double-face sign covering the same subject shall be computed when
the signs are parallel and not exceeding forty-eight inches between
sign faces or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than
forty-five degrees.
WALL SIGN
Any sign placed or painted directly on a building or other
structure, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately
parallel to the plane of said wall. A wall sign may not project more
than twenty-four inches from said wall nor have any advertising copy
on the sides.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign that is painted on, applied or attached to the exterior
of a window.
GRADE OF GROUND
Finished elevation consistent with surrounding properties
providing a reference for measurement.
Except as provided in section
24-67, it shall be unlawful to display, erect, relocate or alter, except for copy changes, any sign without first obtaining a building permit from the building department. It shall be unlawful to change, modify, alter or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of the permit or from the use of the sign as permitted without the approval of the building official with a record made thereof.
A. Application for a Permit. An application for a permit
shall be made by the owner, tenant or lessee of the property on which
the sign is located, or his authorized agent, or a contractor licensed
by the state and the City. Such application shall be made on forms
furnished by the building department and shall be signed by the applicant
or his authorized agent. If the application is for an off-premises
advertising sign and if the applicant is not the property owner, written
authorization from the property owner to erect the proposed sign shall
be attached to the application. Where there exists conflicting claims
concerning authorization from the property owner, no permit shall
be issued until the conflict is resolved by the applicant. When conflicting
claims arise after the issuance of a permit but before work is commenced,
the permit shall be suspended until the conflict is resolved by the
parties.
B. Revocation of Permit. Should the planning director
or his representative find that the work under any permit issued under
the provisions of this chapter is not in accordance with the drawings,
specifications and details of the permit application or is in violation
of this chapter or any other ordinance of the City or should he find
that there has been any false statement or misrepresentation of a
material fact in the application, payment for said permit or plans
on which the permit was based, he shall notify the owner or applicant
that the work fails to conform to the permit or that the permit was
obtained by false representation, and that such failure in obtaining
the permit must be corrected within a reasonable time. If the owner
or applicant fails to make such corrections, the planning director
or his representative shall revoke the permit and notify the owner
or applicant. Such notice shall be in writing and signed by the planning
director or his representative. It shall be unlawful for any person
to proceed with any part of such work after such notice is served.
C. Revocation of Permit for Nonuse.
(1) If work is not commenced under any permit issued under
the provisions of this article within one hundred eighty days from
the date of such permit, the permit shall become null and void. If
the building operations under any permit issued under this article
are suspended for a period of sixty days, except for weather delays,
such permit shall become null and void.
(2) Delays which are not caused by the wilful acts or
neglect of the contractor, owner or applicant may be considered and
the planning director or his representative may grant an extension
of time in which to start or to resume operations. All requests for
extension and approval thereof shall be in writing.
D. Issuance of Permits.
(1) The planning and/or building department shall examine
applications for permits within ten working days after filing. It
if appears from the application, drawings and specifications submitted
therewith that the requested sign(s) and all existing signs and uses
on the premises conform with all provisions of this chapter or would
conform if a permit were issued, a permit shall be issued. But, if
the department(s) finds that any requested or existing illegal signs
or uses directly related to the application violates this chapter
or any other City code or ordinance related thereto, a permit shall
not be issued until necessary corrections are made.
(2) A permit issued shall be construed to be a license
to proceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to
violate, cancel, alter or set aside any of the provisions of this
chapter, or of any other code, ordinance or regulation of the City,
nor shall the issuance of a permit prevent enforcement personnel from
thereafter requiring correction of errors in plans or in construction
where such errors are in violation of the terms or stipulations of
the permit, this chapter, or any other City code, ordinance or regulation.
E. Liability. The provisions of this article shall not
be construed as relieving or limiting in any way, the responsibility
or liability of any person erecting or owning any sign for personal
injury or property damage resulting from the placing of a sign, or
resulting from the negligence or wilful acts of such person, his agents,
employees or workmen in the construction, maintenance, repair or removal
of any sign erected in accordance with a permit issued hereunder.
Nor shall it be construed as imposing upon the City or its officers
or employees any responsibility or liability by reason of the approval
of any signs, materials or devices under the provisions of this article.
Before issuing a permit, the building official
shall collect the fees prescribed in this section. Such fees shall
be paid in lawful money of the United States or by collectible draft
or check. Should such draft or check be uncollectible within a reasonable
time, the permit shall be null and void.
A. Permit Fee. The permit fee shall be a fee equal to
one-half of one percent of the value of the construction costs of
the sign, or five dollars, whichever is greater. A fee shall be collected
for each separate sign.
B. Double Fee. Should any person, firm or corporation
actually begin work for which a permit is required by this article
without taking out a permit beforehand, he shall, in addition to the
fees described above, pay an additional amount equal to one hundred
percent of the above described fees and shall be subject to all the
penal provisions of this code.
Enforcement personnel may make or require any
inspection of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the
provisions of this chapter and other laws which are in force.
All electric signs shall conform to the electrical
code of the City of Evanston, Wyoming.
In any zone, no spotlight, floodlight or lighted
sign shall be installed in any way which will permit the rays of such
sign light to penetrate beyond the property on which such light or
lighted sign is located in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance.
A. The source of indirect illumination for signs shall
be so oriented or shielded that it is not visible from any residential
area, use or public thoroughfare.
B. Direct illumination by incandescent sources shall
not exceed eleven watts per bulb without a dimming device or sunscreen;
provided, however, no single bulb shall exceed forty watts.
Obsolete signs, copy and abandoned sign structures
shall be removed by the owner of the property, his agent, or persons
having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which
such sign or sign structure is erected within ninety days after written
notification from the planning director or his representative. Failure
to comply with such notice within the time specified in such notice
shall be considered as a violation of the terms of this chapter. Nothing
in this section shall be construed to require the removal of historical
signs.
When any sign is relocated or removed, except
for maintenance, all structural components shall be removed or relocated
with the sign. The structures of ground and combination signs shall
be removed to ground level. The structures of all other signs, including
painted wall signs, shall be removed back to the original building
configuration. Any electrical components shall be made safe under
the terms of the Uniform Electrical Code.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
A. No sign shall occupy public property in any manner,
nor shall any sign extend across a property line where such property
line borders a public or private street, highway, alley, land, parkway,
avenue, road, sidewalk or other right-of-way, whether such a right-of-way
has been dedicated to the public in fee or by easement and whether
or not such a right-of-way has been used as a right-of-way. However,
wall signs and/or projecting signs may be allowed to project to within
two feet of curb back into any such right-of-way, provided the bottom
of such wall sign is at least eight and one-half feet above the sidewalk
or grade.
B. Portable signs may be placed on a public sidewalk
in locations where there is no private property between the face of
a building and the adjacent right-of-way, so long as the free flow
of pedestrian traffic is not obstructed.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
No projecting sign shall be erected with the
bottom of such sign closer than eight and one-half feet to the sidewalk
or grade level. The thickness measured between the principal faces
of any projecting sign shall not exceed forty-eight inches when such
sign is of solid construction.
In this article, nonconforming uses of property
shall be treated as permitted uses of the district wherein they lie.
No sign shall emit any sound which is intended to attract attention or which creates a public nuisance under Chapter
14 of this code.
No sign shall be erected, operated, used or
maintained which:
A. Due to its position, shape, color, format or illumination,
obstructs the view of, or may be confused with, an official traffic
sign, signal or device, or any other official sign;
B. Displays lights resembling the flashing lights customarily
associated with danger or those used by police, fire, ambulance or
other emergency vehicles;
C. Uses, in a manner which may confuse motor vehicle
operators, the words "Stop," "Warning," "Danger," "Turn," or similar
words implying the existence of danger or need for stopping or maneuvering;
D. Creates in any other way an unsafe distraction for
motor vehicle operators;
E. Obstructs the view of motor vehicle operators entering
a public roadway from any parking area, service drive, alley or other
thoroughfare.
There shall be no sign erected between the height
of three feet and the height of ten feet nor obstruction to vision
other than a single post or column not exceeding one foot in greatest
cross-sectional dimension between the height of three feet and the
height of ten feet above the established grade of either street within
the area formed at a corner intersection of two public right-of-way
lines, whose two sides are fifteen feet, measured along the intersection
right-of-way lines, and whose third side is a line connecting the
two sides, unless such sign is a wall sign.
Interior window signs will not be assessed against
allowable sign area. Exterior window signs will be assessed against
allowable sign area.
No sign shall be erected upon or project through
the roof of any building nor shall any sign, attached to a building,
extend above the roof line of that building unless approved by a conditional
use permit or in the following circumstances:
A. Parapet Wall. A sign may be attached to the face of
a parapet wall. The sign projection above the top of the parapet wall
may not extend more than four feet or one-fourth of the sign height
above the roof line, whichever is less.
B. Sloping Roof. A sign may be attached to the facia
or located on the sloping roof of a structure but may not be located
so as to extend more than four feet or one fourth of the sign height
above the roof line, whichever is less.
All signs and sign structures shall maintain
the following standards of structural repair and visual appearance.
All structural and nonstructural components must be positioned and
secured in accordance with approved plans for the sign. Any apparently
deteriorated, damaged or weakened components shall be promptly repaired
or replaced. All lettering, advertising copy and painted surfaces
must be free of chipping, peeling and fading detectable within three
hundred feet of the sign. Components composed of plastic acrylic and
other artificial compositions must be free of cracks, holes, buckling
or any other condition affecting the strength and stability of the
component. Electrical signs must be maintained in working order. Minimum
maintenance requirements for electrical signs and electrical systems
include, but are not limited to: prompt removal and replacement of
all defective bulbs, tubes, neon light segments, damaged or deteriorated
electrical wiring and malfunctioning control devices and related circuitry.
If enforcement personnel determine that these standards have not been
met, notice shall be given or specific defects and reasonable time
for correction. Failure to comply with such notice shall constitute
a violation of this chapter.
[Amended by Ord. No. 96-1; Ord. No. 96-11; Ord. No. 96-21; Ord. No. 97-7; Ord. No. 02-10]
A. General Provisions. Unless otherwise specifically
provided in this section, the following restrictions shall apply to
these districts:
(1) All signs shall be appurtenant to a permitted use
of the property on which displayed.
(2) Ground or monument signs shall be not more than eight
feet high.
(3) Wall signs shall be not more than fifteen feet high.
(4) Freestanding or pole signs and signs for home occupations
are prohibited.
B. Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed
an area of eight square feet per sign and shall not be more than six
feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
There shall be no more than two such signs on the premises.
C. Property Sale and Construction Signs.
(1) Property sale, lease or rental signs shall be limited
to one sign for each street frontage and shall not exceed an area
of twelve square feet per sign. When the property being advertised
for sale, lease or rent contains ten acres or more, then the area
of each such sign shall not exceed twenty-four square feet. In addition,
there may be allowed not more than three signs which may be located
on the property other than that to which the signs refer to direct
people to a house for sale. Each sign shall not exceed an area of
four square feet; shall be erected only when a salesman is on duty
at the hours for sale; and shall not be erected without the consent
of the property owner on whose property it is to be erected.
(2) Construction project signs shall not exceed a total
area of thirty-two square feet and shall not be more than twelve feet
high.
D. Identification Signs.
(1) Home identification signs may exhibit the name, address
and identifying symbol only of the land or building or the owner or
lessee thereof, and shall be limited to one sign for each residence.
Signs for single homes shall not exceed an area of two square feet.
Signs identifying by address only a group of dwelling units shall
not exceed an area of twelve square feet. These sign may be internally
or indirectly illuminated.
(2) Identification signs for churches, public and quasi-public
institutions shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve square
feet in area for each street frontage. In addition, there may be a
bulletin board not more than twelve square feet in area which may
be combined with the identification sign. The signs shall be set back
ten feet from any property line bordering a street. These signs may
be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(3) Public and parochial elementary and secondary schools
shall be limited to wall-mounted identification signs, ground signs
not exceeding eight feet in height, and freestanding signs not exceeding
fifteen feet in height, which shall be set back ten feet from any
property line bordering a street. The signs may be indirectly or internally
illuminated.
[Amended 11-14-2006 by Ord. No. 06-15]
(a)
Unless approved by a conditional use permit,
identification signs listing the name of the school shall not exceed
36 square feet in area and informational signs identifying events,
activities, and other school functions shall not exceed 36 square
feet in area.
(b)
An automatic changeable copy sign or digital
sign shall require a conditional use permit.
(4) Subdivision identification signs shall designate the
subdivision by name or symbol only. The signs may be indirectly illuminated.
There may be no more than two such signs with a maximum total area
of twelve square feet per sign at each street entrance to the subdivision
unless approved by a conditional use permit.
(5) Identification signs for all other uses permitted
in these districts shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve
square feet in area for each street frontage. The signs may be internally
or indirectly illuminated. The signs shall be set back ten feet from
any property line bordering a street.
E. Transitional Districts and Signs.
(1) In a transitional developing district, identification
signs for nonresidential uses shall be limited to one wall sign not
more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. The
signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. Ground or monument
signs, roof signs, free-standing pole signs and off-premise signs
are prohibited. All signs shall refer to an approved use of the property
on which it is displayed.
(a)
Directional signs shall not exceed an area of
four square feet per sign and shall not be more than four feet high.
The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. There shall
be no more than two such signs on the property.
(2) In a transitional redeveloping district, identification signs for non-residential uses shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage for a redevelopment tract. For other property within this district, on-premise identification signs for non-residential uses shall not exceed one-fourth square foot for each linear foot of street frontage. The longest street frontage shall be used to determine allowable sign area. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. Ground or monument signs shall not exceed five feet in height above grade. Freestanding pole signs shall be prohibited and there shall be no more than one ground sign. Ground or monument signs shall only be allowed in a redevelopment tract. Roof signs and off-premise signs are prohibited. One portable sign not exceeding 25 square feet, meeting the requirements of section
24-74, shall be allowed for each redevelopment tract. For other property within this district, one portable sign, 12 square feet maximum, otherwise meeting the requirements of section
24-74 of the City code shall be allowed.
(a)
Directional signs shall not exceed an area of
4 square feet per sign and shall not be more than 5 feet high. The
signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. The area of a logo
on a directional sign shall not exceed 50% of the area of the directional
sign. The logo shall not be assessed against allowable sign area.
There shall be no more than one such sign per entry or exit.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
A. General Provisions. Unless otherwise specifically
provided in this section, the following restrictions shall apply:
(1) All signs shall be appurtenant to a permitted use
of the premises, except that off-premises advertising signs may be
permitted as hereinafter specified.
(2) No sign, except freeway-oriented signs and wall signs
on a major retail shopping building, shall exceed fifty feet in height
unless approved by conditional use permit.
(3) Freeway-oriented signs shall not exceed a height of
one hundred feet and may be used only for on-premise advertising.
Area of the sign will not be assessed against allowable sign area,
but the sign may not exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet.
(4) In no case shall any sign, other than a nonilluminated
wall sign or directional sign, be closer than thirty feet to any residential
zoning district.
(5) An automatic changeable copy sign or manual changeable copy sign can be placed in any zoning district, except residential zoning districts, subject to the general sign provisions of the zoning district. An on-premises automatic changeable copy sign or an on-premises manual changeable copy sign can be used to advertise off-premises uses. The area of the sign shall count toward allowable on-premises sign area for the property. A Conditional Use Permit shall be required for an automatic changeable copy sign that is located within 100 feet of a residential zoning district. An off-premises automatic or manual changeable copy sign shall comply with the provisions of Section
24-94(E).
[Amended 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
B. Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed
an area of eight square feet per sign and shall not be more than six
feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
The area of a logo on a directional sign shall not count towards total
square feet allowed. The area of a logo on a directional sign shall
not exceed fifty percent of the area of the directional sign. There
shall be no more than one such sign per entry or exit unless a conditional
use permit is obtained.
C. Property Sale and Construction Signs.
(1) Property sale, lease or rental signs shall be limited
to one sign for each street frontage and shall not exceed an area
of thirty-two square feet per sign. When the property being advertised
for sale, lease or rent contains ten acres or more, the area of each
such sign shall not exceed sixty-four square feet.
(2) Construction project signs shall not exceed a total
area of thirty-two square feet and shall not be more than twelve feet
high.
D. Identification Signs.
(1) Identifications signs may be internally or indirectly
illuminated.
(2) On any lot or parcel of land with not more than two-business
establishments, the total area of all business identification signs
shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of street frontage
unless a conditional use permit is obtained. If the lot or parcel
has more than one street frontage, only the longest single frontage
shall be used to determine the allowable sign area. Unless otherwise
prohibited by this article, the total aggregate sign area allowed
for any lot or parcel may be used in any combination or number of
signs on any wall or side of the premises. There shall be no more
than one ground or pole sign per street front unless a conditional
use permit is obtained.
(3) In addition to the sign area allowed above, identification
signs may be placed on the rear wall of a business building as long
as the signs are not visible from the front property line. Such signs
shall be limited to a total aggregate area not to exceed one and one-half
square feet per linear foot of length of the wall on which the signs
are located.
(4) Identification signs for uses in commercial or industrial
centers as defined in this article shall be permitted as follows:
(a)
Signage for individual tenants or uses shall
not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage occupied
by said tenant or use unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
(b)
Center identification signs shall not exceed
five hundred square feet. Copy may include both center and tenant
identification. There shall be no more than one such sign per street
front unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
E. Off-premises advertising signs.
[Amended 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02]
(1) The purpose of this section is to provide reasonable
measures for the location and construction of off-premises signs within
the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Evanston. Off-premises
signs serve a practical purpose of advertising goods and services
and provide economic opportunity for the property owner. The following
measures offer location and distance requirements for off-premises
signs to mitigate clustering and land use impacts, ensure quality
control of off-premises signs, address public safety considerations,
and allow for the continued use of existing off-premises signs.
(2) An off-premises sign shall require a conditional use
permit. In addition, an off-premises sign shall comply with the following
requirements:
(a)
An off-premises sign shall be limited to Regional
Business, Highway Business, Community Business, Business/Light Manufacturing,
and Industrial zoning districts on property abutting Interstate-80,
on property abutting frontage roads which abut Interstate-highways.
An off-premises sign shall not be located further than one hundred
(100) feet from the right-of-way of Interstate-80, a frontage road,
or a state-controlled primary highway.
(b)
An off-premises sign located on property abutting
Interstate-80, a frontage road, or a state-controlled primary highway
shall require review and approval from the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
(c)
An off-premises sign shall not be located on
property abutting a local street, a collector street, or a WYDOT-designated
scenic byway. Where a state-controlled primary highway intersects
with a local or collector street, an off-premises sign shall be oriented
toward the highway.
(d)
There shall be a minimum radius of five hundred
(500) feet between off-premises signs on property abutting Interstate-80,
frontage roads, and state-controlled primary highways.
(e)
An off-premises sign shall not be located closer
than one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet to any Residential, Public,
Open Space, Transitional, Office or Neighborhood Business zoning district.
(f)
An off-premises sign shall not be located in
the front yard setback of a property. An off-premises sign shall comply
with the setback requirements for an accessory structure for the zoning
district in which the sign is located.
(g)
An off-premises sign shall be a single pole
structure.
(h)
The area of an off-premises sign shall not exceed
three hundred and fifty (350) square feet when located on property
abutting state-controlled primary highways; and six hundred and seventy
two (672) square feet when located on property abutting Interstate-80
and on property abutting frontage roads which abut Interstate-80.
The area of an off-premises sign shall not be assessed against allowable
on-premises sign area for the property on which it is located. An
extension beyond the perimeter of an off-premises sign is permitted,
but the extension shall not exceed 10% of the sign area. An off-premises
sign shall be designed, engineered, and permitted to accommodate any
proposed sign extension.
(i)
The overall height of an off-premises sign,
measured from finished grade to the top of the sign, shall not exceed
sixty five (65) feet unless permitted through the conditional use
permit process.
(j)
Accent lighting and border or perimeter lighting
may include neon lighting but such lighting shall not replicate the
colors of traffic control devices. Lighting shall not be flashing
so as to create a public safety hazard.
(k)
An existing off-premises sign that does not
comply with these requirement shall be considered a legal, nonconforming
structure. Routine maintenance and repair of the sign is permitted.
If a nonconforming sign is removed or destroyed by any means natural
or otherwise, the sign may be reconstructed within a period of 6 months.
If the sign is not rebuilt within this time frame, the sign shall
not be reconstructed. Reconstruction shall not increase sign area
or height of the sign. A multi-pole sign shall be reconstructed as
a single pole sign. Over area signage shall be reduced in area to
comply with the requirements of this section. Over height signage
shall be reduced in height to comply with the requirements of this
section. Lighting shall comply with this section. Permit review is
required.