Anchorage City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 21
12 SIGNS
[1]
Editor's note — Former Ch. 21.11 was renumbered as Ch. 21.12 by AO No. 2020-38, eff. 5-28-2020.
§ 21.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing standards and criteria for the construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of signs in the municipality, which are subject to the provisions of this chapter. It is the further purpose to provide for the removal of those signs that do not comply with these regulations. More specifically, this chapter is intended to:
A.
Enhance and protect the physical appearance of the municipality.
B.
Protect property values.
C.
Promote and maintain visually attractive, high value residential, retail, commercial, and industrial districts.
D.
Promote the economic well being of the community by creating a favorable physical image.
E.
Ensure that signs are located and designed to:
1.
Provide an effective means of way finding in the community.
2.
Afford the community an equal and fair way to advertise and promote its products and services.
3.
Reduce sign clutter and the distractions and confusion that may be contributing factors in traffic congestion and accidents, and maintain a safe and orderly pedestrian and vehicular environment.
4.
Minimize the disruption of the scenic views which when maintained protect important community values.
5.
Respect the unique climatic conditions such as the amount of snow fall and the effect of sustained snow piles, the amount of daylight, and the acute shadows regularly occurring on the landscape.
6.
Afford businesses, individuals, and institutions a reasonable opportunity to use signs as an effective means of communication.
F.
Provide review procedures that assure that signs are consistent with the municipality's objectives and within the municipality's capacity to efficiently administer the regulations.
G.
Prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.020 Application of this chapter.
A.
The regulations contained in this chapter shall apply to signs outside of the public right-of-way and on the property to which the standard or regulation refers, except when specifically stated otherwise. A sign may only be erected, established, painted, created, or maintained in conformance with the standards, criteria, procedures, and other applicable requirements of this chapter.
B.
Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, all determinations, findings, and interpretations shall be made by the director or other appropriate municipal officials called upon or designated by the director.
C.
The following signs and displays are exempted from this chapter:
1.
Any sign displaying a public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation;
2.
Flags of any nation, government, or non-commercial organization;
3.
Any sign inside a building that is not attached to the window or door and is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot on which the sign is located;
4.
Any work of art that does not display a commercial message;
5.
Any religious symbol that does not display a commercial message;
6.
Any traffic control sign, such as "STOP" or "YIELD," located on private property that meets applicable governmental standards pertaining to such signs and does not display a commercial message;
7.
Signs erected by state or local government agencies, or their contractors, to facilitate the construction, maintenance, or operation of transportation facilities;
8.
Product dispensers and trash receptacles;
9.
Holiday and community special event decorations that do not display a commercial message;
10.
Mascots for educational institutions with primarily academic curricula;
11.
Signs on athletic fields and scoreboards intended for on-premises viewing;
12.
Construction signs of up to 32 square feet; and
13.
Temporary signs of six square feet or less in area, except as regulated elsewhere in this chapter.
D.
Regulations for nonconforming signs are located in Chapter 21.13.
E.
Regulations regarding sign permits are located in Section 21.03.170.
F.
Regulations regarding sign variances are located in Section 21.03.240.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.030 Relationship of this chapter to state law.
No provision of this chapter shall be interpreted as authorizing the erection or maintenance of any sign or display within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway, or the erection or maintenance of any sign or display beyond 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the main-traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway with the purpose of the message displayed being read from that travel way, in a manner that would conflict with the provisions of Alaska statutes sections 19.25.075 - 19.25.180.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.040 Computations and rules of measurement.
The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area, sign height, building frontage, and public street frontage:
A.
Determining sign area or dimensions of signs.
1.
The sign area shall include the face of all the display area(s), the sign frame, the structural support, and any attendant construction of the sign, except as follows:
a.
Architectural features as defined in Chapter 21.15 shall not be considered sign area, as long as the architectural feature area is no larger than 50 percent of the sign area, provided, however, that the total sign size (sign area and architectural feature area) never exceeds 135 percent of the maximum sign size for the site.
b.
Structural support that is located below the sign face area and its accompanying frame, does not contain a message other than the street number in conformance with subsection 5.a below, and is clearly distinguishable from the sign face area, shall not be considered sign area or architectural feature in conformance with subsection 5.b below.
2.
For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted, or otherwise prepared and intended to provide a background for a sign display, the area of the sign shall be the area of not more than three geometric shapes that encompass the entire area of the sign including the background or frame.
3.
For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures, or elements on a wall or similar surface of a building or structure, or an irregular shaped freestanding sign, the area of the sign shall be the area of not more than three regular geometric shapes that encompass the perimeter of all the elements in the display.
a.
When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but the elements are separated by open space, the area of the sign shall include all the display areas, including the space between the elements.
b.
Up to five percent of the permitted sign area may be considered minor protrusions, and extend outside of the maximum limitation of three geometric shapes and are, therefore, exempted from being included as part of the sign area.
4.
For freestanding and projecting signs the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces when two display faces are joined, are parallel, or are within 30 degrees of being parallel to each other and are part of the same sign structure. For any sign that has two display surfaces that do not comply with the above regulation, or has more than two display surfaces, then each surface shall be included when determining the area of the sign.
5.
In determining the area of freestanding and projecting signs, the following shall be exempted from being considered as part of the maximum permitted area:
a.
One-half square foot of sign area shall be exempted for each digit of the street number, up to a maximum of three square feet.
b.
The portion of a solid sign base up to a maximum height of four feet that is at least 50 percent screened by landscaping.
c.
The air space under a freestanding sign between supporting posts and air space between a projecting sign and the wall to which it is attached.
All other exemptions to the area of a sign may only be approved by the urban design commission.
6.
Except as provided in Table 21.12-1 for non-residential uses located within residential districts, the height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the elevation of the edge of the public right-of-way immediately adjacent to, or nearest the sign structure, to the highest point of the sign, its frame, or decorative features.
B.
Determining building frontage and building unit. For the purposes of this chapter and for determining allowable wall sign area, the building frontage shall include the building walls that: face a public street, face a parking lot which serves the use, or contains a public entrance to the uses therein. For the purposes of these regulations, a public alley is not considered a public street.
1.
The building frontage shall be measured along such building wall between the exterior faces of the exterior sidewalls.
2.
In the case of an irregular wall surface, a single straight line approximating such wall surface shall be used to measure the wall's length.
3.
For multi-occupant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant shall be considered a building unit. The building frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.
4.
The primary frontage shall be the portion of a frontage that serves as the main access point to a building or building unit. (See Figure 2)
5.
The secondary frontage shall be all other frontages. (See Figure 2)
C.
Determining public street frontage for freestanding signs. For the purposes of this chapter and for determining allowable freestanding sign area, public street frontage is the length of a lot line, A. measured between two corners of the lot, which abuts the public street along which the sign is to be located. The length of public street frontage along one lot line shall only be used to calculate the allowable freestanding sign size for a sign to be located on that lot line. Lots with more than one public street frontage shall not add these street frontages together to calculate an allowable freestanding sign area. For the purposes of these regulations a public alley is not considered a public street. For the purposes of this section, standards, which are based on a minimum length of the public street frontage, shall also apply to "any portion thereof" unless the specific section states otherwise. For signs placed at the intersection of two streets, equidistant from two lot lines, the length of either lot line, but not both, may be used to determine the allowable sign size.
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D.
Determining sign setbacks. The required setbacks for the sign shall apply to all elements of the sign including its frame and base.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO No. 2015-138, §§ 1, 2, 1-12-2016; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.050 Signs in residential districts and the development reserve district (DR).
A.
Applicability. Signs for all residential and nonresidential uses in residential districts shall comply with the standards set forth in this section. In the TA district, the standards in this section apply only to residential parcels.
B.
Basic regulations for signs in the residential districts and the development reserve district (DR). Signs for all residential and nonresidential uses in residential districts shall be limited in number, area, height, and setback based on the type of use, as set forth in Table 21.12-1.
C.
Supplemental standards for all changeable copy signs.
1.
Signs for permitted nonresidential uses may have up to 100 percent of the sign area devoted to changeable copy, except as provided in subsections C.2 and C.3 below.
2.
Electronic changeable copy is prohibited for all building signs and freestanding signs except as provided in subsection C.3 below.
3.
Electronic changeable copy is permitted for freestanding and building signs on parcels that are nine acres or greater with a minimum of 500 feet of frontage on a street of class II or greater classification in the Official Streets and Highways Plan. Electronic changeable copy shall not change more than one time per 20-second period. Electronic changeable copy freestanding signs are permitted up to a maximum of 80 percent of the actual sign area. One electronic changeable copy building sign per 300 linear feet of frontage is permitted up to a maximum of 20 square feet per sign.
D.
Multi-occupant facilities. When a freestanding sign is permitted on a site that has more than one occupant, it is the property owner's responsibility to determine if the sign area shall be devoted to identification of the building(s), the anchor occupant, all occupants, or some combination thereof.
E.
Instructional signs. Instructional signs that are clearly intended for instructional purposes shall be permitted as needed on a lot in a residential district when the lot is devoted to a multifamily or nonresidential use provided such signs comply with the following:
1.
The signs are not larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose, but in any event do not exceed six square feet in area;
2.
The number of instructional signs located on the site are the minimum needed to serve the intended instructional purpose;
3.
The signs are not located or designed to be legible or serve to attract attention beyond the perimeter of the site.
4.
The signs may be placed on the base of a permitted freestanding sign without the area of such instructional sign, or the background, being considered as part of or added to the area of the freestanding sign.
TABLE 21.12-1: SIGNS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT RESERVE DISTRICT (DR) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Maximum Number Permitted | Maximum Area Per Sign | Standards for Freestanding Signs | |
Maximum Height | Minimum Setback from ROW | |||
Signs for Each Single Family Dwelling, Two-Family Dwelling, or Townhouse | ||||
Permanent Signs | ||||
Building Signplates | 1 per dwelling unit | 2 sq. ft.2 | — | — |
Freestanding Signs | 1 per building | 2 sq. ft.5 | 5 ft. | 0 |
Temporary Signs1 | 2 per dwelling unit | 6 sq. ft. | 5 ft. | 0 |
Signs for Residential Subdivisions | 2 per subdivision entrance | 30 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | 5 ft. |
Multifamily Buildings | ||||
Permanent Signs | ||||
Building Signplates | 1 per public entrance to building | 2 sq. ft.2 | — | — |
Freestanding Signs | 1 per development entrance or per 500 feet of public street frontage, whichever is greater | 30 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | Equal to height of sign |
Temporary Signs | ||||
Freestanding Signs1 | 6 sq. ft. | |||
Permitted Nonresidential Uses | ||||
Permanent Signs | ||||
Building Signplates | 1 per address | 2 sq. ft.2 | — | — |
Primary Building Signs | Not Applicable | 1/2 sq. ft. of sign for every lineal ft. of primary building frontage | — | — |
Freestanding Signs | 1 per 500 feet of public street frontage | 40 sq. ft.3 | 8 ft.4 | 10 ft. |
Temporary Signs | ||||
Freestanding Signs1 | 2 | 6 sq. ft. | ||
Instructional Signs | Shall be exempt from requirements when in compliance with § 21.12.050E | |||
1 Temporary signs are also subject to provisions of § 21.12.050F. |
2 A sign plate is not in violation of these regulations if a larger sign is determined to be necessary to accommodate identification as mandated by the municipality. |
3 A sign which is located within 40 feet of a property line of a parcel which is either occupied by, or is zoned for, a single-family or two-family dwelling unit shall be limited to a maximum area of 30 square feet. |
4 Sign height is measured from the natural grade at the base of the sign. |
5 For parcels larger than one acre located within the R-6, R-7, R-8, R-9, R-10, and TA residential zoning districts, one freestanding sign no greater than eight square feet shall be permitted. |
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F.
Temporary signs.
1.
For single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, or townhouses. Two temporary signs are permitted at any given time on any one parcel. These temporary signs may be displayed for an unspecified amount of time provided these signs do not contain any commercial messages except for the sale or leasing of the property on which the sign is located.
2.
For multifamily developments and nonresidential uses. Two temporary freestanding signs that do not exceed six square feet each may be erected for an unspecified time.
3.
Vacant parcels. The following signs are permitted for an unspecified period of time:
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a.
For a parcel equal to or less than one acre, one temporary sign is permitted up to a maximum of 16 square feet.
b.
For a parcel greater than one acre, one temporary sign is permitted up to 32 square feet. A parcel that also has frontage on a second public street is entitled to a second sign, not to exceed 32 square feet, provided that the length of the frontage along the second public street is a minimum of 300 feet.
Such signs may not be used to display commercial messages referring to products or services that are unrelated to current or pending activities on or uses of the property.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO 2013-117, 12-3-2013; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.060 Signs in the public lands and institutions (PLI), residential office (RO), watershed (WS), and parks and recreation (PR) districts.
A.
Applicability. Signs in the PLI, RO, WS, and PR districts shall conform to the standards set forth in this section.
B.
Basic standards for building signs.
1.
Maximum area of permanent building signs. Building signs shall conform to the maximum area limitations set forth in Table 21.12-2.
TABLE 21.12-2: BUILDING SIGNS IN THE PLI, RO, WS, AND PR DISTRICTS | ||
|---|---|---|
Sign Type | Maximum Number Permitted | Base Area Permitted on a Single Building Frontage |
Signplate | 1/address | 2 square feet |
Building Sign on Primary Frontage6 7 | 1 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of primary frontage8 | |
Building Sign on Secondary Frontage6 7 | 0.6 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of secondary frontage8 | |
Instructional Sign | Shall be exempt from regulations when in compliance with § 21.12.060F. | |
6 See § 21.12.040B. |
7 The maximum sign area that is permitted for primary frontage may be transferred to a secondary frontage provided that the maximum sign area on any secondary frontage does not exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of frontage. |
8 The maximum building sign area for a building or any portion of the building which is setback more than 200 feet from the right-of-way that provides primary access to the site may be increased by 25 percent, provided the building is visible from any portion of the adjacent street. |
2.
Placement of building signs.
a.
The building signs permitted in Table 21.12-2 may be placed on the wall, awnings, canopies, parapets, or be a projecting sign in compliance with subsection 2.b below.
b.
Projecting signs shall be limited to occupants that have a minimum of ten feet of occupant building frontage provided that:
i.
All projecting signs shall have a maximum height of 14 feet and a minimum clearance of eight feet from the ground to the bottom of the sign. A projecting sign may be a minimum of six feet from the ground when it is located above a landscaped area or other area that does not permit pedestrian traffic beneath the sign.
ii.
Projecting signs shall be placed on the building so the signs are intended to be viewed by the pedestrians on the abutting street or pedestrian way.
C.
Basic standards for permanent freestanding signs.
1.
Maximum number, area and height, minimum setback of permanent freestanding signs. Permanent freestanding signs shall comply with the maximum number, area, and height limitations, and minimum setback from the street right-of-way set forth in Table 21.12-3.
2.
Sign area proportions. For any freestanding sign, the horizontal portion (width) of the face shall not exceed four times the height of the face.
TABLE 21.12-3: FREESTANDING SIGNS STANDARDS IN THE PLI, RO, WS, AND PR DISTRICTS | ||
|---|---|---|
PLI, WS, and PR | RO | |
Maximum Height | 15 ft. | 15 ft. |
Maximum Area | 120 sq. ft. | 80 sq. ft. |
Number/Frontage | 1 per 300 ft. frontage up to a maximum of two | |
Minimum Separation | 200 ft. | |
Minimum Setback from ROW | None on a class II or greater street; otherwise 10 ft. | |
Minimum Setback from Side Lot Line10 | 10 ft. | |
Entrance and Exit Signs9 | ||
Maximum Area | 6 sq. ft. | |
Maximum Height | 5 ft. | |
9 Entrance and exit signs, which are permitted in addition to the above freestanding signs, shall be limited to two for each entrance/exit driveway. |
10 If the side lot is adjacent to a residential district then the minimum setback from the side lot line is 30 feet. |
D.
Supplemental standards for freestanding signs.
1.
Number of freestanding signs allowed.
a.
Lots with less than 300 lineal feet of frontage on any one street may have only one freestanding sign per that street frontage.
b.
Lots with 300 or more lineal feet of frontage on any one street may have two freestanding signs per that street frontage.
c.
No more than two freestanding signs are allowed along any one frontage. Freestanding signs must be separated by a minimum distance of 200 feet. On corner lots, the property frontage on both streets shall be considered when measuring the separation.
2.
Wrapping structural steel supports.
a.
Signs that are eight feet or less in height with exposed structural steel support: The structural steel supports shall have a covering that totals at least four times the width of the structural steel at its widest point and is parallel to the sign face.
b.
Signs that are greater than eight feet in height: All structural steel supports shall have coverings that collectively total at least 33 percent of the width of the sign at its widest point.
c.
The width of the covering shall be symmetrical for all supports. (See Figure 6)
d.
The depth of the support coverings shall not exceed the depth of the sign unless the supports are located on the perimeter of the sign. (See Figure 6)
e.
In all circumstances, the covering shall extend from four inches above the ground to the base of the sign face.
f.
The following materials shall not be the visible covering for structural steel supports:
i.
T-111
ii.
Plywood
iii.
Particle Board
iv.
Sheet Metal of less than 24 gauge
v.
Aluminum of less than .063 inches
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E.
Supplemental standards for all changeable copy signs.
1.
Freestanding signs may have up to 30 percent of the actual sign area devoted to changeable copy. Building signs and projecting signs may have up to 30 percent of the actual sign area or 120 square feet, whichever is less, devoted to changeable copy.
2.
Changeable copy may only be changed manually, provided, however, if the business or institution has frontage on a street of class II or greater classification, the copy may be changed electronically or mechanically as well as manually.
3.
Copy which is changed electronically or mechanically shall not be changed more than one time per 20-second period, however, if the business or institution has frontage on a street of class II or greater classification in the Official Streets and Highways Plan, the changeable copy shall not change more than one time per two seconds.
4.
Scrolling copy is allowed if these requirements are met:
a.
The message is completed within no less than two seconds and no more than five seconds.
b.
The complete message remains static before scrolling recommences for no less time than required for other changeable copy signs in the district.
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F.
Instructional signs. Signs that comply with the definition of "instructional sign" shall be permitted as needed provided such signs comply with the following:
1.
The signs are not larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose.
2.
The number of instructional signs located on the site are the minimum needed to serve the intended instructional purpose.
3.
Instructional signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
4.
The signs may be placed on the base of a permitted freestanding sign without the area of such instructional sign, or the background, being considered as part of or added to the area of the freestanding sign.
G.
Menu boards and ordering screens. In addition to other allowed building or freestanding signs, restaurants with accessory drive-through service and food and beverage kiosks may have menu boards, ordering screens, and clearance bars.
H.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs in the PLI, RO, WS, and PR districts are permitted pursuant to Table 21.12-4 as set forth below:
TABLE 21.12-4: TEMPORARY SIGNS IN THE PLI, RO, WS, and PR DISTRICTS | |
|---|---|
Maximum Area | 100 sq. ft. (32 sq. ft. rigid material) |
Maximum Number of Signs Per Principal Use | 1 |
Maximum Number of Display Days | 6011 |
Lighting | Internally illuminated or lighted signs are prohibited |
Motion | Animation or flashing is prohibited |
Maximum Height (Freestanding) | Same as permanent signs |
Setbacks | Same as permanent signs |
11 For temporary signs involving the sale, rent, or lease of the property on which the sign is located, the time limit is unlimited. |
I.
Display of commercial flags. In the PLI, RO, WS, and PR districts, a maximum of three flagpoles may be erected on any parcel provided that:
1.
A maximum of three commercial flags may be displayed simultaneously.
2.
The maximum length of the flag pole shall be 30 feet.
3.
The total maximum size of all commercial flags displayed shall not exceed 120 square feet. Subject to the total maximum size of commercial flags, a commercial or non-commercial organization may display alongside a national or governmental flag, one organizational flag not larger than the national or governmental flag.
4.
The corporate or commercial flag may only display the name, trademark, or logo of the business on the parcel and such flag may not be used for other business or advertising purposes.
J.
Unified sign plan. To recognize and accommodate irregular site shapes (which are typically characterized by narrow lot frontages resulting in some buildings with large setbacks and limited visibility to a public street), multiple contiguous lots and/or tracts may be considered as a single site for the purposes of determining the size, number, and placement of freestanding signs permitted pursuant to this section. Solely for the purposes of this section:
1.
The number and area of the freestanding signs permitted, pursuant to Table 21.12-3, shall be determined based on size and frontage of the multiple properties being considered as a single parcel.
2.
After a unified sign plan has been approved by the municipality and a permit has been issued, the sign rights or limitations shall be recorded with the state district recorder's office as a deed restriction.
3.
Revocation of a unified sign plan must be approved by all participants in the plan; all signs on the affected properties must be in compliance with this code before the plan can be revoked.
4.
This section shall not be interpreted as authorizing the erection or maintenance of any sign or display within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway, or the erection or maintenance of any sign or display beyond 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the main traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway with the purpose of the message displayed being read from that travel way, in a manner that would conflict with the provisions of Alaska statutes sections 19.25.075 - 19.25.180.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO 2013-117, 12-3-2013; AO No. 2015-138, § 3, 1-12-2016; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.070 Signs in the commercial, industrial, downtown (DT), turnagain arm (TA), transition (TR), and airport (A) districts.
A.
Applicability. Signs in the commercial and industrial districts, as well as the downtown (DT), transition (TR), and airport (A) districts shall conform to the standards set forth in this section. The standards of this section apply only to the nonresidential parcels in the TA district.
B.
Basic standards for building signs.
1.
Maximum area of permanent building signs. Building signs shall conform to the maximum area limitations set forth in Table 21.12-5.
2.
Placement of building signs.
a.
The building signs permitted in Table 21.12-5 may be placed on the wall, awnings, canopies, parapets, or be a projecting sign in compliance with subsection 2.b below.
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b.
Projecting signs shall be limited to occupants that have a minimum of ten feet of occupant building frontage provided that:
i.
All projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet from the ground to the bottom of the sign. A projecting sign may be a minimum of six feet from the ground when it is located above a landscaped area or other area that does not permit pedestrian traffic beneath the sign.
ii.
Projecting signs shall be placed on the building so that the signs are intended to be viewed by the pedestrians on the abutting street or pedestrian way.
3.
Additional building signs for multiple story buildings. In addition to the building signs in section 21.12.070A one additional sign is permitted on each of the building's primary and secondary frontages, and on each building wall which faces a major arterial street regardless of the proximity of the major arterial street to the multiple story building lot, according to the following. For a building with two floors the additional permitted sign area is 40 square feet for an eligible building wall. This additional sign area may be increased by ten square feet for each additional floor in the building provided that the sign is placed at the floor height for which the bonus is given.
TABLE 21.12-5: BUILDING SIGNS IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, DOWNTOWN (DT), TURNAGAIN ARM (TA)12 , TRANSITION (TR), AND AIRPORT (A) DISTRICTS | ||
|---|---|---|
Sign Type | Maximum Number Permitted | Base Area Permitted on a Single Building Frontage13 |
Signplate | 1/address | 2 square feet |
Building Sign on Primary Frontage14 | 1.2 sq. ft. per linear ft. of primary frontage in the DT districts. | |
2 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of primary frontage in all other districts regulated in this section15 | ||
Building Sign on Secondary Frontage | 1.2 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of secondary frontage | |
Building Sign on Door of Rear Entrance | 2 sq. ft. per each door | |
Instructional Sign | Shall be exempt from regulations when in compliance with § 21.12.070F | |
12 The standards of this subsection only apply to nonresidential parcels in the TA district. |
13 See § 21.12.040B. |
14 The maximum sign area that is permitted for primary frontage may be transferred to a secondary frontage provided that the maximum sign area on any secondary frontage does not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of frontage. |
15 The maximum building sign area for a building or any portion of the building that is setback more than 200 feet from the right-of-way that provides primary access to the site may be increased by 25 percent, provided the building is visible from the street. |
C.
Basic standards for permanent freestanding signs.
1.
Maximum Area and Height, Minimum Setback of Permanent Freestanding Signs. Permanent freestanding signs shall comply with the maximum area and height limitations and minimum setback from the street right-of-way set forth in Table 21.12-6.
2.
Sign area proportions. For any freestanding sign greater than 15 feet in height but less than 20 feet, the horizontal portion (width) of the face shall not exceed four times the height of the face. For any freestanding sign between 20 feet and 25 feet in height, the horizontal portion (width) of the face shall not exceed three times the height of the face.
D.
Supplemental standards for freestanding signs.
1.
Number of freestanding signs allowed.
a.
Lots with less than 300 linear feet of frontage on any one street may have only one freestanding sign per that street frontage.
TABLE 21.12-6: FREESTANDING SIGN REGULATIONS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
B-1A, B-1B | TA (nonresidential parcels) and TR | DT Districts (B-2A, B-2B, B-2C) | B-3, I-1, I-2, MC, MI, and A | |
Maximum Height | 12 ft. | 12 ft. | 8 ft. | 25 ft. |
Maximum Area | 80 sq. ft. | 80 sq. ft. | 64 sq. ft. | 0.7 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of frontage18 |
Number/Frontage | See § 21.12.070D | |||
Separation | 150 ft. | |||
Minimum Setback from R.O.W. | 0 ft. | 10 ft. | 0 ft. | 0 ft. |
Minimum Setback from side lot line17 | 10 ft. | |||
Entrance and Exit Signs16 | ||||
Maximum Area | 6 sq. ft. | |||
Maximum Height | 5 ft. | |||
16 Entrance and exit signs, which are permitted in addition to the above freestanding signs, shall be limited to two for each entrance/exit driveway. |
17 If the side lot line is adjacent to a residential district then the minimum setback from the side lot line is 30 feet. |
18 The maximum allowable area shall not be less than 70 square feet nor greater than 200 square feet. |
b.
Lots with 300 or more lineal feet of frontage on any one street may have two freestanding signs per that street frontage. Each individual freestanding sign shall be sized as per Table 21.12-6: Freestanding Sign Regulations.
c.
Except in a commercial development as described in subsection 1.d below, no more than two freestanding signs are allowed along any one frontage. Freestanding signs must be separated by a minimum distance of 150 feet. On corner lots, the property frontage on both streets shall be considered when measuring the separation.
d.
If a commercial development comprises more than a single platted lot, and one or more of the platted lots or commercial tract lots of the commercial development has frontage on a classified street of class III or greater, then each platted lot or commercial tract lot having a building and frontage of 100 feet or more on the class III or greater street shall be permitted a freestanding, monument style sign, subject to the limitations of this subsection. In addition, if a building central to the commercial development has frontage of less than 100 feet on the class III or greater street, then one freestanding, monument style sign adjacent to each entrance to the property from the class III or greater street shall be permitted subject to the limitations of this subsection. The height limitation shall be eight feet, excluding the base; the total area of each sign shall not exceed 120 square feet; pole signs are prohibited; and each sign shall comply with all other requirements of this chapter. Signs permitted by this subsection are in addition to all other signage within the commercial development permitted by this chapter including freestanding signs along frontage on classified streets of less than class III, and building signs.
2.
Wrapping structural steel supports.
a.
Signs that are eight feet or less in height with exposed structural steel support: The structural steel supports shall have a covering that totals at least four times the width of the structural steel at its widest point and is parallel to the sign face.
b.
Signs that are greater than eight feet in height but less than 15 feet in height: All structural steel supports shall have coverings that collectively total at least 33 percent of the width of the sign at its widest point and are parallel to the sign face.
c.
Signs 15 feet or greater in height that have a single structural steel support: The structural steel support shall have a covering that totals at least 25 percent of the width of the sign at its widest point and is parallel to the sign face.
d.
Signs 15 feet or greater in height that have more than one structural steel support: The structural steel supports shall have coverings that collectively total at least 33 percent of the width of the sign at its widest point.
e.
The width of the covering shall be symmetrical for all supports. (See Figure 9)
f.
The depth of the support coverings shall not exceed the depth of the sign unless the supports are located on the perimeter of the sign. (See Figure 9)
 Figure 9: Examples of pole wrap. Poles depicted in plan view. |
g.
In all circumstances, the covering shall extend from four inches above the ground to the base of the sign face.
h.
The following materials shall not be used for covering for structural steel supports:
i.
T-111
ii.
Plywood
iii.
Particle Board
iv.
Sheet metal of less than 24 gauge
v.
Aluminum of less than .063 inches
 |
3.
Multi-occupant facilities. When a freestanding sign is constructed on a site that has more than one occupant, it is the property owner's responsibility to determine if the sign area shall be devoted to identification of the building(s), the anchor occupant, all occupants, or some combination thereof.
E.
Supplemental standards for all changeable copy signs.
1.
Freestanding signs may have up to 50 percent of the actual sign area devoted to changeable copy. Building signs and projecting signs may have up to 50 percent of the actual sign area or up to 150 square feet, whichever is less, devoted to changeable copy.
2.
Copy which is changed electronically or mechanically shall not be changed more than one time per two-second period.
3.
Scrolling copy is allowed if these requirements are met:
a.
The message is completed within no less than two seconds and no more than five seconds.
b.
The complete message remains static before scrolling recommences for no less time than required for other changeable copy signs in the district.
F.
Instructional signs. Signs that comply with the definition of "instructional sign" shall be permitted as needed provided such signs comply with the following:
1.
The signs are not larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose;
2.
The number of instructional signs located on the site are the minimum needed to serve the intended instructional purpose;
3.
Instructional signs shall not exceed six square feet in area; and
4.
The signs may be placed on the base of a permitted freestanding sign without the area of such instructional sign, or the background, being considered as part of or added to the area of the freestanding sign.
G.
Menu boards and ordering screens. In addition to other allowed building or freestanding signs, restaurants with accessory drive-through service and food and beverage kiosks may have menu boards, ordering screens, and clearance bars.
H.
Unified sign plan. To recognize and accommodate irregular site shapes (which are typically characterized by narrow lot frontages resulting in some buildings with large setbacks and limited visibility to a public street) multiple contiguous lots and/or tracts may be considered as a single site for the purposes of determining the size, number, and placement of freestanding signs permitted pursuant to this section. Solely for the purposes of this section:
1.
The number and area of the freestanding signs permitted, pursuant to Table 21.12-6, shall be determined based on size and frontage of the multiple properties being considered as a single parcel.
2.
After a unified sign plan has been approved by the municipality and a permit has been issued, the sign rights or limitations shall be recorded with the state district recorder's office as a deed restriction.
3.
Revocation of a unified sign plan must be approved by all participants in the plan; all signs on the affected properties must be in compliance with this code before the plan can be revoked.
4.
This subsection shall not be interpreted as authorizing the erection or maintenance of any sign or display within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway, or the erection or maintenance of any sign or display beyond 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the main traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway with the purpose of the message displayed being read from that travel way, in a manner that would conflict with the provisions of AS 19.25.075—19.25.180.
I.
Display of commercial flags. In the districts listed in Table 21.12-5, a maximum of three flagpoles may be erected on any parcel provided that:
1.
A maximum of three commercial flags may be displayed simultaneously.
2.
The maximum length of the flag pole shall be 30 feet.
3.
The total maximum size of all commercial flags displayed shall not exceed 120 square feet. Subject to the total maximum size of commercial flags, a commercial or non-commercial organization may display alongside a national or governmental flag, one organizational flag not larger than the national or governmental flag.
4.
The corporate or commercial flag may only display the name, trademark, or logo of the business on the parcel and such flag may not be used for other business or advertising purposes.
J.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs in nonresidential districts are permitted pursuant to Table 21.12-7 as set forth below:
1.
Banners shall not be deemed signs for purposes of sign permitting requirements under Title 23 provided that these conditions are met:
a.
The banner is maintained in an "as new" condition at all times and is displayed and secured so as not to encroach into a public right-of-way.
b.
Notice is filed with the municipality, land use enforcement division, at commencement of each display period.
c.
The banner is displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days from the commencement date specified in the notice, and for no more than 120 total days annually.
2.
Balloons, pennants, ribbons, and streamers are considered decorative display and not signs for purposes of sign permitting under Title 23. Balloons, pennants, ribbons, and streamers shall meet these requirements:
a.
Balloons, pennants, ribbons, and streamers shall be maintained in an "as new" condition at all times and shall be displayed and secured so as not to encroach into the public right-of-way.
b.
Balloons, pennants, ribbons, and streamers are decoration within the scope of enforcement of AMC Section 15.20.020B.11 and shall not create a public nuisance by reason of condition or inappropriate location.
3.
Poster advertisement and other window applications that are affixed or attached to a window or door, or are applied or attached within a building and located near a window for the purpose of being visible to and read from the outside of the building, are permitted without being subject to number, sign permitting under Title 23. The total combined area of poster advertisement and other window application shall not exceed 50 percent of the window area unless the structure is under construction and not occupied. If under construction, the windows may be fully covered.
TABLE 21.12-7: TEMPORARY SIGNS | |
|---|---|
Maximum Area | 100 sq. (32 sq. ft. rigid material) |
Maximum Number of Signs Per Principal Use | 219 |
Maximum Number of Display Days | 12020, 21 |
Lighting | Internally illuminated or lighted signs are prohibited |
Motion | Animation or flashing is prohibited |
Maximum Height (Freestanding) | Same as permanent signs |
Setbacks | Same as permanent signs |
19 Ideological and political signs are exempt. |
20 For decorative display, window poster/other window application, and temporary signs involving the sale, rent, or lease of the property in which the sign is located, the number of days is unlimited. |
21 Maximum number of display days per year for all temporary signage if not subject to specific exception or exemption. |
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO No. 2015-138, § 4, 1-12-2016; AO No. 2020-38, §§ 11, 12, 5-28-2020; AO No. 2021-89(S), §§ 19, 20, 2-15-2022)
§ 21.12.080 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited:
A.
Roof signs, except for signs with no more than 20 percent of the actual sign area extending no more than 20 percent of the building height above the roof or parapet wall.
B.
Billboards and other off-premise signs. Signs may not be used to display commercial messages relating to products and services that are not offered on the property.
C.
Any sign or display within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway, or any sign or display beyond 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the main traveled way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway erected or maintained with the purpose of the message displayed being read from that travel way, that would conflict with the provisions of AS 19.25.075—19.25.180.
D.
Portable signs.
E.
Flashing, moving, animated, coursing, blinker, racer-type, intermittent, moving or revolving signs and/or devices except as allowed in compliance with section 21.12.090E, whirligig devices, inflatable signs and oversize tethered balloons, spinners, and other similar types of attention-getting devices except for pennants, ribbons, streamers, and latex balloons not exceeding 16 inches in diameter, when maintained in an "as new condition". Pennants, ribbons, streamers, and latex balloons not maintained in "as new condition" shall be deemed unsightly and subject to enforcement under subsection 15.20.020B.11. Changeable copy signs are not prohibited when in compliance with the applicable regulations in this chapter.
F.
Signs in the AF district except for warning signs and identification placards required in section 21.05.040K.2.g.v.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO 2013-117, 12-3-2013; AO No. 2020-38, § 12, 5-28-2020)
§ 21.12.090 Supplemental sign standards.
A.
Illumination of permanent and temporary signs. Permanent and temporary signs shall be permitted to be illuminated in compliance with the following:
1.
Signs shall not include animated, flashing, moving, or intermittent illumination except that the messages may change no more frequently than the rates specified in sections 21.12.050C, 21.12.060E, and 21.12.070E.
2.
Temporary signs shall not be internally illuminated. Any external illumination of these signs shall be permitted only in commercial and industrial zones.
3.
All internally illuminated building or free-standing signs with the exception of neon-lighted signs with exposed neon tubes shall comply with the following:
a.
Except as provided in subsection 3.c below, the sign shall be constructed with either: an opaque background and translucent letters and symbols; or, a translucent darker colored background with a lighter contrasting color for the letters and symbols. Registered trademarks and logos are exempt from this provision.
b.
No internal lighting shall include exposed incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
c.
A changeable copy sign with dark colored letters or symbols on a lighter contrasting translucent background may be internally illuminated if the internally illuminated area of the sign does not exceed 20 square feet.
d.
During daylight hours between sunrise and sunset, luminance shall be no greater than 5,000 candelas per square meter for LED signs. At all other times, LED luminance shall be no greater than 800 candelas per square meter.
4.
Freestanding signs more than 15 feet high shall only be internally illuminated. Signs less than or equal to 15 feet in height may be either internally or externally illuminated.
5.
The external illumination of freestanding signs shall comply with the following:
a.
Any external lighting of signs that have a height of between eight feet and 15 feet shall be from the top of the sign and directed downward;
b.
The lighting of signs that have a height of eight feet or less may be illuminated from the top of the sign or from the ground.
6.
Externally illuminated building signs may only be illuminated from the top of the sign.
7.
Light sources for externally illuminated signs must be shielded and directed so that the light shines on the sign and that the light source is not visible beyond the property line.
8.
Freestanding signs accessory to a single-family dwelling, two-family, or townhouse use in a residential district shall not be illuminated.
9.
Signs on a building or parcel in a residential district that has multifamily uses shall not be internally illuminated.
10.
For signs on permitted nonresidential uses in residential districts the illumination may be from external sources or by internal illumination of the letters and logos only; internal illumination of the background portion of the sign is prohibited.
B.
Preservation of sight lines. For the purpose of assuring that drivers and pedestrians have adequate visibility at the intersection of a roadway, street, driveway, trail, or alley, no sign or portion of a sign between a height of two and one-half feet and eight feet shall conflict with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) sight distance triangle specifications.
C.
Construction standards.
1.
The construction, erection, safety, and maintenance of signs shall comply with the uniform sign code as amended.
2.
Signs shall be structurally sound and located so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
3.
Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and of materials that are of good quality and good durability.
4.
Electric signs and all permanent signs involving structural requirements of the building code shall be installed, repaired, altered, and serviced only by a contractor licensed to perform such tasks.
5.
No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any window, door, fire escape, balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent, or other means of ingress and egress of any building.
6.
No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, trash receptacle, bench, or other structure not intended or approved as a sign support.
7.
Temporary signs shall be durable and weather-resistant and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
8.
No sign regulated by any of the provisions of this section shall be erected in the right-of-way, in proximity to railroad crossings, or at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign signal or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP," "LOOK," "DANGER", or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
9.
In the event there is a conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of any applicable building codes, the provisions of the applicable building code shall govern.
D.
Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
1.
The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use, and he or she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all building code requirements.
2.
If the director finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, or a menace to the public, notice shall be given in writing by the director to the owner. The owner of the business shall, within 48 hours of such notification, correct such unsafe condition or remove the sign. If the correction has not been made within the 48 hours, the sign may be removed or altered by the municipality to comply with these regulations at the expense of the owner or occupant of the property upon which the sign is located. The director may cause any sign, which, in the municipality's opinion, creates a danger to persons or property to be removed immediately and without notice.
3.
Whenever any sign, either conforming or nonconforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, refurbishing, or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
a.
There shall be no enlargement or increase in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure.
b.
The sign shall be accessory to a legally permitted, conditional or nonconforming use.
4.
The director may order any sign to be repaired whenever needed to keep the sign in a safe condition. All supports, guys, braces, and anchors for such signs shall be maintained in a safe condition.
5.
The sign face of any permanent sign which advertises a business that has not been conducted on the premises for 180 consecutive days or fails to serve the purposes for which it was intended, or evidences a lack of maintenance, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or land upon which such sign is located, within 30 days after written notice by the director and the sign area shall be replaced by a neutral, single background color panel or similar cover. If the sign is comprised of individually raised letters then the letters shall be removed. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the director is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the property on which such sign is located.
E.
Rotating signs. Where permitted, rotating signs shall revolve no more than four times per minute.
(AO 2012-124(S), 2-26-2013; AO 2013-117, 12-3-2013; AO No. 2020-38, § 11, 5-28-2020)