Apache Junction City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 1
11: SIGN REGULATIONS
§ 1-11-1 INTENT.
(A) Preserve and protect the public health, safety and welfare within the city.
(B) Encourage development of private property in harmony with the desired character of the city while providing due regard for the public and private interests involved.
(C) Minimize visual clutter and maintain high quality signage in the city.
(D) Promote the effectiveness of signs by preventing their over concentration, deterioration and improper placement.
(E) Protect the public from injury or damage as a result of sign distraction, obstruction or faulty construction.
(F) Implement the city's General Plan.
(G) Assure that public benefits derived from expenditure of public funds for the improvement and beautification of streets and other public structures and spaces shall be protected by exercising reasonable controls over the character and design of private structures.
(H) Provide an improved visual environment for the city's citizens, business owners and visitors.
(I) Comply with state and federal law.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-2 INTERPRETATION.
(A) The Zoning Administrator shall be responsible for the interpretation of the outdoor sign regulations.
(B) The Zoning Administrator's interpretation may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals in accordance with Vol. II, § 1-16-5.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-3 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY.
The provisions of the outdoor sign regulations shall apply to the erection, construction, alteration, use, location and maintenance of regulated signs within the city.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-4 CALCULATING SIGN AREA.
Sign area. The area of a sign is calculated as the entire area within a single contiguous perimeter composed of parallelograms, circles, ellipses, trapezoids and/or triangles which enclose the extreme limits of the advertising message, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space of a similar nature, together with any frame of other material, color or condition which forms an integral part of the display and is used to differentiate the sign from the structure, wall or background against which it is placed. Only 1 face of a double faced sign shall be included in determining the area of the sign.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-5 CALCULATING SIGN HEIGHT.
Sign height. The height of freestanding signs shall be measured as the vertical distance between the top of the curb, or crown of the roadway where no curb exists, to the top of the sign. The total sign height includes any monument base or other structure erected to support the sign.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-6 EXEMPT SIGNS.
Signs that are exempt from these regulations are as follows:
(A) One nameplate signs or cornerstone up to 4 square feet in size for residences and businesses.
(B) Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary or remembrances of persons or events noncommercial in nature.
(C) Sign maintenance.
(D) Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the property or from any public right-of-way.
(E) Works of fine art, sculpture, or depictions of persons, places or events noncommercial in nature and not used for purposed of commercial identification.
(F) Incidental signs, such as logos, hours of business, open and closed signs, under 3 square feet in area.
(G) Temporary decorations or displays associated with traditional patriotic, religious or local holidays subject to a display period of 30 calendar days prior to the event and 10 calendar days after the event.
(H) Official government signs, postings, kiosks, flags, pennants, banners or insignias.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-7 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
Prohibited signs. Prohibited signs are as follows:
(A) Signs in violation of this Article.
(B) Signs not listed as permitted in Vol. II, § 1-11-16, Table 11-1.
(C) Portable signs, except those permitted in Vol. II, § 1-11-16, Table 11-1.
(D) Off-site signs except those permitted in Vol. II, § 1-11-16, Table 11-1.
(E) Rotating or moving signs.
(F) Obscene signs.
(G) Signs located in the public right-of-way or public easement except for permitted emergency hospital signs, sign walkers, political signs, garage sale signs, temporary real estate directional signs and approved permanent directional/wayfinding signs.
(H) Signs attached to any public or private utility pole or structure, streetlight, tree, fence, fire hydrant, fire escape, building access ladder, bridge, curb, sidewalk, park bench or other location on public property, except for official government signs and signs for city sponsored events.
(I) Unsafe signs as determined by the City Engineer, Building Official and/or Chief of Police.
(J) Roof signs.
(K) Discontinued and/or abandoned non-conforming signs.
(L) Audible signs.
(M) Digital projection signs.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-8 PERMITTED SIGNS AND SIGN REGULATIONS.
Permitted signs. Vol. II, § 1-11-16, Table 11-1 sets forth the regulations regarding sign type, size, height, quantity, location and design.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-9 SPECIAL SIGN REGULATIONS.
(A) Manual changeable message signs.
(1) Maximum size. Fifty percent (50%) of the maximum size allowed for the freestanding/monument sign.
(2) Maximum height. In accordance with allowed freestanding/monument signs.
(3) Maximum quantity. One changeable message sign per property to be incorporated into the permitted freestanding/monument sign.
(4) Location. Minimum 5 foot front, side and rear setback. The freestanding sign setback shall also comply with the city's intersection visibility requirements in Vol. II, § 1-6-13.
(5) Zoning districts where allowed. All non-residential zoning districts.
(6) Design. The changeable letter sign shall be incorporated into a decorative monument base.
(7) Commercial message content. The commercial message displayed on the sign shall directly relate to the business or businesses conducted on-site.
(8) Illumination. Signs may be illuminated.
(9) Permit required. AUP.
(B) Electronic changeable message signs.
(1) Maximum size. Fifty percent (50%) of the maximum size allowed for the freestanding/monument sign.
(2) Maximum height. In accordance with allowed freestanding/monument signs.
(3) Maximum quantity. One changeable electronic message sign per property to be incorporated into the permitted freestanding/monument sign.
(4) Location. Minimum 5 foot front, side and rear setback. The freestanding sign setback shall also comply with the city's intersection visibility requirements in Vol. II, § 1-6-13.
(5) Zoning districts where allowed. All non-residential zoning districts.
(6) Display. Displays may use full color and animation, however, no flashing, rotating or strobe effects shall be allowed.
(7) Design. The digital sign shall be incorporated into a decorative monument base.
(8) Minimum display time. Static images shall last for at least 5 seconds before transitioning to another static message.
(9) Transition method and duration. Such electronic message sign shall be limited to static displays, messages that appear or disappear from the display through dissolve, fade, travel, scroll or similar transitions and frame effects that have text, animated graphics or images that appear to move or change in size, or be revealed sequentially rather than all at once. The transition duration between messages shall not exceed 1 second.
(10) Commercial message content. The commercial message displayed on the electronic/digital sign shall directly relate to the business or businesses conducted on-site.
(11) Illumination levels.
(a) All electronic message signs shall come equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically adjusts the sign's brightness in direct correlation with ambient light conditions.
(b) No electronic message sign shall exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light as measured using a foot candle (Lux) meter at a preset distance depending on sign area. The measurement distance shall be calculated with the following formula: The square root of the product of the sign area and 100. Example using a 12 square foot sign:
Light Meter Measurement Distance = Square Root of (12 sf x 100) = 34.6 feet.
(12) Permit required. AUP.
(C) Political and campaign signs.
(1) Maximum size. Sixteen square feet on residentially zoned property and 32 square feet on non-residentially zoned property and city rights-of-way.
(2) Maximum height. Six feet.
(3) Maximum quantity. No limit.
(4) Location. Political signs placed in public rights-of-way shall not be hazardous to public safety, obstruct clear vision in the area or interfere with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as determined by the City Engineer.
(a) If the City Engineer deems that the placement of a political sign constitutes an emergency, city representatives may immediately relocate the sign. The city shall notify the candidate or campaign committee that placed the sign within 24 hours after the relocation.
(b) If a sign is placed in violation of this section and the placement is not deemed to constitute an emergency, the city may notify the candidate or campaign committee that installed the sign. If the sign remains in violation at least 24 hours after the city notified the candidate or campaign committee, the city may remove the sign and shall contact the candidate or campaign committee to retrieve the sign within 10 business days. After such time, the signs may be disposed of as the city deems fit.
(5) Zoning districts where allowed. All zoning districts.
(6) Display period. Political signs may be posted any time before a primary election, but must be removed within 15 calendar days after a primary election for candidates who do not advance to the general election. All candidate signs must be removed within 15 days after the general election.
(7) Information. The sign shall contain the name and telephone number of the candidate or campaign committee contact person.
(8) Illumination. Signs shall not be illuminated.
(9) Permit required. No.
(D) Vehicle signs.
(1) Sign location on vehicle. Vehicle signs may be placed along the body surface of the vehicle by means of painting, decal, magnetic attachment or adhesive vinyl film, or may be attached and secured to the body or bed of the vehicle in a manner deemed legal by the Arizona Department of Transportation for licensed street use.
(2) Maximum size.
(a) Signs attached by painting, decal, adhesive and magnetic signs. The maximum size of these signs, which are self-attached to the vehicle, is limited to the surface area of the vehicle's body (i.e., hood, doors, fenders, and truck box).
(b) Signs attached with hardware. The maximum size of these signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in size or extend higher than 2 feet above the top of vehicle.
(3) Vehicle parking. The vehicle shall be licensed and operable for use on a public road, and shall be parked within an approved parking space on the property of the business it is advertising. Vehicles with attached signs shall not be located in a manner that interferes with visual or physical access to adjacent businesses.
(4) Zoning districts where allowed. All non-residential zoning districts.
(5) Illumination. Signs shall not be illuminated.
(6) Permit required. No.
(E) Billboards.
(1) New billboards. No billboards shall be erected within the city limits, including along the freeway.
(2) Existing billboards. Existing billboards may be required to be removed as a condition of rezoning, subdivision plat or CUP approval.
(3) Illumination. Billboards with existing external illumination deemed legal non-conforming by the Zoning Administrator shall be allowed. No new internal or external lighting of billboards shall be allowed.
(4) Compliance with state law. All existing billboard signs shall comply with applicable provision of A.R.S. §§ 9-461, et. seq.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-10 SIGN DESIGN CRITERIA.
(A) Design integration. Permanent signs shall be fully integrated with the design of the building and the site development, reflecting the architecture, building materials, and landscape elements of the project. The means of integrating freestanding signs with the architecture of the building shall be achieved through the use of complimentary architectural embellishments, colors, building materials, texture, and other elements found in the building design.
(B) Sign style. Freestanding signs not located along the freeway shall be installed as either a monument style sign or a post and panel style sign. Freestanding signs located along the freeway shall be installed as either a monument style sign, or a pylon sign.
(C) Lighting and illumination. Unless specifically prohibited, signs may be either illuminated or non-illuminated. The direct source of the sign's illumination shall not be visible from any public street, sidewalk or adjacent residential area. Sign lighting shall comply with the outdoor lighting standards established in Vol. II, Article 1-10 of this Chapter.
(D) Action signs. There shall be no physical movement or rotation of the sign body or any segment thereof by mechanical or any other means.
(E) Design guidelines. See city publications on file in the Development Services Department entitled "Commercial Design Guidelines for Apache Junction" and "Downtown Overlay District Design Guidelines" for visual examples of acceptable signs described in this Chapter.
(F) Neon signs. Permitted freestanding, wall and/or window signs may use neon display in their design.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-11 APPLICATION AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Application and permit requirements. Unless specifically exempted in accordance with Vol. II, § 1-11-6 and Vol. II, § 1-11-16, Table 11-1, no sign shall be erected, installed, enlarged or maintained without first obtaining an AUP from the Development Services Department and paying a permit fee. Application for an AUP shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Development Services Department. The application shall contain the sign location, street name and address, as well as the name and address of the owner and the sign contractor or erector. Two copies of fully dimensioned plans and specifications shall be submitted with the application for each sign. All plans shall show complete details to include size, materials, method of support or attachments, name and address of the persons or firm designing the sign and plot plan showing the location of the sign on the premises. The city may require additional information where that information is necessary to ensure compliance with this Code.
(B) Permit expiration. If actual work to install or construct the approved sign is not commenced within 100 and 180 days from the date of such AUP issuance, such permit shall become null and void.
(C) Permit fee. Before issuing an AUP required by this Chapter, the city shall collect a fee in accordance with a fee schedule established in Vol. I, Chapter 4 of the City Code.
(D) Permit revocation. An AUP may be automatically revoked by the Zoning Administrator for lack of compliance with the standards in this Chapter and/or the approved sign permit. The permit applicant shall first receive a 14 calendar day written notice from the Zoning Administrator prior to revocation.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-12 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
Building Code. All signs shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Code.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-13 NONCONFORMING AND DISCONTINUED SIGNS.
(A) Signs for a legal nonconforming use. New or additional signs for a nonconforming use shall comply with the requirements of the outdoor sign regulations.
(B) Signs rendered nonconforming. Existing legal signs rendered nonconforming as a result of this Chapter shall be considered legal nonconforming and allowed to continue and shall be allowed reasonable repairs and maintenance. Such legal nonconforming signs shall not be expanded, enlarged or structurally altered unless brought into conformance with the outdoor sign regulations.
(C) Signs rendered discontinued. The use of any legal nonconforming sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of 6 months shall be deemed to have been discontinued, and therefore shall be removed by the owner of the property or sign.
(D) Repair and maintenance. Any legal nonconforming sign may be continued in use and be allowed reasonable repair and maintenance. All signs, sign finishes, supports and electrical work shall be kept in good repair and safe condition, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of the sign.
(E) Change of tenancy. Whenever the name of a business changes, the copy on the sign or sign face may be changed without bringing the legal nonconforming sign structure into compliance with the outdoor sign regulations.
(F) Damage or deterioration. Any legal nonconforming sign shall be removed or rebuilt in full conformity to the terms of the outdoor sign regulations if it is damaged or allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that the cost of repair or restoration exceeds 50% of the sign value, as determined by a competent Arizona licensed appraiser.
(G) Removal and replacement. Legal nonconforming signs that are removed, re-erected or replaced shall be brought into conformance with the outdoor sign regulations.
(H) New sign permit applications. If a property contains legal nonconforming signs, the following requirements apply to any new sign permits/applications:
(1) Permits for new wall signs shall not be approved until existing legal nonconforming wall signs are removed or replaced with conforming wall signs.
(2) Permits for new detached signs shall not be approved until existing legal nonconforming detached signs are removed or replaced with conforming detached signs.
(I) Development, redevelopment and expansion. New development, redevelopment or expansions of 50% or more of the total building floor area shall require that all nonconforming signs be brought into compliance with the outdoor sign regulations.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-14 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
(A) Signs shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good condition, including replacement or defective parts, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of the sign.
(B) No person or entity shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises they own or control any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition. Any such sign shall be promptly removed or repaired by the owner of the sign within 90 days of city notice.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-15 MODIFICATIONS AND APPEALS.
(A) CUP modifications. Modifications to the sign regulations regarding size (i.e., square footage), location, type and amount may be approved by CUP approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission ("Commission") in accordance with Vol. II, § 1-16-12(D)(4).
(B) Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Variances and appeals to the sign standards shall be applied for and processed in accordance with Vol. II, § 1-16-5.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)
§ 1-11-16 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
(A) Authority. The Zoning Administrator, along with code enforcement staff, is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all provisions of the outdoor sign regulations.
(B) Violation. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use or maintain any sign or sign structure in the city, or cause the same to be done contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the outdoor sign regulations.
(C) Penalty. See Vol. II, § 1-16-16.
SIGN TYPE1 | MAXIMUM SIGN SIZE2 | MAXIMUM SIGN HEIGHT3 | MAXIMUM QUANTITY | PERMIT NEEDED | PERMITTED LOCATION4 | DISPLAY PERIOD | DESIGN | ZONING DISTRICTS |
Freestanding Signs (non- freeway frontage) | 1 sf. per 1 lineal ft. of parcel frontage up to a 150 sq. ft. max. | 12 ft. | 1 sign per street frontage | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | Monument or Post & Panel signs only. Addresses must be visible from ROW. See Vol. II, Article 1-13 | Non- Residential Zones |
Freestanding Signs (freeway fronatge) | 1 sf. per 1 lineal ft. of parcel fronatge up tp a 500 sf. max. for single tenant and 150 sf. for multi- tenant | 25 ft. above grade of closest freeway lane. | 1 sign per property | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | Monument and pylon signs only. Addresses must be visible from ROW. See Vol. II, Article 1-13 | Non- Residential Zones |
Wall Signs and Wall Murals | 2 sf. per 1 lineal ft. of tenant frontage up to a 150 sq. ft. max.5 | No higher than building wall | 3 signs/murals per tenant per street frontage | AUP | Building wall | Continuous | Non- Residential Zones | |
Hanging Signs | 10 sf.5 | Min. 8 ft. clearance to ground and no higher than 1st floor. | 1 hanging or projection sign per street frontage | AUP | Hanging either perpendicular or parallel to road | Continuous | Non- Residential Zones | |
Projecting Sings | 10 sf.5 | Min. 8 ft. clearance to ground and no higher than 1st floor. | 1 hanging or projection sign per street frontage | AUP | Hanging either perpendicular or parallel to road | Continuous | Non- Residential Zones | |
Window Signs | 75% of window area | N/A | No limit | No | Inside of window | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Awning Sings | 50% of awning area5 | N/A | No limit | AUP | On awning | Continuous | Non-illuminated | Non- Residential Zones |
Umbrella Signs | 8 sf. | 8 ft. | No limit | No | On umbrellas | Continuous | Non-illuminated | Non- Residential Zones |
Banners and Fin Flags | 30 sf. | 12 ft. for fin flags and 10 ft. for banners | 2 banners, or 2 fin flags, or 1 of each per business | No | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones and Multi-Family Zones |
A-Frame Signs (visible from road) | 6 sf. | 3 ft. | 1 sign per business | No | Min. 2 ft. from ROW | During business hours only | Professionally manufactured | B-3 Zone |
A-Frame Signs (not visible from road) | 6 sf. | 3 ft. | 1 sign per business | No | Along store front | During business hours only | Professionally manufactured | Non- Residential Zones |
Temporary Use Signs | 50 sf. | 8 ft. | 1 per approved temporary business | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | As per AUP | Non-illuminated Wall or Post & Panel Sign | Non- Residential Zones |
Grand Opening Signs (temporary) | 100 sf. | No higher than building wall | 1 sign per business | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | 30 days before and 90 days after opening | N/A | Non- Residential and Multi- Family Zones |
Ballons and Inflatable Signs (temporary) | N/A | 20 ft. | 1 inflatable sign per property | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | 60 cumulative days/year | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Pennants | 2 sf. per pennant | No higher than top of roofline | 200 ft. of string length | No | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Sign Walkers | 12 sf. | N/A | 1 sign walker per business | No | Min. 5 ft. from edge of pavement or curb, whichever is greater | During business hours only | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Commercial Flags | 15 sf. | 20 sf. | 2 flags per pole and 2 poles per property | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Menu Boards | 30 sf./menu board | 8 ft. | 2 menu boards per business | AUP | To the side or rear of the building | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Emergency Hospital Sign | 1 sf. per 1 lineal ft. of street frontage up to a 200 sf. maximum | 20 ft. | 1 sign per street frontage | AUP | Min. 5 ft. setback or within ROW with encroachment permit | Continuous | Monument Sign | Non- Residential Zones |
Interim Business Signs | 2 sf. per 1 lineal ft. of tenant frontage up to a 150 sq. ft. max.5 | 10 ft. | 1 sign per street frontage | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | 3 months | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Statues | N/A | 10 ft. | 1 statue per business | No | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Parking Lot Directional Signs (on-site) | 2 sf. per sign | 5 ft. | As per AUP | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Private Light Pole Banners | 10 sf. | 15 ft. | 1 per light pole | No | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Gas Stations Canopy Signs | 15 sf. per canopy side | Shall not extend above or beyond canopy | 1 sign per canopy side | AUP | On canopy | Continuous | N/A | Non- Residential Zones |
Contractor Project Signs | 50 sf. | 10 ft. | 1 sign per construction site | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | During construction | Non-illuminated | All Zones |
Garage Sale Signs | 6 sf. | 3 ft. | 3 off-site signs and 1 on-site sign | No | Min. 2 ft. from pavement edge or curb, whichever is greater | During sale hours only | N/A | All Zones |
Real Estate Open House Signs (off- site) | 6 sf. | 3 ft. | 5 off-site signs per property being marketed | No | Min. 10 ft. from edge of pavement or curb, whichever is greater | 6:00 p.m. Friday to 8:00 a.m. Monday or during holidays | N/A | All Zones |
Real Estate Yard Signs | 12 sf. | 8 ft. | 1 sign per street frontage | No | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | During listing period | Non-illuminated | All Zones |
Religious Institution Signs (on-site) | 1 sf. per 1 lineal ft. of street frontage up to a 120 sf. max. | 12 ft. for monument signs and 8 ft. for wall signs | 1 monument and 1 wall sign per frontage | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | N/A | All Zones |
Wayfinding Signs (off-site) | Per City Council approval. | Per City Council approval. | Per City Council approval. | AUP | Per City Council approval | Continuous | N/A | All Zones |
Developer and Builder Signs (temporary) | 50 sf. | 10 ft. | 1 sign per street frontage | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | During marketing period | Monument or Post & Panel Sign | All Zones |
Residential Subdivision or Multi-Family Sign | 50 sf. | 8 ft. | 1 sign per entryway | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | Monument or Post & Panel Sign | All Zones |
Ranch Gate Sign | 20 sf. | 16 ft. if mounted on overhead gate, 8 ft. if ground mounted | 1 sign per property | AUP | Min. 5 ft. front, side and rear setback | Continuous | Exterior illumination allowed | Residential Zones |
Billboards | See Vol. II, § 1-11-9(E) | |||||||
Vehicle Signs | See Vol. II, § 1-11-9(D) | |||||||
Changeable Letter Signs (Digital) | See Vol. II, § 1-11-9(B) | |||||||
Changeable Letter Signs (manual) | See Vol. II, § 1-11-9(A) | |||||||
Political Campaign Signs | See Vol. II, § 1-11-9(C) | |||||||
1. See Vol. II, Article 1-11 for additional regulations regarding signs.
2. The area of a sign is calculated as the entire area within a single contiguous perimeter composed of parallelograms, circles, ellipses, trapezoids and/or triangles which enclose the extreme limits of the advertising message, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space of a similar nature, together with any frame of other material, color or condition which forms an integral part of the display and is used to differentiate the sign from the structure, wall or background against which it is placed. Only one face of a double faced sign shall be included in determining the area of the sign.
3. The height of freestanding signs shall be measured as the vertical distance between the top of the curb, or crown of the roadway where no curb exists, to the top of the sign. The total sign height includes any monument base or other structure erected to support the sign.
4. The location of freestanding signs is subject to the city's intersection visibility requirements in Vol. II, § 1-6-13 of this Chapter. The setback for freestanding signs is measured from the edge or face of sign which is closest to the right-of-way or property line. Additionally, the location of certain temporary signs within the public road rights-or-way may be subject to Public Works Director approval and encroachment permit.
5. If the business has a combination of wall, awning, projecting and/or hanging signs, the combined square footage of all such signage cannot exceed 2 square feet per lineal foot of tenant frontage or 150 square feet, whichever is less.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)