Auburn City Zoning Code
SIGNS
§ 152.110 GENERAL REQUIREMENT SIGNS.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, move, alter, change, repair, place, suspend or cause or permit to be erected, moved, altered, changed, repaired, placed, suspended or attached any sign in violation of this chapter.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to fasten, paste, place, post, paint or attach in any way any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind or sort, whether political or otherwise, or to cause the same to he done, in or upon any curbstone, lamp post, telephone, telegraph or electric light pole, tree or bridge. It shall be unlawful to paste, place, paint or attach any sign on any building, street or property of the city; provided, however, that any property owner or the occupant of any property abutting on any public street in the city or the planning area may paint or stamp the address of the property upon the curbing directly in front of the building or to have same painted thereon.
(Prior Code, § 11-502) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.111 DISTRICT SIGN REGULATIONS.
Signs shall be permitted in the various districts as follows:
(A) Sign regulations for AGR, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4.
(1) Nonilluminated nameplates subject to the following restrictions:
(a) The nameplate shall not exceed two square feet in area;
(b) The nameplate shall show only the name and/or address of the occupant;
(c) There shall be no more than one nameplate for each dwelling unit; and
(d) The nameplate shall be affixed to the principal building, flat against the wall.
(2) In the R-2, R-3 and MR-4M districts, multiple-family dwellings shall be allowed:
(a) One on-premise wall sign or ground sign, not to exceed ten square feet of sign area, nonilluminated and nonreflecting, identifying the name and use of the building; and
(b) One on-premise wall sign or ground sign, not to exceed one square foot in sign area, nonilluminated and nonreflecting, identifying the quarters of an on-premise building manager or custodian.
(3) In the AGR, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts, bed and breakfast guest homes shall be allowed:
(a) Only one sign per establishment;
(b) Sign shall be nonilluminated;
(c) Sign face shall not exceed three square feet;
(d) Sign shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection nor extend onto public right-of-way;
(e) A wall or projecting sign affixed to a building shall not have the top of the sign project higher than ten feet from grade; and
(f) Freestanding or pole signs shall not exceed four feet in height from the top of the sign to grade.
(4) Nonilluminated “For Sale” and “For Rent” single-or double-faced business signs subject to the following regulations.
(a) Only one sign shall be permitted per lot.
(b) No sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
(c) Signs shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection.
(d) When the sign is affixed to a building, it shall not project higher than ten feet above the ground level.
(e) Ground signs shall not project higher than four feet above ground grade.
(5) Bulletin boards and signs for churches and other public institutions subject to the following regulations.
(a) One sign or bulletin board shall be permitted on each street side if located on the same site as the principal building.
(b) If the sign or bulletin board is illuminated, the lights shall be directed away from adjoining residential uses.
(c) No sign or bulletin board shall exceed 20 square feet in area.
(d) No sign shall be located closer than eight feet from any side or rear property line.
(e) A sign or bulletin board located in the front yard shall be no closer to the street line than one-half the required front yard.
(f) A sign or bulletin board, affixed to a building, shall not project higher than ten feet above the ground level.
(g) Ground signs shall be permanently anchored to the ground and shall not exceed a height of six feet above normal grade.
(h) Buildings constructed on the property line prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be allowed one identification sign providing the sign is a flat wall sign and permanently attached to the building.
(i) On corner lots, no sign shall be constructed or located that will obstruct the view of traffic approaching the street intersection.
(B) Sign regulations for the C-1 Central Commercial District. Where buildings or structures are established or are hereafter established on the property line, in C-1 District, advertising and business signs shall conform with the following requirements, providing they are constructed and maintained in accordance with the Building Code of the city.
(1) The business sign shall be affixed flat against the face of the building or the front edge of a marquee and shall not extend more than six feet from the building line into the front yard.
(2) The front edge of the marquee shall be considered that portion of the marquee which is parallel to the street.
(3) There may be one pole sign located in the front yard for every lot or each 25 feet of street frontage and there shall not be more than two signs for each business.
(4) Where a sign is illuminated by light directed upon it, the direct rays of light shall not beam upon any part of existing residential district.
(5) Lighted signs in direct vision of traffic shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.
(6) Flashing signs shall be allowed only upon approval of the Building Official; provided, it is first determined that the sign will in no way create a traffic hazard or confusion with traffic lights or with lights on emergency vehicles.
(7) The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of any side of an advertising or business sign shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of separate frontage of the lot occupied by the building; each side of the lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a building shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. The total surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign.
(8) Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have the lowest elevations at least ten feet above the curb level.
(9) Advertising signs shall only be affixed flat against the face of a building.
(C) Sign regulations for C-R Commercial Residential District. Business and advertising signs (single or double face) shall be allowed in C-R Districts subject to the following.
(1) Outdoor advertising signs shall not extend more than six feet from the building line into the front yard.
(2) In the front yard, there may be one other sign for each lot or each 50 feet of street frontage and there shall not be more than two for each business.
(3) Flashing signs are not permitted in C-R Districts within 75 feet of a residential district zone.
(4) Non-flashing signs shall be permitted; providing that, where the sign is illuminated, direct rays of light shall not beam upon any residential building or into any street.
(5) Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.
(6) The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of any business sign on a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of the building; each side of a lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a structure shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. The total surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign.
(7) Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above curb level.
(8) A maximum of three signs (only one on a facade) shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises.
(9) No sign shall be permitted in or overhanging the road, street or alley right-of-way and no sign shall be located in a manner to constitute a traffic hazard.
(10) Sandwich board signs may be allowed providing the sign is permanently affixed to the surface on which it rests.
(11) Advertising signs and billboards shall conform to the provisions specified.
(D) Sign regulations for M Industrial District. No signs shall be allowed in the M Industrial District, except those in conformance with the following:
(1) Shall be limited to one sign on each street frontage of a lot;
(2) Flashing or intermittently illuminated signs shall be prohibited;
(3) Nonflashing signs shall be permitted; providing that, where the sign is illuminated by a light or lights reflected upon it, direct rays of lights shall not beam upon any residential building, or into any residential district or into any street;
(4) Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination;
(5) The gross surface area, in square feet on one side of any business sign on a lot shall not exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of street frontage of the building; each side of a lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage;
(6) Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above curb level;
(7) Signs within 50 feet of a residential district shall be affixed to or be a part of the building;
(8) A maximum of two signs (only one on a facade) shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises; and
(9) No sign shall project over any alley, road, street or highway right-of-way.
(E) General regulations.
(1) In any zoning district, a subdivision promotion sign for the original sale of lots shall be permitted in conformance with the following requirements.
(a) The original subdivision must include a minimum of five acres.
(b) Only one non-illuminated sign shall be permitted.
(c) The gross square footage of the sign shall not exceed 75 square feet in area.
(2) In any zoning district, one temporary sign shall be permitted at a construction site to identify the nature of the construction and those persons or firms associated with it, including contractors, architects, finance companies and owners. The sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area when located in residential districts. In any other zoning districts, the signs shall not exceed 40 square feet of area, and shall be removed within 15 days of completion of project.
(3) Banners or mobile or temporary signs will be permitted in the C-1 and C-R Districts if they conform to the following provisions.
(a) The sign must only identify special sales and/or openings.
(b) The sign must be located on the premises of the commercial establishments for no more than 60 days in any calendar year.
(c) The gross square footage of the sign shall not exceed 60 square feet in area.
(d) The sign shall not exceed ten feet in height.
(4) Non-illuminated “For Sale” and “For Rent” signs shall be permitted in the C-1, C-R and M Districts if they conform to the following provisions.
(a) Only one sign shall be permitted per lot or structure.
(b) No sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.
(c) Signs shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection.
(d) When the sign is affixed to a building, it shall not project higher than ten feet above ground level.
(e) Ground signs shall not project higher than four feet above ground grade.
(Prior Code, § 11-503) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.112 PERMITS AND FEES REQUIRED.
(A) A permit shall be required for the erection, construction or alteration of any sign in the city and the planning area.
(B) Application for permits by other than the property owner shall be accompanied, in each instance, by either a letter authorizing the placement of a sign on the land or building, signed by the owner or his or her duly authorized agent, or accompanied by a lease showing the right of the applicant. The application shall conform to the regulations herein provided and no signboard shall be erected or painted on any area until the application is acted upon and granted.
(C) A fee as determined by resolution of the City Council.
(D) If a sign, for which a permit is granted, is not erected within 60 days from the date of the permit, the permit shall, unless renewed, become void.
(E) Advertising painted or placed on a structure shall be deemed subject to these regulations if permanent.
(F) All signs shall be constructed, located and placed in accordance with local ordinances and the laws of the state.
(G) Permits are issued for the life of the sign so long as it is kept in good condition, and changing conditions do not make it a hazard or undesirable to adjoining property owners. In the case, the city may direct its removal.
(H) For sale signs as indicated in § 152.111 shall be excluded from permit and fee requirements.
(Prior Code, § 11-504) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.113 NONCONFORMING SIGNS.
The lawful use of land for advertising, business signs or bulletin boards which are not installed or maintained in accordance with this subchapter and other city, county, state and federal requirements pertaining to construction, location and size which existed prior to the effective date of this chapter, shall be removed within 15 days after the sign becomes obsolete due to construction deterioration or when the advertised business, service or event ceases operation.
(Prior Code, § 11-505)
§ 152.114 REMOVAL OF SIGNS.
All signs be removed within 15 days when a business ceases operation. This includes advertising, sandwich, business, billboard, pole, temporary and mobile signs. Signs located on vacant buildings shall be removed by the property owner or his or her authorized agent within 15 days after the premises are vacated.
(Prior Code, § 11-506) Penalty, see § 152.999