Evanston City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Signs
[Added by Ord. No. 90-32]
§ 24-66 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this article is to provide fair, comprehensive and enforceable regulations that will foster a quality visual environment for the City, enhancing it as a place to live, visit and conduct business. Signs are herein regulated to help maintain the health, comfort and well-being of the public; to prevent adverse community appearance from the unrestricted use of signs; to allow signs appropriate to the character of each zoning district; to promote traffic safety; and to aid police protection and fire-fighting. This article is intended to improve the legibility and effectiveness of signs by preventing over-concentration, improper placement, excessive height, area and bulk and by regulating sign illumination.
§ 24-67 Scope.
The provisions of this article shall apply to the construction, erection, alteration, use, location of and the maintenance of signs.
A.
Government Signs. The provisions of this article shall not apply to traffic signs and all other signs erected or maintained by a governmental body or agency for public informational purposes, including danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of noncommercial nature required by law.
B.
Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from provisions of this article except for the public safety requirements contained in sections 24-73, electrical signs; 24-77, location; 24-80, occupation of or projection into public right-of-way; 24-85, traffic hazard; and 24-86, visibility at intersections:
(1)
Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located, or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way;
(2)
The flag, pennants or insignia of any nation, state, county, City or other political entity, or any church or religious organization;
(3)
Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary or remembrances of persons or events of a noncommercial nature;
(4)
Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise, which enterprise may derive commercial gain from such display;
(5)
Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays;
(6)
Signs on a truck, bus, car, boat, trailer or other authorized vehicle and equipment; provided all the following conditions are met:
(a)
The primary purpose of such vehicle or equipment is not the display of signs;
(b)
Signs are painted upon or applied directly to an integrated part of the vehicle or equipment;
(c)
The vehicle or equipment is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively used in the daily function of the business to which the signs relate;
(d)
The vehicles or equipment are not used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, nor utilized as storage, shelter or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public;
(e)
Vehicles and equipment engaged in active construction projects and the on-premises storage of equipment and vehicles offered to the general public for rent or lease shall not be subject to this condition;
(7)
Political signs, having an area of thirty-two square feet or less, which are erected with the permission of the owner of the property on which it is located;
(8)
Nameplates, street address signs and combination nameplates and street address signs containing no advertising copy and not exceeding six square feet in area;
(9)
Directional signs not exceeding three feet in height nor six feet in area, containing no business logo;
(10)
Price panels, "self-serve" and credit card information signs.
(11)
Signs located on property owned by the City of Evanston and which are authorized and approved by the governing body of the City of Evanston.
[Added 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. 13-04]
C.
Permits Not Required. All provisions of this article shall apply to the following, except that a permit or permit fee shall not be required:
(1)
Changing copy on a legal sign where no structural changes are made; replacing damaged sign surfaces or the changing of interchangeable letters on signs designed for such letters. However, any repainting of painted wall signs when more than fifty percent of the copy is being changed shall require that a written notice of the proposed repainting be received by the planning department prior to repainting. Change on any sign when an increase in square footage occurs shall require a permit. The nonconforming status of a sign shall not be affected by repainting;
(2)
Temporary, nonilluminated signs, not over sixteen square feet in area and advertising the sale or rental of premises on which the sign is located or directing traffic to such premises, are used or erected;
(3)
Temporary, nonilluminated signs not over sixteen square feet, erected in connection with new construction work when displayed only during the actual construction period. Such signs shall be located on the construction site and may identify the architects, engineers, contractors or other firms, involved in the construction, but shall not advertise any product;
(4)
Bulletin boards for charitable or religious organizations and churches which appertain to a legal use which do not exceed the area allowed for their district or thirty-two square feet, whichever is less;
(5)
Tablets, such as memorials and cornerstones, or the name, date of erection and use of a building when built into its walls, are installed.
§ 24-68 Validity of other laws and conflicts within this article.
A.
It is not intended by this article to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with existing provisions of other laws, or ordinances, except those specifically repealed or amended by this article, or with private restrictions placed upon property by covenant, deed, or other private agreement. Where this article imposes a greater restriction on signs than is required by such existing provisions of law, ordinance, contract or deed, the provisions of this article shall apply.
B.
In cases where two or more provisions of this article conflict, the most stringent or restrictive shall prevail.
§ 24-69 Definitions.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AWNING SIGN
A sign affixed to the surface of an awning.
BUSINESS OR INDUSTRIAL CENTER
A group of three or more commercial or industrial establishments with common access and/or parking facilities.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (AUTOMATIC)
An automatic changeable copy sign is an electronic sign where advertising copy changes through mechanical means, utilizing digital technology and other similar graphic and visual technologies.
[Amended 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (MANUAL)
A manual changeable copy sign is a sign where copy is changed manually with changeable letters.
[Amended 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign which is designed solely for the purpose of traffic or pedestrian direction, located on the property to which the directions apply.
ELECTRIC SIGN
Any sign that contains electrical wiring.
FLASHING, ANIMATED, OR MOVING SIGN
A sign that intermittently emits or reflects artificial or natural light; a sign which has movement of any illumination, such as intermittent flashing or varied intensity; or a sign that has any visible portion in motion, not including automatic changeable copy sign.
FREESTANDING OR POLE SIGN
A sign supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces in or upon the ground with a minimum clear space of eight and one-half feet between the bottom of the sign and the ground.
FREEWAY-ORIENTED SIGN
Any freestanding sign, the primary purpose of which is to attract the attention of travellers on Interstate 80 and located such that any copy is clearly readable from Interstate 80.
HISTORICAL SIGN
Any sign forty years of age or more.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign that is lighted by means of any light source (including neon tubing) which is a component of the sign.
MAJOR RETAIL SHOPPING BUILDING
Any building with thirty thousand square feet or more of floor space, at least eight percent of which is used for the retail sale of merchandise.
MONUMENT OR GROUND SIGN
A sign with no clear space between base of sign and existing grade, not exceeding eight feet in height above grade.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN
A sign, located on a lot or parcel, which has no relationship to the service, function, or activity of the lot or parcel on which it is located.
ON-PREMISE SIGN
A sign relating to the service, function, or activity of the lot or parcel on which it is located.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign which is not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure and which can be moved or relocated without involving any structural or support changes.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign, other than a wall sign, that extends outward from the wall of a structure.
SIGN
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
A.
If, for any reason, it cannot be determined whether or not an object is a sign, the planning director shall make a determination in accordance with the intent and definition of this section.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign shall be measured in conformance with the following regulations:
A.
In computing the area of a sign, standard mathematical formulas for common regular geometric shapes (triangle, parallelogram, circle and ellipse, or combinations thereof) shall be used.
B.
In the case of an irregularly shaped sign or a sign with letters and/or symbols directly affixed to or painted on the wall of a building, the area of the sign shall be the entire area within the singular continuous rectilinear perimeter or not more than eight straight lines enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any material or color forming an integral part of a background of the display or as used to differentiate such sign from the backdrop of structure against which it is placed.
C.
In computing sign area, only one side of a back-to-back or double-face sign covering the same subject shall be computed when the signs are parallel and not exceeding forty-eight inches between sign faces or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than forty-five degrees.
WALL SIGN
Any sign placed or painted directly on a building or other structure, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of said wall. A wall sign may not project more than twenty-four inches from said wall nor have any advertising copy on the sides.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign that is painted on, applied or attached to the exterior of a window.
GRADE OF GROUND
Finished elevation consistent with surrounding properties providing a reference for measurement.
§ 24-70 Permits.
Except as provided in section 24-67, it shall be unlawful to display, erect, relocate or alter, except for copy changes, any sign without first obtaining a building permit from the building department. It shall be unlawful to change, modify, alter or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of the permit or from the use of the sign as permitted without the approval of the building official with a record made thereof.
A.
Application for a Permit. An application for a permit shall be made by the owner, tenant or lessee of the property on which the sign is located, or his authorized agent, or a contractor licensed by the state and the City. Such application shall be made on forms furnished by the building department and shall be signed by the applicant or his authorized agent. If the application is for an off-premises advertising sign and if the applicant is not the property owner, written authorization from the property owner to erect the proposed sign shall be attached to the application. Where there exists conflicting claims concerning authorization from the property owner, no permit shall be issued until the conflict is resolved by the applicant. When conflicting claims arise after the issuance of a permit but before work is commenced, the permit shall be suspended until the conflict is resolved by the parties.
B.
Revocation of Permit. Should the planning director or his representative find that the work under any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter is not in accordance with the drawings, specifications and details of the permit application or is in violation of this chapter or any other ordinance of the City or should he find that there has been any false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact in the application, payment for said permit or plans on which the permit was based, he shall notify the owner or applicant that the work fails to conform to the permit or that the permit was obtained by false representation, and that such failure in obtaining the permit must be corrected within a reasonable time. If the owner or applicant fails to make such corrections, the planning director or his representative shall revoke the permit and notify the owner or applicant. Such notice shall be in writing and signed by the planning director or his representative. It shall be unlawful for any person to proceed with any part of such work after such notice is served.
C.
Revocation of Permit for Nonuse.
(1)
If work is not commenced under any permit issued under the provisions of this article within one hundred eighty days from the date of such permit, the permit shall become null and void. If the building operations under any permit issued under this article are suspended for a period of sixty days, except for weather delays, such permit shall become null and void.
(2)
Delays which are not caused by the wilful acts or neglect of the contractor, owner or applicant may be considered and the planning director or his representative may grant an extension of time in which to start or to resume operations. All requests for extension and approval thereof shall be in writing.
D.
Issuance of Permits.
(1)
The planning and/or building department shall examine applications for permits within ten working days after filing. It if appears from the application, drawings and specifications submitted therewith that the requested sign(s) and all existing signs and uses on the premises conform with all provisions of this chapter or would conform if a permit were issued, a permit shall be issued. But, if the department(s) finds that any requested or existing illegal signs or uses directly related to the application violates this chapter or any other City code or ordinance related thereto, a permit shall not be issued until necessary corrections are made.
(2)
A permit issued shall be construed to be a license to proceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter or set aside any of the provisions of this chapter, or of any other code, ordinance or regulation of the City, nor shall the issuance of a permit prevent enforcement personnel from thereafter requiring correction of errors in plans or in construction where such errors are in violation of the terms or stipulations of the permit, this chapter, or any other City code, ordinance or regulation.
E.
Liability. The provisions of this article shall not be construed as relieving or limiting in any way, the responsibility or liability of any person erecting or owning any sign for personal injury or property damage resulting from the placing of a sign, or resulting from the negligence or wilful acts of such person, his agents, employees or workmen in the construction, maintenance, repair or removal of any sign erected in accordance with a permit issued hereunder. Nor shall it be construed as imposing upon the City or its officers or employees any responsibility or liability by reason of the approval of any signs, materials or devices under the provisions of this article.
§ 24-71 Fees.
Before issuing a permit, the building official shall collect the fees prescribed in this section. Such fees shall be paid in lawful money of the United States or by collectible draft or check. Should such draft or check be uncollectible within a reasonable time, the permit shall be null and void.
A.
Permit Fee. The permit fee shall be a fee equal to one-half of one percent of the value of the construction costs of the sign, or five dollars, whichever is greater. A fee shall be collected for each separate sign.
B.
Double Fee. Should any person, firm or corporation actually begin work for which a permit is required by this article without taking out a permit beforehand, he shall, in addition to the fees described above, pay an additional amount equal to one hundred percent of the above described fees and shall be subject to all the penal provisions of this code.
§ 24-72 Inspection.
Enforcement personnel may make or require any inspection of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this chapter and other laws which are in force.
§ 24-73 Electric signs.
All electric signs shall conform to the electrical code of the City of Evanston, Wyoming.
§ 24-74 Portable signs.
A.
Portable signs are permitted in commercial and industrial districts within the City. There may be no more than one portable sign per business establishment or per tenant within a business/industrial center. Portable signs shall be placed in locations in which it is determined will not cause unreasonable annoyance or inconvenience to adjoining property owners or constitute a public hazard.
B.
Portable signs shall conform to the electrical code of the City.
C.
A portable sign shall not exceed fifty square feet in area, shall be constructed of rigid materials or tear resistant fabric and shall imitate the following examples:
 |
A portable sign will not be assessed against allowable sign area. |
D.
Persons or organizations desiring to place portable signs for special events in any district in the City shall first, before such placement commences, apply for and receive a permit to do so and shall be required to post a cash bond in an amount not to exceed fifty dollars, which may be waived by the planning director. The permit shall list the sign location and the number of days such sign shall be in place. The bond shall be returned upon removal of the sign by the applicant. The bond shall be forfeited if the sign is not removed on or before the expiration date of the permit.
§ 24-75 Animated signs.
A.
Animated and flashing signs will be allowed only in the commercial and industrial districts. Animation shall be limited to slow rotation not to exceed eight revolutions per minute or oscillation and side to side movement not to exceed eight cycles per minute. Flashing will be limited to chasing or scintillation or subdued color change. No extreme on and off or strobe-type flashing will be permitted.
B.
Electronic changeable letter boards are not included in these regulations.
§ 24-76 Illumination.
In any zone, no spotlight, floodlight or lighted sign shall be installed in any way which will permit the rays of such sign light to penetrate beyond the property on which such light or lighted sign is located in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance.
A.
The source of indirect illumination for signs shall be so oriented or shielded that it is not visible from any residential area, use or public thoroughfare.
B.
Direct illumination by incandescent sources shall not exceed eleven watts per bulb without a dimming device or sunscreen; provided, however, no single bulb shall exceed forty watts.
§ 24-77 Location.
A.
No sign shall be erected in a location prohibited by this chapter. No sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door or window, or any other exitway required by the building codes of the City or by fire department regulations.
B.
No sign shall be attached to a standpipe, gutter or fire escape nor shall any sign be erected so as to impair access to a roof.
C.
No sign shall be erected in any location where, by reason of its position, it will obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal or other traffic control device.
D.
No sign or group of signs exceeding an aggregate area of four square feet shall be erected upon any light standard, pole, etc., unless the structure was designed for that purpose or it can be demonstrated that such standards are structurally strong enough to support the additional load.
§ 24-78 Obsolete and abandoned signs.
Obsolete signs, copy and abandoned sign structures shall be removed by the owner of the property, his agent, or persons having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign or sign structure is erected within ninety days after written notification from the planning director or his representative. Failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such notice shall be considered as a violation of the terms of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the removal of historical signs.
§ 24-79 Removal of sign structure.
When any sign is relocated or removed, except for maintenance, all structural components shall be removed or relocated with the sign. The structures of ground and combination signs shall be removed to ground level. The structures of all other signs, including painted wall signs, shall be removed back to the original building configuration. Any electrical components shall be made safe under the terms of the Uniform Electrical Code.
§ 24-80 Occupation of or projection into public right-of-way.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
A.
No sign shall occupy public property in any manner, nor shall any sign extend across a property line where such property line borders a public or private street, highway, alley, land, parkway, avenue, road, sidewalk or other right-of-way, whether such a right-of-way has been dedicated to the public in fee or by easement and whether or not such a right-of-way has been used as a right-of-way. However, wall signs and/or projecting signs may be allowed to project to within two feet of curb back into any such right-of-way, provided the bottom of such wall sign is at least eight and one-half feet above the sidewalk or grade.
B.
Portable signs may be placed on a public sidewalk in locations where there is no private property between the face of a building and the adjacent right-of-way, so long as the free flow of pedestrian traffic is not obstructed.
§ 24-81 Projecting signs.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
No projecting sign shall be erected with the bottom of such sign closer than eight and one-half feet to the sidewalk or grade level. The thickness measured between the principal faces of any projecting sign shall not exceed forty-eight inches when such sign is of solid construction.
§ 24-82 Nonconforming signs.
A.
On-premises and off-premises advertising signs which do not conform to this article, but which lawfully existed and were properly maintained and kept in good repair on the effective date of this article (August 4, 1986), shall be permitted to remain as nonconforming signs until such time as:
(1)
The sign becomes dilapidated, obsolete or abandoned, or creates an eyesore, as defined in section 24-89;
(2)
Extensive remodeling to the sign or structure shall be required in excess of seventy-five percent of the estimated replacement value of the sign or structure.
B.
Except, as provided in this article, a nonconforming sign shall not be reconstructed, raised, altered, moved, extended or enlarged unless said sign is changed so as to conform to all provisions of this article. Alterations shall not mean the changing of the text or message. Alterations shall not include changing the text or copy of off-premises advertising signs, theater signs, outdoor bulletin or other similar signs which are designed to accommodate changeable copy where no structural alterations are made.
§ 24-83 Signs for nonconforming uses.
In this article, nonconforming uses of property shall be treated as permitted uses of the district wherein they lie.
§ 24-84 Sound.
No sign shall emit any sound which is intended to attract attention or which creates a public nuisance under Chapter 14 of this code.
§ 24-85 Traffic hazard.
No sign shall be erected, operated, used or maintained which:
A.
Due to its position, shape, color, format or illumination, obstructs the view of, or may be confused with, an official traffic sign, signal or device, or any other official sign;
B.
Displays lights resembling the flashing lights customarily associated with danger or those used by police, fire, ambulance or other emergency vehicles;
C.
Uses, in a manner which may confuse motor vehicle operators, the words "Stop," "Warning," "Danger," "Turn," or similar words implying the existence of danger or need for stopping or maneuvering;
D.
Creates in any other way an unsafe distraction for motor vehicle operators;
E.
Obstructs the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from any parking area, service drive, alley or other thoroughfare.
§ 24-86 Visibility at street intersection.
There shall be no sign erected between the height of three feet and the height of ten feet nor obstruction to vision other than a single post or column not exceeding one foot in greatest cross-sectional dimension between the height of three feet and the height of ten feet above the established grade of either street within the area formed at a corner intersection of two public right-of-way lines, whose two sides are fifteen feet, measured along the intersection right-of-way lines, and whose third side is a line connecting the two sides, unless such sign is a wall sign.
§ 24-87 Window signs.
Interior window signs will not be assessed against allowable sign area. Exterior window signs will be assessed against allowable sign area.
§ 24-88 Signs projecting above roof line.
No sign shall be erected upon or project through the roof of any building nor shall any sign, attached to a building, extend above the roof line of that building unless approved by a conditional use permit or in the following circumstances:
A.
Parapet Wall. A sign may be attached to the face of a parapet wall. The sign projection above the top of the parapet wall may not extend more than four feet or one-fourth of the sign height above the roof line, whichever is less.
B.
Sloping Roof. A sign may be attached to the facia or located on the sloping roof of a structure but may not be located so as to extend more than four feet or one fourth of the sign height above the roof line, whichever is less.
§ 24-89 Maintenance and repair.
All signs and sign structures shall maintain the following standards of structural repair and visual appearance. All structural and nonstructural components must be positioned and secured in accordance with approved plans for the sign. Any apparently deteriorated, damaged or weakened components shall be promptly repaired or replaced. All lettering, advertising copy and painted surfaces must be free of chipping, peeling and fading detectable within three hundred feet of the sign. Components composed of plastic acrylic and other artificial compositions must be free of cracks, holes, buckling or any other condition affecting the strength and stability of the component. Electrical signs must be maintained in working order. Minimum maintenance requirements for electrical signs and electrical systems include, but are not limited to: prompt removal and replacement of all defective bulbs, tubes, neon light segments, damaged or deteriorated electrical wiring and malfunctioning control devices and related circuitry. If enforcement personnel determine that these standards have not been met, notice shall be given or specific defects and reasonable time for correction. Failure to comply with such notice shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
§ 24-90 Zoning districts.
A.
The sign regulation districts shall be the use districts as set forth in this chapter. The boundaries of these districts shall be determined by reference to the City zoning maps and to the sections on interpreting the maps in the City zoning ordinance.
B.
The type of signs permitted, and the regulation of the number, placement, and use of signs is hereby established. No sign shall be erected except as provided in the district in which it is permitted; nor shall any sign be used for any purpose or in any manner except as allowed by the regulations for the district in which such sign is proposed or maintained.
§ 24-91 Residential.
[Amended by Ord. No. 96-1; Ord. No. 96-11; Ord. No. 96-21; Ord. No. 97-7; Ord. No. 02-10]
A.
General Provisions. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, the following restrictions shall apply to these districts:
(1)
All signs shall be appurtenant to a permitted use of the property on which displayed.
(2)
Ground or monument signs shall be not more than eight feet high.
(3)
Wall signs shall be not more than fifteen feet high.
(4)
Freestanding or pole signs and signs for home occupations are prohibited.
B.
Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed an area of eight square feet per sign and shall not be more than six feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. There shall be no more than two such signs on the premises.
C.
Property Sale and Construction Signs.
(1)
Property sale, lease or rental signs shall be limited to one sign for each street frontage and shall not exceed an area of twelve square feet per sign. When the property being advertised for sale, lease or rent contains ten acres or more, then the area of each such sign shall not exceed twenty-four square feet. In addition, there may be allowed not more than three signs which may be located on the property other than that to which the signs refer to direct people to a house for sale. Each sign shall not exceed an area of four square feet; shall be erected only when a salesman is on duty at the hours for sale; and shall not be erected without the consent of the property owner on whose property it is to be erected.
(2)
Construction project signs shall not exceed a total area of thirty-two square feet and shall not be more than twelve feet high.
D.
Identification Signs.
(1)
Home identification signs may exhibit the name, address and identifying symbol only of the land or building or the owner or lessee thereof, and shall be limited to one sign for each residence. Signs for single homes shall not exceed an area of two square feet. Signs identifying by address only a group of dwelling units shall not exceed an area of twelve square feet. These sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(2)
Identification signs for churches, public and quasi-public institutions shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. In addition, there may be a bulletin board not more than twelve square feet in area which may be combined with the identification sign. The signs shall be set back ten feet from any property line bordering a street. These signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(3)
Public and parochial elementary and secondary schools shall be limited to wall-mounted identification signs, ground signs not exceeding eight feet in height, and freestanding signs not exceeding fifteen feet in height, which shall be set back ten feet from any property line bordering a street. The signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
[Amended 11-14-2006 by Ord. No. 06-15]
(a)
Unless approved by a conditional use permit, identification signs listing the name of the school shall not exceed 36 square feet in area and informational signs identifying events, activities, and other school functions shall not exceed 36 square feet in area.
(b)
An automatic changeable copy sign or digital sign shall require a conditional use permit.
(4)
Subdivision identification signs shall designate the subdivision by name or symbol only. The signs may be indirectly illuminated. There may be no more than two such signs with a maximum total area of twelve square feet per sign at each street entrance to the subdivision unless approved by a conditional use permit.
(5)
Identification signs for all other uses permitted in these districts shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. The signs shall be set back ten feet from any property line bordering a street.
E.
Transitional Districts and Signs.
(1)
In a transitional developing district, identification signs for nonresidential uses shall be limited to one wall sign not more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. Ground or monument signs, roof signs, free-standing pole signs and off-premise signs are prohibited. All signs shall refer to an approved use of the property on which it is displayed.
(a)
Directional signs shall not exceed an area of four square feet per sign and shall not be more than four feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. There shall be no more than two such signs on the property.
(2)
In a transitional redeveloping district, identification signs for non-residential uses shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage for a redevelopment tract. For other property within this district, on-premise identification signs for non-residential uses shall not exceed one-fourth square foot for each linear foot of street frontage. The longest street frontage shall be used to determine allowable sign area. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. Ground or monument signs shall not exceed five feet in height above grade. Freestanding pole signs shall be prohibited and there shall be no more than one ground sign. Ground or monument signs shall only be allowed in a redevelopment tract. Roof signs and off-premise signs are prohibited. One portable sign not exceeding 25 square feet, meeting the requirements of section 24-74, shall be allowed for each redevelopment tract. For other property within this district, one portable sign, 12 square feet maximum, otherwise meeting the requirements of section 24-74 of the City code shall be allowed.
(a)
Directional signs shall not exceed an area of 4 square feet per sign and shall not be more than 5 feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. The area of a logo on a directional sign shall not exceed 50% of the area of the directional sign. The logo shall not be assessed against allowable sign area. There shall be no more than one such sign per entry or exit.
§ 24-92 Commercial office.
A.
General Provisions. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, the following restrictions shall apply:
(1)
All signs shall be appurtenant to a permitted use of the premises.
(2)
Ground signs shall not be more than eight feet high. Freestanding or pole signs are permitted, but shall not exceed fifteen feet in height.
(3)
The source of indirect illumination for signs shall be so oriented or shielded that it shall not be visible from any residential use or public thoroughfare.
(4)
Walls signs shall not be more than fifteen feet high.
B.
Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed an area of eight square feet per sign and shall not be more than six feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. The area of a logo on a directional sign shall not count towards total square feet allowed. The area of a logo on a directional sign shall not exceed fifty percent of the area of the directional sign. There shall be no more than one such sign per entry or exit unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
C.
Property Sale and Construction Signs.
(1)
Property sale, lease, or rental signs shall be limited to one sign for each street frontage and shall not exceed an area of sixteen square feet per sign. When the property being advertised for sale, lease or rent contains ten acres or more, the area of each such sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet.
D.
Identification Signs.
(1)
Identification signs for churches, public and quasi-public institutions shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. In addition, there may be a bulletin board not more than twelve square feet in area, which may be combined with the identification sign. The signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
(2)
Subdivision identification signs shall designate the subdivision by name or symbol only. The signs may be indirectly illuminated. There may be no more than two such signs with a maximum total area of twelve square feet per sign at each street entrance to the subdivision unless approved by conditional use permit.
(3)
All other permitted uses:
(a)
There shall be no more than one ground or freestanding sign per street front on any lot or business center unless a conditional use permit is obtained. This sign may be a directory, center identification, combined directory and center identification, or on lots with a single permitted use, a business identification sign. Total area of any one ground or freestanding sign shall not exceed seventy-five square feet. The area of any ground or freestanding sign may be further restricted by "b" below.
(b)
Total area of all identification signs on any lot or business center shall not exceed one-half square foot for each linear foot of street frontage unless a conditional use permit is obtained. These signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(4)
Clock, time and temperature devices, which do not exceed an area of thirty-two square feet, shall not be included in the allowable sign area.
§ 24-93 Agriculture and public.
A.
General Provisions. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, the following restrictions shall apply to these districts:
(1)
All signs shall be appurtenant to a permitted use of the property on which displayed.
(2)
Ground signs shall not be more than eight feet high. Freestanding or pole signs, unless otherwise noted, are prohibited.
(3)
Wall signs shall not be more than fifteen feet high.
(4)
Signs for home occupations are prohibited.
(5)
Off-premises signs in agricultural districts are subject to the provisions of section 24-94E.
B.
Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed an area of eight square feet per sign and shall not be more than six feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. There shall be no more than two such signs on the premises.
C.
Property Sale and Construction Signs.
(1)
Property sale, lease or rental signs shall be limited to one sign for each street frontage and shall not exceed an area of sixteen square feet per sign. When the property being advertised for sale, lease or rent contains ten acres or more, the area of each such sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet. In addition, there may be allowed not more than three signs which may be located on the property, other than that to which the signs refer, to direct people to a house for sale. Each sign shall not exceed an area of four square feet, shall be erected only when a salesman is on duty at the house for sale, and shall not be erected without the consent of the property owner on whose property it is to be erected.
(2)
Construction project signs shall not exceed a total area of thirty-two square feet and shall not be more than twelve feet high.
D.
Identification Signs.
(1)
Home identification signs may exhibit the name, address and identifying symbol only of the land or building or the owner or lessee thereof and shall be limited to one sign for each residence. Signs for single homes shall not exceed an area of two square feet. Signs, identifying by address only a group of dwelling units, shall not exceed an area of twelve square feet. These signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(2)
Identification signs for churches, public and quasi-public institutions shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. In addition, there may be a bulletin board not more than twelve square feet in area which may be combined with the identification sign. The signs shall be set back ten feet from any property line, bordering a street. The signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
(3)
Public and parochial elementary and secondary schools shall be limited to wall-mounted identification signs, ground signs not exceeding eight feet in height, and freestanding signs not exceeding fifteen feet in height, which shall be set back ten feet from any property line bordering a street. The signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
[Amended 11-14-2006 by Ord. No. 06-16]
(a)
Unless approved by a conditional use permit, identification signs listing the name of the school shall not exceed 36 square feet in area and informational signs identifying events, activities, and other school functions shall not exceed 36 square feet in area.
(b)
An automatic changeable copy sign or digital sign shall require a conditional use permit.
(4)
Subdivision identification signs shall designate the subdivision by name or symbol only. The signs may be indirectly illuminated. There may be no more than two such signs with a maximum total area of twelve square feet per sign at each street entrance to the subdivision unless approved by a conditional use permit.
(5)
Identification signs for all other permitted in these districts shall be limited to one sign not more than twelve square feet in area for each street frontage. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. The signs shall be set back ten feet from any property line bordering a street.
§ 24-94 Commercial and industrial.
[Amended by Ord. No. 91-16]
A.
General Provisions. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, the following restrictions shall apply:
(1)
All signs shall be appurtenant to a permitted use of the premises, except that off-premises advertising signs may be permitted as hereinafter specified.
(2)
No sign, except freeway-oriented signs and wall signs on a major retail shopping building, shall exceed fifty feet in height unless approved by conditional use permit.
(3)
Freeway-oriented signs shall not exceed a height of one hundred feet and may be used only for on-premise advertising. Area of the sign will not be assessed against allowable sign area, but the sign may not exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet.
(4)
In no case shall any sign, other than a nonilluminated wall sign or directional sign, be closer than thirty feet to any residential zoning district.
(5)
An automatic changeable copy sign or manual changeable copy sign can be placed in any zoning district, except residential zoning districts, subject to the general sign provisions of the zoning district. An on-premises automatic changeable copy sign or an on-premises manual changeable copy sign can be used to advertise off-premises uses. The area of the sign shall count toward allowable on-premises sign area for the property. A Conditional Use Permit shall be required for an automatic changeable copy sign that is located within 100 feet of a residential zoning district. An off-premises automatic or manual changeable copy sign shall comply with the provisions of Section 24-94(E).
[Amended 10-15-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
B.
Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed an area of eight square feet per sign and shall not be more than six feet high. The signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated. The area of a logo on a directional sign shall not count towards total square feet allowed. The area of a logo on a directional sign shall not exceed fifty percent of the area of the directional sign. There shall be no more than one such sign per entry or exit unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
C.
Property Sale and Construction Signs.
(1)
Property sale, lease or rental signs shall be limited to one sign for each street frontage and shall not exceed an area of thirty-two square feet per sign. When the property being advertised for sale, lease or rent contains ten acres or more, the area of each such sign shall not exceed sixty-four square feet.
(2)
Construction project signs shall not exceed a total area of thirty-two square feet and shall not be more than twelve feet high.
D.
Identification Signs.
(1)
Identifications signs may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(2)
On any lot or parcel of land with not more than two-business establishments, the total area of all business identification signs shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of street frontage unless a conditional use permit is obtained. If the lot or parcel has more than one street frontage, only the longest single frontage shall be used to determine the allowable sign area. Unless otherwise prohibited by this article, the total aggregate sign area allowed for any lot or parcel may be used in any combination or number of signs on any wall or side of the premises. There shall be no more than one ground or pole sign per street front unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
(3)
In addition to the sign area allowed above, identification signs may be placed on the rear wall of a business building as long as the signs are not visible from the front property line. Such signs shall be limited to a total aggregate area not to exceed one and one-half square feet per linear foot of length of the wall on which the signs are located.
(4)
Identification signs for uses in commercial or industrial centers as defined in this article shall be permitted as follows:
(a)
Signage for individual tenants or uses shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building frontage occupied by said tenant or use unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
(b)
Center identification signs shall not exceed five hundred square feet. Copy may include both center and tenant identification. There shall be no more than one such sign per street front unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
E.
Off-premises advertising signs.
[Amended 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02]
(1)
The purpose of this section is to provide reasonable measures for the location and construction of off-premises signs within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Evanston. Off-premises signs serve a practical purpose of advertising goods and services and provide economic opportunity for the property owner. The following measures offer location and distance requirements for off-premises signs to mitigate clustering and land use impacts, ensure quality control of off-premises signs, address public safety considerations, and allow for the continued use of existing off-premises signs.
(2)
An off-premises sign shall require a conditional use permit. In addition, an off-premises sign shall comply with the following requirements:
(a)
An off-premises sign shall be limited to Regional Business, Highway Business, Community Business, Business/Light Manufacturing, and Industrial zoning districts on property abutting Interstate-80, on property abutting frontage roads which abut Interstate-highways. An off-premises sign shall not be located further than one hundred (100) feet from the right-of-way of Interstate-80, a frontage road, or a state-controlled primary highway.
(b)
An off-premises sign located on property abutting Interstate-80, a frontage road, or a state-controlled primary highway shall require review and approval from the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
(c)
An off-premises sign shall not be located on property abutting a local street, a collector street, or a WYDOT-designated scenic byway. Where a state-controlled primary highway intersects with a local or collector street, an off-premises sign shall be oriented toward the highway.
(d)
There shall be a minimum radius of five hundred (500) feet between off-premises signs on property abutting Interstate-80, frontage roads, and state-controlled primary highways.
(e)
An off-premises sign shall not be located closer than one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet to any Residential, Public, Open Space, Transitional, Office or Neighborhood Business zoning district.
(f)
An off-premises sign shall not be located in the front yard setback of a property. An off-premises sign shall comply with the setback requirements for an accessory structure for the zoning district in which the sign is located.
(g)
An off-premises sign shall be a single pole structure.
(h)
The area of an off-premises sign shall not exceed three hundred and fifty (350) square feet when located on property abutting state-controlled primary highways; and six hundred and seventy two (672) square feet when located on property abutting Interstate-80 and on property abutting frontage roads which abut Interstate-80. The area of an off-premises sign shall not be assessed against allowable on-premises sign area for the property on which it is located. An extension beyond the perimeter of an off-premises sign is permitted, but the extension shall not exceed 10% of the sign area. An off-premises sign shall be designed, engineered, and permitted to accommodate any proposed sign extension.
(i)
The overall height of an off-premises sign, measured from finished grade to the top of the sign, shall not exceed sixty five (65) feet unless permitted through the conditional use permit process.
(j)
Accent lighting and border or perimeter lighting may include neon lighting but such lighting shall not replicate the colors of traffic control devices. Lighting shall not be flashing so as to create a public safety hazard.
(k)
An existing off-premises sign that does not comply with these requirement shall be considered a legal, nonconforming structure. Routine maintenance and repair of the sign is permitted. If a nonconforming sign is removed or destroyed by any means natural or otherwise, the sign may be reconstructed within a period of 6 months. If the sign is not rebuilt within this time frame, the sign shall not be reconstructed. Reconstruction shall not increase sign area or height of the sign. A multi-pole sign shall be reconstructed as a single pole sign. Over area signage shall be reduced in area to comply with the requirements of this section. Over height signage shall be reduced in height to comply with the requirements of this section. Lighting shall comply with this section. Permit review is required.