The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety, enhance the unique beauty of the city of Farr West, and aid both residents and visitors in locating civic, business and cultural activities of the city through regulating the construction and use of signs.

The intent of this regulation is to promote civic order and beauty by establishing standards and regulations for sign design, location, type, size, compatibility and aesthetics to create streetscapes of buildings and landscaping that are functional and attractive to both the residents of the city and to visitors.

The sign requirements contained in this chapter are the maximum allowable. Sign types not specifically allowed by this chapter are prohibited. When other ordinances are in conflict with this chapter, the most restrictive ordinance will apply. (Ord. 16-01)

All commercial and permanent signs require approval by the Farr West City planning commission and a permit issued by the city recorder. Temporary signs requiring a permit shall be approved by the city recorder. Application for permits shall be accompanied by a payment of the fee as prescribed by the fee schedule (see title 3, chapter 3.30 of this code). If any sign is installed on any property prior to a sign or site plan approval, the sign permit fee shall be doubled (see title 3, chapter 3.30, "Fee Schedule", of this code). Payment of the doubled fee does not relieve the sign owner of any other requirements or penalties prescribed in this title. (Ord. 16-01)

The Farr West City building official is the code administrator and shall inspect all signs for compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and conditions from planning commission approval. (Ord. 16-01)

   A.   Off premises signs (see subsection 17.56.070A of this chapter).

   B.   Abandoned signs.

   C.   Misleading, fraudulent, obscene, immoral, indecent or unsightly signs.

   D.   Noise generators of any kind.

   E.   Signs placed on trailers or other vehicles which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign.

   F.   Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals. (Ord. 16-01)

Only four (4) types of signs are allowed in residential zones: real estate signs, political signs, curb signs, and signs for the sale of plant or animal products.

   A.   Real Estate Sign: Advertises the sale, lease or rental of the property upon which it is displayed. One non-illuminated sign permitted per lot. Signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and not be over five feet (5') tall. Signs must be removed fifteen (15) days following the sale, rental or lease of the property.

   B.   Political Sign: Announces, supports or opposes a particular issue, political party or candidate for public office. May be placed only on private property (which for purposes of this chapter includes the park or mow strip) with the permission of the property owner or resident. May not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area and shall conform to current "clear view zone" criteria (see section 17.46.050 of this title). May be placed not more than sixty (60) days prior to the election or referendum and shall be removed not later than five (5) days after the election or referendum.

   C.   Curb Signs: Property owners in Farr West are not required to install curb signs, but are encouraged to do so for the quick identification of a home or business in the event of an emergency. Curb sign must meet exacting specifications (see section 17.56.140 of this chapter for detailed specifications).

   D.   Plant Or Animal Products Signs: Signs for the sale of nursery or greenhouse plants, fruits or vegetables, and/or animals or eggs are permitted in the A-1 and A-1-R zones. Only one sign permitted per residence. Signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area and not be over five feet (5') tall. The setback shall be ten feet (10') from the front curb or property line and from any side property line. The sign design shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission before approval. Signs shall only be posted when products are being sold. (Ord. 2024-05: Ord. 16-01)

All commercial signs in Farr West City require permits. Applications are available from the city recorder upon payment of an application fee (see title 3, chapter 3.30, "Fee Schedule", of this code). For new developments, the sign application is part of the required site plan.

   A.   Construction Sign: Construction signs may identify the name of the business being erected. May also identify an architect, contractor, subcontractor and/or material supplier participating in the construction on the property on which the sign is located. This policy is a permitted exception to the prohibition of off premises signs as defined in section 17.56.070 of this chapter. One sign per street frontage not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area or twelve feet (12') in height is permitted. Setback shall be ten feet (10') from any property line and must not obstruct view of traffic for vehicles entering/leaving the site or from vehicles entering/departing from neighboring properties. May be erected sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of construction. Must be removed not later than thirty (30) days following construction completion.

   B.   Subdivision Identification: To identify a recognized subdivision, condominium complex or residential development. One nonilluminated sign per street frontage not to exceed forty eight (48) square feet in area and twelve feet (12') in height. Setback shall be ten feet (10') from any property line and must not obstruct view of traffic for vehicles entering or departing from neighboring properties. (Ord. 16-01)

   A.   Advertising Signs: Advertising signs are permitted on the premises of the business or organization which provides or produces a product or service. Signs advertising for another company are classified as off premises signs and are not permitted except for I-15 outdoor advertising structures and construction signs which are permitted within the constraints of sections 17.56.060 and 17.56.100 of this chapter. If construction or exterior building remodeling is part of a commercial project, the sign application should be included as a part of the required site plan application. If a sign is being added to an existing structure or site, a separate sign application is required.

   B.   Freestanding Signs In C-2 Commercial Zones: One freestanding sign per building regardless of the number of businesses in the building. Sign area shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of property frontage. Maximum height shall be twenty five feet (25') in C-2 commercial zones (see also section 17.56.100, "Outdoor Advertising Structures", of this chapter).

   C.   Freestanding Signs In Commercial Zones With Freeway Access (The Area Within 500 Feet West Of The Freeway On And Off Ramp Right Of Way, And The Area East Of A Freeway On And Off Ramp Right Of Way To The Farr West Pleasant View Boundary): Sign size shall be not more than three (3) square feet per linear foot of property frontage (not to exceed 300 square feet) and the maximum sign height shall not exceed eighty feet (80') (see also section 17.56.100, "Outdoor Advertising Structures", of this chapter).

   D.   Sign Size: For purposes of this chapter, the area of a sign computed on the basis of the smallest rectangle, triangle or circle large enough to frame the entire display.

   E.   On-Building Signs: On-building signs shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the aggregate surface area of the building elevation on the side on which the sign is installed.

   F.   Directional/Information Signs: Directional/information signs are signs giving directions, instructions or facility information. Shall contain no advertising. May contain the logo or name of the business (not to comprise more than 20 percent of the sign area).

   G.   Political Signs: Political signs are allowed on private property, including the mow or park strip, regardless of zone. (Ord. 2016-5: Ord. 16-01)

   A.   Setback: The setback for all freestanding commercial signs shall be ten feet (10') from the front curb or property line and from any side property line.

   B.   Clearance: All commercial signs shall have ten feet (10') of clearance above any walkway or fourteen feet (14') of clearance above any vehicleway.

   C.   Clear View Zones: A clear view zone is established by marking a point at which the two (2) street property lines intersect, measuring back twenty feet (20') on each street front, and drawing a line across the two (2) back points to form a triangulated area (see section 17.46.050 of this title). A clear view zone is required at all intersections and the entryways and exits from all properties in the city. Note: If the topography of the corner is unique, safety is paramount and variations of this calculation may be required by the planning commission to ensure that drivers of typical small or midsized motor vehicles have a clear view of traffic approaching the intersection or entry/exit.

   D.   Obstructions: No sign, structure or vegetation exceeding three and one-half feet (31/2') in height shall be erected or maintained in a clear view zone.

   E.   Code Compliance: All signs shall comply with the building and electrical codes and standards as established or adopted by Farr West City (see section 15.04.010 of this code).

   F.   Illuminated Signs: Signs may be illuminated by indirect lighting or floodlights only. No lighting shall be installed in any way which will permit direct rays of such light to penetrate onto any adjoining property used for residential purposes, or in any manner constituting a nuisance.

   G.   Nonconforming Signs: Nonconforming signs are signs that were erected legally but which no longer comply with current laws, regulations or ordinances. Such signs are permitted so long as they are properly maintained and do not endanger the public in any way. Note: If a nonconforming sign is modified in any way except making the sign compliant with this title, the entire sign must be replaced with a conforming sign using the normal sign application procedures.

   H.   Special Permit: The city council may issue a special permit for a sign that does not conform to this title for a limited special use or occasion.

   I.   Maintenance Of Signs: Signs must be kept clean, painted, and repaired as required by this chapter. The city shall attempt to contact the owner of any sign that appears to be abandoned. If the sign owner does not reply to city attempts at communication, the sign may be removed by the city.

   J.   Temporary Signs (Including Any Banner Signs): Such signs may be permitted through the normal sign application process for a period of up to thirty (30) days or until the event being advertised is completed, whichever period of time is shorter.

   K.   Governmental Signs: Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function, or required by law, ordinance, or other governmental regulation are allowed in any zone in accordance with applicable government regulations.

   L.   Emergency Signs: Emergency signs produced or placed to protect the public and emergency responders are permitted in any zone as dictated by the circumstances of the emergency. (Ord. 16-01)

Electronic signs appear to be the wave of the future, however, advancing technology threatens safety by making signs as much entertainment as advertising. Therefore, to promote safety and avoid distractions which might lead to vehicle accidents, signs which deliver their message electronically (not including signs which are merely illuminated by electronic means) are permitted through the same process as other signs with the following restrictions:

   A.   Video animation shall be prohibited, including text, image or graphic scrolling and animated advertisement transitions.

   B.   Advertisements shall not blink, flash, pulse, twinkle or anything similar.

   C.   Between the hours of ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and six o'clock (6:00) A.M., electronic signs adjacent to residential areas or any legally occupied dwelling shall not increase the ambient lighting level more than three-tenths (0.3) foot-candle when measured by a foot-candle meter, perpendicular to the digital face at a distance of three hundred feet (300').

   D.   All such electronic signs shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign's brightness and display period.

   E.   Signs shall comply with the building and electrical codes and standards as established or adopted by Farr West City (see section 15.04.010 of this code).

Prior to the approval of any permit to operate an electronic sign, the applicant shall certify that the sign has been tested and complies with the motion, dwell time, brightness, rotation time and all other curfew requirements as outlined below for outdoor advertising structures. (Ord. 16-01)

No outdoor advertising structures, as that term is defined in Utah Code Annotated section 72-7-502 shall be permitted in Farr West City which were not permitted as of September 1, 2015. Relocation of outdoor advertising structure within Farr West City shall not be permitted, except when such relocation is permitted or required in accordance with Utah Code Annotated sections 72-7-510, 513 and 516. Every outdoor advertising structure shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good condition, suitable for its intended use.

Existing outdoor advertising may be converted to digital outdoor advertising but may not exceed the height and square footage of the present structure. Video animation shall be prohibited including text, image or graphic scrolling and animated advertisement transitions. Any structural changes, including conversion of any sign faces, require a building permit.

Limitations:

   A.   Digital advertisements shall have a minimum dwell time of eight (8) seconds and a maximum rotation time of one-fourth (0.25) second.

   B.   Digital advertisements shall not blink, flash, pulse, twinkle or anything similar, or be lit by an outside light source.

   C.   Digital signs that are within three hundred feet (300') of any legally occupied dwelling and within a one hundred twenty degree (120°) radius area measured from the center point of the digital sign face or signs within one hundred fifty feet (150') of a legally occupied dwelling and within a thirty degree (30°) radius area measured from the point of the digital sign face and beginning at the one hundred twenty degree (120°) line, shall adhere to the curfew requirements between ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and six o'clock (6:00) A.M. daily.

   D.   Digital signs shall not increase the ambient lighting level more than three-tenths (0.3) foot-candle when measured by a foot- candle meter, perpendicular to the digital face at a distance of three hundred feet (300').

   E.   All digital signs shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign's brightness and display period.

   F.   Prior to the approval of any permit to operate digital outdoor advertising, the applicant shall certify that the sign has been tested and complies with the motion, dwell time, brightness, rotation time and all other requirements within this regulation.

Prior to the removal of an existing outdoor advertising structure, owners of the sign shall contact the Farr West building official. (Ord. 16-01)

The following types of signs are exempted from permit requirements but must be in compliance with all other requirements of this title:

   A.   Signs used by churches, synagogues or civic organizations.

   B.   Directional/information signs of nine (9) square feet or less.

   C.   Holiday or special events decorations.

   D.   Nameplates of two (2) square feet or less.

   E.   Political signs.

   F.   Governmental signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency.

   G.   Real estate signs.

   H.   Window signs.

   I.   Incidental signs. (Ord. 16-01)

Failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter may result in a fine of up to two hundred ninety nine dollars ($299.00) for each occurrence. If such assessment is not paid within thirty (30) days of notification, the charge will become an assessment upon a lien against the property of the sign owner and will be certified as an assessment against the property. (Ord. 16-01)

   A.   City Held Harmless: All persons responsible for the maintenance, installation, alteration, or relocation of signs near or upon any public right of way or property shall agree to hold the city harmless and indemnify the city, its officers, agents, and employees, against any and all claims for loss, damage, injury or death suffered by any individual as a result of such sign maintenance, installation, alteration, or relocation.

   B.   Liability Insurance Required: All persons responsible for the maintenance, installation, alteration, or relocation of permitted signs shall maintain sufficient insurance and shall file with the city a satisfactory certificate of insurance to indemnify against any form of liability. (Ord. 16-01)

Painting of curb signs shall conform to the following detailed requirements:

   A.   Purpose: Farr West property owners are not required to install curb signs, but are encouraged to do so for the quick identification of a home or business by fire/EMS, law enforcement, or other city personnel in the event of an emergency. Curb signs are for the sole purpose of assisting in identifying the location of specific homes or businesses. Only one curb sign displaying the building number is allowed per residence, lot, or business. Street names or additional street numbers are not allowed. Advertisements, logos, or any other commercial identifiers are prohibited.

   B.   Materials: All house or business numbers shall be painted using a nonreflective matte black paint on a solidly filled reflective white paint background. Numbers are to be in a block type font only. The white background shall be rectangular in shape with a length no longer than sixteen inches (16") and a height of no more than six inches (6"). Numbers shall be no more than five inches (5") in height with a font width of three- fourths (3/4) to one inch (1"). The numbers shall be spaced one inch (1") apart. The house or business number, in its entirety, shall be centered on the background allowing for a minimum of a one-half inch (1/2") contiguous border.

   C.   Location Of The Sign: The sign shall be applied between the approach (driveway, etc.) and the farthest front edge of the property and centered at a distance of three feet (3') from the nearest edge of the approach. If the property has two (2) approaches, either approach may be used as the start of measuring. If the property is a corner lot, the sign shall be painted on the curb of the street of which the property is assigned regardless of whether or not an approach exists. If an approach does not exist, the sign shall be centered between the corner and the property line. If the approach is the entry point of a flag lot or if the approach is centered within the lot, the sign may be painted on either side of the approach. If the distance from a flag lot approach is less than three feet (3') from the property line, the sign placement shall be centered midway between the approach and the property line.

   D.   Curb Painting As A Business: Any person who operates or advertises a curb sign painting business shall obtain a Farr West business license prior to soliciting or conducting any such work on any property in the city. (Ord. 16-01)