In addition to the definitions set forth in Article 4 of this Ordinance, the following definitions are added:

6:1.1. Dimensional Requirements. Those measurements contained in this Ordinance that identify the area and height requirements for signs.

6:1.2. Display Surface Area. The area within a regular geometric shape enclosing all elements of informational or representational matter including blank masking. Structural supports not bearing information shall not be included in the computation of display area. All decorative embellishments or appurtenances such as directional arrows, which are not a part of the display area, shall not be greater than 20 percent of the display area.

6:1.3. Marquee. A permanent structure which projects over the entrance and is attached to and supported by a building.

6:1.4. Nonconforming Signs. Signs which were in existence prior to the adoption of this Ordinance which do not conform to the provisions of this Ordinance are declared nonconforming signs.

6:1.5. Parapet. That portion of a building wall that rises above the roof line.

6:1.6. Permanent Window Sign. A sign that is placed on or attached to the interior side of a window.

6:1.7. Sign. A device designed to inform or attract the attention to any business, industry, individual, group, enterprise, or public performance.

6:1.8. Sign, Abandoned. A sign shall be considered abandoned when the business activity or firm which such sign advertises is no longer in operation or does not have a current business license in effect.

6:1:9. Sign, Copy. All words, letters, numbers, figures, characters, art work, symbols, or insignia that are used on a display surface area.

6:1.10. Sign, Billboard. A permanent, freestanding, off-premises sign.

6:1.11. Sign, Freestanding. A sign which is permanently affixed to the ground and which is not a part of a building or other structure.

6:1.12. Sign, Mobile. A sign, such as an A-frame, which is moveable by a person without aid of a motor vehicle or other mechanical equipment.

6:1.13. Sign, Multiple Use Identification. A sign stating the name of the group development and the major tenants.

6:1.14. Sign, Owner. Shall include the person receiving benefit from the sign and/or the property owner.

6:1.15. Sign, Off-Premises. Any sign that advertises goods, products, services, or facilities, or that directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.

6:1.16. Sign, On-Premises. Any sign that disseminates information that directly relates to the use of the property on which it is located and is not a separate and distinct use.

6:1.17. Sign, Portable. A sign which may be moved from one location to another, is not permanently affixed to the ground, and is differentiated from a "mobile sign" in that it may be equipped for transportation by motor vehicle or other mechanical means. Trailer signs are considered to be portable signs.

6:1.18. Signs, Projecting. Any sign other than a "wall sign" which projects from and is supported by a building and projects more than 12 inches, but no more than 36 inches.

6:1.19. Sign, Roof. A sign that is erected, constructed, or maintained above the roof of any building.

6:1.20. Sign, Temporary. A sign which disseminates information about special events or occurrences, property for sale, land development, or contractor's signs at a construction site subject to the provisions of Section 6:6.

6:1.21. Sight Triangle. Measured from the curb or edge of pavement, the triangular area created by a line connecting points on the front and side lot lines at a distance (as indicated below) from the intersection of said lines or the extension of said lines: street or driveway intersection.

6:1.22. Sign, Wall. Any sign painted on or attached flat and parallel to the exterior wall or surface of a building or other structure and which projects not more than 12 inches from that wall or surface.

6:1.23. Usable Wall Area. The exterior wall or surface area of a building or structure that excludes doors.

6:1.24. Sign, Monument. A sign attached to or integrated into a contiguous structural base or planter box, which base or box shall be of the same width as or greater than the message portion of the sign, and is permanently affixed to the ground. Monument signs do not include signs supported by poles, posts or pylons. Signage material shall be integrated into the overall design of the building and complement nearby non-residential and residential buildings.

6:1.25. Sign, Decorative Post. A sign which is attached to a decorative post using a horizontal arm for support or a monument sign which is support between two decorative posts.

6:1.26. Sign, Banner. A sign having characters, lettering or illustrations which is constructed of cloth, canvas, or any fabric made of natural or man made fabric, or other similar light material which can be easily folded or rolled, but not including paper or cardboard, and supported along one or more sides or at two or more corners by one or more supports that is not fixed and rigid.

6:1.27. Sign, Freestanding. A sign which is permanently affixed to the ground by a pole or other structural supports covered or concealed with pole covers and designed to aesthetically match the building or development it is associated with.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

6:2.1. Compliance. All signs must be in compliance with the provisions of the 2003 Series International Codes and the 2005 National Electrical Codes as adopted by the City of Fountain Inn.

6:2.2. Notification of Violations. Such notifications shall be made by certified letter from the Zoning Administrator.

6:2.3. Signs Used in Conjunction with Uses Permitted on Review. Such signs shall be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustments in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 9 of this Ordinance.

6:2.4. Sign Setback Requirements. Signs located in a sight triangle as defined in Section 6:1.21 shall not obstruct vision between a height of 3 feet and a height of 9 feet measured vertically from the street level at the base of the sign, except for one supporting structure not exceeding 18 inches in diameter. In no case may a sign be located within 18 inches of the right-of-way.

6:2.5. Abandonments. An abandoned sign must be removed within 90 days from the date official notice is given by the Zoning Administrator.

6:2.6. Sign Maintenance. Any signs not meeting the following provisions shall be repaired or removed within 30 days after receipt of notification by the Zoning Administrator.

A.

The area around the sign shall be properly maintained clear of brush, trees, and other obstacles so as to make signs readily visible.

B.

All burned out bulbs or damaged panels must be replaced.

C.

All sign copy shall be maintained securely to the face and all missing copy must be replaced.

D.

If the correction is not made with 30 days, the Zoning Administrator may revoke the sign permit, thus placing the sign owner in violation of the Ordinance and liable for a fines or removal of the sign.

6:2.7. Owner Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of the sign owner to maintain and ensure conformance to the provisions of this Ordinance.

6:2.8. Political Campaign Signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public office or relating to any election or public referendum shall be permitted in all districts subject to the following provisions:

A.

Such signs are placed on the property within 40 days of the election and removed within seven days after the election or referendum for which they were prepared has been decided.

B.

The regulations of this section do not prohibit the purchase of advertising space on permitted advertising signs in addition to the signs permitted by this Section.

6:2.9. Building Graphics. Drawings painted on buildings that contain no copy, symbols or other references to products or services shall not be considered signs and shall be exempt from the provisions of the Ordinance. Drawings painted on buildings that do contain copy, symbols, or other references to products or services shall be considered wall signs and shall be subject to the regulations of the district in which they are located.

6:2.10. Signs in or over Public Right-of-Way. No sign shall stand in or project into a public right-of-way, except in the C-1 District. Signs shall be allowed to hang over the sidewalk portion of the right-of-way in the C-1 District, provided that the dimension from the sidewalk to the lowest surface of the sign shall not be less than seven feet.

6:2.11. Sign Spacing. No sign within a commercial district shall be erected within a 25-foot radius from any residential district boundary line unless such sign would meet the sign requirements for non-residential uses permitted within the residential district to which it is adjacent.

6:2.12. Sight Clearance. No sign shall encroach upon vision clearances as established in Section 6:2.4.

6:2.13. Grade Level. In cases where signs are located below the grade of the road to which they are oriented (as declared by the sign owner), sign height shall be measured from the grade of that street.

6:2.14. Landscaping. All freestanding, decorative post, or monument signs must be located in a landscaped area, which will not impede vehicular or pedestrian circulation.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

6:3.1. General Provisions for Nonconforming Signs. Signs may be continued in operation and maintenance after the effective date of this Ordinance, provided that nonconforming signs shall not be:

A.

Changed to or replaced with another nonconforming sign.

B.

Structurally altered so as to extend their useful life.

C.

Expanded

D.

Relocated

E.

Re-established after damage or destruction of more than 50 percent of the replacement value of the same type sign at the time of such damage or destruction.

F.

Modified in any way that would increase the degree of nonconformity of such sign.

Except in the case of E. hereinabove, this shall not prevent repairing or restoring to a safe condition any part of a sign or sign structure or normal maintenance operations performed on a sign or sign structure.

6:3.2. Continuance of Nonconforming Signs. All nonconforming permanent signs shall be allowed to remain.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

A permit is not required for the following types of signs, and such signs shall be considered in determining the allowable number or size of signs on a zoning lot, provided however, that they comply with all other applicable sections of this Ordinance.

A.

Traffic, directional, warning or information signs owned by any public or semi-public agency provided they do not exceed six square feet and are located on private property.

B.

Official notices issued by any court, public agency or officer.

C.

Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post office box numbers, names of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.

D.

Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.

E.

Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.

F.

Indoor signs.

G.

Time and temperature signs.

H.

Signs directing and guiding traffic and/or indicating services provided on private property but bearing no advertising matter and not exceeding five square feet for each sign.

I.

Signs located on the inside of windows intended for the purpose of disseminating information about special sales or promotional campaigns, provided that such signs are of a temporary nature, and are constructed of such materials and are of such a nature that clearly indicates they are temporary.

J.

Private traffic direction signs located on the premises for which directions are indicated, not exceeding three square feet for each sign.

K.

Gasoline Pump Sign - Signs shall be allowed on gasoline pumps so as to provide required information to the public such as "gallons", "price", "octane rating" and "type of fuel." As the trade name of the business is often incorporated into the name for the different types of fuel, said trade name and any associated symbols shall be permitted on the pumps as flat signs not to exceed three square feet in area per sign face and an aggregate area of six square feet per pump.

L.

Oil Rack Signs - Since oil is marketed on the pump island, the identification signs on the merchandise are visible and shall be permitted. Any additional signs on the oil rack shall not exceed three square feet per sign face and an aggregate area of six square feet per rack.

M.

Pricing Signs - A sign advertising the price of gasoline, other than pump signs, shall be permitted and shall not exceed 12 square feet per sign face and an aggregate area of 24 square feet, nor shall it exceed five feet in height, if freestanding. One such sign per on-premises frontage shall be allowed with a maximum of two such signs per premises. However, should such pricing sign be attached to, or part of, a permanent freestanding sign which identifies the premises, such sign must then conform to the requirements of freestanding signs in their respective categories.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

6:5.1. Signs Imitating Traffic or Emergency Signals. No sign shall be permitted which imitates an official traffic sign or signal, or contains words or symbols displayed in a manner which might mislead or confuse drivers of vehicles, or which displays intermittent lights resembling the color, size, shape, or order of lights customarily used in traffic signals or on emergency vehicles or on law enforcement vehicles, except as a part of a permitted private or public traffic control sign.

6:5.2. Signs or Devices Employing Confusing, Distracting, or Intense Illumination When Visible from the Public Right-of-way. No sign shall be permitted which utilizes intense flashing (strobe type) lights, spot lights, flood lights, flashing or blinking lights, or any type of pulsating or moving light which may impair the vision, cause glare, or otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle.

6:5.3. Signs Employing Confusing Motion. No sign shall be permitted which employs motion in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic, or a traffic signal, device or sign; or which would otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.

6:5.4. Sign Lighting Which is Incompatible with Residential Character. No sign shall be illuminated in such a way that it casts intense illumination onto any residential premises located in any residential district in a manner which by intensity, duration, location or other characteristic is incompatible with the residential character of the district into which such illumination is cast.

6:5.5. Roof-Mounted Signs are prohibited in all districts.

6:5.6. Billboards. It shall be unlawful after the effective date of this Ordinance for any person or business to erect or construct within the city new billboard signs. Existing billboards may be repaired, replaced, and/or enhanced, but not relocated or enlarged.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Non-illuminated temporary signs may be erected in any district in addition to signs permitted otherwise subject to the following provisions:

6:6.1. General Temporary Sign Provisions. Temporary signs shall not encroach upon vision clearances established in Section 6:2.4 due to excessive height. The height of temporary signs not within established site clearance or setback areas shall be governed by the dimensional requirements of the district in which they are located.

6:6.2. Temporary Subdivision Signs. Temporary signs announcing a land subdivision development may be erected on the premises of the land subdivision, provided that such signs do not exceed 50 square feet in area, are set back at least ten feet from any property line, are spaced at least 500 feet apart and are removed within one year from the date the sign permit was issued. Extensions may be granted upon approval of the Zoning Administrator.

6:6.3. Contractors' Signs, Craftsmen's Signs and Other Signs Pertaining to Construction. One sign displaying the names of the building, contractors, architects, engineers, craftsmen, and similar information is permitted upon the premises of any work under construction or any work of major repair or improvement, provided that the sign does not exceed 60 square feet in area, is set back ten feet from the property line or does not encroach upon the vision clearances set forth in Section 6:2.4, and the sign is removed within seven days after completion of the work.

6:6.4. Real Estate Signs. Signs offering real estate for sale, rent, or lease provided the combined display surface area of all such signs does not exceed four square feet for every 100 feet of street frontage and that total display surface area shall not be required to be less than six square feet on any individual lot and are no more than five feet in height if located in the 10-foot setback.

6:6.5. Other Temporary Signs. Signs which disseminate information about special events or occurrences provided that the sign shall be removed within seven days of completion of the event and shall be confined to private property and shall conform to the dimensional requirements of the district in which they are located.

6:6.6. Combination Signs. When temporary subdivision, contractor's and/or real estate signs are erected on a common support, the signs shall not exceed the greater of 100 square feet or four square feet for every 100 feet of street frontage.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Where permitted, portable trailer and/or mobile signs may be used as temporary signs, provided the following provisions are met.

6:7.1. Mobile Signs. Such signs shall be permitted in C-1, C-2, S-1, and I-1 zoning districts, provided the following conditions are met.

A.

Sign setbacks shall meet the provisions set forth in Section 6:2.4.

B.

Display surface area shall not exceed six square feet.

C.

Sign height does not exceed three feet measured vertically from ground level to the top of the sign.

D.

Banners for community events, festivals, holidays, and the like may be displayed on public street lamp poles.

6:7.2. Portable Trailer Signs. Shall be permitted in C-2, S-1, and I-1, provided:

A.

Sign setbacks shall meet the provisions set forth in Section 6:2.4.

B.

Display surface area shall not exceed 50 square feet.

6:7.3. Duration of Use. No more than one portable trailer sign or one mobile or banner sign may be located on the same premises for more than 60 consecutive days, and a maximum of 120 days during a 12-month calendar year. Once a sign is removed from a premise, a 30-day waiting period is required before another sign can be used.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Signs in R-15, R-12, R-10, R-7.5, and R-M districts are subject to the following regulations.

6:8.1. District Requirements. Signs in residential districts shall conform to the provisions set forth in Table 1 - District Requirements for Permanent Signs.

6:8.2. Special Use Limitations.

A.

Home Occupation Signs - One non-illuminated sign shall be permitted for each home occupation provided that the display surface area of such sign does not exceed 2 square feet in area and that such sign is mounted flat against the wall of the building in which such home occupation is conducted or flat against the wall of a principal structure.

B.

Permanent Subdivision Signs - One permanent sign per entrance displaying no information other than the name of the residential land subdivision in which they are located shall be permitted provided that such signs do not exceed 20 square feet in display surface area, do not encroach upon vision clearances established in Section 6:2.4, and are maintained in accordance with provisions of Section 6:2.6. Monument signs may be used as part of a decorative wall or fence. All monument signs must be located in a landscaped area, which will not impede vehicular or pedestrian circulation.

C.

Group Residential Uses and Nonresidential Uses - Signs identifying group housing developments, mobile home parks, residential high rise structures, and permitted nonresidential uses of a recreational, civic, charitable, fraternal, cultural, church bulletin, other religious, educational, institutional, governmental, and service nature, and not elsewhere regulated or specified, may be erected, subject to the following provisions:

1.

Size - Not to exceed 40 square feet of display surface area per sign.

2.

Number - One sign per street entrance not to exceed two signs per street front.

3.

Height - If building mounted, such signs shall not project above the roof line. If monument sign, such signs shall comply with the provisions set forth in Table 1 - District Requirements for Permanent Signs.

4.

Landscaping - signs may be used as part of a decorative wall or fence. All monument signs must be located in a landscaped area, which will not impede vehicular or pedestrian circulation.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Signs in the O-D, C-1, and C-2 districts are subject to the following provisions.

6:9.1. District Requirements. Signs in office and commercial districts shall conform to the provisions set forth in Table 1 - District Requirements for Permanent Signs.

6:9.2. Special Provisions.

A.

Group Office and Commercial Developments - Where two or more separate tenants occupy the same parcel or where the obvious intent is to function as a single center, two freestanding signs shall be permitted per street front of each development. Each sign shall not exceed 1 square foot of display surface area for each linear foot of street frontage or 120 square feet, whichever is greater. Where a single freestanding sign is used in lieu of the two allowable freestanding signs, display area may be increased to 260 square feet. In addition, each tenant shall be allowed one wall sign not to exceed

B.

In addition to the above, each motion picture theater located on the premises may erect one freestanding sign not to exceed 50 square feet in display surface area per screen.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Signs in S-1 and I-1 districts are subject to the following provisions.

6:10.1. District Requirements. Signs in service and industrial districts shall conform to the provisions set forth in Table 1 - District Requirements for Permanent Signs.

6:10.2. Special Provisions.

A.

Group Industrial Developments: Where two or more separate tenants occupy the same parcel and where the obvious intent is to function as a single center, two freestanding signs shall be permitted per street front on each development. Each sign shall not exceed one square foot of display surface area for each linear foot of street frontage or 120 square feet, (whichever is greater) maximum sign height is 15 feet. Where a single freestanding sign is used in lieu of the two allowable freestanding signs, display area may be increased to 260 square feet, maximum sign height is 20 feet.

In addition, each tenant shall be allowed one wall sign not to exceed 20 percent of the useable wall area of that tenant.

Where two or more tenants own or occupy adjoining parcels and the intent is not to function as a single center, signs shall be governed by provisions of the district in which they are located.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Identification signs and business signs are allowed subject to review by the Planning Commission. No signs shall have flashing lights or movable display parts. The area dimensions of signs in the PD or NC district shall not exceed those set forth in Table 1, District Requirements for Permanent Signs. The sign appearance should blend in with the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Monument signs for single tenant commercial, office and residential uses shall meet the following requirements:

A.

Sign shall not exceed six feet in height as measured above grade.

B.

Maximum sign face dimension shall be 35 square feet.

C.

Maximum height for a group sign is 16 feet and a maximum sign face dimension shall be 80 square feet.

D.

Facade mounted signs shall not exceed ten percent of the area of the facade upon which they are placed, with the maximum size of any one sign limited to 50 square feet.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

Requests for variances to the provisions set forth in this Article will be reviewed by the Board of Zoning Appeals as set forth in Section 11:5.2.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)

TABLE 1
DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMANENT SIGNS

Signage material shall be integrated into the overall design of the structure(s) and complement nearby non-residential and residential buildings.

(Ord. of 12-14-06)