(1)

Legislative purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to promote the well-being of the community by establishing standards that assure the provision of signs adequate to meet essential communication needs while safeguarding the rights of the people in the community to a safe, healthful and attractive environment. Within this overall framework, it is the intent of these regulations to:

(a)

Protect the right to the use of signs for the identification of activities and any related products, services and events, for effective use of signs as a means of communication and to provide non-commercial messages;

(b)

Protect the right of individuals to privacy and freedom from nuisances;

(c)

Protect the value of property and improvements thereon and the quality of life by enhancing the appearance of the streetscapes of the city;

(d)

Permit signs that are appropriate to their surroundings, aesthetically pleasing, appropriately scaled and integrated with the surrounding buildings and the landscape;

(e)

Assure that signs are constructed and maintained in a safe condition;

(f)

Encourage design that enhances the readability and effectiveness of signs while minimizing cluttered, distracting and/or illegible signs;

(g)

Prevent signs from interfering with traffic regulatory devices or otherwise obstructing motorist or pedestrian vision;

(h)

Reduce traffic hazards; and

(i)

Provide an efficient and effective means of administration and enforcement.

(2)

Scope. Except for signs permitted in all districts in subsection 14-303(4) herein, these regulations shall apply to all signs and their appurtenances that are legible to a person of ordinary eyesight (with vision adequate to pass a state driver's license exam) standing at ground level at a location on the public right-of-way or on other private property except those located within and visible only from within enclosed courtyards or similar enclosures. The signs within Rivergate Mall or any similarly constructed mall shall be covered by this chapter and shall require a permit. The sign standards of the mall will be enforced.

These regulations shall not in any manner attempt to censure the written or depicted copy on any permitted sign.

(3)

Substitution clause. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, noncommercial copy may be substituted for commercial copy on any lawful sign structure.

(2000 Code, § 14-301, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011)

For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions, terms, phrases, words, and their derivation shall have the meaning given herein.

Building face or wall means all window and wall areas of a building in one plane or elevation.

Building marker means any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material that is architecturally compatible with the building.

City, when used herein, shall mean the City of Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

Commercial complex means a building or group of buildings located upon a lot used or designed to be used for two or more occupancies.

Commercial message means any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business, product, service or other commercial activity.

Commercial facility means facilities used for leisure and social purposes, including community centers and meetings places, community halls, community learning and leisure centers.

Copy means the wording or graphics on a sign surface.

Display surface area means the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of wording, representation, emblem, or any figure or similar character, together with any background materials, color, or area defined by a border or frame, any of which forms an integral part of the display or serves to differentiate such display from the structure to which it is affixed.

District means a zoning district as defined and established by the Goodlettsville Zoning Ordinance. The zoning ordinance is published as a separate chapter.

Enforcing officer means the chief enforcing officer or official of the City of Goodlettsville appointed to enforce the terms of this chapter.

Establishment means a lawful entity, incorporated or unincorporated, that owns, rents, or leases space to conduct a commercial or noncommercial activity.

Flag means any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols, used a symbol of government, commercial or non-commercial activity as further defined below:

(1)

Commercial flag means any flag that displays a commercial name, message, logo or symbol.

(2)

Decorative flag means any flag that displays any holiday or seasonal insignia, design or message that does not include any commercial name, message, logo or symbol.

(3)

Government/civic/non-commercial flag means any flag displaying a name, message, logo or symbol of any governmental, religious, civic or non-profit agency.

Height (of sign) means the vertical distance measured from the surrounding grade to the highest point of a sign.

Item of information means the name of a business, service, product, or individual.

Lot means a lot, parcel, or piece of land which meets the legal requirements for use as a lot under the adopted zoning ordinance.

Major street or thoroughfare means any street shown as such on the official major thoroughfare plan.

Major street or thoroughfare plan means a plan for future streets and street rights-of-way adopted by the Goodlettsville Planning Commission.

Marquee means a permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection over a sidewalk from the weather.

Menu board means a sign designed for the display of menu items and prices for the purpose of placing orders for such items in conjunction with a restaurant utilizing drive-through or curbside service and not viewable from off the site.

Parapet means the portion of a building wall or false front that extends above the roofline.

Pennant means any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.

Right-of-way means a strip of land dedicated for public use and including the paved travel way of a street and the adjoining land on either side of the paved area as identified by maps, plats, surveys or deeds. When a right-of-way cannot be determined, a minimum right-of-way of 25 feet shall be assumed to be measured in each direction from the center line of the paved travel way.

Sign means any writing (including letter, word or numeral), pictorial representation (including illustration or decoration); emblem (including device, symbol, or trademark); flag (including banner, streamer, or pennant); inflatable devices; or any other figure of similar character, which:

(1)

Is a structure or any part thereof, or is attached to, painted on, or in any other manner represented on a building or other structure;

(2)

Is used to announce, direct attention to, advertise or communicate information of any kind; and

(3)

Is visible from outside of building.

Sign, abandoned means any signs in which the functions of direction, message, and/or identification of a bona fide business, lessor, owner, product or activity conducted or products available are obsolete.

Sign, accessory means any sign that directs attention to a person, activity, or commodity on the same zone lot. An accessory sign may also contain a non-commercial message.

Sign, animated means a sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.

Sign, banner means a sign having the copy applied to cloth, paper, flexible material or fabric of any kind with only such material for a backing.

Sign, building mounted means any sign attached to or supported by any building or other structure that has a purpose other than solely to support a sign, except a sign attached to any upright pole or support when the sign is wider than said pole or support, which shall be considered a freestanding or pole sign.

Sign, canopy means a sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A canopy sign shall, for calculation of display surface area, be considered a wall sign. A marquee sign is not a canopy sign.

Sign, changeable copy means a sign designed so the copy can be changed while the display surface remains unchanged and includes such signs as manually or electronically changed characters, letters or illustrations and fuel price displays.

Sign, changeable—Automated changeable copy means a sign or portion thereof that is visible from a public right-of-way and that displays letters, numbers, characters, symbols, graphics or illustrations:

(1)

Which are not themselves any illumination device, and

(2)

Which may be changed or re-arranged by computer or microprocessor generated electronic commands, which commands may be programmed to change at pre-determined intervals or may be activated by an operator from either a proximate or a remote location.

Automated changeable copy signs include devices referred to as "flip matrix," "segmented," and other devices with substantially similar functionality and appearance.

Sign, changeable—electronic graphic display means a sign or portion thereof that is visible from a public right-of-way and that displays electronic, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without textual information, which are created by matrix elements which may include cathode ray tubes (CRTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystals (LCDs), plasma, fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area, or are created by any reflective, refractive, digital light processing (DLP), holographic, stereoscopic/three dimensional, or any other device, process, product, application of technology, or by the appearance of any of such, within the display area, either alone or in varying combinations with each other or other elements, where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade, repixalization, dissolve or other such modes devices, processes, products, applications or technologies. Electronic graphic display signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays which may change automatically at predetermined intervals or be changed by an operator from either a proximate or a remote location. Electronic graphic display signs include images or messages with these characteristics which are projected by any means onto buildings, other objects or otherwise. A governmental traffic control sign shall not be deemed to be an electronic graphic display sign for purposes of this chapter.

Sign, changeable—Manual changeable copy means a sign or portion thereof that is visible from a public right-of-way and:

(1)

That has a fixed, permanent display surface on which letters, numbers, characters, symbols, graphics or illustrations which are not themselves any illumination device are manually placed, and which may be changed or re-arranged manually without altering the display surface or the support structure of the sign; or

(2)

That has a fixed permanent display surface frame in or on which a display surface or sign face or message panel may be changed or re-arranged manually without altering the display surface frame or the support structure of the sign.

Manual changeable copy signs are signs generally used to display the same message for a relatively limited period of time, and include but are not limited to devices referred to as "reader boards," "menu boards," price signs with changeable plastic or metal objects, and off-site billboards.

Sign, changeable—Multi-vision means a sign that is visible from a public right-of-way and that is composed in whole or in part of a series of vertical or horizontal slats or cylinders that are capable of being rotated at intervals so that partial rotation of the group of slats or cylinders produces a different image and when properly functioning allows the sequential display of one of two or more images on a single sign structure. May also be known as "tri-vision" signs.

Sign, changeable—Video display means a sign or portion thereof, that is visible from a public right-of-way, with or without textual information, which is created by matrix elements which may include cathode ray tubes (CRTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystals (LCDs), plasma, fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area, or are created by any reflective, refractive, digital light processing (DLP), holographic, stereoscopic/three dimensional, or any other device, process, product, application or technology, or by the appearance of any of such within the display area, either alone or in varying combinations with each other or other elements, that changes its message or image or background in a manner or method of display:

(1)

Which includes the appearance of motion, movement or animation,

(2)

Which depicts action or a special effect to imitate motion, movement or animation, or

(3)

Which includes the presentation of light or images displayed in a progression of frames or other such so as to give the illusion of motion, movement or animation, including but not limited to the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting or otherwise altering shapes.

Video display signs include images or messages with these characteristics which are projected by any means onto buildings, other objects or otherwise.

Sign, civic means a type of accessory sign that identifies or provides related information about community facility activity types as defined in the Goodlettsville Zoning Ordinance.

Sign, development means a type of incidental sign that conveys information about a future facility, the architect, the engineer, the contractor, the lending agency and/or the developer on a construction site.

Sign, directional means any sign which provides information relative to safety identifying vehicular entrances and exits to parking lots or traffic circulation areas for activities. Directional signs may include logo, symbols or a business name and shall not exceed three square feet in size or 30 inches in height. Such signs shall be located on the private premises and only one shall be installed per driveway.

Sign, directory means a sign which lists the names of individuals, businesses, or products available at a single site.

Sign, expressive means any sign that expresses an opinion, feeling or point of view, such as political, ideological, religious, campaign, and good will signs. Depending on its size, an expressive sign may be an incidental, temporary, or permanent sign.

Sign, externally illuminated means any sign that is illuminated by lights or fixtures that is not internal to the sign.

Sign, flashing means a sign that uses an intermittent or flashing light source to attract attention.

Sign, ground means a sign permanently affixed to the ground by a foundation pedestal or other structure.

Sign, hand-tacked means a temporary sign, incidental, expressive or advertising a product or service, commonly attached, tacked, hung, or suspended from trees, utility poles, fences or other objects.

Sign, height means the vertical distance measured from the surrounding grade to the highest point of a sign.

Sign, incidental means an accessory sign intended primarily for the convenience or direction of the public, including accessory residential signs up to six square feet that indicate name, address or home occupation; signs which give directions to churches, signs that indicate the types of credit available at a business; realty signs; signs with information that is warning in nature, such as "danger," "no trespassing" or "beware of dog"; signs indicating temporary events such as a garage sale or open house; and expressive signs up to six square feet.

Sign, internally illuminated means any sign that transmits light through its face or any part thereof.

Sign, marquee means any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a marquee.

Sign, nonconforming means any existing sign which met all requirements for the sign at the time it was erected but which fails to meet the requirements of this chapter either by not being permitted within the district in which it is located or by not meeting the standards as specified in this chapter.

Sign, pole means a sign permanently affixed to the ground by means of one or more poles, columns, uprights, or braces and not attached to a building.

Sign, portable means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a permanent structure or any sign designed to transported, including but limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles or trailers parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.

Sign, projecting means any sign that:

(1)

Is attached to a building wall in such a manner that its leading edge projects outward from the wall more than six inches; or

(2)

Is suspended from any structure that constitutes a covering or shelter such as a canopy, portico, or marquee.

Usually, though not always, the face of a projecting sign will be perpendicular to or from a wide angle with the surface to which it is attached.

Sign, residential identification means a type of accessory sign that indicates the name and/or address of a residential development and shall include a sign or signs at the principal entrance to any residential subdivision or planned unit development.

Sign, residential means any sign located in any district zoned for residential uses that contains no commercial message except for goods and/or services that are legally offered on the premises where the sign is located. A residential sign may also be an expressive or incidental sign.

Sign, roof means any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure and extended vertically above any portion of the roof.

Sign, structure means a structure, including uprights, supports, frames, display surfaces, and other appurtenances, intended to support and display one or more signs.

Sign, temporary means any sign that is intended for temporary use for a limited period as permitted by this chapter.

Sign, wall means a type of building mounted sign that:

(1)

Is attached to a wall (including parapet wall) or other structure that supports a roof, including any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy or awning, and any sign attached to any side face of a marquee, or that

(2)

Does not project outward more than 12 inches from the surface to which it is attached, and

(3)

In which the sign face is parallel to the plane of the surface to which it is attached.

Sign, window means any sign, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.

Travelway means that portion of a public right-of-way that is improved for use by self-propelled vehicles, including paved or gravel areas and any other area intended for vehicle movement or storage.

Political yard signage means a temporary yard sign, that expresses an opinion, feeling or support of view of a particular candidate or referendum.

(1)

Signs may not be any larger than 32 square feet.

(2)

Signs may not be placed within the right-of-way of any street, road or highway.

(3)

Signs cannot be located any closer than ten linear feet from the edge of road and curb of any street, road or highway.

(4)

No political sign may impede upon any sidewalk

(5)

No political sign maybe illuminated.

(6)

Signs may not be attached to trees, street signs or public utility poles.

(7)

Signs may not be erected no more than 90 days prior to the election date.

(8)

Signs are to be removed within three days after the conclusion of the election.

(2000 Code, § 14-302, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011, and amended by Ord. #19-931, March 2019 Ch4_1-23-20)

The following requirements apply to all signs in all districts.

(1)

General standards.

(a)

No sign except for those specified in subsection 14-303(4) shall be erected until a permit has been obtained in accordance with section 14-308 of this chapter, said permit being required to determine that the proposed sign(s) will be in compliance with this chapter.

(b)

No sign shall resemble or approximate the size, shape, form, or color of any official traffic control sign, signal, or device.

(c)

No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic control sign or with driver vision at any access point to a lot or parcel from any public or private street or driveway.

(d)

On any corner lot no sign shall be erected or placed in a manner to impede or obstruct vision between a height of two and one-half feet and ten feet above the center line grades of the intersecting streets in the area bounded by the street lines of such corner lots and a line joining points along said street line 50 feet from the point of the intersection.

(e)

No sign other than those erected by or on behalf of a governmental entity, including governmentally authorized signs and signs required for public safety at construction sites shall be erected or maintained within any public street right-of-way.

(f)

No sign shall be painted on or attached to any trees, rocks, fence posts, utility poles, or similar structures or objects.

(g)

No sign shall obstruct any doorway, window, or fire escape.

(h)

No wall or projecting sign shall extend above the roofline or parapet of any building.

(i)

The light from any illuminated sign shall be so directed, shaded, or shielded that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises nor affect in any way the safe vision of operators of moving vehicles. Light shall not be permitted to shine or reflect on or into any residential structure.

(j)

All motor vehicles, trucks, trailers and other types of equipment that have company logos or business signs attached to or painted thereon and which are regularly parked on the premises shall be confined to the portion of the property behind the building except while being loaded or unloaded. In the event parking behind the building is not possible, said vehicles, trailers and equipment shall be parked in as remote a location as possible away from the public streets or the public view. The parking of said vehicles with signs to augment tenant identification signage or to attract the attention of the public for the purpose of selling, advertising, displaying, demonstrating or for any other purpose related to promotion of business or other activity on the premises is prohibited.

(k)

All electrical service to any sign mounted in any way on the ground or attached to the ground shall be placed underground. Electrical service to all other signs shall be concealed from the public view. All electrical service and connections shall meet the applicable electrical code.

(2)

Sign maintenance.

(a)

Premises maintenance. All ground signs and any other type of sign and the premises surrounding same shall be maintained by the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.

(b)

Structure maintenance. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, all signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good, safe repair and, unless plastic, shall be galvanized or noncorroding metal, and shall be maintained in good and safe condition including the periodic application of paint or other weatherproofing material to prevent rust or other decay. The chief building official and/or representative may order the removal of any sign that is not so maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such removal or expense incurred to assure compliance of this chapter shall be at the expense of the permittee or such owner of such sign or occupant or property owner where the same is situated or any one or all of them who shall be jointly and severally liable for such expense.

(c)

Display surface or other advertising surface maintenance. The display surface or other advertising material of a sign shall not be allowed to deteriorate to a broken, torn, peeling, flaking or otherwise decayed condition and shall be repaired or removed within 90 days of receipt of notice mailed to the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, from the chief building official ordering such repair or removal. If the owner fails to remove or alter the display surface so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within the time specified in such notice, such display advertising material may be removed or altered to comply with the requirements of this chapter. An appeal may be made to overcome some exceptional condition which poses practical difficulty or particular hardship in such a way as to prevent an owner from repairing the sign.

(d)

Banners, flags, pennants, streamers. Banners, flags, pennants and streamer signs shall not be allowed to deteriorate to a tattered, torn or faded condition and shall be attached properly at all times. The condition shall be repaired or removed within 30 days of receipt of notice.

(3)

Calculation of display surface area.

(a)

The supports or uprights and any covering thereon on which one or more signs are mounted shall not be included in the display surface area.

(b)

On signs in which the copy together with the background is designed as an integrated unit separate from the structure on which the sign is mounted, the display surface area shall be the total area within a perimeter that encloses the entire sign copy of background.

(c)

On signs that do not have a distinct background separate from the structure on which the sign is mounted, the display surface area shall be the area within a continuous single perimeter composed of one or more rectangles, circles, and/or triangles that enclose the extreme limits of the copy considered to be the sign.

(d)

When two sign faces of the same shape and dimensions are mounted back to back on the same sign structure and are either parallel or form an angle not exceeding 30 degrees, only one of the sign faces shall be used to compute the display surface area. If the angle of the sign faces exceeds 30 degrees, then both faces shall be used to compute the display surface area.

(4)

Height of signs and minimum sign setbacks. The following general rules shall apply in the determination of the height of signs and minimum sign setbacks.

(a)

The height of any sign shall be measured to the topmost point of the sign or sign structure from the average grade level at the base of the supports or the base of any sign directly attached to the ground.

(b)

The height of signs placed on berms, mounds, or similar landscape features or on hills or mounds left after a lot is graded shall be measured from the finished or established grade around such features.

(c)

All signs ten feet and less in height shall include a minimum setback of five feet from the street right-of-way line. All signs exceeding ten feet in height up to 20 feet in height shall include a minimum setback of ten feet from the street right-of-way line. All signs exceeding 20 feet in height when permitted by other provisions of this chapter shall meet the minimum setback of 20 feet from the street right-of-way line. These minimum setback requirements shall not conflict with other sections of the zoning ordinance that include defined sign setbacks.

(d)

The setback shall be measured from the closest point of the edge of the sign or sign support structure to the street right-of-way line.

(5)

Signs permitted in all districts. The following signs are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit except as specifically noted.

(a)

Official federal, state, or local government traffic, directional, or informational signs and notices issued by the court, person, or officer in the performance of an official public duty;

(b)

Temporary signs warning of construction, excavation, or similar hazards so long as the hazard may exist;

(c)

Signs in the nature of decorations which are seasonal, clearly incidental and customarily associated with any national, local, or religious holiday, celebration or special event of local significance;

(d)

Commemorative or historical plaques and tablets;

(e)

The official flag of a government, governmental agency, public institution, religious corporation, or other similar entity, or flags flown on a temporary basis for the purpose of honoring declared national or civil holidays. Flags may also be used as a part of a professionally designed and permanently maintained and landscaped entrance or design feature of a residential or commercial development provided that the number of flags shall not exceed three. Flags mounted on poles shall meet the height and size requirements of the district in which they are located.

(f)

Incidental signs subject to the following restrictions:

(i)

Political signs shall be removed no more than three days after the election;

(ii)

Yard or garage sale signs shall be removed within one day after the sale;

(iii)

Expressive signs shall be removed within three days after an election, campaign, or event but in no case shall be erected for longer than 90 days.

(g)

Street names and addresses stamped or painted on mailboxes or on nameplates attached to the principal building;

(h)

Directional signs;

(i)

Works of art that do not include any commercial messages, symbols, or references.

(6)

Signs prohibited in all districts. The following signs or types of signs are prohibited in all districts and are hereby declared to be illegal.

(a)

Any sign that is abandoned, deteriorated, unsafe, or not otherwise identified as defined in this chapter. An abandoned sign shall be removed within 30 days of the notification of the owner of the property of the violation.

(b)

Any sign which is painted on or attached to a vehicle or vehicular trailers unless such vehicle is in operable condition, carrying all current and valid licenses, and used primarily for the transportation of goods and/or persons in the everyday and ordinary course of business of the owner thereof. Any sign constructed in the bed of a pick-up truck advertising the identity of a business or products available on or off the premises shall be included herein as a prohibited sign.

(c)

Signs which are made structurally sound by guy wires or unsightly bracing;

(d)

Signs which contain any kind of strobe or pulsating lights;

(e)

Animated signs;

(f)

Banner signs except as permitted in section 14-306;

(g)

Any sign with direct illumination provided by exposed bulbs or lamps;

(h)

Flashing signs;

(i)

Hand-tacked signs;

(j)

Portable signs;

(k)

Roof signs;

(l)

Inflatable signs, tethered balloons containing a message or other inflatable devices;

(m)

Any sign that exhibits statements, words or pictures of an obscene nature, as defined by the United States Supreme Court.

(2000 Code, § 14-303, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011, and amended by Ord. #19-958, Nov. 2019 Ch4_1-23-20)

Within the residential and agricultural districts as delineated by the Goodlettsville Zoning Ordinance, permanent accessory signs are permitted subject to the provisions as set forth herein.

(1)

Community facility signs.

(a)

A community facility may have one ground sign and one wall sign on the wall that faces a public street or that contains the principal entrance.

(b)

A ground sign shall not exceed four feet in height and 32 square feet in size. Ground signs which are integrated into an attractive brick, stone, or wood architectural feature or an earth berm, all of which shall be permanently landscaped, may exceed four feet in height to a maximum of seven feet.

(c)

A wall sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in size.

(d)

Signs which are internally illuminated shall not exceed 90 foot lamberts in brightness. In no event shall the light from any sign exceed one-half foot-candle at the property line.

(2)

Development signs.

(a)

A development sign may be located at the major entrance to a new development. Said sign shall be removed within one year of the approval of the development by the planning commission, provided that in the case of a multi-year development the time for removal may be extended by the enforcing officer one additional year for each year the development is under continuous construction. Such sign shall be a ground sign.

(b)

A development sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in size or seven feet in height.

(c)

A development sign shall not be lighted.

(3)

Residential entrance identification signs.

(a)

Residential identification signs may be permitted at the entrance(s) to a subdivision or to a planned unit or multi-family development subject to the approval of the planning commission at the time final plans are reviewed.

(b)

Two signs may be permitted, one on either side of the entrance if both are on private property located in a joint user access easement or private platted sign easement.

(c)

Residential identification signs shall be integrally designed as a part of an attractive brick, stone or similar material architectural feature, permanently constructed and maintained wall, fence or similar feature, or shall be a ground sign. All such areas shall be attractively landscaped.

(d)

The maximum display surface area of a residential identification sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in size.

(e)

The maximum height of such signs shall be seven feet.

(f)

All residential identification signs and the attendant landscaped area shall be owned and maintained either by the owner/developer or by a legally established property owners association.

(g)

Any lighting on such signs shall be integrated into the entrance feature and shall be subdued and shall light only such sign. No light shall shine or reflect on or into any residential structure.

(4)

Residential signs.

(a)

Any single- or two-family residential activity or any vacant parcel may have one residential sign that may be located anywhere on the lot of the activity.

(b)

A residential sign shall not exceed six square feet in size.

(c)

Residential signs shall not be illuminated in any way.

(5)

Electronic changeable copy signs may be incorporated into a ground sign and not exceed 50 percent of the total ground sign square footage and shall only be permitted on street frontage along a major route on the city's major thoroughfare plan.

Any changeable copy sign may be electronically or mechanically controlled. Such sign shall not flash on and off, scroll across the copy area or change colors sporadically. The display of the message must be static for a minimum of two minutes. When copy changes occur, they must change instantaneously with no phasing, scrolling, flashing or any other characteristic which imitates movement. Signs installed within 200 feet of a signalized or planned signalized intersection shall require the message to remain static for a minimum of two minutes. The illumination of an electronic changeable copy sign shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles over ambient lighting conditions, day or night. Measurement shall be as prescribed in the document "Recommended Brightness Levels for On-Premises Electronic Message Centers" published by the International Sign Association. All electronic signs shall be equipped with a sensor device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and each electronic sign shall be programmed to dim in accordance with ambient illumination conditions. The board of zoning appeals depending on the sign location and orientation with adjacent residential uses may limit the operational time of the digital message board to between 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or the maximum illumination from dusk to dawn shall not exceed 500 nits. A malfunctioning sign shall be programmed to shut down. The sign shall be located and oriented in such a manner as to create the least impact from illumination on adjacent residential uses, as may be determined by the board of zoning and sign appeals.

(2000 Code, § 14-304, as amended by Ord. #08-713, June 2008, replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011, and amended by Ord. #19-958, Nov. 2019 Ch4_1-23-20; Ord. No. 22-1038, § 1(Exh. A), 5-12-2022)

Within the commercial districts, commercial and office planned unit development districts and industrial districts, as delineated by the Goodlettsville Zoning Ordinance and Map, there are hereby created herein three sign zones which shall overlay said zoning districts. These zones shall be the city sign zone, the mall sign zone and the interchange sign zone. Additional regulations are established for commercial and office planned unit development districts. Accessory signs are permitted subject to the standards and provisions as set forth herein.

(1)

City sign zone. The city sign zone is established as being all of the commercial or industrial districts that are located outside of the interstate or mall sign zones. Within the city sign zone, the following provisions shall apply.

(a)

Projecting signs are permitted subject to the following standards:

(i)

A use may be permitted to have one projecting sign attached to the front of the building.

(ii)

Such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet in display surface area.

(iii)

Such sign shall not project into the public right-of-way more than six feet provided that in no case shall such sign be closer than two feet from the curb or edge of pavement of the travelway.

(iv)

Such sign shall not exceed 20 feet in height measured from the bottom of the sign provided that in no case shall such sign extend above the roof line of the building to which it is attached.

(v)

Such sign shall clear the established grade a minimum of ten feet.

(vi)

Such sign shall be no closer than 20 feet to any other projecting sign.

(b)

Wall signs are permitted subject to the following standards:

(i)

The display surface area of such sign shall not exceed ten percent of the square footage of the wall to which it is attached up to a maximum of 200 square feet.

(ii)

Such signs may be located on any wall facing properties in commercial or industrial zones. Wall signs shall not be located on any wall facing properties in residential or agricultural districts.

(iii)

Such sign shall not extend above the roofline of the building to which it is attached or the parapet nor shall such sign project outward from the building more than six inches. Any parapet constructed as a part of the building wall or added to an existing building shall match the architecture of the building, be of the same thickness and be on the same plane as the wall of which it is a part. Parapets or additions thereto shall not be braced back to the roof.

(iv)

Such sign placed in the horizontal space between windows of a two-story building shall not exceed in height more than two-thirds of the distance between the top of the window below and the sill of the window above.

(v)

Such sign shall not cover or interrupt major architectural features of the building. Architectural features or details shall not be removed to accommodate a sign.

(vi)

If a use utilizes both wall and projecting signs, the total display surface area shall not exceed 80 square feet.

(vii)

Signs attached to the inside of windows and intended to be visible from the exterior of the building shall not be counted as a wall sign; provided, however, that such window signs shall not cover more than 25 percent of any window.

(viii)

Any canopy sign shall be included in the calculations for total permitted sign area for wall signs and deducted from the total. A canopy sign may be internally illuminated or have back lighting.

(c)

Pole or ground signs are permitted subject to the following standards:

(i)

A use shall be permitted to have one ground or pole sign for each street frontage. In the event a street frontage is in excess of 250 feet in length, one additional such sign shall be permitted with a minimum separation of 100 feet between the signs.

(ii)

Such sign shall have a maximum display surface area of 50 square feet.

(iii)

The maximum height of a ground sign shall be four feet. Ground signs which are integrated into an attractive brick, stone, or wood architectural feature or an earth berm, all of which shall be permanently landscaped, may exceed four feet in height to a maximum of seven feet.

(iv)

The maximum area of a pole sign including no more than two signs shall be 70 square feet total and the maximum area of a ground sign including no more than two signs shall be 50 square feet total. Any changeable copy sign shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the total sign square footage.

(v)

Any changeable copy sign may be electronically or mechanically controlled. Such sign shall not flash on and off, scroll across the copy area or change colors sporadically. The display of the message must be static for a minimum of eight seconds. When copy changes occur, they must change instantaneously with no phasing, scrolling, flashing or any other characteristic which imitates movement. Signs installed within 200 feet of a signalized or planned signalized intersection shall require the message to remain static for a minimum of two minutes. The illumination of an electronic changeable copy sign shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles over ambient lighting conditions, day or night. Measurement shall be as prescribed in the document "Recommended Brightness Levels for On-Premises Electronic Message Centers" published by the International Sign Association. All electronic signs shall be equipped with a sensor device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and each electronic sign shall be programmed to dim in accordance with ambient illumination conditions. Maximum illumination from dusk to dawn shall not exceed 500 nits. A malfunctioning sign shall be programmed to shut down. Sign to be installed within 100 feet of a residential zoning district measured in a straight line shall require conditional use review by the board of zoning and signs appeals and depending on the sign location and orientation with adjacent residential uses may require the static message timing to increase to a minimum of two minutes and limit the operation time of the sign to between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The sign shall be located and oriented in such a manner as to create the least impact from illumination on adjacent residential uses, as may be determined by the board of zoning and sign appeals

(d)

The following provisions and standards shall apply to commercial complexes.

(i)

A commercial complex may be permitted one pole or ground sign for each street frontage identifying the name of the complex or business. In the event a street frontage is in excess of 250 feet in length, one additional such sign shall be permitted with a minimum separation of 200 feet between the signs. The maximum size of each such sign shall be a ratio of one-half to one of square footage of sign area to the length of the street frontage or the front facade of the building, whichever is greater, with a maximum display surface area of 100 square feet. In the event the above ratio results in a sign less than 50 square feet in size, then a minimum size sign of 50 square feet shall be permitted.

A sign setback of ten feet from the street right-of-way line shall be observed. Between a distance of ten feet and 20 feet from the street right-of-way line, all signs shall be ground signs. The maximum height of a ground sign shall be four feet. Ground signs which are integrated into an attractive brick, stone, or wood architectural feature or an earth berm, all of which shall be permanently landscaped, may exceed four feet in height to a maximum of seven feet. Pole signs are permitted subject to a minimum setback from the street right-of-way line of 20 feet. The maximum height of pole sign shall be 30 feet.

(ii)

Additional signage may be permitted on the building(s) within the complex and shall be either wall signs, projecting signs or signage painted on glass windows or a combination thereof. Such signage shall be in scale with the size of the wall of the building upon which it is located and be architecturally compatible. The display surface area of such signage shall not exceed ten percent of the square footage of such wall and may be apportioned for multiple occupants with each occupant being entitled to an equal share of the display surface area. Signs attached to the inside of windows and intended to be viewed from the exterior of the building shall cover no more than 25 percent of such window.

Wall or projecting signs shall be subject to the requirements of subsection 14-305(1)(a) and (1)(b) above.

(iii)

In lieu of a pole or ground sign identifying the name of the complex, such commercial complex may utilize a directory sign identifying individual occupancies subject to the same size requirements as in paragraph (i) above with each occupant being entitled to one directory panel.

(iv)

A directory sign listing the names of individual businesses or occupancies may be permitted at the entrance to the parking lot or at the entrance of each building. The maximum display surface area shall not exceed ten square feet and the maximum height shall be six feet.

(v)

A commercial complex may also be permitted entrance identification signage. Two signs may be permitted, one on either side of the entrance, and both shall be on private property in a joint user access easement or private platted sign easement. All such signs shall be integrally designed as a part of a permanently constructed and maintained brick, stone, or wood architectural feature or earth berm, all of which shall be permanently and attractively landscaped and privately maintained. No such sign shall exceed 25 square feet in size nor seven feet in height.

(vi)

The planning commission in the review of development project site plans may permit the total pole and ground sign square footage permitted for a development project per the provisions of this section to be alternatively applied to permit a shared development project sign to include increased sign area and height for a ground sign or pole sign. The alternatively applied sign area and height is only permitted by the equal or greater elimination or reduction of the sign area and sign height of the other pole and ground signs permitted by the provisions of this section within a development project. The maximum sign area increase permitted to be applied to a single sign is 66 percent. The maximum sign height increase permitted to be applied to a single sign is 33 percent, but no pole sign shall exceed 30 feet in height. The project site plan shall define the alternately applied sign square footage and a written agreement shall be recorded against the impacted properties.

(e)

Signs may be internally or externally illuminated subject to the following standards:

(i)

Exposed bulbs are prohibited.

(ii)

No sign shall change color or intensity.

(iii)

The brightness and surface illumination shall not exceed:

Internal illumination: 150 foot lamberts.

External illumination: 50 foot candles.

(iv)

In no event shall the light from any illuminated sign exceed one-half foot candle at the property line of any lot that is zoned residential or agricultural.

(v)

The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect the surrounding or facing premises nor adversely affect safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or private streets or parking areas. Light shall not shine or reflect on or into any residential structure.

(f)

This section shall apply only to those uses engaged in the retail petroleum and petroleum products business. In addition to the requirements in subsection 14-305(1), the following provisions shall apply:

(i)

One permanent price sign per street frontage. Such sign shall be affixed to or made a part of the permitted pole sign and shall not exceed 20 square feet in size. Such sign shall be set back from the right-of-way a minimum of ten feet.

(ii)

Two non-illuminated self-service or full-service signs per pump island may be displayed. Such signs shall not exceed 160 square inches per sign and shall be located at the ends of the pump island.

(iii)

Federal and state stamps, octane ratings, pump use directions, prices, and no smoking signs as required by federal, state, and local authorities may be displayed. Such signs shall be located on the body of the pump.

(iv)

Petroleum product pumps or dispensers may display signs on the pumps not to exceed two square feet and designed to be viewed by customers operating the pumps.

(g)

This section shall be applicable only to movie houses or theaters. The following additional provisions shall apply:

(i)

In lieu of a wall sign or in combination therewith, a marquee sign may be permitted. Such marquee may project over a private sidewalk or driveway but not over a public right-of-way. Such marquee structure shall be permanently attached to the principal building.

(ii)

Where the building contains more than one theater, additional display surface area may be permitted up to a maximum of 50 square feet of sign area for each theater. This sign area shall be in addition to an identification sign for the theater(s).

(2)

Interchange sign zone. Within the area of the interchanges of I-65 and Rivergate Parkway, Long Hollow Pike, and U.S. 31W identified as "Interstate Sign Zone" as shown on the attached maps, the following provisions shall apply and be in addition to and supplement subsection 14-305(1). All other pertinent provisions of subsection 14-305(1) remain as applicable.

(a)

Signs installed under this section, the maximum height for a pole sign shall be 60 feet and the minimum height shall be 40 feet and the pole sign is to be located between the back of the primary building and the rear property line unless the property contains site limitations that prevent the sign installation and if the sign location would create limited sign visibility as determined during site plan review. The planning commission in review of a project site plan for a property within the interstate sign zone designated areas may permit an increased sign height for a high rise sign based on the distance the high rise sign is located from the roadway providing direct access to the property per the following sign area increases and the visibility of the sign height from the interstate and interstate ramps. High rise signs that are permitted to be reviewed for increased height shall include a majority portion of the sign area within 50 feet of the interstate right-of-way. The planning commission shall review all requests for increased sign height subject to protecting the streetscape appearance of the roadway providing direct access to the property with the sign and the visibility of the increased signage height from adjacent residential areas. A high rise sign located between 200 feet and 300 feet from the roadway providing direct access may be permitted a maximum height of 70 feet sign height, 300 to 400 feet from roadway providing direct access may be permitted a maximum sign height of 80 feet, 400 feet to 600 feet from the roadway providing direct access may be permitted a maximum 90 feet height, over 600 feet may be permitted a maximum sign height of 100 feet.

(b)

The maximum display surface area for a pole sign shall be 175 square feet. The planning commission in review of a project site plan for a property within the interstate sign zone designated areas may permit an increased sign area for a high rise sign based on the distance the high rise sign is located from the roadway providing direct access to the property per the following sign area increases. The planning commission shall review all requests for increased sign area subject to protecting the streetscape appearance of the roadway providing direct access to the property with the sign and the visibility of the increased signage area from adjacent residential areas. A high rise sign located between 200 feet and 300 feet from the roadway providing direct access may be permitted a ten percent sign area increase in sign area, 300 to 400 feet from roadway providing direct access may be permitted a 20 percent increase in sign area, and a sign exceeding 400 feet from the roadway providing direct access may be permitted a maximum 30 percent increase in sign area. Such display surface area shall include all permitted signage such as changeable copy and price signs. Any changeable copy sign shall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the total sign square footage, except that any changeable copy sign within 150 feet of the interstate right-of-way may be 100 percentof the sign square footage.

(c)

Wall signs shall be a maximum size of 15 percent of the area of the wall upon which they are mounted.

(d)

A maximum of one pole sign shall be permitted on a property and any additional non-building sign permitted based on property frontage shall be a ground sign.

(3)

Mall sign zone. Within the area along Rivergate Parkway and in the vicinity of Rivergate Mall identified as the "Mall Sign Zone" as shown on the attached map, the following provision shall apply and be in addition to and supplement subsection 14-305(1) above. All other pertinent provisions of subsection 14-305(1) remain as applicable. The maximum display surface area for a pole sign shall be 100 square feet. All other pertinent provisions of subsection 14-305(1) remain as applicable.

(4)

Other signs. Vacant parcels of land may have erected thereon one sign of any type that is not otherwise prohibited by subsection 14-303(6). The maximum size sign shall be 20 square feet, and the maximum height shall be ten feet. All other pertinent provisions of subsection 14-305(1) remain as applicable.

(5)

Commercial planned unit development districts.

(a)

Within the GOPUD and ROPUD districts, the following standards for accessory signs shall apply. Accessory business and civic signs are permitted as follows:

(i)

A lot or site may be permitted one pole or ground sign for each street frontage identifying the building, establishment or office complex. In the event a street frontage is in excess of 250 feet in length, one additional such sign may be permitted. The maximum size of each such sign shall be 50 square feet. The maximum height of any pole sign shall be 20 feet. The maximum height of a ground sign shall be four feet. Ground signs which are integrated into an attractive brick, stone, or wood architectural feature or an earth berm, all of which shall be permanently landscaped, may exceed four feet in height to a maximum of seven feet.

(ii)

An office complex may, in lieu of the above, be permitted entrance identification signage. Two signs may be permitted, one on either side of the entrance, and both shall be on private property. All such signs shall be integrally designed as a part of a permanently constructed and maintained brick, stone, or wood architectural feature or earth berm, all of which shall be permanently and attractively landscaped. No sign shall exceed 25 square feet in size nor seven feet in height.

(iii)

Where more than one building is located on a lot or within an office complex, each building may be permitted an identification sign. Such signage may be located flat against the wall of the building and shall not exceed ten square feet in size, or may be a ground sign and shall not exceed eight square feet in size or three feet in height.

Each business within an office building may be permitted an identification sign which may be attached to the wall of the building or be painted onto glass entrances and shall not exceed five square feet.

Any wall or projecting signs shall be subject to the requirements of subsection 14-305(1)(a) and (b) above.

A directory sign identifying individual businesses may be permitted at the entrance to the parking lot of an office building or at another suitable location. The letters within such sign shall not exceed three inches in height. The maximum height shall be four feet.

All signs shall be designed to be compatible with the architecture of the building(s) and with the character of the development as determined by review of the planning commission.

(iv)

The illumination standards contained in subsection 14-305(1)(e) shall apply.

(b)

Within the commercial CPUD and CPUDL districts, the sign standards in subsection 14-305(1) shall apply; provided however, that the planning commission may impose, as a part of the approval of the master plan, additional design requirements and/or more restrictive standards to assure compatibility with the style of the building and the character of the area.

(c)

The planning commission in the review of development project master plans may permit the total pole and ground sign square footage permitted for a development project per the provisions of this section to be alternatively applied to permit a shared development project sign to include increased sign area and height for a ground sign or pole sign. The alternatively applied sign area and height is only permitted by the equal or greater elimination or reduction of the sign area and sign height of the other pole and ground signs permitted by the provisions of this section within a development project. The maximum sign area increase permitted to be applied to a single sign is 66 percent. The maximum sign height increase permitted to be applied to a single sign is 33 percent, but no pole sign shall exceed 30 feet in height. The project master plan shall define the alternately applied sign square footage and a written agreement shall be recorded against the impacted properties.

(6)

Commercial core overlay. All building type signs shall be either wall signs or projecting signs and are subject to the requirements of the Goodlettsville Sign Ordinance, section 14-305 of this title, "permitted signs in commercial and industrial districts" by sign zone (this sign restriction shall not apply to properties fronting on Long Hollow Pike or Rivergate Parkway).

Ground signs subject to the requirements of the Goodlettsville Sign Ordinance, section 14-305 of this title, "permitted signs in commercial and industrial districts" by sign zone and ground signs not fronting on Long Hollow Pike or Rivergate Parkway shall not exceed seven feet in height and 36 square feet in area. Ground signs shall be installed meeting the following minimum setback from the property line as listed:

(2000 Code, § 14-305, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011, and amended by Ord. #16-863, May 2016 Ord. #16-879, Oct. 2016, Ord. #19-958, Nov. 2019 Ch4_1-23-20, Ord. #20-971, June 2020 Ch5_2-10-22 and Ord. #21-991, April 2021 Ch5_02-10-22; Ord. No. 22-1038, § 1(Exh. A), 5-12-2022; Ord. No. 22-1052, § 1(Exh. A), 11-10-2022; Ord. No. 24-1092, § 1(Exh. A), 8-8-2024)

Temporary signs shall be permitted for any lawful activity on a lot or parcel subject to the provisions set forth herein.

(1)

General requirements.

(a)

A permit shall be required for all temporary signs.

(b)

Banners may be used as temporary signs provided that such banners shall be securely affixed to the principal building.

(c)

One temporary sign may be permitted for each 250 feet of street frontage on a public street.

(d)

All such signs shall be securely installed or fastened and positioned in place so as not to constitute a hazard of any kind.

(e)

No temporary sign shall be displayed on a roof.

(f)

No temporary sign shall be permitted to project into or over any public street right-of-way, except a banner announcing a fair, festival, parade, or similar activity that will be open to the public.

(g)

Temporary signs are permitted at construction sites for the purpose of identifying names of contractors, consultants, etc., and shall be limited to four items of information.

(h)

Temporary development signs are permitted to announce the name, developer, and type of development for a new development which has approval of either a site or preliminary master plan.

(2)

Duration of temporary signs. Display of temporary signs shall be limited as follows:

(a)

Construction signs permitted in subsection 14-306(1)(g) above shall be removed upon completion of the project.

(b)

Signs for special events open to the general public shall be limited to 45 days.

(c)

Signs for special sales or business promotions shall be limited to 30 days.

(d)

Display of all temporary signs on a lot or parcel except for those in subsection 14-306(2)(a) above shall be limited to a maximum of 90 days per calendar year.

(e)

Temporary development signs shall be limited to period of time that the project is under development.

(3)

Display surface area, height, and illumination.

(a)

Maximum display surface area shall be 35 square feet except for banner signs that have been specifically authorized by the board of commissioners, which shall not be limited.

(b)

Maximum height shall be 12 feet except that banner signs displayed over a public street shall have a minimum clearance of 15 feet.

(c)

Temporary signs shall not be illuminated except in commercial or industrial districts.

(d)

The maximum display surface area for a temporary development sign shall be 50 square feet.

(4)

Location of temporary signs.

(a)

No temporary sign shall be located closer than ten feet from any public right-of-way or the front building line whichever is less.

(b)

The minimum distance between any two such signs on the same lot shall be 150 feet.

(c)

No temporary sign shall be closer than 50 feet from any permanent sign.

(2000 Code, § 14-306, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011)

Any sign lawfully existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter but which is not permitted either by type of sign, location, or district, or which fails to meet the standards on regulations shall be classified as a nonconforming as per definitions. The continued use of nonconforming signs shall be governed by the regulations included herein. Any billboard type advertising sign that is regulated under the Federal Highway Beautification Act and oriented to a federal highway shall be governed by the federal regulations provided however that local regulations shall apply to the extent they are not in conflict with federal law. A non-conforming sign within 150 feet of the interstate right-of-way may include the entire sign square footage to be a changeable copy sign with electronic images. Any request to convert and existing changeable copy to a changeable copy signage including electronic images facing within 500 feet of a residential zoning district (excluding agricultural zoning districts), the sign face shall not be illuminated between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(1)

Continuation of use. A nonconforming sign may continue to be used for the duration of the use or activity that is located on the property.

(2)

Alterations to nonconforming signs. A nonconforming sign may be altered subject to the following conditions.

(a)

The proposed alteration is not greater than 50 percent of the total sign structure or alteration costs are not greater than 50 percent of its current replacement cost. In the event the proposed alteration is greater than 50 percent of the above conditions, the sign shall be brought into compliance with current regulations.

(b)

The total copy of any sign may be changed in accordance with normal business practices.

(c)

The proposed alteration conforms to the provisions of this chapter.

(d)

No new nonconformity is created.

(e)

Multiple nonconforming signs on a property may be removed and a new sign installed on the same property the signs were removed from and shall not exceed the maximum sign height and minimum sign setback requirements of the provisions of the sign ordinance. The square footage of the combined single sign shall be less than the existing sign square footages but shall not exceed the maximum sign square footage permitted by the provisions of the sign ordinance by more than 30 percent. Signage proposals per this section that are within the interstate sign district are to be reviewed by the planning commission.

(3)

Damage or destruction of nonconforming signs. When any such sign is damaged or destroyed from any cause to the extent of 50 percent of the sign structure or to the extent of 50 percent of its depreciated value at the time of its damage or destruction, the sign shall be removed or otherwise made to conform or comply with all appropriate provisions of this chapter.

(4)

Change of use. Whenever the use of a property or building or part thereof changes, including but not limited to: redevelopment of the site or alteration or remodeling of the structure; all nonconforming signs shall be removed and the site shall be brought into compliance.

(2000 Code, § 14-307, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011, and amended by Ord. #16-879, Oct. 2016 and Ord. #22-1027, Feb. 2022 Ch5_02-10-22)

(1)

Enforcing officer. The administration and enforcement of this chapter is vested with the city manager or his/her designee. Said official shall have the power to issue permits and make inspections of all signs and premises where signs are situated or to be situated thereon and make such other inspections as are necessary to carry out this chapter. Full authority to enforce any and all provisions of this chapter is hereby granted to said official.

(2)

Permits, signage plan and fees.

(a)

Prior to the installation, erection, or modification of any permanent or temporary sign permitted by this chapter, with the exception of those permitted without a permit, the business owner or sign contractor shall obtain a sign permit in accordance with the terms of this chapter.

(b)

An application for a sign permit shall be made upon forms provided by the enforcing officer. The application shall be accompanied by a signage plan for the lot which shall include all signs, existing and proposed. The review of the plan application for a sign permit shall be for the purpose of determining if all proposed signs meet the size, location, height and similar requirements of this chapter. The enforcing officer shall approve or disapprove the signage plan within 30 days after its submittal, and if disapproved, shall state the reasons for the disapproval in writing. After approval of the plan, the permit shall be issued in a timely manner.

(c)

For any lot on which the owner proposes to erect any sign requiring a permit, a signage plan shall be submitted containing the following:

(i)

An accurate plot plan of the lot;

(ii)

Location of all buildings on the lot;

(iii)

Computations of the total sign area, the area of individual signs, height and dimensions of individual signs, and locations of signs on the lot and/or buildings;

(iv)

Standards for consistency among all signs on the lot and/or buildings with regard to color scheme, graphic style, lighting, material, location on buildings, and proportions;

(d)

The signage plan may contain such other restrictions as the owner of the property may determine which are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and shall be signed by all owners of the property.

(e)

A signage plan may be amended by filing a new plan with the enforcing officer that conforms to all requirements of this chapter.

(f)

After approval of a signage plan by the enforcing officer, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained, except in conformance with such plan, and such plan may be enforced in the same way as any provision of this chapter. In case of any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of any sign plan, the chapter shall control.

(g)

The application for the sign permit shall contain the following:

(i)

Name, address, and phone number of the property owner;

(ii)

Name of persons or firms erecting the sign and all structures;

(iii)

Written consent of the owner of the building or property, if different from the applicant, where such sign is to be erected or attached.

(h)

The permit fee shall be as established by resolution of the board of commissioners. Said fee may cover all signs included on the plan or may apply to any sign being changed.

(i)

A sign permit shall become null and void if construction has not begun within three months of the date of issuance of the permit.

(3)

Exceptions. Any sign permitted to be erected without a permit as stipulated in subsection 14-303(5) shall be exempt from the payment fees.

(4)

Appeals. Any person aggrieved by any action of the enforcing officer in denying or issuing a sign permit as herein described may, within 30 days, appeal for a variance or other relief in writing to the board of sign appeals through the enforcing officer. Action on any permit, the issuance of which has been appealed, shall be suspended pending final decision of the said board on the appeal. The board may set such appeal for public hearing giving such notice to the public or to persons concerned with such appeal as the board deems advisable and in keeping with state law.

(5)

Creation of the board of sign appeals. There is hereby created a board of sign appeals. Said board shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor for a term of four years. Members shall first be appointed for terms of one, two, and three years with two members receiving a two year term and two members a three year term. The board shall elect a chairman from its members.

The city shall provide a secretary to keep all records of the board.

(6)

Powers and duties of the board. The board of sign appeals shall have the following powers and duties:

(a)

To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged by the appellant that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, determination, or refusal made by the enforcing officer.

(b)

To hear and decide requests for variances from the provisions of this chapter.

(7)

Standards for appeal decisions. Before granting any relief from the application of the provisions of this, the board shall make specific findings of fact justifying the case under appeal.

(a)

For a finding of error, the board shall state the section of the ordinance that is being appealed and how the enforcing officer erred in the application of the ordinance requirements.

(b)

For an action granting a variance, the board shall state the provisions being varied and shall grant the minimum variance to satisfy the relief of hardship, and shall state the specific hardship which justifies the variance.

The board shall not grant a variance unless it makes findings based upon evidence presented to it as follows:

(i)

The particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographic conditions of the specific property involved that would result in an exceptional hardship upon the owner as distinguished from an inconvenience.

(ii)

The conditions upon which the petition for a variance is based would not be applicable to other similarly situated properties.

(iii)

The hardship has not been created by any person having an interest in the property.

(iv)

Financial returns only shall not be considered as a basis for granting the variance.

(v)

The variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare, injurious to other property, or to the intent and spirit of this chapter.

(vi)

The variance does not confer a special privilege to the applicant that is denied to others.

(c)

Under no circumstances shall the board grant a variance to allow a sign which is not permitted by this chapter.

(d)

The board may impose such conditions and restrictions upon the premises benefitted by the variance as may be necessary to reduce or minimize any injurious effect upon adjoining uses or property, and to better carry out the general intent of this chapter.

(8)

Violations and penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined as provided by law. Each day that a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense and an additional violation.

The owner, tenant, or occupant of any building, structure, premises, or any part thereof, and any contractor, builder, architect, engineer, agent, or other person who commits, aids or participates in, or maintains such violation may be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties as provided herein.

Whenever a violation involves a temporary sign, such sign shall be removed within ten days of the date of the notice of violation.

(2000 Code, § 14-308, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011)

(1)

Exercise of police power. This entire chapter shall be deemed and construed to be an exercise of the police power of the City of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, adopted under the authority of T.C.A. §§ 6-19-101 and 6-20-205, for the preservation and protection of the public's health, safety, morals, and general welfare, and pursuant to all other powers and authorities for the aforesaid purposes, and all of its provisions shall be liberally construed with a view toward effectuation of such purposes.

(2)

Severability. If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this chapter is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect any other section, clause, provision, or portion of this chapter which is not of itself invalid or unconstitutional.

(3)

Conflict with other ordinance. In case of conflict between this chapter or any part hereof, and the whole or part of any existing or future ordinance of the city, the most restrictive provision shall in all cases apply.

(4)

Repeal of other sign provisions. The adoption of this chapter shall repeal all provisions, regulations, and references for signs contained in Ordinance No. 91-450 known as the Goodlettsville Sign Ordinance adopted as a part of title 14 of the Goodlettsville Municipal Code.

(5)

Interpretation. Words herein in the singular number shall include the plural, the present tense shall include the future, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

(6)

Effective date. This chapter shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage, the public welfare demanding it.

(2000 Code, § 14-309, as replaced by Ord. #09-724, Sept. 2011)