Granbury City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 7
Sign Requirements
§ 7.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to provide uniform sign regulations for the City of Granbury and the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Its provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements in the installation, erection, location, alteration, replacing, improving and maintenance of all signs. It is further intended to encourage signs which are well designed; which preserve locally recognized values of community appearance; which protect public investment in and the character of public thoroughfares; which aid in the attraction of shoppers and other visitors who are important to the economy of the city; which reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians traveling on the public roadways; and thereby to promote the public health, safety and welfare.
§ 7.2 Administration & Enforcement.
7.2.A
General
1.
Enforcement:
The provisions of this article shall be administered and enforced by the Chief Building Official and such representatives as he/she may designate. All other officers and employees of the city shall assist and cooperate with the Chief Building Official in administering and enforcing the provisions of this article.
2.
Violations:
Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, the Chief Building Official shall notify by certified mail an owner of a sign which violates provisions of this ordinance. The owner shall remove the sign or the Chief Building Official is hereby directed to do so according to Section 7.2.G, Authority to Remove Signs.
3.
Permit Required:
No person shall erect, reconstruct, alter, relocate or place any sign within the city except as permitted by this article. A separate permit shall be required for a sign for each business entity, and a separate permit shall be required for each group of signs on a single supporting structure. All signs shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with this ordinance, the building and electrical codes, and all other applicable ordinances of the City.
4.
Interpretation:
All questions of interpretation and enforcement shall be first presented to the Chief Building Official. Any person aggrieved by any interpretation or by any decision or ruling of the Chief Building Official under this ordinance, shall have the right to appeal such decision or ruling as set forth in Section 7.2.H, Right to Appeal of this ordinance.
5.
Maintenance:
All signs and sign support structures, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. No sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, replaced, or relocated, nor shall a sign face be renewed or neon tubing be rearranged when the value of such work exceeds twenty-five ($25.00) dollars, except on the issuance of a permit by the Chief Building Official. No sign damaged by windstorm or natural causes may be repaired without first securing a permit.
6.
Inspections:
All signs for which permits are required shall be subject to inspection by the Chief Building Official. Footing inspections may be required by the Chief Building Official for all signs having footings. All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the governing electrical code, and the electrical components used shall bear the label of an approved testing agency. The Chief Building Official may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section. All signs may be re-inspected at the discretion of the Chief Building Official.
7.
Plans Required:
Two sets of construction plans shall be submitted with a sign permit application. One set of plans and specifications shall be retained by the Chief Building Official for a period of not less than ninety (90) days from date of completion of the work. A second set of plans and specifications shall be kept on the site of such work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.
9.
Abandoned or obsolete means a sign:
Which, for at least ninety (90) consecutive days, has not identified or advertised a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, or advertised a time which has passed or an event which has occurred; or
Which has been dilapidated for thirty (30) days or more; or
Which the city cannot determine the identity of a legal owner.
10.
Dilapidated sign
means a sign which is decayed, deteriorated, or which has fallen into partial ruin that: Has any portion of the finished material or surface of the message portion of the sign that is visibly faded, flaked, broken off, missing, cracked, splintered, or defective or that is otherwise visibly deteriorated or in a state of disrepair so as not to substantially appear as it was intended or designed to appear when originally constructed; or
Has an element, structural support, or frame member that is visibly bent, broken, dented, torn, twisted, leaning, or at angles other than those at which it was originally erected
11.
Chief Building Official (CBO)
means the acting Chief Building Official or his or her designee.
12.
Sign structure
means any part of a sign including the base, supporting columns or braces, display surface, or any other of its appendages.
7.2.B
Sign Permit Fees
1.
Fees Required:
All signs erected in the City shall be subject to fees as set forth in the fee schedule as adopted by the City Council.
2.
Double Permit Fees:
The application fee or a sign permit shall be doubled when the installation or alteration of a sign is commenced or completed before the necessary permit is obtained.
7.2.C
Fines for Noncompliance
Violators of any provision of this Article shall be subject to fines set forth in this Ordinance and/or signs may be removed by agents and employees of the city pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 7.2.G and may be either stored or destroyed without liability to the city or its agents or employees. The owner of a sign confiscated by the city may claim the sign remaining in the custody of the city upon payment to the city of an administrative fee as set forth in the City Fee Schedule as approved by City Council.
7.2.D
Nonconforming Signs
Any sign in existence in the city on July 15, 2003 or on the date of annexation and not in conformity herewith, is hereby declared to be a legal nonconforming sign, and shall conform to the following:
7.2.E
Exempt Signs
Signs erected on private property owned by a church or school and advertising the primary use shall be exempt from the zoning district requirements contained within Section 7.5.A - Sign Table under the heading “Districts Permitted.” All other sign requirements shall apply.
The following signs and actions shall be exempt from all requirements of this Article:
1.
Seasonal decorations.
2.
Signs erected by the City, State, or Federal government for the purpose of public instruction, street or highway designation, control of traffic, and/or similar uses incidental to the public interest.
3.
U.S., Texas or Patriotic Flags.
4.
Painting, repainting, or cleaning of an advertising structure or message thereon for which no structural changes are required. Electrical wiring work of any kind shall not be included as part of this exemption.
5.
Traffic-control signs on private property, such as Stop, Yield, and similar signs, and which contain no commercial message.
6.
Community directional signs advertising events, services, real estate, businesses or similar items and activities, erected under an “Agreement for Services” executed by the City Council. The “Agreement for Services” may include requirements for construction, installation, duration, maintenance or management of the approved directional signs.
7.
The changing of advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign, including theater marquee signs and similar signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy, change of face panel, or where the sign frame was designed for replaceable plates, shall not require a permit. This exemption does not allow for the changing of an existing plate or a panel to an Electric Message Board sign or other specialty type of advertising.
7.2.F
Prohibited Signs
The following signs are prohibited:
1.
Portable Signs, any vehicle (operable or inoperable) or trailer, skid, or similar mobile structure fitted, designed and placed for the purpose of commercial advertising along roadway frontages;
2.
Roof signs;
3.
Signs located on towers or features that do not function to support the primary use of the building and project above the predominant roof line of the portion of the building occupied by the primary use;
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5.
Any sign designed to be used as a portable sign shall not be altered for use as a permanent sign;
6.
Snipe Signs;
7.
All signs or other forms of advertising in or over public street rights-of-way, public easements, alleys or upon any utility pole, except those signs that are exempt pursuant to Section 7.2.E, Exempt Signs;
8.
Signs that contain flashing lights that resemble emergency lights, strobe lights or any light(s) which may resemble a governmental emergency beacon or traffic-control device;
10.
Signs which prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape;
11.
Signs erected or displayed in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at any location, street, intersection, or driveway;
12.
Signs illuminated to such intensity or in such a manner as to cause a glare or brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance to traffic or to adjoining residential uses in residentially zoned properties;
13.
Obscene signs in which the dominant theme of material taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex, or is patently offensive because it affronts community standards relating to the description or representation of sexual matters, and is utterly without redeeming social value.
7.2.G
Removal of Abandoned, Obsolete, Dilapidated, Unsafe and Dangerous Signs and Supporting Structures
It shall be the duty of the Chief Building Official (CBO) to observe and make note of the facts regarding all signs in violation of this article. If in the opinion of the CBO, any sign that is determined to be in violation of this ordinance shall be subject to the following:
1.
Removal of abandoned, obsolete and dilapidated signs and supporting structures.
The owner, agent, or person in control of any premise on which there is displayed or maintained an abandoned, obsolete or dilapidated sign or supporting structure or the owner or person in control of an abandoned or dilapidated sign or supporting structure shall comply with the following requirements:
a)
Any abandoned, obsolete or dilapidated sign or dilapidated supporting structure is an unlawful sign and may be removed by the city in compliance with Article 7 of the city’s zoning ordinance and the owner may be prosecuted or be enjoined from continuing such violation. Any sign that is abandoned, obsolete or dilapidated shall be removed.
b)
If an abandoned supporting structure does not have a can, frame, or similar part of the supporting structure that would hold the sign or to which the sign would be attached, the supporting structure shall be removed.
c)
It shall be a rebuttable presumption that a sign is abandoned if it meets the definition of an abandoned or obsolete sign.
2.
Removal of unsafe or dangerous signs and structures.
The owner, agent, or person in control of any premise on which there is displayed or maintained an unsafe or dangerous sign or supporting structure or the owner or person in control of an unsafe or dangerous sign or supporting structure shall comply with the following requirements:
a)
Any unsafe or dangerous sign is an unlawful sign and may be removed by the city in compliance with Article 7 of the city’s zoning ordinance and the owner may be prosecuted or be enjoined from continuing such violation. Any sign that is unsafe or dangerous shall be removed.
b)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the CBO may summarily remove any unlawful sign which, because of its location or condition, clearly constitutes an immediate hazard or danger to the public. display, placement or maintenance, if located; otherwise, the notice may be affixed to the sign or other prominent place on the premises likely to come to the attention of the owner of the sign or premises.
c)
Upon removing an unlawful sign, the CBO shall send notice to the owner of the premises where such sign was located that the sign was removed and requesting payment of the removal and hauling costs plus an administrative fee of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00), less any amount received in disposal of the sign, and less the value of the sign at the time the CBO removed it or caused it to be removed. Any net costs remaining unpaid after thirty (30) days from the date the notice is mailed are delinquent and incur interest at ten (10) percent per annum.
7.2.H
Right to Appeal
The owner of a sign or sign structure, or his duly authorized agent, may appeal an administrative decision of the Chief Building Official to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. An appeal may be heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on any of the following matters:
1.
The mode or manner of proposed construction;
2.
The materials to be used in the erection or alteration of a sign or sign structure;
3.
Whether the provisions of this article apply;
4.
Whether an equivalent or more desirable form of construction can be employed;
5.
Whether the true intent and meaning of this article or any of the regulations thereunder have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted.
Notice of appeal shall be made in writing and filed within thirty (30) days after the decision is rendered by the Chief Building Official. |
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 19-88 adopted 12/3/19)
§ 7.3 General Regulations.
1.
Signs in the Historic Preservation Overlay:
Persons erecting or installing or causing to be erected or installed signage within the Historic Preservation Overlay must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission pursuant to Article 6, Section 6.2 -Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) District, contained herein, unless exempted under Section 7.2.E subsections 1–7. The provisions of this section (Article 7, Sign Regulations) shall not supersede Article 6, Section 6.2 - Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) District, contained herein, which is controlling and shall govern the procedures and requirements for signs within the Historic Preservation Overlay and properties which have a historic landmark.
2.
Site Plan:
Whenever a site plan is required, in addition to all other requirements of the site plan as stated in Section 11.12 [Section 11.11], Site Plan Approval, the site plan shall show the proposed location of any signs to be erected on the property and shall define the size and height of the signs with dimensions and elevation views.
3.
Existing Signs:
The area of all existing signs to remain on the premises occupied by the establishment shall be reported by the applicant and shall be added to the proposed new sign(s). The total area of existing and proposed signs shall constitute the total sign area to determine compliance with these regulations.
4.
Placement of Sign:
With the exception of banners advertising public events authorized and/or sponsored by the City and exempt signs pursuant to Section 7.2.E, Exempt Signs, no sign may be erected or placed in any public right-of-way, alley, or easement or upon any utility pole. Nor shall any sign overhang the property line into a public right-of-way or onto an adjacent property. The Chief Building Official without notice may remove any signs so erected or placed in accordance with Section 7.2.G(2).
5.
Street Visibility Triangle:
No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected in the 25' by 25' visibility triangle at the intersection of two streets. The street visibility triangle is formed by the property lines and a diagonal line connecting them at points twenty-five feet (25') from the intersection of the property lines. Any sign projecting into the visibility triangle shall have a minimum of eleven feet (11') ground clearance or a maximum overall height of two feet (2') above the level of the curb of the nearest abutting street.
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6.
Driveway Visibility Triangle:
No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected in the 7' by 60' visibility triangle at the intersection of a driveway with a street. The driveway visibility triangle is formed by the property line, the edge of the driveway and a diagonal line connecting a point seven feet (7') along the edge of driveway from the right-of-way and a point 60 feet along the right-of-way line from the edge of driveway. Any sign projecting into the visibility triangle shall have a clearance of at least ten feet above the centerline grades of the intersecting streets.
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7.
Interference with Traffic:
No sign shall be erected at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign or signal device; or which makes use of the words “stop,” “go,” “caution,” “look,” “danger,” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
8.
Wind Pressure:
All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 80 mph wind load factor and shall be constructed to receive loads as required by the Building Code.
9.
Sign Buffer Area:
The width of a wall sign shall not exceed 60% of the store front width and shall be centered on the store front or over the main entrance. No sign shall be located closer than 3' to the edge of the building or adjoining storefront.
10.
Signs in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ):
No off-premise sign, including billboard advertising signs, may be erected within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Granbury unless permitted by this Ordinance. Any off-premise sign within the ETJ in existence on November 6, 2002, is hereby declared to be a legal nonconforming use and shall be required to conform to the provisions of Section 7.2.D of this Article governing nonconforming signs. No other signs within the ETJ shall be regulated by the City.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 18-50, ex. A, adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 18-57 adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 21-67 adopted 11/2/21)
§ 7.4 Permit Requirements.
No sign shall hereinafter be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, or removed and replaced except as otherwise provided by this code, until a permit for same has been issued by the Chief Building Official. Further, no repair requiring removal of a sign from its supporting structure and no structural repair shall be performed until a permit for same has been issued by the Chief Building Official.
1.
Application:
Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing by the party installing or constructing the sign upon forms furnished by the Chief Building Official. Standard plans reflecting the proposed scope of work may be filed with the Chief Building Official. Such application shall contain the following:
a.
Three sets of plans drawn to a scale of one inch (1") equals twenty feet (20')
b.
A description of the proposed sign;
c.
Any existing signs on the property;
d.
All existing buildings on the property;
e.
The location by street and number of the proposed sign structure;
f.
The distance from the sign to the property line;
g.
The distance from the curb to the sign;
h.
Size and height of the sign;
i.
Whether the sign is an electrical sign;
j.
The existing zoning of the property where the sign is to be placed;
k.
The name, address and telephone number of the owner;
l.
The name, address and telephone number of the registered contractor erecting the sign. The contractor must be registered in the City of Granbury in accordance with Section 7.6, Registration;
m.
The Chief Building Official may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information where, in his opinion, such information is necessary to ensure compliance with this article;
n.
All required application fees as established by the permit fee schedule established by the City of Granbury City Council.
2.
Application Review:
The application, plans and specifications filed by an applicant for such a permit shall:
a.
Be reviewed by the Chief Building Official and officials of other City departments as deemed necessary by the Chief Building Official.
b.
Upon issuance of the permit, the Chief Building Official shall endorse in writing or stamp on all sets of plans and specifications “Checked for Code Compliance.”
c.
The Chief Building Official may issue a permit for work on a portion of a sign before the entire plans and specifications for the complete sign have been submitted, provided adequate plans and specifications and other information have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this code. The issuance of a permit for any portion of a sign shall not prohibit the Chief Building Official from thereafter denying a permit for the remainder of a sign which does not comply with the requirements of this code or any other laws.
3.
Expiration:
Every permit issued by the Chief Building Official under the provisions of this code shall be subject to the following:
a.
The permit shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by the permit is not commenced within ninety (90) days from the date of issuance of the permit or if the work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days at any time after the work is commenced.
b.
Before work can be recommenced, a new permit must be obtained.
c.
The fee for the permit shall be one-half (1/2) of the amount required for the original application for the permit, provided no changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for the work and that the suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.
4.
Suspension Or Revocation Of Permit:
The Chief Building Official or his/her designee may in writing suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this Article whenever such permit is issued in error or issued on the basis of incorrect information or where work is done in violation of this Article or any other law.
5.
Effect of Permit:
The issuance of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for or an approval of any violation of any provisions of this Article or any other law. No permit presuming authorizes [sic] violation or cancellation of provisions of this Article or any other law shall be valid. The issuance of a permit based upon plans and specifications shall not prevent the Chief Building Official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in such plans and specifications or from preventing work from being carried on thereunder when in violation of this Article or any other law.
6.
Required Sticker for Temporary Signage:
All permitted, temporary signage shall be affixed with a sticker provided by the Chief Building Official. The sticker shall be displayed on the front of the sign and identify the approved size and dates the temporary signage may be displayed. Failure to affix the required sticker may result in the removal of the sign.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 18-50, ex. A, adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 18-57 adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 21-67 adopted 11/2/21)
§ 7.5 Sign Types.
Sign types are listed below and shall be as shown on the illustration entitled “Sign Types.” Sign types are defined in Section 12.3.C, Sign Definitions.
7.5.A
Sign Table - See “Table Of Permanent/Temporary Signs
7.5.B
Permanent Sign Types
Permanent sign types shall include the following:
1.
Nameplate
2.
Primary Wall
3.
Secondary Wall
4.
Commercial Monument, and Multi-Tenant Monument Sign
5.
Menu Board
6.
Message Board
7.
Integral Signs
8.
Monument, Freestanding
9.
Canopy
10.
Mural
11.
Enclosed Frame/Changeable Copy
12.
Multi-Family Entry Monument
13.
Subdivision Entry Monument
14.
Window
15.
Commercial Directional
7.5.C
Temporary Sign Types
Temporary sign types shall include the following:
1.
Banner, Horizontal
2.
Banner, Vertical
3.
Banner, Multi-Family Unit(s) for Rent/Lease
4.
Commercial Complex Sale or Lease - Freestanding Sign
5.
Commercial Unit(s) Sales/Lease - Wall Sign
6.
Community Service
7.
Decorative Flag
8.
Flag Poles
9.
Flags
10.
Garage and Yard [Sale] Signs
11.
New Business
12.
New Commercial Building
13.
Real Estate Land Sale
14.
Realty Signs
15.
Residential Construction
16.
Weekend Builder’s Advertising
17.
Inflatable Advertising/Balloons
18.
Decorative Pennants (Streamers)
19.
Community Special Event (added 9/2/2014)
Table of Permanent Signs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type Of Sign | Permit | Districts Permitted | Maximum Advertising Area | Maximum Sign/ Structure Height | Number Of Signs Per Street Frontage | Setback | Requirements |
Wall, Primary (Attached) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 10% of primary wall area, 200 sq. ft. maximum | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | N/A Total sign area can be composed of multiple signs | N/A | 2 wall maximum |
Wall, Secondary (Attached) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 50% of allowed primary wall sign area, 100 sq. ft. of maximum | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | N/A Sign area can be composed of multiple signs | N/A | 2 wall maximum |
Commercial Monument Sign (A) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “A” Corridor | 200 sq. ft. | 20' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Exposed pole prohibited. Monument sign shall be masonry w/ decorative cap to match or complement building. 20% of the surround may be alternative, accent material. The sq. footage of landscaping around the base of the monument shall equal the sq. footage of the sign area. (See Comm. Monument Sign - Article 12.) The masonry wrapping the advertising area shall not exceed 100% nor fall below 30% of the commercial advertising area.” |
Commercial Monument Sign (B) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “B” Corridor | 120 sq. ft. | 10' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Same as above.” |
Commercial Multi-tenant Monument (A) (Minimum of 3 or more tenants) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “A” Corridor | 250 sq. ft. | 25' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Same as above.” |
Commercial Multi-tenant Monument (B) (Minimum of 3 or more tenants) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “B” Corridor | 150 sq. ft. | 12' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Same as above.” |
Monument Sign | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 75 sq. ft. | 7' | 1 freestanding sign @ each street frontage, 2 maximum per site | 10 ft. | Exposed pole prohibited. Monument sign shall be masonry w/ decorative cap to match or complement building. 20% of the surround may be alternative, accent material. The masonry wrapping the advertising area shall not exceed 100% nor fall below 30% of the commercial advertising area. |
Multi-tenant Monument, Sign (Minimum of 3 or more tenants) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 100 sq. ft. | 8' | 1 freestanding sign @ each street frontage, 2 maximum per site | 10 ft. | Exposed pole prohibited. Monument sign shall be masonry w/ decorative cap to match or complement building. 20% of the surround may be alternative, accent material. The masonry wrapping the advertising area shall not exceed 100% nor fall below 30% of the commercial advertising area. |
Message Board | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | Same as commercial monument regulations | Same as commercial monument regulations | Same as commercial monument regulations | 10 ft. | See Section 7.5.E |
Canopy (covering gas pumps, drive-thru lanes or parking areas) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 50% of allowed primary wall sign area of building, 100 s.f. max. | Top of canopy fascia | On 2 sides of canopy only | 10 ft. | Canopies not considered separate buildings for signage purposes. Gasoline Pricing Signs are permitted. |
Mural | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | N/A | No name, logo, text or slogan. Murals are considered art, not advertising. |
Enclosed Frame/Changeable Copy (non LED) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 8 s.f. with no dimension greater than 4 ft. | Not applicable | 2 per wall max., 4 per site max. | 10 ft. | Enclosed frame permanently attached to wall |
Nameplate | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 1 sq. ft. | N/A | 1 per wall max | 10 ft. | May display the name and profession of the occupant of the building, only. |
Multifamily Entry Monument | Yes | MF, TH | 75 sq. ft. | 7 ft. | 1 per “main” entrance | 10 ft. | (See Article 10, Outdoor Lighting Requirements) |
Subdivision Entry Monument | Yes | RE, R-12, R10, R-8.4, R-7, PH, TH, MF, MH | 75 sq. ft. each | 7 ft. | 1 pair per “main” entrance | 10 ft. | (See Article 10, Outdoor Lighting Requirements) |
Landscaped Sign | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 2 sq. ft. per lineal foot of adjacent street frontage | 5 ft. | 1 landscaped sign@ each street frontage, 2 maximum per site | Permitted land-scaping bed | Plantings to create the landscaped sign shall count towards the minimum landscape requirements. |
Window | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 20% of window area 40% allowed in HPO | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Table of Permanent Signs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type Of Sign | Permit | Districts Permitted | Maximum Advertising Area | Maximum Sign/ Structure Height | Number Of Signs Per Street Frontage | Setback | Requirements |
Wall, Primary (Attached) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 10% of primary wall area, 200 sq. ft. maximum | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | N/A Total sign area can be composed of multiple signs | N/A | 2 wall maximum |
Wall, Secondary (Attached) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 50% of allowed primary wall sign area, 100 sq. ft. of maximum | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | N/A Sign area can be composed of multiple signs | N/A | 2 wall maximum |
Commercial Monument Sign (A) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “A” Corridor | 200 sq. ft. | 20' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Exposed pole prohibited. Monument sign shall be masonry w/ decorative cap to match or complement building. 20% of the surround may be alternative, accent material. The sq. footage of landscaping around the base of the monument shall equal the sq. footage of the sign area. (See Comm. Monument Sign - Article 12.) The masonry wrapping the advertising area shall not exceed 100% nor fall below 30% of the commercial advertising area.” |
Commercial Monument Sign (B) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “B” Corridor | 120 sq. ft. | 10' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Same as above.” |
Commercial Multi-tenant Monument (A) (Minimum of 3 or more tenants) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “A” Corridor | 250 sq. ft. | 25' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Same as above.” |
Commercial Multi-tenant Monument (B) (Minimum of 3 or more tenants) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD along Type “B” Corridor | 150 sq. ft. | 12' | 1 freestanding monument sign per lot | 10 ft. | “Same as above.” |
Monument Sign | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 75 sq. ft. | 7' | 1 freestanding sign @ each street frontage, 2 maximum per site | 10 ft. | Exposed pole prohibited. Monument sign shall be masonry w/ decorative cap to match or complement building. 20% of the surround may be alternative, accent material. The masonry wrapping the advertising area shall not exceed 100% nor fall below 30% of the commercial advertising area. |
Multi-tenant Monument, Sign (Minimum of 3 or more tenants) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 100 sq. ft. | 8' | 1 freestanding sign @ each street frontage, 2 maximum per site | 10 ft. | Exposed pole prohibited. Monument sign shall be masonry w/ decorative cap to match or complement building. 20% of the surround may be alternative, accent material. The masonry wrapping the advertising area shall not exceed 100% nor fall below 30% of the commercial advertising area. |
Message Board | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | Same as commercial monument regulations | Same as commercial monument regulations | Same as commercial monument regulations | 10 ft. | See Section 7.5.E |
Canopy (covering gas pumps, drive-thru lanes or parking areas) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 50% of allowed primary wall sign area of building, 100 s.f. max. | Top of canopy fascia | On 2 sides of canopy only | 10 ft. | Canopies not considered separate buildings for signage purposes. Gasoline Pricing Signs are permitted. |
Mural | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | N/A | No name, logo, text or slogan. Murals are considered art, not advertising. |
Enclosed Frame/Changeable Copy (non LED) | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 8 s.f. with no dimension greater than 4 ft. | Not applicable | 2 per wall max., 4 per site max. | 10 ft. | Enclosed frame permanently attached to wall |
Nameplate | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 1 sq. ft. | N/A | 1 per wall max | 10 ft. | May display the name and profession of the occupant of the building, only. |
Multifamily Entry Monument | Yes | MF, TH | 75 sq. ft. | 7 ft. | 1 per “main” entrance | 10 ft. | (See Article 10, Outdoor Lighting Requirements) |
Subdivision Entry Monument | Yes | RE, R-12, R10, R-8.4, R-7, PH, TH, MF, MH | 75 sq. ft. each | 7 ft. | 1 pair per “main” entrance | 10 ft. | (See Article 10, Outdoor Lighting Requirements) |
Landscaped Sign | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I | 2 sq. ft. per lineal foot of adjacent street frontage | 5 ft. | 1 landscaped sign@ each street frontage, 2 maximum per site | Permitted land-scaping bed | Plantings to create the landscaped sign shall count towards the minimum landscape requirements. |
Window | Yes | BC, LC, HC, I, CBD | 20% of window area 40% allowed in HPO | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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7.5.D
Regulations Governing Sign Measurement
1.
Measurement of Detached Signs:
The sign area for a detached on-premise sign shall be the area included within vertical and horizontal line projections of the furthermost points of any logo, letters, or other symbols, composed of the total area of the message, and any border, trim or surface upon which the message is displayed. One sign area will be calculated for a detached sign no matter how the message is displayed. The sign structure shall not be included in the sign area unless there is a sign displayed thereon. Vertical measurements on detached freestanding signs shall be measured from the adjoining average grade to the top of the structure or structure’s sign cap.
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2.
Measurement of Attached Signs:
The sign area for a attached on-premise sign shall be the area included within the vertical and horizontal line projection of any logo, letters, or other symbols intended to be read together, composed of the total area of the message and any border, trim or surface upon which the message is displayed. There may be several sign areas on the wall of a building depending upon how a sign is displayed.
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3.
Sign Separation on Wall Signs:
The Sign separation must be 3' from an adjoining sign.
7.5.E
Specialty Signs
1.
Electronic Message Board Signs (EMB) or LED Signs:
EMB or LED signs shall only be allowed on and comprise no greater than 25% of the advertising area of the permanent, freestanding monument sign. This shall not include Gasoline Pricing Signs. In addition, an EMB or LED sign is subject to the following restrictions:
a.
Any change of pictures or information on the EMB or LED sign shall not produce the illusion of moving objects, expanding or contracting shapes, rotation or any similar effect of animation.
b.
Any change of pictures or information on the EMB or LED sign shall not change more often than once each three seconds for those portions of the sign which convey time or temperature, or once each 20 seconds for all other portions of a sign.
c.
Any application for EMB or LED signs along state highways must be accompanied with a certificate of approval of such sign from the State Department of Transportation in accordance with state law.
d.
No animation of any type or flashing light, or “spell on” display mode is allowed on any EMB or LED sign.
e.
Every EMB or LED sign shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer device.
f.
All EMB or LED signs shall be equipped with a glare screen.
g.
Any malfunctioning EMB sign must be turned off or display a blank screen until repaired.
2.
Manual Billboard Conversion to LED Billboard:
Any billboard sign whose copy is manually changed and in existence in the City or ETJ on July 5, 2011, or on the date of annexation and not in conformity herewith, shall be permitted to be converted to a digitally operated billboard subject to the following restrictions:
a.
A manual copy change billboard may be converted to a digital billboard only when an additional manual copy change billboard located within the City of Granbury or City’s ETJ is removed. This in no way shall permit the erection of a new billboard of any type but solely allow the conversion from a manual to digital billboard after the removal of a second billboard (2:1 ratio). A permit shall not be issued for the conversion of a manual copy change billboard to a digital billboard until the second manual copy change billboard has been completely removed.
b.
Any change of pictures or information on the digital billboard shall not produce the illusion of moving objects, expanding or contracting shapes, rotation or any similar effect of animation.
c.
Any change of pictures or information on the digital billboard shall not change more often than once each three seconds for those portions of the sign which convey time or temperature, or once each 8 seconds for all other portions of a sign for commercial or non-emergency messages.
d.
No animation of any type or flashing light, or “spell on” display mode is allowed on the proposed digital billboard.
e.
The proposed digital billboard shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer device.
f.
The proposed digital billboard shall be equipped with a glare screen.
g.
If the proposed digital billboard malfunctions, the sign must be turned off or display a blank screen until repaired.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 18-50, ex. A, adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 18-57 adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 21-67 adopted 11/2/21)
§ 7.6 Registration.
1.
Registration:
Any person, firm, business or other organization requesting a sign permit shall be a registered contractor with the City of Granbury. Each registration shall be renewed annually on or before January 1. Each application shall be accompanied by fees as set forth in the city fee schedule as adopted by the City Council[.]
2.
Electrical Qualifications:
Any person performing electrical work on a sign or any part of a sign must obtain an electrical permit from the City and be a registered Master Electrician or Master Sign Electrician with the City of Granbury.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 18-50, ex. A, adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 20-59 adopted 11/3/20)
§ 7.7 Construction Criteria.
1.
Attachment To Fire Escape:
No sign shall be attached in any manner to any fire escape or to the support members of any fire escape, nor shall it be guyed to or supported by any part of a fire escape.
2.
Location Near Utilities:
Any person, persons, company or corporation erecting signs shall obtain site clearance from each utility entity, before installation.
3.
Identification Marking Required:
All electrical signs shall bear the name of the contractor, accompanied by amperage and voltage, attached in such a way as to be easily visible by observation from the ground.
4.
Interference:
No sign shall be so erected as to block, partially block, or interfere in any way with any window or any required means of exit.
5.
Accumulation of Rainwater:
All signs shall be so constructed as to prevent the accumulation of rainwater in the seams.
6.
Electrical Raceways and Conduits:
Electrical transformer boxes and raceways are required to be concealed from public view. If a raceway cannot be mounted internally, the exposed metal surfaces of the raceway should be finished to match the background or integrated into the overall design of the sign. If raceways are necessary, they should be as thin and narrow as possible. All exposed conduit and junction boxes should also be concealed from public view.
(Ordinance 16-65 adopted 12/6/16; Ordinance 18-50, ex. A, adopted 9/4/18; Ordinance 20-59 adopted 11/3/20)