The lawful use of land and advertising signs and bulletin boards which do not conform to the provisions of the code shall be discontinued within one (1) year from the date of the approval of any zoning ordinance and the use of land and advertising signs and bulletin boards which become non-conforming by reason of a subsequent change in that ordinance shall also be discontinued within one (1) year from the date of the change.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

It is the purpose of this article to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community; to regulate signs such that they will not, by reason of their size, location, construction, or manner of display, endanger the public safety of individuals, confuse, mislead, or obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety.

(b)

It is further the intent of this article to protect property values and to promote the preservation of Houston's character and natural scenic beauty to create a more aesthetically pleasing environment while allowing our community's businesses the opportunity to market their services and products.

(c)

Finally, it is the intent of this article to promote the attractive use and placement of signs as an integral part of our comprehensive plan for municipal development and consistent with the property rights guaranteed to all persons by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Missouri.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

For this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this article. If any terms defined in this article differentiates from definitions elsewhere in the zoning regulations, the definition herein shall control for the purposes of enforcing, applying, and interpreting the sign regulations set forth in this article:

Animated sign means a sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion. Animated signs which are differentiated from changeable signs as defined and regulated by this article include the following types:

(1)

Electrically activated. Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical, or electro-mechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one (1) or both classifications noted below:

a.

Flashing. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of non-illumination. For this article, flashing will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on/off phases of illumination exceeds four (4) seconds.

b.

Patterned illusionary movement. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.

(2)

Environmentally activated. Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes, or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.

(3)

Mechanically activated. Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.

Applicant means a person for whom a sign is proposed to be erected, requesting that a sign permit be issued.

Attached sign means a sign attached to a building or other structure.

Awning sign means a sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface or surfaces of an awning. See also "Wall sign."

Billboard means a detached or freestanding sign having one (1) or more panels designed to contain informative messages of advertisement which are changed from time to time, not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale or lease of, the property on which it is displayed.

Changeable sign means a sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input including signs that are:

(1)

Manually activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually.

(2)

Electrically activated. Changeable sign whose message, copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on/off switching combinations of alphabetical or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display.

Detached or freestanding sign means a sign principally supported by a structure affixed to the ground and not supported by a building, including signs supported by one (1) or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground.

Development complex sign means a monument sign identifying the name of a subdivision or other residential development approved as a single development.

Directional sign means any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Erect means To construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw or in any other way bring into being or establish. It shall not include any of the above-mentioned activities when performed as an incident to the change of advertising.

Electronic message sign or center means an electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed.

Illuminated sign means a sign characterized using artificial light, either projecting through its surface(s) (internally illuminated) or reflecting off its surface(s) (externally illuminated).

Indirectly illuminated sign means an illuminated non-flashing signs whose illumination is derived entirely from an external artificial source and is so arranged that no direct rays of light are projected from such artificial source into public streets.

Interior signs means any sign placed within a building but not including "window signs" as defined by this article. This article does not regulate interior signs, apart from window signs.

Marquee sign means any sign attached flat against the marquee or permanent sidewalk canopy of a building.

Menu board means a freestanding sign orientated to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window and which has no more than twenty percent (20%) of the total area for such a sign utilized for business identification.

Monument sign means a freestanding, ground-mounted sign with a height no greater than eight (8) feet and a width no greater than twelve (12) feet which identifies a particular subdivision or establishment. A monument sign must be located on the subdivision sight or establishment premise and must conform to setback requirements as presented in future Sections of this article and must be placed in a position so as not to hinder sight triangle for access onto intersecting roads.

Non-functional sign means a sign displayed after the business or product advertised is no longer located, operating or available on the premises to which the sign pertains.

Off-premises sign means a sign which directs attention to a business, profession, product, service, entertainment, merchandise, or goods not conducted, sold, present or offered upon the premise or land where such sign is located.

On-premises sign means a sign erected, maintained, or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of messages appurtenant to the use of, products sold on or the sale or lease of the property on which it is displayed.

Permanent sign means a name, identification, description, display, illustration, or device which is intended for a period of display more than thirty (30) days. Any sign that is not considered a temporary sign within this article shall be considered permanent.

Person means a natural person, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and includes a firm, partnership, or corporation, it is or their successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.

Political sign means a temporary sign intended to advance a political statement, cause, or candidate for office. A legally permitted outdoor advertising sign shall not be a political sign.

Portable sign means any sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure, or the ground and/or is designed to be moved from place to place, with or without wheels. Specifically included for purposes of description, but not without limitations, are signs mounted on trailers, with or without wheels, A-shaped "sandwich board signs" and inverted T-shaped signs.

Premises means The lot or parcel of land used in the active conduct of business, service, profession, or activity, including but not limited to, structures, driveways, parking lots, storage areas, landscaping and loading areas.

Primary highway means that state highway to which a building fronts and therefore is the highway that services that establishment. For the parcels of land that lie within the primary highway will be that portion of Highway 63 and Highway 17 that would front the premise if the establishment faced these highways.

Projecting sign means a sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects more than eighteen (18) inches from a building face or from a structure whose purpose is other than the support of a sign.

Real estate sign means a temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the property or premises upon which it is located.

Revolving sign means a sign that revolves three hundred sixty (360) degrees about an axis. See also "Animated sign, mechanically activated."

Setback means the minimum required distance between property line and the building line.

Shopping center means any commercial establishment consisting of wholesale business, retail business or office, or any combination thereof, having a combined leasable floor area of fifty thousand (50,000) square feet or more. The floor area may be either under one ownership or multiple ownership.

Sign means any name, identification, description, display, illustration, or device which is affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or land in view of the public and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution, or business. A sign shall include writing, representation, or other fixture of similar character within a building only when permanently installed, illuminated, and located in a window. The following shall not be considered signs within the meaning of this definition:

(1)

Flags or insignia of any government.

(2)

Legal notices, identifications, information, traffic-related or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.

(3)

Signs, measuring not more than four (4) square feet, designed to direct and facilitate the flow of vehicular traffic into and out of a commercial establishment and containing no advertising matter.

Sign area measurements means:

(1)

If the sign copy is mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctively painted, textured, or constructed as a background for the sign copy; then the sign area is measured as that area that is contained within the outside dimensions of the background panel or surface.

(2)

If the sign copy is mounted as individual letters and/or graphics against a wall or fascia of a building or other structure that has not painted, textured, or otherwise altered to provide a distinctive background for the sign copy; then the sign area is measured as the area enclosed by the smallest single rectangle that will enclose all sign copy.

(3)

If the sign copy is mounted or painted on an illuminated sign or illuminated architectural element of a building; then the entire illuminated surface or illuminated architectural element containing sign copy will be counted as the sign area.

(4)

If the sign copy is mounted as individual letters and/or graphics on a canvas or likewise materials covering a structure that will produce shade or protection from the elements of nature for a building (an awning) and the entire awning structure is illuminated or non-illuminated; then the sign area is measured as the area enclosed by the smallest single rectangle that will enclose all sign copy. The names or physical address of the establishment owning the awning shall be allowed on the front facing of all awnings.

(5)

Number of sign faces.

a.

One. The area of the single face only.

b.

Two. If the interior angle between the two (2) sign faces is forty-five degrees (45°) or less, the area will be the area of one (1) face only; if the angle between the two (2) sign faces is greater than forty-five (45) degrees, the sign area will be the sum of the areas of the two (2) faces.

c.

Three or more. The sign area will be the sum of the area of the three (3) or more faces.

d.

Spherical, free form, sculptural, other non-planar signs. The sign area will be the sum of the areas of the four (4) vertical sides of the smallest polyhedron that will encompass the sign structure.

e.

If a sign has more than one (1) component (e.g., a service stations identification/price sign combination mounted on the same surface); then the sign area will be the area of the smallest rectangle that will encompass the several components of the sign.

Strip mall means any commercial establishment consisting of wholesale business, retail business or office, or any combination thereof, where the total leased area is less than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet.

Temporary sign means a sign intended to display either commercial or non-commercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature. Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground are considered temporary signs.

Wall sign means a sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure and that projects not more than eighteen (18) inches from the building or structure wall including signs affixed to architectural projections from a building, provided the copy area of such sign remain on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade or to the face of the architectural projection to which it is affixed.

Window sign means a sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to and readable from the public way or from an adjacent property.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

This article shall be known and may be cited as the Houston, Missouri, Sign Ordinance.

(b)

All new work shall conform. All signs erected, constructed, or altered in the City of Houston shall comply with the requirements set forth in this article.

(c)

Maintenance. It shall be unlawful to maintain a sign that has been erected or altered in violation of this article. Maintenance of signs that were erected prior to the adoption of this article is lawful.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

Permit required. No person shall erect any sign as defined in this article without first obtaining a permit from the code official, except for those signs that are exempted from the requirement by section 25-20.60.

(b)

Filing of permit. All applications for permits as specified above shall be filed with the codes official upon forms furnished by him, and shall be accompanied by plans, to scale, showing the sign area, the position of the sign in relation to the lot lines and street, the position of the sign in relation to adjoining buildings or structures, the location of the building, structure or lot to which the sign is to be erected, the method of illumination, if any, and such other information as the codes official may require to assure full compliance with this article.

(c)

Fee schedule. The permit fee shall be calculated and distributed to the applicant at the time of the application. The permit fee shall not be collected unless the sign has been approved.

(1)

The fee structure for all ground signs and pole sign requests shall be calculated by use of the following formula:

Height in Feet X Square Feet X Fee = Permit Fee

A fee for services shall be charged. All fees shall be set by the jurisdiction and schedules shall be available at the office of the code official.

(2)

The fee structure for wall signs for which a variance is requested shall be calculated by use of the following formula:

Fee X Square Feet = Permit Fee

A fee for services shall be charged. All fees shall be set by the jurisdiction and schedules shall be available at the office of the code official.

(3)

Limitations. The permit shall become null and void for the following reasons:

1.

The work authorized by a permit granted under this article has not commenced in a six (6) month period.

2.

The work authorized by a permit granted under this article has been abandoned for a six (6) month period after beginning.

3.

Upon occurrence of either of the above-named incidents, a new permit with all applicable fees will be required before any work may continue.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

Illuminated signs. All erected or maintained illuminated signs shall be illuminated with only non-flashing and non-intermittent light or lights. No flashing or intermittent lamps shall be allowed. Furthermore, no illuminated sign shall be of the intensity or brilliance to cause glare or to impair the vision of the operator of any motor vehicle or to otherwise interfere with such operator.

(b)

Off-premises signs. All off-premises signs as defined in this article are prohibited without a proper permit from the Missouri Department of Transportation. This provision does not apply to Official Business Directional as provided by the State of Missouri Department of Transportation.

(c)

Attached signs. No attached sign shall obstruct any window, door, stairway, or other opening intended for ingress or for necessary ventilation or light. No sign shall be attached to any tree or public utility pole.

(d)

Signs erected on natural features. No on-premises sign may be permitted which is erected or maintained upon trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.

(e)

Signs painted on buildings. Any existing sign that is painted directly on the surface of a building may remain and may be repainted even though it may exceed the total allowable surface area of signs. However, any new sign that is to be painted directly on the surface of a building must comply to the total allowable surface area of signs as defined in this article.

(f)

Revolving signs. Revolving signs shall be prohibited in the City of Houston, Missouri, except for barbershop poles, which shall not exceed four (4) feet in height.

(g)

Projecting signs. No signs shall project over any lot line. No sign shall project over any street or street right-of-way. No projecting sign shall be less than eight (8) feet above grade level at its lowest point nor shall extend to a height greater than twenty-five (25) feet.

(h)

Setbacks.

(1)

Setback from state right-of-way. No sign except those Official Business Directional signs of the Missouri Department of Transportation shall be erected inside of the public right-of-way. In addition, if the paved surface of the road extends to the edge of the right-of-way, the structure supporting the sign must be located a minimum of five (5) feet from such paved roads when measuring from the right-of-way to supporting wall or structure. At no time shall the nearest part of a sign, whether it be at ground level or in the air, be erected within the public right-of-way.

(2)

Setbacks from city side street lines. All signs shall be set back at least ten (10) feet from all side street lines. The setback shall be determined from street lines to that part of the sign that extends nearest to said line whether it be at ground level or above ground level. Regardless of these setbacks, no sign shall be located such that it interferes with or impairs the vision of the operator of any motor vehicle.

(i)

Non-functional signs.

(1)

Non-functional, non-conforming signs. It shall be unlawful for any non-conforming sign to remain on display after it ceases to be functional. If a non-conforming sign is found to be non-functional for a period of ninety (90) days, the owner shall be given written notice to remove such sign in ten (10) days after the receipt of said notice. Should the owner refuse or neglect to comply with the order, the board of aldermen may order such sign to be removed by whatever means practical and all expenses therefor shall be repaid to the City of Houston by the owner within thirty (30) days after demand.

(2)

Non-functional, conforming signs. If a sign that is otherwise considered to be a conforming sign according to this article becomes non-functional for a period of ninety (90) days, this sign will be considered a non-functioning, conforming sign. Non-functioning, conforming signs may remain in place for an indefinite period but must be painted or otherwise colored a solid white, beige, blue, brown, or black color and may bear no advertising material.

(j)

Portable signs.

(1)

Portable signs that bear a message to advertise or promote a product or service shall be allowed in the C-1 commercial zone, the C-2 commercial zone, and the I-1 and I-2 industrial zones. Use shall be limited to one (1) such sign per lot or parcel. Furthermore, the area of such signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet. These signs must be held in place by stakes, guy wires or other adequate means. These signs, as defined in this article, will not be considered as detached or freestanding signs. A permit is required for these signs; however, no fees shall be charged.

(2)

Portable signs that bear a message other than advertisement or promotion of a product or service may be placed on private property in any zone. The sign area shall be limited to four (4) square feet in size. These signs as defined in this article will not be considered as detached or freestanding signs. A permit is required for these signs; however, no fees shall be charged.

(k)

Temporary signs. Temporary signs as defined in this article shall be classified as one (1) of the following categories and may be placed in the right-of-way and shall be subject to the regulations that pertain thereto:

(1)

Real estate, sale, rental or lease signs. Temporary signs which pertain to the use, sale or lease of real estate shall be permitted but must not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in the C-1 commercial, the C-2 commercial and the I-1 and I-2 industrial zones. Temporary signs which pertain to the use, sale or lease of real estate shall be permitted in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones but must not exceed eight (8) square feet. One (1) sign shall be allowed for each two hundred (200) square feet.

(2)

Signs on motor vehicles. Temporary signs pertaining to the sale of motor vehicles, boats and/or trailers shall be permitted by this article with no permit or fee required. However, signs on motor vehicles, boats and/or trailers which are determined by the code official to be circumventing the intent of this article are prohibited. Circumvention shall include, but not be limited to, signs which are continuously in the same location or signs that extend beyond the height, width, or length of the vehicle.

(l)

Special event and/or announcement signs.

(1)

Temporary signs pertaining to campaigns, drives or events of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization shall be allowed by this article with no permit or fee required. Such signs must be removed not later than thirty (30) days after they are erected. Temporary window signs measuring no more than four (4) square feet shall be allowed in all windows and public bulletin board areas so long as said sign follows this article.

(2)

Freestanding temporary signs totaling no more than ten (10) square feet in total area on any one (1) lot is allowed. The total square feet may constitute an individual sign or a combination of signs, however, placement of said signs shall comply with subsections (H)(1) and (2).

(m)

Political signs. Signs bearing a political message relating to an election, primary or referendum shall be permitted without the need of acquiring a permit and may be placed in the city right-of-way upon consent of adjoining property owner and provided they are removed by the candidate or political committee not later than one (1) week following the election, primary or referendum to which they relate. The code official of the City of Houston, or his agent, shall remove any signs that have not been removed within this timeframe. The removal costs shall be sent to the candidate or committee responsible for the placement of such signs. Any such sign placed on private property shall also be removed within one (1) week following the election, primary or referendum to which they relate. The code official shall notify any property owner on whose property such signs have been placed if the signs are not removed within the time set forth.

(n)

Signs for home occupations. Signs for home occupations shall be limited to one (1) nameplate which may display the name of the occupant and/or the name of the home occupation(s). Such sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and shall be non-illuminated.

(o)

Affixed signs. Signs affixed to any wall or roof of a building or signs composed of individual letters without a background may be located on the edge of a roof or parapet wall on a flat roof or at the line of the eaves on other types of roofs. A sign affixed to any of the above locations shall not project more than three (3) feet above the area to which it is affixed as follows:

(1)

Edge of roof.

(2)

Parapet wall on a flat roof.

(3)

The eave line on other types of roofs.

(4)

Top of wall at roof edge.

(p)

Height of signs. No sign that is attached or affixed to any wall of a building or roof shall extend to a height greater than twenty-five (25) feet above the level of the ground upon which it is erected.

(q)

Freestanding or detached on-premises signs. No freestanding or detached sign in the C-1, C-2, I-1, or I-2 zones shall have a maximum area of greater than two hundred (200) square feet. Freestanding on-premises signs shall have a height no greater than forty-five (45) feet above the finished grade of the primary highway it services.

(r)

Shopping center and strip malls excepted.Section 25-20.60 of this article shall govern the placement of signs in shopping centers and strip malls.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

Sign in zones C-1 and C-2.

(1)

In C-1and C-2 zones, signs may be located and may be window, attached, detached or projecting signs. These signs may be single-faced or double-faced, identifying uses, goods sold, or services rendered on the premises.

(2)

No lot or parcel in these zones may have more than one (1) detached sign except as provided in subsection (c) of this article.

(3)

Lots or parcels located in these zones with more than three hundred (300) linear feet of frontage along the public way may have two (2) freestanding signs. Lots or parcels with more than five hundred (500) linear feet of frontage along the public way may have up to three (3) freestanding or detached signs. All detached signs on any one (1) lot or parcel shall maintain a minimum separation of one hundred (100) linear feet.

(4)

Golf courses and other outdoor recreational facilities may have non-advertising signs appropriate to their use, i.e., driving range distance markers and hole numbers.

(5)

In no case shall the aggregate area of all signs located on any parcel located in these zones exceed six hundred (600) square feet.

(6)

All signs must follow section 25-20.60 of this article.

(b)

Signs in the industrial zones.

(1)

In the I-1 and I-2 zones signs may be attached, detached or projection signs, single- or double-faced, identifying goods sold or manufactured on the premises, or services rendered on the premises.

(2)

Lots or parcels located in these zones with more than three hundred (300) linear feet of frontage along the public way may have two (2) freestanding signs. Lots or parcels with more than five hundred (500) linear feet of frontage along the public way may have up to three (3) freestanding or detached signs. All detached signs (see portable signs, Section 25-20.60(j)) on any one lot or parcel shall maintain a minimum separation of one hundred (100) linear feet.

(3)

In no case shall the aggregate area of all freestanding signs located on lots or parcels in this zone exceed six hundred (600) linear feet.

(4)

All signs must follow section 25-20.60 of this article.

(c)

Signs in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zones.

(1)

The following signs are permitted in R-1 residential zones:

a.

Monument signs which identify a particular residential subdivision to be located on the subdivision site. No more than two (2) signs at each entrance may be located on any subdivision. Such sign, if illuminated, must comply with section 25-20.60(a) of this article. The placement of such sign must follow the manner set forth in section 25-20.60(h)(1) and (2) of this article.

b.

Signs, including but not limited to, home occupation signs with an aggregate area not exceeding four (4) square feet directing and guiding traffic on private property but not bearing advertisement matter.

(2)

The following signs are permitted in R-2 residential zones:

a.

All signs permitted in R-1 residential zones.

b.

Detached signs, either single- or double-faced, one to a property, which identifies the property management and does not measure more than eight (8) square feet in size. Such sign, if illuminated, must comply with section 25-20.60(a) of this article. The placement of such sign must follow the manner set forth in section 25-20.60(h)(1) and (2) of this article.

(3)

The following signs are permitted in R-3 residential zones:

a.

All signs in the R-1 and R-2 residential zones.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

Applicability. This article regulates the placement of signs in all shopping centers and strip malls as defined in this article.

(b)

Attached signs. In shopping centers or strip malls each store or shop front may have an attached sign aggregating four (4) square feet of area for every running foot of frontage. However, no attached sign or supporting structure shall extend more than three (3) feet above the level of a flat roof or the level of the eaves on other types of roofs. (See section 25-20.60(o) affixed signs.)

(c)

Detached signs.

(1)

Each shopping center may have one (1) detached sign directing the public to the shopping center and identifying use of services rendered on the premises. These signs shall have a total area of not greater than four hundred (400) square feet. These signs shall not extend to a height of greater than forty-five (45) feet above the finished grade of the primary highway it services. Directional signs measuring not more than four (4) square feet in area, designed to direct and facilitate the flow of vehicular traffic into and out of a commercial establishment and containing no advertising matter shall not be considered detached signs within the meaning of this article.

(2)

Each strip mall center may have one (1) detached sign directing the public to the shopping center and identifying use of services rendered on the premises. These signs shall not extend to a height of greater than forty-five (45) feet above the finished grade of the primary highway it services. The strip mall may choose to have multiple detached signs in lieu of the single sign located throughout the establishment identifying use of services rendered on the premises. The aggregate sign area shall not exceed six hundred (600) square feet and shall have a height of not greater than twelve (12) feet above the level of the ground upon which they are erected. Directional signs, measuring not more than four (4) square feet in area, designed to direct and facilitate the flow of vehicular traffic into and out of a commercial establishment and containing no advertising matter shall not be considered detached signs within the meaning of this article.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

The permit fee shall be calculated and distributed to the applicant at the time of the application. The permit fee shall not be collected unless the sign has been approved.

(1)

The fee structure for all ground signs and pole sign variance requests shall be calculated by use of the following formula:

Height in feet X Square Feet X Fee = Permit Fee

The following fees shall be assigned to the height of ground or pole signs for which a permit is requested:

0 feet to 8 feet = $ 0.15

over 8 feet to 15 feet = $ 0.25

over 15 feet to 25 feet = $ 0.35

over 25 feet to 35 feet = $ 0.45

over 35 feet = $ 0.50

(1)

The fee structure for wall signs for which a variance is requested shall be calculated by use of the following formula:

Fee X Square Feet = Permit Fee: The following fee shall be assigned to all wall signs for which a permit is requested: One dollar ($1.00) per square foot.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

Structure.

(1)

All freestanding detached and monument signs, except those which are less than thirty-two (32) square feet in size and having an overall height of less than eight (8) feet, or those that are temporary signs as defined by this article shall have a frame adequately designed and constructed for support of signage material and shall always comply with the City of Houston Property Maintenance Ordinance.

(2)

The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that the frame is adequately constructed. The city reserves the right to require a certification from a registered professional engineer of the State of Missouri.

(b)

Welding. Qualified welders, whether done in the shop or field, must do all welding of structural frames.

(c)

Guys. Guys shall be required on the following signs:

(1)

Project signs of horizontal length of twenty-five (25) feet or greater.

(2)

Freestanding signs that cannot be sufficiently anchored or supported.

(3)

Signs without guys shall be figured as cantilevers and extra care shall be taken with the effectiveness at the anchor or supporting end.

(4)

Guys, together with the supports on the buildings, establish certain frame members as simple beams.

(5)

When there is not sufficient room for cable guys at both sides of a sign, angle or side guys may be used. All angle or side guys shall form an angle of no less than forty-five (45) degrees with the face of the sign and the wall of the building.

(d)

Wind loads. All projecting signs, roof signs, detached signs, rectangular signs, and freestanding signs shall be designed and erected to withstand wind load experienced in this area by a registered, professional engineer of the State of Missouri.

(e)

Foundations. A base that provides protection against frost movement shall adequately support permanent signs. Material used in the construction of the sign base shall be of a non-deteriorating or relatively low-deteriorating nature. All foundations must be designed by a registered, professional engineer of the State of Missouri.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)

(a)

Non-conforming flashing and/or revolving signs. All flashing and/or revolving signs are prohibited.

(b)

Non-conforming signs, if destroyed or damaged beyond fifty (50) percent of replacement cost as determined by the code official must be removed.

(Ord. No. 2021-112, § 1, 8-16-21)