The SOZ Zone is established to provide for the orderly, efficient, and harmonious approval of signs, sign structures, and other exterior advertising devices that allow for more flexibility to large scale and major development, active entertainment uses and enhance urban in-fill projects in the C-R and HPSP Zones. The SOZ Zone shall promote appropriate signage which:

These regulations are in addition to those set forth in Article 23 of the IMC and shall supersede the regulations set forth in Sections 12-76 (General Sign Regulations), 12-77.6 (C-R Zone) and 12-80 (Billboards and Off-Site Signs) of the IMC. The SOZ Zone allows specialized signage, including electronic, digital, and animated signs; roof signs; banners; non-premises-related advertising; and pageantry signage, to be implemented in areas zoned SOZ, subject to the approval of a Master Sign Plan. An SOZ ordinance shall specify the general parameters and types of signage permitted within that SOZ Zone.

No building permit for a new sign, exterior alteration or enlargement of an existing sign, or other exterior advertising device, shall be issued within an SOZ Zone until either: (1) a Master Sign Plan specifying the general type, size and location of the planned signage has been duly approved as provided for in this Section (which approval shall be part of any SOZ rezoning process); or (2) a Sign Permit is issued in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 13 for signage otherwise permitted by the IMC.

The purpose of the Master Sign Plan review is to provide more precise control over the height, location, lighting standards, and types of signage to be included in a given development, and to assure compatibility of such signage with an existing or proposed development in the base zone.

As part of the submittal for a zone change to the SOZ Zone for the affected property, a Master Sign Plan shall be submitted by the filing of a verified application. The owner or his, her, or its authorized agent shall include the following elements in any Master Sign Plan submitted to the Planning and Building Department:

The Planning Commission shall review a Master Sign Plan as part of its review and recommendation regarding any rezoning to the SOZ Zone and shall make the following findings:

The City Council shall review the Master Sign Plan, and any proposed modification thereto, and approve or disapprove it based upon the standards designated in this Article.

Any proposed changes to the Master Sign Plan that would substantially alter its requirements shall require an amendment subject to the procedures established in Section 12-96 (Special Use Permit Procedure) and the findings found in Section 12-38.75 (SOZ Findings Required), unless such change would be inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable Sign Overlay Zone, in which case the Sign Overlay Zone must be amended to implement such proposed changes.

If any provision of this Article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, clauses or applications of the ordinance codified in this Article which can be implemented without the invalid provision, clause or application, and to this end the provisions and clauses of the ordinance codified in this Article are declared to be severable.

The owner or authorized agent shall maintain all signage included within an applicable SOZ in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Each owner shall maintain its signage in good and safe condition and in a manner that complies with all applicable Federal, State and local requirements. Physical damage to signage shall be repaired at the expense of the owner. Graffiti on signage shall be removed at the expense of the owner. The owner is responsible for noticing damage and vandalism of its signage and shall insure that signage complies with all applicable Federal, State, and local requirements. If damage or vandalism is noticed by the City before the owner, written notification will be provided to the owner informing them of such damage or vandalism. The owner will then have ten days from the date of the notice to return the signage to a state of compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local requirements (provided that, if the owner is using diligent, good faith efforts to comply with the requirements of this subsection, such ten-day period shall be extended to provide such additional time as may be reasonably required to complete any necessary repairs to bring such signage into compliance). If signage is not brought into compliance by owner within the time period provided in the foregoing sentence, the City shall have the right (but not the obligation) to make any necessary repairs to bring such signage into compliance and to bill the owner for all expenses incurred by the City in making such repairs, including supervision, contracting, and overhead costs.