Isanti City Zoning Code

It is the purpose of this section to: 1) regulate the number, location, size, type, illumination and other physical characteristics of signs within the City in order to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the community; 2) maintain, enhance, and improve the aesthetic environment of the City by preventing visual clutter; 3) improve the visual appearance of the City while providing for effective means of communication, consistent with constitutional guarantees and the City's goals of public safety and aesthetics; and 4) provide for fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations set forth herein under the zoning authority of the City.

It is not the purpose of this section to regulate the message displayed on any sign, nor is it the purpose of this section to regulate any building design or any display not defined as a sign, or any sign which cannot be viewed from outside a building.

Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image of the community;

The manner of installation, location, and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, and general welfare as well as the aesthetics of the community;

An opportunity for visible identification of community businesses and institutions must be established;

The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and other users of public streets and property is affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that unduly divert the attention of drivers;

Uncontrolled and unlimited signs adversely impact the image and aesthetic attractiveness of the community and thereby undermine economic value and growth;

Uncontrolled and unlimited signs, particularly temporary signs which are located within or adjacent to the public right-of-way or are located at driveway/street intersections, result in roadside clutter and obstructions of views of oncoming traffic. This creates a hazard to drivers and pedestrians and also adversely impacts a logical flow of information; and

The right to express noncommercial opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on size, height, location, and number of signs.

Wall Signs.

Freestanding Signs. The sign area shall include the face of the sign panel and the sign frame, if any, but shall not include: 1) a pole or other structural support unless the pole or structural support is internally illuminated or otherwise so design to constitute a display device, or a part of the display device and 2) architectural features that are either part of the building or part of a freestanding structure and not an integral part of the sign, and which may consist of landscaping, building or structural forms complementing the site in general.

All Other Signs. The area in square feet of all faces of a sign panel, including the frame shall be used to calculate the square footage.

The length of any primary or secondary building frontage shall be the sum of all wall lengths parallel or nearly parallel to such frontage. The Zoning Administrator or their designee shall determine it such wall meets the criteria to be considered frontage.

For buildings that are identified as having two or more frontages, the length of the wall and allowable sign area shall be calculated separately for each such building frontage.

The building frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.

Wall signs shall be located a minimum of one foot from the side of the building or unit line.

The minimum sign area for each building or tenant shall be not less than 25 square feet.

The maximum wall sign area is to be no greater than 300 square feet per business or unit regardless of wall size.

One wall sign per building or unit is permitted on the primary frontage. Additional wall signage may be permitted on the secondary frontage.

Wall signs shall not exceed the number of square feet for every lineal frontage of building or unit wall in which the sign is to be located, for the district in which it is located, as provided:

Wall signs shall not project more than 18 inches from the facade of the building.

Illumination. The light source shall be either internal or shielded external to minimize glare and light spilling unto neighboring properties. The illumination of signs shall not interfere with surrounding uses.

The maximum area of a projecting sign is 12 square feet.

The sign shall not project more than four feet from the wall or 2/3 the width of the sidewalk, whichever is greater.

The minimum spacing between projecting signs is 20 feet.

A minimum eight foot clearance must be between the sidewalk and the bottom of the sign.

Two freestanding signs are permitted. One freestanding sign per 150 feet of zoning lot frontage may be located not less than 150 feet from any other freestanding sign for the same center.

The maximum area and height of a freestanding sign are shown below for the zoning district in which the sign is located.

No part of a freestanding sign shall be within 10 feet of the property line.

An awning may project over a public sidewalk provided that it is at least eight feet above grade and does not project more than 2/3 the width of the public sidewalk as measured from the building.

Awnings and canopies should be made of high-quality materials that complement the overall design, colors, and materials of the building. Brightly colored awnings shall be compatible with the colors used on the main building.

Awnings must be constructed of a durable, water-repellent material such as canvas or metal. Plastic or fiberglass awnings are not permitted.

Retractable or fixed awnings may be used.

Awnings shall not extend across multiple storefronts and/or multiple buildings. Long expanses of awnings should be broken into segments that reflect the door or window openings located beneath.

Awnings and canopies deteriorate over time; regular maintenance and replacement is required.

Signage on awnings is permitted. Lettering size shall be proportional to the space available and shall meet the requirements as provided for wall signs.

Color renderings showing the location, size, color, and any proposed signage shall be submitted for review by the Planning Commission. Awnings that encroach within or above the public right-of-way shall receive approval by the City Council prior to construction of the awning.

Billboard shall only be allowed in the commercial and industrial zones, provided that they are adjacent to the right-of-way of Highway 65 or a Highway 65 frontage road. No billboard shall be allowed within a "B-1" district.

The applicant must provide written permission from the property owner where the billboard is proposed to be located, at the time of making application for a conditional use permit.

The applicant must provide proof of having obtained a permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, prior to being issued a conditional use permit.

Billboards located a minimum of 100 ft. from the nearest advertising device as outlined in Minnesota State Statutes Chapter 173 and shall follow all requirements set forth.

Billboards along HWY 65 require additional permitting from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Signs constructed in commercial, industrial, mixed use and overlay areas shall not exceed the square feet of sign area and height requirements as shown for freestanding signs.

Signs intended to permanently identify a single-family residential development or a multi-family residential development shall be permitted with the following conditions:

Murals are solely permitted by conditional use permit within the "B-1" Central Business District.

Color renderings showing the location, size, and color shall be submitted for review by the Planning Commission.

Findings. Studies show that there is a correlation between dynamic displays on signs and the distraction of highway drivers. Distraction can lead to traffic accidents. Drivers can be distracted not only by a changing message, but also by knowing that the sign has a changing message. Drivers may watch a sign waiting for the next change to occur. Additionally, drivers are more distracted by special effects used to change the message, such as fade-ins and fade-outs. Time and temperature signs appear to be an exception to these concerns because the messages are short, easily absorbed, and become inaccurate without frequent changes. Despite these public safety concerns, there is merit to allowing new technologies to easily update messages. Except as prohibited by state or federal law, sign owners should have the opportunity to use these technologies with certain restrictions. The restrictions are intended to minimize potential driver distraction and to minimize proliferation in residential districts where signs can adversely impact residential character. The City finds that dynamic displays should be allowed on signs but with significant controls to minimize their proliferation and their potential threats to public safety.

Permitted sign type and locations. Dynamic displays are solely permitted as freestanding signs and only within the "T1-B" Tier One Business District, "B-2" General Business District, "B-3" Neighborhood Business District, "RC" Recreational Commercial District, "T1-I" Tier One Industrial Park District, and "I-1" Industrial Park District.

Duration of Image. A dynamic display image, or any portion thereof, may not change more than once every 20 seconds, except one for which changes are necessary to correct hour-and-minute, date, or temperature information. A display of time, date, or temperature must remain for at least 20 seconds before changing to a different display, but the time, date, or temperature information itself may change not more often than once every three seconds.

Transition. If a dynamic display's image or any portion thereof changes, the change sequence must be instantaneous without any special effects.

Prohibition on Video Display. No portion of a dynamic display may change any part of its sign face by a method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery, or depict action or a special effect to imitate movement, or display pictorials or graphics in a progression of frames that gives the illusion of motion of any kind.

Prohibition of fluctuating or flashing illumination. No portion of a dynamic display image may fluctuate in light intensity or use intermittent, strobe or moving light, or light that changes in intensity in sudden transitory bursts, streams, zooms, twinkles, sparkles or any other manner that creates the illusion of movement.

Audio. Dynamic displays shall not be equipped with audio speakers.

Malfunctions. Dynamic displays must be designed and equipped to freeze the sign face in one position if a malfunction occurs. Dynamic displays must be equipped with a means to immediately discontinue the display if it malfunctions and the sign owner or operator must immediately turn off the display when notified by the City that it is not complying with the standards of this chapter.

Brightness. All dynamic displays shall meet the following brightness standards:

No more than one banner or one inflatable figure not to exceed 10 feet in width or depth shall be permitted in a commercial or industrial district for a special event sponsored and/or run by a commercial enterprise in connection with a seasonal sale or other special offer.

Banners and inflatable figures for these types of events are permitted, provided they may be allowed for a maximum of 30 consecutive days.

In a shopping center or multi-tenant building, no more than two temporary signs can be displayed at any one time upon the property.

Portable letter board signs shall be allowed in the commercial or industrial zoning districts.

Portable Dynamic Signs shall be allowed in the commercial or industrial zoning districts for up to 30 days, temporary dynamic signs in place for longer than 30 days require a conditional use permit and must meet all requirements for dynamic signs within this chapter.

Other non-illuminated permanent and temporary signs, customarily incidental to a gas/service station use, are allowed but the signs must not exceed a combined area of 100 square feet for the premises.

Signs identifying the gas station brand on the gas pumps shall not count against the sign area allowance for the property.

Sign island canopy may contain the color, logo, and brand name around the perimeter of the canopy. The height of the combined elements shall not exceed 24 inches.

Menu boards shall be limited to two signs per property (not including the speaker if unattached).

Menu boards are limited to 60 square feet in size and can be internally or externally illuminated.

One temporary real estate sign is permitted for the sale or lease of an existing building or vacant lot for each street frontage of the parcel and must be located on the premises. Such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in a residential district or 32 square feet in all other districts. No more than two directional signs not exceeding six square feet shall be permitted along a public right-of-way leading directly to such building or lot.

One temporary development real estate sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area and located on the property shall be permitted on each public street frontage of a commercial, industrial, or residential development with five or more units or lots for rent, sale, or lease. No more than two directional signs not exceeding 16 square feet in area shall be permitted on a collector or arterial street leading directly to such development.

Information Generally Permitted. The application upon a window or the glass surface of a door that includes lettering or decals giving the address, hours of operation, entrance or exit information, professional or security affiliations or members, the acceptance of credit cards or other similar information shall not be considered as the display of signs for the purpose of this section.

The sign is altered in any way in structure or copy, except for copy on changeable copy signs and normal maintenance;

The sign is relocated or moved;

The sign is replaced; or

The sign is enlarged or expanded in any manner, to include but is not limited to an increase in weight, depth, height, area, intensity, technological advancements, etc.

Changing a tenant panel, marquee copy, or any message that is specifically designed for the use of changeable copy.

Painting, repairing, cleaning or other normal maintenance of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has been previously issued so long as the aesthetic concept of the sign is not modified or changed in any way.

Changes in window displays or window signs.

Exempt signs in all districts.

Name and address of the premises where the sign is to be located.

Name and address of all parties involved in the sign erection (sign company, electrical contractor, owner, property manager, landscape company, etc.). Names listed on the permit are legally responsible for each respective area.

When appropriate, a completed building permit application with drawings showing dimensions, construction supports, electrical wiring and components, materials of the sign, and any additional items as requested by the Building Official.

Site plan showing the location of the sign on the parcel as well as dimensions from property lines, landscaping areas, etc.

Clear and legible drawings with a description of the colors, construction materials, sign dimensions, location of the sign and building elevations.

Written authorization from the property owner for the sign to be located on the property.

Any additional information as required by City staff to review the proposal.

Sign permit fee as approved by the City Council within the fee schedule.

Sports/Recreation Facilities. To include, soccer fields, sports arenas, baseball fields, and other similar uses.

Hospitals.

Businesses with campus-like settings.

Colleges.

Strip malls or office complexes, with two or more tenants, constructed after December 2014.

Other similar facilities.

Prior to the issuance of any sign permit for a renovated or new wall sign, the building facade or wall shall be repaired and returned to a condition similar to the remainder of the building.

For sign permits that are issued during winter months, the applicant may request permission to complete facade repairs or provide landscaping at a later date. The request shall be made to the Zoning Administrator and include a date by which the required repairs or landscaping will be complete. The request shall be accompanied by an acceptable surety in the amount set by the City Council. The request shall also be accompanied by a guarantee of right of entry which would allow the City to complete the required work if the applicant fails to do so. Should the request be granted, holes in the facade shall be filled to provide adequate protection against the weather.