(1)

All signs shall have sound structural quality, be compatible with the adjacent buildings, be maintained in good repair and have a clean and neat appearance.

(2)

All signs, except exempt signs as set forth in this article, shall be permitted by the director and constructed in accordance with plans submitted in support of a sign permit.

(3)

All signs shall be located in a way not to obstruct the view of pedestrian or vehicle traffic or interfere with other signage.

(4)

All permanent monument signs shall be located in a landscaped area that is a minimum of three (3) feet on each side of the base of the sign. Adequate landscaping material shall be utilized to provide a minimum of one shrub per ten (10) square feet of sign area.

(5)

All permanent monument signs shall be located at least ten (10) feet from all property lines.

(6)

All wall signs shall be located so that no portion of the sign extends beyond the height of the wall to which it is attached.

(7)

Canopy signs shall be permitted in commercial districts in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

Signs located on canopies attached to buildings shall not exceed fifty (50) per cent of the vertical face of the canopy structure.

(i)

For free-standing buildings, the overall square footage of the canopy sign shall be subtracted from the signage allowance for the building face which most closely corresponds to the canopy.

(ii)

For buildings with multiple storefronts, such as those within shopping centers or business parks, a canopy sign may be allowed for an individual tenant space in lieu of allowed wall signage for the building face which most closely corresponds to the canopy.

b.

Signs located on free-standing canopies shall not exceed fifteen (15) per cent of the vertical face of the canopy structure.

c.

Signs shall not extend beyond the canopy face.

(8)

All signage for a use operating under a special use permit must follow that of the zoning district in which it is located, except as specifically provided in this UDO or approved as a part of the special use permit.

(9)

Directional signage, for the safe and efficient movement of onsite traffic is permitted in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

Only one (1) entrance/exit directional sign is allowed per access point;

b.

Sign shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area; and

c.

Sign shall not exceed four (4) feet in height.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05; Ord. No. 9559, § XII, 3-22-10; Ord. No. 10323, § I, 1-26-15)

All permanent signs intended for identification of religious, institutional or educational facilities, and multi-family residential developments shall be permitted in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Two (2) monument signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign(s) shall be located on-site at a principle entrance to the development;

b.

Each sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in area;

c.

Each sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height; and

d.

Signs located in close proximity to residential developments may be lit by directed exterior illumination only.

(2)

Two (2) wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

Each face of the building shall be allowed one sign only;

b.

The sign shall not exceed ten (10) per cent of the wall area; and

c.

Signs located in close proximity to residential development may be lit by directed exterior illumination only.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

Each residential subdivision development shall be permitted two (2) monument signs in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

The sign(s) shall be located on-site at a principle entrance to the development;

(2)

Each sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in area;

(3)

Each sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height; and

(4)

The sign(s) may be lit by directed exterior illumination only.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

All permanent signs, intended for the display of business names, logos, or other forms of commercial advertisement, shall be permitted in accordance with the provisions contained herein.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

Home occupations, except as allowed by approved special use permit, shall be permitted one wall sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

The sign shall not exceed one square foot in area; and

(2)

The sign shall not be lit.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05; Ord. No. 9416, § VIII, 2-9-09)

Permanent signs shall be allowed in accordance with the approved final development plan.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

(1)

Each office building, not within an office park, shall be allowed a total of two (2) signs, from the following:

a.

A wall sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

Each face of the building shall be allowed one sign only;

(ii)

The sign shall not exceed ten (10) per cent of the wall area; and

(iii)

The sign may be illuminated.

b.

A projecting sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area;

(ii)

The sign shall have an 8-foot minimum vertical clearance;

(iii)

The sign shall not project more than five (5) feet from the face of the building; and

(iv)

The sign shall not be lit.

c.

A freestanding sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall be located within twenty (20) feet of the main entrance to the business;

(ii)

The signboard shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area;

(iii)

The height of the top of the signboard, post, or any other supporting elements shall not exceed six (6) feet; and

(iv)

The sign may be illuminated.

d.

An awning sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not project more than four (4) feet from the face of the building;

(ii)

The sign shall have an 8-foot minimum vertical clearance;

(iii)

Only the name of the business shall be featured on the awning; and

(iv)

The sign shall be located on the ground floor.

(2)

An office park with three (3) or more buildings shall be allowed one monument sign to identify the park in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet in area;

b.

The sign shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height; and

c.

The sign may be illuminated.

(3)

Each office building within an office park shall be allowed one wall sign, projecting sign, freestanding sign, facade sign, or awning sign in accordance with the standards in the CO district.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05; Ord. No. 9195, § XXII, 9-10-07)

(1)

Each freestanding commercial building shall be allowed a total of two (2) signs, each of which shall be designed in a manner that is suitable and complementary to adjacent development, from the following:

a.

A wall sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

Each building face shall be allowed one sign only;

(ii)

The sign shall not exceed ten (10) per cent of the wall area; and

(iii)

The sign may be illuminated.

b.

A projecting sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area;

(ii)

The sign shall have an 8-foot minimum vertical clearance;

(iii)

The sign shall not project more than five (5) feet from the face of the building; and

(iv)

The sign shall not be lit.

c.

A freestanding sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall be located within twenty (20) feet of the main entrance to the business;

(ii)

The signboard shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area;

(iii)

The height of the top of the signboard, post, or any other supporting elements shall not exceed six (6) feet; and

(iv)

The sign may be lit by directed exterior illumination only.

d.

A facade sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not exceed two (2) feet six (6) inches in height;

(ii)

The sign shall not exceed the width of the building; and

(iii)

The sign shall not be lit.

e.

An awning sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not project more than four (4) feet from the face of the building;

(ii)

The sign shall have an 8-foot minimum vertical clearance;

(iii)

Only the name of the business shall be featured on the awning;

(iv)

The sign shall be located on the ground floor; and

(v)

The sign shall not be lit.

(2)

In addition to other signs, multi-story buildings with multiple tenants shall be permitted one wall directory sign identifying the occupants of the building in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall be located next to the main entrance;

b.

The sign shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area, with each tenant limited to one square foot; and

c.

The height of lettering, numbers, or graphics shall not exceed four (4) inches.

(3)

In addition to other signs, restaurants and cafes shall be permitted one sandwich board sign in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall be located within four (4) feet of the main entrance to the business;

b.

The sign shall not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

c.

A single side of the sign shall not exceed five (5) square feet in area;

d.

The sign shall be constructed of wood, chalkboard, or finished metal;

e.

The sign shall not require electricity in any form;

f.

The sign shall not display lights or contain moving parts;

g.

The sign shall contain information regarding products offered, prices and hours of operation only; and

h.

The sign shall be removed at the end of the business day.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

(1)

Each free-standing commercial building shall be allowed wall signage not to exceed fifteen (15) per cent of the wall area per building face, which may be illuminated, and one sign from the following:

a.

A projecting sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area;

(ii)

The sign shall have an eight-foot minimum vertical clearance;

(iii)

The sign shall not project more than five (5) feet from the face of the building; and

(iv)

The sign shall not be lit.

b.

An awning sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not project more than four (4) feet from the face of the building;

(ii)

The sign shall have an eight-foot minimum vertical clearance;

(iii)

Only the name of the business shall be featured on the awning; and

(iv)

The sign shall be located on the ground floor.

c.

No more than one monument sign in accordance with the following provisions:

(i)

The sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in area;

(ii)

The sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height; and

(iii)

The sign may be illuminated.

(2)

Each shopping center or business park with more than one business or building shall be allowed one monument sign to identify the center or park in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall not exceed seventy-two (72) square feet in area;

b.

The sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height; and

c.

The sign may be illuminated.

(3)

Each storefront or office front within a shopping center or business park shall be allowed one wall sign, projecting sign, or awning sign, not to exceed ten (10) per cent of wall area per occupied building face.

(4)

In addition to other signs, each business with drive through or walk-up service shall be allowed one monument or wall mounted menu board sign per lane in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall not exceed six (6) feet in height or thirty-two (32) square feet in area;

b.

The sign shall be located along the sides or rear of the building; and

c.

The sign shall contain information regarding services and products offered and prices only.

(5)

Billboards shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall be located within six hundred sixty (660) linear feet of Interstate 35 on a tract of land contiguous to the highway right-of-way;

b.

The sign shall be no closer than five thousand (5,000) linear feet from another billboard;

c.

The sign shall not exceed six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet in area;

d.

The sign shall not exceed fourteen (14) feet in height, excluding the base support;

e.

The sign shall not have more than two (2) faces on any elevation;

f.

Attention-attracting devices shall not be allowed on any part of the sign, including scrolling signs and electronic message boards that change more than one time a day;

g.

The sign shall not obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal, or a vehicle operator's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic; and

h.

Lighting shall be directed exterior illumination only, directed from the top of the sign downward to prevent glare or light spillage.

(6)

As a substitute to a permitted monument sign in accordance with the standards contained herein, a pole sign shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

a.

The sign shall be:

(i)

Located within three hundred (300) linear feet of the right-of-way for Interstate 35;

(ii)

Allowed for shopping centers or individual buildings within the C-2 or C-3 zoning district; and

(iii)

No closer than five hundred (500) linear feet from another pole sign;

b.

The sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area;

c.

The sign shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height;

d.

The sign shall not have more than two (2) faces;

e.

Attention-attracting devices shall not be allowed on any part of the sign, including, but not limited to, scrolling signs and electronic message boards that change more than one time a day; and

f.

The sign shall not obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal, or a vehicle operator's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.

(7)

As a substitute to the permitted wall signage for one face of a multi-story and multi-tenant free-standing commercial building, in accordance with the standards contained herein, an electronic message board sign is permitted as wall signage in districts C-2 and C-3 districts and as time and/or temperature instruments, and are subject to the following provisions:

a.

Attention-attracting devices shall not be allowed on any part of the sign, including, but not limited to, flashing, blinking, scrolling, revolving, rotating, animated, playing video or audio messages or features that simulate movement.

b.

No display shall appear on an electronic message board that interferes with, replicates or otherwise mimics the appearance or operation of any traffic control device, signal or notice. Nor shall any words or traffic control symbols which may confuse or mislead traffic be displayed, including "stop", "caution", "slow", "brake" or the like.

c.

Surface area copy may not change more frequently than once every three (3) minutes.

d.

The time to complete a change from one message to the next shall be one second and the change of copy shall occur simultaneously for the entire electronic sign face.

e.

The message board shall be programmed to default to a blank screen or freeze the display in a static position in the event of a malfunction.

f.

An electronic message board display shall consist only of logo or alphabetic or numeric characters on a plain, non-white background and may not include any pictorial or photographic images.

g.

Electronic message boards shall not exceed a maximum illumination of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours and maximum illumination of five hundred (500) nits during nighttime hours.

i.

The applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory preset not to exceed the levels specified above, and the intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password protected software or other appropriate methods.

ii.

The change from five thousand (5,000) nits to five hundred (500) nits shall be controlled by an automatic dimmer control system that adjusts the display's intensity based on ambient light conditions.

h.

Lighting of electronic message boards shall be shielded to prevent glare. The luminance of an electronic message board shall not be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair vision, interfere with or present a negative effect toward the use of property or the safe operation of motor vehicles.

i.

Electronic message boards shall not have a pixel pitch larger than twenty (20) millimeters (mm).

j.

There shall be only one electronic message board on each building, lot or parcel.

k.

Electronic message boards may only be used to advertise goods and services sold on the premises, time and temperature, and public service announcements. Off-site commercial advertising is not allowed.

l.

Electronic message boards shall not be permitted in a national or locally designated historic district.

m.

Electronic message boards shall not be permitted visible from a contiguous residential area.

n.

Electronic message boards as wall signs shall not exceed fifteen (15) per cent of the per cent of the wall area up to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet.

o.

The addition of an electronic message board to any nonconforming sign is prohibited.

p.

The City of Liberty has the right to revoke a sign permit if there are two (2) or more violations in a twelve-month period.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05; Ord. No. 9195, § XXIII, 9-10-07; Ord. No. 9719, § I, 5-9-2011; Ord. No. 9748, § I, 7-25-2011; Ord. No. 9749, § I, 7-25-2011)

(1)

All signs shall be permitted in accordance with the sign regulations for the zoning district in which they located.

(2)

All signs shall obtain a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with the regulations in Article VIII of this UDO.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

All temporary signs shall be placed on private property, with the consent of the property owner, and shall not be located within a public right-of-way. Signs shall be kept in good condition and not be allowed to deteriorate. Any temporary sign in violation of these provisions may be removed by the city and costs associated with its removal shall be the liability of the owner of the property on which it was placed.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

One or more on-site temporary signs shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Signs shall not contain commercial advertising copy;

(2)

The total area of signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in area; and

(3)

Signs shall be allowed for no more than ninety (90) consecutive days.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

One or more off-site temporary signs shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Signs shall be limited to the advertisement of a specific, non-commercial event;

(2)

The total area of signs shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in area; and

(3)

Signs shall be allowed for no more than three (3) consecutive days.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

A banner shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Each business shall be allowed a banner for ninety (90) days per year, provided it is in good condition, and

(2)

Banners shall be securely affixed to a building or structure and shall be no larger than ten (10) per cent of the wall area.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05; Ord. No. 9195, § XXIV, 9-10-07)

Signs advertising a specific construction project shall be allowed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Signs depicting the names of architects, engineers, builders or contractors may be allowed until construction is complete provided permanent signs are not yet installed;

(2)

Each project shall be allowed two detached construction signs;

(3)

The sign(s) shall be located on-site;

(4)

Each sign shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet in area;

(5)

Each sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height; and

(6)

The sign may be lit by directed exterior illumination only.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of an on-site property shall be allowed one sign per street frontage, in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Signs on lots having less than ½ acre shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in area or four (4) feet in height;

(2)

Signs on lots having between ½ acre and three (3) acres shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area or eight (8) feet in height;

(3)

Signs on lots having more than three (3) acres shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area or eight (8) feet in height; and

(4)

The sign shall be removed once the space is fully occupied or the sign is in disrepair.

(Ord. No. 9416, § IX, 2-9-09)

Any sign that existed or was granted a permit prior to the effective date of this UDO that does not comply with the provisions of this UDO may continue to exist as a legal, non-conforming sign subject to the following provisions:

(1)

No legal, non-conforming sign shall be enlarged;

(2)

Normal maintenance of a non-conforming sign is permitted when necessary repairs or alterations do not extend or increase the non-conforming nature of the sign; and

(3)

Signs contributing to the appearance of a designated historic structure shall not be subject to the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)

The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, unless specifically provided for herein:

(1)

Attention-attracting devices;

(2)

Balloons and other inflatable devices;

(3)

Hazardous signs;

(4)

Portable signs;

(5)

Roof signs, mansards having a pitch that is less steep than three (3) feet vertical over one foot horizontal shall be considered a part of the roof;

(6)

Off-site commercial signs;

(7)

Electronic message boards, except they shall be permitted to be incorporated into the design of a monument sign in districts C-2 and C-3, school zoning districts and as time and/or temperature instruments, and are subject to the following provisions:

a.

Attention-attracting devices shall not be allowed on any part of the sign, including, but not limited to, flashing, blinking, scrolling, revolving, rotating, animated, playing video or audio messages or features that simulate movement.

b.

No display shall appear on an electronic message board that interferes with, replicates or otherwise mimics the appearance or operation of any traffic control device, signal or notice. Nor shall any words or traffic control symbols which may confuse or mislead traffic be displayed, including "stop", "caution", "slow", "brake" or the like.

c.

Surface area copy may not change more frequently than once every three (3) minutes.

d.

The time to complete a change from one message to the next shall be one second and the change of copy shall occur simultaneously for the entire electronic sign face.

e.

The message board shall be programmed to default to a blank screen or freeze the display in a static position in the event of a malfunction.

f.

An electronic message board display shall consist only of logo or alphabetic or numeric characters on a plain, non-white background and may not include any pictorial or photographic images.

g.

Electronic message boards shall not exceed a maximum illumination of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours and maximum illumination of five hundred (500) nits during nighttime hours.

i.

The applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory preset not to exceed the levels specified above, and the intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password protected software or other appropriate methods.

ii.

The change from five thousand (5,000) nits to five hundred (500) nits shall be controlled by an automatic dimmer control system that adjusts the display's intensity based on ambient light conditions.

h.

Lighting of electronic message boards shall be shielded to prevent glare. The luminance of an electronic message board shall not be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair vision, interfere with or present a negative effect toward the use of property or the safe operation of motor vehicles.

i.

Electronic message boards shall not have a pixel pitch larger than twenty (20) millimeters (mm).

j.

There shall be only one electronic message board on each building, lot or parcel.

k.

Electronic message boards may only be used to advertise goods and services sold on the premises, time and temperature, and public service announcements. Off-site commercial advertising is not allowed.

l.

Electronic message boards shall not be permitted in a national or locally designated historic district.

m.

Electronic message boards shall not be visible from a contiguous residential area.

n.

Electronic message boards shall not exceed forty (40) per cent of the sign surface up to a maximum of twenty-eight (28) square feet.

o.

The addition of an electronic message board to any nonconforming sign is prohibited.

p.

The City of Liberty has the right to revoke a sign permit if there are two (2) or more violations in a twelve-month period.

(8)

Reserved.

(9)

Signs containing any indecent or offensive material.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05; Ord. No. 9195, § XXV, 9-10-07; Ord. No. 9717, § III, 5-9-11; Ord. No. 9718, § I, 5-9-11; Ord. No. 10323, § I, 1-26-15)

The following signs are exempt from these regulations:

(1)

Signs that are essential and necessary for the safety and welfare of the public;

(2)

Historical markers on premises officially recognized by the city, county, state, or federal government and which are not advertising or promotional in nature;

(3)

Signs erected by, or on behalf of, or pursuant to the authorization of, a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs and traffic, directional or regulatory signs; and

(4)

Signs on or adjacent to rear doors of commercial or industrial buildings displaying information such as the names and address of the occupant, the hours of operation, or instructions for deliveries. These signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area, shall not contain letters exceeding six (6) inches in height and shall not be illuminated. Where multiple tenants share the same rear door, the sign may display the names and address of each tenant.

(Ord. No. 8804, § I, 4-11-05)