Livermore City Zoning Code
SIGNS
§ 153.110 SIGNS AND ADVERTISING DEVICES.
(A) Purpose. The purposes of this subchapter are:
(1) To assume maximum visibility along streets and to prevent unreasonable distraction for motor vehicle operators;
(2) To preserve and enhance natural scenic beauty and historical sites by the avoidance of unsightly cluttering of advertising signs and devices;
(3) To promote pedestrian safety and to facilitate police and fire protection; and
(4) To provide for orderly and visible informative advertising opportunities for all businesses
and attractions, which benefit from appropriate signs and attractions.
(B) Scope of this section.
(1) The provisions of this section shall apply to the construction, erection, use, location and maintenance of signs in all districts. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to signs existing on the effective date of this chapter. Signs in legal existence on the effective date of this chapter, but not in conformity with it, and not obstructing traffic visibility, may remain in place; but the non-conforming use shall not be extended, enlarged or moved to occupy a portion of land or a structure, except in conformity with this chapter. Only routine maintenance may be performed on the sign and its structure until such time as the sign is brought into conformance with these regulations. Unless otherwise permitted by this chapter, no new sign may be erected, constructed or displayed within the planning area after the effective date of this chapter unless all the provisions of this chapter are met.
(2) Signs and billboards placed along the Federal Aide Highway U.S. 431 must conform to the regulations of the commonwealth’s Department of Transportation in accordance with KRS Ch. 177.
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)
§ 153.111 SIGNS PERMITTED IN ZONING DISTRICTS.
(A) Residential districts.
(1) Unlighted real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of only the premises on which they are maintained. Such signs must not exceed ten square feet in area, and are to be used only temporarily. Real estate signs must be displayed at least five feet from all lot boundaries. Signs advertising home occupations may not exceed one square foot in area and must be affixed to the front of the building in which the activity is carried on.
(2) Churches, schools and other public and semi-public institutions may erect bulletin boards not exceeding 20 square feet in area.
(3) Subdivisions may be identified by one non-illuminated sign at each entrance. These signs shall not exceed 30 square feet in area.
(4) Apartment complexes containing eight or more housing units may be identified by a permanent sign of no more than 30 square feet in area.
(B) Business and commercial districts.
(1) In the central business district advertising signs are permitted, but care must be taken to preserve the historical nature of the district. The use of lighting is permitted, but signs and advertising devices shall be placed on buildings in a flat manner and shall not extend more than 12 inches from the building. However, this provision may be waived if it is determined that a proposed sign will be in keeping with the historic nature of the area and will not detract or interfere with any surrounding buildings, with said determination being made by a four person committee consisting of the county’s Judge Executive, the Chairperson of the Planning Commission and a Planning Commission member to be appointed by the county’s Planning Commission and a Fiscal Court member to be appointed by the Judge Executive. No flashing lights of any kind shall be permitted.
(2) Outside of the central business district, individual establishments in a commercial district which are not within a shopping center or a planned commercial district may choose to display either a free-standing sign, or to hang a sign perpendicular to the front of the establishment. Such signs must not exceed 100 square feet in area, and the outermost edge of the sign must be at least ten feet from the property line. These signs may be lit so long as they are not illuminated in such a way as to constitute a hazard inhibiting the vision of vehicle operators. Retail gasoline sales establishments may also have one additional sign to display its prices and said sign shall not exceed 50 square feet. The committee established pursuant to division (B)(1) above shall have the authority to approve non-conforming signs outside of the central business district if it is determined that a sign will not detract from, or interfere with any surrounding buildings and will comply with the general planning of the area.
(C) Shopping centers.
(1) For the purposes of this subchapter, a SHOPPING CENTER is defined as two or more commercial establishments, which share a common place name such as “shopping center”, “market place” or similar identification.
(2) A shopping center may have one free-standing sign not exceeding 100 square feet in area and a directory of occupants not exceeding 100 square feet. Signs on stores or service establishments within the center shall be placed on buildings in a flat manner, extending no more than 12 inches outward from the building.
(D) Planned commercial developments. Each planned commercial development shall be permitted two free-standing signs not over 25 feet in height, or more than 150 square feet In area, and a directory of firms not exceeding 100 square feet. Other signs in the development shall be attached to the buildings in a flat manner and shall not extend from the building more than 12 inches.
(E) Industrial districts.
(1) Industrial parks designed for multiple occupancy shall be permitted one free-standing sign or billboard not to exceed 250 square feet in area for each-roadway or street, which borders the park. No sign may be located closer to the street right-of-way than 20 feet.
(2) Individual industry locations shall be permitted one sign not exceeding 150 square feet in area for each roadway or street, which borders its property. Such sign(s) shall not be located closer than 20 feet from the property borderline(s). Other signs shall be affixed fiat against the building.
(3) Each industry, whether in a park, or occupying a separate lot, shall be permitted one free-standing sign of not more than 20 square feet for directional purposes to assure the convenience of vendors and visitors.
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)
§ 153.112 TEMPORARY SIGNS.
The following signs shall be permitted in all districts and shall not require a permit unless otherwise noted:
(A) Construction signs, which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms which, are involved in a permitted project. Product logos may be displayed, but no additional advertising shall be allowed. Such signs shall be restricted to an area of 16 square feet for each firm. The signs must be restricted to the construction site, and shall be placed at least five feet inward from the property line. They must be removed within 14 days after the completion of the advertised project;
(B) (1) Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of premises shall be restricted to a total of 35 square feet for properties other than residential. For residential properties the limit shall be ten square feet. These signs shall not be illuminated, and must be placed at least five feet inward from the property line. They must be removed within 14 days after the sale, lease or rental by the seller, lessor or his or her agent.
(2) Signs advertising an auction shall be limited to 32 square feet in size, and shall be removed within seven days after the auction occurs.
(C) Political campaign signs announcing the candidacy of individuals, or those which seek support for or against a proposition to be voted on may be placed upon private property with the consent of the owner(s). Such political signs must not exceed 20 square feet in area, and must be removed within seven days after the vote is taken; and
(D) Street banners advertising public entertainment or an event requires the approval of the Chairperson of the planning Commission or his or her designee. Such approval may be given for a period of 30 days prior to the event. The banners must be taken down within seven days after the event takes place.
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)
§ 153.113 PORTABLE SIGNS.
(A) In locations other than planned commercial developments, or shopping centers, mobile/portable signs shall be permitted for periods of 30 days for the purpose of advertising special events or safe specials which may be offered by an enterprise. Such signs must be placed so as not to obstruct the motorist’s view of the right-of-way, and must be setback at least to the midpoint of the required setback line and the traveled portion of the roadway. In no instance shall such sign be closer than ten feet to the roadway.
(B) A permit for the placement of portable signs must be obtained from the Chairperson of the Planning Commission or his or her designee. Permits will be valid for a period of 30 days from the date of issue.
(C) The fee for the issuance of a portable sign permit shall be set by the county’s Planning Commission for a 30-day period.
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)
§ 153.114 PERMANENT SIGNS; BILLBOARDS.
(A) Permanent signs, such as billboards, are classified as structures within the meaning of this chapter and require that a permit be obtained prior to erection or construction. (As previously noted, billboards along federal aid highways are subject to state and federal regulation. However, the regulations of this chapter may be more stringent than those of the commonwealth’s Department of Transportation.)
(B) No billboards shall be permitted in any residential district.
(C) Unless otherwise proscribed in other sections of this chapter, the following maximum dimensions apply to billboards:
Maximum area | 400 feet |
Maximum height | 40 feet, measured from the average grade level at the base of the sign; however, If the average level at the base of the sign is lower than the average grade level of the adjacent highway, then the maximum height shall be 30 feet, measured from the average grade level of the highway |
Minimum distance from right-of-way or property line | 20 feet |
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)
§ 153.115 PERMITS FOR SIGN CONSTRUCTION OR ERECTION.
Applications for the construction or erection of new permanent signs, or for modification of existing billboards and signs shall be made to the Chairperson of the Planning Commission or his or her designee, on forms to be provided by him or her. A fee set by the Planning Commission, per square foot, subject to a minimum fee of $25 shall accompany the application to defray the cost of issuing a permit and for the inspection of the sign after its installation.
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)
§ 153.116 AMORTIZATION OF NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.
All non-conforming signs must either be altered to conform to this chapter or be removed.
(Ord. 20.920-1, passed 3- -2020)