Mt Vernon City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Sign Regulations
Section 405.510 Intent And Purpose.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.510; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 1), 1-9-2001]
It is the intent and purpose of these sign regulations to qualify, supplement or define the allowable uses of the several types of signs allowed in the district regulations appearing elsewhere in this regulation.
Section 405.520 Applicability.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.520; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 2), 1-9-2001]
Any sign shall, by definition, be a structure. No land, personal property or structure shall be used for sign purposes except as specified herein.
Section 405.530 Non-Conforming Signs.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.530; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 3), 1-9-2001]
All signs legally existing at the time of passage of these regulations may remain in use under the conditions of legal non-conformance. Signs in legal non-conformance shall not be enlarged, moved, lighted or reconstructed; however, the change of the advertising display shall not be restricted except as previously stated.
Section 405.540 Removal Of Non-Conforming Signs.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.540; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 4), 1-9-2001]
A.
Should any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of these regulations.
1.
Removal Of On-Site Non-Conforming Signs. All on-site non-conforming signs not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of these regulations shall be removed or shall be altered to conform to the provisions of this regulation when the nature of the business conducted on the premises changes and the sign is changed or modified either in shape, size or legend or when the name of the business changes and the sign is changed or modified either in shape, size or legend.
2.
Removal Of Signs Upon Destruction Of Principal Structures. When a principal structure is destroyed or removed due to natural or man-made circumstances, all signs on the property shall be removed within ninety (90) days, unless a building permit has been issued to replace the structure within said time period.
Section 405.550 Permit Required.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.550; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 5), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.100 § 2, 7-27-2004]
A.
No sign except temporary signs, as defined in this Article, may be erected or altered until a sign permit has been issued by the Building Inspector.
B.
Application. Application for permits required under this Article shall be made on forms provided by the Building Inspector and accompanied by the following, if required by the Building Inspector or if required by the provisions hereof:
1.
Plans and specifications of the proposed sign; the right to inspect all permanent signs and marquees prior to their installation and erection and prior to the issuance of a permit.
2.
A certificate of accident public liability insurance issued to the person or firm installing or erecting a sign or marquee over public property and providing coverage of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) per person, one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per accident and twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) property damage.
C.
Permit Fees. Every application before being granted a permit hereunder shall pay to the City Clerk the following permit fee for each such sign or other advertising structure regulated by this Article:
1.
All signs requiring a permit but not requiring engineering: fifteen dollars ($15.00). All signs requiring engineering as per Section 405.580(J): fifty dollars ($50.00).
2.
Temporary signs: no permit required.
[Ord. No. 2.155 § 1, 2-26-2013]
D.
Inspection. As soon as a sign has been erected, the permittee shall notify the Building Inspector who shall inspect such sign and approve the same if it is in compliance with the provisions of this Article. The Building Inspector may, from time to time, as he/she deems necessary, inspect all signs or other advertising structure regulated by this Article for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is secure or insecure or whether it is in need of removal or repair.
E.
Permit Revocable At Any Time. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this Article or any amendment thereto, are mere licenses revocable at any time by the Building Inspector and all such permits shall contain this provision.
Section 405.560 Review And Action.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.560; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 6), 1-9-2001]
A.
The Zoning Administrator shall review the sign permit application in detail for the purpose of determining whether the proposed sign complies with all the applicable sign regulations of this Article, if applicable. Within fifteen (15) days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Zoning Director shall either:
Section 405.570 Classification Of Signs.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.570; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 7), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1, 8-13-2002]
A.
Functional Types.
1.
Advertising Sign (Billboards). A sign which directs the attention of the public to any goods, merchandise, property, business, service, entertainment or amusement conducted or produced which is bought or sold, furnished, offered or dealt in elsewhere than on the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
2.
Bulletin Board Sign. A sign that indicates the name of an institution or organization on whose premises it is located and which contains the name of the institution or organization, the name or names of persons connected with it and announcement of persons, events or activities occurring at the institution. Such sign may also present a greeting or similar message.
3.
Business Sign. A sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted or to products, services or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
4.
Identification Sign. A sign giving only the name and address of a structure, business, development or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partly devoted to a readily recognized symbol.
5.
Memorial Sign. A sign, monument or statue serving to help people remember some person or event.
6.
Name Plate Sign. A sign giving the name and/or address of the owner or occupant of a structure or premises on which it is located and, where applicable, a professional status.
7.
Temporary Signs. A temporary sign is a display device constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wall board, or other light materials with or without frames intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only. Temporary signage must comply with Section 405.620 and includes but is not limited to balloons, banners, flags, pennants/streamers, wind devices, inflatable stationary, rigid portable signs, portable reader boards, and searchlights. Temporary signs are those which:
[Ord. No. 2.155 § 2, 2-26-2013]
B.
Structural Types.
1.
Awning, Canopy Or Marquee Sign. A sign that is mounted on, painted on or attached to an awning, canopy or marquee. No such signs shall project above, below or beyond the awning, canopy or marquee.
Figure 5 - Canopy Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
2.
Ground Sign. Any sign placed upon or supported by the ground independent of the principal structure on the property where the bottom edge of the sign is less than six (6) feet above the ground, the height is no greater than ten (10) feet and the base is no less than fifty percent (50%) of the width of the face of the sign presenting a monolithic structure.
Figure 6 - Ground Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
10 feet maximum height |
If the height of the sign base is less than 5 feet, no planter is required |
3.
Monument Sign. Any sign whose base is greater in width than the face of the sign and whose height is no greater than six (6) feet.
Figure 7 - Monument Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
X = 110% of the width of the sign face |
Y = 10% of the width of the sign face |
6 feet maximum height |
4.
Elevated Sign. Any sign placed upon or supported by, the ground independent of the principal structure on the property where the bottom edge of the sign is ten (10) feet or more above the ground level.
Figure 8 - Elevated Sign-Recommended Design | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
X = the width of the sign face |
Y = 1/4 the width of the base |
Z = 30 feet above based elevation |
30 feet maximum height |
Bottom of sign base to be a minimum of 10 feet from ground elevation |
5.
Portable Display Sign. Any movable display structure, capable of relocation, under its own power or towed by a motor vehicle. The display message of the sign may be painted or non-painted and capable of being readily altered. Portable display signs may be with or without electrical illumination and power and with or without wheels.
Figure 9 - Portable Display Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
6.
Projecting Sign. A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a structure for support and which projects more than twelve (12) inches from such structure. Sign area is limited to a maximum of twenty (20) square feet.
Figure 10 - Projecting Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
7.
Wall Sign. A sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a structure in such a manner that the wall becomes merely the supporting structure or forms the background surface and which does not project more than twelve (12) inches from such structure.
Figure 11 - Wall Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
8.
Roof Sign. A sign totally supported on the roof of a structure. Roof signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the face of the structure.
Figure 12 - Roof Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
9.
Window Sign. Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
Figure 13 - Window Sign | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
Section 405.580 General Provisions.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.580; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 8), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1, 8-13-2002; Ord. No. 2.83 § 1(D), 4-8-2003; Ord. No. 2.84 § 1(1), 5-13-2003]
A.
Gross Area Of Sign. Gross area shall include the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign, exclusive of the base on which it is mounted or from which it is suspended. If more than one (1) side of a detached sign is utilized as a sign, then only the largest side shall be computed and shall be counted as a portion of the gross area. On lots where more than one (1) sign is located, the total gross area of all the signs shall not exceed the maximum gross area for one (1) sign permitted by this regulation.
For computing the gross area of any wall sign which consists of letters mounted or painted on a wall, the area shall be deemed to be the area of the smallest rectangular figure which can encompass all of the letters.
B.
Sign Height. Sign height shall be measured from the ground elevation at the base of the sign to the highest element of the sign.
C.
Illuminated Signs. A sign designed to give forth artificial light or designed to reflect light derived from any source.
1.
Illuminated signs shall be designed as to reflect or direct light away from any residential dwelling district and any illuminated sign located on a lot adjacent to, in front of or across the street from any residential district, which sign is visible from such residential district, shall not be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.
2.
Illuminated signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, amber or green illumination.
D.
Flashing Or Moving Signs. For the purpose of this regulation, any sign that is revolving, rotating, moving, animated, has moving lights or creates the illusion of movement shall be considered a moving sign. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not constant in intensity and color at all times is considered a flashing sign.
1.
Flashing signs shall not be permitted which are in any way similar to traffic signals or emergency vehicle lights.
2.
A sign which displays the current time and/or temperature by use of intermittent lighting shall not be deemed a flashing sign if the lighting changes are limited to text indicating time, temperature or other public messages. Such sign shall not in any case exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.
E.
Accessway Or Window. No sign shall block any required accessway or window.
F.
Signs On Trees Or Utility Poles. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole or tree.
G.
Traffic Safety.
1.
No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape or color may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic or railroad control sign, signal or device or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
2.
Any sign located within three (3) feet of a driveway, alley or within a parking area shall have its lowest elevation at least eight (8) feet above the curb level; however, in no event shall any sign be placed so as to project over any public right-of-way, except in the "B-2" Central Business District where signs may project over a sidewalk. The sign may not extend within two (2) feet of the curbline.
3.
Under no circumstances shall any sign be placed in the sight triangle as defined by this regulation. Sight triangles at driveway/street intersections are to be measured from a point ten (10) feet up the left or right driveway edge to a point fifty (50) feet right or left of the driveway opening along the street curb.
4.
All elevated, projecting or other detached signs must maintain a ten-foot minimum clearance to overhead electric conductors over six hundred (600) volts.
H.
Landscaping. Ground signs, monument signs and elevated signs shall be landscaped. The landscaping shall extend no less than three (3) feet from the base of the sign and, in the case of ground signs and monument signs, shall be incorporated within a decorative planter.
I.
Scale And Context. Signs shall be in scale with the site or structure where located and in context with the site, structure and service offered.
1.
Scale includes both human scale and proportion. Signs shall be proportional to the element they are attached to and the facade as a whole.
2.
Context includes form, style, color, balance and structure lines.
a.
Form. Sign shape and its relationship to the structure or service offered.
b.
Style. Historical, eclectic, modern or contemporary shapes, texts and colors.
c.
Color. Analogous or complementary in relation to site or structure.
d.
Balance. Location of sign in structure element relating to balance through location, mass and color.
e.
Structure Lines. Major lines of building elements and compatibility to outlines, horizontal and vertical lines such as roof line, ground line, window lines, etc.
J.
Elevated and ground signs over one hundred (100) square feet in area and/or over twenty (20) feet from ground level to bottom of sign effective area require engineering with calculations from an engineer/architect licensed to practice in the State of Missouri. A signed seal is required on calculations and drawings for the proposed sign structure. This also applies to roof-mounted signs over one hundred (100) square feet in effective area. Roof signs requiring engineering must also show details of supporting roof structure to verify ability of the roof to support imposed loads based on International Building Code criteria. Calculations shall be based on thirty (30) psf and seventy (70) mph exposure values for both elevated and roof signs.
K.
Regulations For Allowing Two (2) Advertising, Elevated, Ground Or Monument Signs On A Zoning Lot.
1.
To be allowed only in districts designated as "B-1," "B-3," "M-1" and "M-2" zoning.
2.
The lot must have four hundred (400) feet or more of frontage along an arterial street, expressway or freeway as defined in the City of Mount Vernon Major Street Table 6.2 of the Comprehensive Plan. Multiple frontages may not be added together to qualify for the four hundred (400) feet minimum.
3.
A 250-foot minimum spacing between signs must be maintained.
4.
A twenty-foot setback must be maintained from all interior, adjacent property line.
5.
An additional sign is allowed for each additional four hundred (400) feet of frontage. Same setback and spacing rules apply as above.
6.
A zoning lot with frontage along two (2) arterials, expressways, freeways or any combination thereof is permitted a sign for each street. This does not allow an additional sign if allowed by Subsection (K)(5) above.
7.
Maximum sign area and height is to be in accordance with Section 405.660, Sign Standards, based on the zoning district in which it is located.
8.
This Section applies to new developments and existing lots containing only one (1) business.
L.
Special provisions for allowing additional detached signs on existing multi-tenant, non-residential zoning lots.
1.
Total number of detached signs allowed is based on the number of existing businesses at the time of adoption of this Special Provision.
2.
The total number allowed would be reduced by the number of any existing detached advertising, monument, ground or elevated signs.
3.
Total area of all detached signs would be subject to the maximum allowable area for a single sign, based on its type, in that zoning district.
5.
Existing signs would reduce the total allowable area by the percentage as determined in Subsection (L)(4) above, not by its actual area.
6.
Any future businesses desiring advertising space on any existing sign structure, as permitted by this special provisions Subsection, would be restricted to the allowed percentage of the sign structure on which it is located.
Section 405.590 Exemptions.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.590; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 9), 1-9-2001]
A.
Total Exemptions. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this Article, except for the provisions of Sections 405.580(G) and 405.600:
1.
Flags or emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization displayed on private property.
2.
Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings and other instructional or regulatory signs having to do with health, safety, parking, swimming, dumping, etc.
3.
Memorial signs displayed on public or private property.
4.
Small signs, not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, displayed on private property for the convenience of the public, including signs to identify entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, freight entrances and other similar signs; except that such signs shall not display logos or other business advertisements.
5.
Scoreboards in athletic stadiums.
6.
Temporary signs for the sale of household goods at a residence (for example, garage sales or auctions) for a period not to exceed five (5) days.
7.
Political campaign signs.
B.
Exemptions From Sign Permit. The following signs are exempt from the sign permit Section of this Article but shall comply with all of the other regulations imposed by this Article:
1.
Name plate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross area accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling.
2.
Bulletin board signs not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet in gross area accessory to a church, school or public or non-profit institution.
3.
Business signs when located on property used for agricultural purposes and pertaining to the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises.
4.
Real estate signs not exceeding nine (9) square feet in area.
5.
Construction signs not exceeding nine (9) square feet in area.
C.
Window signs not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of the window surface in commercial and industrial districts.
Section 405.600 Prohibited Signs.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.600; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 10), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1, 8-13-2002]
A.
Signs On Public Property. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation, except that logo signs on public athletic fields shall be allowed. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the City shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.
B.
Obscene Or Indecent Advertisement. No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
C.
Located On Right-Of-Way. Any sign located on public right-of-way, except those signs required by governmental authority or political signs as may be permitted.
Section 405.610 Temporary Portable Display Signs With Or Without Wheels Attached.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.610; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 11), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.155 § 3, 2-26-2013]
Portable display signs shall be allowed in districts zoned "B-3," "M-1," and "M-2" for a period of not more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in a ninety-day period or fifty-six (56) days in a twelve-month period.
Section 405.620 Temporary Signs.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.620; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 12), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1(11), 8-13-2002; Ord. No. 2.83 § 1(B — C), 4-8-2003; Ord. No. 2.136 § 1, 8-12-2008]
A.
Temporary signs shall be erected and maintained in a safe and attractive manner and shall be subject to applicable regulations except as specifically modified herein.
1.
Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs shall be removed within one (1) week of the date of sale, rental or lease. Signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. Signs shall be limited to nine (9) square feet in area when located in an "R-1" or "R-2" zoning district.
2.
Construction Signs. Construction signs shall be thirty-two (32) square feet or less. Signs may be erected at the start of construction and shall be removed upon project completion. Signs shall be limited to nine (9) square feet in area when located in an "R-1" or "R-2" zoning district.
3.
Banners, Pennants And Lawn Signs. Banners, pennants and/or lawn signs are limited to a combined maximum of forty-eight (48) square feet, but in no case can the signs be less than three (3) square feet or eighteen by twenty-four (18 x 24) inches, in business and commercial districts ("B-1," "B-2," "B-3," "M-1," and "M-2"), but shall be limited to twelve (12) square feet in all residential districts ("R-1," "R-2," "R-3," and "MP"). Signs in all districts are subject to placement according to Section 405.580(G), Traffic Safety, for all signs located within five (5) feet of a street or highway right-of-way. Banners and temporary signs such as grand opening, anniversary, seasonal or holiday sale, or other promotional sales may be temporarily attached to a building or other structures located on the business's premises not located close to the right-of-way, including temporary signs placed in the business's windows. Display of any one temporary sign shall not exceed a period of thirty (30) days.
[Ord. No. 2.155 § 4, 2-26-2013]
4.
Political Campaign Signs. Shall be subject to placement in accordance with Section 405.580(G), Traffic Safety. Permission shall be obtained from the owner when displayed on private property. Political signs shall be removed within seven (7) days after the general election.
[Ord. No. 2.155 § 5; 2-26-2013; Ord. No. 2.174 § 1, 8-26-2014]
5.
Signs On State Right-Of-Way. Temporary signs are not permitted on any State right-of-way unless a permit is granted by the Missouri Department of Transportation. See Sections 226.380 and 227.220, RSMo., and Municipal Code Section 405.600(C).
[Ord. No. 2.155 § 6, 2-26-2013]
Section 405.630 Maintenance.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.630; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 13), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1(12), 8-13-2002]
A.
All signs within the City shall be maintained in a safe condition and in such a manner that they shall not become a visual detriment to the community at large. The Building Inspector shall be charged with the responsibility and authority to inspect all signs within the City and direct the maintenance of said signs. "Maintenance of signs" is defined as keeping sign structures in a safe condition, free of rust, with broken glass or plastic replaced, electrical lights and other electrical operations in operable condition, letters and other sign components in the equivalent condition as on the sign permit or as approved.
B.
Should the Building Inspector find a non-maintained sign as defined above, it shall cause the owner of said sign to be notified as to the deficiency and the corrective action that needs to be taken. Any sign that advertises products, goods or services no longer available at that site or at the described location on the sign for more than one (1) year shall be considered an abandoned sign/non-maintained sign.
C.
Should the owner fail to exhibit evidence of compliance within thirty (30) days after the mailing of the letter of notification, the Building Inspector shall cause the owner to be cited for violation of this regulation.
D.
Painted Sign Maintenance. The owner of any sign as defined and regulated by this regulation shall be required to have properly painted at least once every two (2) years all parts and supports of the sign, unless the same are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
Section 405.640 Shopping Centers, Planned Districts And Office Parks.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.640; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 14), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1(13 — 15), 8-13-2002; Ord. No. 2.77 § 1(12), 2-11-2003]
A.
In the case of a proposed shopping center or other grouping of two (2) or more tenants or establishments (new or remodeled), the developer shall prepare and submit to the Planning and Zoning Commission a master signage plan for all permanent exterior signs. Such plan shall set standards that shall run with all leases or sales of portions of the development. A full and accurate description of all signs shall be included indicating location, placement, materials, graphic design styles, type of illumination, etc. Final development plans shall not be approved until the Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the sign standards. For purposes of this Section the terms "shopping center, office park or their groupings" shall mean a project of one (1) or more buildings that has been planned as an integrated unit or cluster of units on property under unified control or ownership. The sale, subdivision or other partition of the site does not exempt the project or portions thereof from complying with these regulations.
1.
In the case of a "shopping center or other grouping" which is occupied by more than one (1) tenant, one (1) elevated sign or ground sign may be permitted in addition to the wall-mounted signs. Advertising space shall be reserved for any and all future tenants unless owner/developer chooses not to offer such space. This determination must be made at the time a final development plan is submitted for approval.
2.
Owners of existing occupied office centers, shopping centers or other commercial groupings with two (2) or more tenants, must provide for advertising space for any and all current or future tenants on any monument, ground or elevated sign that is permitted to be constructed for that center or grouping, should no such sign be existing at time of application. Should the owner desire not to provide advertising space for any tenant, then only a single sign identifying the center or group will be permitted.
Section 405.650 District Regulations.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.650; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 15), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1(16), 8-13-2002; Ord. No. 2.100 § 2, 7-27-2004; Ord. No. 2.111 § 1, 1-10-2006]
A.
Prohibited on one- and two-family residences:
1.
Bulletin board signs.
2.
Business signs other than as allowed for home occupations.
3.
Monument signs other than as allowed for home occupations.
4.
Wall signs other than as allowed for home occupations.
5.
Identification signs other than as allowed for home occupations.
ZONING DISTRICT | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A-R | R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | MP | B-1 | B-2 | B-3 | M-1 | M-2 | |
STANDARDS | A | A | A | A | B | C | D | D | D | |
FUNCTIONAL SIGN TYPES | ||||||||||
Advertising Sign | C | C | C | |||||||
Bulletin Board | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Business Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Construction Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Identification Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Name Plate Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Temporary Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
STRUCTURAL SIGN TYPES | ||||||||||
Awning, Canopy or Marquee Sign | P | P | P | P | P | |||||
Elevated Sign | P | P | P | P | ||||||
Ground Sign | P | P | P | P | ||||||
Monument Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Portable Display Sign | P | P | P | |||||||
Projecting Sign | P | P | P | P | P | |||||
Wall Sign | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | |
Roof Sign | P | |||||||||
Window Sign | P | P | P | P | P | |||||
P= Permitted | C = Conditionally permitted | |||||||||
Section 405.660 Sign Standards.
[R.O. 2004 § 405.660; Ord. No. 2.56 § 2(Art. 9 § 16), 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.69 § 1(8,17 — 18), 8-13-2002; Ord. No. 2.77 § 1(13), 2-11-2003; Ord. No. 2.80 § 1(1), 2-25-2003; Ord. No. 2.83 § 1(A,E), 4-8-2003; Ord. No. 2.84 § 1(2), 5-13-2003; Ord. No. 2.100 § 2, 7-27-2004; Ord. No. 2.101 § 1, 9-28-2004; Ord. No. 2.111 § 2, 1-10-2006; Ord. No. 2.137 § 1, 9-23-2008]
A.
"R-1" Single-Family Residential District, "R-2" Two-Family Residential District, "R-3" Multifamily Dwelling District, "MP" Manufactured Home Park Residential District.
1.
Number Of Signs Permitted. One (1) sign per zoning lot; and two (2) signs per zoning lot on a corner lot, with one (1) sign facing each street.
2.
Maximum Gross Area.
a.
Business Signs — Home Occupations. Twelve (12) square feet, non-illuminated. Sign display to be limited to either one (1) detached sign or one (1) wall sign only. Corner lots also limited to one (1) sign of either type.
b.
Bulletin Board And Identification Signs. Fifty (50) square feet.
d.
Name Plate Signs. Four (4) square feet.
e.
Monument Sign. Thirty-six (36) square feet.
f.
Maximum Height. Fifteen (15) feet.
3.
Required Setback. No sign shall be placed closer to the front property line than one-half (1/2) the distance of the front yard; except that real estate signs shall be exempt from setback requirements.
4.
Illumination. Bulletin board signs may be indirectly illuminated with incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
B.
"B-1" Light Commercial District And "M-1" Light Industrial District And "M-2" Heavy Industrial District.
[Ord. No. 2.159 § 1, 7-23-2013]
1.
Number Of Signs Permitted. Same as "B-3," except as modified by advertising signs in Subsection (B)(7) below.
2.
Maximum Gross Surface Area For Detached Signs. Four (4) square feet per lineal foot of street frontage, provided no single sign exceeds a gross surface area of three hundred (300) square feet, except as modified by advertising signs in Subsection (B)(7) below.
3.
Maximum Gross Surface Area For Wall Signs. Same as "B-3" zoning.
4.
Maximum Height. Thirty (30) feet above highest point for roof and wall signs and thirty (30) feet for all others, except as modified by advertising signs in Subsection (B)(7) below.
5.
Required Setback. None.
6.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted, except as modified by advertising signs in Subsection (B)(7) below.
7.
Advertising Signs (Billboards). Advertising signs (billboards) may be established along Interstate 44, provided that they meet the following conditions:
a.
No advertising sign shall be located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of another advertising sign abutting either side of the same street or highway.
b.
No advertising sign shall be located closer than twenty (20) feet from a property line adjoining a public right-of-way or ten (10) feet from any interior boundary lines of the premises on which the advertising sign is located. Setbacks shall be measured from the surface display area to the vertical extension of the property line.
c.
The surface display area of any side of an advertising sign may not exceed four hundred (400) feet. In the case of advertising sign structures with tandem or stacked advertising sign faces, the combined surface display area of both faces may not exceed four hundred (400) square feet.
d.
The height of an advertising sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet above the grade of the ground on which the advertising sign sits or the grade of the abutting roadway, whichever is higher.
e.
No advertising (billboard) type sign, as defined in these regulations, shall be located less than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet from an "R-1," "R-2" or "R-3" zoning district.
8.
No advertising sign shall be on top of, cantilevered or otherwise suspended above the roof of any building.
a.
An advertising sign may be illuminated, provided such illumination is concentrated on the surface of the sign and is so located as to avoid glare or reflection onto any portion of an adjacent street or highway, the path of oncoming vehicles or any adjacent premises. In no event shall any advertising sign have flashing or intermittent lights, nor shall the lights be permitted to rotate or oscillate.
b.
An advertising sign must be constructed in such a fashion that it will withstand all wind and vibration forces that can normally be expected to occur in the vicinity. An advertising sign must be maintained so as to assure proper alignment of structure, continued structural soundness and continued readability of message.
c.
An advertising sign established within a business, commercial or industrial area, as defined in the Highway Advertising Act of 1972 (1972 PA 106, as amended), bordering interstate highways, freeways or primary highways as defined in said Act shall, in addition to complying with the above conditions, also comply with all applicable provisions of the Act and the regulations provided thereunder, as such may from time to time be amended.
C.
"B-2" Central Business District.
1.
Number Of Signs Permitted. No limit for wall signs. Total areas combined not to exceed total allowable area based on street frontage. Detached signs are not permitted.
2.
Maximum Gross Surface Area. Four (4) square feet for each lineal foot of street frontage, provided no single sign shall exceed a gross surface area of one hundred (100) square feet.
3.
Maximum Height. NA; except wall and projecting signs may extend to the roof eave line.
4.
Required Setback. None.
5.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted.
D.
"B-3" General Commercial District.
1.
Number Of Signs Permitted.
a.
Awning, Canopy Or Marquee Signs And Wall Signs. No limitations.
b.
Ground, Monument, Elevated Or Projecting Signs. Two (2) per zoning lot on double frontage lots. Double frontages may be either corner lots or through lots. Both frontages must be on an arterial, major arterial, expressway, or freeway, or combination thereof as determined in the Comprehensive Plan Table. Corner through lots are allowed a sign for each street frontage.
3.
Maximum Gross Surface Area For Wall Signs: Two (2) square feet per lineal foot of building frontage.
4.
Maximum Height. One hundred (100) feet, except as otherwise limited in height by this Article.
[Ord. No. 2.166 § 1, 3-25-2014]
5.
Required Setback. None.
6.
Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be permitted.
E.
[1]Establishment Of A Historic Sign District. In keeping with the recommendations set forth in the current Comprehensive Plan concerning the maintaining of the cultural and historical significance of the "B-2" Downtown Business District, a Historic Sign District is designated with the following requirements:
1.
The District will include only the currently zoned "B-2" Downtown Business District.
2.
Permits are required for installation of any historic sign structure. Freestanding (detached) signs will not be allowed. Installation will be in accordance with the following City Code Sections. Projecting signs must maintain height and setback from curb requirements as per Section 405.580(G)(2). Roof signs will be allowed subject to engineering requirements as per Section 405.580(J).
3.
All permit applications for this type of sign will be reviewed by Planning and Zoning before approval.
4.
The sign work must have been displayed at least twenty-five (25) years prior to the date of application for such a sign.
5.
Documentation should be included in the form of photographs (past or present) verifying the prior display of the sign work at that location. Other information that may be deemed reliable by the Planning and Zoning Commission should also be provided by the applicant. An on-site inspection by the Planning and Zoning Commission may be required.
6.
The sign work is considered as only an esthetic feature to the building and will not affect or be affected by the requirements and allowances for current signage advertising goods and/or services available on that parcel. All installed historic signs will be subject to maintenance requirements in accordance with Section 405.630 of this Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection (E), Establishment Of An Interstate Sign District, was repealed 3-25-2014 by Ord. No. 2.166 § 1. Section 1 of this ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Subsection (F) as Subsection (E).