A.

Purpose . The purpose of this Section is to establish uniform, comprehensive sign standards governing the display, design, construction, installation and maintenance of signs, which are necessary to accomplish the following goals:

1.

To promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the City by ensuring the compatibility of signs with surrounding architecture and land uses.

2.

To create a more attractive business and economic climate, and encourage revitalization by enhancing and protecting the orderly and effective display of signs.

3.

To discourage unsightly and inappropriate signs.

4.

To protect the public from hazardous conditions that result from the indiscriminate use and placement of signs, structurally unsafe signs, signs that obscure the vision of pedestrians or motorists, and signs that compete with necessary traffic signals and warning signs.

B.

Sign Definitions . Definitions for signs and related elements can be found in Article III - Definitions and Rules of Interpretation.

C.

Permit Required for Signs .

1.

No signs, other than those placed by agencies of government or signs whose placement has been authorized by this Article or by another designee of the City, may be erected on public property. Any sign placed on public property without authorization may be removed without notice.

2.

No signs may be placed on any private property without prior consent of the owner thereof and, where applicable, issuance of a sign permit.

3.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.1.D Exempt Signs and Section 1.1.E Temporary Signs no sign may be erected, moved, enlarged, or substantially altered except in accordance with and pursuant to:

a.

A zoning verification or conditional use permit if the sign is erected, moved, enlarged or altered as part of the development activity that requires such a permit (see Article IV - 1.1 - Zoning Verification);

b.

A sign permit if the development activity does not involve a change in use and therefore no zoning verification or conditional use permit is required.

4.

A sign permit may be issued only if the plans submitted demonstrate that the signs, if constructed in accordance with those plans, will conform to all of the requirements of this article.

D.

Exempt Signs. The following signs shall not require a sign permit. However, no exempt signage shall be allowed that is a prohibited sign in Section 1.1.F, Prohibited Signs.

1.

Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.

2.

Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments.

3.

Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.

4.

The flag of a government building or noncommercial institution, such as a school.

5.

Flags of any governmental entity that are set back from the right-of-way at least twenty (20) feet.

6.

Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.

7.

Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the commercial enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.

8.

Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six (6) square feet.

9.

Indoor signs.

10.

Political campaign signs that are on privately owned property and are with size limitations allowed in that district.

11.

Menu boards for drive thru establishments.

12.

Non-illuminated home occupation signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.

E.

Temporary Signs. The following temporary signs shall not require a sign permit. However, no temporary signage shall be allowed that is a prohibited sign in Section 1.1.F, Prohibited Signs.

1.

Signs containing the message that the real estate on which the sign is located (including buildings) is for sale, lease, or rent, together with information identifying the owner or agent. Such signs may not exceed six (6) square feet in area and shall be removed immediately after sale, lease, or rental. For lots of less than five acres, a single sign on each street frontage may be erected. For lots of five acres or more in area and having a street frontage of more than six hundred (600) feet, a second sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area may be erected.

2.

Construction site identification signs. Such signs may identify the project, the owner or developer, architect, engineer, contractor and subcontractors, funding sources, and may contain related information. Not more than one such sign may be erected per site, and it may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of a building permit and shall be removed within ten (10) days after the issuance of the final occupancy permit.

3.

Signs attached temporarily to the interior of a building window or glass door. Such signs, individually or collectively, may not cover more than fifty percent of the surface area of the transparent portion of the window or door to which they are attached. Such signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days after placement.

4.

Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays. Such signs shall be removed within ten (10) days following the holidays.

5.

Signs indicating that a special event such as a fair, carnival, circus, festival or similar happening is to take place on the lot where the sign is located. Such signs may be erected not sooner than two weeks before the event and must be removed not later than three days after the event.

6.

Banner signs that announce special events relating to a public purpose, charity, non-profit entities or tourism. Such signs approved by the Administrative Official may be erected across public streets.

7.

Portable or trailer signs that display grand openings or "special events."

8.

Political Signs must be removed with twenty (20) days after an election. These signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way, public buildings, public parks, utility poles, or on public trees and may at any time be removed from the public property by the City.

a.

Residential Districts: the total sign area may not exceed eight (8) square feet with a maximum of two (2) signs per lot;

b.

All other Zoning Districts: the total sign area shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

9.

Temporary signs, including those not covered in the foregoing categories, must meet the following restrictions:

a.

Not more than one such sign may be located on any lot.

b.

Temporary sign may not be displayed for longer than ten (10) consecutive days nor more than thirty (30) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period.

c.

Temporary signs shall not be included in calculating the total amount of permitted sign area.

F.

Prohibited Signs. The following signage, devices, and locations shall be specifically prohibited:

1.

Signs located in such as a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.

2.

Except where allowed in this code, signs encroaching upon or overhanging over the public right-of-way. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way.

3.

Signs that blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance.

4.

Signs which contain words, statements or pictures which would be considered obscene, indecent, or immoral by local community standards.

5.

Signs which are considered unsafe or abandoned.

6.

Balloons and gas filled objects which are of an unusual nature or size.

7.

All off-premise signage including, but not limited to: portable marquees; commercial messages on park benches, transit benches, or outdoor furniture; and, other sculpted objects shaped like or intended to promote commercial products.

8.

Any mobile signs or temporarily allowed portable signs located within ten (10) feet of the public right-of-way to with ten (10) feet of the edge of the street pavement, whichever is greater.

9.

Snipe signs.

10.

Portable, skid mounted and trailer signs, except those allowed as temporary signs.

11.

Rooftop signs, which are directly above or on top of the rooftop or parapet of a building.

12.

Search lights.

13.

Signs over utility easements.

14.

Signs not up to building/electrical code.

(Ord. No. 2017-05 , § 1, 2-13-17)

A.

Standards for All Signs .

1.

No part of a freestanding sign may project or otherwise encroach into a public right-of-way. All freestanding signs shall be set back at least five (5) feet from any lot line.

2.

Unless exempted in Section 1.1.D Exempt Signs or Section 1.1.E Temporary Signs signage for residential uses is not permitted.

3.

Each structure shall be allowed one (1) freestanding sign and building signage per street frontage. Sign area is not transferable between freestanding and building signs.

4.

More than one (1) building sign may be erected provided the total square footage allowed per street frontage is not exceeded.

5.

Signage is allotted to each street frontage on corner lots and double frontage lots; however, corner lots and double frontage lots may not transfer allowable sign area from one frontage to the other.

B.

Signs for Residential Districts and Uses .

1.

No building signs are allowed in Residential Districts or for residential uses unless they are exempt from permits according to Section 1.1.D Exempt Signs.

2.

Two (2) freestanding signs are permit are permitted for each subdivision, neighborhood or complex entrance subject to the following:

a.

No sign shall exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.

b.

No sign and associated structure shall exceed seven (7) feet in height.

c.

The total signs area for the entire subdivision, neighborhood or complex shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet.

d.

The sign and associated structure shall not create a physical or visual hazard.

C.

Signs for Non-Residential Districts and Uses .

1.

Building signage shall be allowed for each street frontage of each premise. Corner lots and double frontage lots may not transfer allowable sign area from one frontage to another.

2.

One (1) freestanding sign shall be allowed for each street frontage of each premise. Corner lots and double frontage lots may not transfer allowable sign area from one frontage to another.

3.

Sign Area:

a.

One (1) square foot for each two (2) linear feet of structure frontage up to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet with the exception of multiple occupancy lots and structures.

b.

Sign area is not transferable between freestanding and building signs.

4.

Height and Protection.

a.

Freestanding sign height (excluding the sign base, foundation, or berm) shall not exceed seven (7) feet from the sign structure base. In addition, a sign base, foundation, or berm may be allowed up to three (3) feet in height above the natural ground level if landscaping around the sign is installed and maintained by the owner. In no case shall the overall sign height, including the sign base, foundation, or berm, exceed ten (10) feet above the natural ground level.

b.

Building Signs shall not extend higher than the building surface upon which they are mounted.

c.

Building signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the building surface upon which they are mounted.

(Ord. No. 2018-02 , §§ VIII, IX, 6-6-18)

A.

Multi-Family Identification Signs .

1.

One (1) multifamily identification sign is permitted per multi-family structure identifying the name of the development and address.

2.

All multi-family identification signs are limited to twenty-four (24) square feet in area. Freestanding signs are limited to six (6) feet in height. Monument signs are preferred.

B.

Multiple-Occupancy Lots or Buildings .

[1.]

Only one (1) freestanding sign shall be allowed for each street frontage of a multiple occupancy lot or building. The sign may contain names and data on some or all tenants, occupants, or activities.

[2.]

Each activity or establishment shall be permitted one (1) building sign per street frontage. The size of the sign shall be based on the portion of the structure occupied.

[3.]

If the street frontage of the structure is twenty-five (25) feet or less, the sign area for each building signs may be increased by fifty (50) percent of the sign area allowed in Section 1.2.C.3 Sign Area.

C.

Complex Signs - Complexes such as shopping centers, special activity centers, campuses shall be allowed an additional twenty (20) square feet of sign area to identify the name or logo of the center, district or campus. The additional twenty (20) square feet may be used on either a freestanding or building sign, but not both and it is not transferable to any sign other than the complex sign.

1.

Gasoline Pricing Signs - One (1) sign advertising the price of gasoline is permitted. The sign area should not exceed fifty (50) square feet.

A.

The following are general provisions for signs located within the Historic Districts:

1.

All signage shall comply with the provisions of this Article.

2.

Signs must conform to the character of the Historic District, as approved by the Historic District Commission.

3.

No Sign shall be displayed from the parapet or roof of any building in the Historic District. No sign shall be displayed or placed in any manner whatsoever so as to disfigure or conceal any significant architectural feature or detail of any building.

4.

Computation of Frontage. If a building has frontage on more than one public right of way, the sign area for each building wall or property frontage will be computed separately. The sign area is thus calculated shall be permitted to then be applied to permitted signs placed on each separate wall or property line frontage.

B.

The following are provisions for Primary Signs within the Historic District:

1.

One Primary Sign is allowed to each store, shop or bona fide place of business, and this sign shall be no larger than the maximum stipulated in the following section. In the case of businesses operated on a corner lot that has frontage on two public rights of way, one primary sign facing each right of way is allowed and shall be regulated as if each side were a separate storefront.

2.

Total Allowed Building Signage Area.

a.

All building signage area, including painted wall and window signage, shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet.

3.

Individual Signs Surface Area and Height: The surface area of any sign shall be in direct proportion to the amount of front frontage of each business as follows:

a.

Building Façade Signs: Signs attached flat against a wall or painted on a wall or window shall be allowed one (1) square foot of sign surface area to each three (3) feet of lot frontage. No sign shall be required to be less than six (6) square feet. In no case shall the maximum allowable square footage of any individual sign exceed twenty (20) square feet.

b.

Building Hanging Signs: Signs suspended by brackets or arms perpendicular from the wall of a building or awning shall not to exceed eight (8) square feet.

c.

Hanging Sign Height: No sign shall be hung less than ten (10) feet above the sidewalk unless it is above or an integrated upper part of a marquee; or suspended below a marquees not lower than the lowest edge of such marquee.

d.

Monument Signs shall be limited to twelve (12) square feet in sign area and must be approved by the Historic District Commission.

4.

Secondary Signs. In addition to the primary sign(s) referred to in Section 1.4.B, small secondary signs not to exceed one (1) square foot may be used to identify entrance doors and operation hours.

C.

Prohibited Signs. The following shall be specifically prohibited within the Historic District:

1.

Portable and Changeable Letter Signs. No portable, flashing or changeable letter signs shall be permitted in the historic district.

2.

Illuminated Signs Illuminated Signs. No illuminated signs may be constructed or placed within the historic district without a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission.

a.

Concealed lighting for signage is recommended. Light bulbs shall be concealed and should enhance the sign as well as the building on which it is mounted.

D.

Conformance of Signage to Historic Character. In addition to the prohibitions contained within this Section, approval of the display of a sign in the historic district shall be granted by the Historic District Commission only when such sign and the plans, as they related to the appearance, color, size, position, method of attachment, texture of materials and design conform to the character of the historic district or do not injuriously affect it or impair the value of the building within it having historical worth.

E.

Building Code Applicable to Signs. All signs shall further be governed by existing regulations of the City of New Roads Building Code and not in conflict with this Section.

A.

Any sign that does not conform in use, height, location or size with the regulations of this code shall be considered a legal non-conforming sign if it meets all of the following conditions:

1.

The sign is not prohibited in Section 1.1.F, Prohibited Signs, or the sign is off-premise signage that meets the standards of Section 1.5.C, Amortization of Existing Off-Premise Signage.

2.

The sign is not considered a temporary sign in this Code.

3.

The sign is legally existing at the adoption of this Code.

B.

With the exception of existing off-premise signage (see Section 1.5.C, Amortization of Existing Off-Premise Signage, legal non-conforming signs shall be permitted to continue in such status until such time as it either abandoned or removed by the owner, subject to the following limitations:

1.

The structure or size of the sign is altered in any way that results in an increase of the size or degree of the nonconformity of the sign.

2.

Any legal nonconforming sign may be removed or rebuilt without increasing the existing height or area if it is damaged, or removed to allowed to deteriorate to the extent that the costs of repair or restoration exceeds fifty (50) percent of the replacement cost of the sign as determined by the building official.

3.

The above prohibitions shall not prevent repairing or restoring to a safe condition or normal maintenance operations.

C.

Amortization of Existing Off-Premise Signage.

1.

All non-conforming off-premise signage legally existing on the effective date of these regulations shall be granted an amortization period of two (2) years, beginning on the effective date of these regulations.

2.

At the end of the two (2) year amortization period, all off-premise signage is expressly prohibited and subject to immediate removal.

3.

Any non-conforming off-premise signage that has been granted a variance or conditional use from the city comprehensive zoning ordinance prior to the effective date of these regulations shall be exempt from amortization unless a change in occupancy, tenant and/or signage occurs. Upon request to change the signage, the sign shall be subject to the provisions of the regulations. Repair and maintenance may be permitted to ensure signage is maintained in a safe, neat and orderly condition and appearance.

4.

Any off-premise signage erected after the effective date of these regulations is expressly prohibited and subject to immediate removal.

(Ord. No. 2017-05 , § 1, 2-13-17)

A.

All unsafe or damaged signs shall be removed or repaired within twenty (20) days of receiving written notice from the City of New Roads.

B.

All abandoned signs and their supports shall be removed within ninety (90) days of receiving written notice from the City of New Roads.

C.

All political campaign signs on private property shall be considered abandoned if they have not been removed within twenty (20) days of an election. The City shall have the authority to remove such signs without written notice if such signs are not removed after the twenty (20) day period. Such signs are not allowed on public property.