O Fallon City Zoning Code
SIGNS
§ 157.160 PURPOSE AND SCOPE.
(A) Purpose. This subchapter establishes comprehensive regulations for the control of signs in order to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare. More specifically, this subchapter is intended to assist in achieving the following objectives:
(1) To authorize the use of signs that are:
(a) Compatible with their surroundings and the zoning district in which they are located;
(b) Expressive of the image the city desires to project;
(c) Appropriate to the type of establishment or activity to which they pertain;
(d) Legible in the circumstances in which they are seen; and
(e) Not distracting or cluttered in a manner that disturbs the safe and free flow of traffic or in a manner that may be fully or partially attributable to an increased risk of traffic accidents.
(2) To foster high quality commercial and industrial development, and to enhance the economic vitality of existing businesses/industries by promoting the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs;
(3) To encourage sound sign display practices, and to mitigate the objectionable effects of competition in respect to the size and placement of signs;
(4) To enhance the physical appearance of the city by protecting the human-made and natural beauty of the area;
(5) To preserve the value of private property by assuring the compatibility of signs with nearby land uses; and
(6) To enable fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
(B) Scope.
(2) These regulations are supplemented and qualified by the regulations of the particular zoning district in which a sign may be located and by additional general regulations appearing elsewhere in this chapter.
(3) Regulations for any signs may be made more or less restrictive in the conditions of the ordinance governing a particular Planned Use District.
(4) The requirements of this subchapter may be modified as part of any Planned Development District Ordinance where alternative materials, design or types of signage are proposed that meet or exceed the quality and other purposes of this chapter.
(5) Nothing in this subchapter shall be deemed to prohibit lawful non-commercial speech on a signage otherwise specifically authorized or designated for commercial purposes.
(C) Interpretation. Every provision of this subchapter shall be construed liberally in favor of the authority of the city to the extent permissible by applicable law. Nothing herein shall be construed to be applied or enforced contrary to any superseding applicable law.
(Prior Code, § 158.160) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)
§ 157.161 SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED; ADMINISTRATION.
(A) Enforcement officer duties. The Director and his or her designee are authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
(B) Sign permits. Unless subject to an exception set forth in this subchapter, no sign shall be erected, constructed, posted, altered, enlarged or relocated until a sign permit has been issued by the Director.
(1) Before any zoning authorization is issued, an application shall be filed, together with drawings and specifications as may be necessary to fully advise and acquaint the Director with the location, construction, materials, manner of illuminating and securing or fastening of, and the wording or delineation to be carried on, any sign. All signs that are to be illuminated by one or more sources of artificial light shall require a separate electrical permit and/or inspection unless work is performed as part of a current, permitted building project.
(2) No sign shall be approved for use unless it has been inspected by the Director and is found to be in compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter and applicable technical or building codes. Upon receipt of a fully completed application and determination by the Director that the sign complies with all applicable requirements, the Director shall issue a sign permit, subject to compliance with the requirements herein. If the decision has not been issued within 14 days of the filing of the application, the application shall be deemed denied.
(C) Application. Every applicant for a sign permit shall submit to the Director, in narrative and/or graphic form, all the items of information listed below:
(1) Name, address and telephone number of applicant;
(2) Name and address of the owner of the zoning lot(s) on which the sign is to be erected, if different from that of the applicant;
(3) If applicant is different from owner, provide written authorization of the proposed signage by the owner;
(4) Parcel ID of the subject property;
(5) Location of the building, structure or lot where the proposed sign is to be erected, and the zoning district classification of the zoning lot;
(6) Description of the proposed sign indicating proposed location, dimensions, area, overall height, illumination and method of support/ attachment;
(7) Stamped structural drawings of the footing/structure for freestanding signs of ten feet in height or over or as otherwise required by the current adopted Building Code;
(8) Location of the proposed sign in relation to nearby traffic-control devices;
(9) Amount of street frontage that the establishment that proposes to display the sign has, and the total area of all existing signs on the zoning lot; and
(10) Such other information as the Director shall reasonably require to determine compliance of the application and the sign with this subchapter.
(Prior Code, § 158.161) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)
§ 157.162 GENERAL SIGN REGULATIONS.
(A) General prohibition. Any sign not expressly permitted by this subchapter shall be deemed prohibited in the city, unless expressly authorized by a Planned Use District Ordinance. All signs are subject to the general sign regulations provided in this section, to setback, height and to all other underlying district regulations, and other applicable ordinances of the city, except as may be provided herein or expressly modified by a Planned District Ordinance.
(B) Exempt signs. The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this subchapter; provided, however, setback and height requirements for all private structures, where applicable, shall be in accord with the regulations of the particular zoning district in which the structure is located:
(1) Public notices and legal notices required by law;
(2) Signs exempted by federal, state or local law;
(3) Official traffic or government signs, including safety or directional signs, plaques and signs of historic interest, or any sign otherwise authorized by the city and subject to approval by any applicable government or other owner having control or jurisdiction over the property on which the sign is located; and
(4) (a) Holiday or seasonal displays: decorations and displays placed on private property celebrating or denoting holidays or events, the seasons of the year, state and national holidays and similar occasions; provided such seasonal display:
1. Is in place for no more than 90 days;
2. Contains no commercial advertising message or name or logo of a business; and
3. Does not cause a nuisance to neighboring property owners by noise, light, traffic generation or other aspects.
(b) Seasonal displays failing to meet these qualifications shall not be exempt.
(C) Materials; location.
(1) (a) All signs, including its sign face, cabinet, structure, trim, base and frame, must be kept in good repair. All permanent signs and their supporting members shall be constructed of flame-resistant and weather-resistant materials appropriate for permanent sign construction. Permanent signs shall not be of a fabric material or banner, except in the case of awnings.
(b) Signs not kept in good repair and appearance are hereby declared prohibited and a nuisance. The Director shall be authorized to establish prohibited materials and other regulations relating to acceptable sign components and construction consistent with this subchapter.
(2) All signs shall be located so as not to impair the visibility of any official highway sign or marker and no non-governmental sign shall be placed so as to unnecessarily obstruct the visibility of any other sign.
(3) Signs may not be placed on any private or public property without the consent of the owner or person having authority to grant consent to use the property for such purpose.
(4) Signs shall not be located in a public right-of-way or within the sight distance triangle, except as otherwise exempted in this chapter.
(5) Permitted signs may be either a flat sign permanently affixed to the face of a building, awning or canopy, wall or projecting sign or freestanding sign. Signs affixed to buildings shall not project above the eave line of the roof, except as an integral roof sign.
(D) Removal. All sign faces authorized by sign permit for non-residential zoning lots shall be removed within 90 days of the cessation of the use of a property, building or tenant space, authorizing such signage. If removal of the sign face reveals bare lighting, electrical or structural components, a blank face of a white or gray color made of durable, weatherproof material shall be applied to cover such components. No vacant open sign cabinets or boxes are allowed.
(E) Calculation of sign area. The area of every sign shall be calculated as follows.
(1) Framed sign. The sign area of a wall, projecting or freestanding sign shall include the area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the limits of writing, graphic representation, logo and any figure or similar character, together with the outer extremities of any frame and other material or color forming an integral part of the display that is used as a background for the sign.
(2) Unframed sign. The area of a wall, projecting or freestanding sign of individually cut-out writing, graphic representation, logo and any figure or similar character that is not enclosed by framing is the area of a polygon with a maximum of ten sides necessary to enclose each writing, graphic representation, logo and any figure or similar character, including the space between individual letters.
(3) Double-faced signs. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be included in calculating the sign area. If the two faces of a double-faced sign are of unequal area, the area of the sign shall be the area of the larger face.
(4) 3-D shapes. The area of signs of three-dimensional, shapes having 360 degrees of sign face, such as globes, cylinders or pyramids, shall be computed as one-half of the total of the exposed surfaces.
(5) Lots with double street frontage. Unless otherwise provided, if any establishment has frontage on two or more streets, each side of the property having frontage shall be considered separately for determining the permitted total sign face area and number of allowable signs, unless otherwise governed by this subchapter. However, the sign area allowances shall not be aggregated so as to allow any establishment to display on any frontage a greater sign face area than that single frontage would otherwise permit.
(6) Exceptions. The total sign area for any freestanding signs shall be exclusive of any decorative trim, frame and/or structure. Said trim, frame and/or structure shall not exceed 30% of the sign area as determined in accordance with this section.
(F) Movement prohibited. No sign shall revolve, rotate or mechanically move in any manner.
(G) Illumination. Illumination of signs is permitted, subject to the following requirements.
(1) No red, yellow, green or other color light shall be used at any location in such a manner as may confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic or pedestrian crosswalk traffic.
(2) No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices that have a changing light intensity, brightness or color. Beacon lights, searchlights and illumination by open flame are prohibited.
(3) The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, directed or reduced in brightness so as to avoid the creation or continuation of any nuisance or traffic hazard. No glare is allowed.
(4) Any illumination of an exterior sign requires an electrical permit.
(5) No exposed reflective type bulb, and no strobe light or incandescent lamp shall be used in such a manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or to adjacent property.
(6) When sign illumination is desired, it shall be arranged so as to not cast light directly from any source of illumination on to any public right-of-way or on to adjoining properties in any residential or agricultural district.
(7) Illumination created from the lighting of signs must adhere to the lighting requirements set out in § 157.143 as they pertain to impacts on adjacent right-of-way and neighboring properties.
(H) Signs not to be hazardous.
(1) No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent access to, ingress through or egress from any door, window, fire escape or driveway.
(2) No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained in such a manner that it interferes with, obstructs the view of or is likely to be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
(3) Signs shall not be located within the sight distance triangle (as defined in § 157.016) or otherwise located so as to cause a traffic hazard.
(I) Changeable copy; limitations. All signs authorized by permit may be designed to be capable of changing the message thereon, including such as for time or temperature, either manually or electronically; provided the following requirements are satisfied for such changeable copy area:
(1) No more than one such sign per establishment;
(2) Such sign may occupy no more than 30% of the applicable sign face;
(3) Such sign is of no greater width as the attached principal sign face;
(4) No animation or movement of any content is permitted; and
(5) Each message displayed thereon must remain visible in at least two and one-half second intervals before being reset or replaced with another message.
(J) Compliance with International Building Code (“IBC”). No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained as to conflict with the requirements of the adopted IBC.
(1) Every sign shall be designed and constructed in conformity with the applicable provisions of the current adopted Building Code of the city. Where sections in the Building Code conflict herewith, this subchapter shall apply.
(2) The electrical component of any illuminated sign shall conform to the applicable requirements of the current N.E.C. Electrical Code of the city.
(K) Setback calculation. Calculation of the setbacks for signs as established in this subchapter shall be measured from a vertical line of the closest part of the sign to the property line.
(Prior Code, § 158.162) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3587, passed 9-15-2008; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)
§ 157.163 SIGNS AUTHORIZED WITHOUT PERMIT; ALL ZONING LOTS; EXCEPTIONS.
(A) General. Every sign enumerated below that complies with the indicated requirements, unless otherwise stated, may be erected on any zoning lot within the city, without a sign permit; provided such signs comply with all other applicable requirements of this subchapter. The area of such signs shall not be debited against the sign area allowance. Except where otherwise expressly provided, no sign authorized by this section shall be placed on a vacant property.
(1) Flags. Up to three flags containing no commercial message, such as flags of nations; an organization of nations; states; cities; and fraternal, religious and civic organizations. Flag lengths shall not exceed ten feet, with a pole height not to exceed 35 feet. Flag poles exceeding 35 feet may be permitted as a special use and shall be subject to sign application, permit and inspection requirements. No sign permit shall be required for flagpoles under 35 feet in height. Flags shall be removed upon becoming faded, weathered or tattered.
(2) Monuments. Statues, artwork and historical monuments and also commemorative tablets and monument citations of less than ten square feet that are an integral part of a permanent structure.
(3) Address and residential occupant signs. One permanently affixed sign per street frontage containing address numbers and/or residential occupant identification located on the zoning lot, including vacant properties, to which the sign pertains. Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in area for single-family dwellings, nor six square feet for multiple-family dwellings.
(4) Temporary non-commercial signs. One or more signs made of paper, cardboard or other lightweight materials with comparable temporary stakes or support materials designed for temporary display of non-commercial messages, except as provided below, including, but not limited to, political issue signs, electioneering signs, charitable or public interest signs or other similar types of signs typically found in residential areas may be placed within any non-vacant zoning lot with the property owner’s consent. The aggregate area of all temporary non-commercial signs (counting only one face if double-sided) on a single lot shall be no greater than 18 square feet. No individual sign may exceed six and one-quarter square feet in area. Temporary signs must be removed before they become faded or deteriorated, but in no event shall such temporary signs remain longer than 60 days. However, outdoor political campaign signs are permitted as a right during any period of time pursuant to state law.
(5) Temporary non-commercial signs; garage sales. A temporary sign not exceeding six and one-quarter square feet in area used to advertise garage sales or other lawful commercial activity on residential zoning lots shall also be permitted, but may be posted for no longer than three days at a time, up to four times per year.
(6) Temporary construction and home improvement signs. Construction signs identifying the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, and/or announcing the character or purpose of the work or building, but not advertising any product. Commercial properties shall be limited to two such signs, each not to exceed 32 square feet in area nor eight feet in height unless otherwise approved by City Council. Residential properties shall be limited to one such sign not to exceed six and one-quarter square feet in area. Such temporary signs shall be confined to the site of the construction and may be installed following city issuance of a building permit, or start of construction. Signs shall be removed within 14 days of initial occupancy or completion of the project. Temporary construction signs may also be installed following approval of a commercial use, but if after six months construction has not commenced, the sign(s) must be removed unless otherwise authorized by the city.
(7) Real estate signs.
(a) Signs indicating the sale, rental or lease of the zoning lot on which they are located, including vacant properties. Such signs on residential property shall not exceed six and one-quarter square feet in area; on other property, such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Not more than one real estate sign per street front shall be erected on any lot. Such signs shall be removed within 14 days of the sale, rental or lease of such lot. Real estate open house directional signs are permitted on weekends only from 12:00 p.m., Friday through 6:00 p.m., Sunday, with the maximum size for each such sign being six and one-quarter square feet in area. Such real estate signs and directional signs shall be in lieu of and count against the amount of signage permitted for temporary signs authorized for the subject zoning lot.
(b) In addition to the real estate signage allowed above, lots located adjacent to and having frontage along Interstate 64 are permitted one real estate sign not to exceed 120 square feet in sign area.
(8) Property regulation signs. Signs, such as no trespassing, no hunting, no fishing and the like, so long as such signs do not exceed three square feet in area, including vacant properties, and which shall count against any temporary signage amount permitted.
(9) Utility signs. Utility company signs that serve as an aid to public safety or that show the location of public telephones, and/or underground cables, and underground pipes and pipelines. Signs greater than one square foot shall require a sign permit and shall be permitted only if the need for the size is demonstrated by evidence of industry or safety standards.
(10) Scoreboards. Scoreboards on athletic fields, subject to inspections and other permits required by city ordinance (e.g., electrical permits).
(11) Other signs. Any other sign required by law to be allowed in all districts and not otherwise authorized by this chapter as so required; provided that a sign permit shall be required to the extent not inconsistent with such applicable law.
(B) Temporary signs; all non-residential zoning lots. In lieu of such temporary non-commercial signs as are permitted without a sign permit elsewhere in this section, each establishment may display one temporary sign made of paper, cardboard or other lightweight materials with comparable support materials designed for temporary display of messages under this division (B) without a permit. Such temporary sign may be displayed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Monday when it is a federally-recognized holiday. Such temporary sign shall not exceed 24 square feet if affixed to the building wall or six square feet if affixed to the ground. Such temporary sign must be located entirely on the zoning lot where the establishment is located and must be outside of the sight distance triangle.
(Prior Code, § 158.163) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3587, passed 9-15-2008; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012; Ord. 3857, passed 1-20-2015)
§ 157.164 SIGNS AUTHORIZED ONLY BY PERMIT; RESIDENTIAL ZONING LOTS.
In addition to the signs authorized without a sign permit pursuant to § 157.163, each of the following types of signs may be placed or erected on residential zoning lots with a sign permit, subject to the other applicable restrictions provided herein.
(A) Subdivision entry signs. At each major entrance to a residential development, residential development identification structures designed to identify a residential subdivision, apartment complex or planned unit development, containing no commercial advertising, and having a sign area not to exceed 40 square feet and not to exceed ten feet in height. Such signs or structures cannot be located on any public rights-of-way or within the sight distance triangle of intersecting streets. The sign and structure shall be located within an outlot or sign easement.
(B) Temporary subdivision promotion signs. One directional sign for sales of lots or houses located on-site within a subdivision is allowable on any zoning lot within such subdivision, and one additional such sign located outside the subdivision for subdivisions of 25 or more lots; provided that the following conditions have been met.
(1) The approved final plat of the subdivision must contain five or more lots.
(2) Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, nor exceed ten feet in height above the average existing finished grade. A sign exceeding 32 square feet, but not more than 64 square feet, of sign face area may be approved only with the consent of the City Council.
(3) An approved sign permit has been obtained for the sign and the sign is posted off public rights-of-way and only with written permission of the property owner.
(4) The sign must be removed when building permits have been issued for 75% or more of the lots within the subdivision.
(5) Any off-site sign shall be permitted only at such locations approved by the City Council that do not impair safety, visibility from neighboring properties and are landscaped or otherwise treated to be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
(C) Temporary flags. One residential subdivision promotion flag (e.g., avenue banner or flag for subdivisions and the like) for every ten feet of street frontage, with a maximum of ten flags, shall be authorized within 50 feet of the residential subdivision street entrance of a newly platted subdivision that contains 25 or more new lots. Each such flag shall not exceed 35 square feet, with a pole height not to exceed 20 feet. Such subdivision promotion flags may be displayed for a period not to exceed 24 months and only during the 24-month period following the initial issuance of a residential building permit within such subdivision. One extension may be requested beyond such time period and such request may be granted by the City Council and shall not exceed 12 months.
(Prior Code, § 158.164) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)
§ 157.165 SIGNS AUTHORIZED ONLY BY PERMIT; NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONING LOTS.
In addition to the signs authorized without a sign permit pursuant to § 157.163, each of the following types of signs may be placed or erected on non-residential zoning lots with a sign permit, subject to the other applicable restrictions provided herein.
(A) Primary signage.
(1) Freestanding sign. Each non-residential zoning lot shall be permitted to have one freestanding sign, except as otherwise permitted by § 157.166(A) (i.e., lots with double frontage, alternative tenant identification signs and development identification signs).
(2) Wall sign. Each establishment shall be allowed to have one wall sign, subject to § 157.166(B), for each wall of such establishment facing an on or off-site parking lot or street frontage, up to a maximum of three wall signs. Buildings located with frontage along Regency Park Drive, Central Park Drive, Central Park Circle, Park Plaza Drive, Highway 50 between Old Collinsville Road and the State Street Spur or within the developments known as “The Four Points Center” and “The Shops of Richland Creek” are allowed signage on four sides, except for properties along the aforementioned streets and developments that adjoin residentially zoned property.
(3) Projecting sign. Any establishment may choose to use a portion of its wall sign allowance, as determined by § 157.166(C), for a projecting sign.
(B) Special signage.
(1) Directional signs. Directional and informational signs erected for the convenience of the public, such as identification of entrances, exits, parking and no parking areas, restrooms, walkways and similar features or facilities of up to one square foot per face shall be allowed without a sign permit, and up to four square feet in per face may be allowed with a sign permit. Freestanding directional signs shall not extend more than three feet above the elevation of the adjacent street or elevation of the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign, whichever is higher. All supports for such signs shall be entirely enclosed with a compatible material.
(2) Temporary signs.
(a) All non-residential zoning lots.
1. Each establishment may display, in lieu of such temporary non-commercial signs as are permitted without a sign permit under § 157.163, one temporary sign made of paper, cardboard or other lightweight materials with comparable support materials designed for temporary display of messages under this division (B)(2)(a)1. by permit. Such temporary signs must be located on the same zoning lot as the establishment and outside of public right-of-way. Such temporary signs may be authorized for a maximum of 45 days cumulatively during one calendar year with not more than three sign permits authorized per year. Temporary signs without a permit as authorized by § 157.163 shall not be debited against the maximum number of days. Such temporary sign shall not exceed 24 square feet if affixed to the building wall or six square feet if affixed to the ground.
2. Exception: a temporary sign associated with an approved special event permit may be a maximum of 24 square feet if affixed to the building wall or to the ground.
(b) Temporary “grand opening” signs. Any business enterprise consisting of retail sales and/or rendering of services directly to the public shall be authorized to use temporary banners, signs or inflatables for promotional activities for a period not to exceed 30 days and only immediately following the initial opening of each such business location. Such device(s) shall be exclusive of the temporary sign requirements of non-residential zoning lots per division (B)(2)(a) above. Such device(s) shall not collectively exceed 48 square feet. No banner dimension shall exceed 12 feet. Any inflatable sign or sign affixed to a tethered balloon, where such sign is visible from the property line should be permitted. Such inflatable signs shall not exceed the height of the principal structure or 25 feet, whichever is less. Temporary signs, banners and inflatables/balloons used in accordance with this division (B)(2)(b) shall be confined to property on which the business enterprise is located, and mounted and secured properly to ensure the public health and safety.
(c) Highway corridor non-residential lots; outdoor display. On each non-residential lot of at least one acre in size located within 1,500 feet of an interstate highway and used primarily for outdoor sales or product display (51% of sales), the following additional temporary signage shall be authorized:
1. Temporary banners. Temporary banners up to 50 square feet in area in aggregate per public street frontage of each qualified zoning lot, with a maximum of 100 square feet. Banners may be displayed for a maximum 130 days cumulatively per calendar year. Banners used in accordance with this division (B)(2)(c)1. shall be confined to the lot on which the business enterprise is located and shall be mounted and secured properly to ensure the public health and safety;
2. Temporary inflatable signs/ balloons. One inflatable sign or sign affixed to a tethered balloon per qualified zoning lot. Such signs shall not exceed the height of the principal structure or 25 feet, whichever is less. Temporary inflatable signs/balloons may be displayed for a maximum of 15 days cumulatively per calendar year. Inflatable signs/balloons used in accordance with this division (B)(2)(c)2. shall be confined to the lot on which the business enterprise is located and shall be mounted and secured properly to ensure the public health and safety. The setback of the inflatable signs/balloons shall be equal or more than the height of the temporary sign. This division (B)(2)(c)2. shall not apply to party balloons or similar balloons of less than 17 inches in diameter or to vehicle signage, which shall be deemed an authorized accessory use of such qualified zoning lots subject to this division (B)(2)(c)2.;
3. Avenue flags. A maximum of ten flags per establishment having no text, message or content and positioned a minimum of ten feet apart may be displayed for a maximum of 130 days cumulatively per calendar year. Each avenue flag shall not exceed 45 square feet in area;
4. Light pole banner. A maximum of four flags or banners mounted on existing private lighting structures. Each light pole banner shall not exceed 24 square feet in area and no more than two such light pole banners may be mounted on any one private lighting structure;
5. Sky buster balloons. One floating device tethered to the ground and maintained up to 120 feet in height; provided that such device is set back from the lot line a distance equal to or greater than the height of such device; and
6. Annual permit. In lieu of individual permits for signage authorized in this division (B), an aggregate permit for all proposed supplemental signage authorized in this division (B) may be issued by the city subject to a single sign application fee.
(3) Permit exception, temporary sandwich board signs. A temporary sandwich board sign shall be permitted on each non-residential zoning lot containing one or more lawful retail commercial establishments without a permit subject to the requirements of this division (B)(3). A sandwich board sign shall be comprised of an A-frame sign, which stand with self-supporting elements and are not permanently affixed to the ground. Such signs shall not obstruct pedestrian traffic or be located in parking areas. Temporary sandwich board signs shall be no greater than six square feet in sign area and exceed four feet in height. Such signs shall be displayed during business hours only. Such signs shall be located no more than ten feet from the primary door entrance of the establishment. Only one sandwich board sign shall be allowed per establishment. No sign permit shall be required for a sandwich board sign.
(Prior Code, § 158.165) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3587, passed 9-15-2008; Ord. 3684, passed 9-7-2010; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012; Ord. 4138, passed 2-18-2020; Ord. 4249, passed 12-5-2022)
§ 157.166 SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN REGULATIONS BY TYPE; NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONING LOTS.
(A) Freestanding sign regulations. The supplemental provisions of this division (A) shall apply to the freestanding signs authorized pursuant to § 157.165.
(1) General provisions.
(a) If a non-residential zoning lot has frontage on two or more collector and/or arterial streets, one additional sign, of a monument sign style only and erected in accordance with the provisions of this section, may be located on such collector or arterial street frontage, in addition to the freestanding sign otherwise permitted. Such lot may have no more than two freestanding signs.
(b) The supports of every freestanding sign, except within Interstate 64 frontage lots, shall be designed so as to obscure the bare pole or other support by the use of architectural features such as masonry or other covering of such bare pole or other sign supports.
(2) Location. Freestanding signs may be located adjacent to the front property line of the zoning lot on which it is situated, but shall be set back 20 feet from the side abutting another lot and from rear property lines. Freestanding signs shall not overhang the property line or a right-of-way. All freestanding signs must be completely constructed on or in a landscaped island or landscaped area.
(3) Size and height.
(a) A freestanding sign, including its cabinet, structure and/or trim, shall not exceed six feet in height above the average existing finished grade at the base of such sign, or the elevation of the adjacent street, whichever is higher. Any building-up or mounding of land at the base of such sign generated to “lift” such sign above a consistent grade with the lot shall be debited against the permitted sign height. For each additional four-foot setback from the front property line, the sign height may increase by one foot for a maximum of ten feet in height.
(b) Sign faces shall not exceed a width of 12 feet.
(c) The total sign area shall be four-tenths square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage and shall not exceed 100 square feet. Example: 150’ frontage x 0.4 = 60 square feet sign. The frontage length shall be measured along the front yard building setback.
(d) The sign shall be attached to a proportionate enclosed base, integrated planter or structural frame, the width of which shall be a minimum of three-quarters the width of the widest part of the sign. The sign, including its base, shall be of permanent materials compatible with the primary structure. The base shall be placed in or at ground level with the top of the enclosed base extending up to a height of one to three feet above the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign.
(e) The supports of all freestanding signs shall not extend farther than 20 inches beyond the horizontal width of either edge of the sign.
(f) V-shaped signs shall have an exterior angle between faces of not more than 30 degrees with a distance between faces of such signs at their farthest point not exceeding six feet.
(g) Exceptions: the following freestanding signs shall be subject to the requirements above for other freestanding signs except as specifically noted as follows.
1. Interstate 64 frontage lots. Lots located adjacent to and having frontage along Interstate 64 are permitted one freestanding sign not to exceed 35 feet in height in lieu of the freestanding sign otherwise permitted above. Such sign shall be located along the Interstate 64 frontage and shall not exceed a sign area of 250 square feet. The maximum length of any dimension of such sign shall be 21 feet.
2. Highway 50 lots. The freestanding sign for non-residential lots located adjacent to and having frontage along West Highway 50 between Old Collinsville Road and the intersection of Highway 50 and State Street (the “Spur”) may be up to 20 feet in height and up to 126 square feet in sign area, subject to all other applicable regulations regarding freestanding signs; except that such signs shall be set back from the property line of the lot one foot for each additional foot of sign height over six feet. The outer width of the sole or joint supports for such freestanding sign shall be a minimum of one-third the width of the widest part of the sign. In lieu of a required base, the Department may approve a landscaped or otherwise appropriately designed ornamental or architectural feature concealing the base of the supports.
3. Residential conversions. Any establishment operating from a building that was designed for and originally used as a residential dwelling unit, and which exterior structure has not been substantially altered to conform it to a commercial building, shall be limited by the additional restrictions in this division (A)(3)(g)3. in that any freestanding sign shall be:
a. No larger than 32 square feet of sign area;
b. No greater than eight feet in width; and
c. No greater than six feet in height.
4. Tenant identification signs (multiple tenant lots). A zoning lot that serves multiple buildings and/or multiple tenants may substitute its permitted freestanding sign with a “tenant identification sign” pursuant to the following requirements.
a. Tenant identification signs shall adhere to the requirements for freestanding signs, except as otherwise identified herein.
b. Sign area shall be calculated at a rate of five-tenths of one square foot of signage per linear foot of street frontage and shall not exceed 132 square feet. (Example: 150-foot frontage x 0.50 = 75 square foot sign.)
c. The maximum top-of-sign height at the property line shall be eight feet.
d. For each additional four-foot setback from the front property line, the sign height may increase by one foot for a maximum of 12 feet in height.
e. Tenant identification signs shall include dedicated areas for each business, tenant or building currently in use on the lot. Such sign shall not be solely dedicated for display of a single business.
(4) Development identification signs (large developments).
(a) A single commercial, industrial or mixed-use development or subdivision that is in excess of 20 acres in size or contains ten or more lots shall be permitted a development identification sign at each main entrance to the subdivision or development identifying the name of the project and/or containing a directory of tenants. The sign may include the name and/or logo of the development or subdivision. Such sign may be located within an easement on any platted lot or on common ground of the subdivision. Such sign may also be located on any unplatted portion of the subdivision identified as part of a particular development on an approved preliminary subdivision plat, site development concept plan, site development section plan or site development plan.
(b) A development identification sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height above the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign or elevation of the adjacent street, whichever is higher, with the total sign area per face not to exceed 288 square feet.
(c) The standard height versus width regulations for freestanding signs shall not apply to development identification signs. Development identification signs shall be a maximum of 14 feet wide.
(d) The sign face of development identification signs shall be no greater than 12 feet in width and 24 feet in height.
(e) The bottom of the sign face shall not exceed a height of six feet above the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign, or elevation of the adjacent street, whichever is higher.
(f) The support for such sign shall either:
1. Be attached to a proportionate enclosed base, integrated planter or structural frame, the width of which shall be a minimum of three-quarters of the width of the widest part of the sign face; or
2. Feature two vertical supports architecturally integrated and located at the edges of the sign in lieu of the proportionally enclosed base.
(g) Exceptions: developments that contain lots located adjacent to and having frontage along Interstate 64 may increase the height and size of the development identification sign by decreasing the number of permitted freestanding signs along Interstate 64 with approval of the City Council. The maximum size of one sign utilizing this exception shall be 55 feet in height and 450 square feet of sign area per face. These requests for exemption must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the City Council as part of a special use permit.
(B) Wall sign regulations. The supplemental provisions of this division (B) shall apply to the wall signs authorized for each establishment pursuant to § 157.165.
(1) Size.
(a) The sign area of each such sign and the total cumulative wall signage shall not exceed 10% of the wall area of the face of the building on which the sign is attached. No individual sign shall exceed 300 square feet in sign area.
(b) Countable wall area shall include the entire surface of a wall, such as gable and similar areas, and the vertical face of a mansard wall, whether real or artificial, which extends above the wall of the business on which the sign is attached. However, the countable area of mansard walls shall be limited to the area not greater than six feet above the eave line of the roof multiplied by the length of the associated wall.
(2) Specific regulations and exceptions.
(a) No wall sign shall project more than 18 inches from the wall or surface to which it is attached, except for projecting signs as permitted herein.
(b) Wall signs may not overlap or cover doors, windows or architectural details.
(c) Signs on awnings, canopies or marquees: signs mounted, painted or otherwise placed flush against any awning, canopy or marquee shall be considered wall signs, and shall comply with the regulations of this division (B). Signs suspended beneath any awning, canopy or marquee shall be considered projecting signs and shall comply with the regulations of division (C) below.
(d) Window signs: any establishment may display window signs. Window signs shall cover no more than a total of 20% of any window. Window signs shall not require a sign permit unless such sign includes structural supports.
(C) Projecting sign regulations. An establishment shall be permitted to display up to one wall sign in the form of a projecting sign facing street frontage subject to the following additional restrictions.
(1) A projecting sign shall not project more than six feet from the building to which it is attached.
(2) No projecting sign shall extend vertically past the roofline.
(3) A projecting sign shall not project over a street, alley or driveway, nor be closer than two feet from the curb or edge of any such vehicular way.
(4) Such sign shall not extend below a point eight feet above the ground or pavement.
(5) The size of a projecting sign shall be debited against the sign area allowance for wall signs.
(6) The sign area of a projecting sign shall be no larger than 16 square feet.
(Prior Code, § 158.166) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3587, passed 9-15-2008; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)
§ 157.167 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
(A) The following signs are strictly prohibited in all zoning districts in the city, unless otherwise expressly authorized elsewhere in this code.
(B) A sign shall be deemed prohibited if any aspect of the sign, including an otherwise authorized sign, contains or meets the definition of a prohibited sign:
(2) All temporary and permanent signs advertising any commercial activity not related to the zoning lot on which such sign is located, unless otherwise protected by law;
(3) Any streamer, pennant, propeller, bunting or artificial device, figure, shape, color, sound, light or exhibit, whether live, animated or still, that is intended to attract attention to the use or business being conducted on the zoning lot;
(4) Balloons and inflatable signs, unless authorized by special event permit or temporary sign permit;
(5) Any beacon lights, searchlights and illumination by open flame;
(6) Any person or persons with a commercial sign and/or dressed in a commercially-identified costume (e.g., mascot) that is intended to attract attention to the use or business being conducted on the zoning lot;
(7) Portable signs;
(8) Pole sign;
(9) A sign with any moving, flashing, blinking or otherwise animated component;
(10) No sign shall impede or block any pedestrian accessway;
(11) Signs attached to any public utility pole or structure, bench, street tree, fence, fire hydrant, bridge, curb, sidewalk or other location on public property;
(12) Signs, including posts and other supports, that advertise or identify an activity, business or service no longer in business or no longer conducted on the zoning lot where such sign is located. See § 157.162(D);
(13) Signs placed on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the purpose of displaying such sign; provided that this does not apply to authorized temporary signs or signs and lettering on buses, taxis or other vehicles, operating during the normal course of business and incidental to other lawful business. Trailers associated with an establishment may not be parked in required parking areas. Trailers must be parked on an improved surface and be located no closer to the street frontage than the building face. All vehicles and trailers associated with an establishment and located on the premises must be licensed and operable;
(14) Signs and/or related supports or structures located in or above any public property or rights-of-way, unless authorized by applicable city, state or federal law and the governmental jurisdiction controlling such rights-of-way or public property;
(15) Rooftop signs: signs or sign structures, other than freestanding signs, which extend above the parapet, building roof line or canopy/awning against which such sign is located;
(16) Signs painted directly on the exterior covering materials of any structure;
(17) Signs or sign structures constructed, repaired or altered having no validly issued sign permit, except where exempted herein;
(18) Signs on vacant properties, except as expressly authorized in these sign regulations; and
(19) Any other sign that is not authorized by or does not comply with the terms, conditions and provisions of these sign regulations.
(Prior Code, § 158.167) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3684, passed 9-7-2010; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012) Penalty, see § 157.999
§ 157.168 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AWNING. Any roof-like structure made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a building and erected over a window, doorway and the like in such a manner as to permit its being raised or retracted to a position against the building when not in use.
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 unless otherwise permitted in the Downtown District.
BEACON LIGHT. A light used primarily to attract attention to a location, whether moving or stationary, other than when required by law to meet applicable safety requirements.
BILLBOARD. Any temporary or permanent sign or sign face used for placing messages or authorizing others to place messages in exchange for rent or other consideration. Tenant identification and development identification signs shall not be considered BILLBOARDS solely because the use of the sign area may be included as a right associated with lease of the tenant or development space giving rise to such authorized sign.
CANOPY. A roof-like structure similar to an awning; except that it cannot be raised or retracted to a position against the building.
COMMERCIAL SIGN. Any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or otherwise calls attention to a business product, service, idea or commercial activity.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. Include those signs where the sign faces are parallel or where the interior angle formed by the faces of a V-shaped sign is 60 degrees or less.
EAVE LINE. A line following the part of the roof that extends beyond the exterior side wall, generally located on the projecting lower edge of a roof where the gutters may be located.
ESTABLISHMENT. Either of the following:
(1) An institutional, business, commercial or industrial activity that is the sole occupant of one or more buildings; or
(2) An institutional, business, commercial or industrial activity that occupies a portion of a building, and the activity is a logical and separate entity from the other activities within the building and not a department of the whole, and the activity has either a separate entrance from the exterior of the building, or a separate entrance from a common and clearly defined entryway that has direct access to the exterior of the building.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign on a non-residential zoning lot supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces or foundation in or upon the ground in a permanent manner, but not including pole signs.
FRONTAGE. The lineal extent of a zoning lot abutting a street or public roadway, or the lineal extent of a zoning lot abutting a public parking area if such lot has no street frontage.
INTEGRAL ROOF SIGN.
(1) Any sign erected or constructed as an integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign:
(a) Extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof; and
(b) Is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
(2) No integral portion of a roof shall extend more than five feet above the structural roof.
MARQUEE. Any canopy that is made of durable materials and is a permanent fixture of the building to which it is attached.
MESSAGE. A communication of identification or advertising information visually perceived. Said communication may consist of words, abbreviations, numbers, symbols, pictures, geometric shapes and the like.
MONUMENT SIGN. A type of freestanding sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground, independent of the principal structure on the lot, presenting a monolithic structure.
NON-RESIDENTIAL USE. Any commercial, office or religious use lawfully occurring on the applicable zoning lot as the primary use in a zoning district authorizing such use. NON-RESIDENTIAL USES shall not include:
(1) Zoning lots containing agricultural uses within a residential or agricultural zoning district; and
(2) Lots with no current use, including vacant or undeveloped properties and structures, except as pertaining to temporary construction and development signs authorized herein for a use pending construction or development.
NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONING LOT. A zoning lot containing a non-residential use.
POLE SIGN or ELEVATED SIGN. Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independent of the principal structure on the zoning lot where the bottom edge of the sign is ten feet or more above the ground level.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure; any movable display structure capable of relocation, whether under its own power or towed by a motor vehicle; signs designed to be transported by means of wheels or skids; signs converted to A- or T-frames, menu and sandwich board signs; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day to day operations of a business. The display message of the sign may be painted or non-painted and capable of being readily altered and may be with or without electrical illumination and power, and with or without wheels.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign that is supported by any exterior wall of a building or suspended beneath any awning, canopy or marquee with the exposed face of said sign in a plane approximately perpendicular to the plane of the wall and the like, and projecting more than 18 inches from the structure.
RESIDENTIAL ZONING LOT. All zoning lots except those containing a non-residential use.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN. An A-frame sign that stands with self-supporting elements and is not permanently affixed to the ground.
SEARCHLIGHT. An apparatus containing a light source and a reflector for projecting a high-intensity beam of approximately parallel rays of light.
SIGN. Any object, device, display, structure or surface, or part thereof, that is used to advertise, identify, display or attract attention to any object, person, institution, organization, business, project, service or event by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors or illumination for signage.
SIGN AREA. The area of the one imaginary square or rectangle that would completely enclose all parts of a sign, including the background.
SIGN AREA ALLOWANCE. The total of the sign areas of all signs that a particular establishment is permitted to display under the terms of this subchapter.
SIGN PERMIT. A permit issued by the Director to regulate the erection, expansion, alteration, relocation or reconstruction of signs in all parts of the city.
STREET FRONTAGE. See FRONTAGE.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign not constructed or intended for long-term or permanent use.
VACANT PROPERTY. A zoning lot with no current lawful building occupancy and use.
V-SHAPED SIGN. Freestanding signs erected upon common or separate structures that present a V-shape appearance.
WALL SIGN. Any sign attached to or erected against any wall, awning, canopy or marquee with the exposed face of said sign in a place approximately parallel to the plane of the wall and the like and not projecting out more than 18 inches.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign, picture, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service that is visible from the exterior of a building and is painted on, affixed to or suspended immediately behind a window.
ZONING LOT. The parcel or parcels of land associated with the use or improvements on it. Common area for any multi-lot development shall not be deemed a separate ZONING LOT authorizing any additional signs, except as may be directly authorized by the city relating to such common ground use. Where multiple establishments are contained within a single development, the entire development parcel or subdivision shall constitute the ZONING LOT regardless of the existence of subdivided parcels within such development.
(Prior Code, § 158.168) (Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)