A.

This ordinance applies to all signs erected, placed, painted, installed or otherwise made visible on private or public property, except as otherwise provided in this ordinance.

B.

Exempt signs. The following signs shall not be subject to the regulations of this ordinance:

1.

Signs erected by or on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body or agency.

2.

Flags, pennants, or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization, when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device. The flagpole shall not exceed the allowed height in the district.

3.

Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property that do not exceed four square feet in size each and that bear no advertising message or logo.

4.

Signs not exceeding four square feet in size that are customarily associated with residential use and that are not of a commercial nature, such as signs giving names of occupants, signs on mailboxes and newspaper tubes, and signs posted on private property relating to private parking or warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals.

5.

Signs containing the message that the real estate on which the sign is located is for sale, lease, or rent, together with information identifying the owner or agent. The real estate sign shall not exceed 16 square feet for developments under two acres, and shall not exceed 32 square feet in size or six feet in height for all developments larger than two acres. Only one sign on each street frontage may be erected.

6.

Hanging signs located below a canopy or awning that do not exceed 18 inches in height or five square feet in area, provided there is no more than one such sign per customer entrance and the sign maintains a clear height of eight feet above the ground.

7.

Directory signs (attached or freestanding) that are not visible from the street, provided that no more than one sign per customer entrance is allowed, up to a maximum of 16 square feet in area.

8.

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

9.

One on-premises construction sign, not to exceed 16 square feet in size in a residential district, or 32 square feet in size in all other districts. Construction signs shall not be erected prior to site plan or plat approval or the issuance of a building permit, and shall be removed within 15 days after final inspection and approval of the project.

10.

Political signs are permitted in all districts. Signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in aggregate area per lot. No such sign shall be located within or over the public right-of-way.

11.

Signs indicating special events, such as a fair, carnival, festival, grand opening, sale, or similar non-permanent activity to be conducted within the City of Port Allen. Such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and may be erected for a period not to exceed 30 days. Such signs shall be removed within seven days after the event has taken place.

12.

"Yard sale" signs located on-site and not exceeding four square feet in area, not used in connection with any continuous commercial activity.

13.

"Yard sale" signs, located off-site from the property where such activity is to occur, shall be permitted outside of public rights-of-way. Such signs may not exceed four square feet in size. Signs shall not be erected more than 48 hours before the sale date and shall be removed within 24 hours of the sale date.

C.

Prohibited signs. The following signs are expressly prohibited within all zoning districts.

1.

Portable signs, including any signs painted on or displayed on vehicles or trailers usually parked in public places primarily for displays. Additionally, any such prohibited sign designed to be portable shall not be permitted to be altered so as to be made permanent.

2.

Windblown signs, including banners, pennants, streamers, spinners, blimps, gas balloons, and no more than two flags, unless specifically exempted above.

3.

Any sign or device set into motion by mechanical, electrical, or other means.

4.

Any flashing sign or device displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity.

5.

Any mechanized or electronic changeable copy sign that flashes, scrolls or is otherwise displayed for not more than eight seconds at one time. Changeable copy is allowed to replace any portion of an existing or proposed sign, provided the message remains static (no flashing or scrolling) for a period of at least eight seconds per advertisement.

6.

Any sign which is a copy or imitation of an official sign, or which purports to have official status.

7.

Roof signs; any sign that is erected above the eaves of a building.

8.

Any off-premises sign not expressly permitted by this ordinance.

9.

Any sign placed in the right-of-way, other than those erected by a governmental agency.

10.

Any sign attached to utility poles, trees or plants.

D.

Permit and common sign plan.

1.

A zoning permit is required for each sign or series of signs to be installed on a site. The zoning permit shall ensure compliance with this zoning ordinance prior to the issuance of a building permit or other permit for a sign.

2.

Prior to issuance of a zoning permit, a common sign plan shall be filed with the administrator for all sites occupied by more than one tenant. If there are changes to be made, the city will ask the owner, applicant, or contractor to resubmit with changes. After the filing of a common sign plan, all tenant signs shall meet the requirements of the plan. It is suggested the applicant may want to consider items such as:

a.

Colors;

b.

Letters/graphics style;

c.

Location of each sign;

d.

Materials used in sign construction; and

e.

Maximum dimensions and proportion.

E.

Variances.

1.

Except as provided in paragraph F.2 below, no variance shall be allowed for:

a.

Sign type;

b.

Building sign area;

c.

Freestanding sign height, area or number; or

d.

Sign illumination.

2.

A nonconforming sign that is within ten percent of the height or area requirements of this article may be reviewed and approved for continuation by the board of adjustment.

F.

Noncommercial message substitution. A noncommercial message may be substituted for the commercial message allowed on any sign type.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

Building signs.

1.

Generally.

a.

A building sign is an on-premises sign that is directly attached to, erected on, or supported by a building or other structure having a principal function other than the support of such sign. Building signs include wall signs, projecting signs, awning or canopy signs and window signs.

b.

Allowed districts. Building signs are allowed in the following zoning districts unless specifically discussed herein: R-5, R-6, C-1, C-2, L-1, L-2 and L-3.

c.

Maximum area.

i.

The sum of the area of all building signs shall not exceed 15 percent of the façade area of the tallest floor (typically the ground floor).

ii.

Building signs in the C-1 district shall not exceed four feet by eight feet in size. All signs other than building signs are prohibited in the C-1 district.

d.

Number. More than two building signs on separate facades may be erected, provided the total sign area allowed is not exceeded.

e.

Height. No building sign may extend above the parapet wall or roof line of the building.

f.

Projection/clearance. With the exception of a projected sign, no building sign may project more than 12 inches from the building wall. All building signs that project more than six inches from the wall shall maintain a clear height of eight feet above the ground.

g.

Illumination. Building signs may be illumined either internally or externally, provided that no sign located within 150 feet of a residential district may be illuminated during the hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

2.

Wall signs. A wall sign is an on-premises sign attached flat to, painted on, or mounted away from but parallel to the building wall, projecting no more than 14 inches from the building wall or as approved by the City of Port Allen.

3.

Projecting sign.

a.

A projecting sign is an on-premises sign fastened directly to a supporting building wall and intersecting the building wall at a right angle. A projecting sign extends more than 12 inches from the building, and may be two or three-dimensional.

b.

The maximum area of any single side of a projecting sign shall be 20 square feet. No more than one projecting sign shall be allowed for each tenant. No projecting sign shall project closer than three feet to the curb line. No sign shall project more than one-half the width of the sidewalk.

4.

Awning or canopy sign.

a.

An awning or canopy sign is a sign which is attached flat to an awning or canopy.

b.

The maximum area of a single awning or canopy sign shall not exceed 25 percent of the surface area of the face of the awning or canopy. One awning sign shall be allowed per awning. No portion of any awning or canopy sign shall project closer to the curb line than the awning or canopy to which it is attached.

5.

Window signs.

a.

A window sign is a sign posted, painted, placed or affixed in or on a window exposed to public view.

b.

Window signs are included in the total area of building signs allowed. No window sign shall cover more than 25 percent of the area of the window to which it is attached.

c.

Window area shall be computed by calculating each window pane or panel. The area shall be separate for each building facade and for each window. A group of window panes or panels may be considered one window if they are adjoining on the building facade and are less than six inches apart.

d.

An interior sign that faces a window and is located within three feet of the window is considered a window sign for the purpose of calculating the total area of window signs.

B.

Freestanding signs.

1.

Generally.

a.

Definition. A freestanding sign is an on-premises sign that is not directly attached to, erected on, or supported by a building or other structure having a principal function other than the support of such sign, but is instead attached to, erected on, or supported by some structure such as a pole, frame or other structure that is not part of a building.

b.

Allowed districts. Freestanding signs are not permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and C-1 districts.

c.

Size.

i.

Allocation of sign area is based on the lineal frontage of the project site. The maximum sign area shall be one square foot for each two lineal feet of frontage, provided that the maximum surface area shall not exceed the following:

ii.

Nonresidential uses in residential districts: Sixteen square feet.

iii.

All other uses, 64 square feet or as approved by the City of Port Allen.

d.

Number.

i.

Only one freestanding sign is allowed on any lot, except as provided in paragraph iii below.

ii.

A pylon sign shall only be allowed on a lot which contains 80 feet or more of frontage on the street to which the pylon sign is to be oriented.

iii.

If a common sign plan is approved, two freestanding signs may be allowed on a lot or development having a minimum frontage of 300 feet on each or two adjacent streets, or more than 600 lineal feet of frontage on a single street, but only one may be a pylon sign.

e.

Setback. No portion of any freestanding sign may extend over any public right-of-way, or be located within 15 feet of any interior side lot line.

f.

Height.

i.

No pylon sign or any part of the pylon sign (including base or apron, supports, supporting structures, and trim) may exceed 25 feet in height.

ii.

No monument sign may exceed eight feet in height.

g.

Projection/clearance. All pylon signs shall maintain a clear height of eight feet above the ground.

h.

Construction. Freestanding signs shall be securely fastened to the ground so that the sign will not be moved by wind or other forces of nature and cause injury to persons or property.

i.

Address number. All freestanding signs shall incorporate a street address or address range. Address numbers shall be a minimum of eight inches in height. The address number shall not be counted against the allowed sign area unless it exceeds twice the minimum height required.

j.

Lettering size. Sign lettering shall be a minimum of eight inches in height on any street with a designated speed of 45 miles per hour or greater.

k.

Illumination.

i.

Freestanding signs may be illumined either internally or externally, provided that no sign located within 150 feet of a residential district may be illuminated during the hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

ii.

Lighting directed toward a sign shall be shielded so that it does not shine directly into a public right-of-way or residential building and does not interfere with the safe vision of motorists.

l.

Landscaping. Shrubs, flowers or ground cover with a planting bed area equal to on-half the sign area shall be planted around the base of any freestanding sign. Required landscaping shall be subject to the requirements of article 7, landscaping.

2.

Monument sign.

a.

A monument sign is a freestanding sign having a ratio of less than four to one sign width to narrowest width of support structure.

b.

Monument signs shall be no more than eight feet in height. Any sign constructed to the ratio of support structure to sign width of a monument sign, but in excess of eight feet in height, shall be regulated as a pylon sign.

c.

Monument signs shall be set back at least ten feet from the street right-of-way.

3.

Pylon sign.

a.

A pylon sign is a freestanding sign attached to the ground by one or more support structures having a ratio of greater than four to one sign width to narrowest width of support structures.

b.

Pylon signs shall be set back at least ten feet from the street right-of-way.

C.

Off-premises signs: Billboards. With the exception of billboards meeting the standards below, all off-premises signs are prohibited.

1.

Size. The maximum area of a single side of a billboard shall not exceed 200 square feet, with a maximum height of 15 feet, and a maximum width of 20 feet, inclusive of any border and trim, but excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members. No advertising message is allowed on the base or apron. Not more than one advertising face is allowed on each side of the display. No side-by-side or stacked billboards are allowed.

2.

Spacing.

a.

No part of any billboard shall be located less than 500 feet from any part of another billboard. The minimum distance between billboards shall apply regardless of the side of the road the billboard is located on.

b.

Billboards shall not be located in such a manner as to obscure or physically interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device or obstruct or physically interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.

c.

No billboard shall be located within 660 feet of the edge of the right-of-way of the federal Interstate Highway System.

d.

For the purpose of this paragraph, measurement shall be made in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures or objects from the property line of the lot containing the billboard to the nearest property line of any other billboard or highway right-of-way.

3.

Setback. Billboards shall be placed at least 50 feet off the right-of-way of the road.

4.

Height. No billboard or part of a billboard (including base or apron, supports, supporting structures and trim) may exceed the maximum height of the zoning district in which the billboard is located but in no case may a billboard exceed 65 feet in height, measured from the top of the sign to the ground at the base of the sign or the crown of the roadway, whichever is higher.

5.

Projection/clearance. All billboards shall maintain a clear height of eight feet above the ground at the base of the sign or crown of the roadway, whichever is higher.

6.

Construction. All billboards shall be constructed in accordance with applicable building codes.

7.

Illumination. Billboards may be externally illuminated, so long as such lighting is effectively shielded to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the traveled ways of a public street, and is not of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle.

D.

Historic signs.

1.

A historic sign is a building sign or freestanding sign that is 50 years or older, or a sign that is particularly unique in character, design, or history, or that is part of the historic character of a business or building.

2.

When a sign is determined to have particular historical or culturally significant value, such determination to be made by the Port Allen City Council, the terms of this article may be waived.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

Computation of sign area.

1.

The area of a sign that consists of individual letters erected directly onto a wall or awning is measured by finding the area of the minimum imaginary rectangle or square which fully encloses all sign words, copy, or message.

2.

The area of any sign with a structure or cabinet is measured by finding the area of the minimum imaginary rectangle or square which fully encloses all extremities of one side of the sign, exclusive of its supports.

B.

Construction standards.

1.

All signs shall comply with the appropriate provisions of the applicable building code and this ordinance.

2.

Freestanding signs shall meet all Louisiana DOT sign distance requirements.

3.

Signs shall be located in such a way that they maintain sufficient horizontal and vertical clearance from all overhead electrical conductors, provided that no sign, except governmental signs, shall be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.

4.

In no way shall a sign hinder or obstruct the visibility of the right-of-way, either at intersections or points of ingress or egress from parking lots.

C.

Height of sign. The height of a sign shall be measured from the highest point of the sign or supporting structure to the crown of the road adjacent to the sign.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

Maintenance requirements.

1.

All signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair.

2.

The administrator is authorized to inspect each sign periodically to determine that it meets the requirements of this ordinance. If the administrator finds that a sign is being maintained in violation of these maintenance requirements, such sign shall be made to conform, or shall be removed at the expense of the owner within ten days after written notification by the administrator.

3.

The following maintenance requirements shall apply to all signs visible from any street right-of-way:

a.

A sign shall have no more than 20 percent of its surface area covered with disfigured, cracked, ripped, or peeling paint, poster paper, or other material for a period of more than 30 successive days.

b.

A sign shall not stand with bent or broken sign facing, with broken supports, with loose appendages or struts, or more than 15 percent from vertical for a period of more than 30 successive days.

c.

A sign shall not have weeds, trees, vines or other vegetation growing upon it, or obscuring the view of the sign from the street or right-of-way from which it is to be viewed, for a period of more than 30 successive days.

4.

The sign maintenance requirements may be suspended for up to six months following a natural disaster.

B.

Obsolete signs.

1.

Signs which identify businesses or tenants no longer in existence, products no longer being sold, services no longer being rendered, or events which have already occurred shall be removed by the owner of the premises within 90 days of receipt of notification by the administrator.

2.

When a sign is determined to have particular historical or culturally significant value, such determination to be made by the board of adjustments, the terms of this section may be waived.

C.

Deteriorated signs. Any sign which, together with its supports, braces, anchors and other structural elements, is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of the applicable building code, or which is otherwise determined to be unsound or unsafe, shall be removed or brought into compliance with all codes within 60 days of notification by the administrator.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

Legally existing nonconforming signs.

1.

Signs that are in existence and fully erected as of the effective date of this ordinance or any amendments hereto and that complied in all respects with the sign ordinance in effect prior to the effective date of this ordinance or any amendments hereto, but are made nonconforming by the adoption of this ordinance or any amendments hereto, may remain after the effective date of this ordinance. All such signs must be maintained as required by this ordinance, must comply with the building code, and, if an electrical sign, an electrical permit for such sign must be issued by the building official and remain in effect. If no sign permit was required for such sign prior to the effective date of this ordinance or any amendments hereto, no sign permit shall be required.

2.

All portable signs lawfully in use as of the effective date of this ordinance shall be removed from use no later than one year after the effective date of this ordinance.

3.

Billboards that are in existence and fully erected as of the effective date of this ordinance and that were erected in compliance with all city and parish ordinances at the time of erecting may remain; provided, however, that such billboard must be repaired and maintained as required by this ordinance, must comply with all other requirements of this ordinance and the building code of the city and all other applicable state, parish or other requirements, and if an electrical sign, an electrical permit for the sign must be issued by the building official and remain in effect. If no sign permit was required for such sign prior to the effective date of this ordinance or any amendments hereto, no sign permit shall be required.

B.

Repair or modification of nonconforming signs.

1.

A nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status if the sign is:

a.

Replaced with another sign;

b.

Structurally altered so as to extend its useful life;

c.

Expanded;

d.

Relocated;

e.

Re-established after damage or destruction of more than 50 percent of the replacement value at the time of such damage or destruction; or

f.

Modified in any way that would increase the degree of nonconformity of the sign.

2.

Except in the case of paragraph e above, a nonconforming sign shall not lose its legal nonconforming status due to normal maintenance, repairs, restoration to a safe condition, or changing a tenant panel on a multi-tenant sign.

3.

A nonconforming sign may only be repaired or restored to its original condition as to height, area and location.

C.

Removal after abandonment.

1.

Any nonconforming, off-premises sign, the use or copy of which is discontinued or removed for a period of six months, regardless of any intent to resume or not to abandon such sign, shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall not thereafter be re-established.

2.

Any nonconforming on-premises sign, the use or copy of which is discontinued or removed for a period of 365 days, regardless of any intent to resume or not to abandon such sign, shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall not thereafter be re-established.

3.

Abandonment of a nonconforming sign as defined above shall terminate the right to maintain such sign.

4.

Any period of such discontinuance caused by government actions, strikes or acts of God, without any contributing fault by the nonconforming user, shall not be considered in calculating the length of discontinuance for purposes of this paragraph.

D.

Removal by damage or destruction. Any nonconforming, off-premise sign which is partially damaged or destroyed by any means, to beyond 50 percent of its current market value, that is nonconforming to the requirements of this ordinance, shall not be restored, but shall be removed or reconstructed in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance.

E.

Removal when not repaired within 60 days. Any nonconforming sign removed for any reason, including voluntary removal, whose reconstruction has not commenced within 60 days shall not be permitted to be replaced unless the replacement sign conforms with all requirements of this zoning ordinance.

F.

Removal upon change of principal use. Any nonconforming sign shall be removed or brought into compliance with this ordinance immediately upon a change in the principal use of the site.

G.

Enforcement. If any sign is not removed as required by this article 8, the administrator may initiate enforcement proceedings in accordance with section 10.8 of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

Any private sign installed or placed on public property shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation, unless it conforms to the requirements of this ordinance. In addition to other remedies granted by this zoning ordinance, the administrator shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing the sign, the full costs of removal and disposal of the sign.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)