This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the SIGN REGULATIONS OF PRICE CITY AND ITS LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

   A.   The purpose of sign regulations set forth in this chapter shall be to coordinate the type, placement and physical dimensions of signs within the city; to recognize the various commercial communication requirements of all sectors of the business community; to encourage the innovative use of design; to promote both renovation and proper maintenance; to allow for special circumstances; and to guarantee equal treatment under law through accurate record keeping and consistent enforcement. These objectives shall be accomplished by regulation of display, erection, use and maintenance of signs. The use and location of signs are regulated according to zoning district. The placement and physical dimensions of signs are regulated primarily by type.

   B.   Further purposes are to minimize potential hazards to motorists and pedestrians; to encourage signs which, by their design, are integrated with and harmonious to the buildings and sites which they occupy; to encourage sign legibility through the elimination of excessive and confusing sign displays; to reduce driver inattention; to preserve and improve the appearance of the city as a place in which to live and to work as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit or trade; to safeguard and enhance property values; to limit or forbid signs which interfere with solar access of adjacent properties; to protect public and private investment in buildings and open spaces; to supplement and be a part of the regulations imposed under the zoning authority of the city. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

These regulations shall not relate to or regulate building design, official traffic or government signs; the copy and message of signs, signs not intended to be viewed from a public right of way, window displays; product dispensers and point of purchase displays, scoreboards on athletic fields, flags of any nation, government or noncommercial organization, gravestones, barber poles, religious symbols, commemorative plaques, the display of street numbers, or any display or construction not defined in this title as a "sign". (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, the sign regulations contained herein are declared to be the minimum standards allowable for the purpose set forth. The types of signs allowed by this chapter shall be plenary and sign types not specifically allowed as set forth within the chapter shall be prohibited. It is not intended by this chapter to interfere with, nor abrogate, nor annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between private parties existing at the time of the effective date hereof; provided, however, that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon signs, and the location thereof requires or imposes other conditions than those required or imposed by other laws, ordinances or restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall control. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

   A.   Use Districts: Except as provided in this chapter, no sign shall be erected, raised, moved, placed, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered, or have the text of the sign changed, except in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the use district in which it is located. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or for a change of copy.

   B.   Standards: All signs hereafter erected in the city shall comply with the current standards of the international electrical code, international building code, ordinances of the city and state law. No sign shall be placed on public property or in air space within a public right of way, except when expressly licensed by the city council.

   C.   Maintenance:

      1.   All signs shall be maintained in a condition suitable for use.

      2.   Exposed parts of signs shall be painted or treated chemically in such a manner as to preserve the condition, aesthetics and life of such signs; moving parts shall be maintained in operable condition; and signs designed to be lighted shall be maintained with a full complement of the lighting facilities required by the design of each such sign. Failure or refusal to maintain signs may constitute a violation of this title.

   D.   Removal Upon Discontinued Use: All signs identifying a discontinued use on the property shall be removed by the sign owner from the property within thirty (30) calendar days of the time the use was discontinued.

      1.   Signs identifying a discontinued use may be removed at the discretion of the planning and zoning commission if the sign owner fails or refuses to do so.

      2.   All costs associated with removal of a sign identifying a discontinued use shall be paid by the sign owner.

   E.   Illumination: Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, all signs may be illuminated, however no sign may utilize:

      1.   An exposed incandescent lamp with an external reflector without a sun screen or comparable diffusion;

      2.   Any exposed incandescent lamp in excess of fifteen (15) watts unless a screen is attached; or

      3.   Any revolving beacon light.

   F.   Changeable Copy: Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, any sign herein allowed may use manual or automatic changeable copy.

   G.   Licensing, Insurance Required: No person may engage in the business of erecting, altering, relocating, constructing or maintaining signs without a valid state contractor license, and a valid business license. All persons involved in the maintenance, installation or relocation of signs near or upon the public right of way or property shall agree to hold harmless and indemnify the city, its officers, agents, and employees, against any and all claims of negligence resulting from such work. Such person shall also maintain insurance to indemnify the city against any form of liability to a minimum of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00).

   H.   Nonregulated Signs: Signs not regulated by this chapter:

      1.   On premises advertising signs that are attached to windows or walls and are clearly of a temporary nature, and which promote specific sales for short periods of time, not to exceed thirty (30) days.

      2.   Signs which are associated with school, church, civic or community events and functions which are clearly of a temporary nature for short periods of time.

      3.   Interior signs.

      4.   Real estate company "for sale" signs and owner placed "for sale" or "for rent" signs advertising specific property for sale or rent which are erected temporarily on that specific property.

      5.   Temporary election campaign signs, yard sale signs, night crawlers for sale signs, meeting announcements, etc. However, such signs shall be removed within seven (7) days following the occurrence of the announced event.

      6.   Directional signs (i.e., BLM, DWR, etc.), church nameplate signs, etc.

      7.   Nameplate signs less than one hundred fifty (150) square inches in size.

      8.   Construction signs for each street of frontage of a construction project, not to exceed forty five (45) square feet in area. Such signs may be erected ten (10) days prior to beginning of construction and shall be removed one day following completion of construction.

      9.   UDOT signs.

      10.   Banners across streets (public rights of way). Requires city and/or UDOT approval.

      11.   Signs on vehicles, equipment, trailers, trains, boats and airplanes. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

The building official or zoning administrator shall have the following duties with regard to inspection of signs:

   A.   Initial Inspections: Make initial inspections of any signs upon the completion, erection, reconstruction or remodeling of the same and notification of said completion, erection, reconstruction or remodeling. Inspections shall be made to assure compliance with the provisions of these regulations, other ordinances of the city and conditions precedent to the issuance of a conditional use permit, if applicable.

   B.   Complaints: To inspect each sign for which a complaint of noncompliance with local ordinances is made in writing to the building official, or verbally documented, and maintain a log of all complaints.

   C.   Routine Checks: To make routine spot checks of all signs to assure compliance with these regulations and other ordinances of the city, and conditions precedent to the issuance of a conditional use permit if applicable. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

The zoning administrator is hereby vested with the duty of enforcing the sign regulations of this chapter and in the performance of such duty is empowered and directed:

   A.   Issue Permits: To issue permits to construct, alter or repair signs which conform to the regulations of the city.

   B.   Require Conformance: To ascertain that all signs, construction of, or maintenance of any sign is in conformance with regulations of the city and the conditions imposed precedent to the issuance of a conditional use permit, if applicable.

   C.   Notice Of Violations: To issue a notice of violation to the person having charge or control or benefit of any sign determined by the zoning administrator or building official to be unsafe or dangerous, or in violation of ordinances of the city.

   D.   Action Upon Violations: To institute any appropriate action or proceedings in any case where any sign is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or maintained, or in any case where any sign is in violation of any ordinance of the city, including, but not limited to, this title, to accomplish the following purposes:

      1.   To prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use; and

      2.   To restrain, correct or abate such violation.

   E.   Abatement, Removal: To abate and remove any unmaintained sign, the condition of which is not corrected within five (5) working days following appropriate notice to the person having charge, control, or benefit of any such sign, as provided by law. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

Notification by the city to persons having charge or control, or benefit, of any sign determined by the zoning administrator or building official to be unsafe or dangerous or in violation of this title, or other ordinances of the city, and where the city is contemplating removal of said sign, shall be accomplished by the city utilizing written notices sent by registered mail. Any such notice shall state the exact nature of the violation, the exact time and date by which the noncomplying condition or use must be remedied, and the appeals procedure by which the person having charge, control or benefit of such sign may appeal the decision of the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

All signs hereafter erected within Price City shall be erected, reconstructed, or remodeled only in accord with the authority authorized by the sign permit issued by Price City. Application for a sign permit shall be made to the zoning administrator and shall be accompanied by a fee to defray the expenses to Price City incurred in the administration of this chapter. Such fee shall be established by resolution of the city council. A sign permit shall be issued by the zoning administrator within sixty (60) days of receipt of application for the sign permit if the proposed sign is found by the zoning administrator to be in compliance with the provisions of this title and other ordinances of Price City. (Ord. 2010-001, 2010)

In the event that a notice of violation is issued, a reinspection fee shall be charged to defray the costs of reinspection. Said reinspection fee shall be charged for each inspection required until compliance with applicable regulations of the city has occurred. The amount of the fee shall be established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

There are hereby created three (3) overlay districts (S-1, S-2, S-3) to regulate the sign type, sign effects, sign dimensions, number of signs, and sign location in the city. Refer to special zoning map for description of districts. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

In the following section, the sign type, sign effects and copy content, sign dimensions, number of signs, and sign location which are allowed in the various districts are shown as "permitted" indicated by a "P" in the appropriate column (headed by the overlay zoning district designation), or as "conditional uses" indicated by a "C" in the appropriate column. If an "A" appears in the column, the sign permit may be issued administratively by the zoning administrator if all regulations relative to the sign are completed in accordance with this title. If, in the judgment of the zoning administrator, issues surrounding the sign require additional review by the planning and zoning commission, the use will be considered conditional. If a regulation applies in a given district, it is indicated in the appropriate column by a numeral to show the linear or square feet required; or by the letter "M" to indicate maximum building height allowed in a particular district; or by the letter "B" to indicate the actual height of the building to which a sign is affixed or the height of the sign; or by the letter "S" to indicate the required building setback, whichever is applicable. If the regulation does not apply, or if it is not allowed in a given district, it is either not named in the use list or it is indicated in the appropriate column by a dash "-". (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)

 

Blade Sign Examples:

(Ord. 2008-002, 2008; amd. Ord. 2009-003, 2009; Ord. 2010-001, 2010)

   A.   Signs are not permitted on public property, within the public right of way, or in the air space above the public right of way, without express license from the city council. Also note that signs are not permitted in the residential districts, except as expressly described in these regulations. No sign shall overhang a street or road surface used by motorized vehicles.

   B.   Except for home occupied businesses, all other signs are considered for nonresidential uses and can be placed only on nonresidential properties or agriculture properties.

   C.   On premises signs may contain references to a single business or a combination of businesses.

   D.   When a business vacates a building or property, or otherwise ceases the use thereof, the owners of the business, building or property shall remove all signs on the building or property that are associated with that business. Removal of signs shall occur within thirty (30) calendar days of business vacating the building or property, or cessation of the current use thereof.

      1.   Signs identifying a discontinued use may be removed at the discretion of the planning and zoning commission if the sign owner fails or refuses to do so.

      2.   All costs associated with removal of a sign identifying a discontinued uses shall be paid by the sign owner.

   E.   Fascia signs may:

      1.   Be attached to any wall of a building;

      2.   Not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the wall area to which the sign is attached;

      3.   Not extend above the roofline;

      4.   Not be used on the same building which has a roof sign.

   F.   The owner of a parcel that is a part of a commercial complex may have one freestanding pole or monument sign per the minimum distance requirement on the parcel for the purpose of advertising the businesses on the parcel; provided, that:

      1.   The applicant for the freestanding pole or monument sign owns or represents the entire ownership interest of the parcel; and

      2.   The business(es) on the parcel has no other sign or signage on any pole or monument sign in the commercial complex. (Ord. 2008-002, 2008)