The purpose of this chapter is to eliminate excessive and confusing sign displays that create potential hazards to motorists, pedestrians, property, and also to maintain a responsible communication system by setting requirements for the location, size, height and lighting of signs that will be compatible with adjoining land uses, architecture and landscape, and that will preserve and improve the aesthetic values and visual qualities of Salt Lake County.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

As used in this chapter:

"A-frame sign" means temporary and/or movable sign constructed with two sides attached at the top so as to allow the sign to stand in an upright position.

"Advertising sign." See "off-premises sign."

"Alterations" means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or design whether by extending on a side, by increasing in area or height, or by relocating or change in position.

"Animated sign" means a sign which induces motion or rotation of any part by mechanical, or artificial means, or subdued color changes.

"Animation" means simulated movement created by the display of a series of pictures or images, creating the illusion of movement.

"Awning sign" means a sign designed in awning form that is an illuminated or nonilluminated space frame structure attached to a building or other permanent structure.

"Balloon sign" means advertisement supported by a balloon anchored to the premises where the advertised use is conducted, product or commodity sold, service performed, or business name is located.

"Beacon light" means:

a.

Any light with one or more beams, capable of being directed in any direction or directions, or capable of being revolved automatically; or

b.

A fixed or flashing high-intensity light, such as a spotlight, a floodlight, or a strobe light.

c.

"Beacon light" shall not include searchlights.

"Billboard bank" means an accounting system established by the county to keep track of the number of billboard signs and the square footage of each billboard sign removed pursuant to Section 19.82.185 of this chapter.

"Billboard credit" means an entry into a billboard owner's billboard bank account that indicates the number of billboard sign locations and the square footage of each billboard sign.

"Billboard owner" means the owner of a billboard in unincorporated Salt Lake County.

"Billboard sign" means an off-premises advertising sign.

"Business sign" means an on-premises sign.

"Construction sign" means a sign identifying an existing or proposed development project which may contain the name of the project, name and address of construction firms, architects, engineers, developers, etc.

"Dissolve" means an image transition effect accomplished by varying the image intensity or pattern, where the first image gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneously with the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent image.

"Electronic message center" or "EMC" means a mechanism or device which uses a combination of lights, or lighted or unlighted panels which are controlled electrically and electronically to produce words, symbols, pictures or messages which may change within a given panel area.

"Embellishment, cut-out or extension" means an extension of the billboard resulting in increased square footage as part of an artistic design to convey a specific message or advertisement.

"Existing billboard" means a billboard that is either constructed, or for which an application for a land use permit was received and approved by the planning and development services division and state authorities where necessary, prior to May 18, 2004. Billboards that have received prior approval from the county at a particular location must be approved by the state by June 2, 2005. If no state approval is given, the county approval shall expire on said date and the permit shall become null and void.

"Fade" means an image transition effect accomplished by varying the intensity of the image, where the first image gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent image gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.

"Flashing sign" means a sign which has or appears to have motion or rotation of the lighting elements or displays flashing or intermittent light.

"Flat sign" means a sign erected parallel to and attached to the outside wall of a building and extending not more than twenty-four inches from such wall with messages or copy on the face side only.

"Floodlighted sign" means a sign made legible in the absence of daylight by devices which reflect or project light upon it.

"Footcandle" means the English unit of measurement for illuminance, which is equal to one lumen, incident upon an area of one foot.

"Ground sign" means a sign supported by a fixed permanent frame support in the ground.

"Illuminance" means the photometric quantity most closely associated with the perception of brightness and a measurement of the intensity of light falling on a surface at a given distance from the light source.

"Illuminated sign" means a sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes.

"Image" means the display of text, numbers or the likeness of an object or living thing of any type on an EMC.

"Image display duration" means the period of time that an image remains static.

"Image transition duration" means the period of time in which one image changes to another on an electronic message center.

"Interior sign" means a sign located within a building so as to be primarily visible only from within the building in which the sign is located.

"Mobile sign" means a sign mounted on trailer or frame, lighted or unlighted, which is not permanently attached to a structure or the ground.

"Monument sign" means a sign which is incorporated into the landscape or architectural design scheme and displaying the name of uses or buildings.

"Nameplate sign" means a sign indicating the name and/or occupation of a person legally occupying the premises or indicating a legal home occupation thereon.

"Nonconforming billboard" means an existing billboard that is located in a zoning district or otherwise situated in a way that is not permitted by the provisions of this chapter.

"Nonconforming sign or sign structure" means a sign or sign structure or portion thereof lawfully existing at the effective date of this chapter or any amendment hereto which does not conform to all height, area, yard, spacing, animation, lighting, use or other regulations prescribed in the zone in which it is located after the effective date of this chapter or any amendment hereto.

"Off-premises sign" means a sign directing attention to a use, product, commodity or service not related to the premises upon which the sign is located.

"On-premises sign" means a sign directing attention to a use conducted, product or commodity sold, service performed or business name upon the premises on which it is located.

"Overhanging sign" means a sign which projects twelve inches or more over the roof of a building.

"Pedestal sign" means a temporary and/or movable sign supported by a column(s) and a base so as to allow the sign to stand in an upright position.

"Political sign" means a sign advertising a candidate or candidates for public elective office, or a political party, or a sign urging a particular vote on a public issue decided by ballot.

"Projecting sign" means a sign attached to a building or canopy and extending in whole or part more than twenty-four inches beyond any wall of the building or canopy.

"Promotional sign board" means a permanently attached changeable copy sign not exceeding twenty square feet per face with one or two faces back to back for the display of promotional items offered for sale on the premises.

"Property sign" means a sign related to the property upon which it is located and offering such information as address, name of occupant for residential uses, sale or lease of the property, warning against trespassing, any hazard, or other danger on the property.

"Roof sign" means a sign which is erected partly or wholly on the roof of the building. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a sign structure having main supports embedded in the ground shall not be considered to be a roof sign even if the sign's supports pass through a roof, canopy or parapet of a building.

"Scintillate" or "scintillating" means light flashes, light sparkling, light starbursts, light twinkling, light pulsating or any other image transition effect or animation in which an image instantly and repeatedly changes for the purpose of attracting attention.

"Service sign" means a sign that is incidental to a use lawfully occupying the property upon which the sign is located and which sign is necessary to provide information to the public, such as direction to parking lots, location of restrooms, entrance and exits, etc. A service sign shall also include signs providing information about sale of agricultural products produced upon the premises. A business trade mark or logo may appear on the sign provided it is secondary to the information portion of the sign.

"Sign" means and includes every advertising message, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia surface or space erected or maintained in view of the observer thereof for identification, advertisement or promotion of the interests of any person, entity, product or service. "Sign" also includes the sign structure supports, lighting system and any attachments, ornaments or other features used to draw the attention of observers.

"Sign area" means the area of a sign that is used for display purposes, excluding the minimum frame and supports. In computing sign area, only one side of a back-to-back or double-faced sign shall be computed when signs are parallel or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than forty-five degrees.

In relation to signs that do not have a frame or a separate background, sign area shall be computed on the basis of the least rectilinear line with a maximum of eight sides, triangle or circle large enough to frame the display.

Sign areas in the shape of a sphere, prism, cylinder, cone, pyramid, square or other such shapes shall be computed as one-half of the total surface area.

"Sign maintenance" means that signs shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good condition, including the replacement of defective parts, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of the sign.

"Sign setback" means the minimum distance that any portion of a sign or sign structure shall be from any street right-of-way line and yard line coterminous with a street.

"Sign structure" means anything constructed or erected supporting a sign which requires location on or below the ground or attached to something having location on or below the ground.

"Snipe sign" means a sign which is attached to a public utility pole, fixture poles, canopy supports, or the supports for another sign.

"Static" means no motion of any type or form.

"Temporary sign," as regulated by this title, shall include any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed out of doors for a short period of time.

"Time and temperature device" means any mechanism that displays the time and/or temperature but does not display any commercial advertising or identification.

"Video" means simulated movement created by the display of a series of images creating the illusion of continuous movement.

"Wall sign" means a sign that is either painted on a wall or its facing by not having a sign frame or separation from the wall or facing.

"Window sign" means a sign permanently attached and located within a building so as to be visible through a window or door outside of the building.

(Ord. No. 1739, § II, 12-4-2012; Ord. 1532, § 3, 2004; Ord. 1076, § 3, 1989; Ord. 1034, § 1 (part), 1988)

Any sign authorized under this chapter is allowed to contain noncommercial copy in lieu of any permissible copy.

(Ord. 1106 § 3, 1990)

A.

Properties divided by public streets are not adjacent.

B.

The sign requirements contained in this chapter are declared to be the maximum allowable.

C.

Sign types not specifically allowed as set forth within this chapter shall be prohibited.

D.

Where other ordinances are in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, the most restrictive ordinance shall apply.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

Except as provided in this title, a sign shall not be erected, raised, moved, placed, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered, unless in conformity with the regulations specified in this chapter.

B.

A nonconforming sign shall not be reconstructed, raised, moved, placed, extended or enlarged unless the sign is changed so as to conform to all provisions of this title. Alterations shall also mean the changing of the text or message that the sign is conveying from one use of the premises to another use of the premises and the changing of the ownership of the sign when that ownership necessitates a change in the text or message of the sign. Alterations shall not be interpreted to include changing the text or copy of electronic message centers, off-premises advertising signs, theater signs, outdoor bulletin or other similar signs which are designed to accommodate changeable copy.

(Ord. No. 1739, § III, 12-4-2012; Ord. 1119, § 1, 1990; Ord. 1106, § 4, 1990; Ord. 1076, § 2, 1989; Ord. 1054, § 2, 1988; Ord. 1034, § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

When a parcel of land is five acres or larger, the planning commission may consider an on-premises sign proposal for a development on such parcel that is less restrictive than the regulations set forth in this chapter, as a conditional use providing there is a determination that the proposed sign exceptions are:

1.

Not in conflict with the purpose of this chapter;

2.

In architectural harmony with the development and other buildings and uses adjacent to the development.

B.

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, which promote specific sales;

2.

Signs which are associated with school or church events and functions, which are clearly of a temporary nature;

3.

Interior signs;

4.

Time and temperature devices;

5.

Searchlights.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

When an application for the first permit (building permit or conditional use permit) on a parcel of ground is submitted to the county, it shall be accompanied by a complete comprehensive sign plan for all existing, proposed or future signs on the parcel of ground.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

Building permits are required for signs except for property signs, political signs and nameplates conforming to the provisions of this chapter. (See Section 19.82.050(B).)

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

The following shall be used when calculating sign sizes: When more than one use occupies a lot, the frontage may be used to calculate the sign size for one total ground or projecting sign, not for each use. The total may then be divided between the uses. There may be any number of flat or wall signs, provided their total does not exceed the percentage of wall area coverage allowed.

B.

A property line which abuts a nonaccess freeway, road, street or right-of-way may not be used in computing sign area.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

The height of ground signs, except as otherwise specified in this chapter, shall be measured from the grade at the property line of the yard in which the sign is located, but shall not exceed the height allowed in the zone.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

The imprint of the sign owner and sign erector of all signs shall be in plain and public view.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

Off-premises signs erected along the interstate or the primary highway system as defined by the state shall conform with the provisions of the Utah Outdoor Advertising Act.

(Ord. 1106 § 5, 1990: Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

There shall be a minimum clearance of ten feet between the ground and any part of a projecting sign or ground sign, as measured from the grade of the intersecting streets and located within the clear view of an intersection, which is a triangular area formed by the street property lines and a line connecting them at points forty feet from the intersection of the street lines. Any portion of a sign structure within the clear view of an intersection and nearer the ground than ten feet may not exceed ten inches in width, thickness or diameter.

B.

A service sign located within the clear view of an intersection shall not exceed two feet in height.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

No sign shall be located on publicly owned land or inside street rights-of-way except signs required and erected by permission of an authorized public agency. Signs shall include, but not be limited to, handbills, posters, advertisements or notices that are fastened, placed, posted, painted or attached in any way upon any curbstone, lamppost, telephone pole, telegraph pole, electric light or power pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, rock, sidewalk or street.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

A lighted sign shall not be installed which permits the light to penetrate beyond the property in such a manner as to annoy or interfere with the use of adjacent properties.

B.

Such lights alleged to violate subsection A of this section by the adjacent property owners or development services division director shall be subject to a public hearing before the planning commission as to the validity of the alleged violation. If such light is determined to be in violation, the owner of the light shall take appropriate, corrective action as directed.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

An electronic message center shall only display static images. An electronic message center shall not display scrolling text, video images, or scintillating images.

B.

The minimum image display duration shall be four seconds.

C.

The maximum image transition duration shall be three seconds. Transitions from one static image shall fade out and fade or dissolve in to the next static image without the use of flashing, animation, or movement.

D.

All electronic message centers shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and must be programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions. The nighttime illuminance of an electronic message center shall not increase ambient lighting conditions by more than three-tenths footcandles when measured perpendicular to the electronic message center face at a distance determined by the following formula:

Measurement Distance (in feet) = The square root of [Area of electronic message center face in square feet) × 100]

E.

Where allowed as a conditional use, conditions may be imposed by the planning commission regarding hours of sign operation, sign height, sign size, and/or setbacks from property lines to mitigate impacts on nearby residential properties, to protect critical viewsheds as established in the general plan, or to prevent potential traffic hazards.

F.

Electronic message center conditional use requirements, allowed sign types, and allowable sizes by zone are set forth in Table 19.82.135.

Table 19.82.135
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER CONDITIONAL USE REQUIREMENTS, ALLOWED SIGN TYPES, AND ALLOWABLE SIZES BY ZONE

Table 19.82.135 footnotes:

1.

The planning commission may approve an increase in the allowable EMC sign size through the conditional use process as described in Section 19.82.135E.

(Ord. No. 1739, § IV, 12-4-2012)

One mobile sign may be used for each use for a period of sixty days following the issuance of a permit to construct a permanent sign for that use. Upon inspection and approval of the permanent sign, or upon expiration of the sixty-day period, whichever first occurs, the mobile sign must be removed. Mobile signs may not employ animation, flashing lights or intermittent lights.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

Signs or other advertising structures shall not be erected at the intersection of any streets or driveways in such manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal device, or make use of the words "Stop," "Drive-in," "Danger," or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicle operators.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

All signs and advertising structures shall be maintained in good condition.

B.

Signs relating to a product no longer available for purchase, or to a business which has closed or moved, shall be removed or the advertising copy removed within thirty days of such unavailability, closure or relocation.

C.

Owners of signs or advertising copy not removed within the required thirty days shall be given written notice sent by certified mail. If not removed by the owner within the thirty-day period, the sign or copy will be removed by the county at the expense of the owner.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

Signs not specifically allowed by this chapter are prohibited. Without restricting or limiting the provisions of this section, the following signs are specifically prohibited: A-frame, snipe and pedestal signs.

(Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

The mayor or attorney shall be empowered to institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any case where any sign is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or in any case where any sign is used in violation of any county ordinance, to accomplish the following purposes:

1.

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

2.

To restrain, to correct or abate such violation;

3.

To abate and remove unsafe or dangerous signs. If an unsafe or dangerous sign is not repaired or made safe within ten working days after giving notice as provided in subsection B of this section, the building inspector or development services division director may at once abate and remove the sign, and the person having charge, control or benefit of any such sign shall pay to the county costs incurred in such removal within thirty calendar days after written notice of the costs is mailed to such person.

B.

Notice by the county shall mean written notice sent by certified mail to persons having charge or control or benefit of any sign found by the development services division director to be unsafe.

(Ord. 1473 (part), 2001: Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)

A.

Purpose. This section provides for the reasonable regulation of off-premises signs with the intent of enhancing the aesthetics of existing and future billboards, mitigating negative impacts, promoting safety and protecting property values that further the goals and planning policies of Salt Lake County.

B.

Cap on Number of Off-Premises Signs. The number of off-premises signs allowed in unincorporated Salt Lake County and established or future townships shall be limited to the number of off-premises signs that are existing as defined herein as of May 18, 2004. This cap shall automatically decrease as off-premises signs are annexed into a municipal jurisdiction or removed and not relocated.

C.

Location. Off-premises signs shall be allowed in the C-1 zone as a conditional use. Off-premises signs shall be allowed in the C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2 zones as a permitted use.

D.

Size. Off-premises signs shall not exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet in the C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2 zones. Off-premises signs located in a C-1 zone shall not exceed three hundred square feet in size.

E.

Height. The maximum height of an off-premises sign shall be thirty-five feet in a C-1 zone. The maximum height of an off-premises sign shall be forty-five feet above the grade level of the road in the C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2 zones or, when oriented for freeway viewing only and located within three hundred feet of the nearest freeway lane, twenty-five feet above freeway grade level or fifty feet overall, whichever is greater.

F.

Separation. The minimum distance between off-premises signs larger than three hundred square feet shall be five hundred lineal feet as measured along the same side of the street including intersections. The minimum distance between off-premises signs three hundred square feet or less in size shall be three hundred lineal feet as measured along the same side of the street including intersections. All off-premises signs must be at least one hundred fifty radial feet from any other off-premises sign.

G.

Setbacks. The minimum setback shall be eighteen inches for off-premises signs. The sign's front-yard setback shall be measured from the future right-of-way line (see Transportation Improvement Plan). The closest edge of an off-premises sign shall not project into any required setback area. The minimum setback between an off-premises sign and any residential zone boundary shall be one hundred fifty feet.

H.

Lighting. Lighting shall be confined to the sign face, and the lighting source shall not be directly visible.

I.

Design. Off-premises signs shall utilize either the "mono-pole" or the "bi-pole" design and shall be continually maintained structurally and on the copy face. The back of the sign and the structure behind the sign shall be painted a dark color. Tri-vision sign faces shall be permitted and, if illuminated, must be externally illuminated. Internally illuminated off-premises signs, electronic display (outdoor video advertising) and electronic message centers are only allowed adjacent to the interstate freeway system and limited to no more than one change to the copy face in a twenty-four hour period. Two-decked off-premises signs are prohibited in all zones.

J.

Credits for Removal. Prior to the removal of any off-premises sign, the owner shall obtain a permit for the demolition of the off-premises sign. Permits may be provided following application to the Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services Division. The Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services Division shall by letter inform the affected community council chairman and affected planning commission chairman that a permit for demolition of an off-premises sign has been issued. After any off-premises sign is demolished, the Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services Division shall create a "billboard bank account" for the sign owner. The account shall reflect credits for the off-premises sign square footage as well as the date of removal. Any off-premises sign credits not used within thirty-six months of their creation shall expire and be of no further value or use. An off-premises sign owner may sell or otherwise transfer off-premises signs and/or billboard bank account credits. The transfer of any billboard bank account credits does not extend their thirty-six-month life as provided in this section. Demolition of an off-premises sign that has two advertising faces shall receive billboard bank account credits for the square footage of each sign face.

K.

Relocation. The owner of an existing off-premises sign may remove an existing off-premises sign from any site to an approved location only after a permit for relocation is obtained upon substantiation of compliance with this chapter. Prior to approval of a permit for relocation, the sign owner (applicant) shall submit to the county a notarized affidavit signed by the property owner, a copy of the lease agreement or other document to be signed by the property owner, indicating at a minimum the duration of the lease and renewal provisions. Additionally, prior to approval of a permit for relocation, Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services Division shall by letter inform the affected community council chairman and affected planning commission chairman that application for an off-premises sign permit has been received. Off-premises signs moved to approved locations shall conform to all off-premises sign requirements of the new location. Off-premises signs moved from one location to another must be installed in the new approved location within the period allotted by the International Building Code (IBC). A new off-premises sign permit shall only be issued if the applicant has billboard bank account credits of a sufficient number of square feet. When the permit for construction of a new off-premises sign is issued, the Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services Division shall deduct from the sign owner's billboard bank account the square footage of the new off-premises sign. If the new off-premises sign uses less than the entire available square footage credits, any remaining square footage credits shall remain in the sign owner's billboard bank account.

L.

County Council Review and Monitoring. The county council shall, on a regular six-month schedule be updated at a regular public meeting to changes in status and effectiveness of the provisions related to off-premises signs in unincorporated Salt Lake County.

M.

Severability and Conflict. This section and its various parts are hereby declared to be severable if a court of competent jurisdiction declares any subsection, clause, provision or portion of this section invalid or unconstitutional. No court decision will affect the validity of either this section as a whole or any parts not declared invalid or unconstitutional by that decision. If any part of this section is found to be in conflict with any other provision of the county, the most restrictive or highest standard will apply, prevail and govern.

(Ord. 1532 § 4, 2004)

On-premises signs allowed, by zones, shall be as set out in Table 19.82.190.

(Ord. No. 1739, § V, 12-4-2012; Ord. 1532 § 5, 2004; Ord. 1451 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1409 § 2, 1997; Ord. 1314 § 2, 1995; Ord. 1307 § 3, 1995; Ord. 1192 § 2, 1992; Ord. 1113 § 2, 1990; Ord. 1106 §§ 6, 7, 1990; Ord. 1072 § 2, 1989; Ord. 1034 § 1 (part), 1988)