(A) The principal purpose of the sign regulations is to establish basic design standards, administrative procedures, and other criteria pertaining to the time, manner, and placement of both on-site and off-site signage located within the City. Such controls are established in the interests of public safety, community aesthetics, and the public need for clear visual communications. Visual distractions, impediments to traffic visibility, and competition with traffic control devices shall be prohibited. The standards and criteria of this chapter are intended to accommodate a certain limited amount of signage in order to be comprehensible, to promote traffic safety, and to maintain community aesthetics. As a result, visual clutter and competition between sign structures shall be avoided to allow approved signage to convey visual information to the public in a clear manner.

(B) It is also the intent of this chapter to secure the gradual and eventual elimination, rather than expansion, of nonconforming signs and nonconforming sign structures. Therefore, the number, size, height, location, spacing, the means of installing, and the manner of keeping signs and sign structures shall be regulated in order to achieve these purposes. (Ord. 312 § 2(16.0), passed 4-11-2012. Code 2012 § 152.255.)

(A) Scope. The regulations and provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to the construction, establishment, or addition of any new sign, sign structure, or sign face, whether on-site or off-site, as well as to the relocation, enlargement, extension, reconstruction, replacement, maintenance, or continuance of any existing sign, sign structure, or sign face. These regulations shall be applicable within any existing or new development area of the City, as well as within any area newly annexed to the City. Nothing herein shall require any change or modification to any signage lawfully established or constructed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, except as provided in subsection (C) of this section and SLCC 18.80.080(E)(5).

(B) Responsibility. The duty to erect and maintain signage in the manner specified herein shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or occupant(s) of the property upon which the signage is located.

(C) Nonconforming Signage. Any sign or sign structure lawfully existing prior to the effective date of this chapter, whether on-site or off-site, and not meeting the standards and requirements specified herein, shall be considered nonconforming and be subject to the following provisions:

(D) Prohibited Signage. The following types of signage shall be prohibited:

(E) Locations Within the Right-of-Way. No sign shall be located within any existing or prospective public street right-of-way as classified by the transportation/circulation element of the City of San Luis General Plan, and its successors, nor shall any portion of a sign or sign structure overhang such right-of-way, except as provided in the San Luis City Code or the Arizona Revised Statutes.

(F) Signage for Which No Permits Are Required. Permits shall not be required for any of the following sign installations; provided, however, that such installations shall meet all other requirements of this chapter as may be applicable:

(G) Exempt Signage. The following types of sign installations shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:

ABANDONED SIGNAGE. A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, leaser, service, owner, product or activity, and/or for which no legal sign owner can be found.

ANIMATED SIGNS. Any sign which displays or employs action or movement, whether driven by mechanical means or wind actuated; signs which only rotate shall not be included in this category.

BALLOONS/INFLATABLE DEVICES. One or more balloons or inflatable devices used as a permanent or temporary sign or as a means of directing attention to: any business or profession; a commodity or service sold, offered, or manufactured; or to any entertainment.

BANNER. Any sign consisting of paper, fabric, canvas, rubber, plastic, or the like, with no other material for rigid structural support.

BUILDING FAÇADE. An exterior elevation of a building, extending from the average grade level of the adjoining ground within five feet of the building wall to the top line of the roof or parapet wall, and also extending the entire width of the building elevation.

BUSINESS PURPOSES. Pertaining to economic dealings or mercantile activity, which are engaged in as a means of livelihood.

CANOPY. An architectural projection beyond the external wall of a building forming part of the building façade.

COMMERCIAL MESSAGE. A message displayed or caused to be displayed before the public for business purposes involving or pertaining to the manufacture or sale of products, property, accommodations, services, attractions, or activities, which:

CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor, lender and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property on which the sign is located.

COPY. The words, letters, symbols, illustrations, or other graphic characters used to convey the message of a sign.

DEGREE OF NONCONFORMITY. The extent to which any sign or sign structure does not conform to the standards and requirements of this title, such as the height, sign face area, setback, vertical clearance, number of signs, or manner of keeping.

DEVELOPMENT SIGN. An on-site sign at the entry of a development indicating the name of a park, subdivision, complex or center.

DIGITAL DISPLAY. Computer controlled electronic off-site signs that transmit light through the use of light emitting diode display (LED) technology.

EXPRESSWAY. Expressway (150-foot right-of-way; access at one-half mile intersections).

FESTOONS. A sign where incandescent light bulbs, banners, balloons, pennants or other such features are hung, strung overhead or tied together and which are not an integral, physical part of the building or structure they are intended to serve.

FLAG. A piece of cloth, varying in size, shape, color, and design, usually attached at one edge to a staff or cord, and used as the symbol of a nation, state, or organization, as a means of signaling, and the like; ensign; standard; banner; pennant.

FLASHING SIGN. Any sign which contains a source of light, internal or external, that intermittently cuts on and off, or which creates the illusion of flashing or intermittent light through animation or other means.

FREESTANDING SIGN. Any sign permanently anchored to the ground which stands alone on its own foundation and structural supports, and free of support from any building. Any signage mounted on the roof of any building shall not be considered as a FREESTANDING SIGN.

GRAFFITI. A drawing or inscribing a message, slogan, sign or symbol or mark of any type that is made on any public or private building, structure or surface, and that is made without the permission of the owner. (Chapter 9.50 SLCC.)

HEIGHT OF BUILDING. For the purpose of regulating sign locations, when a building façade has various elevations the height of the predominant elevation shall be the building height. Where a predominant elevation cannot be determined, the lowest height shall govern. In all situations, a sign shall not extend outside the silhouette of the wall/roof to which it is attached.

INDEXING SIGN. Any sign designed with multi-sided sign faces which is operated by some mechanical device, thereby causing the faces to alternately turn and stop.

MAXIMUM HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the uppermost point of the sign face or sign structure, whichever is higher, to the street grade of the nearest driving lane.

MONUMENT SIGN. A freestanding sign, where the entire bottom of the sign is affixed to the ground and provides a solid and continuous background for the sign face from the ground to the top of the sign, which is detached from a building, and the support structure is a base constructed of a permanent material. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height. The sign shall be clad to the ground with a base not less than 75% of the total sign width. The height of the structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height.

MURAL. A wall-mounted sign with any picture, scene, or diagram displayed on any exterior wall or fence with the written permission of the property owner. The work may be a mosaic, painting, graphic art or any combination thereof. The work shall not include any advertising, gang identification, profanity, or any sign or language which promotes the resentment or hatred of other races or classes of people. MURALS determined to be advertising by the Zoning Administrator shall be considered a sign and shall be included in the calculations of allowable sign area.

NONCOMMERCIAL MESSAGE. A message that is not a commercial message.

OFF-SITE SIGN. Any sign that may display a message, whether commercial or noncommercial, that does not necessarily relate to the premises upon which such sign is located.

ON-SITE SIGN. Any sign which pertains to the business operated, activity conducted, or products sold or manufactured, on the premises upon which such sign is located, or which displays a noncommercial message installed or caused to be installed only by the property owner and/or lessee of the property upon which the sign is located.

PARAPET. A wall extending above the plateline of the building.

PEDESTAL SIGN. A freestanding, ground-mounted sign, detached from a building, and where the support structure is a base constructed of a permanent material. The support structure of a pedestal sign and sign face shall be designed as one architecturally unified and proportional element. The sign shall be clad to the ground with a base not less than 65% of the total sign width. The height of the structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height.

PERMANENT SIGN. Any sign set in the ground with its own foundation, or which is painted on or otherwise anchored to a building, wall, or other permanent structure, and any of which are installed to achieve a lasting and enduring condition and location.

PLATELINE. The point where the roof structure first touches an external wall.

POLE SIGN. A freestanding sign which is supported by one or more structural elements that are either (1) architecturally dissimilar to the design of the sign or (2) which are less than one-fourth of the width of the sign face. The bottom edge of the sign face is eight feet or more above finished grade.

POLITICAL SIGN. A sign as regulated by A.R.S. § 16-1019.

PORTABLE SIGN. Any signage which is designed to be placed upon the ground, rather than anchored to the ground or to any structure, and which may be moved without disassembly or excavation of the sign or sign structure.

PREMISES. Any property or properties developed as a unit, including all building(s), off-street parking, points of access, common area, and any other appurtenances, all of which allow the parcel to function as a whole.

PRIMARY BUILDING FAÇADE. The particular façade of a building which faces the street to which the address of the building pertains.

ROOF. The protective cover of a building.

ROOFLINE. The highest point of the main roof structure or parapet wall, not including cupolas, pylons, projections, or minor raised portions of the roof.

SIGN. Any identification, description, illustration, symbol, statue or device, which is affixed directly or indirectly upon a parcel, building, structure, or other surface, and used or intended to attract the attention of the public when visible from any position on or off the premises upon which displayed.

SIGN FACE AREA. The area of the smallest single geometric figure or figures which entirely encloses both the copy and facing of the sign. The spaces between letters, symbols, and numerals, which make words or elements of the sign, and contrasting backgrounds, illustrations, borders, or other devices shall be included.

SIGN HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the top of the sign and supporting frame or trim, if any, to the ground at the base of the sign or street grade level, whichever may be the lower.

STREET ADDRESS FRONTAGE. The total linear dimension of the property line which coincides with the edge of the adjoining street right-of-way to which the address of the property pertains.

STREET FRONTAGE. The total linear dimension of all property lines which coincide with the edge of an adjoining street right-of-way.

SWINGING SIGN. Any sign face which is suspended at one or more points, but is not rigidly and permanently anchored to a building, wall, post, or other support structure.

TEMPORARY SIGNAGE. Any signage which is set in the ground but not permanently set in its own footing or foundation, nor permanently anchored to a building, wall, or other structure.

TRANSIT BENCH SIGN. A sign located on a bench at a designated public stop, in a City of San Luis public right-of-way.

TRANSIT SHELTER SIGN. A sign located on a transit shelter at a designated public transit stop in a City of San Luis public right-of-way.

TRI-VISION SIGN. A sign that uses vertical venetian-type triangular panels to display one or more messages on an existing or proposed off-site sign. Such signs shall change at intervals of three seconds or more. This type of technology shall not be permitted on any other type of sign.

UNAUTHORIZED SIGNAGE. Any signage, irrespective of the method of installation, which is erected on property without the permission of the property owner.

UNDER-CANOPY SIGN. Any sign suspended from the underside of a canopy, roof, covered walkway, porch, or cantilever projection from a building.

VEHICULAR SIGNAGE. Any sign which is attached to or painted on a vehicle (motorized or drawn) which is parked and visible from the public right-of-way for the express purpose of promoting an off-site activity. VEHICULAR SIGNAGE is subject to the regulations for temporary signs.

VERTICAL CLEARANCE. The vertical distance measured from the bottom edge of a sign face to the street grade of the nearest driving lane.

WALL-MOUNTED SIGN. Any sign attached to a wall of a building, whether or not parallel to the wall surface, including any sign painted on a wall surface. (Ord. 312 § 2(16.2), passed 4-11-2012. Code 2012 § 152.257.)

(A) Zoning District. On-site signage shall be permitted within any zoning district, subject to the general requirements of this title and the design standards as specified in this section.

(B) Address/Nameplates. One address and nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area shall be allowed as a matter of right for any building within any zoning district, and shall be in addition to the maximum sign areas specified herein.

(C) Freestanding Signs on Shared Premises. Where more than one user shares the same premises, not more than one permanent freestanding, on-site sign shall be allowed for each street upon which the premises front, in accordance with the design standards as specified herein.

(D) Standards and Criteria for Permanent On-Site Signage. Any permanent on-site signage proposed for installation shall conform with the standards and criteria indicated in Table No. 16 below. The number of any permanent on-site sign structures and the amount of any permanent on-site sign face area which already exists on any given premises shall be counted in accordance with these standards and criteria when determining the amount of permanent signage which may be added.

(E) The support structure for any sign shall be set back a minimum of 12 feet from any street right-of-way line and no vertical clearance shall be less than eight feet. The minimum setback from the street right-of-way line to the leading edge of the sign face shall be a minimum of three feet from the street right-of-way line.

(F) If the sign (including support structure) does not exceed three feet maximum height, a minimum three-foot setback from the street right-of-way line shall be required.

(G) The maximum allowable sign height shall be 35 feet.

(H) The maximum total sign face area as specified for this category may be distributed among each building façade or roof section.

(I) Monument Sign. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height. The sign shall be clad to the ground with a base not less than 75% of the total sign width. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the sign shall be measured as part of the sign height. To encourage design flexibility, the maximum height of the sign may be lowered in order to decrease required setback from the street. No signs shall be permitted within visibility sight triangles. Low-profile signs shall be set back, at a minimum, from the property line as follows:

(J) Directional Signage. Signage provided for the sole purpose of traffic circulation and direction on the premises shall be permitted within any zoning district in the amount of ten square feet per street entrance, and shall be permitted in addition to the maximum on-site sign areas specified herein.

(K) Public Facilities and Religious Institutions. All signs for public facilities and religious institutions, in any zoning district, shall comply with the following criteria:

(A) Any temporary signage proposed for installation shall conform with the standards and criteria indicated in Table No. 17, except that the number of signs displaying only a noncommercial message may exceed the maximum number of signs on any given lot or parcel.

(B) Lighting for temporary sign installations shall be prohibited.

(C) Balloons and Inflatable Devices – Festoons. The following applies to the use of balloons, other inflatable devices, or festoons used as signs:

(A) General. Off-site signage shall be permitted in accordance with the specific standards and criteria set forth in this section, as well as with the additional requirements and provisions of this title pertaining to all signage.

(B) Required Zoning Districts and Frontages. Off-site signage shall be permitted only on parcels zoned with a General Commercial (“C-2”) or Light Industrial (“L-I”) zoning classification which front along a major arterial street or minor arterial street, as classified by the transportation/circulation element of the City of San Luis General Plan, and its successors.

(C) Standards and Criteria for Off-Site Signage. Any off-site signage proposed for installation shall conform with the standards and criteria set forth in the following. The size and location of any off-site signage which already exists shall be considered when determining the amount and location of any new signage proposed for installation under these standards:

(D) Prohibited Locations. Off-site signage shall be prohibited at any of the following locations:

(A) General. The following requirements and provisions shall be applicable to all sign installations as regulated by this title, both on-site and off-site, whether permanent or temporary.

(B) Responsibilities. The administration and enforcement of these regulations shall be the responsibility of the City of San Luis Zoning Administrator and the Building Official, in accordance with the customary duties and responsibilities of each official, respectively, and as further provided by SLCC 18.05.100.

(C) Issuance of Building Permits.

(D) Fees.

(E) Construction and Installation Standards.

(F) Variances and Conditional Use Permits. Variances or conditional use permits may be granted by the appropriate City board as specified herein, to allow relief from the design standards specified by this chapter. However, no relief shall be granted to permit the erection of signs which are prohibited by SLCC 18.80.020(D) and 18.80.060.

(G) Penalties. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to violate, or cause the violation of, any provision of this chapter. Each separate day, or part thereof, that a violation continues is a separate offense. Any violation of or failure to do or perform any act required by this chapter constitutes a civil offense punishable pursuant to SLCC 1.05.990. Any third, or more, offense committed within one year of the date of the first offense shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to SLCC 1.05.990. (Ord. 312 § 2(16.7), passed 4-11-2012; Ord. 367 § 1, passed 10-11-2017. Code 2012 § 152.262.)