(a)

Statement of purpose. This section is intended to preserve and promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Scott, Louisiana; to maintain and enhance the visual environment, and to improve pedestrian and traffic safety; and to minimize the possible adverse effects of billboards on nearby public and private property.

(b)

Definitions.

Billboard means a permanent sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. A billboard is also called an outdoor general advertising sign.

Billboard, nonconforming means a billboard legally erected prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this section that does not conform to the requirements of this section.

(c)

Billboard permit. A permit is required for the construction or erection of new billboards or for any alteration to existing billboards, subject to the following requirements:

(1)

A billboard permit application provided by the City of Scott shall be submitted, together with:

a.

The name and address of the billboard owner and the billboard erector.

b.

A drawing or drawings showing the design and location of the billboard and photographs of the site and its environs, including all site elevations in both print and electronic form.

c.

Specifications as may be necessary to fully advise and acquaint the comprehensive plan facilitator with the location, manner of construction, materials, manner of support, manner of illumination (if any), the number of sign faces, and the proposed alteration.

(2)

All billboards that are electrically illuminated by any means require a separate electrical permit and inspection.

(3)

Each sign face is required to display a nameplate with the name of the owner and a sign permit identification plate with the permit number.

(4)

Notwithstanding all other provisions of these regulations, the owner(s) of the sign(s) shall annually on or before January 30 of each year submit an inventory of all current billboards to the comprehensive plan facilitator along with all of the requirements of the billboard permit. The inventory shall include GPS coordinates for each billboard.

(5)

Permit fee: $100.00 per billboard.

(d)

Billboard locations. Billboards are permitted via code exception in the following Scott Land Use Code districts: T4—General Urban; T5—Urban Center; and Industrial, as follows:

(e)

Billboard standards.

(1)

The bottom of the billboard shall be no higher than 25 feet from the roadbed toward where the advertising is directed.

(2)

The area of billboards is limited to a maximum measurement of 14 feet long by 48 feet wide 672 square feet of advertising surface on one side.

(3)

Billboards shall be set back from all property lines a minimum of five feet.

(4)

Electronic billboards are permitted subject to the following:

a.

Only one electronic billboard is permitted per lot.

b.

Each message or image displayed on an electronic billboard shall be static or depicted for a minimum of eight seconds. Animation, streaming video, and images that move or give the appearance of movement are prohibited.

c.

No illumination from any electronic billboard may shine into any residential premises or interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.

d.

An electronic billboard shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 6,000 candela per square meter (cd/m ² ) during daylight hours, and a maximum illumination of 500 candela per square meter (cd/m ² ) between dusk and dawn, as measured from the sign's face at maximum brightness. All electronic billboards shall have ambient light monitors which automatically adjust the brightness level of the digital sign based on ambient light conditions.

e.

No nonconforming billboard may be converted to an electronic billboard.

(5)

No billboard may have audio speakers or any audio component.

(f)

Variance of billboard standards. Applications for any variance to the requirements of this Section shall follow the administrative procedure for warrants and shall be accompanied by the following:

(1)

A development plan.

(2)

Photographs of the site and its environs, including all site elevations.

(3)

Specifications for the proposed billboard.

(4)

Any other information, either written or graphic, as required by the comprehensive plan facilitator.

(Ord. No. 2015-1, § I, 2-5-2015; Ord. No. 2015-4, § I, 4-2-2015)

(a)

General sign standards.

(1)

Sign materials shall relate to the materials and style of the building(s) they serve.

(2)

Signs oriented to pedestrians (e.g., projecting signs supported by ornamental brackets) are strongly encouraged.

(3)

Electronic message display signs are prohibited. This does not include time and temperature components.

(4)

All lighting shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property. All sign illumination shall be designed, located, shielded, and directed to prevent both the casting of glare or direct light upon adjacent publicly dedicated roadways and surrounding properties, and the distraction of operators of vehicles or pedestrians in the public rights-of-way.

(5)

Signs with flashing or blinking lights, or other illuminating devices that have a changing light intensity, brightness or color, traveling/chasing or blinking lights, or rotating beacons are prohibited. Time and temperature components of signs are not considered flashing signs.

(b)

Freestanding signs.

(1)

Freestanding principal use signage shall be limited to monument signs. Pole signs may be allowed only by warrant.

(2)

Lower, monument-style signs are preferred where visibility from the right-of-way is not an issue. Preferred monument signs are low and horizontal with raised lettering and set off by flowers, shrubs and/or a lawn.

(3)

Ample landscaping shall be provided at the base of all signs.

(c)

Multiple occupancy lots or buildings.

(1)

Only one freestanding sign shall be allowed for each street frontage of a multiple occupancy lot or building. This sign may contain names and data on some or all tenants, occupants, or activities.

(2)

Each activity or establishment shall be permitted building signage for each street frontage.

(3)

Complexes such as shopping centers, special activity centers or campuses shall be allowed to put the name of the complex on any freestanding sign.

(4)

Pole signs for multiple occupancy lots or buildings may be allowed only by warrant.

(d)

Properties with interstate highway frontage exception.

(1)

Applicability. Nonresidential properties which front on an interstate highway in the T-5 district within 100 feet of either side of the interstate highway right-of-way.

(2)

Freestanding sign height allowance. A freestanding sign on district T-5 property which has frontage on an interstate highway shall comply with all of the requirements of this section, with the following exceptions:

a.

Eligible properties shall be allowed a maximum sign height of 40 feet.

b.

Any freestanding sign must meet all setback requirements.

c.

Pole signs may be allowed only by warrant.

(Ord. No. 2016-13, 2-2-2017)