This section provides a set of standards for the design and construction of signs within the town of Springerville in order to protect property values; to promote a desirable aesthetic character for the town through professional-appearing signage; to protect the general public from damage or injury which may be caused by the faulty and uncontrolled construction of signs; to protect pedestrians and motorists from damage or injury caused, or partially attributed to the distractions and obstructions which are caused by improperly situated signs; to promote the public safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of travel and free flow of traffic.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))

As used in this chapter:

"Shopping center" means a group of three or more commercial establishments associated by common agreement or under common ownership which comprises contiguous land parcel unit with common parking facilities.

"Sign" means any identification, description, illustration or device which is affixed directly or indirectly upon a building, structure or land which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business, and which is visible from any public street, waterways, alley or public place, and shall include banners and similar services. A vehicle mounted sign on a vehicle that is habitually parked or stationed at the site of a business and serves to advertise or identify the business, shall be construed as a sign for the purpose of this chapter. National flags of political subdivisions shall not be construed as signs.

"Sign—A-frame or sandwich board" means a freestanding, unattached, two-faced sign not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet per face. (Note the height regulations of Sections 17.100.050(H), 17.100.060(F) and 17.100.070(A)).

"Sign—Area of" means that area in square feet of the smallest rectangle, square, circle or triangle that encompasses the sign. The area of any two-faced sign with parallel faces or "V" type signs having an interior angle of forty-five (45) degrees shall be the area of a single face. All other multiple faced or paneled signs shall be the total area of all faces or panels. Sign area shall include the mounting surface, on which the lettering is placed. For signs which are painted on a wall surface and for multiple-unit signs, the area shall include the lettering and the vertical and horizontal spacing between letters which comprise the work or words that convey the message.

Sign, Banner. "Banner sign" means any sign painted or displayed on cloth or other flexible material.

Sign, Canopy. "Canopy sign" means a type of building-mounted sign under and supported by a permanent canopy, arcade or portal, and the faces of which are perpendicular to the nearest facade.

Sign, Development. "Development sign" means any temporary sign erected on the premise(s) of an existing construction project and designating the architect, contractor, designer or builder or developer, or the name and nature of the project.

Sign, Directional. "Directional sign" means any sign which is designed and erected solely for the purpose of traffic or pedestrian direction and placed on the property to which or on which the public is directed, and which contains no advertising copy.

Sign, Freestanding. "Freestanding sign" means a sign attached to or supported from the ground and not attached to a building. Signs on walls or fences which are not an integral part of a building are freestanding signs.

Sign, Height. "Height sign" means the vertical distance from grade to the highest point of the sign.

Sign, Political. "Political sign" means any temporary sign which supports the candidacy of any candidate for public office or urges action on any other matter on the ballot of primary, general or special elections.

Sign, Projecting. "Projecting sign" means a type of building-mounted sign, other than a wall sign or canopy sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building.

Sign, Property Sale, Rental or Lease. "Property sale, rental or lease sign" means any sign advertising the availability for sale, rental or lease of land or buildings.

Sign, Roof. "Roof sign" means a type of building-mounted sign which projects from and is supported by the roof of a building.

Sign, Wall. "Wall sign" means a sign flush to the exterior surface of a building, applied directly on the building, in a window or a signboard attached flush to the building, projecting no more than six inches from the building surface and not projecting above the roof surface. However, light sources aimed at the wall sign may project farther.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))

The provisions of this section shall apply to all signs placed or maintained within the town of Springerville with the exception of the following:

A.

Governmental Signs. Signs required by law or signs of a duly constituted governmental body, such as traffic signs, warning signs or no trespassing signs.

B.

Public Utility Signs. Signs placed by a public utility for the safety, welfare or convenience of the public, such as signs identifying high voltage, public telephone or underground cables.

C.

Vehicle Signs. Signs upon a vehicle, boat or trailer provided that any such vehicle, boat or trailer is not conspicuously parked so as to constitute a sign. Nothing herein contained shall prevent such a vehicle from being used from a bona fide delivery and other vehicular purposes.

D.

Temporary Holiday Decorations. Shall be allowed, provided they shall in no way create a hazard or nuisance, provided they are erected no more than thirty (30) days prior to that holiday to which they refer, and provided they are removed within ten days following that holiday to which they refer.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))

A.

A sign permit shall be required before a sign may be placed, constructed, reconstructed or altered within the town of Springerville with the exception of the following:

1.

Nameplate signs and address signs;

2.

Repainting or maintenance of signs, provided there is no change in size or shape. (Changes in wording, composition or colors shall be allowed without a permit);

3.

Property sale, rental or lease signs;

4.

Directional signs;

5.

Dedication Plaques. Non-illuminated names of buildings, dates of erection, monument citations, commemorative tables and the like, when carved into stone, concrete, metal or any other permanent type construction and made an integral part of a permitted structure and made flush to the ground;

6.

Yard, moving or garage sale signs as defined in Section 17.100.050 O.;

7.

Special event signs as defined in Section 17.100.050 P;

8.

Political signs in conformance with Section 17.100.050 K.

B.

An application for a sign permit shall be filed with the zoning administrator on a form prescribed by the zoning administrator. The application shall include the following:

1.

Sketch showing size, height and shape of sign;

2.

Description of material used and method of mounting;

3.

Landscaping;

4.

Existing signs;

5.

Any other information the planning and zoning administrator might need to evaluate the sign proposal;

6.

Payment of the filing fee in an amount established by a schedule adopted by resolution of the council. No part of the filing fee shall be returnable. This fee shall be doubled for any sign(s) erected or installed without a permit. Payment of the filing fee shall be waived when the petitioner is an official or agency of the city, county, state or federal government.

C.

Plan Review. Within ten days after receipt of a complete application for a sign permit, the zoning administrator shall review the sign plans, and deny, approve or conditionally approve said plans, basing his decision on the conformity of the proposal with the provisions of this section.

D.

Appeal. An applicant can appeal the decision of the zoning administrator as provided under Sections 17.88.060 and 17.92.101 et seq., of this code.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2008-005, § 1, 8-20-2008)

A.

No sign shall be constructed or erected in such a manner as to interfere in any way with or confuse vehicular or pedestrian traffic or present a traffic hazard.

B.

Flashing Signs. Signs shall not be animated or have intermittent illumination or flashing lights, except that "time and temperature" signs such as used by banking institutions may be allowed by conditional use permit.

C.

Lighting. Lighting shall be so installed so as to avoid any glare or reflection into any building used for residential purposes, or into any street, alley or driveway if such glare or reflection might create a traffic hazard. All exposed neon, freon, incandescent or similar type of illumination shall be not less than ten feet above grade. Below ten feet, any such lighting shall be shielded by transparent or translucent protective material.

D.

Audible Devices. No sign shall have audible devices.

E.

Building Codes. All signs shall be constructed, designed or attached to structures in conformance with the building code adopted by the town of Springerville.

F.

Real Estate Signs. Temporary property sale, rental or lease signs shall be allowed along each street frontage of the property to which the sign refers. Each sign shall not exceed six square feet in area, shall not exceed five feet in height and shall be located no nearer than ten feet from another lot, nor nearer than fifty (50) feet from any other real estate sign along the same street frontage. Signs of up to twenty (20) square feet may be allowed by conditional use permit.

G.

Entrance, Exit and Directional Signs. Two utility signs not more than two square feet each denoting "Entrance" or "Exit" shall be permitted if necessary for that purpose. In addition, two directional signs such as "Office" signs and arrows not more than two square feet each shall be allowed.

H.

Height Limitations at Streets, Driveways and Sidewalks. When located within a distance of twenty-five (25) feet from a street or driveway, or within two feet from a sidewalk, no sign shall be placed between a height of three feet and seven feet above the level of said street, driveway or sidewalk. When located over a sidewalk, no part of the sign shall be less than eight feet above said sidewalk. When located over any driveway, no part of any sign shall be less than fourteen (14) feet above said driveway.

I.

Location. No freestanding, projecting or canopy sign shall be located closer than ten feet from any abutting lot.

J.

No sign shall obstruct any door or fire escape of any building.

K.

Campaign or Election Signs.

a.

Individual signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

b.

No signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way or be placed in such a manner as to block visibility.

c.

Candidates, the registered entity responsible for the ballot measure or the registered entity opposing any ballot measure shall be held responsible for violations, which shall be prosecuted under Chapter 17.04.

d.

All signs shall be removed within ten days after the election to which the sign pertains or after the termination of a candidacy, whichever occurs first. Failure to comply shall constitute a violation of Chapter 17.04.

e.

In the event that the town must remove such signs, the cost of such removal shall be assessed against the candidate the registered entity responsible for the ballot measure or the registered entity opposing any ballot measure.

L.

Nonconforming Signs. Any nonconforming sign may be continued in use, provided however, that in the event any such sign is hereafter damaged to exceed fifty (50) percent of the reproduction value according to appraisal thereof by a licensed appraiser, or is removed or destroyed by any means whatsoever, including fire, collapse, explosion, act of the owner, act of public enemy or act of God, such sign may be restored, reconstructed, altered or repaired only to conform with the provisions of this chapter. Reasonable repairs may be made to nonconforming signs.

M.

Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a state of good order and repair, and if any outdoor advertising sign becomes a danger to the public, or becomes deteriorated or is abandoned, the property owner or owner of the sign shall be notified to remove or repair the sign. If he does not comply within ten days, the zoning administrator shall have the sign removed and the cost assessed to the owner of the property on which such sign is located.

N.

Temporary Signs. Signs used to promote a special event, sale, grand opening or other activity that does not qualify as a nonprofit or community event as defined in subsection P of this section. Not more than two temporary signs may be erected on- or off-site for up to thirty (30) days with a permit. A maximum of four temporary signs may be erected on- or off-site for up to ten days without a permit. Temporary signs (other than portable signs allowed in Section 17.100.070 J. used for more than thirty (30) days during a twelve (12) month period shall be considered permanent and included in total signage as defined in Section 17.100.070 B. All temporary signs shall comply with all other regulations set forth in the zoning code.

O.

Yard, Garage and Moving Sale Signs. Yard, garage and moving sale signs shall be allowed not more than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the sale provided they are anchored in a manner to prevent them from creating a hazard for traffic or pedestrians. All yard, garage and moving sale sign shall indicate the date(s) of the sale and the complete physical address. Any such sign lacking this information, adequate anchoring or appropriate placement will be immediately removed by the town and the property owner associated with the sale may be cited for littering. Signs shall not exceed three square feet in total area. Any sign in place longer than seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the sale or that has not been removed within twenty-four (24) hours after the sale has ended will be removed by the town and the property owner who placed it there may be cited for littering.

P.

Special Event Signs. Signs promoting a legitimate nonprofit or community event, including, but not limited to, art shows, circuses, fairs, carnivals, festivals, religious revivals, political rallies, vehicle shows and displays, swap meets, rodeos and other temporary events or activities as defined by Ordinance 117. Not more than two off-site special event signs may be posted up to thirty (30) days in advance of an event with a permit. A maximum total of four off-site special event signs may be posted up to ten days in advance of the event. All special event signs shall be removed within twenty-four (24) hours of the end of the event. Special event signs shall conform with all other regulations set forth in the zoning code.

Q.

Prohibited Signs. No posters, flyers, stake signs or notices of any kind shall be placed or displayed on posts, sidewalks, utility poles, lamp posts, hydrants, trees, bridges, rocks, boulders, walls of buildings, sheds, walls or fences, or other surfaces located on public property within public rights-of-way. Such signs will be immediately removed by the town and the responsible party may be cited for littering.

R.

Banners. A maximum of two banners not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet each shall be allowed provided they are attached in such a manner to prevent them from creating a hazard. Banners not attached to a building or structure shall include wind cuts. Banners may be used as permanent signage as defined in Section 17.100.070 B. or on a temporary basis as defined in subsections N through P of this section.

S.

A-Frame or Sandwich Board Signs. A-frame or sandwich board signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet per face shall be allowed provided they are anchored and positioned in such a manner to prevent them from blocking or creating a hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic. A-frame or sandwich board signs may be used as permanent signage as defined in Section 17.100.070B. or on a temporary basis as defined in subsections N through P of this section.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2008-005, § 2, 8-20-2008)

A.

Nameplates. One nameplate not exceeding three square feet in area indicating the names of the occupants, and one set of numbers not exceeding one square foot in area indicating the street address, shall be allowed for each dwelling unit.

B.

Home Occupation and Business Signs. One sign not exceeding four square feet in area shall be allowed for each street frontage for each professional office, business or home occupation, in those zones in which such office or business is permitted, provided such signs shall be wall signs, except that signs other than wall signs shall be allowed by conditional use permit.

C.

Subdivision Sale Signs. Two signs, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet each shall be allowed for each subdivision to designate the availability of lots or homes for sale. These signs shall be erected at least two hundred (200) feet apart. Permits for these signs shall be valid for a period of one year, and the sign shall be removed after expiration of the permit.

D.

Subdivision ID Signs. A maximum of two signs containing only the name of the subdivision and not exceeding a combined total area of thirty-two (32) square feet may be erected at each entrance to a subdivision.

E.

Apartment House ID Signs. One sign containing the name of the apartment house, not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area may be allowed on each street frontage of any apartment complex. These signs shall be only wall signs or freestanding signs. Freestanding signs shall not exceed four feet in height. (Note the height regulations in subsection F of this section).

F.

Height. No sign shall exceed eight feet in height.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))

A.

Height. No sign shall exceed a height of sixteen (16) feet above grade.

B.

Attached Sign. A total of four wall, projecting, roof and/or canopy signs, not exceeding a total combined area of two hundred (200) square feet shall be allowed along each street property line. (Note the height regulation in subsection A of this section).

C.

Freestanding Signs. One freestanding sign shall be permitted in lieu of one of the attached signs permitted in subsection B of this section, along each street property line. No such sign shall be greater in area than one hundred fifty (150) square feet, and the total combined area shall be computed as in subsection B of this section. No freestanding sign shall be located closer than twenty (20) feet from any abutting property line.

D.

Off-Site Signs. One off-site sign shall be permitted in lieu of one of the attached signs permitted in subsection B of this section. No such sign shall be greater in area than fifty (50) square feet and the total combined area shall be computed as in subsection B of this section. Applications for off-site signs must be accompanied by the written permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located.

E.

Shopping Center Signs. One freestanding sign not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet in area shall be allowed along each shopping center street property line to designate the area of the shopping center and/or the names of the businesses located therein.

F.

Sale, Rent or Lease Signs. One temporary property sale, rental or lease sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area shall be allowed for each lot to which said sign refers. Such signs shall be removed within twenty (20) days of the sale, rental or lease of which they refer.

G.

Development Signs. Development signs shall be allowed subject to the following regulations:

1.

One temporary sign, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area shall be allowed for each lot or parcel of property to designate that the same is to be occupied at a future date by the business or concern designated thereon.

2.

One non-illuminated temporary sign, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area for each contractor, developer, architect or engineer, shall be allowed for each lot or parcel of property to designate that such contractor developer, architect or engineer is engaged in the construction or repair of a building on such lot or parcel of property.

3.

Each such development sign shall be removed from the lot or parcel of property upon which the same is placed within twenty (20) days after any occupancy of the building constructed on the premises, or in the event of repairs to the building, within twenty (20) days after the completion of such repairs.

H.

Window Signs. Window signs which are temporary in nature such as "sale" signs, "open" and "closed" signs, etc., and service ID signs such as "Master Charge," "Visa," "American Express," etc., shall be allowed in addition to other signs allowances, provided such signs are placed on the inside of the window and are unlighted.

I.

Address Signs. One set of numbers not exceeding one square foot in area indicating the street address, shall be allowed in addition to normal sign allowances.

J.

Portable Signs. Not mores than one A-frame or sandwich board sign shall be allowed during business hours provided such signs are anchored and positioned in such a manner as to prevent them from blocking or creating a hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic as determined by the zoning administrator. Such signs shall be considered supplemental to the total number of signs allowed in subsection B of this section, but shall be computed as part of the total square footage set forth in subsection B of this section. (Note the height regulations in subsection A of this section).

K.

Additional Signage. Signs in excess of the number allowed in subsections B and J of this section or of another type than those described herein may be allowed by conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2007-004 § 1 (part))