Springfield City Zoning Code

SIGN REGULATIONS

§ 156.145 INTENT.

This subchapter provides content-neutral sign standards that allow legitimate signage for agricultural, residential, professional office, business and industrial activities while promoting signs that:

(A) Reduce intrusions and protect property values;

(B) Minimize undue distractions to the motoring public;

(D) Enhance and strengthen economic stability.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.146 SCOPE.

These provisions apply to the display, construction, erection, alteration, location and maintenance of all new and existing signs within the city limits.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.147 EXEMPT SIGNS.

The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this subchapter and are, therefore, exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit:

(A) Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the property upon which they are located;

(B) Government signs that are placed by government officers in the performance of their professional/elected duties;

(C) Temporary or permanent signs erected by public utility companies or construction companies in the performance of their professional duties;

(D) Vehicle signage when painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically;

(E) Temporary signage of three square feet or smaller placed on or after April 15 and removed by the last day of May. Temporary signage of three square feet or smaller placed on or after the first day of October and removed by November 15;

(F) Temporary signs for a new business for up to 30 consecutive days from the first day of business. Exempt signage shall only be displayed on the property where the new business is located;

(G) Signage placed by realtors in the performance of their professional duties; and

(H) Window signage.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.148 SIGNS EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.

The following signs shall not require a permit:

(A) Incidental signs;

(B) Historic markers; and

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.149 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.

(A) No sign regulated by this chapter (except those specifically exempted in §§ 156.147 and 156.148) shall be displayed, erected, relocated or altered unless all necessary permits have been issued by the Planning Commission. Applicants shall submit an application form to the department before any permit may be issued.

(B) Property owner shall obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the Historical Preservation Commission (HPC) for signage proposed on a historical structure recognized by the National Register of Historic Places or the HPC. Applications are available online at the HPC website or by contacting the HPC directly. If the HPC fails to provide an application to the property owner within ten days of the property owner’s request, then this requirement for a certificate of appropriateness shall be waived.

(D) Applicants shall obtain a building permit for the footer of freestanding and monument signs. Applicants shall also obtain an electrical permit for signs that require electrical service. Final inspections for building permits and electrical permits require a minimum notice of 24 hours to the city’s Building Inspector and/or State Electrical Inspector.

(E) Signs permitted as an accessory to a legal, non-conforming use shall be subject to the regulations of the zone in which the non-conforming use is located.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024) Penalty, see § 156.999

§ 156.150 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.

(A) A legal, non-conforming sign may continue in existence as long as it is properly maintained in good condition.

(B) These provisions shall not prevent the repair or restoration to a safe condition of any sign, but a non-conforming sign shall not be:

(1) Changed to another non-conforming sign except where only the face or copy is changed;

(2) Structurally altered so as to increase the degree of non-conformity of the sign;

(3) Expanded or enlarged;

(4) Reestablished after its removal; or

(5) Moved to a new location on the building or lot.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.151 ILLEGAL SIGNS.

All illegal signs shall be subject to immediate enforcement action as outlined in § 156.999.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024) Penalty, see § 156.999

§ 156.152 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

All signs in all zones shall meet the following requirements.

(A) Illuminated signs shall be located in a fashion which prevents all direct rays of light from shining beyond the property lines of the lot on which the sign is located.

(B) No light, sign or other advertising device shall be designed or erected to imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or use any words, phrases, symbols or characters implying the existence of danger, or the need to stop or maneuver the vehicle.

(D) Projecting signs shall have at least seven feet of clearance above a road or sidewalk;

(E) Neon or other lighted tubing signs shall not be permitted except where such lighting is used behind solid lettering to produce a “halo” effect, or where it is used indirectly. Neon lighting shall not be used to outline buildings, structures or ornamental features;

(F) No sign, except for government signs, shall be located within the sight triangle of any intersection. Refer to design standards of the subdivision regulations;

(G) No sign shall be placed in or project into the public or private street right-of-way, except as specifically permitted herein;

(H) Freestanding, monument and projecting face sign area shall be computed as follows:

(1) Double-faced signs shall have only one face counted in calculating the area;

(2) Sign with more than two faces shall have the area calculated by summing the area of all sign faces and dividing by two;

(3) The area enclosing the perimeter of each cabinet shall be calculated to determine the area;

(4) The perimeter of the measurable area shall not include embellishments (e.g., pole covers, framing, or decorative roofing); provided there is no written copy on such embellishments; and

(5) Maximum height shall be measured from the finished grade at the center of the sign and shall include the sign’s base.

(I) Every sign, including those for which a permit is not required, shall be maintained in good condition at all times.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024) Penalty, see § 156.999

§ 156.153 PROHIBITED SIGNS IN ALL ZONES.

The following signs and/or sign features shall be prohibited in all zones:

(A) Mobile signs;

(B) Roof signs that extend higher than the top of the roof;

(D) Abandoned signs;

(E) Streamers, pennants and tag signs or similar signs or devices except when attached to a permitted temporary sign;

(F) Any sign which emits any noise or odor;

(G) Freestanding signs which overhang any part of a building;

(H) Flashing or blinking signs;

(I) Billboards with an electronic message display system;

(J) Signs in a public right-of-way; and

(K) Handbills.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024) Penalty, see § 156.999

§ 156.154 SIGNS REQUIRING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IN ALL ZONES.

(A) Signs painted directly on a building require a conditional use permit in all zones.

(B) Only the Board of Zoning Adjustments shall have the authority to approve sign variances or conditional use permits for signs unless the request is made to the Planning Commission in conjunction with a development plan. Applications for these signs shall be submitted and processed as outlined in §§ 156.130 and 156.131.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.155 SIGNS PERMITTED BY SPECIFIC ZONE.

Any sign not specifically permitted shall be prohibited.

(A) Mobile Home Park (MHP) Zone.

(1) One freestanding sign per park entrance. Sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, eight feet in height and shall have a minimum setback of 20 feet from any street.

(2) One nameplate wall sign per mobile home that shall not exceed one square foot in area.

(B) Low-Density Residential Zone (R-1).

(1) Residence.

(a) One nameplate wall sign not exceeding one square foot in area;

(b) One wall sign not exceeding one square foot in area; and

(c) Every parcel shall be entitled to one sign not exceeding 36 square inches in area to be placed in any of the following locations:

1. On the front of every building, residence or structure;

2. One each side of an authorized U.S. Postal Service mailbox; and

3. On one post which measures no more than 48 inches in height and four inches in width.

(2) Home occupation. One wall sign not exceeding six square feet in area.

(3) Subdivision. One freestanding sign per entrance into the subdivision not to exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height.

(4) Buildings used for religious or educational activities.

(a) One freestanding sign that shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height;

(b) One wall sign that shall not exceed 12 square feet in area;

(d) Incidental signs which shall not exceed two square feet in area nor require sign permits.

(5) All other conditional uses.

(a) One freestanding sign that shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height;

(b) One wall sign that shall not exceed 12 square feet in area; and

(1) Single-family residence. All single-family homes within these zones shall comply with the signage regulations for Low-Density Residential Zones regulated under division (B) above.

(2) Multi-family residence. Multi-family residential buildings and conditional uses may have:

(a) One freestanding sign that shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height and shall have a front yard setback of 20 feet;

(b) One wall sign that shall not exceed 12 square feet in area; and

(3) Buildings used for religious or educational activities.

(a) One freestanding sign that shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height;

(b) One wall sign per building that shall not to exceed 12 square feet in area;

(d) Incidental signs, which shall not exceed two square feet in area nor require sign permits.

(D) Standard signage permitted in all commercial and industrial zones (CC, CR, HC and I-1).

(1) One freestanding or monument sign per street frontage with a maximum of two signs per lot.

(a) Freestanding signs shall not exceed 75 square feet in area, 25 feet in height and shall have a minimum setback of ten feet. When street frontage permits two signs, the two freestanding signs may be combined into one freestanding sign that shall not exceed 110 square feet in area. For buildings with more than one occupying business, this freestanding sign may list all businesses within the building.

(b) Monument signs shall not exceed 60 square feet in area, eight feet in height and shall have a minimum setback of te feet.

(2) One wall sign, canopy sign or awning sign per street frontage with a maximum of two signs per building. The maximum allowed area for all signage in this category is 32 square feet or 15% of the wall area to which the sign, canopy or awning is attached, whichever is greater. Awnings shall have at least seven feet of clearance when fully extended. When a building contains two or more separate businesses, these requirements shall be applied separately to the wall area of the portion of the building occupied by the individual business.

(3) One wall sign per tenant or lessee not exceeding two square feet in area.

(4) One attraction board either attached to the wall or attached to the permitted freestanding sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height.

(5) One menu board for every property that includes a drive-thru lane, walk-up window or drive-up curbside. Menu boards shall not exceed 55 square feet in area and shall have a maximum height of eight feet.

(6) Temporary signs shall include banners, streamers, tethered balloons and inflatable signs and objects. One temporary sign per street frontage shall be allowed subject to the following conditions:

(a) Shall not exceed 50 square feet per sign where non-rigid materials are used;

(b) Shall not exceed 32 square feet per sign where rigid materials, such as wallboard or plywood, are used;

(d) Shall not remain in place for a period of more than 14 continuous days;

(e) Shall not be displayed for more than a total of eight times in any calendar year; and

(f) Shall not be placed within the public right-of-way or the sight triangle at intersections.

(7) One marquee per theatre. A marquee shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, shall not project more than eight feet from the building face to which it is attached and shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet.

(8) Incidental signs shall not exceed two square feet in area nor require sign permits.

(9) Buildings used for religious or educational activities:

(a) In addition to signage permitted above, one bulletin board, not exceeding 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height.

(b) Signs with electronic message display systems shall be prohibited in the CC (Central Commercial) and CR (Commercial Restricted) Districts. Electronic message display systems may be incorporated into one freestanding or wall sign for each property located within the HC (General Highway Commercial) and I-1 (Industrial) Zones.

(E) Additional signage permitted in specific commercial and industrial zones.

(1) Central Commercial (CC). In addition to the signage permitted in division (D) above, the following signs shall be permitted:

(a) Permanent sidewalk sign. Where a building is located adjacent to the public right-of-way, one non-illuminated, freestanding sign may be permanently placed on the public sidewalk with the following restrictions:

1. Sign shall not exceed five and one-half square feet in area;

2. The edge of the sign shall not extend beyond the curb line;

3. The maximum dimensions of the support frame shall not exceed eight square feet in area (maximum 48 inches wide or 36 inches high); and

4. The bottom of such support shall be seven feet above the sidewalk and the vertical support shall be 24 inches from the curb.

(b) Portable sign. One shall be permitted for each business entrance subject to the following restrictions:

1. Maximum surface area of the sign shall be six square feet per face, maximum height of the sign shall be three feet and maximum width of the sign shall be two feet; and

2. A minimum 36 inches wide pedestrian travelway shall be maintained on the sidewalk. Signs may be designed with a changeable face and shall be removed from the public sidewalk when the business is closed.

(2) Commercial Restricted (CR). In addition to the signage permitted division (D) above, the following signs shall be permitted:

(a) Shopping center malls larger than 100,000 square feet may have one freestanding sign per street frontage with a maximum of 250 square feet per sign face and a maximum height of 30 feet. All other shopping malls may have one freestanding sign per street frontage with a maximum of 75 square feet per sign face and a maximum height of 25 feet.

(b) One interstate sign for those businesses which lie within a 2,500-foot radius of the center point of an interstate interchange overpass. This interstate sign shall take the place of either the permitted freestanding or wall sign outlined in division (D) above. These businesses may have a combination of any two of these signs: interstate sign, freestanding sign or wall sign. Interstate signs shall be subject to the following restrictions:

1. Shall not have an electronic message display system;

2. Individual signs shall not exceed 250 square feet in area;

3. Height (from the base to the top of the sign) shall not exceed 90 feet;

4. The sign’s base shall be at least 90 feet from any residential zoned property; and

5. In addition to a sign permit, a building permit shall be obtained prior to installation.

(3) General Highway Commercial and Industrial Zones (HC and I-1). In addition to the signage permitted in division (D) above, the following signs shall be permitted:

1. Shall not have an electronic message display system;

2. Individual signs shall not exceed 250 square feet in area;

3. Height (from the base to the top of the sign) shall not exceed 90 feet;

4. The sign’s base shall be at least 90 feet from any residential zoned property; and

5. In addition to a sign permit, a building permit shall be obtained prior to installation.

1. The sign shall not have an electronic message display system;

2. The property on which the billboard is located shall abut a federal or state highway;

3. The sign shall be the principal use; there shall be no other buildings, freestanding signs and the like on the lot;

4. Signage face shall not exceed 720 square feet in area;

5. The sign shall be located no closer than 300 feet to any other structure;

6. The sign shall be at least 150 feet away from any residential zone or residential use;

7. There shall be a 40-foot setback requirement from any right-of-way; and

8. Maximum height shall be 35 feet.

(F) Planned development. A permitted sign’s height, size, location and design features shall be determined by the sign requirements set forth in the zone in which the proposed or existing use is first permitted.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024) Penalty, see § 156.999

§ 156.156 ADVERTISING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.

No billboard shall be permitted adjacent to interstate or limited-access highways except in conformance with the setback requirements established by the Federal Bureau of Public Roads, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the requirements of this chapter with respect to the zoning district involved.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024) Penalty, see § 156.999

§ 156.157 MAINTENANCE STANDARDS.

Every sign, including those signs for which a permit is not required, shall be maintained in good condition at all times.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.158 SUBSTITUTION CLAUSE.

The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute non-commercial speech in lieu of any other commercial speech or non-commercial speech. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial speech over any other non-commercial speech. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.159 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABANDONED SIGN. Signage that has been neglected and fallen into disrepair.

ATTRACTION BOARD. Copy is changed manually or electronically on a regular basis.

AWNING SIGN. Applied directly to the surface of an awning; defined as a shelter supported entirely on a wall and made of non-rigid material supported by a frame.

BANNER SIGN. Made of non-rigid material with no enclosing framework.

BILLBOARD. Signage intended for lease to a variety of businesses, organizations and/or individuals. In such case, the sign itself shall be the income generator and the primary commercial use of the property.

BULLETIN BOARD. Allows the manual or electronic change of copy and is used to notify the public of non-commercial events or occurrences such as church services, political rallies, civic meetings or similar events.

CANOPY SIGN. Applied directly to the surface of a canopy; defined as a permanently roofed shelter covering a sidewalk, driveway or similar area. Canopies may be supported by a building, columns, poles, braces or a combination of both.

DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. Two faces either set parallel or up to a 45-degree angle. Any two sign faces set at an angle greater than 45 degrees shall be considered two separate signs.

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM. Copy which uses rotating reflective discs, direct illumination, rotating veins, light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal diodes (LCDs) or other digital devices and is changed by a central computer.

FARM. A tract of at least five contiguous acres used for the production of agricultural or horticultural crops. Agricultural and horticultural crops shall be defined as, but not limited to, livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, grain, hay, pastures, soybeans, tobacco, timber, orchard fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, vineyards and wineries.

FLASHING or BLINKING. Intermittent or sequential illumination for the purpose of attracting attention to the sign.

FREESTANDING SIGN. Attached to the ground by columns, poles, braces or other means and not attached to any building.

GOVERNMENT SIGN. Temporary or permanent, erected by government employees or officers in the performance of their professional/elected duties.

HANDBILL. Printed or written material, circular, leaflet, pamphlet or booklet designed for distribution on vehicles or other property, excluding postal distribution, which advertises merchandise, commodities or services.

ILLEGAL SIGN. Does not meet the requirements of this chapter and has not been identified as a legal, non-conforming sign.

ILLUMINATED SIGN. Emits or reflects artificial light from any source.

(1) DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED. Lighted by an unshielded light source (including neon tubing) which is visible as a part of the sign and where light travels directly from the source to the viewer’s eye.

(2) INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED. Light source projects light onto the exterior of the sign surface or onto the building where the sign is located.

(3) INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED. Light source is within the sign, with a transparent or translucent background or cover which silhouettes letters or designs.

INCIDENTAL SIGN. Not exceeding two square feet in area.

INTERSTATE SIGN. Sign that is designed to be seen from an interstate highway.

MARQUEE SIGN. Used in conjunction with a theatre, is attached to the building, and projects from the building.

MENU BOARD. Freestanding signs placed at properties where there is a drive-thru lane, walk-up window or drive-up curbside.

MOBILE SIGN. Affixed to a frame having wheels or capable of being moved. MOBILE SIGNS do not have a permanent foundation and cannot withstand the wind-load stress requirements of the adopted Building Code as they are designed to stand free from a building. The removal of wheels from such a sign or temporarily securing a sign of this type shall not prevent it from being classified as a mobile sign within this definition. This includes signage placed in a truck bed or on a trailer designed to be pulled behind a vehicle.

MONUMENT SIGN. Attached to a permanent foundation or decorative base and not attached to or dependent for support from any building, pole, post or similar upright.

NON-CONFORMING SIGN. Legally erected but does not comply with the current regulations for the zone in which it is located.

NON-ILLUMINATED SIGN. Does not emit or reflect artificial light from any source.

PORTABLE SIGN. Small sign, easily transported by hand, placed outside during business hours and brought into the business after hours, usually tent style or A-frame.

PROJECTING SIGN. Attached to a building, extends more than 24 inches.

ROOF SIGN. Projects above the cornice of a flat roof or the ridgeline of a gabled or hipped roof. In determining the top edge of the roof, calculation shall not include cupolas, pylons, chimneys or other projections above the roofline.

ROTATING OR MOVING SIGN. Any portion of which moves by mechanical means or the wind; does not refer to changing copy with an electronic message display system.

SIGN. Any copy, including material used to differentiate the copy from the background, which is applied to a surface as a means of identifying, advertising, announcing or illustrating products, services and/or events.

SIGN CLEARANCE. The vertical distance between the lowest point of any sign and the grade at the base of the sign.

SIGN COPY. Any word, figure, number, symbol or emblem affixed to a sign.

SIGN HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, including the frame and any embellishments, to the bottom of the base of the sign.

SIGN SETBACK. The horizontal distance between any street right-of-way and a sign. The measurement shall be taken at the closest point between the right-of-way and any part of the sign.

SIGN SURFACE. That part of the sign on which the message is displayed.

SQUARE FOOT. A unit of area equal to one foot by one foot square.

STREET FRONTAGE. Property line that lies adjacent to street right-of-way.

TEMPORARY SIGN. A banner, pennant, poster or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard, plywood or other like materials and that appears to be intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. They are intended to be displayed for not more than 14 continuous days or more than eight times per calendar year.

VEHICLE SIGNAGE. Signage painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically.

WALL SIGN. Attached directly to a building; includes mansards, canopies, awnings and signs attached to a roof which do not project above the roofline.

WINDOW DISPLAY. Merchandise or other objects placed inside a building to be viewed from outside the building.

WINDOW SIGN. Attached to or located within three feet of the interior of a window and which can be seen through the window from the exterior of the structure.

(Ord. 2024-004, passed 12-23-2024)

§ 156.999 PENALTY.

(A) Violations of this chapter pursuant to KRS 100.991 shall be subject to the following:

(1) Any person or entity who violates any of the provisions of KRS 100.201 to 100.347 or any of the regulations of this chapter adopted pursuant thereto for which no other penalty is provided, shall upon conviction, be fined not less than $10 but not more than $500 for each conviction. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. The city may also enforce these regulations as permitted by KRS 83A.065.

(2) Any person, owner or agent who violates this chapter shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each lot or parcel which was subject of sale or transfer, or a contract for sale or transfer.

(3) Any person who intentionally violates any provision of KRS 100.3681 to 100.3684 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500.

(4) Civil injunctions per KRS Chapter 100 and other applicable enforcement remedies as provided in the law.

(B) Any person who violates any of the provisions of §§ 156.050 through 156.056 for which no other penalty is provided shall upon conviction be fined in an amount not less than $20 nor more than $250. Each day of the violation shall constitute a separate offense. Any person violating may also be found guilty of a civil offense. The civil fine shall be no less than $20 no more than $250. The civil fine shall be paid directly to the city. If the fine is not paid within 30 days from the date of notification, then the city may recover said fine in a civil action in a court of proper jurisdiction. The city may also obtain injunctions or abatement orders to ensure compliance with this chapter or pursue administrative remedies when appropriate, including injunctions and abatement proceedings,