The purpose of this chapter is to coordinate the type, placement, and physical dimensions of signs within the various zones established by this title. Such coordination is necessary:

A.

To eliminate excessive and confusing sign displays that create potential hazards to motorists, pedestrians, and property;

B.

To preserve the beauty and the unique character of Uintah County; and

C.

To maintain a responsible communications system by setting requirements for the location, size, height, number, lighting, and type of signs that will be compatible with the landscape of Uintah County.

The primary intent of this chapter shall be to regulate signs of a commercial nature intended to be viewed from any vehicular right-of-way. The following signs are not regulated by this chapter:

A.

Signs not exceeding four square feet normally associated with residential uses and that are not of a commercial nature, such as:

1.

Signs giving property identification names or numbers or names of occupants;

2.

Signs on mailboxes or newspaper tubes; and

3.

Signs posted on private property relating to private parking or warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals.

B.

On-premises advertising signs that are attached to windows or walls and are clearly temporary, which promote specific sales.

C.

Official traffic regulation and other government signs.

D.

Flags, pennants, or insignia of any government or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.

E.

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

F.

Signs painted on or otherwise permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles that are not primarily used as signs.

G.

One non-illuminated real estate sign per lot or premises, not to exceed six square feet in sign area. Such signs must be removed ten days following sale, rent or lease.

H.

Election signs which are erected prior to the election or referendum concerned. Such signs shall be removed not later than seven days following said election or referendum. Election signs may be placed only on private property, with the permission of the property owner.

I.

Yard/garage sale signs. Such signs which are erected must be removed within one week following the event.

J.

Awning signs.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017)

A.

Signs to Conform. It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to erect, raise, move, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, place or maintain a sign in Uintah County except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

B.

Signs not to Constitute a Traffic Hazard. Signs or other advertising structures shall not be erected at the intersection of any streets or driveways in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision. This includes any location where by reason of the position, lights, shape or color of a sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign or signal device. Such signs shall not make use of the words "stop", "danger", or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicle operators.

C.

Clear Vision of Intersecting Streets. No sign shall be erected in a manner that will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic or any intersection, traffic and other public signs.

D.

Signs on Public Property. No sign regulated by this chapter shall be located on publicly owned land or inside street rights-of-way except signs required and erected by an authorized public agency. This stipulation includes, but is not limited to, handbills, posters, advertisements, or notices that are fastened, placed, posted, painted or attached in any way upon any curbstone, lamppost, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, rock, sidewalk, or street.

E.

Prohibited Signs. Signs not specifically allowed by this chapter are prohibited. In addition, the following signs are specifically prohibited:

1.

Abandoned signs;

2.

A-frame signs;

3.

Snipe signs;

4.

Signs placed on vehicles, trailers, containers, etc., which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign;

5.

Signs containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character or nature.

F.

Maintenance: All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if paint is required. Defective parts shall be replaced. Signs relating to a product no longer available for purchase, or to a business which has moved, shall be removed or the advertising copy removed within thirty (30) days of such unavailability, closure or relocation.

G.

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

H.

Lighting. No illuminated sign shall be installed which permits the direct or undiffused light to penetrate beyond the sign. Sign illumination shall be by internal illumination or by attached shielded lighting. Any such lights alleged to violate the above shall be subject to a determination by the zoning administrator.

I.

Except for off-premises signs permitted herein, all signs shall display thereon only information pertaining primarily to products or services provided on the premises.

J.

Indemnification. All persons involved in the maintenance, installation, alteration, or relocation of signs in Uintah County shall agree to hold harmless and indemnify Uintah County, its officers, agents, and employees, against any and all claims of negligence resulting from such work insofar as this chapter has not specifically directed the placement of a sign.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017)

A.

Temporary signs are permitted through a sign permit. The zoning administrator or designee may approve temporary signs. The following information is required on all sign permit applications:

1.

A plot plan showing relationship of the signs to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; and

2.

The length of time for display and type of request;

3.

Proof of current Uintah County business license;

4.

Business address and phone number;

5.

Address of property owner and phone number;

B.

Business related temporary signs:

1.

Temporary signs announcing the initial opening of a business or the relocation or change of ownership of an existing business may be allowed provided the event shall not continue for more than sixty (60) days and that the permit is issued within the first year of operation. There shall be no more than two such signs allowed per business. The signs must comply with general size and location standards in this chapter and must be removed at the end of the sixty-day period. A temporary sign permit is required. A banner, balloon sign or portable sign is allowed.

2.

Signs advertising a business's special promotions require a permit. Such promotions shall not exceed sixty (60) days in a calendar year. A temporary sign permit is required. A banner, balloon sign or portable sign is allowed.

3.

Signs advertising the liquidation of inventory for a failing business require a permit, which shall not exceed sixty (60) days. Such permit will be allowed only once for any business license. A banner, balloon sign or portable sign is allowed during this period.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017)

A.

A property owner or occupant may not maintain or allow any sign which is dangerous or defective on any premises he owns, occupies or controls.

B.

Any sign deemed to be dangerous or defective shall be torn down or repaired within ten days of receiving notice.

C.

Any sign that is not properly maintained shall be either repaired or torn down within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice.

D.

No part of any sign shall interfere with the use of any fire escape, exit, required stairway, door ventilator, or window.

E.

No sign shall be erected or maintained which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from communication lines and energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the State of Utah or its agencies.

F.

No sign shall be located on publicly-owned land or inside street rights-of-way, except signs owned and erected by permission of an authorized public agency or as specifically authorized in this chapter.

G.

Every sign shall be maintained in complete operating condition. "Maintenance" includes the repair of facades where signs have been removed, the painting, cleaning and repairing of the sign. "Maintenance" does not include structural alterations, cosmetic or style changes or enlargements of face changes.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017)

A.

All signs must be constructed in accordance with all applicable building and electrical codes.

B.

All sign devices must have site plan and design approval by the zoning administrator or designee prior to placement.

C.

All sign applications require the following information:

1.

A plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways;

2.

Two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street;

3.

Details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, foundation scheme, and value of the sign;

4.

Any other drawings the zoning administrator or designee deems necessary to evaluate the sign for compliance with this code and any other applicable law or code as well as architectural compatibility, color, style, size, scale, proportion and balance, location, landscaping and any other factor deemed important by the reviewer.

D.

When new buildings or developments are presented for site plan review, signs proposed for the development shall be reviewed concurrently by staff. All planned centers and multi-tenant buildings must submit a sign theme for approval by the land use authority. The center must have an approved sign theme before any sign permits will be issued. If a plan for a sign package is not submitted at site plan review, the developer shall submit plans, at a later date, that adhere to the applicable zoning district as stated in this chapter and the currently adopted building codes.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017)

A.

The zoning administrator shall be responsible for the enforcement and administration of this chapter.

B.

All applications to permit a sign shall be made to the community development department upon the standard building permit form or permitted use application form used by Uintah County. If it is determined that the proposed sign requires a conditional use permit under the provisions of this chapter, the applicant shall be directed to follow the procedures outlined in Chapter 15, of this title.

C.

Any handbill or sign found posted upon any public property contrary to the provisions of this section may be removed by the sheriff's department, the road division, or the zoning division. The person responsible for any such illegal posting shall be liable for the cost incurred in the removal thereof.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017)

Refer to the following table. Except as detailed otherwise in this section, no sign may exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height.

The following regulation will apply to all signs:

1. Lighting shall be confined to the sign face, and the lighting source shall not be directly visible. No flashing or intermittent illumination shall be employed. Off premises signs are a conditional use.

2. Reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but must comply with UDOT regulations. Signs shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area unless specifically approved by the zoning administrator based on the recommendation of a traffic engineer.

3. Signs located along or adjacent to Highways, 40, 121, 88, 149, 191 or 45 shall comply with UDOT regulations.

4. Off-Premises Signs located along Highway 40 will not be required to be setback 1,500 feet from a residential zoning district boundary.

(Ord. No. 12-18-2017, O1, § 3, 12-18-2017; Ord. No. 10-28-2019, O1, § 3, 10-28-2019; Ord. No. 12-20-2021, O1, § 3, 12-13-21)