West St Paul City Zoning Code
SIGNS; REGULATIONS
§ 153.430 PURPOSE.
(A) This subchapter shall coordinate the type, placement and scale of signs within the different land use zones; encourage the innovative use of design; promote both renovation and proper maintenance; and guarantee equal treatment under the law.
(B) This subchapter is not intended to favor commercial over noncommercial speech. These purposes shall be accomplished by regulation of the erection, use and maintenance of signs within the city.
(C) The use of signs is regulated by district to establish a comprehensive system of sign control that accommodates the need for a well-maintained, safe and attractive community, and the need for effective communications including, but not limited to, business identification.
(D) The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety, general welfare, aesthetics and image of the community by regulating signs that are intended to communicate to the public.
(E) Signs are subject to the following regulations and to the requirements of the city code.
(Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.431 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. Any sign and/or its supporting sign structure that remains without a message or whose display surface remains blank for more than one year or that pertains to a time, event or purpose that no longer applies shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
AWNING. A roof-like cover, often of fabric, plastic, metal or glass, designed and intended for protection from the weather or as a decorative embellishment, that projects from a wall or roof of a structure primarily over a window, walk or the like. Any part of an AWNING that also projects over a door shall be considered an AWNING.
AWNING SIGN. A sign or graphic printed on or in some fashion attached directly to the awning material.
BALLOON SIGN. A sign consisting of a bag made of lightweight material supported by helium or hot or pressured air that is greater than 24 inches in diameter.
BANNER. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material mounted to a pole, building at one or more edges. Flags, as defined herein, shall not be considered BANNERS.
BUILDING MARKER. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building or when constructed of bronze or other non-combustible material.
CANOPY. A roof-like cover, often of fabric, plastic, metal or glass on a support, that provides shelter over a doorway.
CANOPY SIGN. Any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy made of fabric, plastic or any other structural protective cover over a door or entrance.
COMMERCIAL SPEECH. Speech advertising a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment and that promotes at least some type of commerce.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY SIGN. Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink” or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, non-pictorial, text information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic or symbol is defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area. ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic displays.
ELECTRONIC GRAPHIC DISPLAY SIGN. A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade, re-pixelization or dissolve modes. ELECTRONIC GRAPHIC DISPLAY SIGNS include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays. ELECTRONIC GRAPHIC DISPLAY SIGNS include images or messages with these characteristics projected onto buildings or other objects.
ERECT. The activity of constructing, building, raising, assembling, placing, affixing, attaching, creating, painting, drawing or any other way of bringing into being or establishing.
FLAG. Any fabric or similar lightweight material attached at one end of the material or no more than two corners, usually to a staff or pole, so as to allow movement of the material by atmospheric changes and that contains distinctive colors, patterns, symbols, emblems, insignia or other symbolic devices.
FREESTANDING SIGN. Any sign that has supporting sign structure as required in § 153.435(F) that is placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent from any building or other structure.
GRADE. The final ground elevation after construction. Earth mounding criteria for landscaping and screening is not part of the final GRADE for sign height computation.
GROSS AREA. The method of calculating the allowable square footage of signs shall be as follows.
(1) Individual letters or figures: when attached onto a surface such as a building, canopy, awning or wall, the area shall be the smallest rectangle that encompasses all of the letters or symbols.
(2) Monument signs: the area within the frame, including all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with all the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, including a message board. The area shall not include the main supporting sign structure but shall include other ornamental attachments that are not a part of the main support of the sign.
(3) Wall signs: the area within the frame, including all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with all the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, including a message board. The area shall include all other ornamental attachments that are not a part of the main support of the sign.
(4) Pylon signs: the area within the frame, including all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with all background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed, including a message board. The area shall not include the main supporting sign structure, but shall include all other ornamental attachments that are not a part of the main support of the sign.
HEIGHT. The height of a sign shall be computed as the vertical distance measured from the base of the sign at grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
ILLEGAL SIGN. A sign is illegal if it is erected without first complying with all city ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction and erection or use, including, but not limited to, §§ 150.105 through 150.110 and this subchapter. Abandoned signs, unsafe signs, inoperable signs and signs attached to vacant buildings are also ILLEGAL SIGNS.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign that contains an element designed to emanate artificial light internally or externally.
INTEGRAL ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, so that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and so that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
LEGALLY ESTABLISHED NONCONFORMING SIGN. Any sign and its support structure lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this chapter that fails to conform to the requirements of this chapter. A sign that was erected in accordance with a variance granted prior to the adoption of this chapter and does not comply with this chapter shall be deemed to be a LEGALLY ESTABLISHED NONCONFORMING SIGN.
MAINTENANCE FREE. Exterior materials suitable for the climate and exposure in which the sign or mural is located and which, based on industry standards, is identified as weatherproof or maintenance free.
MONUMENT SIGN. Any freestanding sign independent from any building or other structure that is mounted on a base at least as wide as the sign, and the base must be comprised of brick; stone; stucco; synthetic stucco; concrete masonry units (CMU) that are textured, burnished or decorative.
MURAL. A work of art intended as an artistic expression and not as a commercial message, is painted, using an oil-based alkyd enamel or polyurethane enamel, or newer 100% acrylic exterior paint, directly on a building wall. MURALS shall not:
(1) Be mechanically produced or computer-generated print of images;
(2) Contain electric or mechanical components that cause changing images;
(3) Be representations which imitate or appear to imitate any official traffic sign or device which appears to regulate or direct the movement of traffic, or which interferes with the proper operation of any traffic sign or signal; or
(4) Depict obscene images or representations that Council, after consultation with City Manager and City Attorney, deems unprotected obscene speech.
NON-ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign or portion thereof that has a readerboard for the display of text information in which each alphanumeric character, graphic or symbol is defined by objects, not consisting of an illumination device, that may be changed or re-arranged manually or mechanically with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign bearing a commercial message that is located on property that is not the premises, property or site of the use identified or advertised on the sign.
PENNANT. A relatively long, tapering flag.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign that projects from a wall or other surface. PROJECTING SIGNS may not project more than 12 inches from the surface to which they are affixed.
PYLON SIGN. Any freestanding sign that has its supportive structure(s) anchored in the ground and a sign face elevated above ground by pole(s) or beam(s) with an open area below the face of the sign.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected wholly upon the roof or parapet of a building that is wholly or partially supported by the building upon which it is erected and extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof. This does not include an integral roof sign.
ROTATING SIGN. A sign that revolves or rotates on an axis.
SIGN. Any writing, pictorial presentation, number, illustration or decoration, or other device that is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise, or otherwise make anything known. A SIGN shall not be deemed to include any transparent window cling(s); architectural embellishment(s) of a building not intended to communicate information; murals; any sign, structure or device that is not visible from an adjacent street, property line or building on and adjacent property.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wall board or other similar materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a short period of time.
UNSAFE SIGN. Any sign that is out of order, in disrepair, rotten, hazardous or in any other manner unsafe.
VIDEO DISPLAY SIGN. A sign that changes its message or background in a manner or method of display characterized by motion or pictorial imagery, which may or may not include text, and depicts action or a special effect to imitate movement, the presentation of pictorials or graphics displayed in a progression of frames which give the illusion of motion, including, but not limited to, the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting shapes. VIDEO DISPLAY SIGNS do not include electronic changeable copy signs or dynamic display signs. VIDEO DISPLAY SIGNS include images or messages with these characteristics projected onto buildings or other objects.
WALL. Any structure that defines the exterior boundaries or courts of a building/structure and that has a slope of 60 degrees or greater with the horizontal plane.
WALL SIGN. A sign fastened or affixed to the exterior front, rear or side wall of a building or structure that does not extend vertically above the highest portion of the roof or project more than 12 inches from the building or structure.
(Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.432 PERMITS.
(A) No sign, unless exempted by this chapter, shall be erected, altered, reconstructed or moved in the city without first securing a permit from the city as provided in §§ 150.105 through 150.110. The content of the sign shall not be reviewed or considered in determining whether to approve or deny a sign permit.
(B) If the sign requires electricity, it must be installed in accordance with the current Electrical Code and a separate permit from the Building Official must be obtained prior to placement.
(Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.433 EXCEPTIONS.
The following signs shall not be required to obtain a license or permit for the installation of the sign pursuant to §§ 150.105 through 150.110, and shall be permissible in all zoning districts; these exceptions shall not be construed so as to excuse the installer of the sign, or the owner of the property upon which the sign is located, from conforming to the other provisions of this chapter, or the city code.
(A) Building markers;
(B) Noncommercial flags;
(C) Official or public notice(s) issued by a court or governmental agency;
(D) Subject to the total area restriction herein, a temporary sign located on a lot or premises used as a residential use in an R District that does not exceed ten square feet and, if placed in the ground, does not exceed 36 inches above grade in height. The total area of all temporary signs located on the lot or premises measured together and the total area of sign(s) when located on a fence and facing the public right-of-way shall count toward the applicable maximum square footage for the associated property;
(E) Directional signs that are six square feet or less in area and eight feet or less in height;
(F) Signs on bus shelters; and
(G) Sign(s) on a fence that face the public right-of-way, that do not face an adjacent residential structure, that do not cumulatively exceed ten square feet and do not project above the top of the fence. The total area of the sign(s) when located on a fence and facing the public right-of-way shall count toward the applicable maximum square footage for the associated property.
(Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 21-016, passed 11-22-2021; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.434 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
(A) Abandoned signs;
(B) Balloon signs;
(C) Flags other than noncommercial flags, as defined herein;
(D) Illegal signs;
(E) Permanent banners or pennants, except those permitted by Minn. Stat. § 412.221(34), as it may be amended from time to time;
(F) Reserved;
(G) Portable (trailer) signs;
(H) Projecting signs other than awning signs or canopy signs that extend or project over the sidewalk, street right-of-way or highway right-of-way;
(I) Roof sign;
(J) Rotating signs;
(K) Search lights or strobe lights;
(L) Signs containing audio speakers, except restaurant menu boards, or any form of pyrotechnics;
(M) Except for signs allowed pursuant to § 153.433(G), signs painted, attached or in any other manner affixed to fences, roofs, other than integral roof signs, trees, rocks or other similar surfaces, or attached to a post or pole in the right-of-way, or bridges, towers or similar public structures;
(N) Signs that appear in color or design to resemble a traffic sign or signal or that make use of words, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(O) Signs that are affixed to inoperable vehicles or trailers or signs that are affixed to vehicles parked on a property and not intended to be moved for a period of 48 hours or more. At all times, vehicles containing advertising and/or signage shall not be parked along the property frontage or Robert Street;
(Q) Unsafe or inoperable signs; and
(R) Video display signs.
(Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 21-016, passed 11-22-2021; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.435 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(A) Legally established nonconforming signs. A sign that is legally established upon the effective date of this chapter may be continued at the size and in the manner of operation existing upon such date except as specified in this section.
(1) A legally established nonconforming sign may be continued through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance or improvement, but may not be expanded, moved or relocated.
(2) Sign copy and sign faces may be changed on legally established nonconforming signs when there is no change in use of the site or when only a portion of a multiple tenant sign is being changed.
(3) If a sign or its structure is declared unsafe by the Building Official, this chapter shall not prohibit the sign or its structure from being made safe.
(4) Whenever a legally established nonconforming sign shall have been damaged by fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, war, riot or act of God, by more than 50% or more of its fair market value, it may be reconstructed and used as before if it is reconstructed within 180 days after the calamity.
(5) Whenever a legally established nonconforming sign is abandoned for a period of more than one year, any future use of the sign shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(B) Repairs and removal.
(1) Abandoned signs. Any abandoned sign shall be removed or otherwise properly brought into compliance by the property owner upon receipt of notice to do so given by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Illegal signs. Any fixed, permanent sign constructed, placed or maintained in violation of this chapter shall be removed by the property owner upon receipt of notice to do so given by the Zoning Administrator.
(3) Unsafe signs. Any unsafe sign shall be removed or otherwise properly secured by the property owner upon receipt of notice to do so given by the Zoning Administrator. No unsafe sign shall be repaired or rebuilt except in accordance with the provisions of this section and upon a permit issued by the city.
(C) Signs constituting a public nuisance. Any abandoned, illegal or unsafe sign is hereby declared to be a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city, and is declared to be a public nuisance, subject to abatement and assessment as provided in Chapter 94, except that legally established nonconforming signs shall not be abated until they have been abandoned for more than one year.
(D) Setback distance. Regardless of whether requiring a permit or not, signs in all districts shall be located at least ten feet from all lot lines.
(E) Number of signs. Except as otherwise stated, no more than one freestanding sign shall be located on any single lot.
(F) Supporting sign structure design criteria.
(1) All freestanding signs must be mounted on or incorporated into a supporting sign structure whose exterior construction materials are comprised of brick; stone; stucco; synthetic stucco; or concrete masonry units (CMU) that are textured, burnished or decorative; or other maintenance free materials.
(2) Exterior construction materials must be maintenance-free and colored only by means of a pigment integral to the material, not applied to the surface and be compatible with the building(s) on the lot.
(G) Window coverage.
(1) Window signs may be placed within a building in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts, however the window coverage shall not exceed 30% of each window.
(2) There shall be no more than a maximum area of 80 square feet per street frontage for window signs.
(3) Transparent window clings are not considered signs under this section and do not count toward the maximum coverage or area for window coverage. For the purposes of this section, transparent window clings are clings which maintain visibility and are made either from:
(a) Plastic film that sticks to windows using static electricity; or
(b) Vinyl matter that can stick to metal, wood, plastic or glass.
(H) Electronic changeable copy sign, electronic graphic display sign and dynamic display sign requirements.
(1) Mode of operation.
(a) Electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs and dynamic display signs shall only be allowed to operate in static mode.
(b) Animation, motion or video displays are prohibited.
(c) Any change from one static display to another must be instantaneous and shall not include any distracting effects, such as dissolving, spinning or fading.
(2) Minimum display time. The minimum display time for electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs and dynamic display signs shall be eight seconds.
(3) Color.
(a) Electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs and dynamic display signs may use multiple colors within the display, but the use of color shall not create a distraction or a hazard to the public health, safety or welfare.
(b) No portion of the display may change in color or color intensity in any manner.
(c) Each line of text in any direction shall be uniform in color.
(4) Distance between signs.
(a) Electronic changeable copy signs and electronic graphic display signs must be located at least 75 feet from any other electronic changeable copy sign, electronic graphic display sign or dynamic display sign as measured in a straight line from the base of the sign to the base of any other electronic changeable copy sign, electronic graphic display sign or dynamic display sign.
(b) Dynamic display signs must be located at least 800 feet from any other dynamic display sign as measured in a straight line from the base of the sign to the base of any other dynamic display sign.
(5) Application to existing signs. The electronic changeable copy sign, electronic graphic display sign and dynamic display sign standards shall apply to all existing and future electronic changeable copy signs and electronic graphic display signs, unless otherwise determined by the city that an existing sign qualifies as a nonconforming use under state statute or city code.
(Ord. 01-10, passed - -; Ord. 10-01, passed - -; Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.436 PERMITTED SIGNS BY DISTRICT.
Figure A-1 detailing permissible signs by district.
(A) Unless otherwise allowed in (A)(2), within the R Districts, total cumulative gross area of all signs measured together on one premise or lot shall not exceed ten square feet in gross area and no sign may exceed 36 inches in height if placed in or on the ground. Additionally, all signs within the R Districts must comply with the following regulations:
(1) For signage incorporated into a free standing structure, the free standing support structure may be up to 60 inches in height, must be anchored into the ground, and must be constructed of maintenance free materials.
(a) Dynamic display signs;
(b) Electronic changeable copy signs;
(c) Electronic graphic display signs;
(d) Integral roof signs;
(e) Monument signs;
(f) Non-electronic changeable copy signs;
(g) Non-illuminated awning or canopy signs;
(h) Off-premises signs;
(i) Pylon signs; and
(j) Wall signs.
(3) For properties that are one acre in size or larger, signs must comply with the following:
(a) All signs shall be located at least ten feet from all lot lines.
(b) Free standing signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size and six feet in height.
(c) No more than one freestanding sign shall be located on any single lot.
(d) One of the following types of signs are permissible:
1. Monument sign;
2. Non-electronic changeable copy sign;
3. Non-illuminated awning or canopy sign provided it complies with the following requirements;
a. The sign shall be limited to single story buildings or to the first level only of multi-story buildings.
b. The sign shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above grade, unless projecting over a sidewalk in which case the clearance shall be a minimum of 14 feet above grade.
c. The sign shall not be located closer than two feet from any street right-of-way or highway right-of-way, and shall not extend above the top of the wall of a building.
d. The maximum height of an awning or canopy shall be five feet.
e. The wall hangers shall not be visible.
f. Signage on awnings or canopies may be substituted for allowed wall signage, but is limited to 25% of the awning or canopy area.
4. Wall signage that does not exceed 10% of the area of the wall the sign is located on.
(e) The following sign requires a conditional use permit:
1. Up to one electronic changeable copy sign, as regulated in § 153.435(H).
(B) Within the B-1 Districts, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in gross area and ten feet in height.
(2) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Illuminated or non-illuminated awning signs and canopy signs provided they comply with the requirements of divisions (A)(2)(b)1 through (A)(2)(b)6 above and the following requirements.
1. For signs or illuminated areas less than three feet in height, the degree of illumination or candlepower of illuminated canopies and awnings shall be limited to a single lamp exterior fluorescent fixture, running the entire length of the illuminated area.
2. For signs or illuminated areas three to five feet in height, the degree of illumination or candlepower shall be limited to double lamp fixtures.
3. In no event shall the power of the fixture exceed ten watts per foot for single lamp fixtures and 20 watts per foot for double lamp fixtures.
(b) Integral roof signs;
(c) Monument signs;
(d) Non-electronic changeable copy signs; and
(e) Wall signs.
(3) The aggregate gross area of all wall signs shall not exceed 10% of the area of the wall to which they are attached.
(a) For multi-tenant buildings, each tenant is allowed one wall sign that shall not exceed 10% of the tenant’s wall area.
(4) The following types of signs require a conditional use permit:
(a) Electronic changeable copy signs as provided in § 153.433(H).
(5) The following types of signs are prohibited:
(a) Electronic graphic display signs;
(b) Dynamic display signs;
(c) Pylon signs; and
(d) Off-premises signs.
(C) Within the B-2 Districts, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in gross area and ten feet in height;
(2) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Any sign permissible in the B-1 District; and
(b) Electronic changeable copy signs as regulated in § 153.435(H).
(3) The following types of signs are prohibited:
(a) Electronic graphic display signs;
(b) Dynamic display signs;
(c) Pylon signs; and
(d) Off-premises signs.
(D) Within the B-3, B-5 and B-6 Districts, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in gross area and ten feet in height.
(2) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Any sign permissible in the B-2 District.
(3) The following types of signs require a conditional use permit:
(a) Electronic graphic display signs as regulated in § 153.435(H);
(b) In the B3 and B6 Districts only, off-premises monument signs provided:
1. Sign must be located on a property directly adjacent to Robert Street.
2. Off-premises signage is for a commercial zoned business directly adjacent to the property on which the sign is located.
3. The off-premises signage must be on a free-standing sign.
4. Only one free-standing sign is allowed for each property. The sign must meet the design requirements as outlined in § 153.435(F).
5. If the off-premises sign is co-located on signage for the property on which the sign is located, the size of the entire sign may be increased to a maximum of 70 square feet. Maximum height is limited to ten feet.
6. Up to a maximum of two businesses may be co-located on a free-standing sign.
(4) The following types of signs are prohibited:
(a) Dynamic display signs;
(b) Pylon signs;
(c) Off-premises signs, with the exception of signs allowed per division (D)(3)(b) above.
(E) Within the B-4 Districts, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Signs shall not exceed 200 square feet in gross area and 20 feet in height.
(2) No more than one monument sign shall be located on any single lot.
(a) The aggregate gross area of all monument signs in any single B-4 District shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet.
(b) Exception: in any B-4 District where, as of the date of the enactment of this chapter, there exists a legally established nonconforming sign or an existing sign that complies with the size requirements for a sign in a B-4 District, then, in addition to the legally established nonconforming sign or existing sign, a sign may be erected on any separate lot within the same B-4 District; however, it must comply with the size requirements for signs in a B-3 District.
(3) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Any sign permissible in the B-3 District.
(4) The following types of signs require a conditional use permit:
(a) Electronic graphic display signs, as regulated in § 153.435(H).
(b) Off-premises monument signs, provided:
1. Sign must be located on a property directly adjacent to Robert Street.
2. Off-premises signage is for a commercial zoned business directly adjacent to the property on which the sign is located.
3. The off-premises signage must be on a free-standing sign.
4. Only one free-standing sign is allowed for each property. The sign must meet the design requirements as outlined in§ 153.435(F).
5. If the off-premises sign is co-located on signage for the property on which the sign is located, the size of the entire sign may be increased to a maximum of 70 square feet. Maximum height is limited to ten feet.
6. Up to a maximum of two businesses may be co-located on a free-standing sign.
(5) The following types of signs are prohibited:
(a) Dynamic display signs;
(b) Pylon signs;
(c) Off-premises signs, with the exception of signs allowed per division (E)(4)(b) above.
(F) Within the I-1 District, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in gross area and ten feet in height.
(2) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Any sign permissible in the B-2 District.
(3) The following types of signs require a conditional use permit:
(a) Electronic graphic display signs as regulated in § 153.435(H).
(4) The following types of signs are prohibited:
(a) Dynamic display signs;
(b) Pylon signs; and
(c) Off-premises signs.
(G) Within the I-2 Districts, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Monument signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in gross area and ten feet in height.
(2) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Any sign permissible in the I-1 District.
(3) The following types of signs require a conditional use permit:
(a) Electronic graphic display signs as regulated in § 153.435(H);
(b) Dynamic display signs as regulated in § 153.435(H);
(c) Pylon signs provided:
1. Each sign is a maximum of 700 square feet in size;
2. Each sign is a maximum of 80 feet in total height;
3. Each sign is located at least 800 feet from any other pylon sign as measured in a straight line from the base of the sign to the base of any other pylon sign.
(d) Off-premises signs provided:
1. Each sign is located at least 800 feet from any other off-premises sign as measured in a straight line from the base of the sign to the base of any other off-premises sign.
(e) More than one freestanding sign on any single lot.
(H) Within the C District, signs must comply with the following regulations.
(1) Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in gross area and six feet in height.
(2) The following types of signs are permissible:
(a) Awning signs and canopy signs provided they comply with the requirements for awning signs and canopy signs in the R District;
(b) Monument signs; and
(c) Wall signs.
(3) The following types of signs are prohibited:
(a) Electronic changeable copy signs;
(b) Electronic graphic display signs;
(c) Integral roof signs;
(d) Non-electronic changeable copy signs;
(e) Dynamic display signs;
(f) Pylon signs; and
(g) Off-premises signs.
Permissible Signs by District | |||||||||
x = permitted * = requires a CUP | |||||||||
B-1 | B-2 | B-3 | B-5 | B-6 | B-4 | I-1 | I-2 | C | |
Permissible Signs by District | |||||||||
x = permitted * = requires a CUP | |||||||||
B-1 | B-2 | B-3 | B-5 | B-6 | B-4 | I-1 | I-2 | C | |
Gross area (square feet) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 200/ 50 | 50 | 700/50 | 32 |
Height (feet) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 20/10 | 10 | 80/10 | 6 |
Electronic changeable copy signs | * | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Electronic graphic display signs | * | * | * | * | * | * | |||
Illuminated canopy and awning signs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Integral roof signs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Monument signs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Non-electronic changeable copy signs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Non-illuminated awning and canopy signs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Pylon signs | * | ||||||||
Wall signs | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Dynamic display signs | * | ||||||||
Off-premises signs | * | * | * | * | |||||
(Ord. 12-04, passed - -; Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 15-13, passed 12-15-2015; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.437 MESSAGE SUBSTITUTION.
(A) The owner of any sign that is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute noncommercial copy or message in lieu of any other commercial or noncommercial sign copy or message without additional approval or permitting subject to the operational standards set forth in this chapter.
(B) The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech or message over noncommercial speech or message.
(Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.438 NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, all signs of any size containing noncommercial speech may be posted from 46 days before the state primary in any general election year until ten days following the general election and, in years other than a general election year, 13 weeks prior to any special election until ten days following the special election. For purposes of this chapter and § 150.110, special election includes both municipal and school district special elections, as those terms are defined by state law.
(Ord. 10-09, passed - -; Ord. passed 10-11-1963; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)
§ 153.439 SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this sign subchapter is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this subchapter.
(Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)